Sponsored Post

laundry pileSave the mopping, vacuuming, or other deep cleaning for the weekend (or every third weekend if you're like me). It's time to do a weeknight speed clean.

Here's how to make your home feel cleaner in just 30 minutes, which will open up more family time on the weekend.

Make your home cleaner in just 30 minutes with these weeknight speed cleaning tips (recommended 2-3 times a week)

30-Minute Weeknight Speed Cleaning

Kid Clutter (1 minute):

  • Start by supplying your kids with a bucket, basket, or other receptacle and give them 5 minutes to pick up as many toys outside their room(s) as possible (small rewards are helpful here). Toys can be organized and put away in their right spots on the weekend. (1 minute to get them started)

Laundry (3 minutes):

  • Grab enough laundry to get one significant load, preferably items you tend to run out of before the week's end, be that favorite jeans (darks) or socks and underwear (lights), etc. (1 minute)
  • Start your load. Getting a few loads of laundry done during the week will make all the difference for your family time on the weekend. And just getting that load started is key. (1 minute)
  • Set a timer. A large load in our washing machine takes about 45 minutes; your washer's cycle might be shorter/longer. (30 seconds)

Kitchen (7 minutes):

  • Clear out your sink by handwashing or loading your dishwasher. (4 minutes)
  • Wipe down all the surfaces, including your stove top (2 minutes).
  • Either do a quick sweep OR use a moist cloth (and a little soap or surface cleaner, if you like) to wipe up any obvious spills on the floor. (1 minute)

Main Bathroom (3 minutes):

  • Wipe down all surfaces with a moist cloth (and a little soap or surface cleaner, if you like). Start with the sink and faucet and move onto the counters, tub edge, back of toilet, and obvious floor scuffs or smudges. Finish by wiping down the toilet seat and inside rim. (3 minutes)

Master Bedroom (4 minutes):

  • Your bed was probably made earlier if you're a bedmaker and skip it if you're not. You're just going to get right back in, right?
  • Hang up or fold any clothing items and put them away. (2 minutes)
  • Clear off dresser surfaces and tidy bedside tables. (2 minutes)

Family Space (5 minutes):

  • Arrange the couch pillows in a neat row and fold throw blankets. (1 minute)
  • Clear off table surfaces and tidy your stacks of books, magazines, newspapers, DVDs, video games, and toys that can stay out. (2 minutes)
  • Tackle obvious crumbs with a handheld vacuum. (2 minutes)
[15 Minute Break]
  • Use this 15-minute break for whatever you like until the load of laundry is ready to be moved to the dryer: Start dinner, check your child's homework progress, make a refreshing drink, check your email, put your potty-training toddler on the toilet, read the mail, pay a bill, smooch your spouse, whatever you like!

Laundry continued (1.5 minutes):

  • Switch your load of laundry to the dryer. (1 minute)
  • Set a timer again so you don't forget the clothes in the dryer. A large load in our machine takes about 1 hour; your dryer's cycle might be shorter/longer. (30 seconds)

[1 Hour Break]

  • Again, use this hour for whatever you need until the load of laundry is ready to be removed from the dryer.

Laundry continued (5.5 minutes):

  • Remove your laundry from the dryer. (30 seconds)
  • Fold or hang up all laundry and put it away (5 minutes)

Do you speed clean and sneak in a little laundry on busy weeknights? What speed chores are on your must-do list during the week?

 

Related posts:

4 Ways to Cuddle in Bed Longer

An Unexpected Guest Is on Her Way. What Do You Clean First?

Do You Procrastinate Cleaning or Use Cleaning to Procrastinate?