How Long Will It Take to Clean My House?

Let's talk about cleaning the house. Sometimes you're just sitting there, living your life, maybe scrolling through TikTok, and then you look up, and your house is like a disaster. And you might be wondering when this happened. Yeah, I've been there, that's the moment we're talking about. That's when you realize you need to clean, and you're wondering how long this chore is going to take. Then there’s the issue of time vs quality.

With some expert guidance, we can still get a decent idea of how much time people typically spend cleaning their house and where you can make quick improvements by resetting your priorities. Want to learn more? Let me clue you in.

What Does Usual House Cleaning Cover?

When people say "cleaning," what do they usually mean? It could be basic stuff, like the things that make your place look somewhat presentable when your mom randomly decides to visit. For most people, a basic cleaning session includes the following expectations:

  • Sweeping
  • Mopping
  • Dusting
  • Vacuuming
  • Wiping down surfaces
  • Making the bed
  • Taking out the trash
  • Dishes (the actual worst)

If you're just trying to make your place look clean (which usually means you have people coming over in 20 minutes, and you're in full panic mode), these are the things you should focus on. But what if you're going to do a full-on deep clean? That's quite a different set of troubles straight out of Pandora's Box.

How Long Should House Cleaning Take?

If we're talking general maintenance cleaning, expect to spend about 1.5 hours per room per week cleaning your house. So, if you live in a one-bedroom apartment, you could probably knock it out in a couple of hours. But if you've got a whole house? That will probably take up more time and energy than I'd like to admit. But then, these are the scenarios professional house cleaners take care of! You could hire them if you want. In the meantime, let's take a look at some common factors and solutions for your house cleaning:

Things That Make Cleaning Take Longer

Cleaning time isn't just about square footage. Here's what makes a difference:

  • The size and condition of your place: More rooms means more time. Cleaning a tiny apartment? Maybe an hour or two. Cleaning a three-story house? Clear your schedule because a big house is going to take a lot of time to clean. It usually takes me about a full day to clean a big house. So, I prefer to let the professional cleaning services do the job!
  • How much stuff you have: More furniture means more surfaces to dust. More clutter means more stuff to put away before you can even start cleaning. Now that I think about minimalism, it sounds rather genius!
  • Number of people living there: If it's just you living in the house, that's great. If you live with roommates or have kids, things get messy fast. You will have to clean away all the mess they create and worry about your own stuff.
  • Number of bathrooms you have: Bathrooms take the longest to clean because of all the scrubbing. There are a lot of surfaces that get dirty, and those pesky hard water stains are the bane of our existence. And if you have a glass shower? Prepare yourself because cleaning a glass shower is going to take a good part of your day.

A Room by Room Cleaning Time Estimate

Take a look at the cleaning time for each area, with and without extras.

The kitchen typically takes between 35 to 45 minutes to clean, with no additional tasks included, so there is no extended time for extra cleaning. The powder room requires about 10 to 15 minutes under normal conditions, but if additional tasks such as cleaning the interior window, hand wiping the window blinds, and cleaning inside are added, the time increases to approximately 20 to 25 minutes.

A standard bathroom takes around 15 to 25 minutes to clean on its own, but with extra tasks—such as cleaning the interior window, hand wiping the window blinds, and cleaning inside cabinets—the total time extends to about 40 to 50 minutes. A bathroom with a tub or shower requires more time, averaging 45 to 50 minutes, and with the same extra tasks, it can take between 65 to 95 minutes.

For bedrooms, a standard bedroom usually takes 15 to 20 minutes to clean, but with added tasks like cleaning the interior window, hand wiping the baseboards and window blinds, and cleaning inside cabinets, the time increases to 20 to 30 minutes. A master bedroom takes slightly longer, averaging 20 to 30 minutes without extras, and with the same set of additional tasks, the time extends to 25 to 35 minutes.

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Useful Techniques to Save Time on Cleaning Sessions

Let's be honest, no one wants to spend hours cleaning. Unless we invent a revolutionary training system that teaches us how to clean fast, we are reliant on these hacks. So here are some professional cleaning tips on how to get it done faster:

  • Start from the top (dust first, vacuum last so you don't have to re-do things).
  • Use both hands (one hand dusts, the other wipes).
  • Let cleaning products sit (spray the shower, then clean the sink while it works its magic).
  • Keep up with the mess – The longer you let things go, the worse they get. Spend 10 minutes a day on quick touch-ups so you don't end up in a full-blown cleaning crisis.
  • Use the right tools/supplies.
  • Microfiber cloths (they pick up dust instead of just moving it around, and are good for your safety)
  • The less stuff you have, the less stuff you have to clean. This will also help you avoid burnout.
  • Wipe down the kitchen while you cook. Little things add up.
  • If you're short on time, ignore the guest bedroom. 8 out of 10 times, it will end up cutting down on the time you spend cleaning.

Should You Just Hire a Cleaner?

If you hate cleaning or don't have the time, hiring a pro is a solid option. The professionals do it faster and better, and you don't have to lift a finger. If you're in places like Chicago, tons of great professional cleaners can take over and make your place sparkle. They are really good at understanding and taking care of the client’s priorities.

Final Thoughts

I personally believe that cleaning doesn't have to take over our lives. Whether you DIY it or hire pro cleaners to do it for you, finding a routine that works for you is key. I always keep up with the little stuff and work on developing a habit of keeping everything perfectly organized to avoid letting things pile up. This way, I don’t have to spend my whole weekend scrubbing baseboards and sorting out my stuff.

And for a convenient and professional finish, you can also call a professional Chicago cleaning service to help you take care of big cleaning chores. My personal favorite in Chicago is Freshtech Maids cleaning company. They provide exceptional cleaning quality and always come on time for every session.

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