7 Clean As You Go Hacks to Make Cleaning Easier

Cleaning sucks. Let’s just be honest. But living in filth sucks too. One of the best ways I’ve found to make cleaning easier is to adopt a “clean as you go” mindset.

This just means training yourself to add small cleaning tasks into your daily routine. This means things need much less cleaning when you get around to doing your regular big cleanings.

It’s not rocket science, and many of you probably do it already. So let’s look at some examples of “clean as you go” hacks that can help.

Clean As You Go Hacks

Here are some simple examples of what I’m talking about.

1. Clean While You Cook

You probably already clean up any mess you make while cleaning while you’re doing it. But cleaning is also a good time to do some routine quick cleaning.

When food’s cooking and you’d ordinarily go sit down for a bit, first do any of these:

• Do a quick wipe down the of countertops and stovetop with a wet rag
• Load the dishwasher
• Sweep or vacuum any visible crumbs or dirt on the floor around the kitchen
• Put away any pantry or cabinet items that have been left out

2. Clean as You Go in the Bathroom

These strategies have really cut down on the time it takes me to clean the bathroom each week.

• Give a quick wipe to the sink after you brush your teeth. I just do this with my hands.
• Wipe down the sink and countertops while waiting for a curling iron to heat or right after showering
• Squeegee the shower walls and door after every shower
• Clean the toilet bowl with a brush while you’re already in there, or give the seat a quick wipe down
• Hang up towels and bathrobes after use to prevent them from piling up

3. Declutter and Organize as You Go

Clutter can be a major contributor to a messy living space. Taking care of it as you go is much easier than addressing it later.

• Sort through mail, magazines, and other paperwork as soon as it comes in the door
• Put away items as soon as you’re done using them, rather than letting them sit out
• Regularly go through your closet and drawers to identify items you no longer need
• Donate or recycle unwanted items to prevent them from piling up

4. Tackle Small Cleaning Jobs Immediately

It’s easy to let small messes and spills slide, but they’re easier to clean right after they happen than they will be in a few days.

• Wipe up spills on the counter or floor as soon as they happen
• Clean spills on carpet or wood floors immediately, using a towel to soak up the worst and then any additional quick cleaning that’s required (check out Best Homemade Carpet Cleaner Solutions)
• Rinse and load dirty dishes in the dishwasher after meals
• Sweep or vacuum high-traffic areas daily to prevent the buildup of dirt and debris
• Tidy up your workspace or desk at the end of each workday

These seemingly minor tasks may not seem like a big deal, but they can quickly add up and create a much larger cleaning burden if left unattended.

5. Utilize Cleaning Tools and Supplies Efficiently

Having the right cleaning tools and supplies can make this whole process much more efficient. A few things that might help:

• Keep a caddy or basket with all your essential cleaning supplies in each room, so you don’t have to search for them. (I’ve done this for years and I love it! Everything’s with me wherever I take it.)
• Use microfiber cloths, which are highly effective at trapping dust and dirt
• Get a good quality vacuum cleaner or robot vacuum to make regular floor cleaning a breeze
• Replace single item cleaners with multi-purpose cleaners whenever possible, to streamline your cleaner collection

6. Get Household Members to Help

Encourage other members of your household to participate:

• Teach kids to do small cleanup jobs in the bathroom or kitchen when they use either room
• Assigning specific cleaning tasks to each family member
• Establishing a rotating schedule for chores, such as loading the dishwasher or taking out the trash
• Teaching children the importance of cleaning up after themselves

7. Technology and Automation

Not every piece of tech is worth the cost. But some really are.

• Use smart home devices, such as robot vacuums or window cleaners, to automate routine cleaning tasks. I save so much time with my Eufy robot vac, which cost less than $200.
• Try cleaning apps or digital checklists to track your progress and stay organized
• Set reminders on your phone or smart home devices to prompt you to complete specific cleaning tasks