One Japanese Cleaning Habit that Works for Everyone

Most of us in Western countries have bigger homes than ever before, but we're also living with more chaos and stress.  We have more space and more storage, but we also have a ton more stuff.  We've traded that overabundance for less peace, less control, and a feeling that our belongings are crowding us out.

Have you ever stood in your kitchen armed with a broom, mop, cleansers, dish rags, paper towels, and sponges, and still felt like the space wasn't quite clean?  Maybe it wasn't technically dirty, but it felt crowded, heavy, and mentally noisy.

The reality is that most of us haven't really learned how to clean.  What we do instead is react.  Spill something?  Wipe it up.  Notice the dust?  Swiffer it, or run the vacuum.  But we've never learned prevention.  We learned to notice a mess, but not how to create a system that would keep it from building up in the first place.

The good news is that you don't need to put more energy into cleaning.  You don't need to work harder.  You just need better habits.  Work smarter, instead.

A new mindset

This begins with a shift in mindset, and Japanese traditions can show us the way.  It's time to implement kaizen – a few seconds that can change everything about your home.

Kaizen means "continuous improvement."  It started in Toyota factories, but it can exist in your home.  The trick is to make small improvements that don't require planning or a huge effort.  For example:

• Wipe down the bathroom sink after you brush your teeth.
• Fold the blanket as soon as you get out of bed.
• Rinse the plate and put it in the dishwasher right after you eat breakfast.
• Hang up the still-clean shirt after you take it off, or if it's dirty, put it straight in the hamper.
• Put things away after you finish using them.

Each task takes mere seconds, but they add up – not just to cleanliness, but to calmness and order.

There's even science to back this up.  A 2024 study from Tokyo University found that people who practice kaizen-style micro-cleaning spend 40% less time cleaning each week, but their homes are consistently cleaner than those who deep-clean once a week.  Having grown up with this idea (my mom called it "clean as you go"), I can say that you also dread those tiny tasks much less than the hours-long labor required by once-a-week cleaning.

In fact, every micro-task you complete gives your brain a hit of dopamine.  You basically tell yourself "Hey, cleanliness and order feel good.  Let's do more of that!"  Pretty soon, your environment isn't something you battle, but something that responds to you naturally, with very little effort.  That's how Japanese homes (and mine!) are beautifully maintained with very little stress.  It becomes a habit, so you don't need reminders, and the work becomes an almost invisible part of everything you do.

The average Japanese apartment is just under 700 square feet for a family of four.  There are no walk-in closets, and few garages.  Yet somehow, that small space doesn't feel cramped.  Why?  Because they purchase mindfully and store carefully.

Yes, storage is created underneath beds and up high on closet shelves.  But before any purchase is made, its storage is considered.  Either that purchase is replacing something that's worn out (following the well-known rule of "one in, one out"), or it's a new and necessary item for which a place has been made.

When everything has a place to belong, it's so much easier to put things away when you're not using them.  That alone cuts cleanup time dramatically.

I know this works, because my family (me, my husband, and our two school-aged children) lived in an 800-square-foot apartment for more than four years.  We had all that we needed, but our stuff didn't crowd us.  Part of the secret is that everyone had their jobs.  The kids could put their toys and clean clothes away, everyone wiped up after using the bathroom or kitchen, and I did most of the laundry, but my husband swept and vacuumed.  And so on.  With everyone working together, we enjoyed a calm and spacious (though small) home.

Enjoying the benefits

A clean home can change your life.  Not because you find the perfect vacuum, or finally conquer the laundry pile, but because you can stop seeing your home as an eternal project – heavy, fatiguing, and stressful.  Clearing away dust or wiping a counter isn't just about cleanliness, it's about a clearer mind.  The Japanese call this kiyomeru – cleanliness that creates harmony.

Do you want to experience quieter mornings, less rush, and greater mindfulness?  Try kaizen micro-cleaning.  Instead of avoiding your dirty kitchen sink, take care of the dishes as you use them, and clean the sink because it's useful and deserves care – just like you.  You're not just cleaning your space; you're appreciating it and preparing it to sustain you.

A better life doesn't have to begin with a bigger house, a new job, or a fancier car.  It can begin with the organized drawers in your kitchen, those towels you just folded, and the swept floor beneath your feet.  Cleaning becomes less of a chore and more like an act of caring and kindness.  Instead of feeling overwhelmed by your tasks, you can enjoy making your home spacious and neat, ready for cooking, connecting, or relaxing in the calm environment you've created.

Start small.  You don't have to worry about revamping your entire house today.  Just implement one habit.

• Wipe up the counter after you make a sandwich.
• Hang up your towel.
• Put your phone, keys, sunglasses, and wallet on a tray.*
• Return your makeup and facial care items to their own basket.
• Empty trash or recycling as soon as it's full.

Do this one tiny, insignificant habit until you don't even have to think about it.  Then add another tiny habit.  With repetition, you'll start to see more cleanliness and order, which will make you feel more peaceful and in control.

Sometimes the difference between chaos and calm is just one simple habit away.

For more on the Japanese uncluttered style, see One Way a Minimalist Decorates for Beauty and Impact and Minimalism Lets You Embrace the Possibilities.

And I know you'll love my book Goodbye, Clutter, part of my Minimalist Home series.

* Thank you for supporting this blog with your purchases.  If you use my links, I may earn a small commission.