Have you ever had an unexpected guest call and say that they’ll be at your home in less than an hour.
If so, then you know firsthand how nerve-racking that can be.
You look around and you realize that your home is a wreck. Panic sets in and you don’t have enough time to clean your entire house before that person arrives.
To help you breathe easier, we’ve put together a list of quick and easy tips that teach you how to clean your house in 30 minutes. You’ll be able to tackle room by room and have a sparkling home that you’re proud to show off to your guests.
When you’re learning how to speed clean, it’s important that you learn to do it room by room so you can get a routine down that works every time.
How to Clean a House Fast List of Reminders
If you really want to know how to clean your house quickly, you’ll want to remember this short list of tips to make the process even faster.
- Put all of your cleaning supplies in a caddy or tote so they can travel with you
- Use an extension cord to extend your vacuum’s reach so you don’t have to keep unplugging it
- Dust from top to bottom so most of the dust ends up on the floor
- Start cleaning in a pattern and stick to it
- Use a squeegee instead of paper towels on the shower and larger mirrors to avoid streaks
7 Minutes to a Spotless Living Room
1. Get Rid of the Dust
Get a microfiber cloth or a mitt and run it over the larger surfaces in your living room. Make sure you get your open shelves, side tables, coffee tables, light fixtures, and picture frames. Grab an old pillowcase and stick it over your fan blades. Pull it toward you, and it’ll catch any dust. Dump the pillowcase’s contents in the trash and toss it in the wash.
If you invest in one of the best dust removal machines like an air purifier, you can save a lot of time in the future by not having to dust as often. An air purifier will suck in and trap the dust particles before they have a chance to collect on your furniture.
See all of Amazon's Best Selling Air Purifiers
2. Lint Roll Pet Hair and Debris
Take a lint roller and run it over your upholstery, furniture, and drapes. You can even do your lampshades and small patches of your rug. This will pick up pet hair, pieces of dirt, and any fuzz. Finally, get a vacuum and run it quickly over the floor to catch any remaining pieces.
This is another area where a small investment in an air purifier can help. The best air purifier for pet hair is excellent at trapping animal hair and dander so it doesn’t collect around your home.
10 Minutes to a Sparking Bathroom
1. Let the Cleaner Do the Hard Work for You
Start by spraying your cleaner of choice in and on your toilet, sinks, floor, and mirror. This will give the cleaning agent time to loosen up the dirt and residue on these surfaces while you clean off the counter tops.
2. Wipe the Surfaces Down
Now that you’ve let the cleaner sit, it’s time to wipe the surfaces down. Start with your mirror and move on to your sink area. Pay close attention to the hard water deposits or buildup around the drain, faucets, and handles. Also, make sure you get behind the sink.
If you have stubborn hard water deposits on your sink faucet, an easy trick to clean them is to use vinegar. Soak a paper towel in vinegar and then wrap the faucet with it and let it sit for 15 minutes while you do other things. The acid in the vinegar should loosen the water deposits and make it sparkling clean.
3. Move to the Toilet
Start with the toilet brush and clean your toilet’s bowl first. Move on to the toilet’s tank, seat, and base. If you use disposable wipes, you can simply toss them in the trash. When the toilet is clean, move to the floor around it.
4. Don’t Forget the Light Switches
It’s easy to forget your light switches and light switch plates, but they’re one area in your bathroom that gets touched the most. So, do a quick swipe when you leave your bathroom to remove any buildup.
10 Minutes to a Clean Kitchen
1. Start by Spot Cleaning
Cleaning an entire area can be time-consuming, and spot cleaning is much faster. Use a wipe or a wet paper towel to wipe up any obvious spots on your counters, table, stovetop, inside the refrigerator, and on the floor.
2. Shine the Sink
When you’re done cooking or using the sink, clean out any remaining food particles or debris. Spritz it with your cleaner of choice and use a sponge to wipe it clean. Make sure you pay special attention to around the drain and around the soap dispenser.
For hard water stains on the faucet, follow the advice we gave for the bathroom sink faucet above by using a paper towel soaked in vinegar.
3. Get Rid of Any Streaks
When you’re done spot cleaning and shining the sink, take a quick look around at the appliances, walls, or cabinets for spots, streaks, or stains. Use a microfiber pad or a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to get rid of these obvious marks, and then quickly wipe down the trash can before you throw it away.
4. Clean the Microwave
Fill a bowl with equal parts water and vinegar. Stick it in the microwave for 30 seconds to loosen up any stuck on food. When it’s off, wipe out the inside with a damp cloth.
3 Minutes to a Welcoming Foyer
1. Vacuum Up Dirt
Your foyer is notorious for having dirt in all of the nooks and crannies. Instead of trying to sweep it up, get out your vacuum. Go along the walls and do a once-over on your carpet. Don’t mop because it takes to much time to do and dry in time for your guests to arrive. Plus, your guests will most likely track things in with them and you’ll need to mop again after they leave.
2. Corral the Shoes
Keep your foyer neat and clutter-free. Get a shoe corral to put all of your guest’s and family’s shoes. If you don’t have one, you can hide the shoes in a cute bag or tote and hang it up on your coat rack.
All of these tips and tricks for cleaning fast can help you get a sparkling clean home in under 30 minutes. The more you practice your routine, the faster you’ll go each time you do it. You’ll also have more time to enjoy with your friends and family as well.
