How can I speed up cleaning?

 Alright, let’s be real for a second: cleaning isn’t exactly everyone’s idea of a good time. Unless you’re one of those magical unicorns who genuinely enjoys scrubbing toilets (teach me your ways, please), you probably want to get it over with as quickly as possible. The good news? You totally can.

I’ve learned a few tricks from my own “oh no, guests are coming in 30 minutes” panic cleaning sessions. Over time, I figured out little hacks that save me hours and keep my house looking like I actually have my life together (spoiler: I don’t). So if you’ve ever asked yourself: “How can I speed up cleaning?”, you’re in the right place. Grab your coffee (or energy drink), and let’s dive into the fastest way to go from chaos to clean.

Why Does Cleaning Always Feel Like It Takes Forever?

Ever notice how time flies when you’re binge-watching Netflix but crawls when you’re vacuuming the same spot for the 10th time? That’s because cleaning can feel endless without a plan.

The secret? Efficiency > Effort. You don’t need to clean harder—you need to clean smarter.

Think about it: do you really need to scrub your oven daily? Nope. But clearing counters, wiping surfaces, and doing small daily tasks can save you from those 6-hour Saturday marathons.

Step One: Declutter First

Before you even touch a sponge, declutter. I promise, this makes everything faster. Why? Because cleaning around random socks, half-empty water bottles, and that pile of mail you keep “meaning to sort” is a nightmare.

Here’s my go-to quick declutter method:

• Grab a laundry basket. Toss everything that doesn’t belong in the room inside it.
• Ignore organizing for now. Just get it out of sight. You can sort it later (or… never. No judgment).
• Instantly cleaner. Boom—visual clutter gone in under 5 minutes.

Ever tried wiping a counter with 20 random items on it? Yeah, not fun. Clear the space, then clean.

Step Two: Set a Timer (Yes, Like You’re a Kid Again)

Here’s a weird trick that actually works: race against the clock.

Set a 15-minute timer for each room. You’ll be amazed at how much faster you move when you’ve got that little bit of pressure. It turns boring chores into a mini challenge. Honestly, it feels like a weird mix of cleaning and gaming.

Pro tip: Blast some music, too. Somehow, vacuuming feels less painful when you’re pretending you’re in a music video.

Step Three: The Top-to-Bottom Rule

Want to cut your cleaning time in half? Always clean top to bottom.

Here’s why: if you dust a shelf after vacuuming, guess what? You’ve just made double the work for yourself. Gravity is not your friend here.

The order should always be:

1. Dust/declutter shelves & surfaces
2. Wipe counters
3. Sweep/vacuum
4. Mop last

Stick to this, and you’ll never have to redo the same area twice.

Step Four: Use Multi-Purpose Products

Forget hauling around 10 different bottles. One solid multi-surface cleaner saves so much time.

I keep one spray bottle with a mix of water, vinegar, and a few drops of dish soap. It cleans counters, mirrors, tables—you name it. No switching products, no wasted minutes.

And FYI, if you’re not into DIY solutions, brands sell great all-in-one sprays. The point is: less stuff = faster cleaning.

Step Five: Invest in Time-Saving Tools

Okay, hear me out. You don’t need fancy gadgets, but some tools are absolute game changers.

Here are my MVPs:

• Cordless vacuum → No cords = no excuses. Quick sweeps take seconds.
• Microfiber cloths → They pick up dust better than paper towels and save money.
• Spin mop → You don’t waste time wringing by hand.
• Dishwasher-safe scrub brushes → Clean themselves while you’re cleaning.

Do you need all these? Nope. But IMO, if you hate cleaning, why not make it as painless as possible?

Step Six: Clean As You Go

Want to avoid those “deep clean nightmares”? Clean while you’re doing stuff.

• Cooking? Wipe counters while food simmers.
• Showering? Wipe glass after you finish (takes 30 seconds).
• Brushing your teeth? Quick sink rinse right after.

It sounds silly, but those little micro-tasks keep messes from building up. And let’s be real—scrubbing a month’s worth of toothpaste off the sink is not how anyone wants to spend Saturday morning.

Step Seven: Focus on High-Impact Areas

If you’re short on time (aka, when your mother-in-law says she’s “just dropping by”), focus on what people actually notice.

Here’s the priority list:

1. Living room – Clear surfaces and fluff cushions.
2. Kitchen – Wipe counters, load dishwasher.
3. Bathroom – Wipe sink and toilet seat.
4. Entryway – Shoes away, quick sweep.

Trust me, nobody cares if your closet is messy. But they will notice toothpaste blobs in the sink.

Step Eight: The Two-Minute Rule

This is probably my favorite hack. If something takes less than two minutes, do it immediately.

Examples:

• Tossing dirty clothes straight in the hamper
• Wiping a spill right away
• Putting shoes back instead of “later”

These tiny actions prevent messes from piling up. And bonus: your future self will thank you big time.

Step Nine: Get the Whole Household Involved

Let’s be real—you didn’t create the mess alone (unless you live alone, in which case… sorry, can’t help you there).

Even kids can pitch in. Give them small tasks:

• Collect toys
• Wipe tables
• Match socks (aka the most boring job ever, but kids weirdly love it)

Cleaning goes 10x faster when everyone helps. Plus, teamwork means you can all get back to doing things you actually enjoy sooner.

Step Ten: Create a Cleaning Routine

Here’s the truth bomb: speed cleaning works best when you’re consistent.

If you only clean once a month, it’s going to take forever. But if you spread tasks out, each session is quick and painless.

Try this simple weekly breakdown:

• Daily: Quick wipe-downs, dishes, clutter check
• Weekly: Vacuum, mop, change sheets
• Monthly: Deep clean one “big” area (fridge, oven, etc.)

This way, nothing piles up, and you avoid those dreaded all-day cleaning marathons.

My Personal Go-To Speed Cleaning Routine

Whenever I know people are coming over (or I just want to feel like an adult for once), I follow this 30-minute plan:

1. 10 minutes – Declutter with laundry basket trick
2. 10 minutes – Wipe down surfaces (multi-purpose spray FTW)
3. 5 minutes – Vacuum high-traffic areas
4. 5 minutes – Quick bathroom wipe

Done. House looks 80% clean, and nobody’s the wiser ;)

Final Thoughts: Cleaning Doesn’t Have to Be Torture

Here’s the deal: speed cleaning is all about working smarter, not harder. Declutter first, use the right tools, clean as you go, and focus on what actually matters.

And hey, if all else fails, light a candle, dim the lights, and pretend your house is clean. Works every time. :)

So next time you catch yourself wondering “How can I speed up cleaning?”, remember: you don’t need hours—you just need a plan.

✅ Key Takeaways:

• Declutter first—it makes everything easier.
• Work top to bottom to avoid re-cleaning.
• Use multi-purpose cleaners and time-saving tools.
• Clean as you go to prevent buildup.
• Focus on high-traffic areas when short on time.
• Create a routine so cleaning never feels overwhelming.