Home Refresh: Twenty Quick 15-Minute Tasks for Simplifying and Cleaning
Hey there! Let's talk about simplifying and refreshing our spaces without the stress of lengthy cleaning sessions. If you're like me, finding time for household chores amidst the daily whirlwind can be a challenge. But fear not! I've got a game plan that involves tackling tasks in bite-sized 15-minute chunks. Ready to simplify and spruce up your home? Let's dive in!
First up, I like to set a time for 15 minutes and race the clock~ Once you’re done, assess what you got done and what you have time for! If it’s a busy day, I check off one thing. Sometimes I just get my kitchen clean. If I have more time, I try to tackle something else. I also like to listen to music or a podcast while I work. It keeps me from being distracted by other things! You can also put your hubby or kids in charge of one of the tasks.
1. Clear Countertops: Start by decluttering and organizing those countertops, making space for meal prep without the clutter. Anything that doesn’t go there gets put away. I keep less used appliances in my basement to keep the counters clear.
2. Wipe Down Appliances: Spend a quick 15 minutes wiping down appliances to keep them looking shiny and clean. I use Thieves cleaner to clean my whole house, so I just walk through the kitchen with the cleaner and rag and wipe down all the things.
3. Sort the Fridge: Toss expired items and organize shelves for an organized and efficient fridge. I like to do this the night before garbage day so everything old can go out. I wipe it down too with Thieves.
4. Dust Flat Surfaces: A swift dusting session on shelves, tables, and entertainment centers can instantly freshen up the living room. I use a dust cloth for this and walk through the house and dust all the counters, tables, consoles, the mantel, etc. Then I do a quick wipe with my Thieves cleaner. (I save lights and baseboards for another day, but if you have the time, you can include it here.)
5. Declutter Side Tables: Clear away unnecessary items from side tables and give them a quick wipe-down. Most of the time these are things that belong to my children. I just carry them up to their rooms and have them sort it out later. Or if it’s the weekend, I give them the job to clear the spaces.
6. Fluff and Arrange Pillows: Straighten and fluff up those pillows for a cozy, inviting atmosphere. Pillows always end up on the floor in our house, so a quick fluff is always in order. I also use a lint brush on them if there is cat fur or lint.
7. Clean the kitchen appliances such as the stove, dishwasher, and fridge: This is a 15 minute wipe down, not a deep clean. I find that if I do this more often, the dreaded deep clean never has to happen! I use Thieves cleaner and a rag and just wipe everything off. If I have time, I throw out all the expired things in the fridge.
8. Refresh & make the Bed: Spend a few minutes making the bed and arranging pillows for a neat and calming bedroom. I like to do this first thing in the morning. I hate getting into an unmade bed. You can also crack windows for 30 minutes and spray some linen spray on your covers. Here are some recipes for a nice spray.
9. Declutter Nightstands: Clear nightstands of clutter and wipe them down for a serene bedtime setup. Only keep what you use every night on the nightstand, otherwise, clean it up. For me, that’s lotion, eye mask, and chapstick. I take this time to clean out extra hair ties and things that don’t go there.
10. Quick Bathroom Wipe-Down: Freshen up bathroom surfaces swiftly to maintain cleanliness. You guessed it, I use Thieves cleaner to do this. Just spray everything down, including the toilet, and wipe it up! I also take a few drops of essential oil on a cotton ball and place it in the garbage can.
11. Sort Mail and Paperwork: Spend 15 minutes sorting and organizing paperwork, keeping your space clutter-free.
12. Clear Junk Drawer: Tackle one junk drawer at a time for a quick decluttering session. Throw out any ‘junk’ that you don’t need. Be honest with yourself!
13. Wipe Light Switches and Doorknobs: A quick disinfectant wipe-down keeps high-touch areas clean and germ-free. Again, I use Thieves cleaner for this and a rag. I also wipe down the doors where our hands touch often, like our pantry and the front door.
14. Tidy Pet Areas: Dedicate 15 minutes to organize and freshen up your pet's feeding and play areas. Gather the toys in one spot, vacuum and wash any pet beds or blankets.
15. Sort Toiletries: Keep your bathroom clutter-free by decluttering and organizing cabinets and drawers. This may be more than a 15 minute job, so just tackle on drawer or shelf at a time. Throw out anything that’s expired and grab everyone a new toothbrush while you’re at it. We try to get a new one every month!
16. Wipe down baseboards and molding: I just a dust cloth or my mop with Thieves to clean all the baseboards. This makes it go very fast. This task would also be good for kids!
17. Dust ceiling fans and light fixtures: Grab a stool and your cleaner and set the timer! I also take down and wash glass fixtures in the sink if they are particularly dirty.
18. Clean and disinfect keyboards and screens: Probably the most neglected area in my home!
19. Vacuum and refresh floors: This is how I keep our floors clean! I find that a 15 minute vacuuming is all I need to reset my house!
20. Clean out one clothing drawer: Again, this can take time, so just do one drawer at a time! Make piles for toss, keep, or donate! I keep a garbage bag in our attic and toss clothes in until it’s full. Then I throw out or donate it!
You see, making your home feel refreshed and organized doesn't have to mean hours of cleaning. By breaking tasks into manageable 15-minute sessions, you can maintain a clean and welcoming space without feeling overwhelmed.
So, whether you're waiting for water to boil or have a short break between tasks, seize those 15-minute windows and tackle a small task—it's amazing how much you can accomplish! Cheers to simplifying our spaces and enjoying the comfort of a well-kept home without the fuss. Happy cleaning!
I also made you a checklist! One page is done for you with the ideas above and the other is blank if you want to fill it in with your own ideas. You can print it or edit it in Canva! Just click the link below and add your best email, it will come straight to your inbox with all the directions!
XO
Sarah
