Wouldn’t it be nice if our houses cleaned themselves, the dishes washed themselves, and the laundry folded itself? Alas, the cleaning fairies are a myth, and we must do all these tedious things ourselves. Since all these things must be done eventually, the greatest hack is to learn simple, effective ways to streamline your housekeeping routine (or hire a maid).
Maintaining a tidy home is still possible without sacrificing all your free time and declaring bankruptcy. When you know how to save time and cut down on unnecessary expenses, cleaning could become a little more fun (maybe?).
Here’s a cheat sheet of hacks to keep your home sparkling without breaking the bank, gathered from a collection of cleaning and organizing home sites.
1. Create a Cleaning Schedule
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Do you have a set time for cleaning, or do you only dive in when you’re almost buried in laundry and dust? A cleaning schedule can really help keep your home tidy.
By setting aside specific times for cleaning, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed by the mountain of chores. List all the tasks you need to tackle each week, then spread them out over the days. This will help create a sense of routine and order.
2. DIY Your Cleaning Products
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Have you ever bought cleaning products that seemed so pricey that they felt like daylight robbery? Store-bought cleaners can be costly and are full of harsh chemicals.
Why not try making your own with simple ingredients you probably already have at home? For example, a mix of vinegar and water makes a fantastic all-purpose cleaner, and baking soda works wonders on tough stains.
3. Tackle One Room at a Time
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Cleaning your whole home in one go can be tiring and inefficient. Instead, why not tackle one room at a time? This way, you can give each space the attention it deserves without feeling like you’re trying to mop the ocean.
Start with the room that needs the most work, or pick a space you use often, like the kitchen or living room. By focusing on just one room, you’ll get to enjoy a sense of accomplishment as you see the immediate results of your hard work!
4. Repurpose Sponges and Toothbrushes
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You don’t have to unbox new cleaning products every time you clean. Before you throw away old sponges and toothbrushes, consider how they can be repurposed for cleaning to save a penny or two.
Sponges can be used to apply cleaning solutions to large surfaces or cut into smaller pieces to scrub tight spaces. Old toothbrushes are perfect for cleaning grout, tile seams, and other hard-to-reach areas.
5. Vacuum Before Mopping
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Vacuuming and mopping can feel like the chicken and egg argument of home cleaning. However, vacuuming before you mop is the most effective way to keep your floors sparkling clean. Vacuuming dirt, dust, and debris prevents scratches and avoids pushing mess around while mopping.
Vacuuming first makes mopping a cinch since you won’t have big particles dirtying your mop water so quickly. By following this order, you ensure that you maintain cleaner floors and spend less time changing that mop water.
6. Declutter Your Home
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A cluttered home can make cleaning feel like an uphill battle. Take some time to regularly declutter and let go of items you no longer need or use. This will make your home more organized and reduce the surface area you need to clean.
Decluttering can be a liberating experience, turning your living space into a more enjoyable and easier-to-maintain haven. It doubles as a mental spring clean as well as a physical one.
7. Use Play-Dough to Pick Up Glitter
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If you’ve ever faced the horror of a glitter spill, you know how tough it can be to clean up. But don’t worry—play-dough comes to the rescue. This childhood favorite is surprisingly great at grabbing those tiny glitter particles.
Just press a ball of play dough onto the glitter, and voilà, it sticks right to it, making cleanup super easy. This little trick is especially handy for parents and teachers working on craft projects.
8. Set a Timer When You’re Cleaning
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We’ve all been there—you set out to clean and arm yourself with earphones, and two hours later, while you may have mastered the latest dance trends, and your living room is still a minefield of mess.
Setting a timer can help you stay focused and motivated while cleaning. Pick a time, like 15 or 30 minutes, and challenge yourself to get as much done as you can during that period. This way, cleaning becomes a fun game, making it more enjoyable.
9. Let Your Appliances Clean Themselves
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Appliances make our work easy, but cleaning them is messy and inconvenient. However, most modern appliances, such as microwaves, often come with handy self-cleaning features that can save you a lot of time and effort.
Even newer dishwashers can sanitize themselves now. Take advantage of these features to keep your appliances in great shape with minimal hassle and extend their lifespan.
10. Group Similar Tasks Together
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Grouping similar tasks can increase the efficiency of your cleaning routine. Try dusting all the surfaces around the house first, then move on to vacuuming. This method helps you build momentum and get more done in less time.
This way, you can stay in the zone and effortlessly complete your tasks. Focusing on one task at a time streamlines your efforts and avoids moving from washing the dishes to dusting the garage.
11. Use Multi-Purpose Cleaners
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Investing in multi-purpose cleaners can simplify your cleaning routine and save you money. These handy products work on various surfaces, cutting down the need for multiple specialized cleaners and products.
Check out options that work well on countertops, floors, glass, and more. Multi-purpose cleaners are super convenient and save space, meaning you’ll have fewer bottles cluttering your cleaning cupboard.
12. Clean as You Go
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This hack is as old as kitchen sinks and still holds true. Adopting a “clean as you go” mentality can prevent messes from piling up and make housekeeping more manageable. It works when you’re cooking, doing crafts, or working on a project.
Wipe down surfaces, put away tools, and dispose of trash immediately. This habit keeps your home consistently clean and reduces the need for major cleaning sessions.
13. Keep Your Cleaning Supplies Handy
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If the toilet cleaner is in the basement laundry room, you’ll probably keep procrastinating cleaning the toilet. Having your cleaning supplies easily accessible can save you time and make it more likely that you’ll tackle small messes as they happen.
Consider keeping a caddy with essential cleaning products in each main area of your home. This way, you can quickly grab what you need without searching through multiple cupboards.
14. Get High-Quality Tools
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Investing in high-quality cleaning tools can really transform your cleaning routine. Durable and efficient tools save you time and lead to better results, making your home look and feel cleaner.
Grab that sturdy vacuum, the trusty mop that works like magic, and microfiber cloths that don’t leave streaks. Good-quality tools often come with handy features, like extendable handles or adjustable settings, that make chores easier.