Quick Housework Strategies for People on the Go
Got better things to do than dedicate your weekend to domestic duties? These cleaning and tidying tips will keep your house in good order
Some housekeeping books read like a lovely daydream. Imagine having the time to dust under the furniture, rotate mattresses like clockwork and clean the refrigerator coils! To be quite honest, I can’t recall the last time I did any of those things and I refuse to feel bad about it. When your days are fully scheduled, it makes zero sense to hold yourself to professional housekeeping standards. That’s not to say, though, that keeping a home clean and orderly is something that cannot be attained by those with busy lives. Having some sort of regular cleaning and straightening routine helps give a satisfying order to our lives, and it ensures that things don’t get so far out of hand you must spend all day cleaning just to bring them back to normal.
Here are some simple, fast ways to keep your home fresh and clean every day.
Here are some simple, fast ways to keep your home fresh and clean every day.
MORNING
Make the bed while you are in it
This sounds silly, but it works. Before you get up, stretch out in bed as if you are making snow angels, straightening out the sheets and blankets as you go. Voilà! You’ve done most of the work of creating a smooth bed with almost no effort.
Make the bed while you are in it
This sounds silly, but it works. Before you get up, stretch out in bed as if you are making snow angels, straightening out the sheets and blankets as you go. Voilà! You’ve done most of the work of creating a smooth bed with almost no effort.
Empty the dishwasher while waiting for your first cup of coffee or tea
Do you usually stare at the coffee machine or kettle, willing it to work faster? Use the time instead to clear out the clean dishes from the dishwasher or draining rack, so it will be ready to go for the day.
Do all of your dishes after breakfast (and every meal)
It’s so much easier to quickly rinse off a few plates and cups than deal with a full sink at the end of the day. This is a habit that may feel burdensome at first but quickly becomes second nature.
Do you usually stare at the coffee machine or kettle, willing it to work faster? Use the time instead to clear out the clean dishes from the dishwasher or draining rack, so it will be ready to go for the day.
Do all of your dishes after breakfast (and every meal)
It’s so much easier to quickly rinse off a few plates and cups than deal with a full sink at the end of the day. This is a habit that may feel burdensome at first but quickly becomes second nature.
Start a load of laundry first thing (and it can be in the dryer or on the line before you go to work)
If you throw in a load of washing right away when you wake up, you should be able to at least hang it quickly or toss it in the dryer before leaving for work.
Will dress shirts wrinkle if you don’t take them out of the washing basket and fold them promptly? Sure. If you know you can’t stick around to fold and put away clothes, only remove hardy items, such as towels and T-shirts, from the washing line; you’ll still have less to do later.
If you throw in a load of washing right away when you wake up, you should be able to at least hang it quickly or toss it in the dryer before leaving for work.
Will dress shirts wrinkle if you don’t take them out of the washing basket and fold them promptly? Sure. If you know you can’t stick around to fold and put away clothes, only remove hardy items, such as towels and T-shirts, from the washing line; you’ll still have less to do later.
Use shower steam to your advantage
Take a few seconds to wipe the sink and mirror in the morning after your shower, and the warm steam will help things along. A quick swipe with a microfibre cloth is all it should take for all things to look sparkling fresh.
TIP: Keep a mini cleaning kit in the bathroom so you don’t have to scramble to find the supplies you need.
Take a few seconds to wipe the sink and mirror in the morning after your shower, and the warm steam will help things along. A quick swipe with a microfibre cloth is all it should take for all things to look sparkling fresh.
TIP: Keep a mini cleaning kit in the bathroom so you don’t have to scramble to find the supplies you need.
EVENING
Tidy your entry
Instead of flinging your things down anywhere, take a moment to put everything in its proper place when you come into the house. Line up your shoes, hang up the coats, stuff all your accessories and things into a basket or tote, and sort the mail. Slowing down as you cross the threshold into your home is also a great way to shed the stress of the day.
Tidy your entry
Instead of flinging your things down anywhere, take a moment to put everything in its proper place when you come into the house. Line up your shoes, hang up the coats, stuff all your accessories and things into a basket or tote, and sort the mail. Slowing down as you cross the threshold into your home is also a great way to shed the stress of the day.
Do a quick post-dinner clean-up
Even if you are exhausted, be sure to run the dishwasher, wipe the benches and stovetop, and give the kitchen floor a quick sweep. Take out the rubbish and recycling, or at least bundle it by the door, where you will remember to take it out in the morning.
Even if you are exhausted, be sure to run the dishwasher, wipe the benches and stovetop, and give the kitchen floor a quick sweep. Take out the rubbish and recycling, or at least bundle it by the door, where you will remember to take it out in the morning.
Clear clutter hotspots
You know the spots I’m talking about: the places clutter just seems to appear through no fault of your own. So, before heading off to bed, take a few minutes to walk through the house, putting things back in their places, paying special attention to those clutter hotspots. Tidy the living room, clear the dining room table and hang up the clothes piled on the chair in your bedroom.
You know the spots I’m talking about: the places clutter just seems to appear through no fault of your own. So, before heading off to bed, take a few minutes to walk through the house, putting things back in their places, paying special attention to those clutter hotspots. Tidy the living room, clear the dining room table and hang up the clothes piled on the chair in your bedroom.
EXTRA TASKS
When making your list of extra chores, go easy on yourself! Choose only what makes sense for your lifestyle, home and available time. My list of extras looks like this.
TELL US
What is your best quick cleaning tip? Let us know in the comments section below.
When making your list of extra chores, go easy on yourself! Choose only what makes sense for your lifestyle, home and available time. My list of extras looks like this.
- Vacuum and/or mop floors.
- Wipe dusty surfaces.
- Degrease small appliances.
- Clean bathroom.
- Clean fridge.
TELL US
What is your best quick cleaning tip? Let us know in the comments section below.
By sneaking in mini cleaning tasks during your normal morning and evening routine, you should be able stay on top of basic housekeeping in just minutes each day. When time is really short, this is all I do. But keeping your home feeling really great (even company ready) doesn’t take much more effort.
Look at your schedule and decide when you can fit in a handful of extra chores. Depending on the week, you might want to do them all in one go on a weekend morning (with music and plenty of coffee) or fit in an extra chore each weekday.