Cleaning is called a chore for a good reason: most of us find it tedious and annoying, especially when we have better things to do.
That's why this speedy cleaning guide is your new best friend – you'll have the house spotless in record time.
1. Stay focused
Don't be tempted to check Instagram or Facebook, because it will only slow your cleaning down. Put your phone and laptop away, and put on some music if you feel you need something to get you going. By chucking on music similar to your exercise playlist you'll be motivated to move, and move faster.
2. Group jobs together, not rooms
It might feel more efficient to do each room separately, but it's actually better to group your chores into tasks such as dusting, vacuuming and mopping, so you don't have to keep switching cleaning products or tools. It might involve more running around but that just means you're getting more exercise, and more exercise is never a bad thing.
3. Find a cleaning pattern
Decide on a cleaning routine, and stick to it. For example, you might start by dusting the entire house, then cleaning the bathroom and the kitchen before vacuuming and mopping.
Whatever you decide to do, make it your routine so it becomes a habit, which will ultimately speed up your cleaning time.
4. Fast, streak-proof window and mirror cleaning
Scrunched-up newspaper will give you much better results than a paper towel, and the key is to make sure the paper doesn't get too damp. If you've got much larger surfaces to clean, a squeegee is the fastest streak-free cleaning tool.
5. Best dusting method
Your grandmother was on the money with her old feather duster. A feather duster is better than a cloth because you can get into trickier areas with ease, such as high places.
If real feathers aren't your thing, there are many synthetic feather dusters available that work just as well.
6. Quick floor cleaning
Forget a broom: you should be able to vacuum all floor surfaces, so save yourself time and ditch the fiddly dustpan and broom when you're doing a big clean.
When vacuuming, use an extension cord and plug it into a central power socket. This will save you from having to continually change power sockets while you're vacuuming. Even better, invest in a cordless stick vacuum cleaner – a blessing for multistorey homes.
7. Get rid of gunk and grime the easy way
If you have some serious soap scum build-up in the shower or stuck-on grime on the stovetop, use a plastic knife or plastic kitchen scraper to remove most of the gunk. You'll be able to quickly scrub the rest off which much less effort afterwards.
8. Keep your cleaning products in a bucket
Instead of going back and forth to get the products you need, store all the essentials along with sponges, cloths and gloves in a bucket so you can carry it around with you.
Keep the bucket in a useful spot like under the kitchen sink or in a bathroom cupboard, so the products are easily within reach if you want to do a quick once-over.
9. Ban clutter
Cleaning is much easier if you don't have to dust around a thousand tiny knick-knacks or rearrange your coffee table book collection. Keep clutter to a minimum or ban it in particular rooms for swifter cleaning.
10. Keep on top of things
It's probably not a tip everyone will like, but if you keep on top of little things like wiping down the sink and stovetop after dinner, or wiping the shower with a squeegee, your big clean will be less hassle and ultimately much faster.
