9 Methods to Make House Cleaning More Manageable

We get it. You have kids, work, events, family gatherings and after-school activities. If it’s not one thing, then it’s another. Quite frankly, a clean house sometimes doesn’t even make it into the top ten on your priority list during the week.

Now, you’ve put off the household chores long enough that there is a mountain of dishes and enough dirty clothes to keep you busy for a month. You’re not alone in this experience. There are busy parents everywhere struggling to balance all of life’s demands.

What if you could snap your fingers and the floors were swept, or the counters washed? Well, it’s never that easy, but we do have a few strategies to make house cleaning more manageable so you can spend more time on the things in life that matter.

No method is perfect for one person. It’s a matter of what tips work best for you, your home, and your family.

1. Commit to a Deep Clean Twice a Year

You’ve heard the term “spring cleaning”. Whether or not you are faithful to the season, deep cleaning twice a year is beneficial.

Spring is the normal season for families to commit to a deep clean because it signals warmer months spent outdoors instead of inside the home. It’s helpful to use this time of year to clean up outdoors in your sheds, garages, and storm shelters.

But spring isn’t the only season where you can dedicate a day or two to a deep clean of your home.

December is the second part of the year when deep cleaning and decluttering is beneficial. Sure it seems impossible because your schedule is already too busy, but the entire season will be easier, plus, you can rally the whole family to do the work!

It’s a time of the year full of gifts and quality time with friends and family. So, you’ll want your home to look its best for your guests. Donations are also popular during this time of year, so you can get rid of your unwanted things and give them to someone in need. 

Once you’ve completed all the work, for several weeks, you’ll only have to complete minor maintenance.

2. Create a Cleaning Schedule

Even if it isn't written on paper, a mental cleaning schedule can help when it comes to your household chores. The frequency of some tasks is a matter of opinion depending on your specific situation, so come up with a plan that suits your family’s needs.

There are endless ways to organize a list for what works best for your family.

3. Clean up as you Cook

Cooking causes a mess, but unless you plan on eating out every night, it is a must-do task.

Save some time to relax after your meal by cleaning up as you cook. When you are done using ingredients, immediately put them away. If you drizzle liquids on the counter, wipe them up as it happens.

Keeping paper towels or a spoon rest handy while cooking will also help to minimize counter messes. Antibacterial cleaning wipes are a great option for quick cleanups and sanitization.

4. Make Your Cleaning Supplies Easy to Use

Most cleaning supplies are made specifically for certain materials such as wood, glass, or tile. All-purpose solutions are a great option for cleanups on any surface. Furthermore, an all in one mop with disposable cleaning sheets is a great idea for quick and easy floor cleaning.

Declutter where you store your cleaning supplies by keeping the products you use and throwing away everything else. Store your rag for dusting by folding it on top of your cleaner so you can grab both at the same time.

5. Create Micro Goals to Help You Stay on Track

Implement your new cleaning plan step-by-step. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when you have a mile-long to-do list, but separate your big goal into 5 or 10-minute micro goals. You might not be able to clean your entire house, but you can load the dishwasher and wipe down the counters.

Sometimes, it also helps to set a timer so you’ll feel motivated to be productive with whatever little time you have to dedicate to your home.

When you begin cleaning, start with the messiest parts first. This way, everything seems down hill as you go. When you’ve tackled the most obvious mess, you’ll immediately feel accomplished, and who knows, maybe you’ll feel motivated enough to do another ten minutes of work.

6. Turn up the Music

Give yourself something fun to work through while you tackle specific chores. A fun way to challenge yourself to be more productive is by creating some sort of goal like “I want to have all the dishes done by the end of this song.”

Cleaning doesn't have to be a chore. Turn on some music and turn it into therapy.

Do you wish you had more time to read a book? Cleaning and audiobooks can be a good way to accomplish two goals at the same time. Or, maybe you just want to listen to your favorite podcasts to learn something new.

Once you take your mind off the fact you are doing chores, time will fly and you’ll be done before you know it.

7. Keep Your Furry Family Members Groomed

If you have a pet, you are no stranger to the mess fur can make throughout your home. If you regularly keep them brushed and groomed it will minimize the amount that gathers and spreads.

Pets with long hair especially can cause extra clean up on floors and furniture. Special vacuums with rubber tipping are useful for quick cleanups on couches and chairs where your pets like to sleep.

Not having to constantly pull fur from your rugs and furniture is a massive time saver, and you’ll suddenly find house cleaning much more manageable.
 

8. Divide and Conquer

If you have a family, then cleaning your home doesn’t have to be a one-person job. Instead, create zones where each person is responsible for a list of tasks. This will make managing clutter easier because even young children can learn how to put certain items away back to where they belong.

Sometimes it helps motivate children by offering some type of incentive for each completed task. It doesn’t always have to be monetary. Sometimes, the best incentives might be more time with their favorite device or game.

9.  Hire a Cleaning Service

For some people, hiring a cleaning service makes them feel like they’ve raised a white flag and surrendered to the fact they aren’t efficient enough to finish all their obligations in the home. But this is far from the truth. Instead, hiring a cleaning company means you have more time to say yes to the things that matter.

We bet that cleaning services are cheaper than you think. With the customization capabilities, you can choose a plan that fits your schedule and your budget. Our team might show up once or twice a month or every week if you need us.

We can also come and help you prepare for the holidays or tackle that big cleaning project you’ve been dreading.

Call us today at (918) 376-4114 to learn more about our services.