9 easy steps for a quick cleanup
Cinderella-style scrubfests of down-and-dirty cleaning can become a thing of the past
Housecleaning can feel like an overwhelming amount of work. So we avoid and ignore it, until we break down and end up scrubbing the floors Cinderella-style, vowing to never again let it get to that point. Yet the cycle continues.
But with a few quick steps — and cheats — your home can always seem spotless with these easy tips, in this order:
Basket speed-clean Corral any random loose items and tabletop clutter into baskets for each room. As you go through the rooms, make snap judgments about what contributes to untidiness. Don’t think too much about it: If something isn’t decor in its intended place, like a candle on a nightstand, then toss it into the basket. It can take just five minutes to clear surfaces and create a clutter-free effect.
At the end of the night before bed — or another regular daily interval — quickly sort through each basket and put things back where they actually belong. Your baskets should never get too full or out of hand if you’re daily clearing clutter.
Next, wipe down surfaces It’s counterproductive to try to wipe down surfaces with items on them. After you’ve cleared the kitchen counter, dining room table, any hallway tables, dresser tops, nightstands and coffee tables, wipe them down with a wet towel. Wiping down surfaces daily takes mere seconds, but it goes a long way toward creating the effect of a sparkling home and prevents the buildup of beverage rings, dust, hair and food crumbs.
Sweep and/or vacuum Vacuuming is like a magic Band-Aid fix. Have you ever noticed how your house looks spotless after vacuuming just one rug? Never vacuum before you’ve wiped down surfaces, since particles and crumbs fall to the floor while you’re cleaning them.
Empty all trash cans It’s a lightning-quick cheat to a cleaner-looking home, especially in the bathroom and anywhere trash cans don’t have lids. A visibly empty trash can makes things seem cleaner.
Fluff all pillows Plumping throw cushions breathes new life into a space; it’s the easiest, laziest trick in the book. Just fluff your pillows up and you give the room a fresh hotel-room effect.
Make your bed every morning Your entire house will seem cleaner with a made bed. Plus, making your bed in the morning sets the tone and mode for the rest of your day — you’ll be less inclined to let other things slide.
Hide the hamper Put it somewhere where you and others can’t see your dirty clothes.
Clear your fridge door The kitchen looks fresher and more streamlined without clutter on the fridge door. Clear it off and your kitchen will seem cleaner looking.
Buy fresh flowers It’s not exactly a cleaning tip, but after you’ve cleared and wiped surfaces, vacuumed, fluffed pillows, emptied the trash, hidden the hamper and made the bed, treat your home to a bouquet of fresh flowers.