Turn off the TV and Listen to Lively Music
Cleaning takes twice as long if you are continually distracted from the task. To help you stay on task through your entire cleaning process, turn off the television. As you get pulled into shows that flash across the TV screen, you will be distracted from your cleaning efforts. Instead, turn on some music to motivate you. If you are a lover of literature, play a book on tape while you clean.
Recruit a Buddy
While you may be able to effectively clean solo, doing so will take twice as long. Ask your domestic partner or an equally tidy friend to help you complete two-person tasks such as making the bed or folding large objects. The extra assistance will likely reduce the time you have to devote to the task.
Keep your Tools Organized
If your cleaning tools aren't organized, you probably spend much time searching for supplies. Dedicate a little time to organize your cleaning tools before you start cleaning; this will save you time in the long run.
Clean Strategically
Don't allow a messy room to get the better of you. Instead, create a plan for tackling the clutter. Think of the room that you are about to clean as a clock face. Start at one spot, and move about the room in a clockwise direction. Don't move from the spot until everything in front of you is clean. Following this structured cleaning routine will help keep your efforts focused and ensure that you are doing more than simply moving clutter about the space.
Don't Move, Put Away
Cleaning can be daunting when you are faced with a nearly insurmountable array of clutter. While you de-clutter and organize, create a place for each object. Do not simply move things from one surface to another, which is counterproductive. Instead, don't move objects unless you are putting them away. By sticking to this rule, you can ensure that at the conclusion of your cleaning session, everything is stowed away.
Clean from Top to Bottom
When you undertake a deep cleaning, follow a top to bottom pattern. Clean the surfaces higher up in the room first, and gradually move toward the floor, concluding by sweeping or vacuuming. You'll avoid moving dust or dirt from a high surface onto a freshly cleaned floor, and increase the likelihood of successfully trapping all of the dirt.
