Do you ever feel like your house is a mess again the day after you have cleaned or had a tidy up? This happens when you don't have a routine. Routine helps you, it’s a plan to follow daily to avoid having to clean a big mess at the end of the day/week. In this blog we want to share with you our top ten tips to keep up with the routine! 


Wake up 10 minutes earlier 


If you work outside of your home and it seems like you are always rushing and usually or nearly late to work, we suggest setting your alarm 10 minutes earlier. Whilst we are getting ready for work, we like to do quick tidy before we leave home, so placing items back where they belong or washing up after having breakfast. This is useful if you want to come back to a clean home so you can relax! 


Start your day off by making your bed first! 


Some people think that making the bed is a waste of time, but because your bed takes up most of the bedroom space it immediately makes a huge difference in terms of tidiness. It also only takes you a couple of minutes to make the bed and if you have cats like us, we wouldn’t like to jump into a bed covered with pet hair when your furry pet decided to have a nap in.  


Put it back where it belongs 


Get into a habit of keeping the items in same place so when you are looking for something you will know where it is. Not only does this save you time, but it also helps with a mess which may build up when trying to find something. Plus, it just looks tidy, and you won’t need to tidy up again as it will always be in the same place. 


Brush your furry pets 


This tip is a must if you have pets. We have cats and we aim to brush their coat twice a day – in the morning before we leave for work and in the evening. Brushing their fur is important as you will be able to pick up any fur that’s falling before it reaches a floor. If you keep this up as a routine, you will have much less hair around the house (and your clothes). 


Never leave a room empty-handed 


Just had a cup of tea in your room and going downstairs to grab a snack? Take a cup back into the kitchen with you. This will make a room tidier and you won’t need to do a big tidy up when all dishes or rubbish gets built up. Get into a habit of picking up what isn’t supposed to be there. 


Keep basic cleaning supplies close to where you use them 


This is a great tip when you need to do a quick clean in case accident happens or just when you want the area to look tidier. For example, keep a cloth in the bathroom to clean the gross toothpaste spit in the sink. And if you make a mess you won’t need to run downstairs to your cupboard to grab whatever you need. You will save so much time. 


Get family involved 


It is important to get your family involved in cleaning activities and we know it is often easier to just do the cleaning yourself. But this tip is also great to spend time teaching children how to do age-appropriate jobs that will be useful in the long run and help with being independent in the future. Teach your kids to put toys back after playing so you won’t need to go around and pick after them or putting dishes in the dishwater. These simple things will again save you so much time and will make a huge difference in overall tidiness of the house. However, we know it may be hard to get kids into a habit but there are many ways to motivate your children for example, offering treats or pocket money. 


Declutter 


If you are struggling to keep up with the mess and if it feels like you’re always cleaning and it never gets done, maybe it’s time to declutter. Decluttering is also useful to get rid of items you no longer need, the more space you have the better and it will save you time on cleaning. And you never know you might earn some cash from clothes you no longer wear and sell those online or even donate it to the charity! 


Clean as you cook 


Cleaning as you go is a total time saver – you need to do this when you cook. We hate having to do a pile of washing up and because it looks a lot, it makes you think it will take you a long time. Our tip is every time you cook and use something, wash it immediately, it will reduce washing up needing to do in the end. Throw away scraps or empty packages as you use them, and it will also give you much more space around kitchen which is a great tip if you have a smaller kitchen. 


“Power-clean” before bed 


We hate going to sleep knowing our house is a mess, so we have a “power-clean” which is around 10 to 30 minutes of cleaning. This prevents a pile of clutter forming in your home and will be very useful in the morning when rushing or needing to find something. Focus on the biggest mess in the house whether it’s a kitchen or lounge, then move to the areas that see most of the traffic. You can leave any little areas for another day. 

  

We hope that these cleaning and de-cluttering tips have helped and inspired you to build a routine and save lots of time! Follow our social media for more cleaning tips, ideas, before and afters and much more.


If you are struggling or need our help, give our friendly team a call and we will discuss your requirements.


Stay safe, stay clean

with Cleaning Queen

New year cleans in September!

New year cleans in September!

by Danielle Navarro • 3 September 2025
New year cleans in September!
Should I prep for my cleaner

Should I prep for my cleaner?

by Danielle Navarro • 4 August 2025
Whether you're welcoming a cleaner for the first time or having a regular clean, knowing how to prepare your home for a cleaning service can save time, reduce stress, and improve results. As an established cleaning company serving homes across East Anglia, we’ve compiled our top recommendations to help you get the most from every visit. We understand that not everyone is able to prep and you definitely don't have to, it's your own preference but it does save time, therefore money and your cleaner can complete more cleaning rather than tidying. Why Preparation Matters Hiring a professional cleaning service doesn’t mean you need to scrub before they arrive—but a few simple steps can help cleaners focus on the cleaning. Our customers often ask: Do I need to tidy up before a cleaner arrives? Should I leave out my own cleaning products? Will they clean around clutter or organise things? This blog answers those questions and more. 1. Tidy Up, Don’t Deep Clean You don’t need to clean before the cleaners—that’s our job! But light tidying is highly recommended. What to do: Pick up toys, clothes, paperwork, or other clutter from floors and countertops. Wash up any dishes and put away. Remove personal items from bathroom counters. Why? Tidying frees up surfaces and floors so cleaners c an vacuum, dust and polish eff iciently without needing to move lots of items. 2. Clear Kitchen & Bathroom Surfaces Kitchens and bathrooms are two of the most time-intensive areas to clean—especially in UK homes where limescale and grime build up quickly. What helps: Remove dirty dishes and food items from counters. Take toothbrushes, razors, or cosmetics off the sink area. Keep on top of stray hairs. Pro tip: use a squeegee after showering to remove the water and reduce limescale building up. 3. Secure Pets & Provide Access At Cleaning Queen we love pets—but they can be distracting. On the day of cleaning: Let us know if pets will be home (especially if they’re reactive or nervous). Keep pets in a separate room or garden if possible. Ensure keys, alarm codes, or access instructions are communicated in advance if you won’t be in. Some clients also leave out pet-safe floor sprays—we're happy to use these when requested. 4. Make Special Requests in Advance Want us to focus on skirting boards, deep bathroom scrubbing, or skip a certain room? Just let us know. Best practice: Message or email requests or you can let your cleaner know on the day if you wish as long as it fits within the timescale booked. Label any areas that should be avoided (e.g. work-from-home offices) 5. Leave Out Products (If Required) While Cleaning Queen bring their own products, clients w ith allergies, eco concerns, or pets may prefer to supply their own. We use our clients vacuum and mop so please either advise us where these are kept or leave them out for your cleaner. Options: Leave out preferred products (e.g. Method, Ecover, Zoflora) and tools (like your own mop or vacuum). Speak to your cleaner or leave a note if certain products should or shouldn't be used in certain rooms. If you’d like us to use your own products just let us know—we’re happy to do this. 6. Prep Payment & Instructions (If You're Out) If you won’t be home during the clean: Provide us with detailed instructions on access and any specific requests in advance Leave payment (if paying by cash) in a clearly labelled envelope. Ensure doors, gates or alarm systems can be operated easily. 7. Don’t Worry About Perfection! Your cleaner isn’t judging your home. We’re here to make life easier, not harder. Life gets messy—especially with children, pets, or a busy schedule. That’s exactly why you asked us to help. We recommend: Keeping open communication. Letting us know what’s most important to you. Booking regular cleans (weekly or fortnightly) for consistently clean results. Preparing for your cleaner’s visit doesn’t need to take long—but a small effort can make a big difference. With a clear space to work and clear instructions, your cleaner can deliver the sparkling results you’re paying for. 

The Dark Side of Viral Cleaning Hacks

by Danielle Navarro • 29 June 2025
The Dark Side of Viral Cleaning Hacks: What TikTok Won’t Tell You! In the age of social media, cleaning has gone from a chore to a trend. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube are full of cleaning hacks, DIY solutions, and “CleanTok” time-lapses that promise miraculous results with minimal effort. But while some of these tips are genuinely helpful, others are risky, misleading, or even dangerous. As a professional domestic cleaning company, we’ve seen first hand the consequences of viral cleaning advice gone wrong. Here’s what you—and your home—need to be cautious about. 1. Mixing Chemicals = Hidden Danger One of the most common (and dangerous) mistakes seen in viral videos is mixing household cleaners without understanding the chemical reactions involved. Examples: Bleach + vinegar = chlorine gas (toxic when inhaled) Bleach + toilet cleaner = fumes that can burn the lungs Baking soda + vinegar = dramatic fizz, but neutralizes both and does little actual cleaning Just because it foams or smells fresh doesn’t mean it’s effective—or safe! 2. TikTok = Entertainment, Not Expertise Many creators aren’t cleaning professionals. Their content is often designed for views and likes, not safe or effective results. Unvetted advice : Some “hacks” are based on myths or half-truths. One-size-fits-all tips : Using lemon on stone surfaces, for instance, can etch and damage natural materials like marble or granite. Overuse of products : Soaking fabric in disinfectants may lead to skin irritation or fabric damage. Your home deserves more than internet guesswork! 3. Damage to Surfaces & Appliances What looks satisfying in a 15-second video can cost you in repairs. Common Issues: Magic erasers scratch glossy or delicate surfaces if used too harshly. Toilet cleaning bombs (often with blue food dye) stain ceramic and plastic. Foil in the dishwasher trick (to make cutlery “shinier”) can void your warranty or harm filters. What seems like a “cheap trick” can become an expensive mistake! 4. Wasteful or Overcomplicated Routines Some viral hacks involve multiple steps or excessive use of products you don’t need: Using six products where one will do Cleaning routines that take 3–4 hours daily —unrealistic for most Highly fragranced items that trigger allergies or asthma in small homes with poor ventilation Minimalism often wins. Less product, more technique! Safer Alternatives: What We Recommend Instead of jumping on the latest trend, try: Microfibre cloths + warm soapy water for most surfaces Using eco-certified, fragrance-free products for kitchens and bathrooms Following manufacturer guidelines for ovens, floors, and furniture Consulting a professional (like us!) for deep cleans, limescale build up and maintenance cleans Final Thought TikTok hacks might look impressive—but they’re no substitute for real knowledge, experience, and care. At Cleaning Queen, we love innovation—but only when it’s safe, proven, and actually effective. Let’s leave the entertainment to influencers and the elbow grease to the experts!
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