What to Clean if You Only Have 10 Minutes

Take a moment to consider how infrequently you clean the doorknobs and light switches. Wiping them with a disinfecting cloth cuts down on the spread of germs, and quite obviously is an excellent use of your time. Forget about finding 10 free minutes, though. This 10-minute chore is the perfect multitasking opportunity (like when you’re on the phone with your mom, or waiting for dinner to get out of the oven).

Whether it’s the dishes from your last meal or the mountain in the sink, take 10 minutes to relocate that dirty stuff into the dishwasher. Don’t forget to add the detergent after loading; set it up, hit start, and walk away.

Mom was right. If you make the bed, the whole bedroom just feels... better. Straighten out pillows and shams and rearrange the top sheet and comforter. You’ll breathe easier and, the bed will look more inviting too. This is a pretty simple chore, and you can probably change the sheets in under 10 minutes too... if you hustle. Bonus points for mitered corners.

Spray-spray-spray, wipe-wipe-wipe. Cleaning glass isn’t a chore that’s difficult, and in 10 minutes you can easily refresh many of the windows in your home. Don’t get carried away though - you’ll be most productive if you use your time to deal with the panes that get the most action... the one that the dog nose-boops while watching squirrels, or those that the kids riddle with fingerprints while watching the garbage truck.

Combat fingerprints and dust on your tv, smartphone, tablet, and computer screens. The easiest way to achieve a streak-free and damage-free result is to use a damp microfiber cloth misted with a pre-mixed solution of one-part rubbing alcohol and one-part distilled water.

Even the most orderly cord storage requires regular maintenance. Untangle and re-order these critical accessories, and make it easier to find what you need. Pro tip: Use adhesive hooks on the inside of a closet door to collect the cords - untangled - in one spot.

A clean cooktop does a lot to improve the appearance of your kitchen. Use a damp cloth to collect any dried food particles or dust on the surface, and then use a rag and grease-cutting cleaner to spray and wipe off any tougher marks or dried water spots.

If your wintertime routine includes running humidifiers 24/7, take pause and remember to clean out the machine before your next refill. A clean humidifier means cleaner, healthier air in your home.

Use a sticky lint roller to quickly clean your window treatments top to bottom. It's no surprise that dust collects all over, but pet-owners might be surprised at how much fur collects on the bottom half too. The sticky roller makes clean-up and ongoing upkeep an easy chore.

There’s really no excuse for dirty appliances when stainless steel wipes and sprays are easily accessible and quick to trigger. I live in a home with little kids, and the fingerprints re-appear within a day of cleaning the fridge, so this is the type of chore I tackle while they’re self-entertaining in the opposite end of the house.

Take care of that place where you drop your mail, shoes, keys, travel mugs and mittens, because we all know it can get out of control fast. And if you're looking to outsource this one, cleaning up jackets, bags and shoes is the perfect daily 10-minute chore for kids.