How to Automate Your House Cleaning and Save Time

For many people, time is money or time is simply very scarce. Keeping a home presentable when both adults work can be quite a challenge. So I've taken tips from "home staging" specialists who know all the tricks of the trade to keep busy households clean and ready for inspection (or company) at a moment's notice.

Cleaning the Shower and Tub
Scrubbing Bubbles Automated Shower Cleaner is a fantastic product that really does what it says it will do. It cleans well and minimizes or nearly eliminates the work of cleaning your tub and shower. I recommend having one in every shower. They now come with a shower caddy making them even more useful, and less cumbersome.

Wipes
Wipes are outrageously priced for the amount of product you get but they are amazingly efficient and save so much time. Keep "all purpose wipes" under every sink - all bathrooms and of course, your kitchen sink. When you finish getting ready for work in the morning, take a moment to wipe down the counters before you leave the room. Like anything else, you have to make it a habit.

I use wipes much more than is economically wise - but I'm addicted to their convenience. I have wipes for polishing my shoes, wipes for taking off my makeup, wipes for cleaning my monitors and TV - you name it. Sometimes it's useful to have a specialized product, but whenever you can, use an all-purpose wipe for tasks.

Toilet Cleaner
Keep toilet cleaner and a brush in each bathroom so that you don't have to lug them both back and forth. Unlike the Automatic Shower Cleaner, automatic toilet bowl cleaners (like the foaming powders, tablets or clip-ons) simply don't do the job well. They don't really eliminate the need to scrub out the toilet bowl so I don't bother with them. Simply choose the toilet bowl cleaner you like best and keep a bottle and brush under each bathroom counter.

Paper Towels
Even if you choose to use wipes, keep paper towels under each sink as well. They'll always end up getting used. The best option is to mount a paper towel holder on the inside of the cabinet door. Lint free disposable dusting cloths (like Swiffer) are also handy to keep there, but paper towels will do.

Trash Bags
Keep extra trash bags in the bottom of each of your trash bins. That way you don't have to walk to another room to fetch another bag when the bin is full.

Dusting
If you're having trouble keeping up with the dusting of knickknacks and the like, consider buying shelves that are enclosed, or using hutches with doors to display figurines etc. It's a big purchase but in the long run it can save a lot of time and aggravation.

In general, keep dusting cloths in every room you can easily stow them in and use them every week. I wipe things down about once a week when I'm watching TV (on the commercial breaks is usually plenty of time.) Dust high to low so you don't have to re-dust any areas.

Another note on dusting, picture frames are often neglected and can accumulate a lot of dust. When choosing picture frames keep in mind that lighter colored wood frames show less dust than black or metallic frames.

Laundry
Consider getting an all-in-one rolling rack with sorting bins like the one pictured from Walmart. This can make transporting clothes from laundry room to closets (and vice versa) much easier and reduce the number of trips.

Kitchen Appliances
Try to wipe out the microwave every time you use it since it's easiest to clean while spills are still "fresh". If that's not possible, heat a cup of water briefly to "soften" the spills. The same goes for any spills - get to them quickly or you'll have to work harder to get them off.

To prevent stains and spills on cooking appliances, place aluminum foil on the bottom of your oven and under your burner elements on your range top. Throw them away (or recycle them) when they get dirty. When company arrives, simply get rid of the liners that show and reveal the clean burner pans beneath.

Anytime you have the opportunity to purchase new appliances, keep in mind that the dark and metallic finishes show fingerprints and dirt the fastest.

Floors
Simply take off shoes at the front door or foyer whenever possible to minimize tracking dirt and debris in from outside. Target and other superstores sell a wicker-type bench that holds shoes under the seat and out of sight. Another simple step to keeping the outside "out" is to keep the porch swept. It is an extra task, but it's much easier to remove dirt and leaves from your porch than from your carpet.

Pets
Dogs and any other pet that goes outside on a regular basis, track in the great outdoors with them when they come back in. I use pet bath wipes to gently wipe my dog's paws when he comes back in from a walk. This not only helps my carpet, but it helps me keep an eye on how his paws are doing, and keeps them soft and moisturized. I prefer Earthbath Grooming Wipes (available from Amazon.com) simply because I can get them in a hypoallergenic fragrance-free variety. They're safe for puppies and dogs over 6 weeks old. There are, however, loads of varieties of bath wipes available for pets at most pet supply stores.

The Bottom Line

You'll have to get everyone in your household involved in using the tools and the routine you develop. Once the little tasks are mastered, keeping the house clean will be come much easier. Adapt the cleaning routine to your needs and your schedule. The most important thing is to make small cleaning tasks a habit so that larger cleaning tasks become much easier and faster.

NOTE ON CHILD SAFETY: Since you are keeping potentially harmful substances under very accessible counters, install child-proof locks on the counters if you have young children.