September 7, 2014
8 Steps to Cleaning Your House in Under an Hour
Today I have a guest post that’s a fun take on cleaning your whole house in under an hour. Which of these tactics do you include in a frenzied speed cleaning? Any others you’d add?
Written by Adriana Velez on CafeMom’s blog, The Stir.
If we don’t have time to do a thorough top-to-bottom job, maybe we can carve out an hour to dig ourselves out of the worst of it. So how about this: 8 simple steps for a quick, good-enough cleaning.
Those of you with high standards may want to look the other way.
1. CLEAR OFF ALL SURFACES: Scan the room and scoop up any objects you see on any chairs or sofas. Scan the room again and scoop up the stuff on the floor. Then clear off anything you see on your counters or tables. Put everything in a basket or grocery bag and schedule a time to find a place for it all, later, after your guests leave. Actually put it on the calendar.
2. STACK BOOKS AND MAGAZINES: If you have a lot of books and magazines with no place to go, arrange them all in a tall stack against the wall. Cool design-y effect that looks deliberate!
3. CONCEAL THE STAINS: Strategically drape throws over any stains on your sofas or chairs. If your dishwasher and your sink are both full, keep the dishes in your sink in a large stockpot until after your guests leave.
4. AIR OUT THE ROOMS: Open all the windows in your home to get cross breezes blowing through everything. If it’s warm enough, leave a few open. Fresh smells can trick people into thinking they’re in a clean environment.
5. SPRUCE DOORS, FRAMES, AND KNOBS: Grab a Magic Eraser and scan all your doors. Give any obvious hand prints a quick swipe.
6. BATHROOM BAMBOOZLE: Take your stained, hair-covered bath mat and toss it into the bathtub. Take all the toiletries out on counters and the sink and put them in a clean bowl. Put that in the tub as well. Close the shower curtains. Check the toilet just to make sure there’s nothing horrific you need to take care of.
7. CLOSET THE DOORS TO YOUR KIDS’ ROOMS: The other kids who visit them probably won’t tell the grown-ups what a mess they are.
8. ALTER YOUR GUESTS PERCEPTION: Still worried your home isn’t clean enough? Greet your guests at the door with a glass of wine. Have one yourself. And remember: People who truly love you aren’t scrutinizing your home for cleanliness — they’re there to enjoy your company.
What are your favorite quick-cleaning tricks?
More from The Stir:
- 12 Things in Your Freezer You Should Throw Out Now
- 5 Common Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid
- Are Your Cleaning Products Truly Green or Just Pretending?
- Pinterest vs. Reality: 18 Hilarious Bad Mom FAILS
kendell Says
Thanks for sharing these steps for cleaning
Ashley Says
These are great tips! I’m going to print this out and use it during emergencies when friends are on their way. My tips arent as great but I have 3 cleaning rituals I do every morning that save time and become habitual. I always make my bed right when I wake up. It also gives me a chance to wake up my body too. I don’t have kids but my mom raised my siblings and I since the age of 5 to always make our bed right when we woke up. Second things is when I am waiting for my coffee to be done I quickly unload th dishwasher, and third, immediately after I finish getting ready for the day I tidy up and wipe down my bathroom counters, I’d say these three things take 3 minutes out of my morning.
Theresa Says
WELL said! I’d like to get this place in shape in less than an hour with OUT company coming over! ha
Kathy Says
Love this! In a home with both toddlers and teenagers..these steps need to be printed and framed 🙂
Kathy Says
You had me at “good-enough”!
Jenny Says
Ha ha ha… you had me cracking up… I love the dump it into the tub and close the shower curtain… I have been doing the take the clutter off the dining table and stuff it in a drawer for later sorting, but it never gets sorted out… hahaha… Enjoyed the post.
Michelle Says
Yes, it’s all true… I think I love the part best where you write down in calendar making time to clean up your “clean up”. Too often this type of scramble has made things gone missing… Oops.
Ann Says
This is very much true!
I tend to keep on top of the mess like dishes and hoovering everyday then on the weekend thats when I spruce the house up! I feel working as a team with your family get’s it done A LOT quicker if you have set chores to do! pmsl..
kym snider Says
Though I wouldn’t call it “cleaning”…sounds more like “staging your home to look clean”! Lol Good read anyways 🙂
Erin Says
I know when I was first on my own and someone like my parents were coming over these tactics were very useful! Instead of putting the dishes in a stock pot though, if we weren’t going to be making a meal, I would shove dirty dishes in the oven. Lol
Anne Says
I love all these tips! I’m all about lazy wife style!