How to clean the house from top to bottom without breaking a sweat

No time or inclination to clean the house on a regular basis? Read our guide to speed cleaning for beginners.

Have everything on hand in a home maintenance cleaning kit caddie.

As we spend more time at home there’s an unspoken, less appealing aspect to this new hybrid model of work and life balance – more cleaning. With more meals prepared in the kitchen, food eaten at the dining table or desk, and the bathroom being visited more frequently, there inevitably comes more mess. And as the pandemic continues, along with the flu season, there’s now a greater need to stay on top of basic hygiene and cleanliness. Given everyone lives differently, there’s no one right way to get the job done, but you can make it easier by introducing a cleaning system that best suits you.

Clean as you go to reduce the stress/

What’s the best way to organise the cleaning products so that I don’t spend half my time trying to access them?

There’s a number of ways to tackle this, depending on the size of your home. Some people swear by a cleaning caddie or toolbelt where they can keep all their products, sponges and cleaning paraphernalia at hand to carry from room to room. Go for something with a handle so that you have at least one hand free for opening doors or carrying a mop. Another option is to store products close to the space where they will be used, such as dishcloths under the kitchen sink or sponges and shower cleaners in the bathroom vanity. Whatever your preference, make sure the caddie is a good fit for the space you’re storing it in, as well as being easy to access. Having the right tools for the job will also enable you to clean as quickly as possible. Using a worn out mop to wash the kitchen floor can be frustrating and a waste of time while applying a squeegee should leave your windowswith a streak-free finish. Be aware not all cleaners are good for the environment or indoor air quality – so take sometime to ‘build’ the right cleaning kit. Make sure you invest in a pair of rubber gloves to protect your hands too.

Get everyone to help out.

I hate cleaning but I get that it’s a necessary part of life. Is there a way to at least cut down on the prep side of things and just get straight to the task?

Setting aside the chaos that generally comes with family life, the best way to dodge the preparation side of things and just do the cleaning is to stay on top of the mess on a daily basis. That means putting the coffee cups into the dishwasher when you’ve used them, putting away your clothes and shoes before you go to bed and packing up your desk when you’ve finished for the day. The result should be that when it’s time to clean, you’re not spending half your time clearing things away just so that you can get to the main task of wiping down surfaces or vacuuming floors. If these small daily tasks seem like a drag, put on your favourite tunes or podcast to keep you company. Obviously, unless you live alone, everyone needs to pitch in for this approach to be successful.

Multi-tasking anyone?

Are there any cleaning shortcuts I can implement?

Again, this really is a matter of personal preference. People who clean for a living tend to recommend cleaning rooms top to bottom and side to side, starting with things like the ceiling fans and working your way down to washing or vacuuming floors. For stubborn areas such as stove tops, microwaves or showerscreens, apply your cleaning agent of choice and tackle another task for a little while, to give the cleaner time to work its magic. Most cleaning specialists suggest doing the whole house, rather than a room at a time. So, if you are wiping down the kitchen benchtops, move on to the bathroom vanity and living room joinery when you’re done. You could also consider upgrading your appliances, like opting for a cordless or robotic vacuum cleaner to do the work for you. Multi-tasking small jobs, like wiping down the island benchtop while you wait for your toast to pop or the kettle to boil, will also cut down on work later on. As ever, if you share a household, make sure everyone is contributing to ensure it’s a safe, hygienic home for all.

Originally published as How to clean the house from top to bottom without breaking a sweat