Even if you’ve never worked in retail or a restaurant, you’ve likely heard of the term ‘closing shift.’ This refers to the end-of-day cleaning routine that typically takes place in a business, but it can be applied to your residential space too. Recently, content creators in the lifestyle space have taken to social media to share their opening and closing shift routines. Essentially, this involves either starting your day by tidying your home, or spending a few minutes before bed getting your house in order. As a professional organizer, I recommend the latter, because it’s all too easy to skip the early routine on busy mornings.

Rather than spend an entire Sunday resetting your home, a 20-minute routine every night is an effortless way to keep your space clean and clutter-free all week long. So, before you hit the hay, set a timer and tackle the following tasks so you can start the next day on the right foot.

1. Clear the Sink (5-7 Minutes)

The kitchen sink is among the dirtiest spots in a home because they harbor bacteria and moisture, especially throughout the day. After dinner, either load and run the dishwasher or handwash dishes and add them to the drying rack. If you have a garbage disposal, use it to remove any lingering debris. Next, thoroughly clean the kitchen sink, including the drain, faucet, and handles. Wipe the entire area dry with a clean cloth. If you feel motivated, do the same with any hand-washed dishes and put them away so you don’t have to do it the next day.

2. Tidy Visible Clutter (5-7 Minutes)

Knocking this off your list will automatically make spaces look neater and lower your stress levels. Talk about a win-win! Take a few minutes to go through high-traffic areas like the living room, entryway, and kitchen and re-home stray items that have piled up throughout the day. Declutter countertops, corral chargers and remote controls, toss kids’ and pets’ toys back into their respective baskets, put back bathroom products, and place shoes onto racks. Depending on each day’s level of clutter, this part of the closing shift may take a little longer, but it’s worth the effort once it’s done.

3. Wipe Down Surfaces (1-2 Minutes)

Now that you have a clean slate to work with, give commonly used surfaces a quick wipe down. Clean kitchen countertops (including the island) and the stovetop by first removing crumbs and then spraying an all-purpose cleaner. If you ate at the kitchen, dining room, or even the coffee table, don’t forget to wipe those as well. Bathroom counters are quick to collect stains from makeup, skincare, and toothpaste. So, since you cleared products in the previous step, you can easily scrub your vanity before bedtime. Have a few more seconds to spare? Clean splatters on the mirror while they’re fresh rather than wait to scrub them on the weekend.

4. Make the Couch (1-2 Minutes)

Just like making the bed each morning is a good habit, it’s just as important to make the couch in the evening. Even if you only spent an hour or two enjoying your favorite show, chances are the sofa could use some straightening up. Most nights, you can get away with simply fluffing the cushions and throw pillows and refolding and putting the blankets back where they belong. If you notice crumbs or excessive pet hair, remove them with a handheld vacuum cleaner or lint roller. Any food that’s fallen between the cushions can encourage pests, so it’s not something you should wait to address. This part of the closing shift sets up the sofa so you can relax without worrying after a long day tomorrow.

5. Empty the Trash (1-2 Minutes)

You most likely do this on a nightly basis already, but you can tack it on at the end of your closing shift to signal that the day is officially over. First, collect any small bags that are full (such as those from bathroom wastebaskets) and add them to the kitchen trash. Take that bag and any recycling you may have to the curb or into their respective outdoor cans on the nights you don’t have a pickup. Clean trash can spills or stains right away so odors don’t linger. Finish by replacing any empty cans with new bags.

Optional Add-On Tasks

If you have an extra few minutes or a bit of extra energy before bed, try tacking the following tasks onto your closing shift for a smoother morning routine.

• Sweep the floors or, better yet, run the robot vacuum after cleaning surfaces and while finishing up your closing shift.
• Tidy up the bedroom by putting away clothes and accessories, including laundry that was folded and abandoned earlier in the day on the dreaded clothes chair.
• Prep for tomorrow by setting the coffee maker, laying out your outfit, and packing lunches and bags.