Keeping your space clean doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether you're a neat freak or a self-confessed mess-maker, these 10 cleaning tips will help make tidying up faster, easier, and maybe even... fun?

1. Use Vinegar & Baking Soda for Almost Anything

This dynamic duo cleans sinks, unclogs drains, removes odors, and even gets stains out of mugs. Mix 1/2 cup baking soda with 1/2 cup vinegar, pour it into your drain, and let the fizzy magic happen.

2. Clean as You Go (The Golden Rule)

Waiting until things pile up makes cleaning feel like a chore. Wipe down counters while you cook, and put items back where they belong. Little habits = big results.

3. Lemon is Nature’s Bleach

Rub half a lemon over faucets to remove hard water stains or microwave it in a bowl of water to loosen food splatters and freshen the air.

4. Vacuum in Two Directions

Vacuuming once only lifts some debris. Go over carpets twice—once in a vertical pattern, then again horizontally—to really lift out dirt and dust.

5. Microfiber Cloths > Paper Towels

Microfiber traps more dirt, reduces waste, and is reusable. Keep a stash in every room for quick wipe-downs.

6. Declutter Before You Clean

It’s faster and more effective to clean a space when it’s not cluttered. Do a 5-minute “stuff sweep” first—just grab a laundry basket and gather things that don’t belong.

7. Use Dryer Sheets to Dust Baseboards

Even used ones work! They pick up dust and leave a slight residue that repels more dust from settling quickly.

8. Set a Timer

Cleaning can expand to fill the time you give it. Set a 15- or 20-minute timer and tackle just one room. You'll be surprised how much you can do.

9. Don’t Forget the Forgotten Zones

Remote controls, light switches, doorknobs, and fridge handles are germ magnets. Wipe them weekly with disinfectant.

10. Make Your Bed Every Morning

It sounds unrelated—but a made bed instantly makes your room look cleaner and sets a productive tone for the day.