8 Cleaning Hacks for Busy People: Tips for Keeping Your Home Clean and Tidy

A clean and tidy home can work wonders for your mental and physical well-being. Many people would agree that having a well-organized space can help reduce stress and increase productivity.

Also, making sure to reduce the buildup of dust, allergens, and germs can help with any allergies you may have and decrease the likelihood of getting sick.

But with so much going on in today’s fast-paced world, it can be tough to keep our homes clean and organized. With work, family, and social commitments, we get how easy it is to let our chores pile up.

This article aims to give you 8 practical cleaning hacks that will help the busiest of people maintain a clean home. From choosing the right tools to implementing specific strategies, we’ll make it easier than ever to have a space you’re proud of.

Cleaning Hack 1: Develop a Cleaning Schedule

This is the most important thing when cleaning. If we don’t plan ahead, things will just keep getting pushed back so make sure you have a well-structured cleaning schedule.

The trick here is to break down cleaning tasks into bite-sized chunks and assign them to specific days so that you’re not overwhelmed.

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Design a weekly cleaning plan

Start by creating a list of all the cleaning tasks that need to be done regularly in your home including daily tasks, weekly, tasks, and monthly tasks.

For example, smaller tasks that could be done relatively quickly, like making the bed and washing the dishes, could be daily tasks, while dusting and vacuuming may be weekly tasks. Monthly tasks could be things like changing your air filter or cleaning out the fridge.

Once you have your list, create a weekly cleaning plan that distributes tasks across different days, ensuring that each day has a manageable workload. You can do this by breaking up tasks like vacuuming into multiple times a week with only a few areas of your home at a time.

Allocate specific tasks to each day

When assigning tasks to specific days, consider your personal schedule and energy levels. For instance, if you know that you’re typically exhausted on Mondays, schedule lighter tasks for that day, and reserve more time-consuming chores for weekends or days when you have more energy.

By assigning tasks to specific days, you’ll create a routine that becomes second nature, making it easier to keep your home clean and organized.

Importance of consistency

It’s not enough to create a schedule. You also have to stick to it. Consistency helps build habits and ensures that tasks don’t pile up, leading to a more significant workload later on.

By adhering to your cleaning plan, you’ll find that maintaining a clean home becomes a more manageable and less time-consuming process.

To establish consistency, try to perform your assigned tasks at the same time each day or week.

For example, if you’ve allocated Tuesdays for vacuuming, make it a point to vacuum every Tuesday evening after work. After a point, this will become second nature to you and won’t even require any thought.

Cleaning Hack 2: Keep Supplies Handy and Accessible

Convenience plays a huge part in cleaning. If you don’t have to get up and look for your supplies to clean, you’re much less likely to put it off and handle it immediately.

Organize cleaning supplies in a portable caddy

If you’re always asking yourself where you put that thing of disinfecting wipes, it might be time to invest in a portable caddy to store your cleaning supplies.

This will let you have everything you need in one spot which you can take with you from room to room and be readily available when needed.

Store supplies in strategic locations

A caddy is useful but might not be for everyone. Another thing you can do is store your cleaning supplies in strategic locations around the home.

Kitchen cleaning supplies could be stored under the sink, bathroom supplies could be stored in a bathroom cabinet, and the vacuum could be tucked away in the corner of the living room.

Having access to the supplies right when you need them is incredibly helpful in keeping a clean home.

Cleaning Hack 3: Quick and Efficient Vacuuming

Vacuuming is an essential task for maintaining a clean and healthy home, as it helps remove dust, dirt, and allergens from your floors and carpets.

The key to efficient vacuuming is using the right equipment and adopting smart strategies to save time and energy.

Choosing the right vacuum cleaner

1. Cordless vacuum cleaners: Cordless vacuum cleaners make life easy by being super convenient and portable. You can easily pick it up and be ready to vacuum without the hassle of cords and outlets. Many cordless models are lightweight, have powerful suction, and come with a range of attachments for versatile cleaning.
2. Robot vacuum cleaners: Robot vacuum cleaners are another time-saving option for busy individuals. Although there are some limitations, these devices can vacuum your floors on their own while you’re doing other tasks or away from home.

Use vacuum attachments for efficient cleaning

Most vacuum cleaners come with a variety of attachments so make sure to take advantage of those for different areas of the home.

Attachments like the crevice tool for tight corners, brush attachments for deep carpets, or an upholstery tool for furniture will help you be more efficient.

Cleaning Hack 4: Embrace Microfiber Cloths

Microfiber cloths are absolutely incredible! They’re soft, durable, and can be used for a variety of different cleaning needs.

Benefits of microfiber cloths

Microfiber cloths are made from synthetic fibers that are highly absorbent and effective at trapping dirt, dust, and bacteria. They offer numerous benefits over traditional cleaning cloths, including:

• Superior cleaning performance: Microfiber cloths can effectively remove dirt and grime without the need for harsh chemicals, making them a safer and more environmentally friendly option.
• Lint-free and streak-free cleaning: Unlike traditional cloths, microfiber cloths do not leave lint or streaks behind, resulting in a cleaner and shinier surface.
• Reusability: Microfiber cloths can be washed and reused multiple times, reducing waste and saving money on disposable cleaning products.

Various cleaning uses

Microfiber cloths can be used for a wide range of cleaning tasks, including:

• Dusting: The electrostatic charge of microfiber cloths makes them ideal for attracting and trapping dust from surfaces, such as furniture, electronics, and shelves.
• Cleaning glass and mirrors: Microfiber cloths can remove smudges and fingerprints from glass surfaces without leaving streaks, eliminating the need for glass cleaner.
• Wiping down countertops and appliances: Use microfiber cloths to clean kitchen and bathroom surfaces, as they effectively remove dirt, grease, and grime without scratching.
• Drying dishes: Due to their high absorbency, microfiber cloths can be used to quickly dry dishes and glassware without leaving lint behind.
• Mopping floors: Some microfiber mop systems allow you to clean and sanitize floors using only water, making them a convenient and eco-friendly option.

Cleaning Hack 5: Speed Clean with Timers

This is a great way to gamify your cleaning. By setting timers, you can also try to beat your time with each cleaning session.

Setting a timer for cleaning tasks

Choose a specific cleaning task and set a timer for a predetermined amount of time, such as 10, 15, or 20 minutes. The idea is to create a sense of urgency that encourages you to work quickly and efficiently.

Knowing that the timer is counting down can help you stay focused and resist the temptation to procrastinate or get distracted by other tasks.

Focusing on one task at a time

Remember to always focus on one thing at a time. Ensuring that one task is completed efficiently and done well will prevent you from having to go back later in case you missed any spots.

Concentrate on the task at hand and only move on to the next task when the timer expires or you finish early.

Maximizing efficiency with time limits

Setting time limits for each task can help you see which areas need the most improvement. As you get more familiar with how long it takes for each task, you can adjust it to challenge yourself in completing the task more quickly.

This will slowly reduce over time and you’ll be able to clean at record speed!

Cleaning Hack 6: Declutter Regularly

A cluttered home can make cleaning seem like an impossible task. One of the best ways to make cleaning easier is to declutter regularly.

By decluttering, you save yourself some time and energy by keeping things clear in the cleaning areas so you won’t have to move various items during cleaning.

Here are a few tips to help you keep clutter under control:

Implementing the “one in, one out” rule

A simple way to keep clutter at bay is to implement the “one in, one out” rule. This means that for every new item you bring into your home, you get rid of one item.

For example, if you buy a new shirt, donate or sell an old one that you no longer wear. This helps to prevent clutter from building up over time and ensures that you are only keeping the things you need and love.

Designating specific areas for items

Another way to keep clutter under control is to designate specific areas for items. For example, create a designated space for shoes, coats, and bags near the front door.

This can help prevent these items from being scattered throughout your home and make cleaning more difficult.

Utilizing storage solutions for a clutter-free space

Things like shelves, storage containers, and closet organizers might be just the thing you’re missing.

This not only makes cleaning easier but also creates a more visually appealing and relaxing space.

Cleaning Hack 7: Clean as You Go

This is our favorite hack on this list. Simply cleaning as you walk around your home will make your dedicated cleaning times much less of a hassle.

Small efforts to address small messes and clutter throughout the day will add up and prevent tasks from building up.

Tidying up while cooking

We all have that one person in our lives who needs 2 different pans, 4 bowls, and a variety of utensils just to make eggs.

But cleaning as you go will help minimize the chaos in your kitchen. Put used dishes in the sink or dishwasher immediately after using them, wipe down any spills, and put away clean dishes if there are any.

Doing this will keep your cooking space clear and prevent food gunk from drying and building up.

Wiping surfaces immediately after use

Just like in the kitchen, be sure to wipe down any spills or splashes as they come. Things like the bathroom mirror should be wiped down immediately to prevent water stains, and food spills should be cleaned up as soon as possible to prevent ants.

Cleaning surfaces immediately after use can prevent the buildup of dirt, grime, and stains, making it easier to maintain a clean home. By addressing these messes promptly, you’ll save time and effort in the long run.

Putting things away after using them

One of the simplest ways to keep your home organized is to put items away immediately after using them.

Going back to the decluttering hack, make sure to have designated areas for specific items, and once you’re done using the item, put it away. This will prevent clutter and reduce the chance of you losing track of something.

Cleaning Hack 8: Use Technology to Your Advantage

Technology can play a significant role in helping busy people maintain a clean and organized home.

From apps and reminders to innovative gadgets and smart home systems, there are numerous ways to leverage technology to streamline your cleaning routine and make it more efficient.

Utilizing cleaning apps and reminders

There are so many apps out there that can help you manage your chores and stay on track with cleaning. They can often let you create to-do lists and send you reminders.

Cleaning apps can help you keep all of your cleaning tasks in one place and keep you consistent with your routine.

Streamlining tasks with smart home technology

Smart home technology can significantly impact your cleaning efficiency. For example, programmable thermostats can help reduce dust accumulation by controlling humidity levels in your home.

Voice-activated assistants, like Amazon’s Alexa or Google Home, can help you create shopping lists for cleaning supplies, set reminders for tasks, and even control robot vacuum cleaners.

With the right strategies and tools in place, even the busiest people can successfully maintain a clean and tidy home.

Implementing these cleaning hacks can help you save time, reduce stress, and create a more pleasant living environment.

Remember, consistency is key – by integrating these hacks into your daily routine, you’ll be well on your way to a cleaner, more organized home.