Whether you’re expecting the in-laws in an hour or just want to tidy up for company, speed cleaning is key. Follow these simple tips and hacks to make the process faster and more efficient.
Having the right supplies, like a durable vacuum, high-quality detergents and microfiber cloths, also makes all the difference. Plus, tackling one room at a time can help you establish a regular cleaning cadence.
1. Invest in a Steam Cleaner
One of the best ways to quickly sanitize and deodorize a variety of surfaces is to invest in a steam cleaner. The only ingredient that these machines require is water, which eliminates the need for additional chemicals or cleaning solutions. They’re great for a number of different surfaces including countertops, floors and furniture. They can also help to remove stubborn stains, such as those left behind from foods, drinks or soap residue.
Many of these machines are available in a variety of forms, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs. There are stick-style wet mops, upright canister styles and handheld units, as well as a wide range of attachments and accessories. For example, a popular steam cleaner from Bissell comes with a fabric steamer tool, a window squeegee and a grout brush, so you can clean everything from a car interior to a bathtub.
Using a steam cleaner regularly can help to eliminate a lot of the microscopic pathogens that trigger allergies and infections, such as mold, mildew and dust mites. These contaminents often hide in carpeting, mattresses and upholstered furniture, feeding on the dead skin cells that we shed each day. They can also cause breathing difficulties and lead to asthma attacks in children and adults. Steam can kill them completely, allowing you to get back to your regular routines more quickly.
Steam is also a much safer way to clean than chemical cleaners. Unless you’re careful, using certain types of solvent cleaners can leave a sticky film on surfaces that can attract germs and bacteria. These chemicals can also be dangerous if they come into contact with children or pets. Steam, on the other hand, only leaves a fresh and clean scent behind.
While steamers are effective for a wide range of surfaces, they shouldn’t be used on any surface that could melt or warp, such as plastics, laminate flooring, or those finished in water-based paint. They can also be too hot to use on delicate fabrics such as silks and cotton. It’s also important to follow the instructions provided by your specific steamer, as some have a warm-up time that can affect their performance.
2. Set a Timer
A lot of people feel overwhelmed when it comes to cleaning, but if you break up your tasks into small chunks, they won’t seem as daunting. For example, setting a timer for ten or fifteen minutes and seeing how much you can get done within that period is a great way to motivate yourself. This trick also helps you stay on track and prevents you from overburdening yourself with a three-hour cleaning frenzy.
It is best to start with the rooms you use most often, such as the kitchen or the living room. This will give you a sense of accomplishment and motivation to finish the rest of your home. You may find that tackling several tasks at once is more efficient, such as wiping surfaces and mopping floors simultaneously. In addition, it can be helpful to enlist the help of family members or friends when working on a large cleaning project. Everyone can contribute in their own way, whether it’s putting on some motivating music or sweeping the floor while the other person washes dishes or cleans the toilet.
Another way to make a big cleaning task less overwhelming is to do it in short bursts followed by a break. This is especially helpful for those who have the tendency to clean in a marathon fashion and end up feeling exhausted or unproductive. Hoffman suggests starting with a room that needs to be cleaned and then setting a timer for 20 or 30 minutes. Once it goes off, take a break to do something like drink a cup of tea or play around on the internet, then come back and finish the rest of the room.
If you want to make your house cleaning more fun, turn it into a game by racing against the clock. This will not only energize you but also increase your speed. You could try making a chart with yourself and your family to see who can vacuum the fastest or put away the most items in the least amount of time. You can even set up a reward system for the winner.
3. Clean Your Dishes
If you don’t wash your dishes, bacteria and fungus can build up in just a few days. This can make you sick and cause unpleasant odours in your home. Washing your dishes regularly by hand will not only save you money on dishwasher detergent, but it will also improve your health and wellbeing. Hand washing dishes can also reduce your risk of allergies, according to research.
One of the best ways to clean your house fast is to develop a cleaning system and stick to it. Start by decluttering and organising each room, and then move on to scrubbing areas and wiping surfaces. Using the same system each time will cut your cleaning time and help you remember what to do next time.
A good way to get started is by tackling the most public parts of your home first. This includes the bathroom, kitchen and guest bathroom. Once these are done, you can focus on the more private spaces of your home such as bedrooms and living rooms.
Make sure to use a cleaner with bleach or chlorine bleach and hot water, as this will kill the most bacteria. Use a disinfecting solution on all counters, sinks and appliances. Then, clean and wipe down cabinets. Finally, mop the floor and vacuum carpets to leave the space looking spotless.
Another great tip for cleaning your home fast is to keep your cleaning products organised. Have a designated caddy or bucket for all your cleaning products and keep it with you while you work. This will reduce the amount of times you have to go back and forth between rooms to grab more supplies.
You can also speed up the process of cleaning your home by working in teams. Ask family members to pitch in and help you with the cleaning, and it will be much quicker and easier for everyone involved.
When you’re finished, put the cleaned items away as soon as they’re dry. This will help prevent them from picking up more dirt and dust when they’re returned to their storage places.
4. Clean Your Floors
Floors are a crucial part of every space in your home, so it’s important to keep them clean. Whether your floors are made of wood, vinyl, linoleum, or carpet, they should be cleaned regularly to remove dirt and debris. Additionally, they should be disinfected to kill any germs that may be present. Dirty floors can be a haven for lethal bacteria, germs, and viruses, which can lead to infections and other serious health issues. Regular cleaning of your floors will help minimise allergy systems and infection, and they’ll also look better and last longer.
If your floors are dirty, they can give off a bad impression to visitors or customers in commercial spaces. In addition, they can also be a source of dust, pollen, and other allergens. In order to get rid of these allergens, it’s essential to sweep and mop your floors on a daily basis.
While there are many benefits of keeping your floors clean, some people find it difficult to get started. A good way to start is to spiff up a few low-traffic rooms, such as the bedroom or dining room. This will make it easier for you to tackle the rest of the house. You can also try using doormats at the entrance of your house to prevent bringing in any dirt and debris from the outside, and use furniture pads on the legs of your furniture to prevent scratching or damaging your floors.
The most obvious benefit of keeping your floors clean is that they will last longer. Proper maintenance of your floors will ensure that they retain their appearance and texture for a long time, so you won’t have to replace them as often. In addition, they will be safer for your family, especially if you have young children or pets.
Clean and disinfected floors create a positive first impression for building occupants and visitors, as they reflect professionalism and attention to detail. They also reduce the risk of slip and fall accidents, and they’re less likely to be covered in dirt, debris, or contaminants.