Life is hectic, and often our weekends are the only real time we get to relax and unwind from a busy week – and psych ourselves up for the days to come. Do you really want to spend a major part of that precious two-day vacation cleaning? We doubt it. 

This week we’re coming at you with the ultimate apartment cleaning guide that will help you cut your cleaning time in half – and help you save your Saturdays for the things that really matter.

Ultimate Apartment Cleaning Guide

• Have a plan and develop a routine. Cleaning without a plan is, like many other things in life, a surefire way to miss a step or forget something altogether. Maybe this means making a list (and we all know how satisfying it is to cross something off when we’ve accomplished it) or doing the same thing, in the same order, every time you clean. Whatever your strategy, just make sure you have one. 

• Start at the top. If you vacuum first, you’re going to end up vacuuming again to get the dirt and dust that ends up on the floor after cleaning everything else. If you start at the top – lights, shelves, counters, etc. – all that dust will travel to the floor before you’ve cleaned it, meaning you won’t have to clean it all over again! 

• Focus on tasks. While tackling one room at a time may seem like the best way, it probably isn’t. If you focus on one task until it is complete, then move on to the next, you won’t waste time going back over things that got dirty again during the cleaning process. It also makes more sense because you’re using the same tools without having to constantly switch things up. Dust your entire apartment, clean all the counters, vacuum all the floors – this just saves time.

• Organize your cleaning supplies. If you keep all your supplies in a cupboard, you’re wasting precious time going back and forth getting the things you need. Instead, keep everything you need to cover the whole house in one organized cleaning caddie – something you can cart around easily – so your supplies are always right there beside you. 

• Remember: if it isn’t dirty, don’t clean it. Think about it this way: does the hallway mirror really get dirty as fast as the kitchen counter? No likely. Vertical surfaces are almost never as dirty as horizontal ones, so don’t waste that valuable time cleaning things that can wait until next week!

• Do as much ‘as-you-go’ cleaning as you can during the week. If you can, do a little bit of tidying or cleaning as you’re doing other things. Wipe the counter down while you’re brushing your teeth. Empty the dishwasher while you’re waiting for dinner to cook. Fold clothes while watching television. This will make things easier – and faster – on cleaning day. 

No matter the size of your apartment, you can seriously cut your cleaning time down by following these simple rules. Cleaning is called a chore because no one really wants to do it, but it has to be done. Why not make it a little easier on yourself? Seriously, relaxation is calling you…