How to Keep Your Home Clean With Minimal Effort

Probably not the most popular chores that need doing around your home, cleaning is never the less a vital part of daily life. There aren't many that can cope with a house that's always messy and on top of that it's really not good for your health. But who wants to spend every spare minute keeping the place clean? There are much better things to be doing with your time, than constantly dusting, hoovering and polishing. So is there an answer? We think so and we're about to share a few minimal cleaning tips.

Scale Down the Clutter and Keep it Simple

Put simply the less things you have the less there is to keep clean. However, this may not be a popular suggestion as we've all become very materialistic and love to have loads of bits and bobs lying around. If you're convinced that all your belongings and possessions are too precious or vital to ditch then think about how and where you store them. Do you really need to have everything on show?

Keep your clutter to a minimum, and only have furniture on the floor. This way your floor cleaning chore will be much simpler, and far less time consuming. There'll be no need to move things around to ensure you've vacuumed the whole area.

Pare down your wardrobe, and there'll be fewer things that need washing - possibly not everyone's cup of tea this one.

Clear off your kitchen work surfaces, and all it'll take is a quick wipe round with a cloth.

Decluttering is probably one of the most difficult things for a homeowner to do, but you'll be surprised at the difference it makes to your cleaning routine.

Cleaning the Floors

The key is to keep the floors clear of clutter. If you've only got the bare essentials taking up floor space then all that's is required is a quick vacuum or brush once a week. Each room should only take 5-10 minutes, and if everyone takes one room it'll be completed in no time at all.

Cleaning the Kitchen

Aim to keep your countertops as clear as possible. That way all that will be required to keep them sparkling clean is a swift wipe with a cloth a couple of times a day. Keep things clean as you go. Don't leave the dishes until there's a mound waiting to be done. If everyone in the household does the same, the amount of time spent at the sink will be considerably reduced. When it comes to cleaning the pots and pans, why not take it in turns, so the onerous chore doesn't always fall on the same shoulders. Once a week treat the kitchen to a quick spruce up - should take about 30 minutes.

Bathroom Cleaning

The same rule applies, as for any other room in the house - clean as you go. Spot some dirt - then clean it up straight away. Wiping a dirty bathroom sink, swilling round the toilet and cleaning the shower should only take a minute or two, as long as the dirt hasn't been gathering for days on end. Keeping things clean in the bathroom on a daily basis will mean that you can get away with a quick once over every couple of weeks.

Get the Kids on Board

When there are kids in the house there's nearly always an issue when it comes to cleaning, but here's a few tips you could try.

• • 2 or 3 times a year go through the kids closets and ditch the toys, clothes and other detritus that no longer gets used. There are plenty of charitable organisations who will take these unwanted items off your hands. Or you could encourage the kids to raise some of their own pocket money by selling the items at a car boot sale.
  • Use baskets and containers for storing their toys. At the end of the day all it will take is a few minutes to throw their toys into the containers and things will be tidy.
  • Encourage a few quick clean ups throughout the day. Yes it'll be messy again within a short while, but you'll be nurturing a good habit.

You've probably heard all these suggestions before, and the internet is littered with other useful suggestions. At the end of the day there aren't really very many people who actually enjoy cleaning, it's just one of life's bugbears that has to be done. One further option that is worth mentioning is to make use of local home cleaning services. Prices are much more reasonable nowadays, than they were in the past. Having a cleaner was always reserved for the rich and famous. But now this kind of expense can be included as part of your monthly budget.

I am Millie Pearce, a passionate reader and a freelance writer. I have been working for the last 2 years as a marketer for a big London cleaning company which I think is really beneficial for my career and personal development.