23 Low Effort Hacks To Make Your House Look Cleaner

We all want a cleaner-looking home without spending hours scrubbing and organizing. The good news is that making your house appear tidier doesn’t always require intense cleaning sessions or major renovations. With a few smart shortcuts and simple habits, you can transform cluttered spaces into orderly ones in minutes.

Try these low-effort cleaning hacks that deliver maximum visual impact with minimal work.

1. Make Your Bed Immediately After Waking Up

© Martha Stewart

Just 60 seconds of bed-making transforms your entire bedroom’s appearance. Pull up those covers, fluff those pillows, and suddenly the room looks put-together even if nothing else is clean!

I’ve noticed this simple habit creates a ripple effect of tidiness throughout my day. When guests unexpectedly stop by, a made bed instantly suggests the whole house is in order, even when other areas might be less than perfect.

2. Clear Kitchen Counters of Small Appliances

Your kitchen can look instantly cleaner by simply tucking away the toaster, blender, and coffee maker. Store these items in cabinets when not in use and marvel at how much larger and tidier your kitchen suddenly appears.

For frequently used items, consider a dedicated appliance garage or cabinet. The visual impact of clear countertops creates an illusion of cleanliness that far outweighs the effort of moving a few machines.

3. Use Decorative Baskets for Quick Clutter Control

Grab a few attractive baskets and use them for lightning-fast cleanup when company’s coming. I keep one in each room for tossing in random items that don’t have an immediate home.

Suddenly, scattered toys, magazines, and remote controls look intentional when grouped in a stylish container! The best part? You can deal with proper organization later while still maintaining a tidy appearance. Choose baskets that complement your decor to make them look like deliberate design elements.

4. Adopt the ’60-Second Rule’ for Daily Maintenance

When leaving any room, take just 60 seconds to reset it. Return that coffee mug to the kitchen, fold the throw blanket, or straighten the magazines on your coffee table.

These micro-cleaning sessions prevent mess accumulation and maintain a baseline of tidiness. I’ve found this habit particularly effective in high-traffic areas like the living room and kitchen. The cumulative effect of these tiny efforts means you’ll rarely face overwhelming cleanup jobs.

5. Swap Out Dingy Hand Towels

Fresh hand towels in bathrooms and kitchens create an instant clean vibe with zero scrubbing required! Nothing says ‘unkempt’ quite like a stained, damp towel hanging sadly from a rack.

Keep a stash of clean towels ready for quick swaps before guests arrive. For extra impact, fold them neatly or roll them for a spa-like touch. This tiny change takes seconds but dramatically refreshes these high-traffic spaces.

6. Create a Designated ‘Drop Zone’ Near Your Entrance

Fight the natural tendency for clutter to accumulate by the door with a strategic drop zone. A small table with baskets underneath corrals keys, mail, and shoes before they migrate throughout your home.

My entryway transformation happened overnight after adding hooks for bags and a dedicated spot for incoming items. Containing entry clutter in one organized spot makes your entire home feel more pulled together. Bonus: you’ll stop losing your keys!

7. Master the Art of Strategic Lighting

Harsh overhead lighting highlights every speck of dust and imperfection. Switch to softer lamp lighting to create ambiance and disguise minor cleaning lapses.

I’ve found that warm-toned bulbs cast a more flattering glow on living spaces than cool white lights. Strategic lighting draws attention to your home’s best features while keeping less pristine areas in gentle shadow. This lighting hack works particularly well during evening gatherings when you want your space to feel cozy and clean.

8. Keep Microfiber Cloths in Every Room

Stash a few microfiber cloths in discreet spots around the house for immediate dust-busting. Unlike regular cloths, microfiber grabs dust rather than spreading it around.

I keep one in my coffee table drawer for quick wipe-downs when I notice fingerprints or dust while relaxing. These magic cloths need no cleaning products, just a quick swipe removes smudges from surfaces and electronics. For maximum efficiency, designate different colored cloths for different rooms or purposes.

9. Employ the ‘Flat Surface’ Rule

Keep tables, counters, and other flat surfaces clear of random items. These horizontal spaces act as clutter magnets but also create the strongest visual impression of your home’s cleanliness.

Focus your limited cleaning energy here for maximum impact. When I’m short on time, I’ll clear off the coffee table and kitchen island first, these two surfaces alone can make my entire home look dramatically tidier in under five minutes. Remember: visitors notice horizontal surfaces first!

10. Hide Cords and Cables with Simple Solutions

Tangled cords create visual chaos even in otherwise tidy rooms. Gather electronic cables with simple cord organizers, zip ties, or even toilet paper tubes painted to match your décor.

For a quick fix, I tuck excess cord length behind furniture or use adhesive clips to route wires neatly along baseboards. The transformation is remarkable, suddenly your entertainment center or home office looks intentionally designed rather than haphazardly assembled. This five-minute fix creates a cleaner, more sophisticated look.

11. Streamline Your Refrigerator Door

A cluttered fridge exterior creates kitchen chaos, even if everything else is clean. Remove the majority of magnets, photos, and papers for an instant kitchen upgrade.

If you need a family command center, try limiting fridge decorations to one curated section or switching to a separate bulletin board. My kitchen looked dramatically cleaner after I removed everything except a simple magnetic notepad and pen. This zero-effort change takes literally seconds but transforms your kitchen’s appearance.

12. Fold Throw Blankets into Decorative Displays

Transform rumpled throws from eyesores to accessories with a quick fold or stylish drape. A neatly arranged blanket looks intentional rather than forgotten.

Try the rule of thirds: fold your throw lengthwise, then in thirds, and drape over a sofa arm or the back of a chair. For larger blankets, I use a simple accordion fold before displaying them in a decorative basket. This 30-second fix adds a cozy, put-together look to any living space.

13. Embrace the Power of Matching Containers

Mismatched storage creates visual clutter even when items are technically organized. Replace random containers with a coordinated set for an instant upgrade.

Clear containers show contents while creating visual consistency. I transformed my pantry by swapping cardboard boxes and plastic bags for matching glass jars, now even my pasta and cereal look like deliberate design choices! This same principle works wonders in bathrooms, offices, and playrooms.

14. Use Drawer Dividers in Junk Drawers

Every home has that one chaotic drawer filled with random necessities. Transform yours with simple dividers, even repurposed small boxes work perfectly.

Suddenly, batteries, pens, and tape each have dedicated spaces. While the contents remain the same, the visual organization makes a huge difference when you open the drawer. My kitchen junk drawer went from embarrassing to satisfying with just 10 minutes of sorting and some repurposed smartphone boxes as dividers.

15. Tackle Visible Dust on Lampshades and Electronics

Dusty lampshades and TV screens broadcast neglect even if the rest of your home is tidy. A lint roller makes quick work of fabric lampshades without damaging them.

For electronics, a microfiber cloth removes dust without scratching sensitive surfaces. Focus on eye-level items first, as they create the strongest impression. I keep a small lint roller in my side table for quick lampshade refreshes that take just seconds but dramatically improve the room’s appearance.

16. Straighten Picture Frames and Wall Art

Crooked frames create a subtle but powerful impression of disorder. Take a moment to straighten wall hangings for an instant tidiness boost that requires zero cleaning products.

For frequently tilting frames, try removable mounting putty at the bottom corners. My guests always comment on how put-together my home looks, never realizing this simple alignment trick creates that impression. This 30-second fix works especially well before taking home photos or hosting gatherings.

17. Create the Illusion of Cleanliness with Strategic Scents

Our noses powerfully influence our perception of cleanliness. A quick spritz of room spray or lighting a candle creates an immediate impression of freshness, even if you haven’t scrubbed a thing.

Citrus and herbal scents particularly evoke cleanliness. I keep a linen spray by the door for last-minute freshening before guests arrive. For maximum effect, eliminate bad odors first rather than trying to mask them, open windows for five minutes or remove trash for a neutral starting point.

18. Implement a ‘One In, One Out’ System for Visible Items

Maintain cleanliness by preventing accumulation in the first place. For every new decorative item you bring home, remove one existing piece to maintain balance.

This system prevents gradual clutter buildup on shelves and tabletops. I apply this rule strictly to my coffee table books and decorative objects. The discipline keeps surfaces looking intentionally styled rather than randomly accumulated. Your home will maintain that just-cleaned look with no additional tidying time.

19. Fluff and Arrange Sofa Cushions Daily

Saggy, flattened cushions make even clean rooms look unkempt. Spend 20 seconds giving sofa cushions a quick fluff and straighten before leaving the room.

For extra credit, arrange throw pillows intentionally rather than leaving them where they land. My living room looks freshly staged with this tiny habit that requires zero cleaning products. The difference between slouchy cushions and crisp, defined ones dramatically changes how put-together your entire room appears.

20. Declutter Bathroom Counters Completely

Bathroom surfaces collect half-empty products that create instant visual chaos. Relocate everything to cabinets and drawers, leaving only hand soap and perhaps one decorative item on display.

A nearly-empty counter creates a spa-like appearance without scrubbing. I keep a small decorative tray for corralling the few essentials that stay out. This five-minute change makes even dated bathrooms look significantly cleaner and more luxurious, especially important for guest bathrooms.

21. Master the Quick Sweep Focus Areas

When short on time, focus sweeping efforts on high-visibility areas like entryways and kitchen floors. These spaces collect the most noticeable debris and create strong cleanliness impressions.

I keep a slim broom behind my kitchen door for 30-second touch-ups around the dining table after meals. Don’t worry about moving furniture or reaching corners, just capture the visible crumbs and dirt in central areas. This targeted approach delivers maximum visual impact with minimal effort.

22. Eliminate Fingerprints on Glass and Mirrors

Smudgy glass surfaces immediately catch the eye and suggest neglect. Keep microfiber cloths near mirrors and glass tables for quick fingerprint removal without glass cleaner.

For stubborn marks, a bit of breath fog followed by a cloth swipe works surprisingly well. My entryway mirror gets a 10-second wipe each morning while I wait for my coffee to brew. The payoff is enormous, streak-free reflective surfaces create an amplified impression of cleanliness throughout your space.

23. Close Cabinet Doors and Drawers Completely

Partially open cabinets and drawers instantly create a disheveled appearance. Make a habit of fully closing every door and drawer before leaving a room.

This zero-effort hack creates clean lines and visual order without actually cleaning anything. I do a quick scan before heading to bed each night, ensuring all storage is properly shut. For problematic self-opening drawers, consider magnetic or mechanical catches for a more permanent solution to this common cleanliness detractor.