When the snow clears, and the time for spring cleaning rolls around again, the task may seem insurmountable. After a long winter, it often looks like it could take several days to get your home back in order. While establishing a home cleaning routine can sound rather overwhelming for homeowners entering the new season, there are plenty of ways to break the job down into smaller, more manageable tasks. So, we’ve gathered some of the best tips on how to get it done faster and more efficiently to come away with amazing results! Here’s how to spring clean your entire house in just eight hours.
Do a walk-through and jot down each room’s tasks
Walk through each room and make a quick list of the necessary cleaning tasks, jotting down how many minutes each one should take. Then, once you begin cleaning, stick to each time limit as strictly as possible.
One way you can use this pro tip to your advantage is by using a timer and “racing” against the time limits of each task to see if you can beat them. For example, if washing the bathtub and sink should take 15 minutes, try to finish in ten minutes or less. This can help you save a lot of time while also motivating you to turn cleaning into a competition, creating a more exciting experience overall.
Keep the laundry going while you clean
As you pass rooms with laundry waiting like bedspreads that need to be washed or curtains that haven’t been cleaned in a long time, go ahead and toss a load into the washing machine between other tasks. Once dry, fold them into loose but wrinkle-free piles for the time being. They can wait for you to take care of them when you’re done with the rest of the cleaning.
Do some quick bag and basket organizing
While making your lists, you can simultaneously use your time in each room to get organized. Bring a large trash bag and a laundry basket with you. Toss anything that doesn’t belong in the room into the basket, i.e., misplaced toys, shoes, etc., and any trash into the bag. Continue until you’ve completed all rooms, sorting what’s in the basket into the appropriate rooms along the way. You should end up with very few, if any, items in the basket, which can be put away at the end. The trash bag can be thrown out if full, or continue to use until it is.
Clean from top to bottom (literally)
Cleaning from top to bottom prevents swiping up dirt from below, streamlining your cleaning, so you don’t have to do it twice. Start with wiping dirty walls and ceilings, working down to countertop or dresser/tabletop level, depending upon which room you’re in. If you’re having trouble cleaning off marks or scuffs on your wall, we recommend trying the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser—it even works on kids’ crayon marks!
Next, clear your surfaces and spray down sinks, tubs, basins, or tabletops using the cleaning spray you prefer. Allow a minute or two to let it soak in while you grab any towels, washcloths, or other linens that need to be washed, and toss them into the washing machine. As you use your washing machine throughout the day, take note of any smells or other funky odors present. Gross washing machine smell is a common problem faced by many homeowners, but getting rid of any smells is a simple task.
Finish washing up and rinsing the basins and wiping down tabletops. When that’s done, sweep and mop the floor with your favorite floor cleaner. We like to use a mixture of 1/2 cup white vinegar with one gallon of hot water for an easy-to-make floor cleaner. If you have small children or other family members present during your cleaning spree, advise everyone that the floor is wet with a Post-it on the door, and leave the fan on (if there is one) until the room is dry. If you have a carpeted floor, just vacuum it up behind you on your way out. Some vacuums, like the Shark Navigator, can clean all floors, carpeted or not, which is a great time-saver!
Let fresh air revive the room
It’s often said that fresh air is more beneficial to your home than fragrance. Experts insist on opening windows for at least a few minutes every day to take advantage of this natural home freshener. According to Mrs. Beeton’s Book of Household Management, the author instructs readers when cleaning their bedrooms to “throw the bed open, by taking off the clothes; open the windows (except in rainy weather), and leave the room to air.” Do this when you clean the bedrooms and allow the mattresses to air out for at least 30 minutes on up to a few hours. Evidence shows this will reduce germs, allergens, and more.
Put on your headphones to stay motivated
If you have an Audible subscription, pop on a story to listen to while you work. Or, if music is more of a motivator for you, make yourself a cleaning playlist on Spotify. This will help you feel more at ease while cleaning and will make the time fly!
Tips to cut down on kitchen time
One of the most time-consuming parts of spring cleaning involves kitchen appliances. It seems like nothing gathers gunk as these things do. Here are some super-easy time-savers sure to cut your scrubbing time down substantially:
Clean your oven with baking soda and vinegar: Make a paste of 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/4 cup water in a large bowl. Spread the mixture throughout the inside of the oven after taking the racks out. Let it sit overnight. Then, spray with white vinegar and wipe off with a sponge or reusable cloth. It should come right off with any accumulated food or debris, and stains should be much easier to scrub off.
For the microwave: Cut a lemon in half and place it in a bowl of water. Cook until it boils, then turn it off, and let sit for five minutes. Use reusable wipes to easily clean the whole inside of your microwave, then enjoy the fresh lemon scent!
Keep your fridge fresh: Cut a lemon in half and set it in a bowl, flesh sides out, inside your fridge. It will keep your fridge smelling clean, but do swap it out for a new one every week to make sure it stays fresh enough for the job.
Clean up faucets: Scrub a cut lemon around the edges of faucets where mineral deposits build up. Give it about 15 minutes, then carefully rinse off. They should be sparkly clean.
These are some of the best cleaning tips to help you conquer your spring cleaning in eight hours or less. From simple cleaning solutions to careful organization, it’s easy to save time cleaning once you batch your tasks and clean as you go. Just remember to make your cleaning routine enjoyable by listening to audiobooks or have fun racing the clock to make the job go by faster.
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