I’m a huge advocate for making house cleaning both quick and easy.
Over the years, I’ve tried out lots of tricks to make my life easier. Some have worked amazingly well, and others not so much.
I may have already mentioned on this blog, that I actually hate cleaning!
However, I love a clean and decluttered house more. So I’ve been on a mission to make this goal as painless as possible.
So without further ado, here are all my best tips in one blog post (that actually work amazingly well!).
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1. Microfiber cloths
If I had to pick one cleaning product that completely changed the game for me, it would be microfiber cloths. I use them every single day! They’re amazing for dusting, wiping down counters, cleaning mirrors, and just about everything else.
What I love most is how effective they are. They grab dust and dirt instead of just pushing it around, and you don’t even need to use much (or any) cleaner with them. Plus, they’re eco-friendly and budget-friendly. You can wash and reuse them hundreds of times, which means fewer paper towels and less waste.
Protip: For really dirty spots, use your microfiber cloth dry first. Then use a clean damp cloth to finish off. That way you clean up the dust and loose debris first, and it makes cleaning with the damp cloth so much easier.
2. Clean from top to bottom
One of the biggest time-savers I’ve learned is to always clean from top to bottom.
It sounds simple, but it makes such a difference!
Always start with the highest surfaces (like shelves, mirrors, or ceiling fans) and finish with the floors.
3. Declutter before you start
This doesn’t have to a major declutter if you are a bit overwhelmed. Even just a bit of tidying will make life easier.
I like to spend just five minutes picking up stray items before I start. It’s amazing how much faster (and more satisfying) the actual cleaning part becomes when the space is already tidy. Plus, it’s a great mini reset for my brain before getting into cleaning mode.
4. Microwave steam clean
This one feels like magic every time I do it.
Instead of scrubbing, I just fill a bowl with water and a few lemon slices, then heat it for about five minutes. The steam loosens all the gunk, and it wipes right off, plus it leaves the microwave smelling fresh.
No lemons to hand? This works well too:
- Microwave a wet microfiber cloth for 30 seconds to 1 minute
- Let the cloth cool down (with the door shut)
- When cool, wipe around the microwave inside and out
5. Keep a cleaning caddy handy
Having a cleaning caddy was another game-changer for me. I used to waste so much time running back and forth grabbing supplies.
Now, I keep everything I need (sprays, cloths, gloves, and brushes), in one portable bin. It makes it so much easier to move from room to room without wasting time fetching more supplies.
6. Lemon + salt for cutting boards
I love this trick because it’s natural, cheap, and smells amazing. When my cutting boards start looking dull or stained, I sprinkle coarse salt over the surface, then scrub it with half a lemon.
This lifts stains, removes odors, and makes the board look fresh again. Plus, it’s oddly satisfying to watch it work.
7. Vinegar + olive oil for stainless steel
If you’ve got stainless steel appliances, you know how quickly they show fingerprints.
My go-to fix? Wipe them down with vinegar first to clean, then buff with a tiny bit of olive oil. It leaves everything shiny and streak-free plus it and makes me feel like I actually live in one of those spotless kitchen ads (for about five minutes, anyway).
8. Deodorize the garbage disposal
I don’t actually have one of these but I know many people do.
Whenever your sink starts smelling a bit “off,” toss in a few ice cubes and some lemon peels, then run the disposal with cold water.
The ice sharpens the blades a little, and the lemon clears out any lingering odors.
9. Clean glass with newspaper
The old-school way is often the most effective. Newspapers are made of a dense and slightly abrasive paper that can scrub away dirt and residue without scratching the glass. They leave no lint, so you can get a smudge-free window or mirror with very little effort!
- Crumple a sheet of newspaper into a ball.
- Wipe the window in a circular motion.
Find out more here: How to Clean Windows with Newspaper: Eco-Friendly Sparkle!
10. Vinegar showerhead soak
If you live in an area with hard water, you’ve probably seen that white buildup on your showerhead and even gunk like I have in the picture.
I used to think I needed fancy cleaners, but anything on the acidic-side will work to clean it including:
- half cup of disilled white vinegar
- juice of one lemon
- one tablespoon citric acid
I fill a plastic bag and add one of the above with some water, tie it around the showerhead, and let it sit for a couple of hours or overnight if there’s time.
Then rinse it off, and boom, it looks and works like new again.
11. Baking Soda + hydrogen peroxide for grout
Grout used to be my least favorite thing to clean, until I found this combo.
I mix baking soda with a little hydrogen peroxide to make a paste plus a teaspoon of dish soap, spread it over the grout, let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub with an old toothbrush.
Here’s more on that: How To Make Tile Grout White Again With This Easy Tip.
It lifts stains like magic and makes everything look freshly tiled again.
12. Squeegee after every shower
This is such a simple habit, but it keeps my bathroom looking cleaner for way longer.
After every shower, I do a quick 30-second swipe of the glass doors and tiles with a squeegee. It stops soap scum and water spots from building up, and it makes cleaning the bathroom so much easier.
Read this next: How Do Hotels Keep Glass Shower Doors Clean? (the secret is out!)
13. Toilet cleaning shortcut
Cleaning the toilet is my least favorite chore.
But I found a lazy-day trick that actually works: drop a denture tablet into the bowl, let it fizz for about 10 minutes, then give it a quick scrub and flush.
14. Clean your vacuum filter regularly
I used to wonder why my vacuum wasn’t picking up as well as it used to, turns out, the filter was completely clogged!
Now I make a habit of cleaning or replacing it every month or so. It keeps the suction strong and helps prevent that “dusty” smell when vacuuming. It’s such a small maintenance task that makes a huge difference.
Read this next: How to Properly Clean and Maintain Your Vacuum Cleaner (so it actually starts sucking properly again!)
15. Dust ceiling fans with a pillowcase
If you’ve ever dusted a ceiling fan the “normal” way, you know it rains dust everywhere.
Simply slip a pillowcase over each fan blade, then gently pull it back. All the dust stays trapped inside the pillowcase instead of falling on your furniture (or your face).
16. Use a lint roller on lampshades
This one’s for my fellow dust-haters. Lampshades are sneaky dust magnets, and wiping them just spreads it around.
I grab a lint roller instead. A few quick rolls and they’re spotless.
17. Deodorize carpets with baking soda
I swear by this one, especially if you have pets or kids.
Sprinkle baking soda generously over your carpet, let it sit for about 15 minutes (longer if you can), then vacuum it up.
It absorbs odors and leaves everything smelling fresh. I like to add a few drops of essential oil to the baking soda beforehand. Lavender is my favorite.
Read this next: How To Get Rid Of Dog Smell In Your Carpet With Baking Soda
18. Clean baseboards with dryer sheets
Baseboards are one of those things I always forget about … until I notice the dust!
A quick swipe with a dryer sheet not only cleans them but also helps repel future dust.
I love this trick because it smells nice, too. It’s a small detail that instantly makes a room feel fresher and more polished.
Protip: Dryer sheets work really well on venetian blinds too.
Read this next: How to Get Sparkling Clean Baseboards Without Kneeling Down!
19. Freshen mattresses with baking soda
This one is so easy but makes such a difference.
Every few months, I strip the bed, sprinkle baking soda all over the mattress, and let it sit for half an hour. Then I vacuum it up, and it feels (and smells) so much cleaner.
Sometimes I mix in a few drops of eucalyptus or lavender oil. It’s like a mini spa treatment for your bed.
20. Use vinegar as a fabric softener
I stopped buying fabric softener ages ago and switched to plain white vinegar and more recently a tablespoon of citric acid.
Just pour about half a cup of distilled white vinegar into the softener compartment, or add a tablespoon of diluted citric acid.
It softens clothes, removes detergent residue, and keeps everything smelling fresh (don’t worry, the vinegar smell disappears).
It’s cheaper, eco-friendly, and my towels have never been fluffier.
21. Remove pet hair from laundry with dryer balls
If you’ve ever pulled clothes out of the dryer only to find them still covered in pet hair, you need this trick.
Toss a few wool dryer balls into the dryer, they help loosen and collect fur while your clothes tumble. It’s such an easy fix, and it saves me from having to lint-roll everything afterward.
Bonus: they also cut down drying time!
22. Use a toothbrush for tiny spaces
An old toothbrush is one of my favorite secret cleaning tools. It’s perfect for getting into those tiny spots that sponges or cloths can’t reach such as around sink faucets, grout lines, or window tracks. I keep one in my cleaning caddy just for this purpose. It’s amazing how much grime hides in those little corners!
23. Keep doormats inside and outside
This is one of the simplest ways to keep your floors cleaner for longer.
Having a sturdy mat outside and a softer one inside catches most of the dirt before it spreads through the house. Plus, swapping mats seasonally is a fun little decor refresh!
24. Set a timer and make it a game
When I’m not in the mood to clean (which is… often), I set a 15-minute timer and challenge myself to see how much I can get done.
It turns cleaning into a mini race instead of a chore. Most of the time, once I start, I end up doing more because it feels good to see quick progress.
It’s the best trick for beating procrastination.
Read this next: Can’t be bothered to clean? How To TRICK yourself into action!
25. Keep a “five-minute basket”
This one saves my sanity on busy days. I keep a small basket handy, and whenever I notice random clutter (mail, toys, socks — you name it), I toss it in there. Then, once a day, I take five minutes to put everything back where it belongs.
It keeps my home looking tidy without feeling like I’m constantly picking up after everyone.
