This post is sponsored by Bounty. Opinions are 100% my own.
Sometimes you just can’t find time to keep up with cleaning, so today I am sharing my best “quick-cleaning” tips that make life easier… and homes cleaner!
It can be so hard to find time to clean, sometimes. You would think that when the kids went back to school, you would have MORE time to clean, right? Wrong. I don’t know how, but the time just gets away from you. For me, having two kids home for the day (until 3:00 when the others get home) is enough of a GOOD distraction to keep me from doing all of my chores. On top of that, while I am cleaning the living room, they are playing with toys in the bedroom. When I get the bedroom clean, they have made a mess of their snack in the kitchen. When I clean the kitchen, they are back in their bedrooms playing dress up. The circle never ends.
Here are a few time to help when you can’t find the time to keep up with your cleaning:
- Get up 30 minutes before your kids and start your day (laundry in, declutter a room)
- Do one load of laundry every morning.
- Use rest time to clean. I also pick up everything before I go to bed. I never want to wake up to a messy house.
- Clean up the bathroom while the kids are taking a bath – this is the key to keeping our bathroom clean. I just keep our NEW Bounty with Dawn multi-purpose cleaning towels in every bathroom and use them. They are my favorite cleaning item! You just get them wet and they are already filled with Dawn, so they clean easily.
- Stay a step ahead of the kids… if possible!
- Be sure to have the dishwasher washed and the pots cleaned (again, I use the Bounty with Dawn multipurpose cleaning towels for this). Have these things put away before bed, so you don’t start your morning with dishes in the sink. OR… wake up early and unload it if you wash them while you sleep.
- Put papers away as soon as you touch them. My mom’s rule of thumb is to only touch them once. This includes mail, school work, artwork….
- Plan big projects, like cleaning out the van or garage, when the kids are playing outside already. They ride bikes while I organize the garage.
- Keep toilet cleaner, a brush and Bounty with Dawn multipurpose cleaning towels in the bathroom and kitchen, so you will be ready to go every day and won’t have to search for items.
- Follow a simple cleaning routine- print out a printable like this one and follow it daily:
- Be sure that your bed is made and the kids beds are made BEFORE you leave the house. The kids have to make their beds in the morning before they turn on the TV. They have to be ready to walk out the door before the TV comes on. We make our bed before we leave the bedroom.
- Wipe down counters daily. Just keep Bounty with Dawn multipurpose cleaning towels in the kitchen and bathroom for this and do it as soon as you wake up, right after the laundry.
- Have the kids help by giving them age-appropriate chores.
- Back out of a room (my mom’s tip), so you can clean up as you are leaving a room.
- Worst case scenario: ask your husband or a friend to take them to a park for a couple of hours so you aren’t constantly cleaning around them- you can just get it done quickly and move on enjoying your day!♥
PS- want to win??
Leave a comment about how you’re refreshing your routine to be more efficient this Back to School season for a chance to take home a limited edition dual roll holder with a Bounty paper towel roll and NEW Bounty with Dawn roll.MORE POSTS YOU MIGHT LIKE:
Robin Christine says
We just moved into a new house so we are starting over with a whole new routine right down to bed-time in the evening with my boys. Since everything is new for everyone, it was easy to transition into a schedule for cleaning that works around everyone’s ‘schedule’!
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Oh moving is the perfect time to set up a new routine! 🙂
shelleyb says
All areas need improvement. But, I’m trying to start with small areas like bathrooms and front entrance. If I can maintain a few areas, I’m building momentum to clear clutter and maintain those zones.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
🙂 yay! You’ve got it… One day at a time… 🙂
Tara Pitcher says
I love these tips. I am trying to revamp my whole existence into some semblance of organized chaos.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
🙂 I feel like I’m always doing that one! hahaha!!
Patrice says
I’m ironing the uniforms and getting my work clothes ready at night so in the AM I can do the little things that I see need completed. It’s hard to get back into the back-to-school routine! But we’re trying!
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Isn’t it though?! Thanks!!
Judy Lee says
I always take out clothes the night before for us. Makes it less stressful and I can get more done.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Agreed!
Christine Bailey says
We recently moved as well and nothing like a move to show you how much clutter you have, and how unorganized you are!! So I have started with a planner! Also have been doing a load of laundry a day(we have two in new house, one of them being in master closet, makes it smaller but oh so handy!) as well as leaving a lot of stuff in garage so we can go through it and either keep, sell, donate or throw out!! Still some clutter made it inside, and we are slowly working through it. With 2 littles under 3, and 2 teenagers playing sports it’s been crazy, so thankful for the planner, and all your helpful ideas!
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Oh man- that is so true! Moving is hard with young ones, isn’t it? Good luck!!
Laura says
Making a list and checking it twice!
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Good one! 😉
Dawn Monroe says
This year our rule is homework and chores immediately after school and we have been preparing what we can the night before.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Ours too! 🙂
Laura B says
I feel like I have so much more laundry now that school has started back!
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Me, too!
Emily Acker says
I do a little cleaning whenever I get the chance.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Perfect!!
Wehaf says
Our major problem is dog hair, so when I go up the stairs I bring a paper towel and wipe the hair off the (hardwood) steps as I go.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
That is what my mom used to do, too (she would use a paper towel on the hardwoods & a sponge on the carpeted stairs)
Laura J says
Oh…today we are going to start getting our garage ready for a sale! We have so much clutter and boxes of outgrown kids clothes and toys…so we decided to have a sale and clear it all out! Will be great to declutter and get organized before winter!
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
That’s awesome- it feels great to get rid of stuff, doesn’t it?
Audra says
We pack lunch the night before to save time
meredith says
We make the lunches and breakfast the night before to ease the AM routine
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
You should check out my post on making them once a week – it is SUCH a time saver in our house (but we have 4 kids. lol)
Jessica To says
I have started putting the grocery list on the refrigerator so we just add items to it when we’re out.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Oh that’s a great idea.
Ally says
I’m refreshing my routine by mixing my own cleaners rather than buying new ones every time!
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Smart.
wen budro says
I’ve been watching You Tube videos on decluttering and organizing and cleaning. I’m working right now on setting up a printed weekly schedule and also a “must do” list for every night.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Great idea on printing out a schedule.
Elena says
I am making a list and stick to it. Also I try to declutter my home a little bit every day
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
I am definitely a list-maker (it drives my husband crazy!)
Kathryn Hyatt says
I’m laying everything out and preparing for the morning the night before.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
That’s what we do, too.
Soo says
I was feeling really discouraged at how little time I’ve had to keep the house clean since our little one was born… so I made a list of all the things I can do in 15 minutes or less. The list was surprisingly long! And now, whenever I have a spare 10-15 minutes, I have a handy list of things I can do to tidy up.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Oh smart!
Kathy Hanley says
I keep my bathrooms and kitchen stocked with cleaners and wipes so that I can wipe it down quick every day. I pick out clothes and check backpacks at night before I go to bed. I have everything out and ready to go in the morning so the kids can have breakfast before school. I do at least one load of laundry a day and put one load away every day. Sport uniforms are washed as soon as we walk in the door!
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Same thing in our house w/ the sports uniforms. 🙂
Josephine says
Clothes are picked out for the week on Sundays. Every night the Coffee pot is set up and the kids lunches are made. Throw 1 load of laundry in before I go to bed and dry it when I wake up.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Good plan!
Kristie says
I’m trying to stick with a cleaning schedule. Like clean the bathroom on Mondays and the like. I hope it works. I just have to schedule it so it’s not optional. kristiedonelson(at)gmail(dot)com Thank you.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
We do bathrooms on Monday, too.:)
Cheryl B. says
My new routine is to spend 30 minus prepping for the next day…all my clothes are ready, lunches are prepared, backpacked located and filled.
What I added was a general cleaning of one room a day…counters wiped down, floors swept and mopped etc. This saves me time, as I know each room will be cleaned at least once a week..and I don’t stress over a massive cleaning day spent on my weekend, when I want to have fun, or spend family time.
Laurel Porter says
We just implemented a chore chart on a dry erase board. This way no one can argue about what they are/aren’t responsible for each day or week. My kids like to plead the 5th sometimes. Lol
Kathleen Richardson says
Laundry is my weakness so my goal is to stay ahead of it and put it away when it comes out of the dryer.
Sunnie says
I’ve been cleaning up the basement store room and making several goodwill trips!
Nicole says
I am trying to get up earlier and clean a little before the craziness of the day begins. I am trying to do one room, top to bottom, per day.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
lol – your house must be like ours!
Debra Summerer says
I run up and down the stairs so much when cleaning. I decided to buy a covered basket with a handle to get my supplies in, makes it so much easier.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
hahaha! I do, too. I went to a cleaning basket & never looked back!
Laura ari says
I always try to do a load of laundry in the morning.
Becky (Your Modern Family) says
Me, too!
Becky VanGinkel says
We just moved into a new home in a new state, with new jobs, new schools, new everything, so the present is the best time to get a ‘new’ cleaning routine as well!! I have a chart with all the kids chores (which they have been sticking too surprisingly well!), and I clean 3 rooms a day.. not to much, but enough to keep everything under control. It’s working great!!
babydjs_mom@yahoo.com
Leah Shumack says
Sunday and Monday are the main cleaning days in the house…the rest of the week watch out because it’s probably not very pretty. We do try to clean out dishes and soak pans and things as we go to reduce the amount of scrubbing later on in the week tho!
ann says
I’ve been making lists and trying to accomplish at least one thing from the list each day.
Ashley C says
I’m trying to designate each day to a room and the goal is, I have to at least do the basic cleaning tasks in that room before bed. Hopefully, our house will stay a little cleaner!
Allison says
Alarm clocks upstairs and down to make sure we all get up on time this year!
Lauryn R says
I also like to pick stuff up before I go to bed as well, it always helps me sleep better. I like waking up to a clean house too! One thing I have been trying since school started is the waking up before the kids thing. My day seems to go better when I do this.
Donna L says
My daughter is out of school now but she would take out her clothes the night before. It made mornings a little bit easier.
Lindsay Hess says
I am getting everything cleaned and organized at once. Every Tuesday I do this and let me tell you, its easier to do everything at once then to do a little a time because it wont ever get don!!
Meghan Berdelle says
I would like to do a little cleaning everyday, so I keep up with it
Regina says
I have made a point to make my bed as soon as I get out of it and also, take laundry to laundry room in the morning.
Susannah says
We just moved so I’m completely refreshing everything I do to keep this new house spic and span! <3
Sara says
My boys are a little older now and they are starting to make their own breakfasts and we have their school items organized the night before and they help with that as well.
Blessie Nelson says
I use my downtime to prep food for the week and keep frozen or in the fridge to tackle busy days head on!
Deborah Anderson says
Thanks for the tips! I’m always thrilled to find timesavers of all kinds. Now I must try Bounty with Dawn…sounds like a definite timesaver. 🙂
Mary Beth Elderton says
I just completely rearranged our bedroom and living room for the sole purpose of making things less cluttered and more efficient. I am doing away with a lot of the clutter that just gets in the way.
ken ohl says
My wife and I clean houses for a living so we have a good routine down everything is pretty clean
Heather Bridson says
I have been trying new products for making my cleaning easier. I haven’t tried the bounty towels with Dawn, but I do love the new Clorox scrubbers..make it so easy to get stuck on messes off of the stovetop, and makes the whole kitchen smell great and look great as well. Hoping to try the new Bounty with Dawn paper towels soon!
Tina W says
I am not the early riser in the house, so I spend a little time getting everything cleaned up and ready for morning, then de-stress with a glass of wine and a book before bed.
JJ Caraway says
I use old diaper wipe containers and fill with cleaning solution and folded paper towels and place in my bathroom and kitchen to have nearby to keep things wiped down.
Natalie says
When I get a shower I wipe the walls and after I wipe the sink down .
Brianna K says
Wow i love all these tips. Im writing out a daily planners on sports, clubs and anything important down so i dont end up forgetting about it like i use to. This daily journal will help for sure thank you! This is a great giveaway !
Maddy says
This sounds extremely simple & pathetic, but I’ve been a full time student & worked full time for the last four years, and as a result, cleaning kinda sorta fell by the wayside…. my hubby and I semi-effectively managed to split the workload. However, now that I’m a mom and graduated and working a little bit less, more of the cleaning duties are falling on me. My goal is to create a cleaning schedule that actually WORKS! I’ve been toying around with a few and haven’t quite figured out what works the best yet. I’ll get there though… and I think it’ll really help once I get into a routine.
Liza Vladyka says
me and hubby are disabled so i do all kid stuff and he cleans and cooks
Cathy Truman says
I do a load of laundry every morning and I come home for lunch everyday from work and
do another load of laundry. I clean every day.
Maryann D. says
We are trying to really be more organized by having everything ready and done the night before. Also have everything packed and ready to go in the morning.
Emi says
I now have a big block of time every other Friday where there are no children or husband underfoot and I can do some deep cleaning jobs that have been put off. Having an empty house is the easiest way for me to get the cleaning done.
janetfaye says
I am planning ahead what and how I will clean each room to be more efficient. I am also using using different sized baskets to sort and store clothing and other household items.
cassie says
I recently placed a “quick clean” kit under our bathroom sink cupboard. It makes it easy to do a quick once-over in the bathroom a couple times a week (or just weekly even) to keep it from going months without being cleaned. UGH !
Leela says
I’m just trying to be more organized in general.
Aqdas Ahmed says
I have made a promise to myself to wake up as soon as the alarm buzzes instead of snoozing a gazillion times. I have made it to school on time this past week. Let’s see how long I stick to my plan 🙂
Tamra H says
I’m refreshing my routine by getting dishes done first thing in the morning, makes things easier the rest of the day.
Joy Q says
As soon as the kids are in bed I clean the kitchen and dinning room. I also try to get up before them and clean the bathrooms.
Abraham says
Actually it’s hard to find time for cleaning. Whenever I get time, I love to do it.