Lysol Wipes
I have these in every single bathroom under the sink. I can clean the countertops, vanities, and toilets in 2-3 minutes. It has to be done every day in my boys' bathroom because between the toothpaste on the counter and um...misfires, it gets gross fast. The other two bathrooms can be done every other day, but even if I did all three one day it still takes less than 10 minutes.
Waiting Until After Breakfast to Start the Dishwasher
Why? This prevents breakfast dishes from being stacked up in the sink. No one wants to come home to that! I turn on the dishwasher right before I leave the house. That gives me until dinner time to empty it. Well, my 10 year old is responsible for emptying it, but he doesn't always do it, lol.
Lint Brush
This may sound a bit odd, but this is one of my favorite cleaning products. I have always used them on my lampshades to remove dust, but I also use them on my sofas, throw pillows, and upholstered headboard. It could also be used on curtains or just about anywhere you have dust. My new white sofa gets a rub down from the lint brush about once a week. This is probably the reason why I've only had to wash the seat cushions once since I got them over a month ago.
Swiffer Vac
If you have tile or hardwood floors this is a must! It's not for big cleaning jobs, but it's perfect for cleaning up little every day messes. There's no cord since you charge it and it's lightweight, so it's much easier to pull out and spot clean than a big vacuum. I don't have to clean the floors quite so often with the regular vacuum because of this. It's cheap, too. I think mine was about $35.
Laundry
I don't mind doing laundry. I hate putting it away. Some people were raised to fold clothes and others use hangers. I was a hanger person. Now, that I have five people in my family, I fold every single thing I can. I can't even tell you how much of a difference this has made. I can fold it downstairs in front of the tv and then sort it. During a commercial, I can run upstairs and put it all away. I can't believe how much faster it is!
I know this isn't the prettiest or most interesting post, but I probably think about cleaning and laundry more than anything else. Yes, even more than decorating, painting, and blogging. It's a constant battle to keep this house clean. I've been asked why I don't hire a maid many times. That is something I tried once and the woman I hired did a great job. The problem was that my kids made it look like the house hadn't been cleaned in a month by the next day. Fortunately, they aren't quite as messy since they have gotten older and the toys are starting to be replaced by electronics. Now, I can delegate some of the cleaning to the kids and that will really make it easier!