A clean home does not have to take all weekend. The right trick, a smarter order of work and a few cheap household ingredients cut cleaning time dramatically. This guide gathers the best cleaning hacks we have published, organised room by room, so you can find the fix for the job in front of you.
Five rules that make every cleaning job faster
- Work top to bottom. Dust shelves and lights before you vacuum, so dirt falls onto floors you have not cleaned yet.
- Let products work. Spray the shower, oven or sink first, do something else for ten minutes, then wipe. Soaking does the scrubbing for you.
- Use what you already own. Vinegar, baking soda, lemon and dish soap handle most everyday jobs.
- Clean little and often. Ten minutes a day keeps grime from building up into a weekend project.
- Test first. Always try a new cleaner on a hidden spot, especially on stone, wood and fabric.
Kitchen cleaning hacks
- Deep clean your kitchen step by step: cabinets, windows, surfaces, sink and appliances
- Keeping your kitchen safe and clean: worktops, utensils and washcloths
- Easy ways to deep clean your kitchen: the dishwasher, baking sheets and more
- Quick deep-cleaning tips for the kitchen: oven doors, stove burners and stainless steel sinks
- Tools that keep your kitchen clean
Bathroom cleaning hacks
- Genius tricks for cleaning your bathroom: grout, drains and chrome
- A sparkling bathroom in under 15 minutes: faucets, shower heads and rust stains
- How to clean the grossest spots in your bathroom
- The trick that finally cleaned my shower door: plus hard water stains and soap scum
Floors, carpets and furniture
- Tips for the cleanest floors ever: hardwood, laminate and natural cleaners
- How to keep your carpet clean
- Are you cleaning your mattress the right way?
Laundry and stains
- The best laundry hacks
- Clean your washing machine naturally
- How to wash and whiten yellowed pillows
- Remove set-in oil stains from clothes: with baking soda
- How to clean sneakers without ruining them: mesh, knit, canvas and leather
Natural cleaners you already own
- Non-chemical home cleaning hacks
- Natural cleaning tips using lemon
- Cleaning with baking soda: drains, fridges and more
- Household cleaning tips using vinegar: washing machines, dishwashers and hard water
- Cleaning hacks using toothpaste
- Ways to use food for cleaning around your home
Clean faster with less effort
- Lazy girl cleaning hacks
- How to make your house look cleaner than it is: for when guests are on the way
- Clean your house in under an hour
- Common cleaning mistakes that slow you down
- Secret cleaning tips from the pros
- Cleaning gadgets that do the dirty work
Spring cleaning
- Tips for easy spring cleaning: mattress, closet, oven, carpet and shower curtain
- Spring home cleaning hacks: around the house, in the bathroom and outside
- Spring cleaning tips to get it done faster
Car cleaning
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest way to clean a whole house?
Declutter first, then work room by room from top to bottom: dust, wipe surfaces, clean the bathroom and kitchen, and finish with the floors. Keep all your supplies in one caddy you carry with you.
Can I clean with vinegar and baking soda?
Yes. Vinegar cuts limescale and grease, and baking soda is a gentle scrub and deodoriser. Use them separately on most jobs, and avoid vinegar on natural stone such as marble and granite.
How often should I deep clean?
Most homes need a deep clean of the kitchen and bathroom once a month and a whole-house deep clean twice a year, typically in spring and before the holidays.
Ready to get organised too? See our home organization ideas guide, or browse all DIY and home ideas.
Written by
Ideas, guides and real budgets for home, garden and travel, published on World inside pictures since 2013.
