33 1-Minute Cleaning Tasks to Transform Your Home
Do you feel that keeping your home looking clean and tidy is a monumental task that is sure to take you days? Well, I want to dispel that myth and offer up a collection of 33 one-minute tasks that can absolutely transform your home.
My family lives in a highly simplified home, and I often get questions or comments from people wondering how in the world we are able to keep it looking clean and clutter-free when there are seven people living under one roof.
The good news is that there's no big secret to it. Once your home is decluttered and simplified, it really is quite streamlined to keep it looking that way. All you really need is consistency and 1 minute per task.
The 33 tasks I'm about to share with you today, if done on a regular basis, are sure to transform your home and keep it looking great. These simple must-have cleaning hacks are essential for a spotless home.
1. Always be on the lookout for clutter
Keep a donation box or bag in a set location that everyone in the household has access to. This way, as soon as an item is identified as something you no longer want or need, it can be taken care of right away.
2. Put the laundry away
Folding laundry takes the longest, but adding just one extra minute to put it away is really no big deal. You'll be happy you did when you need a clean shirt or a pair of socks.
3. Make the bed
If your bedroom is highly simplified, this task can be done so quickly. Making the bed transforms the room from looking cluttered to completely pulled together.
4. Sweep once at the end of the day
Consolidate sweeping to one time per day at the end of the day as a nightly reset. Not seeing crumbs in the morning is a wonderful feeling.
5. Wipe up the counters
Keep your countertops clear of clutter to make wiping up extra efficient. This can be done thoroughly with very minimal effort.
6. Care for the houseplants
Watering your houseplants should only take a minute. Every few weeks, dust off the leaves with a damp rag. Having plants brings such life into a home.
7. Push in the chairs
Dining chairs, island chairs, desk chairs—push them in and see what an instant difference it makes on a space.
8. Add a fresh floral arrangement
Cut flowers add an element to a space that can't be ignored. They don't have to be exotic to make a statement.
9. Clean out your purse
Take one minute to remove receipts, wrappers, and random odds and ends. You'll thank yourself the next time you're at the checkout line.
10. Wipe away cobwebs
Using a broom to wipe away cobwebs can transform the curb appeal of your home, especially for those coming directly to your door.
11. Plant some bushes or flowers
Add to your landscaping or place decorative pots near your front door. This looks great and can be done in one-minute increments over a few days.
12. Wash the window curtains
They will smell great, lay nicer, and flow gracefully in the breeze if the window is open.
13. Organize your books
Arrange children's books with the covers showing or organize them by color or size. This can make a big impact on your home's appearance.
14. Change out a piece of art or decor display
Try out new displays and arrange things in different ways. This simple task makes a huge statement.
15. Clean your light fixtures or wash your windows
Clean one room at a time. The return on investment for your time spent will be very high.
16. Wipe up cabinet faces
This task can make your home look more clean and tidy, remove germs, and extend the life of your cabinets.
17. Move your home healthcare items to a Lazy Susan
This is super easy to do and will make getting the items you need much more efficient.
18. Put your dishes away
Put clean dishes in their proper spots to keep your kitchen looking tidy.
19. Pour boiling water and vinegar down the drains
This will freshen up your bathroom or kitchen sink without toxic chemical cleaners.
20. Clean up light switch plates and spots on the walls
Take a minute to clean up marks, making your space look fresher.
21. Shake out a rug or wash it
This can make a big impact with minimal time and effort.
22. Place blankets and throw pillows into a basket
Keep your living spaces looking tidy with this easy task.
23. Light a candle or turn on ambient lighting
The soft glow is a wonderful way to help you unwind and can make your home look great.
24. Empty out the vacuum cleaner
A filled canister won't work as efficiently, so take an extra minute to empty it out.
25. Wipe the bathroom mirror
A clean mirror can make your bathroom feel brighter and more inviting.
26. Scrub the tile grout
Mix baking soda, dish soap, and hydrogen peroxide to scrub the grout lines. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes before rinsing.
27. Sweep or vacuum the stairs
You might be surprised by how much dust and dirt is collected on the stairs. This quick task makes a big difference.
28. Change out the kitchen hand towel
This can be a seasonal touch or just a change for freshness.
29. Vacuum window screens
Tackle one screen at a time to make light work of this often-forgotten task.
30. Reduce magazine piles
Use one-minute sessions to pull out favorite pages and place them into plastic sleeves in a three-ring binder.
31. Clean lint from your dryer screen
This is a safety measure and helps your dryer run more efficiently.
32. Clean the fridge before restocking groceries
Doing this once a week for one minute ensures food doesn't go bad and there's space for new groceries.
33. Use a lint roller on lampshades and rugs
This quick task can keep things looking clean between vacuuming sessions.
1-minute cleaning
Nothing on this list is overly difficult to do, and I'm always amazed at what can be done in such a short amount of time. In fact, you could do every single thing on this list in just over half an hour.
Imagine sacrificing just one hour of your day to cleaning, organizing, and tidying. It would completely transform your home and keep it looking great.
I'm sure you can think of many other one-minute chores, perhaps some that you have incorporated into your own home care routine. I would love to hear about those in the comment section.
Next, check out these 19 Easy Minimalist Tips to Simplify Your Living Space.
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