Ever wonder how professional house-cleaners manage to go from house to house, getting them looking great without spending all day at any one residence? Thanks to Real Simple magazine for bringing these time-saving tips from some pros who know what it takes to achieve a good clean, fast!
Shut off your cell phone. Vicki Brown, President of Harmony Clean in Doylestown, PA, says the key to speed lies in making sure distractions are kept to a minimum. Turn off your cell phone, computer, TV, etc. to avoid side-tracking temptations.
Start simple. Leslie Reichert, aka The Cleaning Coach, says to start in low-traffic rooms like the dining room, living room or home office. These are usually quick and easy to spiff up, motivating you to then tackle bigger jobs, like in the bathroom and kitchen.
Introduce your family to the squeegee. April Lane, owner of April Lane’s Home Cleaning in Seattle and a board member of the Association of Residential Cleaning Services International (ARCSI), says that one easy way to keep your shower cleaner longer is to get everyone to use a squeegee after each shower or bath. Wipe down shower walls top to bottom, the sides of the bathtub, and even the floor itself. Since soap and shampoo residue won’t be stuck on the porcelain or stone, you should be able to get away with cleaning your tub or shower just once a month!
Soften microwave muck. Lane recommends heating a mug filled with water for two to three minutes in the microwave. The steamy environment softens any stuck-on goo, making it much easier to wipe away. Just be careful removing the hot mug once it’s done its job!
Make use of your dishwasher. Lots of things can go up on the top shelf, says Lane. Toothbrush holders, dish drains, range hood filters and more. Anything made of glass, hard plastic, ceramic or metal, as long as it fits, should be just fine.
Clean from the top down. Reichert advises cleaning each room starting at the top, knocking dust and debris loose from ceiling corners, ceiling fans, high windows and curtains, and working your way down walls, shelves, mantles and lampshades, etc. Save sweeping, mopping and/or vacuuming for last so you only have to do it once!
Do you have tips for achieving a faster clean? We’d love to hear them. Just drop us a line in the comments below!Resources:
Add some motivating music in the background.
No squeegee in my bathroom, just a Norwex Bathroom Scrub Mitt, EnviroCloth and Window Cloth….it’s all I need to clean the entire bathroom.
I myself was wondering why a squeegee recommendation would be on a Norwex site when we sell the envirocloth and window cloth?
I agree Karey….squeegees don’t do nearly as good as our Dynamic Duo – Envirocloth and Window Cloth!
I Still use Norwex to clean but Squeegee’s are good to wipe the water off your shower doors and surrounding tile. Especially if you have hard water.
Exactly!!!!
Even with using our Norwex cleaning products, we really do spend way less time if you get into the habit of using a squeegee on your shower walls and doors!!!
When you travel from room to room, bring with you what goes there, or should be removed from there. Never go up and or downstairs with empty hands, – something needs to be brought either up or down the stairs. And, spot clean along the way – pick up larger pieces of debris on the floor for instance, while on your way through.
I live in a split-level home, lots of stairs. I have two designated ‘resting’ places for things that need to move to a different level of the home. One is a high-chair and one is an old crock. These are both small to medium in size. Each time in go to the stairs I pick up something that need to go up with me and put it away. I’ve trained my family to do the same. It saves time and steps, win, win!
Love to clean with my Norwex Microfiber.
I agree along with the the Norwex magic some great music needed 🙂
Make a List…List making sounds like your giving yourself an extra job before you even start your cleaning but the reality is that lists simplify your life. Take a minute to plan ahead. Writing down everything you need to achieve, will clear your head and give you something to work towards. You will be able to focus clearly on the task at hand, or, think about something else. Even if you don’t enjoy list making you will enjoy crossing things off your list.
Nathan, you are so right! I love crossing things off my list! Thanks for sharing.