The Best Tools and Supplies to Save Time on Cleaning
I’m a big proponent of limiting cleaning to small daily chunks of about 15 minutes or so to avoid feeling overwhelmed and to get into the habit of keeping your home tidy over time. See, this really works when it comes to making sustainable, long-term progress, but there’s one problem: what do you do when you’re faced with a more intensive cleaning task, like washing or disinfecting? Yes, you can break the task down into smaller parts and complete it over the course of a few days, but there will likely be times when you just want to get it done.
However, you don’t always have to work for hours. Consider upgrading your arsenal to reduce the time it takes to clean.
First, make sure all your cleaning supplies are accessible.
Before purchasing any gadgets to speed up the cleaning process, make sure the items you already have are accessible. In general, your home should be organized according to two basic principles . Firstly, all similar items should be stored together, and secondly, everything you own should have a designated storage space. Keeping all your sponges, rags, chemicals, and cleaning supplies together will save you a lot of time when you need them because you can quickly find them and get to them.
The best way to do this is to create a cleaning cart . Taking one mobile cart and filling it with essential items is the best option here as you can carry it from room to room and it keeps everything organized so you don’t have to dig through your closet for stuff. to get one bottle of Vindex.
The Best Time-Saving Cleaning Tools
As for products that are time-savers in their own right, let’s start with brushes. There are two types of brushes that you should switch to now to save time in the long run. Firstly, this is any electric brush. You can purchase an electric brush with a telescoping handle and various attachments for about $40 on Amazon, or buy a set of attachments that attach to your power drill for $24.99. Either way, they take responsibility for thorough cleaning, whether you’re removing grout or stubborn grout, turning a time-consuming job into a quick job.
The second type of brush you should switch to is one that can be filled with soap. For $9.99, you can get a manual brush that dispenses soap as you use it, cutting down the time it takes to fill a bowl with soapy water, dip the brush, and repeat the process over and over again. Of course, they’re great for cooking, but their uses go far beyond that. Keep one in the shower to rinse down the walls after rinsing.
I’ve mentioned this before , but my Bissell CrossWave OmniForce Wet/Dry Vacuum has also saved me a lot of time. Not only is it an effective vacuum cleaner, but it’s also a mop, meaning I don’t have to spend limited minutes of my day switching between bulky devices when I want to clean the floor. You can use just the vacuum cleaner or use the dual mode to vacuum and mop the floor at the same time, which really saves time.
Improved versions of common chemicals and products are also useful, but only if they actually work. I’ve never found that more expensive dishwashing detergents that claim to cut through grease and break down food faster than cheaper competitors were much better, for example, but I did notice that Mr. The Clean Ultra Foamy Magic Eraser ($2.99) removes scale, dirt, and adhesive residue much faster than a regular melamine sponge. Likewise, PineSol 2x Concentrated ($15.49) clears up kitchen floor clutter faster than its standard predecessor.
Proper prevention will also reduce cleaning time. For example, I’ve been really into my impeccable quality bathroom starter kit lately. The three-piece set costs $24.99 and includes a glass and mirror cover, a toilet cover, and a light fixture cover that prevent water stains and other dirt from forming on flat surfaces. I use it on a glass table all the time and have noticed that I have to spend much less time wiping down the surface after eating. Other prevention products, such as floating humidifier cleaner (six for $16.99) or ceramic sealant ($31.95), used on countertops, stainless steel appliances, etc., can also prevent the transformation small messes into big ones, meaning you won’t waste money. It takes almost as long to deal with them when it comes time to clean up.