House cleaning can seem nothing short of a Herculean task, especially if you don’t have a plan. With so many rooms to clean and areas to cover, it is difficult to know where to start.
But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Read on as we explore the best practices for efficient home cleaning and provide valuable tips on where to begin. By the end of this post, you will have a clear plan to make cleaning your house as efficient as possible.
So, let’s dive in and discover how to tackle cleaning a house, one room at a time.
Why starting with a plan is essential?
Before we get into which room to start cleaning first, let’s discuss why it is essential to have a cleaning plan. The most significant benefit of having a plan is that it will help you stay organized, reduce stress, and, most importantly, save time.
A cleaning plan will ensure that you are not overwhelmed when you clean your home and that all your cleaning tasks are manageable. Whether you are tidying up for a few guests coming over or want to deep clean, a cleaning plan is your best friend.
Where to start?
It’s best to begin with the most frequently used and messiest areas of your house. That way, you attack the most difficult job when you have the most energy and enthusiasm. Also, tackling these areas first will make a noticeable impact, giving you the much-needed positive feedback to keep going.
Here is a cleaning sequence you should follow for maximum efficiency:
The kitchen
Most experts agree the kitchen is the best place to start house cleaning. It is a room that arguably sees the most activity in your house and quickly gets dirty. When you start with the kitchen, you will get one of the most critical areas of your home out of the way. Plus, seeing a sparkling kitchen will also help you stay motivated and set a positive tone for what’s to come next.
Kitchen cleaning advice
Here are some tips to help your kitchen cleaning be more efficient and organized.
- Start with the countertops by putting away everything that does not belong. This seemingly simple step makes a big difference in making your kitchen look tidy.
- If you have dirty dishes in the sink, clean them next. Load your dishwasher right away so you have clean dishes when you are done with the rest of your tasks.
- Your stovetop accumulates grease and grime more than any other appliance in your kitchen. Scrub it clean with an appropriate cleaner.
- Wiping down the kitchen surfaces like countertops and the refrigerator comes next. Use cleaning sprays to cut through the grime and get those surfaces sparkling clean.
- Mopping the floor is the last step. Use a disinfecting floor cleaner to get that floor sparkling clean.
When you clean the kitchen first, you will find that the rest of the cleaning process becomes that much more manageable.
The living room
It is another high-traffic area of your house, and it is the first room your guests will see. Keeping your living room clean is very important if you want to create a warm, welcoming environment.
Living room cleaning tips
Here are some easy-to-implement tips for the next time you want to clean your living room:
- Put away all the items that don’t belong in your living room. It includes the coffee mug that’s been sitting on the coffee table since last weekend or that book lying on the couch.
- Dust all surfaces, including shelves, coffee tables, and electronics, before you do anything else. Don’t leave this step till the end, after you have cleaned everything.
- Vacuuming the floors comes next. Take time to cover every inch of the carpet and floor, and don’t forget to vacuum under the furniture.
- While it isn’t necessary to steam clean your rug every time you clean your living room, you should do it every six to eight months.
Once your kitchen and living room are clean, the majority of your job is already done, and you can move on to the next rooms.
The bathroom
The next high-use space in your home is the bathroom. It is an area that is more prone to hygiene issues and contamination. On the brighter side, your bathroom is smaller than almost any other room in your house, so it is much quicker to clean.
Cleaning the bathroom involves specific tasks like scrubbing the toilet, wiping down sinks, and disinfecting surfaces, which can be efficiently done with the momentum gained from cleaning the living room.
This order keeps your cleaning process efficient and logical.
By prioritizing the bathroom next, you address one of the dirtiest and most essential areas of your home early in your cleaning routine, ensuring that the main spaces are clean and hygienic for everyone.
Bathroom cleaning tips
Here are some tips to efficiently clean the bathroom:
- Start by scrubbing down the toilet bowl and wiping down the exterior. Use a high-quality toilet bowl cleaner and sturdy brush to get everything clean.
- Next come the sink and mirrors. Wipe them down with appropriate cleaning agents, removing toothpaste splatter and water stains.
- The last thing to clean is the bathtub. Make sure you are removing all the soap scum and check for mildew, especially on the shower curtain.
The bedroom
It’s your sanctuary, a place where you rest and rejuvenate. It is perhaps the room where you spend most of your time. Keeping it clean and organized is necessary for its aesthetics and your overall well-being.
The bedroom can quickly get dirty, especially if you have to rush out of the house every morning or if you have children. The beds might not be made, and the end tables might be cluttered. Getting things in order will help you relax and get that much-needed rest after a hectic day’s cleaning.
Bedroom cleaning tips
Here are a few tips for cleaning your bedroom without feeling overwhelmed:
- Start by making your bed. This simple task instantly makes your bedroom look much nicer.
- Put away things like books, clothes, and personal items in their proper place.
- Organize your end tables. Make sure that the clutter of chargers and cables is properly managed.
- Bedroom surfaces can get very dirty. Dust all bedroom surfaces and vacuum the floors thoroughly to remove allergens and dust mites.
Entryways and hallways
These crucial spaces often get overlooked during a cleaning spree. They are the entry points into your home, and keeping them clutter-free creates a good impression on your guests.
Cleaning these spaces is not that difficult, either. In most houses, there is little to no furniture in these spaces. Just carefully vacuum or mop to remove any accumulated dirt, and you are good to go.
Hallway cleaning tips
Here are some tips that might come in handy while cleaning these high-traffic areas in your home:
- Sweep and mop the floors to ensure they are free from dirt and debris.
- Don’t forget to wipe down the walls and doors, top to bottom, to remove smudges and fingerprints.
- If you have a coat rack in this area of your house, make sure that the colors are organized neatly.
Tips for staying motivated
Cleaning your house is not an easy job, to say the least. But staying motivated is the key to getting the job done. Here are some tips to keep your momentum going:
- Listen to music or a podcast: Make home cleaning more fun by listening to your favorite tracks or a podcast. Music can energize you and make time fly, while an engaging podcast can keep your mind occupied, making the tasks feel less tedious.
- Set a timer: Set a timer for each cleaning task to keep yourself on track and avoid spending too much time on one area. This method called the Pomodoro Technique, helps maintain focus and breaks the cleaning process into manageable chunks. Knowing a set end time can also make tasks feel less overwhelming.
- Reward yourself: To stay motivated, treat yourself to a small reward after completing each task. Rewards can be anything, perhaps a piece of chocolate or a short break to relax and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea. These little incentives will boost your morale and give you something to look forward to, making cleaning more enjoyable.
These strategies will motivate you and transform your cleaning routine from a daunting chore into a more pleasant and productive activity.
Takeaway
Following a structured plan for cleaning from top to bottom is the key to making your home cleaning efficient and manageable. It also means you can save money on cleaning services as you can do it all yourself. Starting with the most frequently used areas like the kitchen, living room, and bathroom ensures that the most critical and often dirtiest spaces are handled first.
This approach provides a significant impact and keeps you motivated as you see immediate results. Remember to stay organized, use effective cleaning techniques, and keep the momentum going with motivational strategies.
Maintaining a clean and welcoming living space will become much less daunting and more achievable with a clear plan in place.
