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Master the skill of speed cleaning, and make your home presentable in under an hour!
Where do you start?
Think about your home. Make a list of the most impactful chores, and focus on the rooms that should be presentable and comfortable for your lifestyle. Be realistic too. The 45-minute game plan for a 1,200 sq. ft. home might look a lot different than one for a 2,800 sq. ft. home. Create your chore list wisely.
Clean the Foyer - 5 Minutes
Most entryways serve as a sort of dumping zone, so let’s fix that:
Open the door to your home and let in the fresh air as you clean. It’s more effective than any air freshener or candle.
Put outerwear away. Leave some coat hooks or hangers available and uncluttered, so that guests have a space for their own belongings.
Store odds and ends that don’t belong in the foyer in a single basket so that it’s somewhat contained. You’ll carry this basket along with you as you move about the house.
Sweep the floors, but avoid vacuuming or mopping. If necessary, a damp cloth will help spot clean dirty spots left on the floor by wet shoes. Save deep floor cleaning tasks for a day when you have an extra 10 minutes.
Close the door when you’re done.
Clean the Kitchen - 15 Minutes
We all know that everyone hangs out in the kitchen, so focus on achieving clean, uncluttered surfaces:
Open a window in the kitchen to help circulate air.
If any clutter from the foyer belongs in the kitchen, put it away. If there’s clutter in the kitchen that belongs elsewhere, put it in your carry-along basket.
Stash away any unnecessary tools or appliances that are cluttering the countertop.
Spray disinfectant on the counters to remove grime and on high-touch areas, such as the refrigerator handle.
The sink is a high-maintenance area: Put dishes in the dishwasher, and clear off the drying rack. Use spray cleaner to get out every spot from the sink basin. Then, wipe down the faucet and around the drain.
If you have stainless steel appliances, use a cleaner to rid the surface of fingerprints.
Sweep – especially around the perimeter of the room and around cabinet bases.
Wash pet dishes, and use a damp rag to spot clean the floor area that surrounds them.
Hang fresh dishtowels and toss the dirty ones into the laundry.
Use a damp paper towel to wipe splatters from your cooktop and backsplash behind your stove.
Empty the recycling and trash, and take all bags out of the house. Add a spritz of disinfectant into the bottom of the cans before you insert new liners.
Don’t forget to shut the kitchen window.
Clean the Living Room - 10 Minutes
A tidy living room is an inviting space – both to you and to guests:
Do a walk around the room and clear clutter. Add to your basket, and put away anything from the foyer or kitchen that belongs in your living room.
Stack magazines and books neatly in a basket or on an end table.
Use a microfiber cloth to dust any horizontal surfaces, as well as the TV and coffee table.
Organize remotes in a single spot, either in a drawer or neatly on an end table.
Straighten couch cushions and pillows, and fold any throws.
If you have pets, run a sticky lint roller over furniture to collect any visible fur.
If carpeted, use the vacuum – fresh vacuum marks on a rug always make a room look well-maintained.
Clean the Bathroom - 15 Minutes
Ironically, this area — not the kitchen or the living room — is where you want to be the most fastidious. The lighting is usually bright, and the room is free of distractions, making dirty areas easy to spot. (You might turn a blind eye to dirty areas, but your guests will not.) That doesn't mean you have to get down on your hands and knees and scrub the tub. Focus instead on cleaning the toilet, mirror, sink and counter.
This article is from Cleaning Hacks By Emily Fazio at HGTV