These $5 habits save you hours of scrubbing later

Cleaning doesn’t have to feel like an all-day event. Most of the time, it’s not about scrubbing harder—it’s about preventing messes from getting out of control in the first place. Small habits, especially the kind you can set up for around $5, make the biggest difference.

These are the little things that keep grime from sticking, grease from building up, and dirt from spreading. Do them consistently, and you’ll spend far less time scrubbing later.

Use a Squeegee in the Shower

A $5 shower squeegee is one of the easiest tools to add to your routine. Running it over the walls and glass after each shower stops soap scum and hard water stains before they set in.

Instead of spending an hour scrubbing later, you’ll spend less than a minute each day. It also keeps mildew from creeping into corners, making deep cleanings a whole lot easier.

Keep a Microfiber Cloth Handy

Microfiber cloths trap dust and grime much better than paper towels, and you can grab a pack for a few dollars. Leaving one in each high-traffic area makes it easy to wipe down surfaces before dirt piles up.

The trick is that you don’t wait until dust turns into a sticky mess. Quick wipes keep counters, tables, and appliances looking clean without the heavy scrubbing session.

Spray Vinegar on Faucets Weekly

Hard water deposits can make faucets look dingy fast. A cheap spray bottle filled with vinegar takes care of the problem. Spritzing it once or twice a week loosens minerals before they become hard crust.

By tackling it early, you save yourself the frustration of scrubbing with harsh chemicals later. Plus, it keeps your fixtures looking newer for longer.

Use Baking Soda in the Sink

A little baking soda goes a long way for keeping your sink fresh. Sprinkling it down the drain and giving it a quick scrub keeps odors and grime under control.

It costs next to nothing and makes stainless steel shine without scratching. Doing this regularly means you won’t have to fight stubborn buildup with hours of scrubbing.

Wipe Appliances After Use

Instead of letting splatters sit, spend a minute wiping them down while they’re fresh. A $5 pack of reusable cloths is all you need to stay on top of it.

Food that dries onto stove tops or microwaves is what takes forever to clean. Tackling it right away keeps your appliances looking clean and saves hours later.

Line Your Fridge Shelves

For less than $5, you can get fridge liners or even cut-to-size mats. These catch spills and crumbs before they reach the glass shelves.

When something leaks, you just swap out or wipe down the liner instead of scrubbing sticky messes from every corner. It makes fridge cleanouts a quick job, not a dreaded one.

Use Doormats Inside and Out

A good doormat cuts down on dirt tracked through the house, and you can find them for a few dollars. Place one outside the door and one inside to catch even more.

The less dirt that makes it in, the less sweeping and mopping you’ll have to do. It’s a small investment that pays off in saved cleaning time every week.

Spray and Sit Before Scrubbing

Instead of attacking grime right away, spray your cleaner and let it sit for a few minutes. A $5 multipurpose spray works better with a little patience.

This habit softens grease, soap scum, or stuck-on food so you don’t have to scrub as hard. It feels like the cleaner is doing the heavy lifting for you.

Keep Magic Erasers on Hand

Magic Erasers are cheap and incredibly effective on scuffs, crayon marks, or grime on walls and baseboards. Having a few in a drawer saves you time when you spot something.

You won’t need to repaint or spend hours scrubbing with regular sponges. A quick swipe makes surfaces look clean again with almost no effort.

Do Quick Daily Pickups

Spending five minutes each night picking things up can save hours later. A $5 storage basket makes it easy—just toss items in and put them away where they belong.

When clutter isn’t covering every surface, cleaning is faster and less overwhelming. Staying on top of small messes means you rarely face the big, time-consuming ones.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.