As the weather cools off and the kids go back to school we busy mums are finding our to do lists as long as ever again.
For many of us, that means we need to find all those pockets of extra time for things like cleaning our homes.
These tips to clean your house faster will help make it easier to keep up with this mundane task, leaving more time for the things that are important to you.
1. Tackle Clutter
Decluttering your space makes cleaning easier as you will simply have less stuff to deal with day after day.
The task may seem overwhelming at first, but it's worth the time investment upfront to have a room that is much tidier and stays cleaner for longer periods of time.
Organize your home by removing any items that are not necessary or contribute to your daily life.
This includes clothes, books, toys, furniture, and anything else that needs to be decluttered. It shouldn't be taking up time or space at home if it is not regularly used.
Try the 30 bags in 30 days decluttering approach to make it easier.
Make a point to find a home for all the things you do want to keep.
If things have a place they belong in, even if only a box in the attic, they are less likely to end up sprawled across your home for you to clean up.
Use storage tools like bins and baskets on your shelves to help control clutter and mess.
Hidden storage like storage ottomans make a great addition to your bedroom or living space that also double as storage.
2. Make a To-Do List
Make a list of the things you need to clean and set a cleaning schedule.
To-do lists are a great way to keep on task and get things done.
If you have a schedule of cleaning tasks to do each day, week and month, cleaning becomes so much easier to manage.
Start small and work up to larger tasks so you can build momentum as you watch the items on your list get checked off.
Don't want to make your own schedule? Grab ours:
3. Find a System That Works for You
Build routines that help you get more done in less time.
By finding a system that works for you, you'll be able to maintain your home without feeling like it's taking over.
Small daily habits and routines can go a long way in making your home faster to clean.
From following a cleaning schedule like the one above to having a basket ready to move things from sittign to room to playroom, or downstairs to upstairs, there are small routines you can put in place to make keeping the place clean and tidy easier.
4. Clean These First
When time is limited, you need impactful action first. So plan to focus on your main living areas first.
Focus on what you will notice most. Clean the areas where you live the most first, so that's your living room, kitchen and bathroom.
Daily maintenance will help these key areas tidier and make cleaning them properly a breeze, too.
The Living Room
Vacuum the carpet and upholstery, and wipe down all surfaces with a damp cloth.
Make sure you gather the items that do not belong in the living room in a laundry basket so you can quickly bring them back to their proper place.
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Bathroom
Clean the wash basin, shower, bath tub, and tiles with soap or tile cleaner; remove the trash can liner.
You should also polish the chrome elements and clean the mirrors to give your bathroom a cleaner appearance.
Make sure to clean both the inside and outside of your toilet regularly each day to make it easier and faster on your bathroom deep cleaning day.
Kitchen
Make sure to clean the floor as often as possible and wipe down any dirty counters.
Wash dishes after use or run your dishwasher before you go to bed to help keep your kitchen cleaner.
All this makes deep cleaning your kitchen that much easier when you come to it!
5. Do These If You Have Time
After your main rooms are clean, move on to the less used spaces if you have time left.
Again, a few minutes' maintenance each day will pay dividends when you come to clean properly later in the day or week.
Bedrooms
Make the bed and do a quick pick up in the morning to save time later.
This alone can make your bedroom look and feel cleaner.
Wipe down nightstands and dressers with a damp cloth, fold clothes in drawers, and give the floor a once-over with the vacuum for a quickly cleaned bedroom.
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Hallway
Get rid of clutter that isn't needed or use storage containers so everything is easily accessible when it's time to clean up again.
Use a table or bookshelf to keep your hall tidy or create a family command center to use as a dedicated station for your family to store what they need as they come and go.
Laundry Room
Our top laundry tip: fold, sort and put away clothes once they're dry to avoid having the laundry pile up.
Wipe up any spilled detergent or softener from bottle tops to keep them from becoming a sticky, gooey mess that is hard to clean.
Keep your laundry room floors clean so if you have a leak you do not add more work for yourself by having a floor covered in wet laundry.
6. Find Shortcuts
Save even more time by finding or creating and using cleaning shortcuts where possible.
Try one or more of these:
- Use multi-purpose cleaning tools like the Bissell crosswave.
- Trap dust with a damp cloth instead of using a traditional duster, so you do not have to clean the same dust again.
- Keep baskets handy for gathering items and taking them back to where they belong.
- Let appliances like your dishwasher and washing machine run while you work on other cleaning tasks to get more done in less time.
7. Eliminate Odours
Finally, a lot of the impression of a clean home depends on how it smells.
By keeping odours under control, your home smells and feels cleaner - even if you don't have time to finish your cleaning to-do list.
Fresh flowers in key rooms and opening the windows goes a long way to making your home smell better.
Follow these tips to eliminate nasty odours:
- Hunt down hidden places that may be harboring odours like the back of your fridge or under the sink.
- Remove food items that are spoiling and get rid of them if you can't use them before they go bad.
- In the bathroom, clean rugs often to help keep smells under control.
- In the entryway, hunt down runaway socks and use shoe deodorizers in shoes to help keep them from smelling bad.
Just like you can make your stinky car smell like new, you can create a beautifully scented home by eliminating nasty odours and using essential oils as you clean.
You can even make your home smell fresh and clean like a spa!
Follow these 7 tips to get your home clean and tidy fast, freeing you up to spend your busy mom time where you really want to.
More cleaning tips:
- How to Get More Done Around the House Each Day
- 10 Must Do Daily Cleaning Tasks for a Sparkling Clean Home
- The Best 3 Essential Oils For Household Cleaning
- 5 Easy Spring Cleaning Tips from a Professional Organizer
- How to Keep Your Home Clean and Tidy When You're Busy
- How to Clean Your Home Without Using Harsh Chemicals
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