As much as we hate to do it, it still has to get done. Cleaning is one major constant in adult lives that (likely) will never go away. But just because we have to clean, doesn’t mean we can’t find smart and creative ways to do it faster, easier, and more efficient. Here are a few cleaning tips and hacks for every room in your home.

First off, let’s run through a check list of main cleaning items every household should have.

• Cleaning solutions. This is your toilet bowl cleaner, glass cleaner, all purpose spray, degreaser, soap scum cutter, and deodorizer. Whether you choose to go green, use conventional products, or even make your own – just as long as you have the basic cleansers you will need to clean and disinfect your home.
• Sweeper or vacuum. Or basically any device to sweep or suck dirt, dust, and hair from your floors. This includes a broom and dustpan, and a mop and bucket.
• Assorted cloths and sponges. Microfiber cloths are great for cleaning! They wash well and are super soft so your household surfaces don’t get damaged. Cleaning sponges are also great, though they can be germ collectors. Keep a pair of rubber gloves on hand as well, in order to save your precious manicure and retain the moisture in your hands.
• Miscellaneous must haves. Let’s not forget a toilet brush (with holder), carpet cleaner, Lysol wipes, wood cleaner, bleach, and dusters.

Bathroom

The household bathroom(s) is one of the first places to show actual gunk and grime. This is where the family washes their hands and face, brushes their teeth, shaves (multiple parts of their body), and can be home to a tonne of germs. It is best to use a disinfecting spray or foam in and around the sink, killing at least some of that pesky bacteria.

• Immediately after showering spray the tub and surround with a soap scum cleaner. This helps to stop soap build up from forming and keeps your shower clean and fresh.
• After your morning “ahem” add toilet bowl cleaner to the bowl.
• While you finish your makeup and brush your teeth, the toilet bowl cleaner can get to work and then you can scrub the bowl.
• Keep a bottle of all purpose disinfectant and a microfiber cloth under your bathroom sink. After you’re done using the sink in the morning, spray it down and give it a quick wipe – along with the counter.
• Also wipe down the faucets, fixtures, door knobs, and light switches. Either use Lysol wipe or a cloth with disinfectant spray.

Creating a simple bathroom cleaning routine will help make the chore a lot less daunting. Plus, your washroom will always be sanitized and ready for visitors.

Bedrooms

Most people are only really in their bedrooms to sleep, get ready for the AM and PM, and to have sex. So, there are minimal housekeeping tasks in bedrooms.

• Make sure that beds are made each and every morning.
• When laundry is dry and folded, put it away in each respective room.
• Dust any furniture and surfaces weekly (or at least a couple times a month)
• Change bedding when appropriate – which is something I don’t do nearly often enough!
• Vacuum or sweep when needed (or at least a couple times a month)

See! Bedrooms are fairly simple to keep tidy and clean. Just find a schedule that works for you and your family’s needs.

Kitchen

They say the kitchen is the hub of the house. So, it’s also likely the dirtiest! This is the area of the home where food comes into the mix, and this can cause more mess than anything else! This mess can also attract pests if not dealt with appropriately, and companies like https://www.pestcontrolexperts.com/ will have to be contacted to deal with any issues. Attention needs to be made to the upkeep of the kitchen every single day in order to avoid chaos!

• Wash the dishes every day. Either by hand or using the dishwasher. And be sure to empty the dishwasher the next day after running a cycle.
• Sweep the floor every day. There is a lot of traffic that goes through the kitchen. Not to mention crumbs hitting the floor and the kids (or husband) missing their mouths when eating dinner.
• At least spot mop every day. Again, family members missing their mouths and also spills and messes hitting the floor. Use a Swiffer mop or just a paper towel with some all purpose spray will do the job.
• Wipe all countertops every day. Before and after food and meal prep – plus after doing the dishes. Keeping the counters clean and tidy looks more put together.

These small (but mighty) tasks will help keep your kitchen in tip-top shape!

Livingroom & Dining Room

With the livingroom being a room that gets the most use and clutter and the dining room being a little under-utilized – the cleaning tasks in these two rooms kind of balance out.

• First off – declutter.  Put everything away where they belong.  Fold any blankets and put any discarded clothes in the laundry.
• Dust and clean all the surfaces in the room.  Wipe any well-used furniture (like coffee tables) with a Lysol wipe or a rag & disinfectant.
• Sweep/Swiffer of vacuum the space.  Be sure to run the hose in the creases of the sofa.  Messy eaters can leave a lot of crumbs in their wake.

Again, keeping up with the every day efforts will help to maintain organization and a stress free environment.

Laundry

Most people really dislike doing the laundry! But if you keep up with the overwhelming volume and consistently wash a load (or two) when necessary – the chore can be a lot more manageable.

• As soon as a load of laundry has accumulated – throw it in the washer.  No need to wait until the weekend.  If you have enough to run a full load than just get it done.
• Hang the laundry or toss it in the dryer right away.
• As soon the laundry is dry, fold everything and put it away in it’s appropriate place.
• Be sure to wash bedding (including pillows, quilts, shams, and duvets) on a regular basis.
• Toss bath mats, small rugs, shower curtains, throw blankets, curtains, sheers, sofa covers, etc in the laundry as well.  Use your best judgement – even if it’s once a year for some items! 

The “never-ending story” that is laundry need not take over your life! Everything in moderation. Right?!

Remember to take a break! Enjoy a self care Sunday!

Extra little tidbits and super smart cleaning hacks

• Use a vacuum to clean out cabinets and drawers.  Then you can easily wash the inside without the worry of crumbs and dust.
• Got a greasy range hood or upper cabinets?  Add a few drops of vegetable oil to a paper towel and watch the greasy grime disappear.  Adding little diluted essential oil (like orange or lemon) will leave your kitchen smelling super fresh and sanitized!
• For added freshness in your kitchen and bathrooms – throw a cotton ball with a few added drops of essential oil in the bottom of your bin.  This inexpensive odor-blocker helps to keep your garbage bins from getting too overpowering.
• Fill a microwave safe bowl just over half full with water and add some fresh lemon and orange slices.  Nook the cleaning concoction on high for about five minutes, but leave the bowl inside for a few minutes in order for the steam to work it’s magic.  Now, just wipe down the inside with a clean microfiber cloth.  Voila!  Almost like new!
• Use dryer sheets for wiping baseboards and trim.
• Clean all the blinds in your home simply by using an old (but clean) sock.  Put the sock on your hand and dunk the sock into your cleaning solution (water & all purpose cleaner) and simply run your socked hand over each slat.
• Put the glass portion of your light fixtures in the dishwasher.
• Run a clean Swiffer cloth (on the Swiffer sweeper) on your walls to clean away dust and cobwebs.
• Spot check any carpets or rugs in the house.  Having a can of carpet cleaning foam on hand is a good idea.  It doesn’t hurt either to give your carpets a deep clean every once in a while.  Rent a carpet cleaner or send rugs and runners out to be professionally cleaned.
• A couple times a month, clean all the glass in the house.  With the exception of bathroom mirrors, glass interior doors and windows can often get put on the back burner.  Mainly focus on the surfaces that get touched the most.

Have I missed any cleaning tips?! 

These little tips and tricks should have your home looking spotless and also gotten you and your family on a pretty consistent (and relatively efficient) cleaning schedule in order to keep the house in pristine condition.

Got any cleaning hacks you swear by?  Feel free to leave any cleaning suggestions in the comments.