How long does it take to clean a home, really? A full deep clean can take hours but you may not always have that kind of time!
If you need to get your home looking presentable fast, it’s all about prioritization. We’re sharing the best ways to make the most impact in the least amount of time.
How to Clean Fast: The Basics
The first step is not to panic. A large mess might feel overwhelming, but you can make a serious dent quickly. It will help to follow the four P’s of a fast clean:
- Plan. Make sure you have everything you need and make a quick run out for extra gloves, more cleaning solution, or a new sponge before you get started. Write down your cleaning list and work through the items one by one to avoid getting distracted as you clean.
- Prioritize. Look over the rooms you need to clean. Pick out the worst messes or the areas that feel the dirtiest. Make clearing the floors and getting rid of anything that could smell (trash, dirty dishes), the first things you tackle.
- Pace yourself. You might feel frantic if you’re on a time crunch, but there’s no use wearing yourself out just before hosting or heading out to the next activity. Only take on the messes you know you can handle right now.
- Progress over perfection. The whole point of a quick clean is that it’s a fast improvement. So, by nature, it’s not going to be the most thorough job. That’s okay. Don’t stress over what you can’t do; instead, focus on what you can accomplish in the time you have.
What to Clean First in a Messy House
When you want to clean quickly for maximum effect, it helps to know where to start. Here are the first things you should do to make the most impact:
- Clear the floors, tables, and other surfaces of clutter. There, it already looks better!
- Throw away any obvious trash, clean dirty dishes, and take out the garbage.
- Wipe down flat surfaces like counters and dining room tables with a 50-50 vinegar and water cleaning solution. Now it smells clean!
- Still have time? Vacuum or sweep the floors in the rooms that need it most: high-traffic rooms like the living room and kitchen are good targets.
- Gather up random paper clutter: bills, magazines, junk mail, and more. Get rid of anything you don’t need and put the rest in a designated spot, like an office or filing cabinet.
- Wow, you did it!
Making these a regular priority keeps the mess manageable and lets you stretch the time between deep cleans.
Related Content: Eight Places You Probably Forgot to Clean in the Kitchen
What's a Good Time to Clean?
If you’re looking for a good time for half an hour or so of quick pickup, pick a period when you aren’t already stressed or tired. Maybe after a long day at work or right before you have to run out to take the kids to their weekend activities is not the ideal 30 minutes.
Many homeowners are more energized to clean in the morning. But if you’re a night owl, try cleaning in the evening instead to take advantage of the hours you feel most alert.
Our Top 5 Favorite Quick Cleaning Tips
Unexpected company arriving in 45 minutes? It’s not just about where you clean; your technique matters too! Here are a few ways to make a little cleaning pack a big punch …
- Open a window. Even when it’s cold outside, just a few minutes of fresh air can make a world of difference to how clean a room feels. Get rid of old funk and get air circulating with a bit of ventilation while you do your other cleaning tasks.
- Get all hands on deck. You don’t have to tackle the mess alone! Recruit whoever’s around to help de-clutter and clean. Give kids age-appropriate tasks and divide your top priorities among the adults.
- Take advantage of storage. From cute storage bins to a well-stocked closet, sometimes putting something away to deal with later is the best you can do on short notice. Make sure you have plenty of places to store clutter you don’t have time to deal with right now.
- Make an all-purpose cleaner. A quick half-and-half mix of warm water and distilled white vinegar can be used to clean mirrors, appliances, and more. Warm soapy water is another great option for cleaning countertops, floors, and more.
- Keep up your momentum. Fast cleaning is all about pushing through as much as you can in one heroic go. That means no getting distracted by your phone or a photo album you found under a pile of laundry. Put on your favorite cleaning playlist, silence your phone, and resist the photo album until you have more time.
Ditch the Stress with The Cleaning Authority
What if you found out that unexpected company was coming in half an hour and … your house was already clean? Make this fantasy a reality with help from The Cleaning Authority. Instead of cramming cleaning into your busy schedule, take it off your plate with our regular house cleaning services. Call (888) 658-0659 or request an estimate online to take back your schedule today.