In a world of tightly packed schedules and time-sensitive tasks, finding the time for even the most basic chores is seemingly out of the realm of possibility. Fortunately, the operating word here is “seemingly”.
You can achieve excellent whole-home cleanliness – and you can do it in one day (or less), simply by being organized and efficient. Granted, the results won’t be on the level that professionals for house cleaning in Happy Valley, OR deliver, but it will definitely make your home more liveable. Let’s see how you can do it.
How to clean your house in one day?
Since the aim here is to tackle the entire house in one day, you’ll need reliable ways to maximize efficiency – without sacrificing quality.
1. Plan & prioritize
Before you begin, take 10-15 minutes to create a quick plan, as this will help you save precious minutes in the long run. Identify areas that need the most attention and make a note of things that will make the biggest impact on the overall cleanliness of your home. Alternatively, you can take the “basic” cleaning route and prioritize high-traffic zones (kitchen, bathroom, living room, in that order).
Next, assign specific time blocks for each task or room, and use a timer to help you stay focused and prevent getting bogged down. Here’s our recommendation for time allocation:
- Kitchen: 30 minutes
- Bathroom(s): 20 minutes per
- Living Room: 20 minutes
- Bedroom(s): 15-20 minutes per
- Vacuuming/Mopping: 15-20 minutes
2. Gather ALL supplies
Instead of wasting time running back and forth to grab your supplies and tools, assemble everything you’ll need beforehand and place it at an easy-to-reach spot. Doing this streamlines the workflow, helping you save even more time.
Pro tip #1: Invest in a cleaning caddy, as this inexpensive tool can further increase your efficiency, especially when moving from room to room.
Pro tip #2: Use time-saving tools, such as multi-purpose cleaners and microfiber cloths, as these allow you to tackle different surfaces without having to switch too often, thereby saving more time.
3. Tidy before cleaning
Start by doing a quick declutter across the entire house to make it easier to move around and avoid tripping on out-of-place items. Set a timer for 10-15 minutes (total) and do a quick runaround through each room, collecting items that don’t belong and clearing surfaces.
Pro tip #3: Don’t get too tied up in organizing – the name of the game here is speed. If many things are out of place, place them in a “catch-all” bin and revisit them when you have the time.
4. Start with the kitchen
The kitchen is one of the most-used areas of the home and typically the messiest. This is exactly why you should tackle it early on: not only will you get a good chunk of work out of the way but you’ll also get a much-needed morale boost to energize you for upcoming cleaning tasks. The most efficient task order here is:
- Do the dishes -> Clean countertops -> Scrub the sink -> Clean the stovetop
If you have some extra time after these tasks (and you most probably will), use it to clean other surfaces, organize kitchen items, or scrub the inside of the appliances. Alternatively, you can move on to the next task, if you want to save more time.
5. Bathrooms next
Considering their nature and the fact that they’re among the highest-traffic areas, bathrooms often require detailed cleaning. Fortunately, you can still get them done quickly with the right strategy:
- Apply cleaning solution to toilets, sinks, and showers/tubs to let it soak.
- While the cleaner sets, give glass and other surfaces a thorough wipe down.
- Scrub the toilet, sink, and shower/tub surfaces, then wipe them down.
- Finish by disinfecting high-touch areas (e.g. faucet handles, toilet seat, doorknobs, etc.).
6. Move to the living room
The goal in the living room is to make it look neat and welcoming without deep cleaning every corner. Presuming that you’ve already decluttered, this shouldn’t take much time, as the majority of work will come down to dusting, wiping down surfaces, and a bit of extra tidying.
7. Tackle the bedrooms
Generally speaking, bedrooms are the simplest to clean, especially if you tidy them on a regular basis. Start by making the bed, followed by a nice dusting and wiping of the flat surfaces (e.g. nightstands, dressers, etc.). If the time allows it, do some more light decluttering and organizing to make the next cleaning session even easier.
8. Finish by vacuuming/mopping all floors
Now that all the rooms are 90% clean, it’s time for that last stretch. Vacuum and/or mop all floors to remove dust and dirt that settled on them while you were tidying up. It’s highly advisable to start from the furthest room and work toward the front door, as this almost completely eliminates the need to backtrack, thereby saving time.
Bonus tip: Take breaks
Of course, cleaning for hours straight is hardly realistic. Fortunately, no one expects you to! Be sure to take short breaks between tasks (5-10 minutes) to stay energized. Alternatively, you can split the day into several “cleaning sessions” (e.g., morning for the kitchen and bathrooms, afternoon for bedrooms), with bigger breaks in between. This will be somewhat slower, but some people find it helpful to prevent getting overwhelmed.
Who should I contact for top-tier house cleaning near me in Happy Valley, OR?
If you’d rather spend your time hiking across Mount Scott, hanging out with friends, lounging in your living room – or doing anything else but cleaning – you’re in the right place! NW Maids specializes in matching busy individuals like yourself with their ideal cleaning crews.
You can count on our partnering maids to deliver excellent results in the least amount of time, ensuring no part of your home is left unattended. Reach out to us today and let our pros clean not only your home but your schedule as well!
