7 Quickie cleaning tips

CLEAN UP YOUR ACT

Does your house cleaning chore list seem endless? In the hustle and bustle of daily life, maintaining a regular home cleaning schedule can seem impossible. Amanda Thomas, self-proclaimed domestic diva and owner of Arizona-based Moxie Girl Household Assistants, has the perfect cleaning shortcuts and cleaning tips to keep your home clean and your sanity intact.

Work from top to bottom and left to right.

This is a great rule of thumb to make the most of your cleaning time. "Work from top to bottom, knocking down dust and debris as you go. Just make sure to vacuum and/or mop at the very end," Thomas advises. "Also, move left to right through each room. By moving in a set pattern, you won't miss anything."

Keep glass cleaner and paper towels under every bathroom sink.

Talk about a time saver: Having the proper tools in the right place at the right time is a definite plus. "This way, the glass cleaner and paper towels are there when the water spots and toothpaste start to drive you nuts," says Thomas.

Clean tubs and showers as you use them.

"If you start to see the orange soap scum forming, take a rag into the shower with you and quickly wipe it away. After a bath, use the washcloth to quickly wipe down the edge and bottom of the tub to get dust and soap scum up," Thomas recommends.

Keep a toilet brush and disinfectant wipes next to every toilet.

Think of ways to multitask. For instance, use these tools to clean the toilet while the kids are in the bath. Thomas suggests using these items as soon as you see a ring or stain forming in the toilet bowl. "This quick cleaning will get you through until you have time to do a deeper clean."

Load dishes into the dishwasher as you use them.

Then, run the dishwasher after dinner each night. Thomas recommends making this a family affair. "Designate one person in your home to empty the dishwasher first thing in the morning so it can be filled throughout the day."

Pick up clutter with a basket.

Clear the chaos by picking up clutter with the help of a basket. Throughout the day, add items to the basket that don't belong in the room. "Then, as you move from room to room, put the items away in their appropriate homes," Thomas says. Another great organization idea: Label the storage boxes for your kids' toys. "Picking up goes much faster when you know where each item goes," says Thomas.

Invest in a duster with an extendable handle.

"Dusters with extendable handles are ideal for doing quick dusting of window blinds and shutters, leather furniture and especially baseboards. You don't even have to bend over!" Thomas says.

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