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A WOMAN dedicates an additional five hours and 30 minutes to cleaning each week compared to her male counterparts.
It’s hard work, so it’s not surprising that 44 percent of Brits dislike it entirely.
Experts reveal the secrets to maintaining a clean house with minimal time and effort.
Unfortunately, there’s no way around the fact that chores can be time-consuming.
However, instead of spending your life scrubbing each week, there is a ‘lazy’ method to stay on top of cleaning – it just takes a few minutes a day to address a couple of key areas.
The outcome? More time for you to relax while keeping your home clean and tidy all week – a win-win situation!
Here, experts share their secrets for achieving a clean home with minimal time and effort.
1. Multi-tasking Technique
Olivia Young, Product Development Scientist and Cleaning Expert at Astonish , suggests “an easy way to kill two birds with one stone” is to clean the shower while you’re in it.
“Due to the warm and wet environment, a shower can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria and germs if not kept clean,” the expert explains. “Keep a bottle of shower cleaner and a squeegee in the shower at all times.”
Quickly spray down the shower after you’re done.
The next time you finish showering, spray the glass and tiles, then wipe them down with the squeegee – no scrubbing needed, and it will be clean in seconds!
“Even better, the shower cleaner will help prevent soap scum and water marks, reducing the need for deep cleaning occasionally,” Olivia adds.
Another quick bathroom task – after washing your face, use the cloth to wipe down the sink and surrounding areas too. Another surface cleaned in seconds.
If you’re dealing with hard water and limescale, spray it on, let it sit for five minutes, and then either rinse it off or give it a quick wipe.
2. Dishwasher Double-Up
If you’re fortunate enough to have a dishwasher, it can do more than just wash pots, pans, and dishes.
“It’s a quick and easy cleaning solution for many items throughout your home,” Olivia says – just load it and press start.
Put plastic toys in the dishwasher for an easy clean.
“You can clean fridge shelves and drawers, bowls and toys, the microwave turntable, plastic bath toys, ceramic pots, and cleaning sponges in your dishwasher,” the expert adds.
“Just place them in the dishwasher and let it work its magic, saving you the effort!
“Ideally, position them on the top rack, and always ensure you follow the manufacturer’s cleaning recommendations for the items you’re putting in the appliance.”
3. Introduce ‘De-clutter Baskets’
“Often, the mess and clutter in your home makes it harder to keep things clean,” Olivia notes.
“For instance, vacuuming the bedrooms seems simple, but when you walk in to see piles of clothes, books, and clutter everywhere – it quickly becomes a task you'd rather avoid!”
Olivia’s hack involves using a basket or cardboard box designated for each person in your household or each room.
She adds: “Put all the items currently on the floor that you haven’t had time to sort into this basket.
“This will make tasks like vacuuming and dusting much quicker, and you can tackle the ‘de-clutter basket’ another day.”
4. Steam Your Microwave
Your microwave is used many times each week for everything from morning porridge to defrosting food or reheating meals – but when was the last time you cleaned it?
Laura Marsden, cleaning expert at Marigold , states: “Steam is a hidden hero for cleaning the microwave, saving you time, effort, and elbow grease.”
Be careful when removing the bowl as the water may be very hot.
The expert explains: “Steam helps loosen baked-on grease and food stains, making it perfect for
