Joanna Gaines' Clever Tips To Keep Your Home Clean & Organized

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Are you all ready to see your fixer-upper? Only a lucky few have had the privilege of appearing on Joanna Gaines and Chip Gaines' beloved series "Fixer Upper". But anyone can benefit from the design maven's decades of expertise. Not only does Gaines know how to wield a stack of shiplap like a pro, she's also built up quite the prowess when it comes to cleaning and organizing. 

As a white furniture-loving mom to five kids, Gaines has learned a bit about preventing stains and keeping a space looking picture-perfect. (Hint: Her secret weapon comes in a can.) But while her 40-acre Texas farm is quite literally expected to appear perfect in many a glossy magazine spread, she feels strongly that the space should still feel like home. That means embracing all the clutter that children can bring, but finding a way to make it cute with decorative baskets, jars, and other containers. She also has a must-follow strategy for ensuring her kids take part in the clean-up process. Take heed of her advice, and you, too, can clean up your act.

Some people spring into a new season, eager to purge, organize, and scrub their space from top to bottom. However, if you need some inspo from Gaines to refresh your home, use her strategy to shift your mindset. She advises on her Magnolia Spring Reset blog post, "Whatever this process looks like for you, don't overwhelm yourself by thinking of this as a complete overhaul of your home. Rather, look at this as your opportunity to slow down, reset, and embrace the clean slate of a new season."

For Gaines, intention-setting is a good place to start the process. So, get motivated by firing up your fave playlist, lighting a candle with a seasonal scent, and seeking out spots where you can get rid of excess clutter. Then, visualize the vibe you want your home to give off for the upcoming season. For spring, do you want to create a crisp, clean, and airy space? Or for fall, are you looking to rearrange pillows and throws to give off cozy feels? Arm yourself with seasonal cleaning products to really lean into the mood. For example, Mrs. Meyer's Acorn Spice All-Purpose Spray can make that autumn refresh feel less tedious and more festive.

Nothing leaves you feeling quite as on top of the world as crossing a task off the ol' to-do list, particularly one that you spent more time dreading than it actually took to accomplish. When it comes to any massive clean, "I also like to make a physical list of things I want to approach with a fresh perspective," she writes on her Fall Reset blog post. "I think there is power in writing down the things we want to see or understand with renewed clarity."

So, start by tackling your first task, actually creating a cleaning plan. To avoid overlooking microtasks, go room by room, thinking about how you can improve and freshen each spot. For example, you could create a pantry system in your kitchen that actually stays organized, deep clean the sink, and sanitize the garbage disposal. Or, if you'd rather take the guesswork out of creating a plan, consider ordering a pre-made guide like C & E Publishing's Home Cleaning Checklist.

Determining where to start when reorganizing isn't exactly a toss-up for Gaines. For the design pro, any major clean starts with a little trash talk. "I like to begin with what to purge — first of my mind and then of our home — because for me, the reward in ridding those places of unhealthy or unnecessary clutter is that it makes room for something new, or something more worthy to take its place," she writes in her blog.

And once you've culled the herd and decluttered, you can craft a cleaner, tidier home. When items aren't stuffed into various spots, suddenly organizing what's left feels possible, even enjoyable. As for deciding what makes the cut, first ditch anything broken, expired, or otherwise no longer useful. Then you can either go full Marie Kondo and question if each item brings you joy, or consider when you last used it. If it's been months, toss it — you likely won't miss it. Anything still usable can be donated to a local charity, or you can make a bit of extra cash by selling pieces on eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace. Furniture, small appliances, baby gear, and other collectibles are among the items in high demand on these platforms.

Kids are uniquely skilled at making a mess out of things. For most parents, it's not uncommon to walk into a room scattered with blocks, dolls, markers, and whatever other toys their brood may have been playing with. The secret of hiding that mess, Gaines writes, "is to create intentional spaces for toys, craft supplies, and odds and ends to land at the end of the day." She's converted a wooden chicken feeder into storage for her kids' toys that's also stylish. "I like to purchase unique furniture pieces that offer a lot of practical organization space," she explains. "These kinds of pieces can almost make the mess 'cute' and well-played from a design standpoint." 

Or consider furniture pieces that feature cabinet doors that you can shut. Media stands, armoires, and bookshelves make it easy to hide the mess in seconds. For example, pieces like Hostack's Modern Farmhouse Sideboard that are meant for storing dishware can also provide stylish ways to store books and toys. Other secret weapons include clutter-hiding containers like Ornavo's Collapsible Storage Bins with Lids. You can even maximize storage space with products designed to tuck away, like Punemi's Under Bed Storage With Lids. 

When it comes to organizing your space, a go-big-or-go-home mindset can feel incredibly daunting. So rather than doing a full overhaul each season or even annually, Gaines recommends celebrating the small things. "A little goes a long way," she writes on her blog. "Maybe for you, embracing change looks more like tackling a space you've been avoiding in your home, like your hall closet, junk drawer, or pantry."

So if the thought of cleaning out that one messy closet leaves you paralyzed, consider trying a decluttering technique that truly changes the game. Empty the entire space and place everything onto the floor where you can actually see what you have. Then sort the similar items into piles. From there, it's easier to find duplicates that can be tossed. Or, you may discover that you have no desire to wear that stack of sweaters that you forgot was languishing in the back corner. 

Listen, it's called a living room for a reason. Because in the Gaines' home, it's where life takes place, not meals. With her predilection for white furnishings, Gaines told Southern Living, "The kids know from early on — the rule has always been you eat in the kitchen or the dining room." Because when that guideline was ignored, it's ended in spills or Cheetos smudges on the light-hued couch.  

So, designate easy-to-clean spaces in your own home as eating and drinking zones. But because kids can break rules and knocked-over apple juice happens, it's smart to keep a bottle of plain white vinegar on hand. The mildly acidic pantry staple can be a versatile cleaning tool thanks to its ability to lift stains. To target those messes of the beverage-based variety, use a 50-50 mix of vinegar and water.

Remember that an ounce of prevention is worth never having to replace your couch cushions. So even though Gaines' kids knew early on that snacking was off-limits in the living room, well, rules can be broken. Which is why the second part of her clean-couch strategy comes in a can that she swears by to keep her furniture safe from kids. "I took precaution early on and sprayed the couches with Scotchgard," she explains to Southern Living. The fabric-protector works by creating a repellent barrier around a fabric's fibers, giving you time to blot up a spill before it soaks in. "I do what I can." 

To safeguard your own upholstery, purchase enough Scotchgard Fabric Shield for the surfaces that you need to cover. But first, double-check the manual for any furniture pieces to ensure that the spray can be used and do a patch test, as some users have found it can cause discoloration. Then spray the whole surface from about six inches away, continuously moving to prevent any spots from getting oversaturated.

Most guest rooms don't see a ton of action, so to avoid a musty situation, Gaines likes to give the space a quick refresh when company's coming. She's crafted her own lemon lavender linen spray using 10 drops of lemon essential oil, 10 drops of lavender, and two tablespoons of witch hazel (or a pinch of Epsom salt) mixed with filtered or distilled water. "I love using it to refresh the linens in the spare bedroom when we're expecting a guest, so the whole room smells fresh when they arrive," she writes on her Magnolia blog. "I also like to give the folded towels and throw blankets in my linen closet a quick spritz if they've been sitting for long periods of time." 

The all-natural blend is completely customizable based on your preferred essential oils. So, create your own custom linen spray to keep your laundry smelling incredible using pantry ingredients like water, vinegar, calendula, rose, and lavender. Not only does the floral combo create a delightfully light scent, research shows that lavender can improve sleep quality so your guests can rest easy.

Getting kids to voluntarily give away their toys can be, to put it mildly, a bit challenging. Suddenly, the Lego set they haven't touched in months is their most prized possession. To declutter a home full of toys without meltdowns (theirs or yours), let the games begin. Gaines' strategy is to hand each kid three trash bags and set a timer for 20 minutes, then watch as they gather toys, books, stuffed animals, and anything else they no longer use "Supermarket Sweep"-style. She explains, via Yahoo, that this purge allows them to "see the space and re-evaluate how to make it functional for your family."

The practice can teach your kids about empathy (how would they feel if they had no toys at all?) and giving back to others. But if that's not enough of a motivator, you can pose other fun challenges to your kids. Ask them to find three toys they no longer play with, or five games with lost pieces. Whoever does it the fastest wins, but you'll feel like the victor by the end of the day.

For those who dread all the washing and folding, consider putting a fresh spin on doing laundry. Because when Gaines refurbished her laundry room, she was able to lift a lot of the drudgery from the chore. "I gave it a complete makeover and now it's a place that inspires me," she raved to Today about transforming it into one of her favorite spots in the house. "Just the natural light alone makes me want to settle in and drink my morning coffee there. As a bonus, it helps me dislike laundry day a little less."

We're not saying that a kitchen upgrade will make you excited about washing dishes, or that a garage renovation will have you eager to reorganize the outdoor toys and holiday decor. But it certainly can't hurt. And even a slight change in a dreaded space can give a once-gloomy spot a bit of a glow-up. So, consider adding personal touches like your favorite greenery and family photos to functional spaces like the laundry room to make them a bit more inspiring.

Chaos, but make it cute. That's Gaines' strategy for keeping her kids' stuff organized and easily accessible. "I bought basic containers to store these smaller things in so the kids know where they go when they are finished playing with them," she explained in a blog post. And whether it's their fave markers, magnetic tiles, or the seemingly unending collection of Legos, adds Gaines, "I also think it looks super cute out on the dining table or coffee table as intentional decor for the kids."

This is particularly helpful if you don't have the space for a dedicated playroom or crafting room. Relying on baskets, bins, glass jars, or even repurposed candle holders, you can keep the mess artfully contained. And to make it easier for your kids to put their tiny bits away themselves, create kid-friendly categories for the containers — dinosaurs, blocks, cars — and have at least one miscellaneous bin that can serve as a catch-all. 

Getting your kids to pick up all of their stuff at the end of the day can become a messy situation. Which is why Gaines implemented a genius strategy early on. "Since my kids were big enough to walk, I've been putting name-labeled baskets on the stairs," Gaines explains. "Throughout the day, they know to place their toys in their basket once they're done playing with them, rather than leaving them scattered around the house."

That  will fix your kids' clutter situation throughout the day, but, continues Gaines, "At the end of the day, I ask them to take the toys up to the playroom and put them away." Not only does it reinforce the idea that there's a place for everything and everything goes in its place, but it also gives them responsibility that doesn't feel overwhelming. Plus, establishing this as part of your daily routine can create positive, long-term habits. But if your kiddos require an extra push, consider setting a timer to turn the putting-away process into a fun game.

Admittedly, scrubbing paint brushes isn't an every-week, or even an every-month, type of chore. But when you have to clean up after a massive paint project (or crafting time with the kids), you'll be glad you brushed up on this niche trick. When brushes get caked with paint, it can be tempting just to toss 'em, but Gaines gets all of her tools clean using vinegar. She also uses a paint comb, like Warner Manufacturing's Brush and Roller Cover Cleaner. 

After she's let all the brushes soak in hot vinegar for 20 to 30 minutes, she busts out the comb. "What you do is you brush the gunk out, basically comb the brush and get all the thick spots out," she details in a video from paint company KILZ. Once it's spotless, she continues, "You let it soak in some soapy water to get the vinegar out, pat it down, run it through some warm water, get the soap out, and there you go, your brush is good as new." 

Vinegar is also clutch for any paint that might drip on the carpet. While dish soap and warm water should work on any water-based paint stains. However, for tougher spots, mix a bit of the pantry staple with baking soda and blot the area until the stain lifts.

For those who don't have a medicine cabinet or enough storage in their bathroom, Gaines has the right prescription. It may seem like you need to stash everyday items like cotton balls, makeup brushes, or bandages out of sight. However, they can actually be put on display using glass jars, baskets, or other decorative containers. Gaines explains to Homes and Gardens, "The fun thing about being creative with the way you contain things is that things that typically wouldn't be cute, like cotton balls and Q-Tips — you can make it cute by getting cute little glass jars and putting them in a basket."

Opt for a streamlined minimalist vibe by using slim glass containers and ceramic jars like Amolliar's Apothecary Jar Set. Or, scour flea markets and antique shops for funkier, more eclectic finds. And to keep it looking cute, not cluttered, place the larger containers in the back of the shelf and the smaller ones up front. You can also use larger containers like boxes and bins to keep larger items like spare toilet paper, shampoo, and other toiletries in their place. 

And, finally, some advice you'll truly want to heed. Once you've finished your chores, don't forget to sweep yourself off your feet. "Now for the most important part of the whole day," Gaines explains of the final step of a deep clean on her blog, saying, "reward yourself when you finish. For me, that's eating a chocolate cupcake, laying in the hammock, and just relaxing for an hour or so."

So, whether your preferred gold star for a job well done is a favorite snack, a solid binge, or a candlelit bubble bath, Gaines stresses, "Go ahead and treat yourself! You've done a good thing, and your whole family is going to benefit from this." Plus, knowing that a sweet reward is waiting for you at the end of the cleaning process will provide extra motivation to get the job done along the way.