The 9 House Rules My Grandmother Swears By for a Clean Home

The author shares her grandmother's nine 'house rules' for keeping a home clean and organized, such as 'if you open it, close it' and 'if you make a mess, clean it up.' These rules, displayed on a vintage magnet, have helped the author maintain tidiness for years. The grandmother, now 91, still follows them.

The magnet's age is confirmed by the Sydney phone number format, which changed in 1994, making the item at least three decades old. It began as a real estate promotion before becoming a family heirloom displayed on Grandma Gigi's vintage steel wardrobe. The author, an Australian media personality now based in Los Angeles, was required to memorize these rules during childhood visits.

Grandma Gigi, now 91, still maintains an orderly home despite her shopping habits. Her favorite rule is the ninth one about leaving things alone, which she recites with characteristic humor. She jokingly suggested a tenth commandment about passing the rules along to others, and the author credits these guidelines with helping her stay organized through the years.