One Minute Chores – Declutter in a Minute

ONE-MINUTE CHORES

Only have a minute for cleaning? No problem. This first set
of tips will give you some ideas for chores that take less
than a minute.

1. Dust One Thing
It only takes a minute to choose one thing and dust it. You can either use a
feather duster, a dust spray and a rag, or a dust wipe. Here are some things
you can dust quickly:
• TV screens
• Shelves
• Blinds
• Ceiling fans
• Air Vents

2. Change Vacuum Bag
It doesn’t take much time at all to change your vacuum bag, and it can
make your vacuum run more efficiently. A good tip is to take your
vacuum outside to change it so the dust from the bag doesn’t go back into
the room.

3. Clean a Mirror
A clean mirror makes a room look cleaner. If you don’t have glass cleaner
and paper towels, try vinegar and old newspaper. This is a lot less
expensive and it works just as well.

4. Change Towels
Fresh towels make a room smell great, whether they’re in the kitchen or
the bathroom. It takes less than a minute, and it freshens up the whole
room.

5. Change Trash Bags
Even if you don’t have time to take the trash all the way out, just taking
full bags out of the cans and replacing them with clean bags can help tidy
up when you only have a minute.

6. Sort Today’s Mail
Mail can really pile up if left alone. If you take 30 seconds every day to
organize that day’s mail, you’ll have a lot less clutter. Don’t be afraid to
throw away junk mail.

7. Treat a Stain
Got an extra minute? Treat that nasty stain that you noticed last week.
Here are some tips:
• Flush stains with water.
• Blot the stain with a dry cloth.
• Apply a mild cleaner and let set.
• Blot again.

8. Take Care of Plants
A minute is more than enough time to care for your favorite houseplants.
If they need water, fill a pitcher so you can water them all faster. Take a
pair of scissors with you to snip off dead vines or leaves.

9. Wipe Down Forgotten Areas
Grab a wet washcloth and quickly wipe down areas that might be
forgotten when cleaning. Areas like:
• Doorknobs
• Remote controls
• Light switches
• Handles
• Telephones

10. Sweep Entryways
Most entryways are small and take less than a minute to sweep. Grab your
broom and dustpan and you’ll be finished before you begin. You can even
cheat and sweep dust onto the carpet, then use the carpet-sweeper to clean
it up.

11. Shake out a Floor Mat
Floor mats are sometimes forgotten during cleaning. If you have an extra
minute, grab a mat or two and shake them out outside. This will reduce the
amount of dust in your home as well as keep those mats fresh and clean.

12. Collect Garbage in a Room
If you don’t have time to clean a whole room but want to make it look a
little bit better, clear out the garbage. Grab a trash bag or a waste paper
basket and start stuffing. You’ll find that this improves the look of a room
dramatically.