A Super-Simple Way to Simplify Your Cleaning Routine This Year

Simplifying is the basis for many New Year’s resolutions. And that’s certainly the case when it comes to cleaning. Isn’t everyone looking for ways to clean well in less time and with less fuss?

With that in mind, here is one super-simple way to simplify your cleaning routine: Switch to multipurpose products as much as possible. Of course, there are a few specialty cleaning products you’ll want to have on hand, but using the same few products for more general cleaning makes a big difference.

Here’s why it’s a great idea — and how to do it.

First, switching to one product for several tasks makes replacing those cleaning products much less complicated. Noticing when you’re running low on your main cleaning supplies is much easier when you have only a few, and having to grab only one or two things to replenish takes a lot less remembering. This may seem small, but every tiny change helps when you’re streamlining your processes and routines.

Second, choosing options that do double- or triple-duty will allow you will cut way down on the amount of space you need to store your cleaning products and the amount of time you need to spend organizing them.

Lastly, when you go to clean, you’ll save yourself the hassle of juggling a bunch of different spray bottles and other containers. For instance, when you go to clean the bathrooms, grabbing three cleaning products (say, an all-purpose cleaner, a glass cleaner, and a scrubbing cleanser) is much easier than trying to handle a granite cleaner, a glass cleaner, a toilet cleaner, and a floor cleaner.

Want to streamline your supplies, but you’re not sure where to start? First, take a look at all the products you have and make plans to use them up before buying anything new.

As you’re looking, take note of everything you can use each product on. For instance, maybe your current all-purpose cleaner would work just fine for your granite countertops. If yours isn’t, consider switching to an all-purpose cleaner that’s good for all or most of your surfaces.

Even just being aware of using each product you have for as many uses as possible will go a long way in helping you simplify your cleaning tasks so you can have both a clean house and more time to enjoy it.

My favorite all-purpose is Puracy, which can be used on everything from wood to smartphones. But also keep in mind that white vinegar and water are excellent in many cleaning applications. Adding a few drops of dish soap makes the solution an even more versatile cleaner because you can use it to cut soap scum in showers and eat through dirt and grease on windows and other glass.

Bar Keepers Friend is another multi-purpose cleaner that addresses several types of messes and belongs in any well-rounded but streamlined cleaning arsenal. Bar Keepers Friend can be used to shine stainless steel, whether it’s in sinks or appliances; scrub sinks, toilets, and bathtubs; and even get stubborn marks off of baseboards or walls. Oh, yeah, and it can make your pots and pans clean and shiny too!

This post originally appeared on Apartment Therapy. See it there: One Super-Simple Way to Simplify Your Cleaning Routine This Year