Cleaning a house in ten minutes feels a lot like a pyramid scheme—too good to be true. The word “cleaning” alone might make you sigh, roll your eyes, or mentally compile a list of excuses to avoid it. But keeping a house tidy doesn’t have to mean an all-day, sweat-inducing, back-breaking marathon.
Ten minutes is less time than it takes to scroll through social media or choose what to watch next on Netflix. You may not deep clean your home like you’re preparing for a royal visit, but you will keep things organized enough so that you don’t trip over yesterday’s laundry.
Here’s how to pull off a ten-minute cleanup. These tips were rounded up for you from home sites and professional organizers for some solid advice. A few of the time estimates may be on the low end, but just doing a few of these each day can make all the difference.
1. Attack the Entryway
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The entryway is one of the easiest places to get messy but also to maintain. Spend two minutes each day here. Check for clutter like shoes, bags, or random items that somehow end up near the door.
Quickly tidying up this space makes the whole house feel more organized. It’s the area you (and everyone else) see first, so it sets the tone for your entire home.
2. Wipe Down Surfaces
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In just two minutes, you can give your home a fresh look by wiping down surfaces that tend to gather dust and crumbs. Think kitchen counters, dining tables, and coffee tables.
Use a multi-surface cleaner and a microfiber cloth, and you’re good to go. This makes your space look clean and helps prevent buildup. It’s oddly satisfying to see a sparkling countertop or shiny coffee table.
3. Quick Sweep or Vacuum
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Devote three minutes to floors. No, you don’t need to break out the heavy machinery and deep clean your carpets. A quick sweep of high-traffic areas or a fast vacuuming session in the living room does wonders.
Focus on the spots where crumbs and dust love to gather, like around the dining table or near the couch and under the dining table. Floors take a beating daily, but a few focused swipes can make a big difference in how tidy your home feels.
4. Bathroom Basics
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Take a minute to tackle the bathroom. This might sound impossible, but it’s entirely doable. Wipe down the sink and faucet, do a quick sweep of the floor, and replace any towels that look less-than-fresh.
If you’ve got a moment to spare, wipe off the mirror – nothing ruins the bathroom vibe like toothpaste splatter. You’ll stay ahead of bathroom grime without having to schedule a full-blown scrub session.
5. Straighten Up the Living Room
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You can tidy the living room in about two minutes. Fluff the pillows, fold any blankets, and straighten out any magazines or books lying around.
If there’s a stray sock or toy hanging out on the couch, now’s the time to relocate it. The goal here isn’t perfection – it’s about restoring a little order. A neat living area also makes it easier to relax and enjoy your downtime.
6. Make the Bed
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Pull up the blankets, straighten the pillows, and smooth things out. It instantly makes your bedroom look more put-together and sets a positive tone for the day.
A made bed gives the illusion of a tidy room, even if there’s a pile of laundry lurking nearby. The bed is the focal point of the bedroom, so when it looks neat, everything else feels less chaotic.
7. Declutter the Kitchen Sink
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Another two-minute wonder: the kitchen sink. Wash any lingering dishes or load them into the dishwasher. A quick rinse now saves time (and frustration) down the road.
A cluttered sink is a magnet for stress and a breeding ground for odors. Keeping it clean improves the kitchen’s appearance and reduces the likelihood of scrubbing down crusty dishes later.
8. Speed Sort the Laundry
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Even a clean house looks dirty with laundry lying around. You can make it more manageable in just a couple of minutes. Start by tossing dirty clothes into a basket or sorting a pile into lights and darks.
If there’s clean laundry sitting around, fold a few items or hang up a couple of shirts. While this won’t complete the laundry mountain, it chips away at it. Before you know it, laundry day won’t feel like such a massive event anymore.
9. Clear Off Nightstands
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The nightstand is often overlooked, but it’s one of those small spaces that can quickly accumulate stuff. Take a minute to tidy up your nightstand. Clear away empty cups, tissues, or any random items that have found their way there.
A clutter-free nightstand in a few seconds sets the stage for a relaxing bedtime routine and a more serene sleep environment.
10. Wipe Down the Fridge Door
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The refrigerator door is a prime target for fingerprints, smudges, and random sticky spots. Spend 30 seconds wiping it down with a damp cloth or a cleaner.
A shiny fridge door gives your kitchen a fresher, more polished look. Since you’re likely to touch this surface multiple times a day, keeping it clean is both hygienic and visually satisfying.
11. Organize the Shoe Pile
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Take a minute to tame the shoe chaos. There’s the mess scattered by the door and the pile in the closet screaming for help. A quick effort to line them up or put them away goes a long way in reducing visual clutter.
You don’t need to overthink it – get them off the floor or out of the way. Shoes can take over a space, and before you know it, you’ve got a mountain of sneakers, boots, and flip-flops that are missing their pair partner. You can keep things looking sharp and orderly by giving them a designated home (and sticking to it).
12. Empty the Trash
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This one-minute task makes an instant difference. Emptying the trash – whether in the kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom – clears up unwanted smells and clutter. It’s one of those chores that takes little time but has a massive impact on how clean your home feels.
Overflowing trash can be a visual (and odorous) nightmare. Staying on top of it ensures your home smells fresh and looks more put-together.
13. Dust One Spot
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Run a finger over a random surface in the house. See that dust? Grab a duster or cloth and pick one area to tackle – a shelf, a picture frame, or a windowsill.
Spending just one minute dusting prevents buildup that makes your home feel grimy over time. Focus on high-visibility areas for maximum impact.
14. Refresh the Towels
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Swap out the kitchen or bathroom towels in 30 seconds. Fresh towels instantly make a space feel cleaner and more inviting. The hand towel in the bathroom and the dish towel in the kitchen would appreciate a break and a wash.
It’s easy to forget how much of a difference a fresh towel can make. Throw the dirty towels in the laundry, and don’t forget to disinfect them too.
15. Air Out Your House
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Take a couple of seconds to walk through the main living area and bedroom and open windows to air things out. A quick spritz of air freshener or lighting a candle as well gives your home that final touch of freshness.
These few well-spent minutes keep your house from feeling stale and musty. We all could use an extra dose of fresh air sometimes.