There are all kinds of methods and hacks for cleaning just about everything — some of them more effective than others. There are golden rules, 15-minute and 20-minute rules and various stage cleaning methods, which instruct you to follow two, three or up to five steps to help ensure that your home is spotless at all times. But, at the end of the day, most people are just looking for the best cleaning tips to help them clean faster, more effectively and less frequently. Luckily, we know how to separate fact from fiction when it comes to cleaning so you can actually get your home sparkling with minimal effort. Grab your gear and check out these tips from our experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Cleaning Lab. Before you know it, you'll have every task on your checklist done.
ESSENTIALS • Set up your tidying kit for success with must-have tools, all-natural hacks, genius products and time-saving solutions. We even give you a chart to help you plan every task.
MUST-HAVE TOOLS • Stock your cleaning caddy with essentials to save time and avoid headaches
8 CLEANING TASKS YOU CAN TACKLE IN 5 MINUTES • Because that’s really all the extra time you have anyway, right?
12 PRO CLEANER HABITS YOU SHOULD TOTALLY STEAL
16 MINUTES TO A CLEAN HOUSE • Yes, we just told you to end with the bathroom (#10, left), but this is a special case—unexpected guests are mere minutes away and the house is a mess!
12 CLEANING PROBLEMS YOU CAN SOLVE WITH BAKING SODA • Sure, it’s best for Grandma’s cookies, but its real claim to fame is its power to freshen and clean
5 THINGS TO NEVER CLEAN WITH VINEGAR
CLEANUP CALENDAR • Follow this guide to stay on top of the job without overdoing it
COMMON PROBLEMS • Tackle your toughest messes and trouble spots with our time-saving tricks and clutter-busting solutions.
FAST FIXES FOR YOUR ENTRY • It’s time to solve your family’s “drop zone” problem once and for all
3 WAYS TO SPIFF UP WOOD FLOORS • Bring back the glow with these simple, speedy tips
5 MISTAKES THAT RUIN WOOD FLOORS
5 BIGGEST MISTAKES YOU MAKE WHEN YOU DUST • It may feel like a losing battle, but there are a few tricks to keep that dust from coming back so quickly
HOW TO CLEAN BLINDS AND SHADES • Here’s how to keep all kinds of window treatments looking their best. (Just one caveat: Delicate fabrics like silk are better left to the pros.)
5 WAYS TO CLEAN UP PET PROBLEMS — FAST! • Because owning a four-legged friend shouldn’t mean your home stinks
3 WAYS TO ORGANIZE KID STUFF • How to take your kids’ rooms from chaotic to collected
3 TRICKS TO ERASE MESS
5 BIGGEST MISTAKES YOU MAKE VACUUMING • It isn’t rocket science (thank goodness!), but a little extra know-how can help you clean your home that much better
KITCHEN • Get our top tricks to keep your appliances looking (and performing) as good as new. Plus, easy ways to whip this space into shape — all before dinnertime.
FAST FIXES FOR A SPARKLING KITCHEN • Follow these shortcuts to tackle the mess in your cooking zone
HOW TO ZAP KITCHEN ODORS • Because the lingering scent of last night’s broiled fish is just not appetizing
5 WAYS TO GET RID OF FRUIT FLIES • Take back your fruit bowl with these clever strategies
REFRESH STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES
TIDY UP INSIDE THE FRIDGE
HOW TO GET MORE OOMPH OUT OF YOUR DISHWASHER • These cleaning and loading tricks will make you fall in love with your machine all over again
BATHROOM • It’s one of the most important rooms to keep clean in your home, and also one of the most difficult. Here’s how to get more mileage out of your efforts and help this high-traffic room stay fresh longer.
HOW TO MAKE YOUR BATHROOM SHINE
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