How To Speed-Clean Your House By Hardly Doing Anything

We’ve all left the chore of cleaning up before a party till the last minute. But as long as your house isn’t a complete disaster, it only takes a few minutes to make it look pulled together. We asked green-cleaning expert Leslie Reichert, the author of The Joy of Green Cleaning, for her speed-cleaning checklist.

Declutter ruthlessly. "Put mail, papers, shoes, pet toys—anything that’s on the floor, a counter, or a table—in a basket and remove it from the room. That will immediately make any space look cleaner. And designate a “no admittance” zone where you can store everything out of sight. Mine is the upstairs bedroom."

Focus your efforts. "Figure out the messiest part of a room and clean that first. For a lot of people, it’s the kitchen counters. I have a 16-year-old son and dogs, so for me, it’s the floors. I hit them with the vacuum for a few minutes; it does wonders."

Zero in on sinks. "A clean sink makes the rest of the kitchen or bathroom look tidy. Put dirty dishes in the dishwasher, wipe the sink (including the faucet) with a damp Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, and then dry it with a paper towel or microfiber cloth. It creates the same spotless look as a four-step powder-and-scrub process. In the bathroom, fold the towels nicely and stash anything personal, like your toothbrush, out of sight."

Always be closing. "Shut closet and bathroom doors, shower curtains, toilet seats, drawers, and cabinets. Finish by straightening picture frames and pillows. That instantly makes your home look well organized and under control."

Set the mood. "Dim the lights and light a scented candle. If you can’t see it, it’s not going to bother you as much."