How to Clean a House Faster: The Method Professional Cleaners Use

To clean a house faster, follow four rules: top to bottom, dry to wet, one full zone at a time and always the same direction around the room. Start with the bathrooms (let the product sit while you do something else), move on to the kitchen and finish with the floors, working toward the door.

In this article:

• The 4 rules
• What order to clean the house
• Your kit, so you don't run back and forth
• How long to plan for

The 4 rules of fast cleaning

Time gets lost redoing work and walking back and forth. These rules prevent it.

1. Top to bottom. Cobwebs, fans and high shelves first; then counters and furniture; the floor always last. That way falling dust doesn't land on what you already cleaned.
2. Dry to wet. Dust and vacuum before you wipe with damp cloths or mop. If you wet first, dust turns into mud.
3. By zones. Finish a whole room before moving to the next. Nothing is left half-done or forgotten.
4. Always the same direction. Work around each room left to right (or clockwise) from the door. You won't skip surfaces and you can work on autopilot.

What order to clean the house

Bathrooms first, then the kitchen, bedrooms and living room, and floors throughout the house last.

1. Bathrooms: spray the toilet, shower and sink as soon as you arrive and let the product sit (for the time on the label) while you do something else.
2. Kitchen: it takes the most time; tackle it with energy.
3. Bedrooms and living room: dust top to bottom, beds, glass and mirrors.
4. Go back to the bathrooms to scrub and rinse: the product already did half the work.
5. Floors throughout: vacuum and mop from the back of the house toward the exit.

Your kit, so you don't run back and forth

Carry everything in a caddy with a handle and move it with you from room to room.

• Color-coded microfiber cloths (one for bathrooms, one for the kitchen, one for everything else).
• Labeled spray bottles: all-purpose, bathroom, glass and degreaser.
• Sponges, a toothbrush, a Magic Eraser and gloves.
• Spare trash bags.

More ideas in 8 multipurpose cleaning tools.

How long to plan for

A standard clean of a 1,500 sq ft home takes one person about 3 to 4 hours; a deep clean, 5 to 7. With this method and practice, you'll get faster every week.

AgendaQuote calculates the estimated hours for each quote based on the home (square feet, bedrooms, bathrooms and cleaning type), and you can adjust them. That way you know how many jobs fit in your day.

Frequently asked questions

What should you clean first, dust or floors?

Always dust first. Floors are last, so you pick up everything that falls while cleaning.

Should you clean the kitchen or the bathroom first?

Spray the bathroom first so the product can work, clean the kitchen and go back to finish the bathroom. You make use of the waiting time.

How can I clean faster without doing a worse job?

Always follow the same order and carry a complete kit. Speed comes from not redoing work, not from scrubbing less.

Download the deep cleaning checklist