Sometimes you glance at your baseboards or open your oven and just sigh. You want a clean house, but seriously, who has time for all that scrubbing? Good news—you don’t need hours or a weekend to get those deep cleaning jobs knocked out.
Here’s a list of quick, doable shortcuts that’ll help you stay on top of things without the meltdown.
Table of Contents
Kitchen Deep Cleaning Shortcuts
- Clean the Oven While You Sleep
Set it and forget it overnight. Let the cleaner sit while you sleep and just wipe it down the next morning. It works while you rest—yes please. - Don’t Forget Your Dishwasher
It’s literally cleaning all the time, but it still gets gross. A regular deep clean helps it run better and actually clean your dishes (instead of just fogging them up). - Microwave? Let Steam Do the Work
Heat up a bowl of water and let the steam loosen all the gunk inside. No scrubbing needed—just wipe it down after. - Degrease Kitchen Cabinets Fast
That sticky, greasy build-up around your stove area? Hit it with hot soapy water and a cloth. It makes a big difference and you barely break a sweat. - Wipe Down the Fridge Gasket
That rubber seal around your fridge door? It traps crumbs and mold like nobody’s business. Wipe it clean with a damp cloth every now and then so your fridge actually seals.
Bathroom Deep Cleaning Shortcuts
- Let the Toilet Soak Overnight
Add your cleaner before bed and let it sit till morning. A quick swish with the brush in the AM and you’re good to go. - Grout That Looks Brand New
Apply cleaner, wait a bit, and give it a scrub. It’s not instant magic, but it is satisfying—and you’ll actually see results. - No-Scrub Showerhead Fix
Attach a bag of vinegar to your showerhead and let it soak. It clears out buildup without any effort from you. - Bathroom Fan Dust Cleanout
Vacuum your bathroom exhaust fan with a brush attachment. It helps with airflow, gets rid of mystery dust, and keeps it from looking like it lives in a haunted house.
Living Area Shortcuts
- Baseboards Without Back Pain
Wrap a cloth around a broom and slide it along your baseboards. Dust gone—without crawling around on the floor. - Window Tracks You Forgot Existed
Add some fizz (literally), then scrub the grime out with a toothbrush or cotton swab. It’s oddly satisfying. - Ceiling Fans, No Dust Storm
Use a pillowcase to catch all the dust instead of letting it fly everywhere. It’s a little weird, but it totally works. - Lampshades with Lint Rollers
Use a lint roller to clean fabric lampshades. It pulls off dust and pet hair way faster than wiping—and doesn’t bend them out of shape. - Under-the-Couch Swiffer Sweep
Attach a microfiber cloth or dryer sheet to your Swiffer and slide it under the couch or beds. You’ll collect a scary amount of dust without even lifting furniture.
Don’t Skip These Forgotten Spots
- Washing Machine Needs Love Too
Run a hot cycle with cleaner to wash away smells and buildup. Bonus: your clothes will smell way better. - Behind the Fridge (Yikes)
Pull it out and sweep every once in a while. You’ll be amazed at what’s back there—and happy it’s not anymore. - Remote Controls & Light Switches
Grab a disinfectant wipe and run it over all the remotes and switches in the house. These get touched constantly and never cleaned. Two minutes, huge difference.
Make It Work for Your Life
Don’t try to do it all in one day. Seriously—don’t. Pick one task during nap time, or set a 15-minute timer and race yourself. These hacks aren’t about perfection. They’re about keeping things manageable and giving yourself a little more breathing room.
You’ve Got This!
Deep cleaning doesn’t need to feel like a punishment. These time-saving tricks will help you stay on top of the mess without taking over your whole weekend. Pick one and give it a go—you might even kinda enjoy it (okay maybe not, but still).