I will be the first to admit it.

I hate cleaning house.

And I’m not really good at it, either.

But I do enjoy a clean home.

And like I say in An ADD Woman Cleans, it has to be done. There is no getting around it.

Over the years, I’ve developed some strategies for getting the job done as quickly and easily as possible.

Here they are, in no particular order:

• You’ve got to get rid of the clutter. Period.
• Make a habit of wiping down the kitchen and bathroom surfaces at least once a day. Kitchen counters may need more attention than the bathrooms.
• I’ve only recently added some polished surfaces into my home, such as end tables. They show dust sooner than a piece without the sheen.
• I have discovered the power of steam. I have a steamer for the floor and a handheld one and I love both of them. I like knowing that my floors are that clean and the bathrooms too! Plus they use nothing more than distilled water!
• On chores I hate – like mopping floors – I time myself. When I found out it took 8 minutes to mop my big kitchen, I knew I had no room for excuses any more.
• Microfiber cloths. Again, they work with just water and they work for a variety of jobs.
• Use products that you like. I like the wipes with disinfectant already in them, plus vinegar, ammonia, and baking soda. Sometimes I add a little essential oils for fragrance.
• Learn to let the products do the work. Spray surfaces down and wait a couple of minutes before wiping off.

If you’ve got a true mess on your hands that just feels overwhelming, try starting by getting rid of the clutter, then concentrate on the kitchen and bathrooms first.

And if getting rid of the clutter is too much, think about professional help. Please.