Depending on how much time you have, choose from the 10-minute pre-guest tidy up, a 30-minute whole-house sprucing, or the 2-hour cleaning plan. Then, follow the printable cleaning checklists provided by our cleaning pros to make sure you stay on track—and finish on time.
Reprinted from Clean My Space by arrangement with Avery, an imprint of Penguin Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House LLC. Copyright © 2017, Melissa Maker.
When you’re running around the house, tossing out everything you no longer need, you’ll want a sturdy garbage bag that won’t break mid-cleaning session. Maker finds that these Glad bags are up to the challenge.
To buy: amazon.com.
Maker’s Clean Microfiber Cloths
Microfiber cloth not only creates fewer streaks than a regular cleaning cloth, but also its electrostatic energy attracts dirt and dust. According to Maker, a streak-free shine is also about knowing the right moves: “Never wipe in a circular motion, this just spreads the dirt around. Always use an S pattern to get the job done properly and efficiently.”
To buy: from $35 for the Small Space Kit; makersclean.com.
Homemade Cleaning Spray
Maker mixes up her own DIY cleaning spray by combining one teaspoon dish soap, two cups water, and about 20 drops of essential oil. Her favorite scents: thyme and refreshing citrus.
Better Life All-Purpose Cleaner
This versatile cleaning spray may be natural, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t tough. Use this spray to tackle everything from spills to scuff marks.
To buy: $8; cleanhappens.com.
Miele Upright Vacuum Cleaning
With a turbo brush for picking up fur and an odor-neutralizing air filter, this vacuum is ideal for pet owners.
To buy: $699; amazon.com.
Cleaning Bucket
Rapinchuk uses this bucket to corral sprays, brushes, and sponges. Plus, it’s almost too cute to hide inside your cleaning supplies cabinet.
To buy: $12; clean-mama-home.shopify.com.
5 minutes: Strip the beds and put the dirty sheets into the washing machine.
5 minutes: Grab a laundry basket. Go through your entire house and grab anything that doesn’t belong in each room. Don’t spend time organizing—just put them away as quickly as possible.
15 minutes: Clean up the kitchen. Collect all of the dirty dishes, load the dishwasher, hand wash any pots and pans, put away clean dishes, and wipe down the sink and countertops.
10 minutes: Quickly vacuum all of the floors in your home.
10 minutes: Quickly mop your hardwood, tile, or vinyl flooring.
10 minutes: Grab an all-purpose cleaner and wipe down the bathrooms. Start with mirrors, countertops, and faucets, then scrub the toilets. Close the shower curtain and add a fresh hand towel. Make sure the toilet paper is stocked and the hand soap is refilled.
5 minutes: Gather all dirty laundry and sort it into two piles: towels and clothes. Switch the sheets to the dryer, and start a load of clothes.
10 minutes: Put away the items you collected in the laundry basket at the beginning.
15 minutes: Grab some wood cleaning spray, and starting at one end of your home, quickly dust all of the wooden surfaces in your home. Don’t be too picky. Remember, this is a quick clean.
10 minutes: Pick up some window cleaner and starting at one end of your home, quickly clean all of the glass surfaces.
10 minutes: Unload the sheets from the dryer and add the clothes. Start a load of towels in the washer. Go make all of the beds with the clean sheets.
5 minutes: Light a candle, grab a cup of coffee, put your feet up, and enjoy your clean home! (Just don’t forget to switch out the laundry when it finishes!)
A Good Audiobook
The most important part is to stay focused. Listening to something that makes you feel engaged and energized can help. “I just finished listening to Unstuffed by Ruth Soukup and highly recommend it,” says Stearns. “I really enjoy listening to books about organization and simple living while I’m doing work around my home as it inspires me to get the job done!”
To buy: Try one month free ($15 per month); audible.com.
Shark Navigator
Stearns loves that the Shark Navigator works on all types of flooring—hardwood, linoleum, and tile. Plus, it’s compact, easily portable, and affordable.
To buy: $166; amazon.com.
Method Wood for Good Polish
The wooden surfaces in your home deserve more than a generic spray cleaner. “A lot of the wooden furniture in our home are pieces built by my husband, so I want to take very good care of them,” she explains. This natural cleaner removes dirt and dust, while the wax-free formula polishes wood without leaving a residue.
To buy: $18 for 2; amazon.com.
Turbo Mop
“I’ve tried several other mops that fall apart in a matter of months. My Turbo Mop still works just as well as it did when I started using it nine months ago,” she says.
To buy: $36; amazon.com.
