How’s it going, friends?
Anyone else feel like adulthood is just a constant battle to keep ourselves fed and everything clean?
Between work, errands, social commitments, and trying to squeeze in some much-needed downtime, cleaning can feel like one more never-ending task on the to-do list.
We certainly can’t say we feel like Mrs. Doubtfire every time we pick up a broom!
But what if we told you there’s a way to get your home in shape without sacrificing your entire weekend (or your sanity)?
The secret? Cleaning smarter, not harder. 🧼🫧
Here’s five tips to streamline your routine, save time, and—most importantly—free yourself up to actually live your busy life.
🧴 Clean Smarter with a Simple Routine
1. Choose your journey: Break it down by zone OR task. 🤔 First things first: Do you want to clean by zone or by task? Zones might be a great choice if you’re the type of person who likes to focus on one area at a time (e.g., living room, bathroom, kitchen). Tasks might be easier for you if you want to do all the dusting at once or tackle all the floors in one go. There’s no right or wrong here—just pick what works best for your schedule and space.
2. Decide on regularity. 📅 Will you clean once a week? Twice a month? Or do you prefer a daily “touch-up” approach? Setting a regular schedule is key. For example, doing a 10-minute tidy-up daily might save you from that dreaded 2-hour weekend cleaning marathon. Keep it simple and realistic so you actually stick to it.
3. Write it down on a visible calendar OR use an app. 📝 Sometimes we need a little external reminder to stay on track. Write your cleaning tasks on a visible calendar in your kitchen or bedroom, or use an app like Home Tasker, Sweepy, or even Google Calendar to set up recurring cleaning tasks. That way, you’ll always know what needs to be done and when to do it. Plus, checking things off feels oddly satisfying, doesn’t it?
4. Delegate! 🆘 If you don’t live alone, get others involved and split up responsibilities. Teamwork makes the dream work (and cuts your cleaning time in half).
5. Use what you already have. 🧽 Challenge yourself to not buy any new products. You probably already own the ingredients for an all-purpose cleaner or an effective scrub—no need for fancy products. In fact, making your own solutions can be cheaper and just as effective.
ℹ️ For a Quick Guide. A vinegar & water mixture is a great all-purpose cleaner for windows, glass, floors, and anything with grease (think microwaves & range hoods). Baking soda, dish soap, & water is a great scrub for counters, showers/tubs, and sinks.
✨ BONUS TIP: Sub regular paper towels for reusable washable dishcloths or repurpose old t-shirts and towels into cleaning rags.
While we’re on the topic of tackling boring, but necessary tasks smarter, when was the last time you updated your insurance policies?
Between life, auto, home, and disability insurance, decision fatigue can be real.
But Policy Genius makes it easy to feel confident in your decision, and they save a ton of time comparing options all in one place! **
Spending is a skill and you can learn to master it. If you’ve ever struggled with being unable to stick to a budget or felt guilty about spending on something you enjoy, Jen and Jill’s debut book is going to be your next favorite read.
Keep things tidy,
Misti
⭐️⭐️ P.S. Want to share all this goodness with your friends AND earn cool Frugal Friends merch?
**Means this is a sponsored or affiliate section. We may earn a small fee or commission when you choose to try one of our sponsor or affiliate partners. But opinions are still 1000% our own.
