Cleaning can be a daunting task. While most people would rather avoid it, cleaning is critical if you want to maintain a healthy and comfortable home. When done inefficiently, cleaning is difficult, exhausting, and time-consuming. The good news is that some simple cleaning hacks can make the process much easier and faster. Here are five of the best cleaning hacks to make your life easier and cleaner:
1. Map a cleaning route
If you have a large home, it can be helpful to map out a cleaning route before you start. This will ensure that you hit all important areas and don’t waste time walking back and forth across the house. You can, for example, decide to start upstairs and work your way down, or you can clean the kitchen last, since it’s likely to get dirty again quickly. It could also help to start with the difficult or disliked tasks, such as cleaning the bathroom, because everything else will feel easier with the tasks you were dreading out of the way.
2. Tidy up before you clean
This may seem counterintuitive, but it will actually save you time and effort in the long run. When everything is everywhere, it can get overwhelming, and you’ll take longer to clean. Taking a few minutes to pick up clutter or tidy up before you clean will make cleaning surfaces and vacuuming or mopping floors much easier, since everything will already be in place and out of the way.
3. Invest in the right cleaning tools
Having the right cleaning supplies can make a big difference in your cleaning process. Using the wrong tools can make cleaning frustrating and take longer. For example, using a broom to clean a tile floor will be much less effective than using a mop. Make sure you have a good quality vacuum, mop, and broom. Microfiber cloths are also a great investment, because they can pick up dust and dirt without leaving behind lint or streaks. Do your research and invest in the right cleaning tools that will make your life easier.
4. Use multipurpose cleaners
One of the best ways to save time and money is to use multipurpose cleaners. Look for products that can be used on multiple surfaces like countertops, appliances, and floors so that you don’t have to buy a separate cleaner for each area of your home. For example, instead of getting a spray bathroom cleaner, a tile cleaner, and a tub cleaner, look for one product that can be used on all three. This will save you both time and money. Multipurpose cleaners are also great for quick touch-ups in between major cleanings.
5. Schedule cleaning weekly
If you want to stay on top of your cleaning, it’s important to schedule time to do it and to do it consistently; pick a time to clean each week and stick to it. This could be every Saturday morning or Tuesday evening, or both. When you don’t have a specific time set aside for cleaning, it’s easy to let it slide, and you can fall behind. If you schedule it for once or twice a week, on the other hand, it will be easier to keep up with—clutter and mess will have less time to pile up, creating less work. Find what works for you and stick to it.
Cleaning doesn’t have to be hectic. By following these simple tips, you can make the process much easier and more efficient. You might also find yourself enjoying the process a little bit more. All you have to do is find what works best for you. Your home will thank you.
