Sometimes it can feel like you don’t know where to start when cleaning your home—especially on those lazy Saturday afternoons when you’d rather do anything else. Even though it can be intimidating, it can also be satisfying when it’s finally finished. Try incorporating the cleaning tips below into your routine to help make your life infinitely easier.

Create a list

It can be helpful to break down your cleaning projects by room and day:

Monday: Laundry and dusting. (Complete a few loads of laundry while you dust.)

Tuesday: Vacuum and mop the floors.

Wednesday: Clean up the living areas (family room and living room).

Thursday: Tidy up the bathrooms.

Friday: Clean up the kitchen.

Saturday: Organize and complete any miscellaneous tasks.

Set a timer

A timer can keep you on task so you can complete your list, and it’s a big help if you get distracted easily. By cleaning in 20-minute increments, you don’t have to worry about spending all day on each task. Timers will also help when doing laundry, as you won’t forget you have clothes in the washer or dryer.

Declutter first

Prioritizing decluttering is always a good idea. Decluttering can help cut down on the time you need to spend cleaning. You should also be sure to have a spot for everything you need. Complete one room at a time, focusing on categorizing items like papers, clothing, books, etc., and organizing those items in groups.

Don’t clean alone

Make sure to get your family or roommates involved. It creates bonding time for everyone and is also a way to share the workload. It can also teach children the benefits of keeping a clean home. A good rule to establish is to never leave a room empty-handed. If there is something that doesn’t belong in a room, make sure to take it with you to the proper room when you leave.

Set a routine

• Make your bed every day. Your bed is the most visible thing in the bedroom and therefore it should look presentable. If it is not clean or presentable, it can make the whole room look messy—even if it’s not. And be sure to change the sheets when cleaning to keep your bed fresh.
• Empty the dishwasher every morning. You can work it into your routine rather easily while you get ready for work, and it will keep the dishes from piling up excessively.
• Sort and recycle paper (mail, bills, etc.) quickly and consistently. By sorting and recycling you will stop papers from piling up and can stay more organized.

Getting into the details is helpful in any situation, especially when it comes to tedious work like cleaning. Always put on a good playlist or podcast to help cleaning go faster and make it more interesting. A little dance party while cleaning can make it much more bearable.