How to Clean Your Room in a Fast and Fun Way

What comes to mind when you think of your bedroom? For many, the bedroom is the ultimate sanctuary of their home, a more private and personal space for peace and quiet. The bedroom is a place to rest and unwind, watch the shows you've recorded on your DVR while splurging on your favorite ice cream, finally read the latest bestseller, or play a few rounds of blanket hide-and-seek with your 2-year-old. And sleep, of course!

Your bedroom probably doesn't see as much heavy foot traffic as other parts of your home, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be cleaned on a regular basis. It is, after all, the place where you breathe indoor air for the longest period of time each day. Bedrooms attract dust more than anything (unless you have kids, where bedrooms also collect picture books, sippy cups, toys and stuffed animals). Clutter from books, magazines, late-night snacking or anything else you bring into your bedroom also creates a less-than-relaxing, not to mention dirtier, place.

Picture your bedroom after a week of rushing around in the morning to get ready for the day, combined with evenings of laying around, folding laundry and catching up on magazines. Whether your bedroom is average-sized or the equivalent of a closet with a window, here are some tips to clean your room quickly and effectively, with ideas to help the work pass, dare we say, with a bit of fun.

Speed Cleaning Tips for Bedrooms

Cleaning up a messy bedroom can seem like a daunting task, but if you prepare a simple plan, you can clean up thoroughly and in record time. Assess your bedroom and the time you need to really get involved in the process. You can get a lot done in a short amount of time if you map it out well!

Here's a basic speed cleaning roadmap to kick your routine in high gear:

First, bring in a garbage bag and pick up trash around the room. Getting garbage out of the way ensures you'll avoid spills or soiling linens while cleaning.
Next, take care of the bed. An uncluttered bed with a smooth blanket and neat pillows sets the tone for the entire room. If you have time to change the sheets, do it first. If not, shake out the blanket on a patch of the floor to refresh it, and then make the bed. A neat bed can also hold items such as picture frames or books, where you can neatly line them up and easily put them back after cleaning.
Put clutter in its place. Straighten nightstand items, such as lamps and knickknacks, and bring any kitchen items back to their rightful place. Place clothes either in the laundry bin, or make a pile in your closet to fold later. If you have items from other rooms lying around, start a sorting pile that you can remove and deal with later. We want the bedroom to be clean, and not turn into a game of "Where does this go?"
Wipe down the furniture with microfiber dust wipes. Who needs polishing spray and a rag when you're in a hurry! Pre-cut and folded microfiber cloths work great to dust furniture, a TV, bookshelves and picture frames.
Vacuum or sweep the floor. This is an essential step, since a lot of dust and crumbs settle here. A quick run around the room will be effective. If you have more time, go for a second spin.

To be consistent, start in one corner of the room and work your way around it in one direction. If you move aimlessly around, you can lose focus. Also, try to attack one chore at a time, instead of doing multiple chores at once. If you don't have time to vacuum or dust your blinds and you try anyway, you won't complete the job well.

Ways to Make Cleaning Your Room Fun

There's no doubt that getting rid of dust and trash and refreshing bed sheets and drapes is necessary for your overall health. It's also essential for maintaining your home's well being. Is it really possible to make cleaning your room fun? Follow these tips and you'll have a clean room before you know it.

Move yourself (more) --Play upbeat music to keep your body and brain going. A fast-paced song will help lift your feet, and a steady beat gives focus to your task. You may be surprised at how quickly you can clean a room when you're singing along to your favorite pop star! Added bonus: Exercising without going to the gym!
Challenge yourself -- If you're a person who likes a good competition, try to make a cleaning challenge. Can you vacuum the floor in less than five minutes? Did you change the sheets in less time than the commercial ran on TV? By giving yourself small hurdles, you can accomplish your entire task in a surprisingly short period of time.
Reward yourself -- Use something you love, like a cup of coffee or watching your favorite reality show, as motivation to get the job done. You might watch the show anyway, but won't you be more satisfied when you've accomplished your task beforehand?
Get your kids involved -- It might sound counterproductive, but cleaning with kids helps take some of the work away from you as well as creates unexpected bonding time. Younger children will feel pride in helping, and older kids can practice math (counting how long it takes to fold a pillowcase) and learn science (where does the dust go in the vacuum anyway?)

Lots More Information

Sources

Bureau of Labor Statistics. "American Time Use Survey: Household Activities." (July 13, 2012) http://www.bls.gov/tus/current/household.htm
Cohen, Arianne. "Clean Your House in Less Than an Hour." (July 10, 2012). http://www.womansday.com/home/cleaning-tips/clean-your-house-in-less-than-an-hour-125035
Real Simple. "Quick Cleaning Solutions for Every Room." (July 11, 2012). http://www.realsimple.com/home-organizing/cleaning/quick-cleaning-solutions-every-room-10000001168532/page6.html