How do busy people keep their houses clean? It’s a question many of us find ourselves asking, especially when it feels like balancing a full-time job and maintaining a clean home often feels like an uphill battle. You have a career to pursue and meetings to make, but you also have toilets to scrub and countertops to wipe down. The only way to make your place livable without losing your mind is by employing a few time-tested hacks.
Working smarter rather than harder isn’t just reserved for your 9-to-5 at the office. Cleaning your house requires the same mindset. Incorporate some clever strategies and make small changes in your daily routine to ease some of the burden and make cleaning feel less daunting.
Your life doesn’t have to be an endless to-do list. It is possible to maintain a clean home and a full-time job while still having time to relax and unwind. Here are 12 hacks and tips to help you get the ball rolling that we’ve compiled from the top-ranking articles on this topic.
1. Clean As You Go
Image Credit: Depositphotos.com.
This cleaning hack has likely been around as long as humans have lived in houses, but it remains as effective. Embrace the “clean as you go” philosophy—it’s just tidying up while you live your life.
After you finish cooking, take a few minutes to wipe down the counters and wash the dishes. Spilled something? Clean it up immediately before it becomes a sticky mess. This habit will save you from the overwhelming task of cleaning everything at once.
2. Divide Work Among Family Members
Image Credit: Depositphotos.com.
No one in the house should be the designated cleaning martyr. Having all the cleaning duties on one person’s shoulders is a recipe for resentment. If you share a space with family or roommates, it’s time to start a chore-sharing revolution. Assign tasks and rotate them weekly.
This will lighten your load and turn everyone, even the kids, into responsible and house-proud cleaning professionals. Create a chore chart to keep track of who is responsible for what.
3. Follow A Routine And Do The Major Jobs Once A Week
Image Credit: Depositphotos.com.
Trying to do all the heavy cleaning at once is like trying to eat a whole pizza in one bite. A solid cleaning routine can make all the difference. Set aside specific times for different tasks throughout the week.
Declutter the high-traffic areas daily and reserve one day of the week for major chores and deep cleaning. Choose a day that works best for your schedule, like Saturday mornings. Use this time to vacuum, mop the floors, and clean the bathrooms.
4. Automate Tasks
Image Credit: Depositphotos.com.
If robots are ever going to take over the world, they might as well start with the dishes and laundry. Technology is your ultimate cleaning sidekick. Invest in gadgets like a robot vacuum or a self-cleaning litter box to save time and effort.
These devices can handle some mundane tasks, freeing you up to do other things. Set timers on your washing machine or dishwasher to run while you’re at work.
5. Declutter And Minimize
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
You will not need to dust a thousand shoes if you don’t own a thousand shoes—less stuff means less cleaning. Take some time to declutter your home and remove items you no longer need or use.
Donate, sell, or recycle these items to create a more minimalist space. A clutter-free home is easier to clean and maintain. Having fewer items also makes your living space feel more open and inviting.
6. Use Storage Bins To Keep Things Off The Floor
Image Credit: Depositphotos.com.
Items without a specified place are bound to end up on the floor, creating tripping hazards and unsightly clutter. Storage bins and baskets are a simple yet effective way to keep your home organized.
Place storage bins in strategic areas like the entryway, living room, and bedroom to collect shoes, toys, and other items that tend to accumulate on the floor. Label the bins to make it easy for everyone to know where things belong. This habit will help keep your floors clear and make vacuuming or sweeping a breeze.
7. Combine Chores With A Daily Activity
Image Credit: Depositphotos.com.
Combine cleaning with a daily activity to turn it into a multitasking opportunity. For example, you can wipe down kitchen counters while waiting for your coffee to brew, wipe your bathroom sink after brushing your teeth, or fold laundry while enjoying your favorite TV show or listening to a podcast.
This approach makes cleaning feel less like a chore and more like a seamless part of your daily routine. Plus, it helps you make the most of your time.
8. Use The Two-Minute Rule For Tidying Up
Image Credit: Depositphotos.com.
If a task takes less than two minutes to complete, do it immediately. This rule applies to various quick tasks, such as putting away shoes, wiping down surfaces, or sorting the mail.
By tackling these small tasks right away, you’ll prevent clutter from building up and keep your home looking tidy without much effort.
9. Use Multi-Purpose Cleaning Products
Image Credit: Depositphotos.com.
If your cleaning products basket looks like a garage sale display table, it’s definitely time to rethink your approach. Use multi-purpose cleaning products to simplify your cleaning routine.
These versatile cleaners can be used on various surfaces, reducing the need for multiple products. Investing in high-quality multi-purpose cleaners saves you time and effort, allowing you to clean more efficiently and effectively.
10. Set A Timer For Cleaning Sessions
Image Credit: Depositphotos.com.
Set a timer for short cleaning sessions, such as 15 minutes, 20 minutes, or an hour. Challenge yourself to see how much you can accomplish within that time frame.
This technique makes cleaning more manageable by turning it into a game. You’ll be surprised at how much you can get done in just a few focused minutes.
11. Decide What “Clean” Means To You
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Does “clean” mean spotless floors and shiny surfaces, or could it be more about decluttered spaces and the absence of chaos? Take a moment to reflect on your priorities—do you prefer pristine surfaces, or is it more important that items have a designated, organized spot?
Establish your own cleanliness standards and communicate them with your family or housemates. When everyone is on the same page about what constitutes a clean space, cleaning becomes a group project.
12. Make Peace With Less-Than-Perfect
Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Let’s be real—it’s easy to get bogged down by the idea of achieving a perfectly clean home, but striving for perfection can often leave us feeling overwhelmed. Embracing the idea that “good enough” is acceptable can bring a sense of relief.
A little dust here and there or a few toys out of place doesn’t make your home any less welcoming. By allowing yourself to accept that life is messy and that’s okay, you free up mental space to focus on what truly matters—spending quality time with loved ones and enjoying your home.