20 spring cleaning tasks you can do in 1 minute or less

Spring has sprung, so it’s time to buckle down and clean up our spaces. You’ll love these quick, easy ways to make your home feel fresh and tidy – fast.

Got a minute? Go around to each room in your house and gather up items you probably never clean, such as plastic toys, hairbrushes and even flip-flops. Believe it or not, all of these things are dishwasher safe. Just toss them in your trusty dishwasher and let it work its magic – no matter how busy you are.

Between soccer games, dance lessons and P&C meetings, it’s tough to give our homes the deep clean they deserve. If you’re tight on time, take a lap around your home with a lint roller and run it over everything in sight. These handy gadgets can remove dirt and crumbs from couches, lamp shades and any other hard-to-reach spots.

Discover 8 things professional housecleaners do in their home every day. 

There are some household odours that even a heavy dose of Febreze can’t kick. Instead, sprinkle baking soda onto smelly carpets, upholstered furniture or mattresses, and then leave it while you make dinner or fold laundry. Vacuum it up after 15 minutes, and your home will feel (and smell!) fresher almost immediately.

Here are 17 more of the most brilliant ways to fix things with baking soda. 

You use your coats and bags every day, but they are probably one of the last things you regularly clean. While you’re sitting in traffic or waiting for the oven to preheat, toss out any gum wrappers, old receipts and other junk that have piled up over the months.

You aren’t cleaning these 11 everyday items nearly enough, either.

Reorganising your entire dresser probably seems like a daunting chore. But if you break it down into smaller, more manageable tasks, you might be more likely to get it done. Start by choosing one cluttered drawer and refolding all of the clothes inside. It will only take a minute, but you’ll be one step closer to getting your home in tip-top shape.

Use this spring cleaning schedule to clean your whole house in just one day.

No need to display bulky outerwear year-round. If the weather has recently warmed up, corral your winter coats and move them out of sight. You can box them up and store them elsewhere, or simply hang them in the back of your closet. Either way, you’ll be thankful to have extra space for your spring and summer wardrobe.

Has your shower’s water pressure seen better days? Here’s a handy hack: Fill a plastic bag with white vinegar, place it over the showerhead, and fasten it with a rubber band. Letting the bag soak overnight allows the vinegar to break down anything that blocks water flow. Your shower will work like new in no time (and you won’t have to lift a finger!)

Say goodbye to the nasty layer of gunk inside your car’s cup holders. Months of coffee spills and sweaty water bottles can be erased in one minute; just give each holder a quick scrub using wipes.

Not only is that huge pile of magazines gathering layers upon layers of dust, but it’s also a serious eyesore. As you take out the garbage one night, bring the stack with you and toss it in the recycling bin. Trust us, your home will thank you.

Got more time? Here are 30 things you can organise in 30 minutes.