Cleaning hacks. I’ve got em. As someone who doesn’t enjoy cleaning, but enjoys the house being cleaned I’ve learned a few simple shortcuts along the way to create a tidy space fast. Here are some of the easiest ways that we keep things tidy.
Clear off those Counters
There’s nothing that makes me feel more uneasy than counters that are filled with clutter. Clearing off the counters and creating a space under the cupboards or in the pantry for those small appliances, dishes + more makes your kitchen look instantly cleaner. While you’re at it, give them a wipe and you’re kitchen is going to look a lot cleaner.
Swiffer Wetjet the Floors
Sweep the floors, or vacuum them, and then use the Swiffer wetjet. You probably won’t even have to do it yourself because my kids fight over the chance to use it. The floors aren’t going to be as clean as the time you went away for two days and your friend cleaned them on her hands and knees, but they’re going to look passable, and cleaner.
Only Have a few Minutes? Vacuum
If you’ve only got a few minutes to clean the house and you’re looking for a way to make the most impact on the state of the house. Vacuum. Do the rugs downstairs and the carpets upstairs, get in the cracks and near bookshelfs to get rid of that sand and dirt that seems to make it’s way into the house and straight on to the carpet.
Use Baskets
Clutter is one of those things that makes the house look messy, to me. I take care of this by having designated baskets for things that would otherwise create clutter. Three baskets in the entryway for the kids shoes (and outdoor stuff, backpacks, bike helmets and other things that are going to be strewn on the bench there, Two baskets on the stairs for the girls stuff that needs to go upstairs to their rooms, and a basket for the counter clutter that I don’t want to deal with putting away. It’s an easy way to clear counters, and organize in minutes. When the baskets are full, the girls can easily bring them upstairs, and put their things away in their room.
Wipe Down the Shower After Bath Time
Just bathed the kids? Finished a shower. One of my favorite ways to clean the shower is Mr. Clean Magic Erasers because I don’t need to spray anything and it takes off the dirt and grime, so fast. In a couple minutes after bathing the kids I can wipe down the shower, rinse it out, and even tackle the shower that gets the most disgusting, the quickest, in minutes.
Keep the Sink Empty
Get rid of the dishes in the sink. Every night before bed one of us empties the dishwasher from the dishes from dinner. It’s an easy way for us to start the morning with somewhere to put the dishes, instead of leaving them in the sink. Also? If you hate washing dishes as much as I do, don’t buy dishes that can’t go in the dishwasher.
Lower Your Friends Expectations
There was a couple of months during the winter where every one of us was sick, we were really busy, we went away and came home and the house was a constant state of disarray, it was around the time that I was the friend with the messy house. During this state, we still had friends over, because friends don’t care. Now that everyone is better, I’m better, we’ve purged bags and bags of items and have simplified our life, I’m hearing comments of ‘wow, it’s so tidy in here’ every time friends come over.
I am a P&Gmom. As part of my affiliation with this group I receive products and special access to P&G events and opportunities. The opinions on this blog are my own.
