Can we talk about how cleaning sometimes feels like the last straw? Between the chaos of kids, meals, and everything else, who has the time or energy to clean? That’s why I want to share three simple cleaning hacks that I’m obsessing over right now as a working mom who is tired AF. Honestly, these hacks have saved me so much stress, and I hope they do the same for you.
Lazy Cleaning Hack #1. Keep a Scrub Brush in the Shower (AND Under the Bathroom Sink!)
This is hands-down one of my favorite tricks right now. I keep a scrub brush with soap right in the shower. It’s ready to go whenever I hop in, and I can give the shower walls or floor a quick scrub while I’m already there. It’s not a full-on deep clean, but it keeps things from getting gross. And it takes, like, 60 seconds.
I’ve even doubled up on this hack. I keep a second scrub brush under the bathroom sink. Why? Because it makes cleaning as I go so easy. For example, if I notice the sink looking a little grimy after brushing my teeth, I grab the brush, give it a quick swipe, and done. No big cleaning session required.
Bonus tip: Use a hook inside your medicine cabinet to store the brush and a rag for easy grab-and-go access. Little touches of cleaning here and there really add up without it feeling like extra work!
Lazy Cleaning Hack #2. One-Box Decluttering
I found this super simple hack that makes decluttering painless, and it’s called the “one box method,” When you hear how it works, you’ll absolutely wonder why you didn’t try it sooner!
Anytime you end up with an empty box lying around (Amazon delivery, diaper box, whatever), grab it, and go around your house filling it with stuff you no longer want or need. That’s it. Once the box is full, you take it to your local donation center, sell the items, or toss them (if they can’t be reused). It’s actually that simple.
I saw this hack on Instagram thanks to @kerry.daehn6, and honestly, I’m in love with it.
If you’ve been around a while and you know my cleaning routine. I spend 15 minutes on Mondays and 15 minutes on Saturdays deep cleaning or decluttering one specific rotating “zone” of my home. (Click here for my blog post on my zone system!) This is empty box hack is what I use on one of those days so that I can declutter a new zone of my home weekly!
Lazy Cleaning Hack #3. Dish Soap and Water = Your New All-Purpose Cleaner
Raise your hand if you have an army of cleaning products under your sink. Same. Or at least, I used to. Then I figured out I don’t actually need 10 different sprays for every surface in my house. All I really need is water, a few drops of dish soap, and a spray bottle.
This super simple formula works wonders on just about anything. Countertops? Check. Smudges on walls? Got it. A random sticky mess on the coffee table? No problem. The key here is to use just a little dish soap so you don’t end up with a soapy residue. It’s quick, easy, and gets the job done without spending extra on fancy cleaners.
Now, if you’re looking to sanitize (because, yes, sometimes we do need to disinfect!), grab some high-proof vodka. It’s a great natural sanitizer and doesn’t leave your house smelling like a chemical factory. Honestly, letting go of the idea that every surface needs a specific cleaning product has been such a relief. It’s one less thing to overthink or overbuy.
Lazy Cleaning Hack #4. Morning Crockpot Prep = Dinner AND a Clean House
Alright, this one might be my all-time favorite hack because it solves multiple problems at once. We’re talking about dinner, cleanup, and a smoother evening routine all rolled into one.
Here’s how it works. After breakfast (or whenever I get a quiet moment in the morning), I prep dinner in the crockpot. I toss everything in, start it up, and move on with my day knowing dinner’s already handled. While I’m prepping, I rinse any dishes I use and load them straight into the dishwasher.
When my husband gets home from work at night, and it’s officially DINNA TIME!- I transfer it into Tupperware or storage containers. I wash out the crockpot right away (because nothing’s worse than scrubbing a stuck-on mess hours later). Then we grab the food and head out for a picnic or just eat together in the backyard. Some nights we skip plates and eat straight out of the Tupperware together. Other nights, we bring paper plates for zero cleanup.
The magic of this hack? When we’re done eating, we come home to a clean house. The dishes are already dealt with, no pots and pans are sitting in the sink, and the house wasn’t trashed by kids while I was in the kitchen. AND if there were any leftovers, they are already in Tupperware and can go straight into the fridge.
Lazy Cleaning Hack #5: Cleaning on Autopilot
Listen, some days, even the quickest hacks feel like asking too much. Scrubbing the shower while you’re in it? Brilliant, but what about those “I can barely human” mornings? That’s where this bonus lazy mom hack comes in to save the day.
Here’s the move: just press play.
With my podcast cleaning routines and Domestic Daydreams Radio, cleaning your house becomes something you can do on autopilot—even when you’re running on empty. Seriously, it’s like having a super chill, slightly vintage cleaning bestie in your ear, guiding you through exactly what to do. You pop on your headphones, select a routine, and boom, you’re cleaning without overthinking it.
How does it work?
- Each routine uses nostalgic audio, like 1950s radio shows (Dragnet! or Suspense! anyone?), to turn cleaning into a feel-good ritual instead of a frustrating chore.
- Routines take 30 minutes or less, which makes them perfect for busy moms who want to squeeze in cleaning during nap time or before dinner.
- Don’t know where to start? I’ve got your back. These guided routines tell you EXACTLY what to do, step by step. Laundry, dishes, clutter? Done.
- Got kids? There’s even a Cowboy Cleanup routine featuring Wild Bill Hickok! It’s a fun, energetic way to get your little ones jumping in to help.
AND every routine includes matching printable cleaning checklists. Whether you’re the type to doodle on dry-erase boards or you want the structure of a clipboard plan, these checklists keep you organized and on track every day. Try some here.
TBH, this hack is less about being “lazy” and more about outsmarting the cleaning overwhelm. I mean, I know I can’t blame our brains for not wanting to clean! On those days when it feels impossible to even think about tackling your house, the routines do the thinking for you. It’s like magic.
You don’t even have to get fully dressed or caffeinated to start. (Though I do recommend the caffeine ;P) Roll out of bed and press that play button!
Click here to try some episodes!
Why These Hacks Actually Work
What I love most about these hacks is how doable they are. They don’t require a ton of effort (hello, lazy cleaning!), but they still have a big impact. And look, no mom wakes up every day excited to clean her house, but finding ways to make it less overwhelming? That’s the real win.
These little tricks are all about simplifying, not adding more to your plate. Whether it’s the scrub brush, the DIY cleaner, or the beloved crockpot, they’re all designed to save time and sanity. And I’m all about that.
Your Turn
What’s your favorite lazy cleaning hack? I’m always on the hunt for more ways to simplify, so drop your go-to tip in the comments. Because when it comes to surviving (and thriving) as a mom, we need a village.