We're all guilty of putting off household chores because they feel overwhelming - sometimes it can be hard to know where to start, especially when you've got a full to-do list. Enter the 15-minute clean!
When time is short, you can get your house looking spick and span by focusing on key tasks and using your time efficiently. Rather than wasting time worrying about which tasks to prioritise - or worse, putting off getting started because it feels daunting - these speedy cleans are designed to cut the stress and focus on maximum results in the shortest time.
Here are four examples of 15-minute cleans you can try out for an instant refresh. Just fire up your favourite feelgood tunes and get going! You can even set a timer and knock them all out in a row, then sit back and feel virtuous for the rest of the day!
15-minute 'guests on their way' tidy:
Do a quick sweep of the living room and hallway, putting any obvious rubbish into the bin or recycling, and putting away any out of place items. As you go, fill a box or basket with items that need to be relocated to upstairs rooms, ready to sort out later. This saves trips up and down stairs!
Nip into the kitchen, and wash up any stray items left on the side (or load the dishwasher). Wipe down the counters.
Use any remaining time for a speedy vacuum - if you're in a hurry, use a handheld vacuum and concentrate on any visible debris!
15-minute living room reset
Start cleaning from the top of the room and work downwards. Grab a fluffy feather duster and give everything up high a light sweep, from cobwebby corners, shelves and blinds, to picture rails, photo frames and plant leaves.
Shake out soft furnishings such as blankets and cushions, then refold and put back neatly.
15-minute bathroom clean
For a quick bathroom blitz, spray the entire bathroom suite, including the taps and shower screen, with a multi-purpose bathroom cleaner - bonus points if it's eco-friendly and refillable!
Now go back round and wipe everything down with a damp cloth, or using the hose attachment on the shower or bath, to get a sparkling finish.
15-minute kitchen refresh
Sparkling clean windows make all the difference in the heart of the home, so start by spraying them down liberally with window cleaner and leave to drip down.
Meanwhile, wipe any surfaces such as the kitchen counter and hob using a damp microfibre cloth and a quick spray of multi-purpose cleaner.
Return to the windows and wipe clean with a fresh cloth, taking care to buff out any smears.
Get the hoover out and spend a couple of minutes whisking away up crumbs and pet hair, and any debris that’s fallen onto the floor. For hard floors, finish off by spraying with floor cleaner and wiping clean with a microfibre mop.
Feeling inspired? For other speedy cleans, check out our tutorials on how to clean curtains, how to clean window blinds, and how to give your oven a deep clean. And don't miss the six cleaning tasks we all forget.
