How to Clean Your Room Fast

Cleaning your room can seem like a tedious process, but there are ways to make this chore go faster. To clean your room fast, take an organized approach: Throw away any garbage, return things to their proper place, and tidy up by making your bed, dusting, and vacuuming as needed. You can use tricks like listening to upbeat music or playing a game to make the time pass more enjoyably, after all, time flies when you are having fun.

Part 1
Part 1 of 3:

Getting the Task Done

  1. [1] This can help make the time go faster when you are doing repetitive and mindless talks like vacuuming. Avoid putting on music for task that require more focus, such as deciding what to get rid of and what to keep, as this only provides as a distraction. If you have to put on music for these parts, choose music that doesn't have any words. [2]
  2. It will give you some extra energy and let you see what you are doing. Make your bed as this is only a 5-minute job, but makes a surprising difference to the look of your room.
    • Open the window for ventilation while you tidy, especially if your room is particularly dusty.
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  3. Put any garbage that you find in your room in a bin or make a pile of trash to take to the kitchen trash can. [3] Garbage is easy to identify and just cleaning up garbage can make a room look much cleaner. [4]
    • Before you put anything in the trash, check if it can be recycled first.
  4. Move all items that are in the wrong places to the center of the room. This will give you more space to make little piles of books or toys and have them closer to the places they do belong. Sort these into piles of things that belong in different rooms or cupboards, as this will make it easier to put away in the end.
  5. If you eat in your room, then leaving dirty dishes around is another way to make a relatively clean room look really dirty really fast. Put any dirty dishes and glasses in the kitchen. [5] Wash them, or leave them in the dishwasher. [6]
  6. Separate your dirty clothes from the clean. Put the dirty clothes directly in the wash or hamper, and hang or fold your clean clothes and place them in the closet. If you put your clothes in a dresser, fold them neatly so there will be more room in it for other clothes. [7] This really clears up the floor space and makes your room look instantly tidier. [8] Hoovering the floor afterwards is a good idea.
    • Put all your shoes away. If you do not, you might trip over them. Either take them downstairs and put in a shoe rack, leave them in a neat line under a dresser or desk or put them in the bottom of a closet.
    • Do not forget your belts, handbags and ties. Use a hanger to store them in your closet. If you have specific drawers or cupboards for these items, make sure you put them back in there, so as not confuse the system of your closet.
  7. In addition to checking your floor for messes and cleaning the obvious things like garbage and dirty clothes, you should go through all of your belongings and decide what you want to keep and what can go. [9] Go through your desk drawers, the top of your dresser, your bedside table, and any other places where clutter congregates. Make sure to check under the bed. [10]
    • Donate to charity or throw away things you no longer need. If you have outgrown apparel, toys, or books, bag it up and ask your parents to pass it along, or hand it down to the next sibling who can use it. You will make space for the things you do use, and it will be easier to clean and organize the rest. Going through your closet and checking for any clothes do not fit you or you do not like is a good idea, as these can then be passed down to younger siblings, friends or charity shops.
    • Recycle any papers you no longer need and sort the rest. Any half used paper can be kept as scrap paper to help save the environment.
    • If you are a student, consider having a box or special folder to keep loose notes and notebooks. This way, it will be easier to get back to them or check for ones you want to discard. Keep it by your bedroom door, so it will be easier to grab when you are leaving for school.
    • Store smaller items in bags or storage boxes. These can be put away in a closet, serve as decoration on a dresser, or hide under a bed.
    • Try to keep similar items together when organizing your room, so that they are easier to find. This way you do not have to search the whole room to find an item.
    • Instead of deciding what you want to get rid of, decide what you want to keep, this makes more a more thorough job.
  8. Make your bed . An unmade bed will make any room look messy no matter how clean it is. [11] Take off blankets, duvets, or quilts and then put them back on neatly. You may also want to take the sheets off and flip the mattress (if you have one) as it helps prevent irregular wear. You might want to wash your sheets and blankets. You can also make your bed first to keep yourself more motivated to clean the room.
    • To impress your parents even further, use hospital corners to get your bad bed looking even neater.
    • If you make the bed first it will give you an area to do other work, like fold clothes, and organize papers and other items.
  9. Put all the items that do not belong in your room in a laundry basket or box and then go around the house putting the items in the right spot! For example, you might have to take out a sibling's toy, teddy or blanket that belongs in their room or put a book away in the living room. [12]
  10. Focus on the biggest issues and stop when the timer ends. Usually laundry (which can be thrown in a hamper and stored away in another room), an unmade bed, and garbage are the things that make a room look messiest.
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Part 2
Part 2 of 3:

Cleaning Like a Pro

  1. Dusting will add an extra clean edge your parents will like, without taking a lot of time. Get a wet rag, or use a paper towel and the appropriate type of cleaning solution and wipe down greasy, dirty, or dusty surfaces. [13]
  2. If you own a small rug, shake it out and hang it outside (unless it is raining) so that it can get some fresh air. Vacuuming might not be enough to get rugs like this totally clean, so shaking it out and airing it can really make a difference, not only in how it looks, but in how it smells.
    • Do this before you sweep or vacuum. That way you can get rid of the dirt on the rug.
  3. Remember to get all the corners and edges of the room, and do not forget to vacuum under your bed as well. [14] This can make a room look even cleaner, since a dirty carpet or floor will make even a clean room still look messy. [15]
  4. Start by opening windows and door to let fresh air circulate into the room. When it is aired out, spray the room with some air freshener. A nice smelling room will feel more clean, even when it is not.
    • It is important to make sure that your dirty laundry is washed before doing this step. Dirty laundry is what usually makes a room smell to begin with.
  5. If not, trash it: if you have so much stuff that there is not a place to put everything, that means you have too much stuff for the space you have. This is a good sign that it is time to downsize! In the mean time, having a place for everything in your room will make cleaning easier the next time.
    • Label your boxes and other organizational items so that you know where to put things.
    • If you have a lot of small items, such as jewelry, save that part of the organizing for last, because you will have time to store them away neatly. It can take a long time to sort such objects.
    • Consider space and need before obtaining new objects. It is impossible to organize too much stuff.
  6. Clean out your closets and drawers by folding or hanging up any clothes laying around. Storing your clothes neatly and efficiently can open up more room in your closet or drawers that can be used for storing new clothes or putting away other items, like storage boxes, collections, unused heaters, and other random items in your room that do not currently have a home.
  7. Keeping everything in its rightful place and putting things away when you are done with them will reduce the amount of time spent cleaning in the future. This will also impress your parents and will help to keep them in a good mood. Keeping your room clean might also be a way to negotiate for a bigger allowance or more privileges, as long as the room stays clean and organized.
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Part 3
Part 3 of 3:

Staying Motivated

  1. Listening to upbeat, inspiring music can make cleaning much more fun. You will be so excited to hear more and more songs, that the time will fly by as you clean. Use songs with a good strong beat and let them be your montage music! [17]
    • If you have other things to play music on, stay away from phones (if you get text messages or your phone is connected to a social networking site, put it on silent or turn it off completely) and laptops/computers so that you do not get distracted. By staying away from them, you are helping yourself, even if you do not think so!
    • Remember, always ask your parents if it is all right to play music, or ask if your music is too loud.
    • Don't turn on songs with words or a strong beat for tasks that require thought as this can slow you down.
  2. Reorganizing or redecorating regularly can be a great way to inspire yourself to clean your room. Every once in a while, change the room decoration or organization to your liking. This will also feel more rewarding that just normal cleaning, because it feels more productive.
    • The Youth section here on wikiHow has many great ideas if you are struggling!
  3. If you do not feel motivated to clean your room, think about how nice it will be when your room is clean rather than messy. Having an activity planned for the room that you can look forward to, such as a gathering of friends or a movie marathon with your potential love interest, can provide real motivation for getting and keeping your room clean.
  4. Some people might find that they start cleaning their room and then never finish because they leave the thing they hate most for last. Try to start with the thing you hate cleaning up first, then tackle the rest. This can help make sure that you see it through to the end.
    • Reward yourself when you finish that first task that you hate so much. This can encourage you to get it done!
    • Alternatively, start with the task that will make the most difference. This may be a better choice if your time is limited. One good choice is to make the bed, whether or not you use the bed as a place to put stuff while you are sorting it. Plus, it comes with a built-in reward, namely that your room will look better, sooner.
    • When it comes to decluttering, it actually helps to start with something easier, such as clothes, as if you start with a harder category, such as sentimental items, you won't clear out as much things and then you will be in a mindset to not clear things out. If you start with an easier category, then you will clean out more and feel more motivated
  5. Turning room cleaning into a game can really help motivate you to finish and also help encourage you to clean more often! While playing games is unlikely to make you do a thorough job of your room, it can help you if you just need to quickly tidy. There are lots of ways to turn cleaning into a game, but here are two ideas to get you started:
    • Use a rope or broom to divide your room into sections. Next, number the sections and roll a die. Whichever number comes up, clean the according section. If you finish within 4 minutes, you get a treat! Keep rolling until the room is clean.
    • Write down all of the areas that you need to clean like bed, under bed, dresser, desk, shelf, bookcase, nightstand, etc. on slips of paper and fold them up to draw out of a hat or basket and clean that area only.
    • If you have an office chair that spins, sit in it and spin until you stop. Clean that part of your room next. You can also use a bottle which you can spin.
    • Make it a challenge. If you have a sibling that you do not share a room with, you can both clean your rooms and then see whose room is cleaner or who finishes first! Talk to your parents about setting up rewards.
    • A lot of popular songs are 3-4 minutes long. If you are listening to music, see how much you can get done inside of one song.
    • Play red light green light, but with cleaning.
    • Time yourself. Next time you clean, time yourself again and see if you can beat your old time. Remember to completely clean your room, though.
  6. Ask if a friend can come over and help you clean. Make sure that your parents know you will both be working, otherwise your friend might get sent home. It is a good idea to choose a friend who is very tidy by nature and good at organizing. They can teach you some tricks and help you get the cleaning done efficiently. Do not forget to help your friend when it is time to clean their place. [18]
    • If someone else shares your room, get them involved, and make sure both of you do your fair share.
    • Do not let siblings or friends help you if they are going to be a distraction.
  7. It is easy to get overwhelmed and lose all your motivation, especially when your room is really, really bad. There are, however, some things that you can do to keep from getting overwhelmed. [19]
    • Try to work in smaller increments, picking up and putting away five things at a time (for example), or try cleaning in five minute increments, until the room gets clean over the course of a day. This is not fast, but it might you will not get exhausted.
    • Try to clean your room more often, so that it does not become overwhelmingly bad. Try to lightly clean your room before you go to bed every night. That way, when it is cleaning day you will not have much to do.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do you use vinegar to get a pleasant smell?
    NW Maids
    House Cleaning Service
    NW Maids is a House Cleaning Service based in Seattle, Washington. NW Maids has been active since 2013 with a mission to improve the house cleaning experience. The team offers recurring main services, home and apartment cleaning, deep cleaning, and move-in-and-out cleaning services.
    NW Maids
    House Cleaning Service
    Expert Answer
    You can mix some essential oils in vinegar to get a pleasant smell. Besides this, you can mix vinegar with water and use it for various cleaning purposes.
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  • Question
    How can you clean a room efficiently?
    NW Maids
    House Cleaning Service
    NW Maids is a House Cleaning Service based in Seattle, Washington. NW Maids has been active since 2013 with a mission to improve the house cleaning experience. The team offers recurring main services, home and apartment cleaning, deep cleaning, and move-in-and-out cleaning services.
    NW Maids
    House Cleaning Service
    Expert Answer
    Pick the dirty clothes and put them into the dirty clothes hamper and the clean clothes in the dresser. Then put the trash in the garbage bin and take the dirty dishes to the kitchen. Make your bed. Clean the surfaces by wiping them with a cleaning solution. Vacuum and mop the floor.
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  • Question
    What if I have a big pile of random stuff next to my bed?
    Community Answer
    Put the big pile on your bed and sort it into little piles based on what kind of stuff it is (clothes, papers, toys, etc), then work on each pile one by one. Once things are sorted it's usually easier to figure out what to do with them, and having a few smaller piles is less overwhelming than one big pile. If you can't figure out what to do with something, make a pile for "not sure what to do with this" and move on. You can always come back to that pile at the end.
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      Tips

      • Make it a habit to pick up 20 things every day, or spend five minutes cleaning, so the room never gets that bad. Do a more thorough cleaning once a month.
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      • If someone sleeps in your room with you, make sure you clean the room with them.
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      • Pick up one type of item at a time. For example, if you have art materials, clean them first. This is more effective than tidy by location.
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      Warnings

      • Most spiders will NOT harm you. If you cannot handle them, just ask someone else for help.
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      • Be aware of small shards of glass from smashed items or foliage (thorns, thistles) that pets may have brought in. They may be where you least expect them.
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      • Be careful when you are cleaning in case you knock something over and it is damaged.
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      • If you find rodents or insects, ask for help getting them removed safely unless it's just a few insects.
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      • Effectiveness counts too. Do not work so fast that you miss stuff and have to do the job over.
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        Helpful 7 Not Helpful 1
      • If you are playing music do not turn it up too loud, as it can disturb others.
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      Things You'll Need

      • Garbage bags (sometimes needed - especially if you do not have a garbage can nearby)
      • Air freshener or perfume (optional)
      • Broom for hardwood floors and a vacuum for carpeted floors
      • Dusting cloth
      • Spray cleaner for glass surfaces or furniture
      • Hangers
      • Mop and dustpan
      • Storage box(es)


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      References

      1. ↑ Ashley Moon, MA. Professional Organizer. Expert Interview. 30 August 2019.
      2. ↑ https://cleanmyspace.com/routine-clean-your-room/
      3. ↑ NW Maids. House Cleaning Service. Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.
      4. ↑ https://cleanmyspace.com/routine-clean-your-room/
      5. ↑ NW Maids. House Cleaning Service. Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.
      6. ↑ https://cleanmyspace.com/routine-clean-your-room/
      7. ↑ NW Maids. House Cleaning Service. Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.
      8. ↑ https://cleanmyspace.com/routine-clean-your-room/
      9. ↑ Ashley Moon, MA. Professional Organizer. Expert Interview. 30 August 2019.
      1. ↑ https://cleanmyspace.com/routine-clean-your-room/
      2. ↑ NW Maids. House Cleaning Service. Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.
      3. ↑ https://cleanmyspace.com/routine-clean-your-room/
      4. ↑ https://cleanmyspace.com/routine-clean-your-room/
      5. ↑ NW Maids. House Cleaning Service. Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.
      6. ↑ https://cleanmyspace.com/routine-clean-your-room/
      7. ↑ NW Maids. House Cleaning Service. Expert Interview. 28 August 2019.
      8. ↑ https://cleanmyspace.com/making-cleaning-fun
      9. ↑ https://cleanmyspace.com/making-cleaning-fun
      10. ↑ https://cleanmyspace.com/making-cleaning-fun

      About this article

      Article Summary X

      To clean your room in record time, make your bed and take that overflowing trash can out to the dumpster, this will make your room look way cleaner. Throw dirty laundry in the hamper and sort your books, toys, and clothes into piles to put away. Sing and dance to some upbeat music while you tidy up. Keep reading for ways to turn cleaning into a game!

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