Universally speaking, cleaning can certainly feel like it never ends! With responsibilities from work, chores, and even the need to actually relax at the end of each day, who has 3 or more hours to dust cabinets and scrub floors!? Here is the good news for you: you don’t need to schedule an entire day (or even hour) to feel cleaner and more organized in a space.

You can clean your space in smaller bite-sized pieces! And we are here to tell you, it only takes 10 minutes to make some great progress! Whatever you are doing, in between meetings, waiting for dinner to finish cooking, or just trying to get yourself out of a spell of cleaning laziness, small wins accumulate quickly.

The 33 Best Cleaning and Tidying Tasks You Can Do in 10 Minutes

To make things easier, we have sorted these tasks into categories so that you can choose what works best for your space right now.

Small wins in the kitchen 

1. Wipe off your kitchen counters 

C’mon, crumbs, coffee stains and sauce splatters don’t have a chance. Use a wet cloth and disinfectant spray and wipe away. 

2. Give the kitchen sink a little scrub 

Take out a few minutes everyday and clean your dirty sink by scrubbing with baking soda or dish soap. This will make a sink look great again in just 10 minutes. 

3. Unload the dishwasher 

If this was on your list and you have been putting it off, now is your chance! Set a timer and just do it! You can typically get this done in less than 5 minutes.

4. Wipe down the shelves of your fridge 

You do not have to clean the entire fridge, or every shelf. Just wipe down one shelf, or a drawer to refresh your fridge.

5. Throw out expired food, also check on the spice rack 

Old condiments or super expired cinnamon? Toss it out while your in the kitchen!

6. Scrub bathroom sink

Toothpaste marks and water stains can be dealt with in minutes.

7. Clean behind the toilet (sorry!)

Not the most glamorous of chores, but definitely necessary; wipe the base, back, and floor.

8. Clean light switches and door handles

These surfaces are often missed and are incredibly easy to disinfect.

9. Dust baseboards

Use a microfiber cloth or, like I said, a sock on your hand.

10. Change your pillowcases

Seriously, takes no time and makes the space feel clean and fresh.

Living Room Refreshers

11. Sweep or mop high traffic areas

Make sure to catch the entryways or underneath the dining room table. Don’t have to clean the whole room. 

12. Vacuum under couch cushions

You may find popcorn, some quarters, and you just might find that remote that went “missing.”

13. Shake out any throw blankets & fluff cushions

This is the quickest way to make your couch look showroom-worthy.

14. Shake out welcome mat

Give it a good shake and fluff outside to get rid of dirt or debris; this area makes a big first impression.

15. Dust TV screen and remotes

TV screens attract fingerprints and dust; just use a dry cloth for the screen and disinfecting wipes for remotes.

Bedroom Boosts

16. Clear old objects off your nightstand

Take a moment to discard old tissues, receipts or partially drunk water bottles and only keep things that are essential on your nightstand. 

17. Dust your bedside lamp

This takes literally less than a minute & you will be amazed at the results. 

18. Put away rogue shoes or laundry

There is nothing more “organized” than an empty floor.

19. Organize one junk drawer

Take out 10 minutes everyday to organize and declutter just 1 junk drawer.

20. Change your pillowcases or new sheets 

It is remarkable how much different fresh sheets feel in a matter of minutes. 

Car & Personal Items

21. Dust the dashboard & cup holders in your car

Wipe debris and dust from Dusty surfaces. Extra kudos if you keep a package of car wipes in your glove compartment.

22. Go through your purse

Remove all the crumpled paper receipts, gum wrappers or spare pulled change – clean it out and reorganize. You might even find a gift card you forgot from last year.

23. Pluck your eyebrows or undertake a quick self-care activity

Yes, this counts. Tidying up yourself is still self-care.

24. Write down 3 things on your to-do list

Organizing your mind matters every bit as much as organizing your home.

25. Delete 100 emails

Digital clutter is clutter too. Clean out your inbox and empty your mind.

Whole-House Tasks

26. Start a load of laundry

Throw a load in and walk away. By the time you finish your next project, it will be halfway done. 

27. Take the trash out

You probably should have done this beforehand. Do a quick walkthrough to find bins to empty in your kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom.

28. Throw away unmatched socks

We all keep that one sock “just in case.” Let it go. It will not come back.

29. Collect 5 items to give away

Take a grocery bag and walk through your house, clothes, books, or décor you don’t need anymore. Out they go.

30. Do a 10-minute power tidy in any room

Set a timer, put on your favorite jam, and put away anything that is out of place. Seriously! You’d be amazed at how much you can get done in 10 minutes.

Smart Creations That Feel Awesome

31. Run a cup of vinegar through your dishwasher

Place a cup of white vinegar in the top rack and run a hot cycle. It freshens it and helps to get rid of residue.

32. Clean your front door (inside as well as outside)

A clean entry creates a pleasing and welcoming vibe for your whole home. A reset with a quick wipe-down makes it feel clean, calm and way more welcoming.

33. Fold and put away one basket of laundry

It’s clean laundry, just finish the job and enjoy that moment of having folded, clean laundry.

Conclusion 

Let’s be real! With time life gets busy, and cleaning gets put aside. But your home doesn’t have to be a full-scale operation. There are 10 minute tasks that would ideally take your place from a point of disarray to a relaxed, comfortable space.

The big win is not just having a cleaner sink or a tidier drawer, it is the feeling of control that can come from taking any sort of action, no matter how small, when we are short of time. The next time you feel heavy because of clutter or just simply don’t know where to start, pick one of the things on this list. Set a timer, do it, walk away and feel accomplished enough for now, that is more than ok.

Progress not perfection is what allows your house (and mind) to continue moving in the right direction. Also, share this post with your family and friends.