7 Non-Negotiable House Rules Our Editors Live By

The concept of house rules can seem a bit rigid. We all want our homes to feel comfortable, relaxing, and inviting, and too many house rules can feel like the antithesis to that. However, whether it’s conscious or not, we all have rules we like to follow to keep our homes just the way we like them—and that can be a really good thing. Many of these rules aren’t about creating restrictions for the home, but are instead about sticking to routines that make it easier to stay clean and organized.

For example, if you have a rule about no clutter on the kitchen counters, that might require a bit more discipline in your day-to-day routine, but it could also eliminate the stress and frustration of constantly having to clear off your counters every time you go to prep a meal or snack. So, some house rules actually help us achieve a more peaceful space—and more peace of mind.

Here are seven rules our editors live by to keep their homes in order.

No Outside Clothes on the Bed (or the Sofa)

The debate about whether or not it’s okay to wear “outside clothes” on the bed can get pretty heated, and our executive editor, Lisa Freedman, has some strong feelings about this one. “Outside clothes are disgusting,” she says. “You can’t sit at a restaurant or on a bench and then lay down on your bed in the same jeans.”

“Outdoor clothes do not belong on your bed. Ideally not even your sofa,” she continues. “Come home and change into new clothes—ideally, a pair of soft pants.”

Keep a Window Cracked at All Times

Like many renters in NYC, our managing editor, Tara Cox, doesn’t have control over the heat in her home in the winter, which means she’s subject to some sauna-like indoor temperatures. So, that’s part of the reason she likes to keep a window cracked when it’s cold out, but she also likes to do this year-round to keep her home feeling more fresh and clean. “I keep a window cracked because getting fresh air to circulate is so important,” she says. “I always feel like those who keep things closed up year-round get sick more often, so keeping a window or two open lets the fresh air overtake the stale air.”

And there’s evidence to support Cox’s hunch. According to a recent study, indoor air is actually more polluted than outdoor air, and opening windows regularly is a great way to improve indoor air quality.

Put Bags and Coats Away, Not Down

This is my own personal rule for my home, which I only really established this year—but it’s already made a huge difference in cutting down on entryway clutter. As soon as I get home, I make sure to not just drop my things and carry on, but to instead put everything I’m carrying away. I hang up my jacket or coat, put my bag away in the closet, and stow my shoes on a rack. In the past, I would often just kick my shoes off and pile my bags and outerwear on the entryway chair. This would create a domino effect, enabling me to leave other items in my entryway to be dealt with later. Now that I’ve made it a habit to put my things away as soon as I get home, my entryway has remained clutter-free and peaceful.

Dishes Go in the Dishwasher, Never the Sink

Keeping house rules in place can be tricky when you have kids at home, but our research editor, Maya Kukes, has figured out how to resolve one major pain point in her home: a sink full of dishes. “It took months, but I finally got all my kids on board to always put their dishes in the dishwasher, never in the sink—well, unless the DW is running,” she says. “Do not pass go, it’s straight to the dishwasher. It makes a huge difference, especially on breaks or during the summer when everyone is home all day and eating non-stop.”

Close the Shower Curtain After Showering

Freedman, who likes to keep her bed clean from outside clothes, also has a rule to help keep the shower curtain in her home clean. “I also feel strongly about closing the shower curtain when you’re out of the shower,” she says. “This way, the liner can dry and it won’t get moldy. Plus, it puts your pretty shower curtain front and center.”

Keep the Washing Machine Door Cracked

For similar reasons as Freedman’s shower curtain rule, our editorial assistant, Abby Fribush, has a rule about opening the washing machine door after running a load of laundry. “I always like to keep my washing machine door cracked open a tad to avoid any mold or funky smells,” she says.

While it’s still important to clean the washing machine from time to time, letting it air out between loads can help prolong the freshness of the appliance.

Follow the “OHIO Rule”

Another rule Kukes uses in her home is the “OHIO rule,” which is an acronym for “Only Handle It Once.” Here’s how it works: “If you pick something up and need to put it somewhere, don’t place it in an in-between place,” Kukes says. “I.e. if the book needs to go back on the bookshelf, you put it on the bookshelf now, don’t place it on the table in the middle of the room with the intention of putting it there later. Handling things only once is more efficient and cuts down on clutter.”