How to Clean Your House Quickly Yet Easily

You don't have to scrub like Cinderella to have a clean home.

Housecleaning is a bothersome chore, but you don't have to waste hours each week scrubbing the place spotless to enjoy a tidy home. Organizing your cleaning routine and using the right tools can turn the boring weekly chore into a quick and easy task. However, the ease of the task also depends on maintaining basic cleanliness during the week, such as rinsing out the shower after each use.

Things You'll Need

• Multisurface cleaning spray
• Foaming bleach cleaning spray
• Paper towels
• Rags
• Garbage bag
• Vacuum cleaner

Instructions

1. Slide the handle on each cleaning spray into your pant pocket so that the sprays are handy. Stuff the paper towels into one pocket and the rags into the other pocket. Grab the garbage bag in one hand and a vacuum in the other hand.

2. Remove everything from the bathroom counters and place the items on the floor. Spray the toilet, toilet bowl, bathtub and shower, and sink with bleach spray. Spray the counter with multisurface cleaning spray. Leave the bathroom and head to the bedrooms.

3. Throw dirty laundry into hampers and any garbage into your garbage bag in each bedroom. Make the beds and stack any dishes that need to go to the kitchen. Mist a paper towel with multisurface spray and wipe down the bedroom furniture. Vacuum the bedrooms and take all dishes to the kitchen.

4. Return to the bathroom. Wipe down the bathtub and shower and counter with the rag. Wipe down the toilet with a paper towel and scrub bowl with a brush. Mist a paper towel with multisurface spray and wipe the mirror clean. Use the towel to wipe each item as you place it back on the counter. Wipe and rinse the sink. Vacuum the bathroom floor. Carry everything back to the living area of the house.

5. Pick up the living room and dining room. Throw trash into the bag and wipe down the furniture with a misted paper towel. Carry any dishes into the kitchen and vacuum both rooms.

6. Place dirty dishes in the dishwasher. Remove everything from the counters and appliances in the kitchen and set the items on the floor. Mist a clean rag with multisurface cleaner. Wipe down the counters, cabinets, appliances and sink. Wipe down each item as you put it back in place.

7. Vacuum the kitchen floor and any remaining hallways or entryways. Use a damp rag to give any hard floors a quick cleaning. If you have the extra time, pull out the mop and bucket to wash the floors properly.

Tips & Warnings

• Mist your stove and counters with foaming kitchen cleanser before starting the rest of the house if you're dealing with burnt and dried food buildup. Let the dirt soak in the cleanser as you do clean the house and, by the time you head back to the kitchen, wiping the grunge clean will be a breeze.

References

• Redbook: Speed Clean Your House
• She Knows; How to Clean House in Less Than 30 Minutes; Kristin Chessman; October 2010
• Good Housekeeping; Room-by-Room House-Cleaning Guide; Heliose