How to Set up an Easy Cleaning Routine

One thing I’m not very good at is cleaning my home.

I’ve admitted it. I don’t have a cleaning schedule, regular routine, nor the best products to use to get my house as clean as it should be. I’m taking this as a challenge to finally set a routine, make my own cleaning products and get to work!

Here are my three tips for creating an easy cleaning routine.

Create a Cleaning List that Works for You

There are many cleaning checklists all over the internet, but what if they don’t fit you home and life? If you don’t have pets, children, a dining room, then sometimes these lists can be useless.

I say, make a list of all the cleaning you’d like to do to your house on a daily, weekly, monthly and season basis. Walk around your house with a pen and paper (or your laptop if you like to work paperless like I do) and make a list in each room of the cleaning tasks that have to be done. Then write if they should be daily, weekly, monthly, etc you get the picture.

This way you’ll focus in on doing only what YOUR home needs and what works for your time. Put the list to good use when needed.

Use the Right Cleaning Tools

There are also lots of fancy cleaning gadgets out there to save you effort, scrubbing, or time. Picking the best tools and you will save all these things, plus get a sparkling home in no time.

Here are my favorite cleaning tools:

• Cleaning Caddy (see below)

This keeps all your tools in one place and will keep you prepped for cleaning up at a moment’s notice.

• Scotch-Brite® Sponges, both Heavy Duty (the green) and Non-Scratch (the blue), and the Scotch-Brite® Non-Scratch Soap Dispensing Dishwand

These are the best sponges out there and I’ve used them for as long as I can remember. It’s great they different colors are designed to work on different surface (green for heavy duty  and blue for non-scratch). That way you will know which sponge will work for what task. You don’t want to wash your dishes with the same sponge you cleaned the shower with right?  We use the green for cleaning outside, furniture, the grill, floors and such. The blue are for the non-stick dishes, the countertops, and bathrooms.

We use the Heavy Duty sponge for cleaning the sink almost daily. The scrubbing side for the stainless part. All I do is spray cleaner and then lightly scrub the entire sink.  The Non-Scratch sponge’s yellow side we use for the countertops, bathroom sinks and counters.

The dishwand is very handy and easy to use. You just fill the container with soap and use it on your dirtiest plates and cups. The dishwand comes in non-scratch and heavy duty, which means you can use it on non-stick cookware, counters and more.

• Your Favorite Natural Cleaning Products

I’m just starting to make my own cleaning products such as natural delicate-surface scrub, toilet bombs, all purpose cleaner and others.  I don’t have recipes up yet but I’ll post some soon!

Make a Cleaning Caddy

I found this tip saved me the most time when cleaning. Put together a bucket or caddy for each floor of your home that includes all the tools you need, except brooms and vacuums of course. Store it in a convenient place and you’ll be all set to pull it out every time you need to do a quick or thorough job.

You don’t have to get fancy with your caddy, a simple bucket or even reusable bag would work. The most effective cleaning caddy should include:

1. Natural cleaning products – Windows, All-Purpose, etc.
2. Sponges
3. Microfiber cloths or towels
4. Rubber gloves (optional)

This will save you time and stress looking for supplies when you most need them and keep your home in the cleanest condition. For more cleaning tips see these posts and get a free checklist for cleaning your kitchen in 8 days steps.

• How to Really Clean Your Kitchen in 8 Easy Steps + A Free Checklist
• Clean Your Oven Naturally with No Scrubbing

Disclaimer: This shop was originally compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.