It is usually easier to quick clean without a little one in tow. You may need to plan this time round naps or when they are otherwise occupied.
If your child is a little older, make a Weekly Chores Chart and get them involved in the cleaning process!
General quick cleaning equipment requirements
This will vary slightly from room to room, but as a general rule you will need:
A bucket of warm water
A damp cloth and a dry cloth
Dustpan and brush
A spray and wipe suitable for the surfaces you are cleaning
A toothbrush
A mop
Vacuum cleaner
Rubbish bags
Extension cord (this is often useful when you are moving the vacuum cleaner from room to room)
A bucket or storage container to hold all your cleaning equipment
Remember to use cleaning products that suit you and the needs of your family. It is important to check that they are suitable for the surface or product you are cleaning before starting work.
Quick cleaning the kitchen
The kitchen is usually known as the heart of the household and it is vital to keep it clean. This is because it is also the area where food preparation takes place, so it is important to maintain high standards of hygiene.
Start with cleaning out the fridge and removing all expired or out of date food products. Place these in your rubbish bag.
Wipe the fridge shelves down with a damp cloth and remove any spills or crumbs.
Open the microwave and oven and sweep out any crumbs or foodstuffs.
Wipe the oven and microwave down with warm soapy cloth. (If your oven has lots of tough stains you may prefer to have it professionally cleaned and then maintain it after that).
Wipe down the cooktop and range-hood (extractor).
Wash and dry all plates and cups that are on the work surface or place them in the dishwasher and put the cleaning cycle on.
Unplug the toaster. Wipe down the crumbs under it. Empty it upside down into your rubbish bag and get rid of the crumbs inside it. Place it back in its original position.
Give the insides of your cupboards a wipe down with a cloth. (You may need to move plates or items around to ensure they get a thorough clean.
Alternatively, use the small head on your vacuum cleaner and vacuum out the dust and dirt in the drawers that way instead.
Wipe down all the outside surfaces and counter tops in the kitchen area. You should clean them down every time you use them to maintain high standards of hygiene.
Sweep the floor area and dispose of all crumbs and remnants.
Place all used cloths and tea towels in the wash on a hot cycle.
Empty your rubbish bin.
Mop the kitchen area.
Quick cleaning the family room
This is the room that can very quickly be filled with toys and the trail of left-over activities your little one has grown tired of. Equally, it’s a room that is easy to clean if you have a strategy in place.
Clear the floor area of toys and games. It is useful to have some large plastic tubs to store these in.
Place any empty food containers or wrappers in the rubbish bag.
Gather together all the remotes in one corner of the room. An old shoebox is a great storage unit for these.
Wipe down the TV and entertainment unit to get rid of dust and finger-marks. Make sure you only use a cleaning product suitable for this particular surface.
Using a warm damp cloth, wipe down coffee tables or side tables.
Wipe down the bookshelves and check that the books aren’t being stored in direct sunlight. You may need to move them if this is the case to stop them from fading quickly.
Dust the light fittings and corners of the ceilings in the room.
Vacuum the room thoroughly.
Quick cleaning the bathroom
The bathroom is a very satisfying place to clean and, because of its design, it is quick and relatively easy to do. By quick-cleaning it once a week you are less likely to avoid a build-up of soap scum in the shower and the bath area.
Start with removing any empty packages from the work surfaces and placing them in the rubbish bag.
Clean out the plugholes of hair and get rid of old soaps and empty shampoo and conditioner bottles.
Empty the bin in your bathroom.
Clean out the shower and bath using appropriate cleaning products. Alternatively, you can sprinkle bicarbonate of soda on particularly stubborn spots. Then spray white vinegar over it and scrub until it’s clean. This is where the toothbrush can help with the cleaning process by getting into difficult-to-reach corners.
Flush the toilet. Use bleach and spray all over the toilet bowl and seat. Using the toilet scrub, clean the inside of the bowl thoroughly. Use a separate cloth to wipe down the outside of the toilet itself. Dispose of this cloth and do not use it anywhere else.
Wipe down the mirrors using the appropriate spray and wipe product, or use a little methylated spirits on a soft, lint-free cloth to remove all marks.
Wipe down all the bathroom surfaces using a warm damp cloth.
Spray and wipe down all the taps.
Use an old towel to dry the surfaces thoroughly. This will leave a mark free finish.
Vacuum out the bathroom floor. This will pick up any hair or remaining dust.
Mop the bathroom floor thoroughly.
Replace and check that you have plenty of toilet rolls in the bathroom.
Place all towels in the washing machine on a hot cycle. This should be done once a week.
Quick cleaning the laundry
The size of this room can vary from house to house. Wherever your laundry is situated and regardless of its size, it is important to have a space that is easy to access and use effectively.
Start by getting rid of anything that doesn’t actually belong in the laundry. This is a room that can often end up being a storage space for other things and as a result can become very cluttered.
Wipe down the counter tops and make sure your washing powders, bleaches and softeners are stored up high out of the reach of your little one.
It is useful to have a few laundry baskets on rotation. You can use these throughout the week to sort laundry into different piles. One basket might be for whites, the other for darks and the third one for collecting in dry, clean clothes from the washing line or dryer. You may even have a fourth basket where you keep the ironing.
Once you’ve sorted your clothes piles, make sure you have a system in place to keep on top of the laundry demand.
Make sure that you have a safe place to store your ironing board so that it isn’t likely to topple on top of your little one. If you have used your iron make sure it is stored in a high, safe place.
Vacuum the laundry floor to get rid of dust and any spilt washing machine powder.
Mop the laundry floor and leave to dry thoroughly.
Quick cleaning the bedroom
Strip the bed-sheets and pillowcases and place in the wash.
Using a dry cloth wipe down all the wooden surfaces in the bedroom.
If you have books, magazines and objects lying around, stack them neatly and dust in and around them.
Pick up any clothes and either hang them back in the cupboard, or fold them and put them away neatly.
Place any used clothing items in the laundry basket.
Clean mirrors using methylated spirits and a lint cloth.
Vacuum carpets thoroughly.
Replace bed-sheets with freshly laundered ones.
