The term Speed Cleaning was coined a few years ago in a book of the same name by Shannon Lush and Jennifer Fleming . Page 5 reads “The approach can be summed up in one word – systems. Having systems in place will mean your house will run more smoothly and efficiently. The best news is that with some organisation and 15 minutes a day, you can transform your cleaning routine!”
The idea is that rather than spend your whole weekend cleaning, you allocate a different room to clean each day for 15 minutes.
For example: Monday – Lounge, Tuesday – Bedrooms, Wednesday Bathroom and so on.
You will find cleaning (eg; the shower) much easier if it is done weekly. You will also find you are more likely to do the cleaning if it is regularly on the calendar in small 15 minute segments. You can get on with the job without thinking, or deciding when you will do it (or decide not to do it!). One less decision to be made each day.
One tiny downside with this method is you don’t get that fuzzy feeling of having the whole house clean at the same time. However, I find this fuzzy feeling only seems to last 10 minutes before something is out of place or someone has spilt something! Alternatively, it you still wanted this fuzzy feeling each Saturday morning, the job would be much easier if you had been speed cleaning during the week.
The below checklist includes the very basics of the Speed Cleaning book.
If you want to read more including putting together a cleaning kit and exactly what to clean and when and with what, go ahead and find yourself a copy.
Speed Cleaning Checklist:
Front Door
Weekly Speed Clean:
- Sweep inside and out of front entrance
- Wipe windowsills and light fittings
- Sweep cobwebs
- Shake welcome mat
- Wipe down any furniture including hall stand – putting away items that don’t belong
- Water and deadhead plants
- Put away cleaning equipment
Office/Spare Room
Weekly Speed Clean:
- Use your clutter bucket to collect items that don’t belong in that room
- Wipe windowsills and light fittings
- Sweep cobwebs
- Wipe down any furniture including desk
- Water and deadhead plants
- Vacuum/Sweep floors
- Empty clutter bucket**
- Put away cleaning equipment
Lounge /Dining Room
Everyday:
- Put away projects
- Collect crumbs
- Put dishes in dishwasher
Weekly Speed Clean:
- Use your clutter bucket to collect items that don’t belong in that room
- Wipe windowsills and light fittings
- Sweep cobwebs
- Shake mat
- Wipe down any furniture including tables and coffee tables
- Water and deadhead plants
- Vacuum/Sweep floors
- Empty clutter bucket
- Put away cleaning equipment
Kitchen
Every Day:
- Pack and unpack dishwasher
- Wipe down benches
- Wipe out sink
- Wipe microwave and oven after use
Weekly Speed Clean:
- Use your clutter bucket to collect items that don’t belong in that room
- Wipe windowsills and light fittings
- Sweep cobwebs
- Wipe down any furniture including tables and coffee tables
- Vacuum/Sweep floors
- Empty clutter bucket
- Put away cleaning equipment
- Fridge – wipe out shelves before you go shopping when there are less items
Bedroom
Every Day:
- Make the bed each morning
- Put clothes away (laundry hamper or rehang) as soon as you take them off
- Put shoes, jewellery and accessories away
Weekly Speed Clean:
- Use your clutter bucket to collect items that don’t belong in that room
- Wipe windowsills and light fittings
- Sweep cobwebs
- Take everything off bedside tables and dust surface
- Vacuum/Sweep floors
- Empty clutter bucket
- Put away cleaning equipment
Bathroom
Every Day:
- Clean toilet (and check for toilet paper)
- Wipe down benches
- Wipe out sink
- Use squeegee on shower glass
- Put things away
Weekly Speed Clean:
- Use your clutter bucket to collect items that don’t belong in that room
- Wipe windowsills and light fittings
- Sweep cobwebs
- Shake bath mat
- Clean shower and bath
- Vacuum/Sweep and wash floors
- Empty clutter bucket
- Put away cleaning equipment
Create a system to make cleaning at home as easy and fast as possible so you can get out and do some fun stuff with the family. Cleaning will be easier if you tackle a bit each day and keep it up each week. Get the family involved in the system and allocate them a task to do each week. Or if you are the one on duty for the day listen to a podcast or music or put the timer on to see how quick you can get the job done to make the task more enjoyable.
Do you use a system for cleaning at your house that you could share below in the comments?
If you need a hand to set up a speed cleaning routine contact me here, or you can book me here.
**A clutter bucket is any kind of handled bucket used to transport items from one room to another. Select whichever size suits you best.