On a lovely Saturday morning, as I relaxed on the couch engrossed in a book, the rest of the household busied themselves with various errands. Initially hesitant to answer my phone, I’m sure we’ve all experienced it, but it turned out my mom happened to be in the neighborhood and wanted to make an unexpected visit.
Considering that it had been an exhausting week, my house was in a state of mild chaos, and knowing my mom’s meticulous nature when it comes to cleanliness, I realized I had only 30 minutes to whip things into shape. How does one clean a room in such a limited timeframe, I pondered?
To efficiently clean a room in record time, it is essential to gather all the necessary cleaning supplies. Dispose of any trash, and return any misplaced items to their rightful places. Tidy up by gathering and organizing clothes, either placing them in the laundry or back into the closet.
Attend to the bed by either making it neatly or fluffing up the pillows for an inviting touch. Ensure that visible surfaces are promptly wiped down or dusted, and run the vacuum cleaner over the rug or floor for a final touch. Last but not least, pay attention to the cleanliness of the toilet.
Admittedly, not many of us find enjoyment in domestic chores, and I confess to resorting to this hurried cleaning routine whenever unexpected guests drop by. Interestingly, this approach to quick cleaning is so widespread that there’s even a word for it: “scurryfunge”.
So, if you happen to find yourself in such a situation, arm yourself with these handy tricks and tips to efficiently clean a room in no time. Read on and discover more valuable insights.
9 Simple Ways to Clean Your Room Fast
Maintaining a clean and organized home is crucial for your physical and mental well-being. Not only does a tidy environment promote relaxation and better sleep, but it also saves you time by ensuring that you can easily locate your belongings such as keys, sunglasses, and purse.
While it may seem daunting to clean every room daily or dedicate entire weekends to cleaning, there are efficient strategies that can help you accomplish a surprising amount of housework in a short timeframe. By preparing all your cleaning equipment in advance and following a simple checklist, you can optimize your cleaning routine.
Professional cleaners recommend incorporating periodic deep cleans into your schedule, reducing the need for extensive cleaning on a daily basis. With just five minutes dedicated to each room per day, you can effectively maintain a clean and tidy house.
If you find yourself with 20 to 30 minutes to spare, here are some additional tasks you can consider to enhance your cleaning routine.
Grab Your Equipment
Before embarking on your task, ensure that you gather all the essential equipment required for a thorough cleaning:
- An empty basket, box, or bucket to collect any miscellaneous items.
- Microfiber cleaning cloth and duster to effectively remove dust and dirt from surfaces.
- All-purpose spray cleaner or specialized glass cleaner and furniture polish for a sparkling finish.
- Crease release spray to smoothen out any wrinkles on clothing or fabric.
- Carpet freshener to eliminate any unpleasant odors and freshen up your carpets.
- Trash bags to conveniently dispose of any waste or garbage.
- Vacuum cleaner to thoroughly clean your floors and carpets.
By following these guidelines and utilizing the appropriate tools, you can ensure a more effective cleaning experience.
Throw Out Trash
For a comprehensive five-minute clean-up, it’s important to prioritize decluttering tasks. Instead of postponing, tackle that pile of magazines that you’ve been meaning to go through. Start by grabbing a trash bag and follow these steps:
- Begin by picking up any obvious trash, such as pizza boxes, used tissues, and paper balls.
- Ensure you empty all wastepaper baskets. Remember, having a bin in your bedroom, bathroom, study, and kitchen (at least) will save you from additional work.
By following these structured guidelines, you can efficiently declutter and maintain a tidy space.
Collect Misplaced Items
During the process of collecting and disposing of trash, it is advisable to also gather any items that are not meant to be in the room. These items can be placed in a designated basket or box for easy containment.
In situations where time is limited to only five minutes, it may be convenient to temporarily store the box out of sight in a cupboard or another room. However, if there is more time available, positioning the box in the doorway serves as a helpful reminder to not leave the room without it.
Upon completion of cleaning the room, dedicating a few additional minutes to putting away the items stored in the box is recommended. It is often the case in many households, including mine, that the majority of items found in such scenarios are dirty glasses, cereal bowls, and snack plates that require transportation to the kitchen.
Put Dirty Laundry in the Hamper
To effectively manage and organize dirty laundry, it is recommended to place it in designated laundry baskets, preferably one for each bedroom. This simple yet practical chore can be taught to children from an early age, promoting responsibility and cleanliness.
Additionally, for those who prioritize organization, it is advisable to invest in laundry baskets with separate sections, allowing for immediate sorting by color. Furthermore, to optimize time spent on laundry tasks, unrolling socks and ensuring shirts are right side out before washing can significantly reduce the overall workload.
Put Away Clean Clothes
When it comes to keeping your living space tidy, one common issue I often encounter is finding a jumbled mix of freshly laundered items strewn across the bed, alongside discarded outfits that missed the mark during the morning rush. To maintain an organized home, it’s important to promptly put away clean laundry and rehang any outfits that didn’t make the cut. However, let’s face it, if we were all that organized, we wouldn’t find ourselves scrambling to clean in a mere 15 minutes.
Imagine the disappointment of searching for your favorite top, only to discover it crumpled untidily on a chair. This unfortunate scenario often results in unnecessarily ironing the same garment twice, a cumbersome task that nobody desires.
To prevent such mishaps, I recommend taking the time to hang up clean clothes when possible, or if time is limited, loosely folding them into drawers for hanging later. By following these simple steps, you can maintain a well-organized living space and avoid the hassle of ironing unnecessarily.
Make the Bed
Ensuring a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, a well-made bed not only benefits unexpected visitors but also promotes personal serenity. In times of limited availability, it suffices to straighten the sheets and neatly arrange the duvet or bedspread.
However, if circumstances permit, it is advisable to dedicate time to properly make the bed. This involves stripping the linen and transferring the soiled set to the laundry basket. If an additional set is accessible, changing the sheets, duvet cover, and pillowcases is recommended. This routine should ideally be conducted on a weekly basis, regardless of personal hygiene practices and restrictions on consuming food in bed.
In order to prevent the need for ironing (a tedious chore that many find detestable), a practical time-saving trick is to employ a wrinkle release spray. Simply spritz the crease release solution onto each sheet, duvet, or comforter and smoothen it out using your hands.
This method effectively eliminates stubborn creases while infusing a delightful fragrance into your bedding. It is important to note, however, that crease-release spray does not substitute the necessity of regular washing for hygienic purposes.
For individuals focused on tidying up a living room, it is recommended to fluff the pillows and neatly fold any throws or blankets that may be present.
Tidy Surfaces
Maintaining an organized living space is crucial for a tidy and clutter-free environment. Besides putting books back on bookshelves and bills in the in-tray, consider dedicating a few moments to other areas that tend to accumulate mess, such as nightstands, dressers, and tables.
By assigning specific homes for frequently used items, you can easily restore neatness. For instance, keep a bowl near the door where you can easily locate your keys, use a decorative tray on the dresser for organizing jewelry, or utilize a pretty box to contain your daughter’s endless supply of scrunchies.
Additionally, it’s important to provide designated storage boxes for children’s toys like Lego, cars, and blocks. Taking these simple steps will ensure that your living space remains organized and clutter-free.
Dust and Roll
For effective dust removal, start by clearing the clutter and then utilize a microfiber duster or cloth. Additionally, you can make use of furniture polish, cleaning spray, or antibacterial wipes to brighten wood or glass surfaces.
If time permits, it is recommended to wipe down dresser doors and furniture legs. For a refreshing scent, opt for a scented cleaning spray infused with the delightful fragrances of lemons or lavender.
To achieve a thorough clean, consider using a lint roller. Focus on areas such as the bed’s headboard, sofas, cushions, and lampshades. Although primarily used for clothes, a lint roller also possesses the remarkable ability to effectively capture different types of dirt, including dust, crumbs, and pet hair.
Vacuum Visible Spaces
To effectively clean your carpets, start by running the vacuum cleaner over visible and high-traffic areas, paying extra attention to spots where your pets tend to shed. In addition, consider sprinkling some carpet freshener to eliminate any lingering doggy odors and create a more pleasant environment.
Wrapping Up
Implementing a rapid cleaning routine can yield significant results in enhancing the overall appearance and ambiance of every room in your home. With just a few minutes of effort, you can efficiently dispose of trash, organize clutter, and stow away clothing.
Furthermore, taking the time to make the bed instantly promotes a tranquil atmosphere in the bedroom. To ensure a thoroughly clean space, devote attention to dusting, polishing, and vacuuming. By diligently following these steps, you can easily achieve a pristine and inviting environment.
