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Original poster

Tell me your most ingenious cleaning/ time saving hacks??

161 replies

Chloefairydust · 07/10/2022 02:12

Looking for some cleaning inspiration, and I love anything that saves time, or is multitasking.

If you have any tips or ideas to share?

I will go first. I use a spray mop to clean my floors each day. It takes me like 2 minutes and because I do it daily the dirt never actually builds up on the floor. I use either zoflora or fabulousa so it also makes my home smell nice.

OP posts:
OatFox · 07/10/2022 02:16

Hose down the shower once you're done with some spray and the shower head so it's always clean.

Original poster
Chloefairydust · 07/10/2022 02:19

@OatFox this sounds like a good idea, I do hate having to scrub the shower weekly, and the glass always gets those limescale marks on that are really difficult to clean… What spray do you use?

OP posts:
PrunellaMcTat · 07/10/2022 02:24

We keep a glass scraper in the shower (like a rubber windscreen wiper on a short handle - what are they called?) and everyone in the family knows to scrape down the glass when they finish showering.

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Cleaning
FindingMeno · 07/10/2022 03:23

I keep as little as possible out on the kitchen surfaces so there's less to clean.
It's easier to pull the toaster ( standing on a little tray) out of the cupboard when you want to use it than perpetually be cleaning spag bol etc. off it.

Nat6999 · 07/10/2022 03:37

I spray the sink & toilet before I have a shower, they both just need a wipe & a rinse afterwards, the steam helps to lift the dirt.

Stripypopsicle · 07/10/2022 03:44

I paid someone to professionally clean my shower glass. This was in 2019 before covid. I’d tried everything and couldn’t get the white marks off (hard water area). She told me she used Harpic limescale remover.
She told me to use a squeegee each time we shower to wipe the water off the glass and we haven’t had any white marks since.

Original poster
Chloefairydust · 07/10/2022 04:13

FindingMeno · 07/10/2022 03:23

I keep as little as possible out on the kitchen surfaces so there's less to clean.
It's easier to pull the toaster ( standing on a little tray) out of the cupboard when you want to use it than perpetually be cleaning spag bol etc. off it.

Unfortunately I have a small kitchen with little storage so have to keep some things on the worktop. I try not to keep too many unnecessary kitchen appliances. (Would love a bread maker and an air fryer but I just don’t have the space).

Love the idea of a squeegee in the shower though…

OP posts:
RockAndRollerskate · 07/10/2022 04:20

Get stuff done as the kettle boils, it’s amazing how much a few minutes a few times a day makes.

Wipe the sink as you brush teeth,

lamaze1 · 07/10/2022 04:31

Re limescale I'm in a hard water area. If it is really bad / has built up for a while viakal spray is amazing. Just be careful of the surfaces and don't leave for a long time.

As a top up/maintenance white vinegar (I put in a spray bottle). Spray, wipe around and rinse works wonders. Again vinegar is corrosive so do f leave for long.

lamaze1 · 07/10/2022 04:32

*don't leave for long

MissMarplesGoddaughter · 07/10/2022 04:36

Never go up or downstairs empty handed.
Finish jobs off properly, i.e. don't just sort and fold laundry, put it away.
Keep the hall way tidy, it really makes your home look welcoming when you open the front door.
Have a damp e-cloth in your hand and wipe down light switches and skirting boards as you chat on the phone.

Superfrog3 · 07/10/2022 07:08

Use a flash floor mop to clean bathroom tiles. I'm short so can never reach up the top 🙃

lannistunut · 07/10/2022 07:11

The biggest way to save time is to do less and keep the house free of clutter in the first place. Train your kids to put everything away themselves.

I keep the kitchen and bathroom clean of course but the rest of the house needs nothing other than hoovering.

KangarooKenny · 07/10/2022 07:12

I do certain things on certain days, so it all gets done in rotation.

PuttingDownRoots · 07/10/2022 07:15

When taking the washing in, sort into a pile for each person as you do it instead of all into a basket. Each person can then take their pile straight away.

(In theory... reality is many reminders for the children!)

ruthieness · 07/10/2022 07:18

When you change the sheets use the used pillowcases to dust the room - particularly bedside tables!

HairyKnobsAndBroomsticks · 07/10/2022 07:23

PrunellaMcTat · 07/10/2022 02:24

We keep a glass scraper in the shower (like a rubber windscreen wiper on a short handle - what are they called?) and everyone in the family knows to scrape down the glass when they finish showering.

That's called a squeegy 😁

Purpleavocado · 07/10/2022 07:36

If you're using an airer to try clothes put as many as possible on hangers to drop the creases out.
When you're cooking fill the sink with soapy water so you can put dirty pans straight in.

AltheaVestr1t · 07/10/2022 07:49

lannistunut · 07/10/2022 07:11

The biggest way to save time is to do less and keep the house free of clutter in the first place. Train your kids to put everything away themselves.

I keep the kitchen and bathroom clean of course but the rest of the house needs nothing other than hoovering.

This! Clean as you go, every single time. I still training my 11 year old...

tocas · 07/10/2022 07:53

Deculttering is the best thing we did, get rid of absolutely everything you don't either love or use frequently. It's nightmarish trying to keep a cluttered house clean and tidy but when all the clutter is gone it's not that hard.

AllThatFancyPaintsAsFair · 07/10/2022 08:00

RockAndRollerskate · 07/10/2022 04:20

Get stuff done as the kettle boils, it’s amazing how much a few minutes a few times a day makes.

Wipe the sink as you brush teeth,

I've seen this tip before and didn't get it then either, are there people who literally stand and watch the kettle while it boils? Doesn't everyone just switch it on, carry on with what your doing then make the drink?

puddingandsun · 07/10/2022 08:04

Placemarking for when someone gives tips for cleaning the oven.

Nippynopnop · 07/10/2022 08:10

Fluffy dusters are great. Swiffer and damp microfiber cloth for tiled floors.

Rainbowqueeen · 07/10/2022 08:17

If your DC are little, clean the rest of the bathroom while supervising them in the bath

Introduce the 15 minute tidy rule where everyone in the house has to work together for 15 minutes tidying. Good if you are expecting visitors. Set a timer and go go go. Younger kids can put stuff away and dust.

Give your DC chores from a very young age. They can help fold washing, set the table etc very early

PAFMO · 07/10/2022 08:20

puddingandsun · 07/10/2022 08:04

Placemarking for when someone gives tips for cleaning the oven.

Buy a new one. Grin
I'd love a tip for that too because it's the one thing that gets the better of me.

I've just rediscovered the Sonic Scrubber! I used to have one years ago, lost it, forgot about it. Saw one advertised on Amazon offers and remembered. Fuck me it's satisfying. I'm doing a metre of "between the bathroom tiles" a day and getting into all those awkward corners. Might try it in my oven...