Having a clean home and being organized doesn’t have to consume your time. In this article, you have access to 50 cleaning and organization tasks that will take you less than 15 minutes to complete.
50 Cleaning and Organization Tasks
1. Organize Your Tea and Coffee Station
Gather all tea and coffee items, including mugs, filters, and sweeteners. Group similar items together and discard expired or unused items. Arrange the remaining items in a visually appealing way, such as by color or type. Consider using containers or trays to keep everything organized.
2. Wipe Down Your Bathroom Sink and Toilet
Grab some cleaning supplies such as a multipurpose cleaner, a sponge and a cloth. Spray the cleaner on the sink and toilet and let it sit for a minute. Use the sponge to scrub the surfaces, getting into all the nooks and crannies. And finally, wipe down the surfaces with a clean cloth until they are dry and shiny.
3. Sweep or Vacuum a Small Area of Your Home
Grab a broom or vacuum and any other supplies you may need, such as a dustpan. Choose a small area of your home, such as the entryway or hallway. Start at one end of the area and work your way to the other, sweeping or vacuuming up any dirt, dust, or debris as you proceed. If necessary, use a dustpan to collect dirt and debris and dispose of it in the trash.
4. Put Away any Dishes in the Sink or on the Counter
Grab a dish towel or drying rack and any other supplies you may need, such as a sponge or dish soap. If there are any dirty dishes in the sink, wash them with soap and water or load them into the dishwasher. If there are clean dishes on the counter, wipe them off with a towel or place them on the dryer rack. Once all the dishes are clean and dry, put them away in their proper place.
5. Sort Through Your Mail and Recycle Unnecessary Items
Grab a recycling bin or trash can and any other supplies you may need, such as a letter opener or scissors. Gather all mail in one place, such as a table or desk. Sort through the mail, opening any critical letters or bills and setting them aside. Recycle junk mail, advertisements, or unnecessary items by placing them in the recycling bin or trash can. Once you have sorted through all mail, put the relevant items in a safe place or file them away.
6. Take out the Trash
Get a garbage bag and any other supplies you may need, such as gloves or a dustpan and broom. Go to each room in the house and collect any trash that needs to be thrown away. Tie up the garbage bag and take it outside to the trash can. If necessary, sweep or vacuum any dirt or debris left behind.
7. Make a List of Tasks You Need to Accomplish for the Day
Making a list of tasks you need to accomplish for the day is an excellent way to stay organized and focused on your goals. By breaking down your tasks into smaller, more manageable steps and prioritizing them based on importance and urgency, you can tackle your to-do list with confidence and efficiency.
8. Put Away any Clothes Lying Around
Pick up any clothes lying on the floor, on chairs, or on any other surface. Sort the clothes by type (e.g., shirts, pants, socks, etc.) and place them in the appropriate section of your closet.
9. Clear any Clutter from a Small Surface, Such as a Side Table or Desk
Choose a small surface to declutter, such as a side table, desk, or countertop. Remove any items that don’t belong or aren’t necessary for that space, such as dishes, papers, or random objects. Group like items together and find a designated spot for each item. Put away items in a specific place to store them. If there are any items without a specific place, create a designated spot for them or find a place to donate or dispose of them.
10. Wipe Down Your Kitchen Counters
Grab a cleaning spray or solution and a clean cloth or paper towel. Remove any items from the counters, such as appliances or decorative objects. Spray the cleaning solution on the counters and wipe them down with a clean cloth or paper towel. Be sure to get into all the corners and crevices to remove dirt or debris. Once the counters are pristine, return any items that belong there.
11. Tidy up Your Living Room
Walk through your living room and pick up any items that don’t belong, such as books, toys, or dishes. Put away items in their designated spots, such as books on a bookshelf or toys in a bin. Consider using a basket or tray to corral smaller items like remote controls or coasters.
Take a few minutes to arrange and fluff any pillows or cushions on your couches or chairs.
12. Organize Your Purse or Wallet
Empty your purse or wallet and spread all the items on a table or countertop. Sort through the items and group them by types, such as credit cards, cash, receipts, and personal items. Decide which items you need to keep and which ones can be thrown away or stored elsewhere. Find designated spots for each item and put them back in your purse or wallet. Use small pouches or organizers to keep similar items together and make them easier to find.
13. Put Away any Shoes that are out of Place
Gather any shoes lying around and sort them by type or owner. Find designated spots for each pair of shoes, such as a shoe rack, a closet shelf, or a bin. Put away each pair of shoes in its designated spot, making sure they are organized and not cluttering up the space.
14. Fold and Put Away a Load of Laundry
Take the laundry out of the dryer or off the line. Fold each item of clothing neatly and stack them in piles by type (e.g. pants, shirts, etc.). Put away each item of clothing in its designated spot, such as a dresser drawer or closet shelf.
15. Update Your Calendar or Planner
Gather your calendar or planner and any writing utensils you need. Review your upcoming appointments, events, and deadlines. Write down any upcoming events or tasks in your calendar or planner. Check off any completed tasks or appointments and review your progress toward your goals.
16. Straighten up a Bookshelf or Entertainment Center
Take all the items off the shelf and set them aside in a pile. Dust the shelf or entertainment center with a clean, dry cloth. Sort through the items and decide which ones to keep and which ones to donate or discard. Group the remaining items by type, such as books, DVDs, or decorative items. Put the items back on the shelf, arranging them neatly and creatively.
17. Go Through Your Refrigerator and Throw Away any Expired Items
Take out all items from your refrigerator, one shelf at a time. Check the expiration dates on each item and discard any that have expired or become unusable. Wipe down the refrigerator interior with a damp cloth or sponge. Replace the remaining items in their designated spots.
18. Dust a Small Area of Your Home, Such as a Lamp or Picture Frame
Use a clean, dry microfiber cloth or feather duster to gently remove dust from the item. If there is stubborn grime, dampen the cloth slightly and try again. Wipe down any surrounding surfaces to avoid spreading dust.
19. Empty the Dishwasher
Open the dishwasher and remove any clean dishes. Put away the dishes in their designated spots. If there are any dirty dishes in the sink or on the counter, load them into the dishwasher and start the cycle.
20. Sweep or Wipe Down Your Kitchen Floor
Sweep up any loose dirt, crumbs or debris from the floor with a broom and dustpan. Use a damp mop or wet cloth to wipe down the floor, paying extra attention to any spills or stains. Dry the floor with a clean, dry cloth or let it air dry.
21. Tidy up Your Bathroom Cabinets or Drawers
Remove all items from cabinets or drawers and lay them out on a flat surface. Discard any expired or unused items. Wipe down cabinets or drawer interiors with a damp cloth. Sort the remaining items by category (such as hair care products, skin care products, etc.) and put them back in their designated spots.
22. Put Away any Toys that are out of Place
Collect all the toys and put them in a pile. Sort the toys into categories such as dolls, cars, puzzles, etc. Put the toys away in their designated spots or in toy storage bins.
23. Clear any Clutter from Your Car
Remove any trash or items that don’t belong in your car and place them in a bag to be thrown away or recycled. Use a damp cloth to wipe down surfaces such as the dashboard and console. Vacuum the seats and floor mats to remove dirt or debris.
24. Wipe Down Your Microwave
Fill a bowl with water and add a few lemon slices. Place the bowl in the microwave and heat on high for two to three minutes. Carefully remove the bowl and wipe down the microwave inside with a damp cloth or sponge.
25. Organize Your Critical Documents in a Binder or Folder
Collect all your pertinent documents, such as birth certificates, passports, social security cards, tax documents, insurance policies, and any other documents that you consider significant.
Choose a binder or folder large enough to hold all your critical documents. Consider getting a binder or folder with dividers to separate your documents into categories.
Organize your documents into categories, such as personal documents, financial documents, medical documents, and legal documents. Use dividers or tabs to separate each category.
26. Organize Your Desk Drawer
Empty the drawer and place everything on a clean surface. You should sort through the items and discard any items that are no longer needed. Sort the remaining items into categories such as stationery, writing tools, etc. Purchase or repurpose some drawer organizers and arrange items by category.
27. File any Paperwork that needs to be put Away
Gather all the paperwork to be filed. Sort the paperwork into categories, such as bills, receipts, and contracts. File each category of paperwork in its designated folder or binder.
28. Make a Grocery List
Take a look at your pantry, fridge, and freezer to see what you have on hand. Check recipes or meal plans for the week to see what ingredients you’ll need. Write down the items you need to purchase in a grocery list.
29. Sort Through Your Closet and Donate any Items You no Longer Wear
Take everything out of your closet and sort it into piles such as keep, donate, and sell. Try on any items you’re unsure about to see if they still fit or if you still like them. Bag up the items you’re donating and schedule a pick-up or drop-off time.
30. Clean Your Makeup Brushes
Wet the brush bristles with warm water and add a drop of mild soap or shampoo. Gently swirl the brush in your palm to lather the soap. Rinse the brush in warm water until the water runs clear. Squeeze out any excess water and reshape the brush bristles. Lay the brushes flat on a clean towel to air dry.
31. Go Through Your Pantry and Throw Away any Expired Items
Take everything out of your pantry. Check the expiration dates on all items. Discard any expired or spoiled items. Group similar items together and put them back in the pantry.
32. Put Away any Tools or Supplies That are Out of Place
Gather any out-of-place tools or supplies. Return each item to its designated spot or storage location.
33. Dust Your Blinds or Curtains
Close the blinds or curtains. Use a microfiber cloth or a duster to remove dust or debris from blinds or curtains. If necessary, use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment to remove any remaining dust.
34. Take out the Recycling
Gather all the recyclable materials from around the house. Separate the materials by types, such as plastic, glass, or paper. Take the recycling to the appropriate bin or collection point.
35. Sort Through Your Jewelry and Organize It in a Jewelry Box or Tray
Gather all your jewelry in one place. Sort the jewelry into categories such as necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. Discard any broken or damaged jewelry. Place each jewelry category in its compartment in a jewelry box or tray.
36. Clean Your Phone Screen and Case
Power off your phone and remove it from its case (if applicable). Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the screen and case, removing fingerprints, smudges, or dirt. If necessary, lightly dampen the cloth with water or rubbing alcohol, being careful not to get moisture in ports or openings. Let the phone and case dry completely before putting the case back on and turning the phone back on.
37. Tidy up Your Bedside Table
Remove any items that don’t belong on the table, such as dishes or clothing. Put away any items with a designated spot, such as books or jewelry. Wipe down the table with a dusting cloth or disinfecting wipe. Arrange any remaining items neatly on the table.
38. Put Away Out-of-Place Office Supplies
Gather any office supplies that are out of place, such as pens or paperclips. Return each item to its designated spot or storage location.
39. Go Through Your Email Inbox and Delete any Unnecessary Messages
Open your email inbox. Skim through the messages, marking any that are critical or require a response. Delete any spam, unnecessary, or already addressed messages. If necessary, create folders or labels to organize relevant messages.
40. Organize Your Sock Drawer
Empty your sock drawer. Sort your socks by type (e.g. dress socks, athletic socks, etc.) and color. Fold each pair of socks neatly and place them back in the drawer, with the most frequently used pairs at the top.
41. Sort Through Your Bathroom Products and Discard Expired Items
Empty your bathroom cabinets or drawers. Check the expiration date on each product and discard any that have expired. Group similar products together and organize them in the cabinet or drawer, with the most frequently used items at the front.
42. Put Away any Outdoor Furniture or Equipment Out of Place
Walk around your outdoor space and gather any out-of-place furniture or equipment. Return each item to its designated spot, such as a shed or storage area.
43. Tidy up Your Entryway or Foyer
Remove any clutter from the space, such as shoes or bags. Wipe down any surfaces, such as a table or bench, with a dusting cloth or disinfecting wipe. Organize any items with a designated spot, such as keys or umbrellas, and return them to their proper location. Add a decorative element, such as a vase of flowers or a piece of artwork, to make the space feel welcoming.
44. Organize Your Spices
Empty your spice cabinet. Group your spices by type (e.g. herbs, spices, seasonings) and discard any expired ones. Label each spice with its name and expiration date, if desired. Arrange the spices in alphabetical order or by frequency of use.
45. Go Through Your Wallet and Discard any Old Receipts or Cards
Empty your wallet. Sort through any receipts or cards and discard any that are no longer needed or expired. Organize the remaining items by types, such as credit cards or IDs.
46. Clear out any Clutter from Your Kitchen Cabinets
Empty your kitchen cabinets. Sort through your items and discard any that are broken, expired, or no longer needed. Group similar items together and organize them in the cabinet, with the most frequently used items at the front.
47. Organize Your Book Collection
Remove all books from your bookshelf or storage area. Sort your books by genre or author. Decide which books you want to keep and which ones you want to donate or give away. Arrange the books in a visually appealing way, such as by color or height.
48. Make a To-Do List for the Week
Write down all the tasks you need to accomplish for the week. Prioritize tasks based on their urgency or importance. Break down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. Consider setting deadlines for each task to stay on track.
49. Put Away any Office or School Supplies that are out of Place
Gather all office or school supplies. Sort through the items and discard any that are broken or no longer needed. Group similar items together and organize them in your drawers or on your desk. Put away any items out of place or cluttering your workspace.
50. Go Through Your Phone Contacts and Delete Unneeded Contacts
Open your phone’s contact list. Scroll through each contact and consider whether you still need their information. Delete any contacts you no longer need or recognize. Consider grouping contacts into categories, such as family or work contacts, to make them easier to find.
Conclusion
Your home can be clean and organized with the 50 cleaning and organization tasks in this article. By breaking down your tasks into smaller, more manageable steps and prioritizing them based on importance and urgency, you can tackle your to-do list with confidence and efficiency.
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