Cleaning Pros Share the Fastest Ways to Make Your Home Look Cleaner
These simple cleaning habits deliver the biggest visual payoff.
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We've all been there: You have guests arriving soon, and you've had zero time to clean the house. We wish there were a way to wave a magic wand and have a completely clean home instantly, but we've got the next best thing: Expert tips to make your home look cleaner quickly.
The good news is that most people don't pay close attention to how clean someone else's house is. As long as the surfaces are decluttered and there aren't visible spills, your space probably reads as clean to visitors. And if you have a few minutes to fluff the sofa pillows, even better.
Even if you don't have guests arriving imminently, these tips can help you get through those weeks where you're juggling work deadlines, family commitments, and social events, leaving you no time to tidy up. Adopting a few small habits can help your home feel consistently clean, even when you don't have time to dust every nook and cranny.
Below, Tricia Holderman, author of Germinator: The Germ Girl’s Guide To Simple Solutions In A Germ-Filled World, and North Carolina-based home organization expert Sidney Ayers Young share their go-to tips to make your home look cleaner ASAP.
Clear floor space
For maximum impact, Youngs says to pick up anything on the floor, such as toys, shoes, and clothing, especially in the main living area and hallways. “Floors carry more visual weight than almost anything else in a room, and they’re also the biggest surface in the entire space,” Young explains.
Store decluttered items in a basket
While you’re decluttering, Young says to use what she calls “a quick reset basket,” a laundry or storage bin to place items. “The key is remembering this basket is temporary, not storage,” she explains. “It gives you breathing room so you can restore visual calm first, then sort through everything once the space feels manageable again.”
Clear off kitchen surfaces
The kitchen is a high-traffic area, and clearing your countertops is one of the most impactful ways to make your home look cleaner, according to Holderman. “Clear everything off the kitchen counters and the dining table, leaving out only a few intentional items,” she says.
RELATED: Things in Your Kitchen That Hold More Germs Than a Toilet Seat
Tidy up bedroom surfaces
As with kitchen counters, items on our bedroom surfaces, like dressers and nightstands, can make a room appear messy. “You always want to handle visual clutter first, especially when you need to get things in order quickly,” Young explains. “Clearing what you can see gives you an endorphin rush and can make the whole bedroom feel lighter.”
Make beds
There’s a reason why our parents always told us to make our beds as soon as we got up: a made bed acts as a visual anchor for the entire room. “Smooth bedding and if you have time, make the bed, which will instantly make the whole bedroom feel tidier,” says Holderman.
Straighten up the sofa
Another way to restore visual harmony is to straighten your sofa. “Fluff sofa cushions, style throw pillows, and neatly fold blankets over the back or arm of the sofa,” Holderman says. These small adjustments act as a "reset button" for your living room, making the entire space look crisp and tidy.
Wipe down mirrors and glass surfaces
A cloudy or fingerprinted mirror can make a whole bathroom seem dirty, and just wiping down mirrors and glass surfaces can instantly improve the space. “Shiny, streak‑free glass makes rooms look brighter and cleaner, so wipe mirrors and glass tables,” says Holderman. “Be sure to give the bathroom counters a quick wipe, too.”
Use warm lighting
Soft, ambient lighting makes a room feel more inviting, so consider swapping out white bulbs for yellow ones. “Turning on warm lamps instead of harsh overhead lights can hide minor dust and soften the whole space,” Holderman advises.
Mariette Williams is a freelance writer living in South Florida. She covers topics such as travel, culture, books, and wellness, and when she's not traveling, she's lost in a good book.
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