10 Practical Cleaning Tips for People Who Have No Time (or Energy!)
If you feel like you never have enough time to clean, you are not alone.
Between work, family, and daily responsibilites, not to mention actually taking care of your health, cleaning often falls to the bottom of that list. And rightly so! Family, your health, what you cook for dinner, how much time you spend with your kids…your husband, is all more important than cleaning in my opinion.
The problem lies in the fact that a clean home is still very important. It not only provides healthy air, clean surfaces, and less spiders! But is also provides a healthy mental wellbeing. When the cleaning becomes overwhelming or causes anxiety, depression, or irritability it is a problem.
I wanted to offer 10 realistic, time saving tips to help you stay on top of things without burning out.
#1 Focus on “High Impact” Area
If you only have a few minutes, focus on areas like:
Kitchen Counters and Sink OR
Toilets and Bathroom Sinks
These areas can collect the most bacteria quickly and also makes the home look cleaner when finished.
#2 Set a 10-Minute Timer
Cleaning feels overwhelming when it feels endless.
Set a timer for just 10 minutes and clean as much as you can.
You’ll be surprised how much gets done.
If you did not clean for that 10 minutes every day, at the end of the week you would have over an hour MORE of cleaning that you are behind on.
#3 Keep Cleaning Supplies Where You Use Them
Make it easy on yourself.
A simple sponge and cleaner in the bathroom (I recommend castile soap!)
A vinegar spray or safe multipurpose spray in the kitchen
Have a place for the vacuum upstairs and downstairs. So you can start where you left off and do not have to carry it up and down the stairs every time.
A broom in the coat closet so you can sweep the porch…it keeps less from coming inside!
Less effort = more consistency.
#4 Do “One Thing” Before Bed
Don’t try to reset the whole house, you are already exhausted.
Just do one small thing, like:
Load the dishwasher and start it.
Switch the laundry to the dryer
Wipe the counters
Pick up the living room
It adds up fast over time. One simple thing can keep you on top of the constant tasks. And then you are not so overwhelmed when you start your day!
#5 Use the “As You Go” Rule
This is a game changer.
Wipe the counter while cooking
Put things away immediately after using them
Clean spills right when they happen
Wipe out the fridge every few days (literally this one has been a game changer for me. I rarely have to do a deep clean of my fridge because I stay on top of the mess, spills don’t sit and become sticky, and it keeps things from building up in the bottom as well.
This prevents buildup (and big cleaning days).
#6 Contain the Chaos
If your home feels overwhelming, it might not be dirt—it’s clutter!
When I begin to feel overwhelmed at home, it usually is clutter not just dirt. Different personalities are affected differently by this. This can also be a big issue for moms who are always at home. They never get a break from their to do list at home.
Create simple systems:
Baskets for toys
A bin/drawer for random items
A drop zone for keys
Create simple habits:
Never put your mail down. It goes into recycling or into a file to sort, pay bills, or respond to letters.
Everything needs a place. When you are finished put it back in it’s place. If it does not have a place, make a home for it.
When something is no longer useful to you send it out. Sell it, gift it, donate it.
You don’t need perfect organization—just containment and homes for everything.
#7 Make Your Home Feel Great To You!
Focus on the areas that make your home feel clean:
✨ Kitchen
✨ Living room
✨ Bathrooms
This can also be different for everyone! I hate dirty carpets. I feel like if I vacuum more, then I will have to dust less.
If your home feels clean to you, everything else feels more manageable.
#8 Use Tools That Save You Time
The right tools make a huge difference.
Lightweight vacuum
Microfiber cloths
Multi-surface cleaner that fits you. For me this means something that does not have additional fragrance, does not have harsh chemicals, and sanitizes as I clean.
The easier it is, the more likely you’ll do it.
#9 Create a Simple Weekly Rhythm
Instead of doing everything at once:
Monday: Bathrooms
Wednesday: Floors
Friday: Kitchen reset
This breaks cleaning into small, doable chunks. This can work for some people. It also keeps you focused on one area each time, so that you do not get so overwhelmed that you don’t do anything at all.
#10 Give Yourself Permission to Get Help
You don’t have to do it all.
Hiring a cleaning service isn’t about being “fancy”—it’s about:
✔ Protecting your time
✔ Reducing stress
✔ Getting support when you need it
It does not hurt to contact your local cleaning company and see how they can help. Some companies can tailor their services to where you need the most help.
If you are unsure and just want to ask some questions, we are happy to guide your search. You can contact us anytime!
