5 Things You Can Easily Clean After Working Overtime

For many of us who juggle a demanding day job and managing a household, it can be difficult to maintain a spotless house. Even if we try our best to follow a regular cleaning schedule, it’s inevitable to see a messy corner or a nook filled with a bunch of knickknacks you dumped the other day. We’ve said it before and we’re saying it again: accomplishing small tasks can make a huge difference.

Whether it’s simply fluffing the pillows in the living area or throwing out the garbage once you get home—achieving one chore at the end of the day can help you keep the house in tip-top shape. Here are five things you can easily clean even if you’ve just finished a long to-do list at work:

The floor

Clean and shiny floors can instantly make your home look and feel cleaner. Give your home a good sweep before plopping on your sofa and enjoying a cold drink. No need to sweep even the hard-to-reach corners—just give the different areas a light sweep and reserve the thorough cleaning for the weekend.

IMAGE Jojo Gloria

Counters and surfaces

Dusty tables and cluttered counters don’t add to your home’s appeal and ambiance. Once you get home, grab a microfiber cloth and go through your side tables, center table, and shelves. Check your counters—are there items taking space? Place these in one container and spend the weekend putting things back in their proper places. You may want to check your foyer for misplaced valuables, too.

IMAGE Vincent Coscolluela

The sink

Left a ton of dirty dishes and pans from cooking today’s breakfast? Don’t let crumbs and sauces stick to your precious dinnerware and cookware. Wash these before calling it a day and reward yourself with a spotless kitchen that’s ready to be used the next day.

Hamper/Laundry Area

Are dirty clothes piling up? Spend a couple of minutes sorting them into piles so come laundry day, you’ll just fill up the washer and go through your routine easily. The same rule applies if you’re dealing with newly washed clothes—sort, fold, and create neat piles before storing them inside your closet.

Your bedside table

IMAGE Jojo Gloria

Before turning off the light and drifting off to dreamland, give your nightstand a quick fix. Prep your alarm clock, set your phone down, and make sure your stack of books are in place. Nothing beats waking up to an organized room and the sight of your favorite things.

Source: Apartment Therapy