Keeping our living spaces clean is a crucial part of maintaining a healthy and comfortable lifestyle. However, cleaning can often feel like a daunting task that takes up a significant chunk of our precious free time. That’s why it’s so important to have an efficient cleaning routine. By trimming down unnecessary steps, you can slash your cleaning time and free up more moments for the things you love. In this post, I’ll share the top ten things I stopped doing that made my cleaning routine faster, and hopefully, it can do the same for you.
1. Stop Cleaning Room by Room
The traditional way of cleaning room by room may feel satisfying, but it’s not the most efficient method. Instead, try task cleaning: completing one type of cleaning task throughout your entire home before moving on to the next.
This means, for example, dusting all surfaces in your home before moving on to vacuuming. It’s a streamlined approach that prevents you from feeling like you’re in a never-ending cleaning cycle, working on the same tasks over and over again. Plus, it can help keep you focused and reduce the time spent moving between rooms.
2. Quit Using Too Many Cleaning Products
It’s easy to fall into the trap of believing that every different surface or type of dirt in your home requires a unique cleaning product. However, the truth is that a few all-purpose cleaners can manage most household cleaning tasks.
By reducing the number of cleaning products you use, you can save time and money while also reducing clutter in your cleaning cupboard. Remember, the goal of cleaning is to remove dirt and germs, not to fill your home with a rainbow of scented cleaning products.
3. Stop Ignoring Small Messes
One of the quickest ways to make your cleaning routine more efficient is to tackle small messes as soon as they happen. If you spill something, clean it up right away. If you notice dust gathering, wipe it off.
By dealing with these small tasks immediately, you prevent them from turning into larger, more time-consuming cleaning jobs later on. It’s all about staying proactive and preventing messes from building up in the first place.
4. Quit Multi-Tasking
While it might seem like you’re getting more done, multi-tasking can actually slow you down. Instead, focus on one task at a time before moving on to the next.
By focusing on one job at a time, you can give it your full attention, which often results in a more thorough and faster clean. It also reduces the chances of leaving a task half-finished and having to come back to it later.
5. Stop Hoarding
Let’s face it, the less stuff you have, the less there is to clean. So, if you find that your home is cluttered with items you rarely use, it might be time for a purge.
By getting rid of unnecessary items, you can significantly reduce the amount of time you spend dusting, vacuuming, and organizing. Plus, a decluttered home is much more enjoyable to live in.
6. Quit Cleaning With Dirty Tools
Cleaning with dirty tools can spread more dirt and dust around your home, making your tasks more challenging and time-consuming. Ensure your cleaning tools—like mops, dusters, and vacuum cleaners—are clean before you start.
Regularly washing or replacing your cleaning tools can greatly improve their effectiveness and efficiency. It might seem like an added task, but it will save you time in the long run.
7. Stop Skipping the Maintenance
Keeping your home appliances in good shape can save you a lot of cleaning time. Regularly maintain your appliances and fixtures to prevent grime and dirt buildup.
Routine maintenance like cleaning the oven every month or descaling the kettle can prevent stubborn dirt from accumulating. This way, you’ll spend less time scrubbing and more time enjoying a clean home.
8. Quit Being Unprepared
Having a cleaning plan can save you a lot of time. Instead of deciding what to clean on the spot, make a list of tasks in advance.
Knowing exactly what needs to be done can help you stay focused and efficient. You can also prioritize tasks to ensure that the most important or time-consuming tasks are completed first.
9. Stop Procrastinating
The longer you put off cleaning, the more daunting it becomes. Try to clean a little bit each day to prevent messes from piling up.
By incorporating cleaning into your daily routine, it becomes less of a chore and more of a habit. Plus, it’s much easier to clean a slightly dirty room than a very dirty one!
10. Quit Doing It All Yourself
If you live with others, there’s no reason why you should be the only one cleaning. Make cleaning a shared responsibility.
By dividing up cleaning tasks among family members or roommates, you can significantly reduce the amount of time you spend cleaning. Plus, it’s a great way to teach kids responsibility and teamwork.