As a computer thing, I run CCLeaner every week so that my computer's useless crud doesn't build up. I also sync my iPod touch every couple of days because of firmware 2.0's famously long backup and sync time.

In regular life, I basically go through the house and clean it every 3 days; it saves the unexpected-guest-cleaning-rush and with three kids, it's necessary.

Melik

Oh, where to start? Every morning before I start working I dust-mop the floor. For carpet I keep a Bissle Perfect Sweep in the closet to quickly clean up little things off the carpet. After the floors are taken care of, I dust around my desk and chair so I can start off with a nice clean work area. I also keep a whole box of microfiber cloths nearby that I use to wipe up water spots and keep the kitchen sink faucet polish. When it comes to dishes, I just try to keep things out of the sink. Whether that involves putting it in the dishwasher or quickly washing it up by hand depends.

It really drives people quite crazy sometimes. I typically have at least three different microfiber cloths (normal, dusting, and glass) within reach at any given time. I also keep two little spritz bottles, one for water and one for rubbing alcohol, behind my desk. I even have a large rubbermade box to store my dusting supplies so that they don't get dusty!

acasto

Heloise is kind of like the proto-Lifehacker. I'm glad to see that connection made here!

Torley

I bought a soft bristled wide dust brush attachment for my vacuum cleaner and use it to dust blinds, baseboards, table tops, knickknacks, etc. before vacuuming the floor. It gets the dust out of the house and saves me time.

Also, I vacuum -- not sweep -- my kitchen floor.

VenomousKate

I tend to talk to my mother on Saturday mornings. I find that I can clean a lot of the bathroom with one hand: sink, toilet, mirror. That way I have "company."

I can also unload the dishwasher with one hand so whenever I'm on the phone, I immediately go into the kitchen and see if there's anything in the dishwasher.

Maulleigh

Don't put down; put away!

MikeCartmel

"Hints from Heloise" on Lifehacker? Distressing.

I'm reminded of this excellent article by Wired:
[www.wired.com]

robohit

I'll admit I'm a gadget addict and usually buy things I don't use often, but, the swiffer sweepervac has been a life saver! It's perfect for keeping the kitchen floor clean at all times (and with a kid and a big dog - there is always something that needs to be sucked up.) And I have to say, it really is strong for a small machine. [www.swiffer.com]

wickedcupofjoe

I love the article photo!

Phone time is also cleaning time with me - especially when talking with my mom....

Ihaveasmartpuppy

It only makes sense to do small tasks at a time instead of one big one. Just using my brain. :D

tecben

Works and drives you insane (especially if you're working from home).

Lasse Rintakumpu

"Clean as you go" is pretty typical of many professions. Since the vast majority of Lifehacker readers are either students or office workers, I'm not surprised that many haven't grasped this basic concept.

I've watched tradespeople around the world and used to cook for a living myself and the very best are always cleaning as they go and have orderly work environments: carpenters, gardeners, auto mechanics, luthiers, you name it.

BarneyRubble

My house is currently up for sale. Since it needs to be clean ALL the time (and ready for a showing at a moments notice) I can attest to how well the "clean as you go" system works. Before my house was on the market I let clutter pile up and other things go until it would take me several hours to get the house clean.

The good thing about it being a slow real estate market, is it's giving me a chance to develop some good house cleaning habits. I'm hoping I can keep them up once I sell my house and am in a new place.

JonathanB

I live in Tokyo where lots of mold develops on the tile in the bath so I try to scrub at the tile during a shower 1-3 times a week in whatever spots look suspect. Even this is hardly enough to keep on top of it, but it's better than waiting for the whole thing to get out of hand then have to spend an hour working hard on it.

Other than that, I put my dishes away from last night's dinner (which have been air drying overnight) while I wait for coffee to finish dripping and toast to finish toasting. Generally speaking, any time I'm waiting for a machine to complete a short-term task in the kitchen, I do some sort of maintenance there (wipe something off, put something away, etc.) While tea steeps, you can get a lot done.

I also second the notion of putting things away right away, but more than that, I think you have to organize things such that it's not such a hassle to put things away that you seriously don't want to do it. If it takes more than 30 seconds to put it away, you need to organize better.

ShariC

Sure it works. I do it with decluttering - I get rid of unneeded stuff (by donating or throwing out) all the time, so it never gets to a point where my house is so cluttered that it needs a huge daunting decluttering project.

vered

I keep everything organized and my things around my place have their place. I clean my whole apt once a week and it takes me less than 1 hour. Just like to have everything neat =)

eskiz

I have a cleaner. Her name is Karen. She is wonderful.
:-D

pobox90210

Good Housekeeping is so old guard. Just Kidding, there GH...don't sic your apron-wearing pit bulls on me.

But seriously, I'd recommend to anyone that they check out Housekeepingchannel.com [www.housekeepingchannel.com]

Unlike Good Housekeeping, they don't fritz around with recipes, cosmetics, diet or any of that other "women's mag" stuff. They focus purely on the home, and taking care of it.

Being a aspiring lifehacker (that's why we're here, right), I especially like their Motivation category. It contains lots of great articles on how to structure your cleaning tasks and habits so that you'll actually KEEP UP with them.

[www.housekeepingchannel.com]

Definitely worth a look, IMHO.

Full Disclosure: I run the design firm that crafted this site and HC has hired me on to make sure the site runs smoothly on a day to day basis. However, I genuinely think it's a really useful site, and I don't directly benefit in any way from people visiting it (meaning, I don't make any money from advertising, etc.)

siliconkibou

Prevent the dirt and grime in the first place, if possible. Food is eaten at the table from a plate (=no crumbs between couch cushions), shoes are taken off at the door, no fingers on the TV or mirror, pets aren't allowed everywhere (=less vacuuming in other rooms).

I also have stacked laundry boxes where we already sort out the colors / cycles. If one is full, that cycle gets done.

KaliMama (Ganesha is my Om boy)

I have to agree with KaliMama on the importance of preventative measures. We've never let people wear shoes in the house, but the instant I limited my kids to eating snacks only in the kitchen my cleaning time was reduced by half. So were their snacks!

VenomousKate

I'm a slob. Saves LOADS of time.

teeveedoctor

Every little piece of anything that falls to floor it's better to clean it immediately than clean it all after, then you no need to watch every single space that little garbage can hide from you

juampacl

I empty the dishwasher while things are heating up in the microwave. I also keep Clorox/Windex wipes in the bathroom drawer and sometimes clean the mirrors while brushing my teeth or talking on the phone. I also try to find little tasks to do (filing, straightening, etc.) if I'm waiting for my fiance to get ready to leave the apartment together.

SudhaAntheia