Over the years, I’ve discovered simple and effective ways to keep my home clean and manageable, and I’m excited to share these tips with other moms who feel overwhelmed by the mess.
My tips are designed to help you maintain a tidy home without spending hours scrubbing and organizing.
With these strategies, you can conquer the clutter and enjoy a cleaner, more organized living space with minimal effort.
Key Takeaways
- Declutter Regularly: Start with getting rid of unnecessary items and use the “use it or lose it” policy.
- Organize Cleaning Supplies: Keep a cleaning supplies caddy and use free cleaning printables for organization.
- Efficient Room Cleaning: Tackle one room at a time, use bins for organizing, and clear counters and flat spaces regularly.
- Daily Habits: Wash your shower while showering, do dishes every night, and start your day with a load of laundry.
- Quick Surface Cleaning: Use lint rollers for crumbs, dryer sheets for dusting, and multipurpose cleaners for convenience.
- Make Cleaning Fun: Set timers for short bursts of cleaning and listen to music or podcasts to make it enjoyable.
- Involve Family: Share the cleaning tasks with everyone in the household to lighten the load.
Now that I’ve summed up a few general lazy cleanup rules to keep big messes from happening, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of what I do to keep things tidy:
25 Lazy Cleaning Tips You Wish You Knew Sooner (from a Professional)
1. Start Decluttering (Say Goodbye To Stuff!)
The first step to a clean home is to get rid of unnecessary items, so you have fewer things to clean and less stuff you don’t use, taking up space.
Declutter your space by removing things you no longer need or use (or have expired!!) and have piles for trash, recycling, and donating.
I always start with toys and clothes because closet space is a tough commodity, but do a little bit in every area of your home.
You can declutter some kitchen gadgets and utensils, shoes, bedding, towels, nail polish, makeup, and so much more.
2. “Use It Or Lose It”- Make Time Frames For Keeping
We made a “use it or lose it” policy for every item we own. If you haven’t used something within a set period, it’s time to donate or discard it.
For example, my husband bought a microwave potato chip maker for $5, and it was bulky- I said you’ve got 1 year, and if you haven’t used it, you lose it. Guess where that is now!
For clothes, I’ll hang shirts and pants with the hook facing the “wrong way” so that when I hang them up after wearing and washing them, the hook gets flipped, and I know I’ve worn them.
Any hooks left unflipped after 6 months are donated on my local Buy Nothing Facebook Group, and I remind myself to be more strict buying in the future.
I have a looser rule for some nice clothes, like dresses and dress shoes, because replacing those can be expensive—I’d rather keep a few options than spend $30+ to replace them.
3. Use Free Cleaning Printables
Free cleaning printables can help you stay organized and on track and give you a place to start when there’s so much that needs to get done.
I’ve worked hard on creating routines in our house that work for us and keep messes at bay so I don’t waste my whole weekend deep-cleaning everything that got ignored all week long.
I’ve got a decluttering checklist to help reduce what we own and a daily cleaning checklist to prevent the chaos from taking over.
They’re free to download and can make a big difference in how you tackle every room in your house, so please check them out!
4. Make A Cleaning Supplies Caddy
Have you ever noticed something is a bit dirty, and you don’t feel like going into the closet and digging out the cleaners to get it cleaned up?
The biggest lazy hack I have is tackling things whenever you notice them. To do that, you’ve got to have the supplies handy at all times.
A cleaning supplies caddy keeps all your essential cleaning products in one place besides having them under your sink or in a closet.
I have a big caddy that sits next to our couch in the living room, and I stash Lysol wipes and paper towels in literally every room!
This makes it easy to grab what you need and clean things up in the moment. Taking maybe 2 minutes to tackle some dirt keeps things clean a little more every day.
5. Work One Room At A Time
While I do try to do a few things every day, like some laundry or the dishes, I make it my goal to tackle one room at a time, usually one per day, and spend maybe 30 minutes picking up with my kids.
Focusing on one room at a time helps me avoid feeling overwhelmed. Complete all tasks in one area and get it totally cleaned up.
The hardest part is not getting distracted when something belongs somewhere else, and you feel like you need to put it away ASAP.
But that’s where my bins come in next!
6. Utilize Bins For Putting Away
I use bins outside of/inside rooms to collect things that need to be put away there and move them out of areas where they create clutter.
This way, I don’t get distracted in other rooms trying to put away a million things at once, feeling overwhelmed, and suddenly I’m cleaning two rooms or more instead of one.
If I find a screwdriver left on my coffee table, I put it in the basket by the basement stairs, labeled “Basement Put Away.”
When it comes to kids’ stuff like toys, clothes, art supplies, and more, you can have bins labeled with their names, and it’s their job to empty it every day and put all those things away.
7. Don’t Put It Down, Put It Away
On that note, wouldn’t it be nice to clean a room without so much stuff to put away so you can focus on wiping things down and vacuuming?
You’d be done cleaning quicker if you had less stuff to take care of- or if things got put away whenever they weren’t being used.
Get in the habit of putting items away immediately instead of setting them down. This prevents clutter from accumulating in the first place!
This can be hard to get the kids in the habit of, but I started it simple- unless something got put away, no taking out something new or starting a different game.
8. Keep Counters & Flat Spaces Clear At All Times
Next on my list of simple lazy cleaning tips is making sure every flat surface stays empty. This goes hand-in-hand with just putting whatever it is away when you’re done with it.
A clutter-free surface instantly makes your home look cleaner without much effort.
We don’t leave mail on the counter or trash on the coffee table, and even our remotes and coasters have a drawer in the side table where they always go (so I can find them later!).
9. Wash Your Shower & Tub While You Shower
You may have seen this all over TikTok and social media, but we started doing this over 20 years ago when I was a kid!
To keep your shower and tub clean, just clean them while you’re in the shower.
We had a shower stand that went in the corner, and the top shelf always had a scrubby and multipurpose cleaner on it, which I used on the walls and tub while my conditioner sat in my hair.
Now, we use a refillable dish scrubber with Dawn in it, and it saves space and works fast.
10. Wipe Down Surfaces/Appliances After Using
Get into the habit of wiping down surfaces and appliances after each use. This prevents buildup and makes deep cleaning less frequent.
Made a pb & j for lunch? Wipe the counter off. Made a smoothie for breakfast? Wipe down the base of the machine before you put it away. Washing your face in the bathroom? Use a Lysol wipe on the sink.
Every little bit keeps things from getting gross and prevents messes from piling up in little ways.
11. Tackle Dust With Dryer Sheets
Dryer sheets are great for dusting if you don’t want to use a wet rag with cleaner on it.
They not only remove dust but also help repel it from surfaces, keeping them cleaner longer when the dust doesn’t settle.
Just remember, the dust still happens if you don’t have an air filter sucking it up, so it may be on the floor or in your air vents instead, LOL.
12. Use Multipurpose/All-Purpose Cleaners
Multipurpose cleaners simplify your cleaning routine. One product can handle multiple surfaces, reducing the number of supplies you need.
I like using Simple Green, Lysol, Meyers, Dawn (yes, the dish soap!), and others- sometimes depending on who’s on sale!
They can be used on my kitchen counters, our tubs, my desk, my walls, and more without worrying about them messing with paint or leaving residue or grossisty behind.
13. Start Your Day With A Load of Laundry
Besides my morning adulations (thanks, calendar word of the day, LOL), I make my bed and gather up some laundry to clean.
Every load counts to tackle the constant need for clothes and towels. If you do at least one load per day, then you make sure you have what you need.
You can create a routine where you get one load fully washed and put away per day, or aim for more, but every bit helps to prevent the pile-up.
I include the laundry room as one of my spots on my daily cleaning checklist, so Fridays are my day to catch up on laundry, clean the machine, and make sure we have clean bedding for next week.
14. Do Dishes Every Night
Make it a habit to do the dishes every night and never go to bed with dirty dishes hanging around.
This prevents dishes from piling up and makes your kitchen look clean and inviting.
Load up the dishwasher and run it- even if it isn’t full! Then, set a timer for 20 minutes or put on an episode of your favorite comfort show to tackle the handwashing dishes.
And from one busy mom to another- invest in more dishes that go in the dishwasher so you spend less time standing at the sink!
15. Make Your Bed
Making your bed each morning sets a productive tone for the day and makes your bedroom look neater.
I said it before, but I make my bed and start laundry. A neat bed gives me a spot to fold laundry and use as a sorting place if I need it, but it also just makes my room look more put together.
It’s also just one of those things that keeps me from lounging or snacking in bed, too, because I don’t want to ruin my hard work until it’s bedtime.
16. Use Lint Rollers On Crumbs & Messes
Lint rollers are perfect for quickly picking up crumbs and small messes from various surfaces.
Crumbs on the couch or the floor can be rolled up quickly rather than getting the vacuum out, and that handles a little mess quickly.
When I’m lazy or don’t have a lint roller, I’ll just take packing tape or duct tape, roll it around my hands, and pat my hand on furniture to pick up dog hair and snack crumbs.
17. Set A Timer For Short Cleaning Bursts
Set a timer for 15-25 minutes and clean as much as you can within that time. Short, focused bursts of cleaning are more manageable and less daunting.
The timer acts as a motivator when you have little energy or not enough spoons to clean a whole room.
I just wing it by setting the timer and getting to work picking up clothes, trash, and whatever else is on the floors and tables in the main areas of our house—the kitchen, dining room, and living room.
When the timer is up, you can move on and chill out, or if you’ve gotten into the cleaning mood, tackle some more stuff while you have the energy.
18. Have Fun- Listen To Music Or Podcasts (No Movies!)
Make cleaning enjoyable by listening to your favorite music or podcasts. Motivation to clean is key, and we need to have fun whenever we can!
Avoid movies or TV shows you’ve been dying to watch or can’t resist watching, as they can be too distracting.
I keep seeing a TikTok where someone puts on Lilo & Stitch and winds up watching the whole movie instead of cleaning- can confirm; I’ve been there!
I’ll put on Bob’s Burgers on Hulu or pull up “Beach Too Sandy, Water Too Wet” on Spotify so I can just listen to funny stuff in the background while I get to work.
19. Clean The Annoying Stuff First
Tackle the most annoying or difficult tasks first. Once they’re done, the rest of your cleaning will feel much easier, and the problem stuff is outta the way.
For me, this means making sure the kitchen is clear because I can’t come home and make dinner if there’s nowhere to prep the food!
Other days, it’s the girls’ rooms because no one put any dirty laundry in the basket, and they’re putting on dirty clothes because they ‘can’t smell the difference, Mom.’
Whatever is making your life difficult, tackle it fast and with my tips, and get into some easy habits to keep it from getting hectic too often.
20. Wear House Slippers – NO Shoes!
Wearing house slippers instead of shoes keeps dirt and grime from God knows where from being tracked all around your home, reducing the need for frequent floor cleaning.
The less dirt and mud, the better!
This was a big change for me—I’m a ‘shoes are on, I’m moving’ kind of lady, and the girls want their outdoor shoes permanently stuck to them for some reason.
We bought some Crocs and knock-offs plus some fun slippers and made a rule that everyone comes home, gets changed out of their day clothes, and swaps to their inside shoes if they want something on their feet.
21. Sort Mail ASAP & Recycle
Sort through your mail as soon as you receive it. Recycle or discard what you don’t need right away to prevent paper clutter.
This is another way I keep clutter from piling up on my tables and counters.
I also include any of the girls’ school art and paperwork as “mail” to be sorted so everything gets filed away.
I’ve got a mail stand with folders for “Take Care of,” “Put Away Soon,” or with our names on it for whoever needs to figure out what to do with it.
Then, every other day, we go through it at the table together and either recycle, pay bills, file things away for keepsakes or reminders, etc.
22. Use A Mop On Ceilings, Walls, Etc.
A mop isn’t just for floors—it can be a hand tool for removing dust and dirt from anywhere. Use it to clean ceilings, walls, and other hard-to-reach areas with ease.
I’ve seen people use them in the shower to scrub without much effort, wipe down their front door inside and out, and more.
I have a mop with reusable heads, so I can use it to dust the walls and ceilings or wet it with Lysol to wipe down the walls from sticky hand prints.
23. Cook One-Pan Or Slow Cooker Meals (Less Dishes)
Cooking one-pan or slow cooker meals is a great way for busy moms to minimize the number of dishes to wash later.
These meals require only one cooking vessel, which means fewer pots, pans, and utensils to clean up afterward.
Additionally, slow cooker meals can be prepped in the morning and left to cook throughout the day, freeing up time that would otherwise be spent standing at the stove.
I have over 40 dump-and-go slow cooker meals that you can use to make a meal plan for the whole month and start cooking with fewer dishes!
24. Consider A Robot-Vacuum
Not everyone can afford one at the drop of a hat, but robot vacuums have come a long way for less, and saving up for one may be worth your money.
Even a cheap one can remove dust and dirt from your floor, so you don’t have to.
I’ve seen some with fewer bells and whistles for $100, and that investment could mean more passive cleaning and a tidier home. That money might be worth your peace of mind!
We got a refurbished vacuum with a self-emptying bin, which retailed for $399, but we got it for $220.
It runs 3X per day and empties out all the dog hair and crumbs that hang out around the house all day- and I wouldn’t trade it for anything, even when it sometimes eats doll shoes.
25. Involve Everyone In Your House
Cleaning shouldn’t be a one-person job. Involve everyone in your household to share the responsibility and lighten the load.
Pick age-appropriate tasks for your kids, such as picking up their toys, making beds, or helping with simple chores like dusting or wiping down surfaces.
Create a chore chart to keep everyone accountable and make cleaning a fun, family activity by turning it into a game or challenge with small rewards.
Encourage your partner to take on specific tasks so it’s fair for both of you, ensuring that the entire family works together to maintain a tidy home.
Final Thoughts
By implementing these 25 lazy cleaning tips, you can keep a clean and organized home with minimal effort.
As a busy mom with two lively kids and a job that keeps me working from home, I’ve had to find the most efficient ways to keep our house in order.
These are the best tips I’ve learned along the way, and I’m happy to share them with you.
Start small, be consistent, and watch your home transform into a tidy, stress-free space.
Remember, a little effort goes a long way, and with everyone pitching in, keeping your home clean can be easier than ever.
