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I always want to spend less time cleaning! So here are some tips to help you too.
I try to keep a neat house, but honestly, it often falls by the wayside particularly if we are all having a busy week but I don’t know how the superhuman mummies do it! So when Sammy asked to do a guest post I thought this would be perfect to give me some ideas on how to spend less time cleaning and more time actually doing what I want, spending time together and still keeping the house presentable!
A Bit About Sammy
Sammy is a proud parent who loves nothing more than spending time with his family and teaching them the ways of the world. He currently runs the blog at Home Clean Expert.
*Guest Post*
If there is one lesson to take away from Tony Shalhoub’s portrayal of Adrian Monk, it is that there is such a thing as being too concerned with cleanliness. Yes – keeping a clean home is important, but it should never take priority over family time.
For most of us procrastinators, this is easier said than done. There are things that will help however. Here are 6 ways to spend less time cleaning so that you have more time for the little ones in your life:
Get a Robotic Vacuum
Don’t we all secretly want a robot for a friend? Ok – it’s no BB8 or Baymax, but it is pretty smart for a vacuum. Don’t worry: owning one will not inadvertently give rise to Skynet, but it will make your life a whole lot easier.
Unlike a typical upright vacuum, robot vacs can be programmed to start and end a cleaning regiment all by itself. Now that you are intrigued, be sure to shop for a model that features “virtual wall” technology. Similar to a fence for dogs, the virtual wall restricts the robot’s movements to a specific room or area. This way, the vac won’t wander aimlessly around your home.
Above all else, robotic vacuums are great with the kids—buy one of these, and the whole family will have fun cleaning without lifting a finger! They are also not as expensive as you may think, and a cheaper model will do a good job if you are cleaning on a budget.
Stop Hoarding
Sometimes there is nothing more satisfying than executing one great purge. Once you get rid of the things you know that you don’t need – piles of old papers, clothes, toys – organize what’s left, and keep it that way.
For example, instead of letting mounds of credit card offers consume your kitchen table, use labelled baskets to store your mail. And instead of letting your old, forgotten clothes breed monsters under your bed, establish a designated donation section in your closet.
Remember: organisation is to clutter as mongooses are to snakes, so keep the serpent at bay by being consistent.
Keep Supplies Close
Messes are close, so keep your supplies closer. Let’s face it: we’re less likely to vacuum if we have to climb 3 flights of stairs to get it. But wouldn’t you scrub the shower if the brush was actually in the bathroom? Try keeping mops in the kitchen, a duster near the shelves, and bleach in the bathroom.
If space is limited, consider keeping a few Swiffer sweepers around the house. If a job requires multiple tools, bring them all to the scene of the crime. This way, you won’t waste time by going back and forth.
Leave Your Shoes at the Door
The best way to cut down on cleaning time is to take preventative measures. Since shoes are notorious for tracking dirt and mud into the house, a “shoes off” rule will help to avoid headaches before they even start. Furthermore, utilize coat racks and coat trees in lieu of leaving dirty jackets on couches and chairs.
Clean In the Right Order
Always clean left to right, top to bottom. If you wash the floor before you dust the blinds, the dust will just fall to the floor – and guess what? You will have to wash the floor twice. Most people follow this rule when bathing – shampoo first, soap second, so it should be an easy concept to remember.
When cooking meals, clean as you go. For instance, move dishes to the sink as you progress to the next task, and return condiments and spices to their respective spaces while you wait for your food. Moreover, utilize paper and plastic utensils whenever possible. Think: do you really need to eat a cold-cut sandwich off of your grandmother’s prized china? Paper plates require no maintenance whatsoever: just use it and lose it.
Hire a Cleaning Service
Most people shun this idea because they think that it would be too costly. But isn’t family time priceless? Realistically, cleaning services are not that expensive. In fact, £100-£200 per visit is quite reasonable. After all, not only do they bring their own tools, but they come in groups.
Just as 2 heads are better than one, so, too, are 2 (or more) sets of hands. If there were 2 of you, one could be doing all of the cleaning, while the other spends all their time with the kids. But since there aren’t 2 of you, why not let someone else take care of the grunt work for you?
What’s more, these people are typically skilled cleaners: they know how to tackle even the most overwhelming messes with precision.
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If you have any tips on how you spend less time cleaning, let us know in the comments!
17 comments on “6 Ways To Spend Less Time Cleaning And More Time With Your Kids”
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Home cleaning is something which takes time but nobody like to spend their most of the time in cleaning. So, thanks for sharing these different ways to spend less time in cleaning. Great post, thanks for sharing this.
Cleaning out the junk in your house really does make it easier to keep the house clean. Every time I do it, it feels better in my house.
I don’t really know anyone that loves cleaning although I do love the end result. Having someone do it for you would be a wonderful luxury and I also like the tip about not having too much clutter. We all have way too much don’t we?
Sue
http://www.sizzlingtowardssixty.com.au
I love cleaning but I never actually have the time to do it so my house constantly looks a mess, mostly down to toy clutter. I really need a big clear out as I am sure it will make everything easier to keep tidy xx
Fab tips. I spend way too much time cleaning.
Great tips and ideas 🙂 I like cleaning up in the kitchen as I go. We do have a lot of paperwork hanging around and are looking for some storage shelves etc
A robotic vacuum? Sign me up!! I spend way too long cleaning! It’s hard work with four kids, if I don’t clean it gets out of control!
These are really awesome tips people with kids can implement and those of us who dont still need that automatic vacuum cleaner
I try also to be organise in my cleaning to not spend too much time.
I hate cleaning would love to have a cleaner……sadly it is not an option we can have at the moment
My parents are big hoarders, they really need to have a declutter! I just can’t persuade them to throw anything away! x
Definitely having less stuff is a good idea. I’ll have a declutter when I get home!
Some fab tips here I agree stopping hoarding is massive one…I would love to have a robotic cleaner!!!
Such great tips. I wish my daughter was not such a hoarder, she collects and saves everything. It drives me potty. x
Great post this. We have a cleaner visit every week and couldn’t do without it!! Saves us so much time at the weekend!!
I agree Jon, even a couple of hours once a week makes such a difference!
Thank you for allowing me to write for your blog 🙂