Whether you have guests on the way, or just can’t stand the mess and literally only have a half hour to spare, it’s helpful to know which cleaning tasks will make the biggest impact (and which ones you can skip). After all, you don’t need to spend hours on end scrubbing and wiping to get your home looking presentable. With the right approach, even a 30-minute cleaning session can make a huge difference.
Most people can spend all day cleaning but when you only have a short amount of time and the clock is ticking, here are eight quick cleaning tips to help you get the most out of your 30-minute blitz.
Before you start cleaning, take a few minutes to think about what needs to be done and then make those tasks a priority. Have company coming over to stay the night? You’ll want to make sure the guest bath and bedroom are in tip-top shape. Ordering takeout every night because the kitchen is a disaster? Plan to spend the majority of your 30 minutes in that room.
Many people waste a lot of time going from room to room looking for their cleaning supplies. Instead of wondering where you put your paper towel or spending a bunch of time trying to figure out where you set the broom, take a couple of minutes to gather everything you’ll need and put them in a bin, pail, basket, or other portable container that you can take with you from room to room.
Start from the top and work your way down when cleaning. This means dusting the ceiling fan and high shelves first, followed by the countertops and then the floors. This will help ensure that your freshly wiped countertops and floors don’t get littered with dirt and dust that falls from the top.
When you only have 30 minutes to clean, it’s important to focus on the areas that get the most use. This could include the kitchen countertops, bathroom sink, living room rug, and so on. When you’re running around the house cleaning, it’s easy to get distracted. Before you know it, you’re organizing the cupboards or rearranging the bookshelf. When you’re short on time, stay focused on the high-traffic areas and leave these less important jobs for another day.
All of the cleaning in the world won’t amount to much if all you smell when you walk in the door is old, stinky trash. That’s why, before you call it quits, you should always take out the trash. While you’re at it, consider cleaning out any old leftovers in the fridge. Just make sure you do it before you wash all of the dishes otherwise you’ll end up doing double dish duty.
Make a quick trip around your home to wipe down surfaces. Simply arm yourself with a damp cloth, cleaner and paper towel, and sanitizing wipes, and then see how many places you can cover in just a few minutes. Tables and countertops are always a given but don’t forget those often-overlooked areas such as light switches, doorknobs, and of course, the refrigerator door.
Another simple task that can be done quickly and make a big impact is cleaning mirrors and glass. That doesn’t mean you should try washing all of your windows in 30 minutes, but if you have a patio door riddled with dog noses and little handprints, doing a quick wipe-down with glass cleaner will make a huge difference. Plus, don’t forget the mirror in the guest bathroom, and if you have one, in the hallway. Mirrors always seem to be a magnet for dust and fingerprints.
If you come across a cleaning task that can be completed in two minutes or less, go ahead and do it right away. This could be wiping down a mirror, putting away the dishes, or vacuuming a small area. The two-minute rule is a great way to get a lot of small jobs done quickly. Just don’t stray too far from your priority areas. If you need to have the guest room ready, focus most of your efforts there.
If you’re almost out of time and have completed your cleaning marathon, take the last minute to button things up. If you haven’t done so already, take out the trash. Throw any dirty towels in the washer, start up the dishwasher if it’s full, and light a few candles for a delightful aroma and ambiance. Now you can sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labor!
If you hate doing cleaning sprints or just wish you didn’t have to spend all of your free time trying to maintain a clean house, you’ll be happy to know that there is a better way. Yost Cleaning is a local, family-owned cleaning company that is dedicated to making your life easier. You can count on us to meticulously clean your home from top to bottom, paying attention to every little detail.
The best way to enjoy a clean house all the time is to sign up for weekly or bi-weekly house cleaning services. Just need an extra hand for a special or one-time cleaning? We can do that too! At Yost Cleaning, we’re all about providing our customers with the services they need, when they need them. Have a special cleaning request or want us to use a certain kind of cleaning product? No problem! Just let us know and we’ll be happy to arrange it. To learn more or to get started on your free quote, contact us through our website or give us a call.