House cleaning hacks and tips: how to keep your home clean with less effort

Start with a simple cleaning routine

One of the biggest barriers to a clean home is feeling overwhelmed. Instead of trying to do everything at once, break tasks into manageable chunks. A structured routine helps maintain cleanliness without burnout.

For example:

• Daily - make beds, wipe kitchen benches, wash dishes, and do quick clutter sweeps
• Weekly - vacuum and mop floors, clean bathrooms, dust surfaces
• Monthly - deep clean appliances, wash windows, wipe skirting boards
• Seasonally - declutter wardrobes, clean carpets, organise storage areas.

Consistency is key. Small, regular efforts prevent dirt and clutter from building up.

Declutter before you clean

Cleaning around clutter wastes time and reduces effectiveness. Before you reach for cleaning products, take a few minutes to tidy up. Grab a basket or box, walk through the room and collect out-of-place items to return to their proper locations. A clutter-free space is faster to clean and instantly looks more organised.

You can almost eliminate decluttering time by following the one-touch rule: when you pick something up or carry something into the house, don't do anything else until you put it away properly. That means hanging up your jacket instead of draping it over a chair, putting dishes straight into the dishwasher instead of leaving them in the sink, and dropping junk mail directly into your recycling bin (or have a "No advertising material" sign on your letter box). 

Clean top to bottom, left to right

Professional cleaners follow a system for good reason.

Cleaning from top to bottom ensures dust and debris fall downward, so you're not re-cleaning areas. Start with ceiling fans, vents or cobwebs before moving to shelves, benches and furniture. Finish with floors last.

Working left to right helps you stay organised and ensures nothing is missed.

Get the whole household involved

Keeping a home clean shouldn't fall on one person. Sharing responsibilities makes cleaning more manageable and sustainable.

Consider setting shared expectations for tidiness and creating a weekly cleaning roster. If you have children, you can assign them age-appropriate chores.

When everyone contributes, maintaining a clean home becomes easier.

More: How to divide chores around the home and get kids involved

Use microfibre cloths when cleaning glass for a streak-free shine.

Keep your cleaning equipment clean

Wiping away spills and stains with dirty equipment can spread germs around your house, so take a moment to clean your gear before hitting those big cleaning tasks.

• Dish sponge – if your dish sponge doesn't contain any metal, soak it in water and pop it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes to kill any bacteria on it. Alternatively, wash it in hot, soapy water, wring it out, then soak it in boiling water before letting it dry.

• Duster – invest in a pack of microfibre cloths or a duster with a removable microfibre head. Microfibre is a fabric that attracts and holds dust with an electrostatic charge. It also doesn't leave behind lint, dust or fibres. Best of all, it's machine-washable. Colour-code your cloths by room (for example kitchen, bathroom, bedroom) for an easy way to avoid cross-contamination.

• Mop – to quickly disinfect a mop head, immerse it in boiled water until the water cools, then let dry. Replace your mop head every three months: most brands sell replacement heads.

• Vacuum cleaner – apart from emptying the receptable, check whether you can wash the filters. If you can't, tap as much dirt and dust off as you can. Check the nozzle for any debris blockages, and cut hairs and threads from the brush head with a pair of scissors (taking care not to snip away the bristles).

• Washing machine – once a month, run a hot wash in your washing machine with no clothes or detergent to eliminate mould and bacteria. There are also many ways you can save money on your laundry costs.

• Clothes dryer – clear out any debris, then rub the drum with a microfibre cloth dipped in mild dish soap diluted in hot (but not boiling) water. Tumble a load of clean clothes or towels to dry. To clean out your dryer's exhaust vent, you will need to hire a professional or buy a dryer vent cleaning kit. Find out which type of clothes dryer is more energy efficient and economical.

Use multipurpose cleaning solutions

You don't need a cupboard full of specialised products. Many surfaces can be cleaned effectively with simple, versatile solutions. Using fewer products simplifies your routine and reduces costs.

For most cleaning tasks, you can use:

• microfibre cloths - they trap dust and dirt without chemicals
• warm soapy water - it's simple and effective for most surfaces
• vinegar and water mix - great for glass and general cleaning
• bicarbonate of soda - it helps tackle stains and odours.

More: Homemade and eco-friendly cleaning tips for a natural home

Vinegar and bicarb soda: cleaning heroes

Even if you prefer to use store-bought cleaning products, having natural cleaning products like vinegar and bicarbonate of soda (also called bicarb or baking soda) on hand can really pay off.

Vinegar and bicarbonate can be used in a wide variety of cleaning tasks across all rooms in your house and are effective when it comes to stain removal (and can save you money at the same time).

Here are just a few ways that you can use these common household products:

• Easily unclog drains - pour half a cup of bicarb soda down the drain, followed by a cup of vinegar. Cover the drain wait for 15 minutes, then chase it up with boiling water to clear out your drain. If you have a serious or emergency clog that you can't solve, book a qualified plumber.

• Wipe your windows clean - make a solution of 1:1 vinegar and water and pour into a spray bottle. Spray onto your glass windows, let sit for a moment, then wipe clean with a microfibre cloth.

• Keep your microwave squeaky clean - put equal amounts vinegar and water in a microwave-safe bowl, plus a small wooden object (like a toothpick) to prevent boiling. Set your microwave on high for 5-10 minutes, then wait a few minutes to let it cool down. Then simply wipe down the inside with a paper towel or a sponge.

• Banish built-up grime and odours in your dishwasher - put a cup of vinegar on the upper rack and run a hot cycle. Then sprinkle a cup of bicarb soda across the bottom of the dishwasher and run a short hot cycle.

• Get your glassware sparkling - soak away built-up film on your glasses with vinegar for 5 minutes. Hand rinse them afterwards and dry with a microfibre cloth for a streak-free shine.

• Quickly scrub away soap scum in your shower – create a solution of half vinegar and half dish soap. Put the solution into a dish wand for extra easy cleaning.

• Tackle shower grout - mix bicarb and water into a paste and working it into tile grout with an old toothbrush. Fill a spray bottle with vinegar and spray it over the paste so that it bubbles into a thick mixture. Then get scrubbing, and rinse well with water when you’re done.

• Clean off grimy shower glass - first give it a wipe down with a microfibre cloth to remove hairs and lint. Fill a spray bottle with 1:9 white vinegar to water and spray the glass down. Buff the glass with a clean microfibre cloth.

• Restore your shower head’s water pressure - pour half white vinegar and half water into a small plastic bag. Tie the bag around your shower head so that the holes are immersed, securing the bag with a twist tie or similar. Let it soak for about 60 minutes, then remove the bag and wipe away the loosened limescale deposits.

• Break up fabric stains and odours - sprinkle some bicarb soda over the offending area. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes, then vacuum it up with a brush attachment.

• Prevent musty smells in your linen closet - store your open box of bicarb soda near your sheets and towels.

• Absorb food odours in your fridge - keep a ramekin full of bicarb soda on a shelf.
  

Vinegar and bicarb soda can be used for many household cleaning jobs. 

Tackle the kitchen efficiently

The kitchen is one of the busiest and messiest areas of the home. A few smart habits can keep it under control.

Try to clean up as you cook to prevent build-up, and wipe spills immediately to avoid sticky residue. You can also line bins with newspaper or baking soda to absorb odours.

For deeper kitchen cleaning:

• soak greasy oven trays instead of scrubbing
• use steam (from boiling water) to loosen microwave grime
• run the dishwasher regularly to avoid piling up dishes.

More: How to organise your kitchen pantry, drawers and shelves

Make bathroom cleaning easier

Bathrooms require frequent cleaning, but small habits can reduce the workload. Preventative habits reduce mould, soap scum and grime over time.

Make sure to hang towels properly so they dry quickly and give shower screens a quick wipe-down after use to prevent watermarks.

When you're cleaning your bathrooms:

• let cleaning products sit for a few minutes before scrubbing
• use an old toothbrush to clean grout and tight spaces
• clean mirrors with a lint-free cloth to avoid streaks.

More: How to best organise and clean your bathroom

Speed up dusting and vacuuming

Dust and dirt can accumulate quickly, especially in high-traffic areas. Efficient techniques can save time and improve results.

When dusting:

• use microfibre cloths instead of feather dusters
• dust in one direction to collect, not spread, dirt
• don't forget often-missed areas like skirting boards, blinds and light fixtures.

When vacuuming:

• use the right attachment for each surface
• vacuum slowly for better dirt removal
• empty the vacuum regularly to maintain suction.

More: How to pick the best vacuum cleaner

Freshen up fabrics and soft furnishings

Soft surfaces like couches, curtains and carpets can trap dust, odours and allergens.

Keep them fresh with these hacks:

• sprinkle bicarb soda on carpets before vacuuming to neutralise odours
• air out cushions and rugs in sunlight where possible
• wash cushion covers and throws regularly
• vacuum upholstered furniture using the appropriate attachment.

Regular maintenance improves air quality and extends the life of furnishings.

Vacuum slowly for better debris removal. Image: Getty

Don't forget hidden and high-touch areas

Some of the dirtiest spots in your home are often overlooked. Paying attention to these areas can make a big difference.

High-touch surfaces to clean regularly include:

• door handles and light switches
• remote controls and phones
• tap handles and appliance buttons.

There are also several hidden areas in your home to include in your cleaning routine: behind appliances, under furniture, and inside cupboards and drawers.

Cleaning these areas helps reduce germs and prevents long-term buildup.

Detox your bins and garbage disposal

Lemon is your best friend when it comes to getting rid of nasty odours. If you have a garbage disposal, cut a lemon up and throw a few small slices down the disposal, followed by cold water. The blades will cut through the lemon, releasing a fresh citrus smell while the citric acid kills bacteria and softens hard waste.
 
Deep clean your empty kitchen bin once a week by filling it with hot, soapy water and leaving it for an hour. After rinsing, use fresh soapy water and a scouring pad to scrub the interior. To neutralise any remaining odours, sprinkle bicarb soda into the bin and leave for an hour or two.

You can also put natural deodorisers like bicarb soda, vinegar, lemon or coffee grounds in bins and rubbish bags to help soak up odours.

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