Spring cleaning doesn’t have to mean spending an entire weekend scrubbing your home from top to bottom. The right spring cleaning hacks can help you get through the jobs that need attention without making cleaning feel like a full-time project.
The trick is to work smarter rather than simply cleaning faster. From choosing the right order to tackling small jobs before they become bigger ones, these simple changes can help you get more done in less time.
Start with a plan
Before you reach for the cleaning products, take a few minutes to look around your home and decide what actually needs doing. Focus on the areas that need more than your usual weekly clean rather than trying to clean absolutely everything.
Grouping similar jobs together can also save time. Dust throughout the house first, then vacuum all the floors rather than constantly switching between different tasks and rooms.
Work from top to bottom
One of the simplest spring cleaning hacks is to clean from the highest surfaces down. Dust shelves, cupboards, light fittings and other elevated areas before moving on to furniture and floors.
Anything that falls while you’re cleaning will land on a surface you haven’t tackled yet, meaning you won’t have to go back and clean the same area twice.
Declutter before you clean
Cleaning around clutter takes longer. Before you start deep cleaning a room, spend a few minutes decluttering, putting things away and removing anything you no longer need.
Keep a box or bag nearby for items to donate or get rid of. You don’t need to completely reorganise your home at the same time, clearing surfaces and floors is enough to make cleaning quicker and easier.
Let products do the work
You don’t need to scrub every surface immediately after applying a cleaning product. Where appropriate, allow products time to work according to their label instructions while you move on to another task.
This can be particularly useful for areas with built-up grime, such as showers, baths and kitchen surfaces. Always follow the product directions and never mix cleaning chemicals.
Keep your cleaning supplies together
Walking back and forth to find different products, cloths or brushes can add unnecessary time to your clean.
Keep your most-used supplies together in a cleaning caddy or container so you can take everything you need from room to room. Just make sure cleaning products are stored safely and away from children and pets.
Don’t clean rooms in random order
Give yourself a route through your home and stick to it. Starting with one area and working through systematically makes it easier to see your progress and reduces the chance of forgetting something.
For a larger clean, you can also divide the work across different days rather than trying to tackle your entire home at once.
Tackle the jobs you usually skip
Spring is a good opportunity to deal with areas that don’t get much attention during your normal cleaning routine. Think inside cupboards, window frames, skirting boards, behind furniture and other easily forgotten spots.
You don’t need to tackle all of them in one day. Pick the jobs that will make the biggest difference and work through the rest when you have time.
Use the five-minute rule
Don’t underestimate what you can get done in five minutes. While you’re waiting for the kettle to boil or dinner to cook, clear a surface, wipe down an appliance or put away some clutter.
These small bursts of cleaning can prevent jobs from piling up and make your bigger cleans much less demanding.
Don’t forget your outdoor spaces
As the weather gets warmer, you’ll probably spend more time outside. Give patios, balconies and outdoor furniture some attention so they’re ready to use.
A quick sweep, wipe-down and declutter can make a noticeable difference without turning outdoor cleaning into another major project.
Know when to get help
Sometimes the biggest time-saving spring cleaning hack is not doing everything yourself. If you’re short on time or have a long list of bigger cleaning jobs, professional help can take some of the pressure off.
With Sweepsouth, you can book a SweepStar to help with your cleaning, giving you more time to focus on work, family, plans and everything else that fills your day.
Make your next clean easier
The goal of spring cleaning isn’t to spend as much time as possible cleaning. It’s to get your home to a place where it’s easier to maintain.
Choose a few spring cleaning hacks that work for your routine, deal with small messes before they become bigger jobs and get help when you need it. A smarter approach can leave you with a cleaner home, and more of your weekend left to enjoy.
ALSO SEE: ECO-FRIENDLY SPRING CLEANING: REFRESH YOUR HOME THE GREEN WAY
