9 Smart Cleaning Shortcuts That Will Save You Time

I think the only thing better than a clean house is having plenty of time to enjoy it! That’s why I’m always on the lookout for ways to speed up cleaning tasks that don’t involve cutting corners.

I shared this collection of cleaning shortcuts a couple of years ago, and since then I’ve been collecting other time-saving cleaning tips as I’ve come across them. And today I have a batch of 9 new cleaning shortcuts to share that will save you time and effort, so let’s dive right in!

9 More Cleaning Shortcuts That Will Save You Time

1. Swiffer The Walls

Cleaning the walls is something I tend to put off again and again, because I know exactly how time-consuming of a task it can be. But I recently came across an idea that has proven to be a huge time-saver — clean your walls with a dust mop, or a Swiffer Sweeper fitted with a microfiber cloth.

Just spray the wall with your preferred all-purpose cleaner then wipe it down with the sweeper to make short work of dust, cobwebs, and pet hair.

2. Put It Away Instead Of Putting It Down

It takes about 10 seconds to put something away, and by doing it as you go, you’ll save yourself multiple minutes of cleanup down the road. Choosing to “put it away instead of putting it down” has already saved me a lot of tidying up time!

For example, when you’re cooking, put things back in your cupboard or spice rack after using them instead of setting them on your counter. Same goes for when you’re doing your makeup, touching up your nails, or using a pair of scissors. Getting into this habit will save you time and keep your house cleaner.

3. Use A Foaming Disposal Cleaner

Cleaning the disposal is a chore I never look forward to, but it’s important to do it often to prevent bacteria from running amok (especially on the easily-forgotten underside of the splash guard!)

Use a foaming cleaner to clean out all the nooks and crannies of your garbage disposal, all without any scrubbing, wiping, or reaching inside it.

4. Add A Donation Box To Every Closet

I’ve talked about outboxes before in this post, but now I’m stepping up my game by putting one in every closet! As you try on clothes and discover they don’t fit or you don’t like them any longer, place them in the donation box instead of hanging them back up.

When the box is full, donate the clothes to an organization that accepts them. It’s not only a great way to keep bedroom closets clean, but storage closets, craft closets, and other closets too. And as you clear out the things you no longer use, you’ll have more room for fresh additions!

5. Dust While You Chat

Multitasking doesn’t always work for housecleaning, but dusting is mindless enough that you can do it while holding a conversation. So the next time someone calls to catch up, pick up the phone and your duster and dust a room while you’re on the phone.

6. Use A Garbage Bowl

Tidying up a huge mess in your kitchen can feel like an enormous chore, especially after putting in the effort of cooking a meal. To make post-dinner cleanup easier, set a “garbage bowl” out on the counter when you start preparing dinner and place all your trash and food scraps in it while you work instead of going back and forth to the trash.

Not only will this save you quite a bit of time, but it will also help keep your trash can (and possibly your whole kitchen) cleaner than when you started! Check out other ways to keep your kitchen clean while cooking here.

7. Clean Your Shower While You Shower

Keeping some of my favorite shower cleaner in a scrub brush in the shower makes it easy to grab and scrub grimy areas and soap scum while I’m taking a shower. It’s efficient, easy to rinse clean, and I get a few extra minutes in the shower to enjoy the hot water!

8. Move Big Items Easily

We’ve all seen what can accumulate behind and underneath heavy pieces of furniture that never get moved, and it’s not pretty. The best way to prevent it is to make your furniture easier to move so you can clean back there from time to time, and it’s easier than it might sound!

For furniture on carpet, put a piece of cardboard under each leg and you should have no problem sliding the item a few feet to make cleaning easier. For furniture on wood or tile floors, use towels or dish rags instead.

9. Get Rid Of Some Of Your Stuff

When it comes to cleaning, less is more — as in the less stuff you have to pick up or clean, the more time you’ll have to spend on other things! Paring down your possessions can make a big difference in the amount of time and effort it takes to keep your house clean. (Why not start with these 30 things you can get rid of today?)

Do you have any time-saving cleaning shortcuts of your own? Share them in the comments below!