You’re in good company if it seems like keeping your home clean is a never-ending job. Fortunately, there are many things you can do between big cleaning days to stay on top of it all. The best part is that these tips don’t take very long to complete.

Wipe the bathroom sink after using it. This helps to remove spots and stains that could set in and become more difficult to remove later. Wiping away the water is helpful, but using a natural cleaning solution helps keep the sink and counters free of germs and bacteria.

Unload the dishwasher every morning. You may not feel like doing this if you’re pressed for time, but taking just a few minutes in your morning routine to empty the dishwasher prevents dishes from piling up in the sink. That way, you can put the dishes that you just used into an empty dishwasher, run it after dinner, and repeat the process for breakfast the next day.

Get off junk mailing lists. You would be surprised at how quickly unwanted mail piles up, making your home look cluttered. While cleaning, be sure to toss the junk mail into your recycle bin. To reduce the amount of junk mail you receive by up to 80 percent, contact the Mail Preference Service managed by the Direct Marketing Association and request to have your name removed.

Pay attention to packaging when shopping. Most products come with entirely too much packaging. While you can typically recycle most of it, the packaging adds more clutter to your home. It’s also better for the environment to have less to recycle in the first place. Whenever possible, opt for products with no or minimal packaging to save time cleaning your home and contribute less to recycling centers.

If you’re not using it, you don’t need it. Do you still have clothes you haven’t worn in five years, old nonessential papers, and kitchen gadgets you might use once every two years? If so, abide by the rule of thumb that says get rid of anything you haven’t used or even looked at in more than a year. Frequent purging is one of the best ways to keep your home clean.

Consider professional cleaning services. Even when you keep up with the day-to-day straightening and light cleaning, any home can benefit from regular professional cleaning. If you’re considering hiring a maid service, check with several local companies to receive a free estimate.