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Clean Up Tips for busy folks like us


My family and I are hosting the family Thanksgiving dinner. In addition to prepping, cooking and all the other things related to the dinner, we have to clean our house.

Some people I know keep a super clean home.  There's no mud in the mud room.  The bathroom vanities are clear.  My home, well our home is one of those we have kids, a dog, you could eat off the floor - but probably shouldn’t - type of houses.  However, when it comes to cleaning up, we are the masters of the quick clean up.
Cleaning does not have to be an all day thing. 
Here are some tips to help your family clean up your home quick, fast and in a hurry.

1. Load the dishwasher. Check the kids’ rooms for spoons, bowls and cups. You can have a load of dishes going while you start on the other housecleaning chores.

2. Clean the bathroom. This is the room most of your guests will visit. Spray your favorite tub and toilet cleaner. Lift the toilet seat and clean under there. Also, be sure to clean the outside of the toilet and mop the bathroom floor. Be sure to clear the vanity of extra items and hang fresh towels.

3. Vacuum. We have a dog and daily vacuuming is a must. It’s easy too thanks to our programmable Hoover Rogue 970. 
The Hoover Rogue 970 is a “smart vacuum, not just (a) robot”. Download the app, map out the areas to be vacuumed, schedule and move on to the next chore.
Download the app

Check the Settings

Yeah, we named ours Botzky

Schedule to your schedule
While the vacuum is going, you've got time to tackle other housecleaning tasks.

4. Clean the microwave and Freshen the Sink. Wipe both the inside and outside of the microwave. Fill a bowl with 1 cup water, and ½ cup of vinegar. Microwave on high for 5 minutes. Let bowl sit in microwave for about 10 minutes. Carefully remove bowl and pour vinegar water down the sink to freshen the sink. Wipe the microwave out with a damp cloth.

5. Clear and wipe the kitchen counters. Move the small kitchen appliances off of the counter to free up extra counter space.

6. Pick Stuff Up. Grab an empty laundry basket and have them clear the living room, den and other areas of things that do not belong there and put things where they belong.

7. Do NOT wash the Laundry. As tempting as it may be to start a load of laundry, don’t. You’ll have to sort, load, dry, fold, and put away and we don’t have that kinda’ time. Make sure dirty clothes are in a hamper and out of the way.  

8. Take the garbage out. Rinse the trash can out and put in a clean garbage bag. Keep an extra garbage can on standby just in case.

9. Light a candle, plug in an air freshener or boil some cinnamon sticks to

10. Unload the dishwasher and put the dishes away.  As guests finish with their dishes, rinse them and load them into the dishwasher, keeping your sink free and clear.
Which of these tips have you used?  
Share your favorite clean up tip?

Comments

candy said…
I wipe down the bathroom everyday. Keep everything picked up and put away helps tons.
I love these quick fixes. I can only seem to tidy and do the dishes/laundry each day. I need more time to actually clean.
AiringMyLaundry said…
I love your ideas. And I WANT that vacuum. It looks so cool. Mine is just a boring one.

Unknown said…
Love your ideas! We have a Roomba and it really helps.
Jeannette said…
I want that vacuum! Our house is a disaster and mostly it has to do with their dog who keeps bringing in a whole bunch of dirt. At this point it will take all day for you to clean my house!
These are all really great tips. I have OCD so I try and keep everything neat and clean the majority of the time. Although I'd love to have a vacuum that connects to an app! That's awesome.
Sarah Bailey said…
Now I like the sound of that smart vacuum, we have an unsmart one and sometimes I'm sure it cleans the same small area over and over.
I have a master cleaning list and to do list for so many things. Comes in handy when I just put a copy of the frig and everyone can see what needs to be done.
Anonymous said…
These are great tips. I love to save time when I'm cleaning the house. It's definitely not a fun chore, so I like to be efficient.
Terri Beavers said…
I'm going to use your tips today before company arrives. Sadly I don't have a Hoover Rogue 970 so I'll have to vacuum the old-fashioned way. Drats.
Adrienne said…
I've heard so many great things about that vacuum! I may have to put that on my holiday wish list this year.
Kita Bryant said…
I could definitely use that Hoover Rogue. I didn't know they had something like that.
candy said…
Getting rid of clutter is a big thing. We don't have a dishwasher everyone pitches in to help. Doesn't take that long to clean the bathroom, vacuum and dust couple days before and wipe down bathroom that morning.
Pam said…
I always try to wipe down the bathroom and keep the kitchen clean. If we have unexpected guests I know they will see both of those rooms. And we have cats so I always keep some airfreshener on hand! :)
Vera Sweeney said…
I try to clean at least one thing every day. More if I can, but I never stress about it. If I do that everyday, the house pretty much stays clean.
Awesome and timely tips. I've been trying to tackle a few things a day so cleaning won't be so hectic Thanksgiving day.

Adriana said…
These are such great tips! I always try to break different spots up to clean throughout the week so I don't have to clean everything on the same day. Love this!
GREAT tips. Luckily only family comes over to BB's, or good friends who know how we truly are. Still, having said that, Babushka will definitely be doing #4 and toying with the others. Gracias for the tips. BB2U
Terri Beavers said…
I live in a small apartment but it still seems to take me forever to clean. I'm glad I found your tips. I don't have carpet so that means a lot of mopping for me. I've found that by using a steam mop, it cuts my job in half.
Brandy Ellen said…
I am so thankful you shared some clean up tips for busy folks. I so needed some advice, I am busy but still need to make clena up a priority!
It really helps a lot to multitask, you know, loading the dishwwasher and getting it going while cleaning the bathroom or doing something else.It makes for a quick clean up.
I hate cleaning so have had occasion to do quick cleans when company is coming. Cleaning the bathroom is a must.
I try to keep up with dusting everyday. Washing the dishes and emptying the trash is an everyday task. Bathroom and toilet is likewise cleaned everyday. I don't like walking into a toilet smelling Eau de Urine. Haha.
Great tips. I clean up our three bathrooms every other day. Its a must in our house, sometimes every single day with 9 people! - Jeanine
GeekDad248 said…
We really need to clean our microwave -- thanks for the reminder! Will have to try that vinegar tip.
David Elliott said…
That is a very organized way to clean the house. I didn't realize that hoover had something like the roomba. I will have to check it out.
Jenny said…
I would be doing the same thing if I had people over! UGH, why can't people love me and all of my messy glory!
click here now said…
Excellent blog and very helpful information.

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