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Home · Homekeeping · No Time? Here Are The Cleaning Tasks You Should And Shouldn’t Skip

19

No Time? Here Are The Cleaning Tasks You Should And Shouldn’t Skip

Here's your go-to guide to keeping your house "clean enough" when you're super busy!

Jill Nystul  ·  July 29, 2018

Cleaning Chores You Can Skip

While I do share a lot of cleaning tips and advice on my blog, I must admit that I don’t always have a spotlessly clean house. (Hopefully that doesn’t come as a shock! I’d hate to destroy anyone’s illusions that I’m a perfectly tidy person with a home that’s always immaculate.) ;-) I do like to keep things clean, but like anyone else, sometimes I just don’t have enough time for it. During really busy weeks, I’m lucky if I can find 5 minutes here or there to tidy things up!

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When you have a long list of tasks and not a lot of time to do them, what do you do? You start by prioritizing your tasks, right? You tackle the most important stuff first and leave the less important stuff for later. And that’s exactly the approach I take to cleaning when I’m short on time. I’ve figured out which jobs I can skip over and which jobs I need to make time for, and I want to share those with you today! I hope that the practice of prioritizing your cleaning helps you as much as it does me!

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5 Cleaning Tasks You Can Skip (And 5 You Shouldn’t)

✘ Skip It:

Cleaning Chores You Can Skip

1. Mopping

Unless there’s a really sticky mess somewhere, feel free to pass on mopping if you don’t have the time. I like to spot clean the dirtiest spots on my hard floors with a microfiber cloth or a Magic Eraser.

Cleaning Chores You Can Skip

2. Scrubbing The Tub Or Shower

If I have guests coming over, I don’t waste time scrubbing out the shower in the hall bathroom. I just close the shower curtain instead! My guests either won’t know or won’t care that the shower isn’t super clean.

Cleaning Chores You Can Skip

3. Laundry

The laundry can usually wait for a day or two, so skip it if you’re in a hurry. It’s more energy efficient to wash larger loads anyway!

Cleaning Chores You Can Skip

4. Dusting

A little dust isn’t a big deal, so skip it if you’re short on time. When you do dust, use a dusting spray that will help repel dust on your furniture. Using a good spray could turn dusting into a once-a-month job!

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Cleaning Chores You Can Skip

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5. Washing The Windows

If you’re washing your windows around once a season, that’s probably plenty. I’ve put this particular cleaning job off for months at a time, and it just isn’t that big of a deal! (I do make a point to clean them in the spring though, in order to let more light in!)

✔ Don’t Skip It:

Cleaning Chores You Can Skip

1. Making Your Bed

I’ll happily put off certain chores, but one that I refuse to skip is making my bed. I make my bed every single morning without fail because it makes my bedroom look more put together, which in turn makes me feel more put together! (I can’t explain why—it just does!) I also like sliding into a nicely made bed at night. Something about smooth sheets just feels very restful!

Cleaning Chores You Can Skip

2. Wiping Down Countertops

Taking a minute to wipe down your countertops every day can make a big difference! Spills and crumbs on counters can make your whole kitchen look messier than it actually is. Use a wet cloth or a wipe to quickly clean the countertops, and you’ll never be sorry you did!

Cleaning Chores You Can Skip

3. Dishes

In my opinion, it’s never worth it to skip the dishes! As a mother to four kids, I learned the hard way that the dishes never stop piling up. It’s tempting to put them off in the moment. But that mountain of dishes will be waiting for you in the morning, and it will only get taller!

Cleaning Chores You Can Skip

4. Vacuuming

I haven’t been great at vacuuming often in the past, but I’m making an effort to be better about it. Because in reality, vacuuming doesn’t even take that much time! And it’s doesn’t take a lot of effort either ever since I got a more lightweight vacuum. Vacuuming regularly will go a long way towards make your home feel cleaner! It will also help keep dirt from getting ground down into the fibers of your carpet.

Cleaning Chores You Can Skip

5. Putting Dirty Clothes In Your Hamper

Skipping laundry for a few days is understandable when you’re busy. But there’s always enough time to get your dirty clothes into your hamper! I like to use those hampers that have multiple bags or compartments like this one. Then when I get around to doing the laundry, it’s all sorted already!

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Which chores go on your “skip” and “don’t skip” lists when you’re pressed for time?

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Hi, I’m Jillee!

I believe we should all love the place we call home and the life we live there. Since 2011, I've been dedicated to making One Good Thing by Jillee a reliable and trustworthy resource for modern homemakers navigating the everyday challenges of running a household. Join me as I share homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make life easier so you can enjoy it more!

Every day I share creative homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make your life easier and more enjoyable!

Read More
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newest oldest most voted
Cathy Jackson
Cathy Jackson

The best way I’ve found to get motivated to do chores is to first watch the video “Chore Day” by Three Beat Slide (available for free on YouTube). The video humorously covers the most common household tasks such as doing the laundry, dusting shelves, putting toys away, vacuuming, doing the dishes, etc., and is guaranteed to put a smile on your face! You may even find yourself singing their song as you do your own chores!

Vote Up0Vote Down 
1 year ago
SANDRA
SANDRA

Regarding laundering bed clothes. I have one set of sheets for each bed. Each week they get laundered, dried and put right back on the beds. No folding, no storage. Some people just like to change up the colors and designs. I don’t care about that. I can’t see them when I’m sleeping anyway. I just don’t want to spend time folding and it frees up space in the linen closet.

Vote Up9Vote Down 
1 year ago
Kimberly
Kimberly

What’s the best dusting spray that repels dust? I need to dust every day and would like to find something that repels dust well.

Vote Up1Vote Down 
1 year ago
by Jillee
by Jillee

I have two options for you. The first is a homemade dusting spray with olive oil: https://jillee.co/2v5OgCr

The other is Endust. It’s the very best store-bought spray! I actually have a post all about it: https://jillee.co/2KfR0Sx

Vote Up1Vote Down 
1 year ago
Beth G.
Beth G.

I agree with making the bed. I like the other’s suggestions of waiting so think I will do that. I have a sister in law and niece that stay with us at least once a year. They don’t make the bed. My niece asked what the big deal was. I told her it is a sign of respect for one’s self and my rules. I am OCD and if you invite yourself to stay in my home I expect you to keep my home clean and tidy. By the way they stay at my home instead of her sister’s because… Read more »

Vote Up3Vote Down 
1 year ago
Beth
Beth

Wouldn’t really count making the bed as cleaning, just a daily chore. Wondered if that one (before I read it) was going to point the finger a those we’ve read about in other posts who don’t change their bedding weekly ☹️

Vote Up2Vote Down 
1 year ago
Kimberly
Kimberly

I thought so too! I’m definitely a bed maker. I make mine as soon as my feet hit the floor. As for changing the sheets, once a week for me!

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1 year ago
Carol L Oravec
Carol L Oravec

One task I would include on the list is cleaning the toilet bowl and toilet. I put the cleaner in the bowl and do the other tasks then when they are all done come back and clean the bowl. Makes the bathroom fresher I think and only takes a few minutes.

Vote Up6Vote Down 
1 year ago
by Jillee
by Jillee

Great tip Carol!

Vote Up0Vote Down 
1 year ago
Ellen
Ellen

how do you make DIY anti static dryer sheets that may work for dusting

Vote Up-1Vote Down 
1 year ago
by Jillee
by Jillee

Here’s my post about making dryer sheets, Ellen! https://jillee.co/2v1XhMN

Vote Up0Vote Down 
1 year ago
Francesca Amodeo
Francesca Amodeo

I do the same except for the bed. I was taught to let it air, and so i usually make it later in the day, even if it’s in the evening when i work. I recently read an article that said lazy people who don’t do their beds have less mites and chance of bedbugs because the bed can dry…..

Vote Up6Vote Down 
1 year ago
Connie
Connie

Totally agree. I wait at least an hour before making the bed each morning. Hubby, when he isnt off on a business trip, makes it the second he gets out of bed. Like you Ive read its best to let it air out abit before making it.

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1 year ago
Carlene Petree
Carlene Petree

Jillee You need to look deeper into the “Norwex” cleaning products. Absolutely awesome and can get rid of ALL of the chemical cleaning stuff. It took me awhile but absolutely the best products ever and you clean with only water.

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1 year ago
Marcella Hernandez
Marcella Hernandez

Really good ideas. About the dusting spray, what is your thought about using your formula for diy anti static dryer sheets to repel dust? I’ve been experimenting and so far I like it. I use ionic air purifiers so don’t get much dust to begin with but so far so good. Thanks again. Love your site!

Vote Up0Vote Down 
1 year ago
by Jillee
by Jillee

I haven’t ever tried using my dryer sheets to dust – but I’m sure it works wonderfully!

Vote Up0Vote Down 
1 year ago
Marcella Hernandez
Marcella Hernandez

Yes and for the cost of a bottle of hair conditioner vs the pricy anti static spray, I’m in!

Vote Up0Vote Down 
1 year ago
Kimberly
Kimberly

I don’t have much luck with them. But I do use them for baseboards. Works great.

Vote Up0Vote Down 
1 year ago

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Hi, I’m Jillee!

Every day I share creative homemaking and lifestyle solutions that make your life easier and more enjoyable!

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