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15+ Productive Things to Do in an Hour or Less
Only have an hour? Try these ultra-productive home to-dos that can be knocked out in 60 minutes or less.
Life gets busy, and sometimes all we have is a single hour to ourselves. Whether you like spending your "me time" snoozing or knocking out your to-do list, it's totally up to you (and maybe your kids' sleep schedule). I’m equal parts sleep lover and productivity junkie, so it’s a toss-up for me. But to weigh my options, I’ve gathered more than 15 ultra-productive things I — and you — could do with that precious hour. Check out my list for inspiration.
Organize Your Kitchen
Intuitive, Organized Storage is Fundamental in Communal Kitchen Design
Being a communal space, ease of access and organized storage plays a big part in this design. Open shelving on either side of the vent-a-hood provides stylish storage of mugs and spices, while cabinets and shelves below add functional, stylish storage, putting kitchen necessities within a fingertip's reach.
Photo by: Colin Price Photography
Colin Price Photography
Meal prepping is hectic enough without throwing an unorganized kitchen in the mix. Dedicate one hour to organizing your kitchen to ensure cooking for the family runs smoothly.
Let’s Do It: The Ultimate One-Hour Kitchen Cleanse
Organize Kitchen Drawers
Clean Your Bakeware
How to Remove Stickers and Adhesive from Metal Surfaces
Use coconut oil and baking soda to remove tough stickers from metal.
Photo by: Emily Fazio
Emily Fazio
Bakeware looking worse for wear? Mix 1/4 cup of baking soda with enough hydrogen peroxide to form a paste and scrub stained pans so they're ready for cookie season. Note: This method is not for coated or nonstick bakeware, as baking soda will remove the coating.
Try This Microwave Cleaning Hack
One too many frozen dinner mishaps can leave your microwave in rough shape. Wipe it all away in 15 minutes with this clever hack. Bonus: You have 45 minutes to tackle another task.
Organize Your Refrigerator
Andy Vinson of Loch & Key Productions
You can’t truly understand the beauty of an organized refrigerator until that organized refrigerator is yours. I’m telling you — it’s SO worth it.
Let’s Do It: Fridge Organization 101
Free-Up Countertop Space
Simply decluttering can really relieve some stress. Free-up your kitchen countertops by storing your knives on the wall with this magnetic walnut knife holder.
Clean a Major Appliance
When's the last time you cleaned your dishwasher, refrigerator or washing machine? Fix it in a snap with this helpful tutorial.
Clean Your Drains With a DIY Solution
Flynnside Out Productions
Don’t expose your guests to your drain issues (ew!). Spend your hour whipping those drains into shape with one of these DIY drain cleaners you can make at home.
Let's Do It: 5 DIY Drain Cleaners
Clean Kitchen + Bathroom Grout
Cleaning grout will go so much faster when you have to scrub less. This tile joint brush features bristles that will scrub away grime from your backsplash, floor grout and more. Plus, the handle is comfortable for both righties or lefties.
Repair Walls
Now you can patch up those nail holes in your wall with one easy tool. This small tube includes a spackle with primer, a putty knife on one end of the tube and a sanding pad on the other end. Just apply the spackle, smooth with the built-in putty knife, let dry and sand until flush with the wall. Then, it's ready for paint.
If you've been avoiding retouching your walls with paint because you don't want to deal with cleaning the paintbrush, this is the tool you need. The Paint Saint stores leftover paint in the container and features a built-in paintbrush to retouch any time you need. Plus, you never have to clean the paintbrush because the silicone gasket in the container's lid keeps oxygen out.
Try These Easy Projects in a Weekend
We share how to use handy tools to help you organize and upgrade your home.
Declutter Your Home
Red Arrow Industries
Ah, clutter — the enemy of the modern minimalist. Start ridding your home of unnecessary things with our helpful throw-it-out list.
Let’s Do It: 50 Things to Get Rid of Right Now
Organize With Dollar Store Hacks
Organize all the things on the cheap with these genius dollar store hacks.
Deodorize Your Car or Home (With More Thrifty Hacks!)
Deal with those unpleasant smelly spots in your home or car using a budget-friendly, DIY solution.
Clean a Major Dust Collector in Your Home
Cut down the number of allergy-induced sneezes by cleaning a major dust collector in your home.
Make Your Own Household Cleaners
Jason Kisner
These homemade cleaners are so quick and easy to make, you can whip ‘em up and clean with them all in one hour.
Let's Do It: 3-Ingredient Cleaners You Can Make in Seconds
Clean Out Your Closet
John Granen
This one-hour closet cleanse is for the focused and dedicated. I’m truly impressed by all you decisive people.
Let’s Do This: The Ultimate One-Hour Closet Cleanse
Or, Just Organize Your Closet
If cleaning out your closet in an hour sounds daunting, consider a solid hour of organization. An organized closet will get you one step closer to that closet cleanse.
Let's Do This: Closet Organization 101
Try This Showerhead Cleaning Hack
Flynnside Out Productions
Hey, I don’t blame you if your showerhead’s a bit spotty. I consistently avoided cleaning mine until I found this genius hack. Simply submerge the entire showerhead into a zipper storage bag filled with warm, white vinegar. Secure the bag with rubber bands or a zip tie for about 30 minutes.
Organizing Mistakes to Avoid
See All PhotosProfessional organizers share common organizing mistakes and how to solve them.
