Smart Cleaning Hacks to Make Your Life Easier

Cleaning doesn’t have to be a chore if you’ve got a few smart tricks up your sleeve. After all, why work harder when you can work smarter? Here are some of my tried-and-true cleaning hacks that not only make cleaning more efficient but also help you stay ahead of the mess with minimal effort. Let’s dive into these simple tips that can help you keep your home cleaner and your life easier.

1. Keep Your Tools Easily Accessible

Why make cleaning harder than it needs to be? One of my top tips is to keep your cleaning tools where you use them. For instance, my trusty squeegee has a permanent home in the bathroom. It’s right there when I need it, so I can grab it, swipe the mirror, and put it back without moving more than a foot. No extra steps, no hunting around the house for supplies.

I’ve realized that the bathroom mirror is the hotspot for water splashes and toothpaste splatters. It’s like a magnet for mess. And shout-out to one of my viewers who reminded me: “Once your kids hit their teenage years, you’ll be cleaning hairspray off it too.” Can’t wait for that little bonus round! But, with tools at the ready, it’s all manageable.

2. Use the Two-Minute Rule

This rule is pure magic in terms of efficiency: if a cleaning task takes less than two minutes, just do it immediately. If you notice a splash of water on the counter? Wipe it up on the spot. Got a crumb on the floor? Sweep it up right then and there. Boom, task done, and it barely took any time.

The key to making this work is to keep a cloth or cleaning tool handy—right by the sink or wherever you often find little messes popping up. Having everything in place means no wasted time hunting down supplies. And more time for… not cleaning!

3. Use the Right Products

Cleaning is so much easier when you’re using the right products. Trust me, using the wrong cleaner for the job is like bringing a butter knife to a sword fight—it just won’t cut it. For example, baking soda is an absolute hero for tackling those burnt-on stains that seem impossible to remove. And an alcohol-based cleaner? That’s the real magic for getting streak-free windows and mirrors.

When you use the correct product, cleaning transforms from a sweaty scrubbing session into a simple swipe-and-go experience. No one has time to break a sweat while scrubbing!

4. Let Cleaning Products Do the Work for You

One of my favorite cleaning tricks is letting the products do the heavy lifting. Here’s how it works: spray your cleaner on the dirty surface, then walk away and do something else while it sits. I call this the "spray and pray" method—give it a few minutes to break down the grime, and by the time you come back, the dirt practically wipes itself away.

It’s the simplest way to save time and energy. Why scrub like crazy when you can just... wait? The grime will be gone, and you’ve had time to knock out another task or take a little breather.

5. Go for Multi-Purpose and Less-Packaged Products

Let’s streamline things even further—go for multi-purpose products that can tackle multiple tasks around the house. I make my own DIY cleaner that handles counters, cabinets, and floors. It’s like the Swiss Army knife of cleaning products, and it eliminates the need for multiple bottles cluttering up your cleaning cupboard.

Speaking of eliminating clutter, I’m all about using less packaging. Solid soap bars are my go-to, especially for dishwashing and handwashing. They take up less space, create less waste, and you get to feel a bit eco-friendly while cleaning. The DIY solution I love using is simple: a 1:1 mixture of vinegar and water. It’s natural, it’s effective, and it smells fresh (well, once the vinegar fades).

6. Choose Low-Maintenance Furniture

When it comes to furniture and flooring, pick pieces that make your life easier. Dark hardwood floors might look stunning, but they show every speck of dust like it’s their job. My solution? Big area rugs. They hide the mess, making the floors easier to maintain and saving your sanity.

As for furniture, go for surfaces that don’t need constant attention. Materials like wood or quartz are great because they’re easy to clean—just a simple wipe, and you’re good to go. Trust me, choosing low-maintenance pieces will save you a lot of time and energy in the long run.

7. Keep Surfaces Minimal and Clean

The less stuff you have on your surfaces, the easier it is to clean them. Crowded counters and shelves aren’t just hard to clean—they look messy, too. My advice? Declutter first, then wipe everything down. You’ll be amazed at how much cleaner and more organized your space feels when surfaces are minimal.

Bonus: Clear surfaces don’t just make your home look better—they make you feel better, too. There’s something about a clean, open space that feels like instant therapy. It’s like cleaning your mind along with your kitchen.

8. Clean More Frequently

I’m not suggesting that you spend every waking moment cleaning, but trust me—small, frequent cleaning tasks can make a world of difference. A quick wipe of the mirror in the morning, picking up the kids' toys in the afternoon, and suddenly, you’re staying ahead of the chaos without even realizing it.

The secret is in the little things. Cleaning frequently helps you avoid those overwhelming deep cleans that eat up hours of your time. It’s like future-you thanking present-you for keeping things manageable. And honestly, future-me deserves that.

Bonus Tip: Upgrade Your Tools

I recently switched to washable dusters, and it’s been a game-changer. I used to use disposable ones, but they never felt right—they were wasteful and not as effective as I wanted. Now, with washable heads and an extendable rod, cleaning has become so much easier. No more standing on stools or risking my life to clean upper windows. The extendable rod reaches all the hard-to-get spots, and now, spider webs don’t stand a chance!

Plus, I can reach up and say goodbye to those webs that I used to pretend were Halloween decorations all year round. It’s just another small upgrade that makes a big difference.

With these simple rules, you’re not just cleaning—you’re optimizing your routine. These tips are designed to make cleaning feel less like a chore and more like a simple habit. Because who wants to spend hours scrubbing when you could be doing literally anything else? Save your time and energy, and let these smart hacks do the work for you.