There’s nothing quite like surviving a chaotic week only to find that your home looks like a tornado swept through it right when the weekend finally arrives. You want to kick back and enjoy some well-deserved downtime, but instead, you find yourself staring down the daunting task of cleaning up the mess. Or perhaps you’ve been acutely aware of the clutter all week, and that nagging overstimulation is starting to wear on you. So how do you avoid dedicating your entire Sunday to tidying up, and maybe snag some of that precious time back to just relax? We consulted professional cleaners, and they shared their best shortcuts to keep your home tidy and your sanity intact.
Each person has their own unique cleaning hacks that save them from losing their cool by the end of the day. Take, for example, a mom from TikTok who swears by her “cleaning cart” — a handy three-tiered rolling caddy where she stashes away items that don’t belong where they are. It’s a lifesaver for tidying up quickly and effortlessly, allowing her to manage the chaos without losing her mind. Another mom turns her kids into little cleaning assistants by handing out supplies and playfully pretending to be their wicked stepmother. Sometimes, you have to embrace the humor in chaos!
But let’s hear from the professionals who have tackled not only their own homes but also countless clients’ spaces. They know exactly what works in the real world.
Reset Your Space at Night
What rooms in your home see the most action? If you’re like most families, the living room and kitchen take the brunt of the daily hustle. Jessica Gonzalez, chief operating officer of Sparkly Maid San Antonio, emphasizes the importance of a quick evening tidy-up. “Every night before bed, I take ten minutes to reset those visual clutter zones in the kitchen, entryway, or living room. Waking up to a clean space makes for a more manageable morning,” she affirms. Cleaning expert Scott Schrader supports this approach, saying that dedicating just a few minutes each night to put away toys and wipe down surfaces can make a world of difference come morning.
Repurpose Old Dryer Sheets for Dusting
Minimize waste while keeping your home clean! Before tossing out your used dryer sheets, think again. Ryan Knoll, owner of Tidy Casa, suggests that they make fantastic dusters. Just run an old dryer sheet along baseboards, blinds, and electronics. Not only do they pick up dust, but they leave behind an anti-static layer that keeps grime at bay—talk about a win-win! Personally, as someone who often folds laundry at the dining room table, I can easily envision grabbing a used dryer sheet to wipe down the window sills before tossing it out.
Use Tin Foil for Oven Cleanup
One simple yet effective tip is to lay down a sheet of foil or a silicone liner beneath your oven racks (just be sure it doesn’t touch the heating element). This clever trick will save you from scraping charred cheese off the oven floor later—definitely a time-saver for those hectic evenings when you just want to enjoy dinner.
Distribute Cleaning Supplies Around the House
Instead of keeping all your cleaning supplies in one inconvenient spot (like crammed under the kitchen sink), try spreading them throughout your home. Keeping a few microfiber cloths and cleaning wipes in the kitchen and bathroom can be a game-changer. Schrader often wipes down mirrors and sinks while he’s waiting for his coffee to brew or brushing his teeth. Those small actions add up, he assures. A little caddy for your most-used cleaning essentials can also make it easier to carry supplies from room to room. You’ll be amazed at how much easier it is to keep things tidy when your tools are readily available.
Clean While You Cook
If you’re simmering dinner or waiting for water to boil, tackle a quick clean-up in the kitchen! Gonzalez likes to wipe down counters or load up the dishwasher during these moments. This strategy not only lightens your load after dinner but also helps you enjoy your meal without dreading the cleanup.
Incorporate Baskets for Easy Tidying
Keeping a small catch-all basket in each main room is another tip that Knoll swears by. At the end of the day, simply walk around and toss in items that need to be put away later. I, personally, love having a basket at the bottom of my staircase—it makes it so easy to gather things that belong elsewhere and take them back later. For Gonzalez, having a catch-all basket for each child helps keep clutter at bay while teaching them responsibility.
Always Have a Donation Bag Ready
Schrader refers to this as decluttering by default. Keeping a donation bin in your closet allows you to easily toss in items that are no longer useful or loved. This helps reduce clutter and keeps your home organized. The less you have cluttering your space, the less cleaning and organizing you have to do. It’s a simple but effective trick that frees up not just your space, but your mental energy too.
Use a Squeegee for Pet Hair
If you’re living with pets, you know the battle with hair can feel endless. Knoll suggests using a plain rubber squeegee to pull up the hair from your carpets—it’s surprisingly satisfying. It may take a bit longer than vacuuming, but if you’re often left with a half-satisfied feeling post-clean, this might just be the solution you’ve been looking for.
Tackle One Load of Laundry Daily
Laundry can often feel like an albatross hanging around your neck, but it doesn’t have to if you incorporate a little daily routine. Schrader recommends doing one load of laundry every day, which prevents having to deal with a mountain of clothes on the weekend. Trust me, this can significantly reduce your stress!
Armed with these straightforward yet practical tips, you can reclaim your weekends and turn cleaning from a chore into manageable daily habits. It’s about finding what works for you, so you can enjoy your home and the time in it. Now, grab those microfiber cloths and go conquer that clutter!
Image Source: Unsplash
