At the end of the week, when you find yourself with a messy, dirty, disorganized home, your lazy self probably isn’t up for a weekend of spring cleaning — considering the time-consuming cleaning process. But who says cleaning should be time-consuming? Even if you rarely clean the house, you can start practicing these 20 home cleaning tips to restore your home’s luster in half the time! Let’s do it!
1. Make a Cleaning Checklist
When you finally have the energy to clean, it’s advisable to clean the entire house quickly rather than do one room at a time on different days. A cleaning checklist will guide you on what you must do and what cleaning supplies you’ll need for each room.
2. Declutter Before Starting
Get rid of clutter first before wiping, sweeping, or vacuuming, as that will make it easier to clean. Browse every room quickly to get things under control before starting to clean the entire home. Make sure to keep items such as kids’ toys, pet toys, clothes, boxes out of the way and get anything off the floor or any surface that needs cleaning. Clean your bedroom thoroughly by removing stuff from your cabinets and dressers and wiping every drawer clean.
3. Use a Microfiber Cloth
One of the most crucial home cleaning implements is a microfiber cloth for wiping surfaces. This material traps dust, making the cleaning process faster and more efficient.
4. Keep Cleaning Supplies in One Area
It’s recommended to store your cleaning supplies in one area. This way, you don’t have to frantically looking cleaning tools before you start the process. Having all your cleaning materials in one area will also encourage you to clean your home thoroughly, as everything needed is accessible.
5. Clean As You Go
When you start the cleaning process, clean as you go. When you spill something or leave stains, clean it immediately. This way, you don’t have to come back and do it later. Also, stow-away items you don’t need as you clean, to prevent clutter from accumulating. Make sure you have appropriate storage boxes that separate various items.
6. Wipe Dust From Surfaces and Walls
Don’t use a feather duster when removing dust, as dusters only move the dust instead of eliminating it. Use a damp cloth to wipe surfaces, glass, nooks, and crannies. You can also use a hair dryer for hard-to-reach areas and corners, allowing the dust to fall to the ground so you can more easily wipe it up.
7. Eliminate Pet Dander
If you have cats, dogs, and other furry companions in the house, pet dander can be a pain in the neck. It gets everywhere and is extremely difficult to remove. One of the most effective ways to tackle this issue is with a lint roller or a damp rubber squeegee before vacuuming.
8. Use Organic Scents
Make your home smell amazing by using organic scents. Ditch synthetic fresheners as they contain harmful chemicals. Try lemon, herbs, and water if you want a quick method to make your home smell fresh. Bring all ingredients to a boil in a pan and simmer so the fragrance permeates your home.
9. Wipe Down Couches With Baby Wipes
Before you have guests over, ensure your couch is spotless. One of the quickest and most effective home cleaning tips is to use baby wipes to spot-clean non-fabric upholstered couches.
10. Clean TV Sets
Your television set is one of the things that accumulates lots of dust and dirt. If you don’t wipe the screens them regularly, it will be hard to eliminate the dust. Hint: use a tumble dryer sheet, which works great because of its anti-static properties.
11. Use Multi-Purpose Cleaning Products
If you don’t mind exposing yourself to chemicals in cleaning products, opt for multi-purpose cleaning products. This way, you can use one cleaning product for wiping or cleaning various areas or surfaces, saving you time and cost in switching from one product to another.
12. Vacuum Carpets Thoroughly
The carpet could be one of the dirtiest areas in your home, since everyone walks on it. Ensure that you vacuum the carpet thoroughly by going in one direction, then across the direction of the pile. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filtration system to clean the air.
13. Use Vinegar and Water to Clean Glass Surfaces
Mixing vinegar and water does the job when it comes to eliminating hard water spots. Mix two cups of water and ¼ cup of white vinegar, and add ½ teaspoon of liquid soap. Put everything in a spray bottle. Spray and wipe.
14. Remove Dust on Window Treatments
Another area in your home that traps dust is window treatments. Blinds or draperies get very dusty over time. Vacuum high areas to capture dust and wipe the surfaces with a microfiber cloth. Make sure to work from the top to the bottom.
15. Steam Clean Your Mattress
Your bedroom should be one of the first rooms to clean, especially the mattress. Use a steamer to clean your mattress during a sunny and breezy day. This way, it will dry thoroughly before bedtime. If you don’t have a steamer, sprinkle baking soda on the mattress and leave for several hours before vacuuming up the powder.
16. Eliminate Dust from Ceiling Fans
Ceiling fans are a headache to clean because they’re hard to reach. An easy cleaning method is to use a long handle from a mop, wrap it with a damp cloth, and tape it securely. Wipe the ceiling fan blades with the damp cloth twice to remove dust completely.
17. Sanitize Your Kitchen Sink
Your sink is one of the most used areas in the kitchen. Can you imagine the bacteria that accumulate after cooking three meals daily and washing dishes? The best way to sanitize your sink is to use a solution of warm water and add one tablespoon of bleach. Use a sponge to wipe the handles and faucets. Leave the bleach for at least five minutes, rinse, and air dry.
18. Improve Showerhead Water Flow
Let’s move on to the bathroom showerhead. Maintain its water flow by immersing the showerhead in vinegar. You may also sprinkle a few tablespoons of baking soda in it before soaking the showerhead. This will help clear clogged showerhead holes by dissolving any limescale deposits.
19. Wipe and Disinfect Surfaces
If you want quick home cleaning tips, using EPA-registered disinfecting products will do the job of cleaning surfaces. But make sure to clean the surface with water and soap first. Also, check if the disinfectants suit the type of surfaces you’re cleaning to prevent damage.
20. Sweep and Mop Thoroughly
Sweep and mop the whole house in one go. Start from the farthest corner and move through the doorway. Rinse the mop after completing a 4×4-foot area.
Conclusion
It can be taxing cleaning the entire house by yourself. But you must do it at one point because no one likes living in a dirty house. If you feel these quick and easy home cleaning tips still take too much of your time, try asking for help from friends and family. You can assign them tasks and offer a round of beer and barbecue later in the evening. Cleaning should be enjoyable, so you might as well enjoy it with friends and family.