Want to make a home fresh and organized, but don’t know where to start? The good news is that you don’t need fancy products or a lot of time to make a big difference. By using a few simple tricks, you can keep your entire house clean and make it a healthier, more pleasant place to live. This guide shares 30 easy house cleaning tips and tricks to help you do just that.
Whether you’re doing a one-day cleaning to refresh your space or managing extra mess as a pet owner, these tips and tricks will help you stay on track. Moreover, house cleaning tips and types will guide Austin homeowners to make their homes shine.
1. Declutter Regularly
First of all, start with tidying up the things and hiding clutter before cleaning with the mop or vacuum. Put all tangible trash in bins or baskets, and clear the countertops. After you are done organizing all the things, you will have access to all the tiny places you need to clean.
Decluttering not only makes cleaning easier but also helps your home look more spacious and peaceful. Try to spend just 10–15 minutes a day picking up items that are out of place—it adds up and keeps mess from piling up.
2. Make Your Bed Every Morning for Tidiness
The first thing you should do before bathing is to make your bed quickly. It makes your room look instantly neat and clean. This is the happy start of the day, and you stay hygienic all day.
Making the bed also motivates you to keep the rest of your room clean. It sets a positive tone for your morning and helps you build good habits that make your space more relaxing.
3. Use Clean Tools
After getting rid of the trash, go clean your tools. Make sure to wash mop heads, change vacuum bags, and sanitize cloths after each use. Don’t use dirty supplies; they just spread germs.
Clean tools work better and last longer. Take a few minutes after each cleaning session to rinse, dry, and store them properly. This small effort ensures you’re always ready for the next clean-up.
4. Gather Up Cleaning Equipment
Then organize all of your tools in one place. Pile up all the sprays, cloths, and brushes in a small caddy, and you’re ready and all set to clean your home.
Having everything within reach saves time and keeps you from stopping midway to look for supplies. You can also label bottles or group products by room to make the process smoother and faster. You should get ready before diving into surprising cleaning hacks.
5. Use Color-Coded Cloths
Assign specific cloths for the bathroom, kitchen, and general surfaces. This avoids cross-contamination.
For example, use blue cloths for the kitchen, yellow for the bathroom, and green for dusting furniture. Labeling or storing them separately helps everyone in the household remember which clothes go where, promoting a safer and more hygienic cleaning routine.
6. Clean from Top to Bottom
After that, start dusting without spraying harsh chemicals. Start high with shelves and ceiling fans, then move down to tables, and finally clean the floors weekly or at least biweekly for a full refresh.
This method ensures that dirt and dust don’t fall on already-cleaned surfaces. Using a microfiber cloth helps trap dust instead of spreading it around, giving your home a spotless finish.
7. Change HVAC Filters
HVAC filters are built to trap the dust particles and allergens, etc, before air enters the house. A fresh filter reduces allergens and keeps your home feeling fresher. At least, replace every 2–3 months.
Clogged filters make your system work harder and can increase energy bills. Highlight the date of replacement on your calendar or set a reminder so you don’t forget this simple but important task.
8. Deep Clean Windows Without Streaks
If the exterior of a house is not well-maintained, it loses all its grace. Windows are the main part of the exterior. For a high-quality shine without any stains, clean windows with vinegar and water using a microfiber cloth. For convenience, do this on a cloudy day so the cleaner doesn’t dry too fast.
9. Vacuum Blinds and Drapes
Dust builds up quickly. Use a vacuum attachment or toss curtains in the dryer on an air cycle.
Blinds and drapes collect hidden dust that can trigger allergies and make rooms feel dull. Try to clean them at least once a month to maintain fresh air and brightness in your home. For deep cleaning, remove blinds once or twice a year and wipe them with a damp cloth.
10. Dust Ceiling Fans with a Pillowcase
Slip a pillowcase over the fan blades and wipe them. This traps dust instead of letting it fall onto your clean surfaces. Hence, you will not have to put in more effort cleaning the floor later.
It’s a clever hack that saves both time and mess. You can lightly dampen the pillowcase for stubborn dust, and don’t forget to clean the fan motor and light fixtures too while you’re at it.
11. Wipe Down Mirrors
Mirrors are the most focused things in a house. Use a glass cleaner spray or vinegar and a microfiber cloth to wipe down mirrors, making them sparkle and clean your room. Teen girls tend to stay more engaged while doing their makeup and creating TikTok reels. So this is also vital.
Regularly cleaning mirrors also improves lighting in your room and gives a fresh, polished look. For streak-free results, wipe in circular motions or use a newspaper for a smooth shine.
In make-ready and move-out cleaning, spotless mirrors create a strong first impression and reflect the overall freshness of the property.
12. Deep Clean Your Mattress and Pillows
Your sleeping place should be clean and germ-free. You should perform regular vacuuming and sanitizing of mattresses to remove dust mites, and wash pillows every few months to keep them fresh.
Sprinkle a bit of baking soda before vacuuming to neutralize odors and absorb moisture. Let your bedding air out when changing sheets to keep it fresh and breathable throughout the week.
13. Deep Clean Wood Furniture with Tea
One interesting fact is that the cooled black tea is seen to be very effective in removing dirt and giving wood furniture a natural shine. So, use it and keep your wood furniture clean, safe, and in good condition.
14. Wash Shower Curtains
You can keep bathrooms fresh by tossing shower curtains into the washing machine regularly.
Add a few towels to the load to scrub away soap scum while washing. Make sure to hang them up immediately to air dry and prevent mildew. A clean curtain instantly makes your bathroom look newer and smell better.
15. Clean and Sanitize the Bathroom
Bathrooms are often considered dirty and pose a significant health hazard if not cleaned thoroughly. Clean the bathroom weekly by scrubbing toilets, sinks, and shower tiles. Don’t forget to disinfect faucets, sanitize your sink, and frequently touched surfaces, such as handles.
16. Prevent and Clear Sink Drains
You should use a mix of vinegar and baking soda to clean drains and keep them fresh and clog-free.
17. Clean and Scrub Showers and Tubs
Use a vinegar and dish soap mixture to scrub showers. This mixture is a proven hack to keep your showers and tubs clean. Scrub brush speeds it up to 90%.
For best results, let the mixture sit for 10–15 minutes and then start scrubbing. It will loosen soap scum and grime.
18. Clean Faucet Heads with Vinegar
Hard water leaves buildup and accumulates scales on faucets. To keep these clean and restore the water flow, the best way is to soak them in vinegar overnight.
19. Wipe Down Baseboards
Baseboards often get ignored because they are hard to clean. But do you know dirty baseboards make rooms look dull? A quick wipe with a damp cloth instantly brightens them.
20. Shine Stainless Steel Appliances
We use numerous steel appliances in our daily lives. We keep touching them and leave fingerprints, etc. These can contain germs if not cleaned regularly. You can clean them up by using dish soap and water with a microfiber cloth.
21. Remove Scuff Marks from Floors
When something is rubbed against another object, it can leave color or scuff marks. It makes your home look off if not removed. That’s why you need to rub scuff marks with a tennis ball or melamine sponge for spotless flooring.
22. Sanitize Cutting Boards
While cutting the vegetables or ingredients on a cutting board, it gets some cut spaces in it. To make it healthy for future use, you need to sanitize it properly. Lemons, vinegar, or hydrogen peroxide help kill bacteria trapped in small knife cuts.
23. Descale Coffee Makers and Kettles
If we continue making coffee in coffee makers and kettles, a lot of scales and minerals get deposited in the corners. If they are not washed properly, they are subject to bacterial growth. Therefore, we need to eliminate these minerals. For this, we use vinegar and water through machines to dissolve mineral deposits.
24. Microwave Sponges Safely
Sponges that are often used for dishwashing give off a bad odor and also contain some bacteria. We need to clean them properly so we stay away from danger. For that, we dampen and microwave sponges for 1–2 minutes to kill bacteria. But, be careful when removing – they’ll be hot! Don’t get your hands burned.
25. Freshen the Microwave with Steam
Most of the time, we only use the microwave for cooking purposes, but we often neglect to clean our house professionally. If we ignore it for a long time, it can pose a significant health hazard to us. There are certain bacteria that can even survive the heat of an oven. To wipe them off, steam a bowl of lemon water inside the microwave. This will loosen grime and will wipe it away easily.
Remember the 20/10 rule for cleaning—clean for 20 minutes, then take a 10-minute break to stay productive without burnout. Join a cleaning community online or locally to share motivation, house cleaning tips, and keep your cleaning habits consistent.
26. Deep Clean the Fridge
In this era, there’s no life without a refrigerator. We store a bunch of things by maintaining their temperature. Sometimes, due to a longer delay in cleaning, it gives a foul smell and encourages the growth of fungus.
27. Vacuum Efficiently
Next, go with vacuum cleaning. If you do it slowly with overlapping strokes, it will help you collect more dust and dirt. Most people forget to vacuum under furniture and along baseboards, but you should not be one of them.
To prevent this foul smell, empty the fridge, wipe the shelves with a baking soda solution, discard expired items, and reorganize. A monthly clean keeps food safe and odors away.
28. Clean Off Counters Daily
If you don’t wipe out things regularly, the clutter feels messy. To keep things well-organized and stay motivated, wipe down surfaces daily to remove crumbs, spills, and stains.
29. Disinfect Things You Touch Often
Door handles, remotes, and phones are common sources of germs. Wipe them down daily with disinfectant wipes.
These high-touch surfaces can quickly spread bacteria and viruses from one person to another. Make it a routine to disinfect them at the same time each day—like before bedtime or after returning home—to maintain a hygienic environment.
30. Clean Up Spills Immediately
As human beings, we make mistakes and accidents happen. We accidentally spill liquids like coffee or tea, and if these spills are not cleaned well, they leave marks on the floor. So, don’t wait—spills set in fast. You can use the microfiber cloths or a towel to blot and clean before stains develop.
Quick response not only prevents permanent stains but also helps avoid sticky residues and bad odors.
31. Create a Schedule That Works
Divide chores into daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. A schedule that works prevents overwhelming cleaning marathons.
Consistency is key—plan realistic tasks according to your lifestyle and household size. You can even post your schedule on the fridge or use a cleaning app to stay organized and motivated over time.
Final Thoughts
In short, this article lists 30 efficient house cleaning tips that have proven to help your home shine. Quick steps include creating a cleaning schedule, focusing on busy places, and using baking soda for cleaning to enjoy a healthier living environment. If you want to go deep, trust professional Azure Cleaning Services, Austin, TX, to keep your home spotless and fresh.
