Cleaning in 60 Minutes: How to Quickly Tidy Up Your Home

There's no time for cleaning, but guests are at the door — activate the mission "tidy up in 60 minutes." Let's look at the steps to complete.

Nothing extra

The most important rule: the fewer items in your apartment, the easier it is to tidy up. Therefore, constantly get rid of or give away anything unnecessary. Without extra items, it's even easier to dust.

Design: Alexandra Protsanova

In place

If you constantly use the first rule, proceed directly to the second step: each item has its place. Books on shelves, toys in boxes, laundry in a special basket, and of course clothes in the wardrobe. All shoes should also stand on shelves or in shoe racks. In the entrance hall, they will create a feeling of chaos.

Delicate question

Guests will definitely visit the bathroom after entering, so order here is essential. A deep clean is not canceled, but we're talking about a quick clean-up. So apply cleaning product to the sink and toilet for about ten minutes, and during this time wipe all shelves with a damp cloth. Then tidy the mirror and soap dispenser: it’s better if it's a dispenser.

Design: TB.Design

Dust battle

Once everything is in its place, it's time to vacuum the floors, carpets, and soft furniture. Don’t forget about radiator screens — a special dust collection attachment works best for them.

Important details

To avoid ruining the impression, every detail matters. We're talking about mirrors and glass surfaces. Without their cleanliness, there's no sense of perfect order. A few minutes with a microfiber cloth and window cleaning solution will fix the situation.

Design: Olga Kalitina

Damp cleaning

Vacuuming helps, but it never replaces damp cleaning. For that, you need a clean floor cloth and special cleaning solution. Never wash floors with chaotic movements or you risk getting streaks instead of a glossy shine after drying. Try to wipe floors with smooth, straight movements parallel to the entrance.

Fresh air

Don’t forget to ventilate your apartment — it's an essential step in cleaning. The time investment is minimal, but the benefit is huge — improve the microclimate and fill your home with fresh air. Do this during or right after cleaning.

Design: Julia Volkova

Final stage

The finishing touch in a quick clean-up is changing the dirty textiles. Hang fresh towels in the bathroom and kitchen. In the entrance hall, check that there are free hangers for clothes. Adjust textiles on the sofa, curtains, and blinds, place a fresh bouquet or light an aromatherapy candle. The quick clean-up is complete — now it's time to relax.

Design: Elizaveta Volovich

Five more useful tips:

1. Define a clear sequence of actions.

2. Eliminate distracting factors (phone, computer, TV).

3. Play your favorite music — energy and speed are guaranteed.

4. Stock up on effective cleaning products of various types in advance.

5. To resort to a quick clean-up, never forget about the deep clean. No matter how hard you try, it's impossible to tidy everything in an hour without it.

On the cover: design by Alexandra Protsanova