I Wanted to Deep Clean Less Often—These 11 Small Habits Actually Helped
Starting with just one or two of these tasks can often get the ball rolling.
I pride myself on having a clean and cozy home, but honestly, I don't want to spend every weekend scrubbing grout, mopping floors, or dusting every nook and cranny. To keep things neat (and keep my Saturdays free), I adopted some simple cleaning habits to delay deep cleaning.
With two people and a dog in a one-bedroom apartment, things can get messy quickly. I've found that doing at least a few of these cleaning tasks daily keeps the apartment feeling tidy and fresh. Luckily, it only takes 10 to 15 minutes to run through most of the things on this list. Some chores—like making the bed or spraying down the shower walls—take about 30 seconds but make a big difference in how clean the apartment feels. When I'm feeling overwhelmed or tired, I've noticed that starting with just one or two of these tasks can often get the ball rolling and give me the motivation to clean the rest of the apartment.
Keep reading to learn more about the simple daily habits that help me delay deep cleaning, including some tips I've picked up from the pros at the Home Care & Cleaning Lab.
Make the bed (after it airs out)
Did you know that you're not supposed to make your bed right away? I like to pull down the covers a bit, fluff the pillows, and let everything air out for an hour or so. I even crack the window if the weather allows for it. This tiny habit helps me stretch a few more days out of my bedding.
Wipe down the bathroom sink and counter
From doing my hair and makeup to washing my hands, the bathroom sink and countertop get dirty real quick. Once a day, I quickly wipe down the counter, sink, and faucet with a microfiber towel—or, often I just use my wash cloth or hand towel before putting them into the laundry.
I don't always use cleaning products, but I do keep a bottle of all-purpose cleaner on the bathroom floor, so I can quickly reach for it a few times a week.
Wash down shower walls
If you have a handheld shower, cleaning your shower walls will add approximately 30 seconds to your shower routine. Just rinse down the walls, shower curtain, and faucet with warm water before turning off the shower. Added bonus if you use a squeegee to quickly dry the walls (this is extra important for glass shower doors).
Disinfect my phone and laptop
I ride the New York City subway, so cleaning my phone every day is a must. I do it right away to keep outside germs out of the house. I typically use a Lysol wipe to quickly clean my phone and laptop keyboard, then the iRoller is great for screens. Sometimes, I wipe down my backpack, purse, and light switches while I'm at it.
RELATED: The Best Screen Cleaners for Every Device, Tested by Cleaning Experts
Spend a few minutes tidying up
This seems obvious, but it's so important. Spend a few minutes (set a timer for 3–5 minutes if you need encouragement) to put away shoes, empty bags, clear counters, toss junk mail, put dishes into the dishwasher, etc. Ideally, I like to clean for a few seconds throughout the day so nothing accumulates—but it happens.
Wipe the kitchen counter
Clean the kitchen counters as you cook, then give them a more thorough wipe down after dinner. I typically use a Swedish dishcloth with all-purpose cleaner, but mild dish soap and water works for most counters. Remember, it doesn't have to be perfect every time—some days I move everything out of the way, others I quickly move around big items.
PSA: Not all cleaners are safe for natural stone.
RELATED: We Tried Four Homemade Cleaning Sprays — They Were SO Easy
Rinse the kitchen sink
After you load the dishwasher, use the kitchen sprayer to quickly rinse out the sink. I have a designated sponge for scrubbing the sink with dish soap, and I try to do it every day—but every few days is fine.
Do a quick vacuum—starting in the kitchen
As a dog owner, a cordless vacuum has been the biggest game-changer. I vacuum every day for only a few minutes, focusing on high-traffic areas first, like the kitchen and entryway, then moving into the bedroom and living room if I have more time.
RELATED: The Best Cordless Stick Vacuums, Tested and Recommended by Cleaning Pros
Clean the stovetop
I know after-dinner cleanup already feels long and taxing, but hear me out: Two minutes every day will save you a half hour of scrubbing in the future. With a microfiber towel, I quickly wipe lose food and splatters from the stove, and because it stays clean every day, I rarely do more.
Wipe kitchen table (or wherever you eat meals)
Take 30 seconds to wipe down your kitchen table after meal-time. I also wipe down my coffee table every day, because I tend to eat meals on the couch. If you clean consistently, you don't have to stress over cleaning products as much—a moist Swedish dishcloth is my go-to.
Check inside the fridge
A smelly fridge is my pet peeve. Take a minute or so to look inside your fridge and scan for (almost) expired items or spoiled foods. Toss anything you won't eat. Wipe down shelves if you notice anything sticky.
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) leads Good Housekeeping’s gift guide strategy. She writes and edits commerce content, where she analyzes lifestyle trends, shopping data, and works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute to recommend top-tested products. Previously, she was the associate lifestyle editor for GH and wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, BobVila.com, and Unique Homes Magazine. When she’s not tracking down buzzy products, you can find her walking her dog, Skye, around Jersey City.
Readers Also Read
The Best Walking Shoes for Women
5 Fall Boot Trends We're Seeing Everywhere
The Best Skin Tightening Creams
Pros Explain Why Your Home Is Always Dusty
