Efficient Cleaning Aids and Equipment for Maximizing Your Time
I'm a strong believer in segmenting your cleaning tasks into small, daily sessions of roughly 15 minutes to avoid feeling overwhelmed and fostering the habit of maintaining a neat home over time. Surprisingly, this method is highly effective in achieving long-term progress, but there's a catch: What do you do when a cleaning job requires more intense work, such as scrubbing or sanitizing? You can certainly split the duty into smaller chunks and complete it gradually, but there might be instances where you just want to get it done swiftly.
You don't always need to spend hours cleaning, though. Give some thought to enhancing your cleaning tools to reduce the time you spend on each session.
Start by ensuring your cleaning supplies are easily reachable
Before investing in speedy cleaning gadgets, make sure that your existing supplies are within easy reach. Generally, a well-organized home should adhere to two primary principles. The first principle is storing similar items together, and the second is assigning designated storage spaces to each item. Keeping your sponges, rags, cleaning agents, and equipment together will save significant time in searching and retrieving them.
The most practical solution to achieve this is by creating a cleaning trolley. Acquiring a portable trolley and stocking it with your essential cleaning supplies is the optimal choice, as it can be moved from room to room, keeping everything tidy and easily accessible without requiring you to sift through an overstuffed cabinet for a bottle of Windex.
Time-saving cleaning gadgets
Now, let's discuss products that can accelerate the cleaning process by themselves.
Firstly, consider upgrading to power brushes. You can purchase an electric spinning brush with an extendable handle, complete with various heads, for around $40 on Amazon, or opt for a set of compatible heads that attach to your power drill for $24.99. Whichever route you choose, these gadgets handle heavy-duty scrubbing tasks, whether you're dealing with grout or stubborn pans, transforming time-consuming chores into a breeze.
The second type of brush that deserves an upgrade is the one that can be replenished with soap. For approximately $9.99, you can acquire a handheld brush fitted with a built-in soap dispenser, reducing time wasted filling bowls with soapy water, rinsing, and dipping again. These devices work wonders for dishes, but their applications extend much further: keep one in your shower to wash down the walls quickly after rinsing.
I've consistently praised my Bissell CrossWave OmniForce wet/dry vacuum in the past. This multipurpose appliance not only boasts impressive cleaning abilities but also doubles as a mop, allowing me to avoid waffling between bulky devices for floor cleaning tasks. You can use the vacuum independently or utilize its dual-mode capabilities, cleaning and mopping simultaneously in a time-saving performance.
BISSELL® CrossWave® OmniForceTM Cordless Multi-Surface Hard Floor Cleaner$369.11 at Amazon$369.11 at Amazon
Enhanced versions of standard cleaning products can also help reduce your cleaning time—if they actually deliver results. I've never noticed a significant improvement in the effectiveness of pricier dish soaps that boast grease-destroying capabilities compared to economical options, but I've noticed that Mr. Clean Ultra Foamy Magic Eraser ($2.99) scrubs away scum, dirt, and adhesive residue more efficiently than a regular melamine sponge. Similarly, PineSol 2x Concentrated ($15.49) performs tasks on my kitchen floor more swiftly than its less powerful predecessor.
Proactive measures can also reduce your cleaning time. Lately, I've been keen on my spotLESS Bathroom Starter Set. The three-piece set retails for $24.99 and includes glass and mirror coating, toilet coating, and fixture coating that prevent water spots and unsightly grime from accumulating on flat surfaces. I've been routinely using it on my glass table and observed a decrease in cleaning time required after meals. Preventive measures, such as a floating humidifier cleaner (six for $16.99) or ceramic sealant ($31.95), applied to countertops, stainless steel appliances, etc., can hinder small messes from escalating into bigger challenges, requiring less time to address them during cleanups.
$369.11at Amazon
After organizing your cleaning supplies, consider investing in a portable cleaning trolley to keep everything easily accessible. This can save time spent searching for supplies and make cleaning sessions more efficient. When it comes to scrubbing, opt for power brushes with an extendable handle or a handheld brush fitted with a built-in soap dispenser. These tools can significantly reduce the time spent on heavy-duty cleaning tasks, making your home cleaning routine more manageable.
