How to Clean a House Quickly: Tips for Busy Parents
If you've been following True Glow for a bit now, you know we founded this business on a desire and mission to support busy families like our own. Whether your house has two working parents, a single parent, or a full-time stay-at-home parent trying to keep the kids happy, healthy, and thriving, the challenge of keeping up with housework on top of all of the other responsibilities is overwhelming. From one busy family to another, we get it; it feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done. That said, keeping your home tidy doesn’t have to take all your free time! Let’s chat through some practical tips and strategies to help you clean your house quickly and effectively, so you can get back to what really matters—spending time with your family and friends.
1. Create a Cleaning Schedule
First things first, let’s get organized! Whether it’s in a Google Doc, your go-to project/time management app, or just an old-fashioned pen and paper, outline a cleaning schedule that breaks down daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. Focus on high-traffic areas and essential chores that need regular attention. Maybe you tackle the kitchen daily, do a quick vacuum on Wednesdays, and reserve deeper cleaning tasks for the weekends. Having a plan can help you stay on track and make cleaning feel less overwhelming.
2. Gather Your Supplies
Next up, let’s talk about supplies. Keep your cleaning products organized in a caddy or a dedicated space. And we'd even go as far as recommending that they aren't all shoved under the kitchen sink. I know, I know. That's the most common and easy place to keep them. But if you keep them in a mobile caddy in the garage or basement, you can grab them more easily when it's time for a quick clean. This way, everything is within reach when you need it. Opt for multi-purpose cleaners that can handle various surfaces. This not only reduces clutter but also saves you time spent hunting for different bottles.
3. Use the “Room-by-Room” Method
Instead of trying to clean your entire house at once (we know that can be daunting), tackle one room at a time. This helps you maintain focus and makes the task feel more manageable. Start with the most cluttered or high-visibility areas, like the living room or kitchen. You’ll be amazed at how much better those spaces look with just a little effort.
4. Declutter First
Before diving into deep cleaning, spend a few minutes decluttering. It’s amazing how much easier cleaning becomes when you’ve removed the chaos. Use baskets for quick and cute storage—this is especially helpful if you’re short on time. Just gather everything that doesn’t belong and sort it out later.
5. Focus on Key Areas
When you’re short on time, focus on just a few important key areas. Think: surfaces that really make a difference, like countertops, tables, and floors. Dust high surfaces and don’t forget to vacuum or sweep regularly. Keeping these areas tidy can make your whole home feel cleaner and more inviting.
6. Assign Tasks to Everyone
Cleaning doesn’t and shouldn't be a solo mission! Get your whole family involved. We've said this in prior blog articles, but delegate tasks to your partner and the kids—this not only lightens your load but also empowers kids and teaches them valuable life skills. Turn on some music and make it a fun activity. (No rage cleaning or frustrated cleaning! That makes it stressful!) You might be surprised at how much the whole family enjoys it (or at least tolerates it) when there is music and a little playfulness involved!
7. Maintain as You Go
Finally, try implementing small changes and habits to maintain cleanliness as you go. Simple things like wiping down surfaces daily or encouraging a nightly "pick up" so kids have to put things back in their place before bed can go a long way in preventing mess buildup. Creating a culture of cleanliness at home helps everyone pitch in, keeps your home looking and feeling good, and honestly serves your kids for the rest of their lives!
Okay, let us know what you think. These may not feel like brand new concepts or ideas, but sometimes just having a step-by-step guide can help us take action, so we hope this has been a helpful overview. By building these strategies into your day-to-day, you can transform the chores of house cleaning from a daunting dread into a manageable routine for your whole family. Remember, it’s all about working smarter, not harder. With a little planning and teamwork, you’ll keep your home tidy and stress-free—which frees up more time for those precious moments with your family.
Of course, sometimes the reality is we need an extra set of hands to get the work done or just catch up on all the overdue cleaning. We've all been there. And there are few things quite as nice as coming home to a perfectly clean home when you didn't have to lift a finger. If that's the case for you, True Glow Cleaning has your back! We're a passionate team founded on the mission of lightening the load for our clients. Our warm, friendly, professional house cleaning services will leave your home shining bright, so reach out to us at support@trueglowcleaning.com or give us a ring at (971) 407-8854 for Portland or (512) 998-4056 for Texas, and we'll provide you with a free quote! Happy cleaning!