Prioritize and Plan
When I’m looking to speed clean my home, the first thing I do is prioritize which rooms need attention the most. I make a list of each room and decide which ones can wait until my next deep cleaning session. For example, if I’m having guests over, I’ll focus on the main living areas like the kitchen, living room, and bathrooms. If it’s just a normal weeknight, I may choose to quickly tidy and clean the kitchen and living room since those get the most use.
I also think about which tasks will give me the biggest visual impact in the shortest time. Wiping down countertops, sinks, mirrors and appliances makes things look instantly cleaner in kitchens and bathrooms. Straightening pillows, folding blankets, and doing a quick vacuum freshens up the living room fast.
Start with De-Cluttering
Before I start cleaning each room, I always take 5-10 minutes to de-clutter. I put things back in their proper place, gather up dishes and cups, and just generally straighten up. This gives me a clean slate so I can focus on cleaning, not just moving piles around. For speed cleaning, I don’t try to organize everything perfectly. I just quickly get surfaces cleared off and clutter under control.
Focus on High-Traffic Areas
When speed cleaning, I prioritize high-traffic areas in each room. In the kitchen, I’ll quickly wipe down counters, clean the sink, clean appliances like the microwave and coffee maker, and spot clean the table and chairs. For the bathrooms, I’ll clean the sink, mirror, toilet, and shower/tub. In the living room, I’ll neaten surfaces, fluff pillows, fold blankets, and spot vacuum. Focusing on these high-traffic spots makes the whole room look cleaner faster.
Use Cleaning Shortcuts
I use some shortcuts when I’m speed cleaning to get things done faster. Some of my favorite speed cleaning hacks include:
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Microfiber cloths – These grab dust and grime faster than regular rags or paper towels. I keep them handy in each room.
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Magic erasers – These conveniently remove scuffs from walls and floors with just water. Much faster than scrubbing!
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Vacuuming hard floors first – I can vacuum the open floors quickly and then spot vacuum rugs and carpets if needed.
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Dusting furniture quickly with dryer sheets – They pick up dust and lint fast without cleaning products.
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Using disinfecting wipes for quick cleanups in the bathroom and kitchen. Much faster than mixing separate cleaning solutions!
Move Quickly From Room to Room
I don’t spend more than 10-15 minutes speed cleaning each room. I move quickly through my list and just hit the high traffic spots. If I get stuck cleaning one area too thoroughly, I set a timer on my phone to keep me on track. I also listen to upbeat music which helps me maintain momentum and energy as I speed clean each room.
The key is not to get bogged down trying to thoroughly clean each room. Focus on visual impact in key areas, use shortcuts when possible, and keep moving! With this approach, I can speed clean my entire home in about an hour for a quick refresh.
