De-clutter before cleaning.

Clutter slows you down! Carry an empty laundry basket to remove junk from spots you want to spiff up.

Keep products to a minimum.

Organize your standbys and stash them in a bucket or tote that you can carry around as you move through the house.

Work the room.

Go clockwise, and don’t backtrack.

Don’t leave all of your cleaning for one day.

Instead, divide your home into workable quadrants and tackle one or two at a time — but be sure to finish the sections you start.

Clean from top to bottom.

Start on the top floor and work your way down. Obey the laws of gravity: Dirt falls.

Be patient.

You might be in a hurry, but don’t rush your products. Read the labels and let products work for the recommended time to reap their full cleaning benefit. Clean something else while you’re waiting.