Make cleaning your home easier with these 3 easy time-saving tips

Cleaning can be an overwhelming task for many but it's essential for a clean and tidy home. More are seeking straightforward methods to maintain their homes, and one person asked for advice on how to simplify household chores.

They took to Reddit and posted: "Cleaning has always been a challenge for me, but some places I've lived have been easier to keep clean than others. What have you done to put your home on the easier end of the spectrum?". The user described their current home as "on the harder side" and mentioned that with a new baby expected in about a month, cleaning will become more important, more time-consuming, and tougher to fit into their schedule.

The soon-to-be parent shared that they would like to implement some changes to reduce the burden.

READ MORE: Money-saving hack reduces bills by up to £2,000 a year and 1.5m Brits can use it

READ MORE: Drivers over 70 handed warning over new 'mandatory' tests in the future

They elaborated: "My first idea is to caulk the bottom of our baseboards to make vacuuming easier. I'm also decluttering and reorganising our storage and drop zones. Am I on the right track? What changes made the biggest impact for you?"

The post has garnered more than 200 comments, with contributors sharing the alterations and hacks that worked well for them, and the suggestions seemed to focus on three main themes.

1. Decluttering

Based on the replies, the most significant adjustment that facilitated easier home cleaning was decluttering.

One commenter remarked: "LESS STUFF!!!! I have a giant plastic tub for donations in my garage-it gets filled over the course of a month, and then I take the stuff to Goodwill.

"I am challenging myself to clear off counters, reduce items on shelves, closets, drawers..." Another added: "Definitely the decluttering/organizing.

"It's easier to clean when surfaces are clear and it's easier to clear surfaces when I can easily put things away.

"I always know it's time to reorganize/declutter certain areas when I struggle to easily put things away (looking at you bedroom closet).

"I usually dedicate a whole day to organizing the various zones once a year (twice for my bedroom closet) and it helps so much!".

"Sometimes I'm not even purging things, just readjusting where/how I put things away to make it more efficient."

2. Cleaning supplies within easy reach

It's much simpler to clean when you have convenient access to cleaning products and don't need to look through a cupboard to find what you're after.

Keeping cleaning tools readily available in areas like the kitchen and bathroom saves time allows you to quickly tackle spills as they happen.

This is something that a number of Reddit users pointed out when responding to the question about what changes they made to make their home simpler to clean.

One suggested: "Have cleaning supplies easily accessible in every room - a trash can, paper towels, a bunch of rags and a bucket to toss them in, cleaning spray, a tiny broom or handheld vacuum maybe, a vacuum on every floor maybe, a basket for things to take out of the room on your way out."

A second person chimed in with their own positive experience: "THIS! Doing this in the bathrooms has made a huge difference for me!!"

A third shared their strategy: "Agree! A favourite cleaner and some rags in a caddy on every floor of the house or in every bathroom!"

3. Consistency with cleaning habits and routines

Regular maintenance rather than sporadic deep cleans seems to be the secret for many, with some setting aside daily time slots for tidying up or designating specific days for different rooms.

One user emphasised the importance of regularity on the Reddit thread, stating: "Not so much changes, but consistency is key. It's amazing how little you have to do to keep your house looking reasonable as long as you do it consistently.

"You don't even have to do it perfectly! So for example: We always make sure the dishes are in the dishwasher and we run it every single night even if it's not totally full.

"We unload the dishwasher every morning so that the dishwasher is empty and ready to receive these dishes."

Another commenter outlined their cleaning routine: "Spend 15 minutes cleaning something every day or pick one room a day to focus on. Have a routine."

They also shared their prioritisation method: "I clean my downstairs first every Friday because that's what people see when they come over and that's where the kitchen is. Then I clean upstairs as I have time during the week."