Does effective cleaning have to be time-consuming? Not anymore! If you use the right products and techniques, speed-cleaning can actually be more effective that "slow" cleaning.

Get Your Groove On
Gear up music that feels good to you and work to a rhythm — you'll clean faster and stay more focused. Before you start, program your MP3 player or stack up your favorite energizing CDs. And don't hesitate to take a dance break and let loose. You're sure to keep your energy high!

Here are a few songs for various household tasks:
 

• "Light My Fire" (kitchen)
• "It's My Life" (living room)
• "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" (bathroom)
• "Don't Leave Me This Way" (decluttering)
• "Rich Girl" "(closets)
• "Dancing on the Ceiling" (dusting)
• "Get On Up, Get On Down" (mopping)
• "I Walk the Line" (laundry)
• "Little Red Corvette" (car)
• "You Are My Sunshine" (windows)
• "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (any hard task)
• "It's Raining Men" (rainy days)

Arm Yourself in Advance
Precollect your arsenal of cleaning products, paper towels, gloves and, if you suffer from dust allergies, a face mask.

Dust First, Vacuum Last
Otherwise, you'll have to vacuum all over again when the dust from your dusting falls to the floor.

Clean From Top to Bottom
It's an old-school rule but it works. This technique forces you to look at your ceilings, door and window frames and high corners — areas often overlooked in cleaning. Simply put, dirt does not fall up; it falls down as you clean. So, for example, start at the top of your refrigerator door and clean down.

Schedule an Hour and Stick to It
Get as much done in that hour as you can. Then take a break and start again.

Use Multitasking Products
You won't believe the time you will save with products that tackle multiple surfaces. Pledge® Multi Surface Spray and Wipes can be used on wood, glass, stainless steel, granite and electronic equipment. Windex® Multi Task Wipes with Vinegar easily clean kitchen-to-bathroom, including windows, mirrors, appliances, tabletops and more.

Clean All Bathrooms at the Same Time
You'll save time and effort! Scrubbing Bubbles® Fresh Brush™ MAX Toilet Cleaning System is so easy to use and even has a disposable pad you toss in the trash. Be sure to use a new one for each toilet.

Use the Strongest Product for the Hardest Jobs
For instance, use Antibacterial fantastik® All Purpose Heavy Duty Cleaner whenever you cook — to wipe tough grease and grime from the stove top, kitchen counters, microwave and refrigerator. It kills 99.9 percent of bacteria as it cleans and even leaves a fresh scent!

Don't Clean What's Not Dirty
Some of us (you, too?) obsess over the same clean counter while the rest of the house is just begging for help. So stay awake to your unconscious habits! For instance, don't clean the oven racks if they aren't soiled.

Leave the Sink for (Almost) Last
Ever notice how everything gets dumped into the sink while you're cleaning the rest of the room? So why clean it first? Whether you're in the kitchen or bathroom, wait until you're finished mopping the floor to give your sinks a deep clean. And remember to leave yourself a little path to the door. Mop that final swath of floor last!

Article provided by Right@Home