If you are trying to get the house ready for guests or just want to tidy up at the end of the day, you need a good plan for cleaning a house quickly and efficiently.  How about a couple simple and easy speed cleaning shortcuts you can use today?  Start with number one and work your way through this list and before you know it you’ll have a clean house!

1. GATHER YOUR TOOLS
   Keep your favorite cleaning tools and cleaners in a caddy or container so you can grab them and clean anytime.  My must-have caddy tools?  Feather duster (faux or microfiber), microfiber cloths, a lint roller, your favorite all-purpose and disinfecting cleaners, cleaning wipes, and window/mirror cleaner.
2. SET A TIMER
   If you only have 15 minutes, set the timer and see how much you can get done.  The most realistic timeframe for speed cleaning the entire house is 30-60 minutes.  Of course this will vary depending on what condition your home is in.
3. START WITH A LAUNDRY BASKET AND A GARBAGE BAG
   Start by collecting anything that can be tossed and throw it in the garbage bag.  Items that need to be relocated and put in their proper places, can go in the laundry basket. Once the room is clean you can stash the laundry basket in a closet if you have someone dropping by, if not, take a couple minutes to return the items to their proper places.  You can focus on main living areas or extend this into bedrooms as well.
4. DO A QUICK DUST
   A feather or microfiber duster is a great tool to quickly dust surfaces.  Replace your duster when it looks dirty.
5. WIPE SURFACES
   Spray down any hard surfaces (counters, toilets) and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth or paper towels.  Take care not to cross-contaminate surfaces by using the same cloth on multiple surfaces. For example, don’t wipe the toilets and then wipe the counters. Disinfecting wipes also work great for quick cleaning.
6. WIPE MIRRORS
   A quick spray with your glass cleaner on your cloth and wipe the bathroom mirrors.  Clean mirrors definitely make the bathroom look cleaner with very little effort.  Don’t miss this step!
7. QUICK VACUUM
   If your floors need to be vacuumed, concentrate on high traffic areas, corners, and visible dirt.  If you just vacuumed your floors or they look good, just check under the kitchen table for crumbs and sweep or vacuum.
8. FLUFF PILLOWS AND STRAIGHTEN THROW BLANKETS
   A quick tidy and straightening up of pillows and throw blankets will give your room a completed and clean appearance.
9. PUT OUT FRESH TOWELS
   Don’t underestimate the look of fresh towels.  Replace your kitchen and bathroom towels with clean towels as you’re making your final sweep.

With a little effort you can easily speed clean your home in under an hour.  Try it the next time you have guests coming over, and you can relax and enjoy knowing you have a clean home to welcome them.