Keeping your home clean can feel like a never-ending chore. As much as we’d love to have a spotless house all the time, finding the motivation to deep clean every nook and cranny just isn’t realistic for most of us. The good news is there are tons of clever cleaning hacks out there that can help streamline your routine and make tidying up quick, easy and effective. Here are some brilliant ways I’ve revolutionised my cleaning:
Use Multi-Purpose Cleaners
Having a arsenal of specialized cleaners for every surface can get costly and eat up storage space. Multi-purpose cleaners are my secret weapon for cutting down on cleaning products without sacrificing results.
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All-purpose household cleaners like Lysol and Mr. Clean work on most hard surfaces. I use them for things like countertops, sinks, appliances, mirrors and floors.
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Multi-surface spray cleaners like Method and Mrs. Meyer’s are great for cleaning and disinfecting all around the house. I especially like using them for spot cleaning walls, baseboards and upholstered furniture.
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Diluted vinegar is an all-natural go-to for windows, floors and bathroom surfaces. The acidity helps dissolve gunk and buildup.
Having just a couple of versatile cleaners makes tidying up any room a breeze!
Clean As You Go
One of the easiest ways I maintain a clean house is by cleaning up messes as they happen rather than letting them pile up. This prevents dirt and clutter from taking over.
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I immediately wipe up kitchen counters after cooking and doing dishes. It takes seconds but prevents caked-on food and grime.
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I do one load of laundry each night so clothes never pile up too high.
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I tidy up the living room and fold blankets before going to bed. It makes the room feel peaceful and put-together.
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I do a 10 minute speed clean of the bathroom every night, wiping surfaces and spraying down the tub and toilet.
Making cleaning a part of my daily routine has worked wonders! I don’t spend weekends scrambling to catch up on a huge mess.
Schedule Deep Cleans
For heavy duty cleaning tasks, scheduling set days helps make sure things get done consistently without falling through the cracks. Here’s my system:
Mondays: Bathrooms
- Scrub tile grout
- Disinfect all surfaces
- Clean mirrors and glass
- Scour tub and toilet
Wednesdays: Kitchen
- Clean outside of appliances
- Organize pantry
- Disinfect counters
- Shake out kitchen rugs
Fridays: Floors
- Vacuum all carpets
- Mop tile and vinyl floors
- Shake out area rugs
- Dust baseboards
Blocking out time for thorough cleans makes cringe-worthy chores feel more manageable. My house feels brand new by the weekend!
Invest in Quality Tools
Upgrading my cleaning toolkit with some thoughtful tools has made chores fly by with less effort. Here are some of my essentials:
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Microfiber cloths. The ultra-fine fibers grab and trap dirt easily. They’re washable and reusable. I use them for dusting, scrubbing, washing windows and more.
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Vacuum with a brush roll. The spinning brushes dig up and pick up all sorts of debris from carpets. I go for ones with suction control so I can turn it up high for deep cleans.
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Spray mop. A flat mop head gets into corners and under furniture easily. The spray function lets me mist the floor with cleaner or water for easy mopping.
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Power scrubber. For tougher bathroom cleaning, this gadget works wonders! The motorized scrub head does the hard work for me on tile, grout, tubs and more.
While not mandatory, quality tools have taken my cleaning game to the next level. The satisfaction of sparkling results keeps me motivated!
Make a Checklist
When it’s time for a thorough clean, I always clean systematically from top to bottom using a detailed checklist. This helps ensure every necessary task gets done efficiently.
I organize my list by room:
Living Room
- Dust shelves, TV stand, lamps
- Vacuum upholstered furniture
- Clean windows and mirrors
- Sweep and mop floors
Kitchen
- Wipe down outside of appliances
- Clean sink, counters and backsplash
- Organize pantry and fridge
- Sweep and mop floors
Bathrooms
- Scrub tile grout
- Clean tub, toilet, sink and counters
- Wipe down mirrors and glass
- Sweep and mop floors
And so on. Customizing a checklist keeps me focused and avoids missing any spots!
Enlist Help from Family
As a parent, getting help from my kids with chores has been a total game-changer. Here are some of the ways we share cleaning tasks:
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My son puts away his own laundry and cleans his bathroom sink each week.
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My daughter is in charge of unloading the dishwasher every night.
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We made a chore chart where family members rotate daily tasks like taking out trash, tidying rooms and wiping kitchen counters.
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We have a rule that whoever cooks doesn’t have to do cleanup.
Splitting chores has not only eased my workload but also taught my kids valuable life skills! Assigning age-appropriate tasks keeps cleaning from falling completely on my shoulders.
Make It Fun!
When all else fails, I try to take the drudgery out of cleaning by getting creative. Here are some of my favorite ways to lighten the mood:
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Playing upbeat music and dancing from room to room with the vacuum.
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Challenging other family members to speed cleaning contests.
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Using colorful microfiber cloths to dust and clean.
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Mixing up natural cleaning potions from vinegars, baking soda and essential oils.
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Allowing my kids to pick a special snack or treat when chores are done.
Approaching cleaning with a spirit of fun has worked wonders for my attitude and motivation. A little laughter can go a long way!
Conclusion
With the right methods and tools, cleaning your home doesn’t have to be overwhelming or tedious. Simple habits like tidying as you go, blocking time for deep cleans and taking advantage of multi-use cleaners can revolutionize your routine. Investing in quality tools, making checklists and enlisting help also ease the burden significantly. Most importantly, maintaining a bit of fun and creativity keeps your home shining without total drudgery. Give these brilliant cleaning hacks a try – you’ll be amazed at the transformative results!
