The Lazy Person’s Guide to a Cleaner Home
Hate cleaning but love a fresh space? You’re not alone. As soon as spring is around the corner, everyone does a deep clean job for their home. But honestly, I am lazy, and deep cleaning feels like a full-time job. But what if I told you I recently found a way to cheat the system?
If you are anything like me and want a cleaner home without spending hours on cleaning, this guide is for you. From game-changing hacks to gadgets that do the dirty work for you, swipe to see the ultimate shortcuts to a spotless space with minimal effort.
The One-Minute Rule
If a chore takes less than a minute, do it immediately. You might have heard this hack before. But trust me, it actually works. This tiny habit prevents clutter from piling up and makes deep cleaning almost unnecessary.
Toss junk mail the moment you get it, wipe the counter while your coffee brews, or hang your jacket instead of tossing it on a chair.
Pollen-Proof Your Home (So You Don’t Have to Clean as Often)
Spring means allergies, so stop pollen before it takes over your space. The easiest trick? Rub a dryer sheet over your window screens. This creates a dust-repelling barrier that keeps pollen from blowing inside.
Also, swap out your HVAC filter for a fresh one. It’s the easiest way to control your sinuses and dust levels at home.
The No-Scrub Patio & Balcony Refresh
Did winter leave your outdoor space looking rough? Instead of scrubbing, hose everything down with a high-pressure nozzle. Don’t have a nozzle? No worries, you can easily rent the high-pressure nozzle at a good price for a day.
For patio furniture, spray it with a mix of dish soap and water, then let the rain rinse it off for you. Nature does the work and you just watch.
The Fridge Expiration Date Purge (No Scrubbing Required)
Instead of scrubbing sticky shelves, grab a trash bag and throw out everything expired or sketchy-looking. That’s 80% of the mess gone. If you must wipe something, use a disinfecting wipe instead of deep-cleaning.
Bonus lazy move? Line shelves with press-and-seal plastic wrap so you have to only scrub them once in a while.
The “Bye-Bye Bin” Hack
Place a donation bin by your front door, and as you go about your day, drop in anything you no longer use.
Didn’t wear that sweater this winter? Toss it in instead of keeping it back somewhere while sorting the winter closet.
Do you have an extra mug collecting dust? Throw it in the bin. Trust me, you only need one mug. Stop collecting them just because they look cute.
After a month, donate everything without second-guessing. This trick actually works in every room. Keep a small bin in the bathroom, closet, or office, and watch the clutter disappear.
The “Lazy Laundry” System That Sorts Itself
Hate sorting laundry? Well, we all secretly do.
Try this hack which I started using last year. Have separate hampers for darks, lights, and delicates.
I trained everyone in my house to drop clothes into the right bin. When it’s time to wash, just dump and go. This way you will save time otherwise spent on sorting the laundry.
Use mesh laundry bags for socks and small items. Best of all, you will never lose another sock to the washing machine abyss.
The “Top to Bottom” Dusting Trick
Do you notice dust settling on your floor shortly after vacuuming? That’s likely because you might skip dusting first. Dust falls down, so always follow the top-to-bottom dusting trick.
Start from the highest point (shelves, ceiling fans), then wipe counters last. By the time you vacuum, most of the dust will already be on the floor which ultimately saves you extra wiping.
If you can, switch to electrostatic dusters, which trap dust instead of spreading it around.
No-Scrub Bathroom Hack
Before bed, spray your shower, sink, and toilet with a leave-on cleaner. It dissolves grime while you sleep, so all you have to do in the morning is rinse or wipe.
Better yet, switch to daily shower sprays. A quick spritz after you shower means you may never have to deep-clean for a week.
A better approach? Use a daily shower spray. A quick spritz after each shower helps prevent buildup, so you won’t need to deep-clean as often.
Commercial Cleaning
Hate dedicating time to cleaning? Do it during commercial breaks, while waiting for food to cook, or between Netflix episodes. A few minutes here and there add up to a cleaner home, without setting aside an entire day.
Keep a small cleaning caddy in your living room. Wipe surfaces or tidy up in the time it takes to skip ads.
The Easiest Way to Fake a Clean House
Are guests coming over on short notice? Instead of panicking, follow this quick fix: Put away five things in each room. It’s just enough to make a difference without overwhelming you. In less than 10 minutes, your space will look tidy, even if you didn’t really clean.
Try to clean spaces and furniture pieces that are more visible and stand out in each room, such as coffee tables and kitchen counters.
Laundry Folding Trick
The procrastination I experience with laundry piles is daunting, but that’s changed since I learned the “drop and smooth” method. All you have to do is lay shirts flat in a drawer, stack leggings and sweaters without folding, and hang everything else.
Closet organizers are making this even easier, with fold-free systems like vertical shelf dividers and hanging cubbies. More and more people are ditching traditional folding for these space-saving hacks that make clothes just as easy to grab, without the dreaded folding session.
10-Second Bed-Making Hack
Hate making the bed? Simplify it! Swap out layers for a duvet with a washable cover—just shake it out in the morning, and you’re done. No more tucking in sheets or fussing over blankets.
The better option is to switch to the Scandinavian bed trend. This trend is all about eliminating unnecessary layers in favor of a sleek, time-saving setup.
Fewer layers mean less laundry, so you’ll spend less time cleaning and more time enjoying your cozy space.
Hate Vacuuming? Here’s How to Do It Less Often
The less dirt that gets in, the less you have to clean, so set up dirt traps at entry points. Keep a mat outside every door, and a second mat just inside.
Keep a small shoe rack by the entrance and put a note or frame with a polite message asking people to remove their shoes when they enter your house. This will cut down on dust and grime by up to 85%.
Automate Everything
Why spend time cleaning when smart gadgets can do it for you? A robot vacuum, automatic toilet bowl cleaner, or self-cleaning litter box can take care of the dirty work, giving you more free time. If they fit your budget, they’re definitely worth the investment.
Effortless cleaning is here to stay, and the latest smart gadgets from CES 2025 are making it easier than ever to keep your home spotless with zero hassle.
The Five-Minute Nighttime Routine
A quick reset before bed might sound daunting but it means waking up to a cleaner home without a major cleaning session. Before heading to bed, take five minutes to do three small things: clear surfaces, put items back where they belong, and run the dishwasher.
Many home organization experts swear by this method because it prevents messes from spiraling out of control. If you are lazy when it comes to cleaning every day, try to change some of your habits that will automatically help you keep your home tidy. Check out Home Always Messy? These 10-Second Habits Can Fix It.
Read More From This Brand:
The Cleaning Secrets I Wish I Knew Sooner
Things I Never Do to Keep My Home Tidy
15-Day February Decluttering And Cleaning Challenge
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