Between work, school, kids, pets, and other commitments, it can be easy to feel as if you barely have a moment to yourself. So it’s no wonder that seemingly insurmountable tasks like cleaning the house get pushed to the wayside sometimes. Sure, we’re supposed to be vacuuming and mopping every week and constantly cleaning the shower and sink to keep soap scum, mildew, and mold at bay—but when?

Thankfully, there are a few easy things you can do to make sure your humble abode stays nice and tidy without compromising your preferred level of cleanliness. By having the right products, staying organized, and embracing the cleaning process, you can keep your home spotless without giving it a second thought. That’s why Mental Floss and Roborock have teamed up to share six simple tips for keeping your house clean without compromising cleanliness.

1. Start with the right cleaning supplies.

Hit the ground running by stocking up on all your cleaning supplies before you start. Among your cleaning arsenal, you should have a trusty feather duster, microfiber cloths, paper towels, sponges, dish and laundry detergent, toilet cleaner and a toilet brush, bathroom and shower cleaner, glass cleaner, and hardwood floor cleaner (if you need it). Keep things organized in an easily accessible spot, such as under the kitchen sink or in a bathroom or hall closet, so you’ll have exactly what you need once you’re ready to go.

2. Clear away clutter.

The toughest part of cleaning the house—besides getting started, that is—is finding a place for all the inevitable clutter. Take time to go through piles of clothes, mail, or magazines that have been sitting around and decide if anything can be recycled, reused, or donated to charity. Rethink your closet situation and see if adding shelves or other organizers would be beneficial in helping you reduce clutter. Use shoeboxes and under-the-bed storage units to maximize space. Above all, make it a habit to go through papers as they come in so that clutter doesn’t start to accumulate.

3. Enlist the help of a robot vacuum.

Take advantage of technology and invest in a robot vacuum. Not only will you not have to worry about hurting your back or pushing around a heavy piece of machinery, you can multitask and use the time you’d normally spend vacuuming to get other things done while it works its robot magic. Robot vacuums are quieter and more efficient than traditional vacuums, and thanks to state-of-the-art features like built-in cameras and obstacle-identifying sensors, they’ll clean exactly what they should and avoid the areas they shouldn’t. Some can even be controlled by apps or hooked up to Amazon’s Alexa devices, while others are self-cleaning, making your job even easier.

4. Put common household items to work.

Use the things you already have in your home to clean it. Hydrogen peroxide can fight mold and mildew, and lemon slices will clean rust stains and keep your garbage disposal smelling fresh. Dish detergent and baking soda can be used to cut grease in your kitchen, mineral oil can spruce up stainless steel sinks, and white vinegar is great for defunkifying your kettle or cleaning your faucets. Put a sock on your hand, sock puppet-style, to dust your blinds quickly. Dealing with pet hair? Grab a pair of rubber gloves, wet them, and run them over couches, chairs, and other furry spots.

5. Make cleaning less of a chore.

Cleaning doesn’t have to be such a chore if you find ways to make it fun. Create a playlist with all your favorite tunes, or choose a ready-made one on your favorite music streaming app. Sing and dance along to the music, scrub or mop to the beat, or build in dance breaks between tasks to help keep your energy levels up. Better yet, play an extra-long song and make it a game to see how much you can clean before it ends.

6. Clean as you go.

In order to make each subsequent cleaning session that much easier, make it a habit to tidy up as you go. Put your dishes straight into the dishwasher so they don’t have a chance to languish in the sink. Clean up messes around the house as they happen so nothing gets too sticky. Wipe down counters and other surfaces as you use them, and scrub up any soap scum around sinks and bathtubs to avoid long-term buildup. It doesn’t have to be a daily deep clean—every little bit helps in the long run.

The S7 Max Ultra offers a complete hands-free cleaning experience without compromising any features, such as the RockDock® Ultra all-in-one docking system, 5500 Pa HyperForce® suction,VibraRise® mopping system, and Reactive Tech obstacle avoidance. In other words, the S7 Max Ultra combines all of the best features into one powerful device. To see Roborock's full lineup of innovative vacuums and accessories, click here.

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