The 10-minute rule for cleaning (or its popular variation, the 20/10 rule) involves short, focused cleaning bursts to prevent overwhelm and build momentum, often by setting a timer for 10 minutes to tackle a specific area or task, or working for 20 minutes and taking a 10-minute break, making cleaning feel less daunting and more manageable. It's about consistent, short efforts, like tidying surfaces or decluttering, to maintain a presentable home without marathon cleaning sessions.
The 12-12-12 decluttering method, created by Joshua Becker of Becoming Minimalist, is a simple, manageable system where you find 12 items to throw away, 12 items to donate, and 12 items to return to their proper place in a room, totaling 36 items, which helps to quickly reduce clutter without overwhelm and build momentum. It's a quick, repeatable process for any area, focusing on immediate results by tackling trash, donations, and misplaced items in small, achievable steps.
Work for Twenty, Rest for Ten
Created by Rachel Hoffman, a professional organizer and author, the 20/10 method could truly not be more straightforward. Basically, you clean, declutter, or organize for twenty minutes and then you reward yourself with a ten minute break. Want more cleaning and organizing tips?
The 20-minute cleaning rule (also known as the 20/10 rule) is a simple, time-boxed method to tackle household chores by cleaning with focused intensity for 20 minutes and then taking a 10-minute break, repeating as needed to prevent burnout and keep messes from piling up. It breaks large tasks into manageable sprints, making cleaning less overwhelming by focusing on progress over perfection through short, frequent sessions rather than marathon cleaning days, often tied to the FlyLady system or similar organizing principles.
If the 5x5 method is as new to you as it was to me, allow me to explain. Coined by Steph of The Secret Slob, this technique requires nothing but a timer and twenty-five free minutes. Pick five rooms or zones and dedicate five minutes per area. In twenty-five minutes, Steph promises a cleaner, less cluttered home.
The 50% rule for clutter is a decluttering method that challenges you to remove half the items from any given space (closets, drawers, rooms) to create instant space, reduce overwhelm, and achieve a more organized, functional environment by keeping only what truly adds value. It's a powerful technique for making significant progress quickly, forcing intentional decisions about what to keep versus what to let go of, making finding and using items easier.
Recommended Order for Cleaning a House
Non-food-contact surfaces
The 2017 FDA Food Code has many recommendations for cleaning such surfaces. For example, iced tea dispensers and consumer self-service utensils that do not come into contact with TCS foods (tongs, scoops, ladles, etc.) should be cleaned at least every 24 hours.
Try a simmer pot
Simmer pots are an easy, DIY way to infuse your home with pleasant aromas. Toss citrus rinds, spices and vanilla extract into a pot of simmering water and voilà: cozy, cottagecore aromas.
The Core 4 Method was created by professional organiser Kayleen Kelly. It's designed to keep things simple and strip decluttering right back to the basics. The four steps — Clear Out, Categorise, Cut Out and Contain — give you a structured plan that says exactly what it does on the tin.
5 Simple Steps to Cut Down on Household Clutter
home, the 1% rule involves doing just one small thing to make your home better. The habit definitely leads to a more tidy home, but, more importantly, it also creates a more peaceful emotional state.
By adhering to the one touch rule, you eliminate the tendency to procrastinate on tidying up, preventing clutter from accumulating. “The mantra here is “don't put it down, put it away.” Instead of picking up an object and setting it aside again, the one touch rule relies on you putting it away immediately.”
What is the rule of three for cleaning closets? This is one of the quickest ways to determine if an item is worth keeping. Evaluate each article of clothing and see if you can come up with three different occasions to wear it, or three distinct outfits to create with it.
The idea behind Project 333 is simple: Wear only 33 articles of clothing for the next 3 months. All clothing, accessories, jewelry, outerwear, and shoes count towards your number. Exceptions include wedding rings, underwear, sleepwear, in-home loungewear, and workout clothing.
In 2 hours, a cleaner typically focuses on high-traffic areas like kitchens and bathrooms, dusting surfaces, vacuuming/mopping floors, wiping counters, cleaning toilets/sinks, and emptying bins, often covering 1-2 bathrooms and a kitchen/living area for a weekly upkeep clean, rather than a deep clean. Prioritizing tasks and having the home tidy beforehand maximizes the time, ensuring essential areas are refreshed.
13 Efficient Housecleaning Tips
Tackle High-Traffic Areas First
High-traffic areas like the kitchen, living room, and bathrooms should be cleaned more frequently as they are used the most and gather dirt quickly. These spaces quickly build up dirt and bacteria, requiring attention first.
They're simple to correct and will help make your home look cleaner.
Go from room to room and collect all of the trash, and immediately take it out to the curb or dumpster.
How to Clean Your Bathroom: Complete Guide
In recent years, psychologist research has begun to find that living and working in cluttered spaces causes stress and anxiety and can harm both our mental health and our productivity.
The 3-3-3 clothing rule is a simple styling method for creating many outfits from few items: choose 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 shoes, which allows for 27 potential combinations (3x3x3) and reduces decision fatigue, often used for travel or building a minimalist capsule wardrobe. It's a versatile concept, sometimes expanded to include 3 layers (like jackets or cardigans) for even more looks, making dressing easier by focusing on mix-and-match versatility with core pieces.
Here are 5 clever tips to help you declutter and bring order back to your living space: 1️⃣ Embrace the "One In, One Out" Rule: For every new item you bring into your home, let go of one you no longer need. This simple rule will keep your possessions in check and prevent unnecessary buildup.