How to clean your house in 45 minutes or less
August 22, 2014 by admin
Filed under Home Management Tips and Information
The reason I planned to write this article is because I have come across several situations when I got less than an hour to arrange for a guest at dinner time. You are just back from work and you receive a call from your hubby informing of guests who will stay back for dinner. You have about 2 hours in your hand before guests arrive and there you go…
Do not let your unorganized home be a reason to avoid friends to your home and miss a great get together with friends. You can manage to get your house in order within 45 minutes to 1 hour by setting priorities. You understand that everything cannot get sparkling clean but definitely the house can look organized by keeping things in the right place.
Where do you start?
Your focus should be as per the layout of your house and the size of the rooms you can accommodate guests. The important rooms would be the living room, kitchen, dining area and the bathroom.
You may not have time to mop all the floors but yes a nice sweep to remove dust and having a clean floor is a must. Start with placing things in its designated place.
Clean the entrance and living room-15 minutes
First and foremost clear all the clutter lying around and the floor.
- Place shoes, chappals in the shoe rack, magazines and newspapers under the teapoy, kids school books and related stuff on their study table, toys into the corresponding toy bin, mail / letters into the mail tray, anything else that shouldn’t be in these areas in bags that you can stash out of sight.
- Use a microfiber cloth to dust horizontal surfaces, as well as the TV and coffee table.
- Straighten couch cushions and pillows, tuck in the deewan spread cover or sofa covers to remove any creases.
- Dust the floor, do a sweep around the floor. Check the floor and clean up any food stains. Grab your stash baskets or bags and move on to the bathroom.
Clean the Bathroom -15 minutes
This is believed to be the heart of the home for many. There are people who need to visit toilet often, you cannot be sure if your guests may require the washroom. Prioritise as per the usage cycle and cleaning will become much easier.
- Focus on cleaning the counters, sink, mirror, taps. Ensure the essentials are around like the disinfectant and tissues. Place a fresh mug and bucket.
- Pour toilet cleaning solution like Harpic into the toilet and after you finish the mirror and shelves, it is time to clean the toilet. Scrub the toilet with a brush and flush. Use disinfecting wipes to wipe down the seat and to go over the outside of the toilet.
- Shake out the bathroom rug so it looks fresh. Hang some fresh towels. Close the shower curtain or door and empty the bathroom trash into a garbage bin.
- Pick up any dirty clothes and throw them in the hamper. Place a new air freshener or spray some room freshener for fresh aroma to linger in the room.
Clean the Kitchen and dining area -15 minutes
Kitchen occupies the maximum time when guest are around. You need to focus on the table and counters where you shall serve the food and eatables. Also ensure you cooking area is clean and organized.
- Stash any unnecessary tools or appliances. Spray disinfectant on the counters to remove grime.
- Wash all essential utensils and empty the sink. Ensure no food particles and the drain looks clean.
- Replace with fresh dish towels and dusters in the kitchen.
- Clean the refrigerator handle and external stains if any.
- Spot clean any food stains on the floor. Remove all leftovers from the dining table and wipe the table and chairs quickly. Replace the table mats.
- Arrange your dinner set and accessories such as serving bowls, trays, glasses etc.
- Empty the trash and take all bags outside to your can. Put in a fresh liner.
Final round of inspection
Now that the cleaning is complete go around and inspect all the rooms for any important thing you missed out during the cleaning and organizing process.
In Indian homes the wash basin is built away from the dining table, watch out that the sink has running water, if not make alternate arrangements. Place disinfectant, fresh towel and ensure mirror is clean.
You have another hour to focus on the cooking a quick fix dinner menu. If your hubby has already ordered for dinner considering the short notice, then you can take a 15 minutes break and then freshen yourself before your guest come in.
You can set up a warm welcome lowering dimmer switches and lighting candles to add mood and soften the focus on your home.
You will feel the pride of all the cleaning you managed to do and organize your home. Get ready to celebrate!!
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Also read :
A Cleaning Routine that works in Real life
Tips to Clean and Maintain your Bathroom
