8 Easy Chores to Do in 30 Seconds | Merry Maids (2024)

8 Easy Chores to Do in 30 Seconds | Merry Maids (1)
Tidy Home

If you’re like many people, you’ve been guilty of putting off chores because they seem too time-consuming. And it’s true that larger projects like cleaning the fridge or decluttering a bedroom closet can take a while. However, there are many chores that you can take care of in a matter of seconds.

Have to see it to believe it? Then take a look at eight easy chores you can do around the house in 30 seconds or less.

1. Clean Kitchen Surfaces

The kitchen is brimming with surfaces that need to be wiped clean, and each can be tackled in about 30 seconds. So, when you’re looking for easy chores, grab a clean microfiber cloth and the appropriate household cleaner, then tackle any of the following kitchen tasks:
  • Wipe down the kitchen countertops.
  • Wipe down the refrigerator handles.
  • Wipe down the kitchen sink.
  • Polish kitchen faucets and knobs.
  • Clean crumbs from the stovetop.
  • Wipe down the microwave door and handle.
  • Wipe down the fronts of kitchen cabinets.
  • Shine cabinet knobs and drawer handles.

2. Empty Waste Bins

It only takes a handful of seconds to tie up a trash bag. What’s more, keeping spare bin liners in the bottom of your kitchen, office and bathroom waste baskets can make this quick task even more efficient. Still have a few seconds to spare? Sprinkle a little baking soda in the base of that kitchen trash can to help prevent bad smells.

3. Squeegee Shower Walls

Another 30-second clean is running a squeegee on the shower walls that get splashed with the most water and shampoo while bathing. Ideally, this should be done after each use. And while this chore doesn’t take long, it can save you a lot of time, as it may slow down the buildup of soap scum.

4. Clean Your Bathroom Mirrors

Bathroom mirrors can be cleaned in a flash: Simply spritz a little vinegar or ammonia on the mirror and wipe them down with a clean microfiber cloth.

5. Look After Pets

You can wash and refill Fido’s water bowl almost as quickly as you can say, “Good boy.” And if you keep bags and a scooper nearby, it’ll take little time at all to scoop Mittens' litterbox clean.

6. Vacuum the Entryway

Mudrooms, side doors and foyers all see a lot of foot traffic during the day. A quick pass with the vacuum can help keep dirt, grime and other things that get tracked in to a minimum.

7. Clean Touchscreens

Some electronic devices take a fair amount of time to properly clean. However, it doesn't take long to wipe down the touchscreen on your tablet or smartphone with a slightly dampened microfiber cloth. Just make sure devices are unplugged and powered off, and don’t let any moisture get into openings. In addition, let electronics dry completely before plugging them in or powering them back on.

8. Sort Through Junk Mail

Junk mail can become a nightmare of clutter if it’s left uncontrolled. Fortunately, sorting through it is one of the many easy chores you can take care of in less than 30 seconds. Keep it in check by taking a few seconds each day to sort through mail and drop any unwanted circulars or letters into the recycling bin.

Once you realize how much you can get done with a 30-second clean here or there, you’ll start finding other things you can wash or tidy in a short amount of time.

And if you’re having trouble keeping up with routine housekeeping tasks that take more than half a minute to accomplish, contact your local Merry Maids for cleaning backup.

8 Easy Chores to Do in 30 Seconds | Merry Maids (2024)

FAQs

8 Easy Chores to Do in 30 Seconds | Merry Maids? ›

Laundry Chores. Laundry is among the more time-consuming and tedious household chores, but it still needs to get done on a regular basis. Depending on the size of your household and who lives with you, you might be able to break it up so that one person doesn't bear the entire burden.

What chores take the longest? ›

Laundry Chores. Laundry is among the more time-consuming and tedious household chores, but it still needs to get done on a regular basis. Depending on the size of your household and who lives with you, you might be able to break it up so that one person doesn't bear the entire burden.

How can I do my chores fast? ›

Tackle your household chores and save time with these 22 easy-to-implement tips:
  1. Include the family. Everyone makes the mess, so everyone should help clean it. ...
  2. Assign tasks. ...
  3. Set a clock for 15 minutes. ...
  4. Break house chores into chunks. ...
  5. Develop time awareness. ...
  6. Have a space for supplies. ...
  7. Make a cleaning caddy. ...
  8. Prioritize.
Feb 9, 2022

What are the three least popular household chores? ›

There's a three-way tie for America's least favorite chore, between doing the dishes, sanitizing/wiping the bathroom, and doing laundry (all 14%). Dusting (11%), ironing (10%), and sweeping/mopping (10%) come next on the list.

How to do chores without getting bored? ›

Most household chores do not take up much brain space, so can be done in tandem with more enjoyable activities, or squeezed into otherwise dead time. Hang up the laundry while powering through an audiobook, or wash the dishes during an ad break on TV.

What chores did kids do 100 years ago? ›

Children were expected to take on chores around the house as soon as they could help. Small children, even as young as 4 or 5 years old, had chores such as keeping the fire going, fetching water, and caring for livestock. Even families who lived in towns often owned chickens or horses.

How much chores should a 14 year old do? ›

Kids in elementary school should be expected to do 10 to 20 minutes of helping around the house each day. You can expect a little more on the weekends and in the summer. Teenagers can do 20 to 30 minutes a day, with bigger chores, such as lawn-mowing, on the weekends.

What is the easiest house chore? ›

Clean Kitchen Surfaces

Wipe down the refrigerator handles. Wipe down the kitchen sink. Polish kitchen faucets and knobs. Clean crumbs from the stovetop.

What chores does the average 12 year old do? ›

Below are a few common chores that can be assigned to a 12-year-old:
  • Putting away their belongings.
  • Keeping their room room clean.
  • Doing laundry and folding clothes.
  • Setting the table.
  • Washing dishes.
  • Feeding and walking pets.
  • Vacuuming, dusting, cleaning.
  • Helping with food prep or cooking.

How do I get my 14 year old to do chores? ›

Teen Cleaning Tips
  1. Adjust your expectations. Face it: you won't be able to get your teens to do all the chores you want them to do. ...
  2. Come to an agreement. ...
  3. Be absolutely clear. ...
  4. Have sensible consequences. ...
  5. Require basic hygiene. ...
  6. Be a good example. ...
  7. Don't micromanage. ...
  8. Keep your cool.
Jul 21, 2010

What is the 2nd most hated chore? ›

2. Washing the Dishes. Let's face it, the idea of washing dishes, especially if you have to handwash them, is not very appealing and is among the most hated household chore. But, if you leave dirty dishes for too long, it can become a breeding ground for germs, including E.

What is America's number one hated chore? ›

According to the study, cleaning tile and grout is the most hated household chore — and you'll understand why if you've ever done it. Scrubbing tiles in your bathroom is a humbling experience (especially for your knees) but scrubbing anything clean seems to be commonly disliked.

What chores are fun? ›

Fun Chores
  • Weed the garden.
  • Anything with water: Wash salad greens, scrub potatoes, give plants a drink, pour water into glasses from a small pitcher.
  • Sort silverware from the dishwasher.
  • Pair up clean socks.
  • Use tools or gadgets to pit cherries, slice eggs, or mash potatoes.
Nov 3, 2022

Why can't i do chores ADHD? ›

At home, the attention deficit symptoms of ADHD can mean that it is hard to keep on top of household organization. Chores can feel tedious, complex or boring, personal appointments can be missed, relaxing can be difficult and staying focused or motivated can be a problem.

What is the 30 minute cleaning rule? ›

Each day is dedicated to a room in your house and you spend 30 minutes cleaning it. You don't need to do everything because you'll be back again next week and the idea is the longer you stick with it, the cleaner your house is, and the easier this becomes.

How do you make chores fun with ADHD? ›

Competition and Urgency
  1. Use a timer to play “beat the clock,” or race another person to be the first one done. ...
  2. Use a timer to create a sense of urgency. ...
  3. Create a playlist. ...
  4. Get in costume. ...
  5. Doing tasks in a novel setting also makes organization more fun. ...
  6. Friends make tasks more fun! ...
  7. Take any task and turn it into a party.
May 5, 2022

What is the hardest chore? ›

What are the 10 Top Most Hated Household Chores?
  1. Cleaning the Bathroom/Toilet. ...
  2. Washing the Dishes. ...
  3. Cleaning the Stovetop and Oven. ...
  4. Doing Laundry and Ironing. ...
  5. Dusting. ...
  6. Sweeping and Vacuuming. ...
  7. Mopping. ...
  8. Grocery Shopping and Cooking.

How long do chores take on average? ›

The average American spends over one hour a day cleaning house, that includes chores like folding laundry, dusting furniture, scrubbing toilets, washing baseboards, and so forth. There are only 24 hours in a day, 7 to 8 of which you should be sleeping.

Which part of the house takes you the longest to clean? ›

Bathrooms and kitchens are known as 'wet areas'. These often take the most time to clean.

How long should house chores take? ›

Realistically, if you're tidying up your home daily, it should only take 15 – 30 minutes to keep your house clean and organized. The two areas of your home that likely require daily cleaning are your kitchen and bathroom. Keep in mind that this could vary according to the homeowner.

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