Tricks to Speedy Household Cleaning

Home and Garden - Cleaning

By: vivasuzi 23-Jan-2012

Introduction:

I once read that a house could be cleaned to be "presentable" in just 30 minutes. This is great if surprise guests are coming over and you just want to look like you've cleaned. However, what if you really want to have a clean house all the time? Chores pile up because we think it will take all day to do them, but this doesn't have to be the case. Here are some tips to speed the process along so cleaning is not such a chore!

The Microwave Trick

Ever throw something in the microwave and then just sit and watch it? It's only a few minutes right? Well that few minutes is useful time! Throw your food in the microwave and RUN! Get something clean or done in that time. Make it a challenge to clear the dishwasher before the microwave beeps. You'll be amazed how fast you can get a chore done when you actually set a time limit for yourself. This trick can be used on anything that has a timer. Set the oven for 45 minutes to cook your dinner and try to get the whole room clean before it beeps! The race is on!

Get the Kids Involved

One reason it's hard to keep the house clean is because you may be trying to watch your children while you clean. While, why not have them help cleaning? It will teach them some valuable life skills, but you can also make it into a game. Give them each a pile of laundry and have them race to fold and put it away the fastest. While they are doing that, you can be off doing another chore knowing that they are being helpful. I even get my baby involved, somewhat. I'll bring her wherever I am cleaning and she'll pick up things and hand them to me. I entertain her as I go so she stays in the room with me. That way I can still clean but I know she is safe and not off getting into trouble.

The Relocation Trick

Sometimes when cleaning one room, I constantly come across things that belong in other rooms. I was always getting off track with that because I'd take them to the room they belong in and then start straightening something in there! Now I do the relocation trick. I still take the items to the room they belong in but I just set them down. I'll make a pile of things that belong in that room and wait until I'm cleaning that particular room before I go through them. This saves me time and helps me stay focused on the room I'm working on.

The List Trick

Lists always keep me on track and motivated to get the job done. If the house is looking particularly messy and I don't know where to start, I'll make a list! I'll list all the individual chores that need to be done so they are split into simple tasks. By having these tasks broken down, it makes the whole cleaning day seem less overwhelming. I just focus on one thing at a time instead of looking at the entire household chores as a whole.

Do Little Bits at a Time

Even if you have a list, you may still be dreading cleaning. So aim to do little bits at a time. Maybe you really want to watch TV or play a game, now you can do both! I'll watch my show and every commercial I'll get up and do a chore. Slowly but surely things get crossed off my list and I don't feel like a couch potato. Some people have the attitude that they have to clean everything before they relax. I'd rather do both :)

Final Thoughts

Nobody likes to clean, but if you follow these 5 tricks you may find it a little more tolerable. Next time you have a houseful of chores to do, try some of these tips and see how much easier it is to get the job done.