Efficient Housecleaning Tips

Cleaning can be a hassle and time-consuming, but the end result — a clean house — is definitely worth it. Check out the top 11 tips to cut down on the time it takes to scrub your house, top to bottom:

1. Create a housecleaning plan.

To cut down on the time it takes to clean, start with a plan which you can use every time you scrub the house. Work one room at a time, starting and finishing at the same spot for each room. When you do the same thing every time you clean, it becomes a routine and decreases the time it takes. [1]

2. Declutter and organize.

Before you even start cleaning, give yourself 10 minutes to go from room to room and pick up the clutter. As you pick up each item, consider whether you should put it away, toss it or donate it. If you have any clothes lying around, decide whether to store them in your closet, drop them off in the laundry basket or run the washing machine while you clean the rest of the house. Having a place for everything helps make the process much quicker. [2]

3. Gather all your cleaning supplies.

Whether it’s a caddy, bucket or tote, having all the cleaning products you need in one portable place makes it much easier to get the job done. You won’t waste time looking for supplies while you clean and won’t have to worry about gathering them before you clean next.

4. Start cleaning from the top.

When you start cleaning a room from top to bottom, you eliminate the risk of redundant work, as dust falls off the top of higher objects and onto lower surfaces. Cleaning from left to right also ensures that you clean the entire room instead of spot-cleaning from place to place. Make sure the ceiling fans are turned off before you start dusting.  [1]

5. Clean up stray pet hair.

Use a lint roller on soft areas and lampshades to get rid of any stray pet hair. Wipe the carpets with a damp rubber squeegee before vacuuming. [3] You can also wear rubber gloves and run them over the surfaces of your furniture to grab any stray pet hairs. [4]

6. Use the vacuum cleaner to its fullest potential.

Besides using the vacuum to clean carpeted floors, a vacuum can also help clean hard-to-reach places such as kitchen cabinets. [4] When it comes time to vacuum the floors, do so in long rows to more efficiently clean. [1]

7. Wipe mirrors and glass.

Use one damp microfiber cloth, followed by one dry cloth, to wipe clean all the mirrors and glass surfaces.

8. Disinfect countertops and surface areas.

Using disinfectant products, wipe down hard surfaces, particularly the ones that might deliver germs to people’s fingers and faces. Ran out of disinfectant sprays and wipes? Save yourself from making a trip to the supermarket with a quick, easy and inexpensive DIY solution. Make a nontoxic disinfectant solution by mixing 1/4 to a 1/2 cup of white or apple cider vinegar with 1 cup of water.

9. Remove the food and drink stains with these cleaning hacks.

Mix baking soda with water and scrub with the solution to get rid of tough stains or buildup. To get rid of stubborn grime in the microwave, put a coffee cup full of water in the microwave and heat it up. After it’s boiling hot, wipe the inside of the microwave clean. [1] Gently clean any spills off the couch with baby wipes. [3]

10. Clean your window glass and window treatments.

To clean the windows quickly and effectively, use a window squeegee. First wipe the windows with a cloth dipped in water and dish soap, then squeegee it dry. This prevents streaks and is quicker than wiping down with paper towels. [1]

11. Freshen up the bathroom with these easy DIY solutions.

• To get rid of water marks on stainless, wipe with hand sanitizer or baby oil.
• To keep the toilet clean, pour 1 cup of white vinegar and 2 tablespoons of baking soda into the bowl. Let it fizz for a few minutes, give the bowl a scrub and then flush.
• To clean tiles, mix 1-part white vinegar and 2 parts cold water in a bottle, spray over tiles, wait 30 seconds and then wipe with a damp cloth.
• To clean your grout of grime, scrub with a mixture of 1/2 cup baking soda and 2 cups of water and then buff clean. [3]

12. Sweep, then mop.

Sweep the kitchen and bathroom floors. Start mopping from the farthest corner of the room and move backward towards the doorway (that is, don’t mop yourself into a corner). Rinse the mop every time you complete a 4-by-4-foot area.

13. Don’t forget to routinely wash your cleaning tools.

An often-overlooked part of cleaning the house is maintaining your cleaning tools. Using a dirty mop or a vacuum with a full bag is much less effective, and you’ll end up spending more time trying to clean.