Keeping a clean home can feel like an endless chore. As soon as you finish cleaning one room, another area seems to get dirty. However, with some planning and preparation, you can deep clean your entire house in just 1 hour per week. Here are my tips for streamlining your cleaning routine.
Set Aside 1 Hour Each Week
The first step is committing to spending 1 hour cleaning each week. Schedule this time in advance so it becomes part of your routine. I aim for weekend mornings when I have the most energy and motivation.
Mark your cleaning hour in your calendar or set a reminder on your phone. Treat this time like an important appointment that cannot be rescheduled or skipped.
Create a Customized Cleaning Checklist
To maximize your limited cleaning time, create a tailored checklist of tasks. Include a few deep cleaning tasks along with regular maintenance chores.
Focus first on the areas that need deeper cleaning less frequently, like:
- Baseboards
- Windows
- Oven
- Refrigerator
Then add in weekly maintenance tasks:
- Vacuuming floors
- Cleaning bathrooms
- Wiping kitchen counters
Keep your checklist short so everything can realistically be accomplished in an hour. Prioritize the rooms and tasks that need attention first.
Use the Right Tools and Products
Having the proper cleaning tools and products can greatly increase your efficiency. Invest in quality supplies like:
- Microfiber cloths – traps dirt easily
- Vacuum with attachments – reaches corners and crevices
- All-purpose cleaner – use for most surfaces
- Baking soda – non-toxic oven and fridge cleaner
Assemble all your supplies in one caddy that can be carried room to room.
Tackle Tasks Little By Little
Trying to deep clean your whole place in one single hour can feel overwhelming. Break up bigger jobs into smaller pieces that can be done incrementally each week.
For example, clean one room thoroughly each week on a rotating basis. Or divide larger tasks like scrubbing baseboards into more manageable parts.
Enlist Help From Your Family
Get your family members involved so you don’t have to do everything alone. Give each person an age-appropriate task for the weekly cleaning hour.
Younger kids can:
- Wipe down low cabinets
- Sweep floors
Older kids can:
- Clean their bathroom
- Vacuum furniture
Other adults should tackle tasks like cleaning the oven or washing windows.
Maintain As You Go
No place stays clean on its own. To avoid bigger messes, do mini cleaning sessions for just 10 minutes daily.
Quickly tidy clutter, wipe counters, spot mop floors, and scrub the toilet to prevent buildup.
Daily maintenance along with your weekly deep cleaning will keep every room sparkling.
Reward Yourself When You’re Done
Finally, give yourself a reward when your cleaning hour wraps up. Doing a thorough job in a short timeframe absolutely deserves recognition.
Relax and recharge by:
- Taking a bubble bath
- Reading a book or magazine
- Sipping a warm drink
You worked hard – now it’s time to celebrate with rest and relaxation!
The secret of deep cleaning in just an hour a week is all about efficiency. Strategically plan which tasks to tackle, assemble the right tools to speed up the work, enlist help from family, maintain as you go, and reward yourself for a job well done. With this approach, you can have a clean, orderly home without spending all your free time cleaning.
