For many, the prospect of deep-cleaning the bathroom looms as a weekly chore requiring hours of intense scrubbing. However, a professional cleaner has shared a remarkably simple strategy that promises to dramatically cut down on this labour, transforming maintenance into a series of minute-long tasks.
The 'Do-Then-Clean' Method Explained
Kendra Hennessy, a cleaning expert known on TikTok as @themotherlikeaboss, advocates for a technique she calls the 'do-then-clean' method. She demonstrated this approach to her followers, confirming she uses it in her own home to maintain a high standard of cleanliness with minimal time investment.
"For most people, cleaning the bathroom is an overwhelming task that they have to carve out a lot of time for. And if you hate cleaning bathrooms, that's no fun to do," Kendra explained. Her solution is to anchor tiny cleaning actions to existing daily habits, preventing grime from building up in the first place.
How to Integrate Cleaning into Your Routine
The core of the method involves performing brief cleaning tasks immediately after or during a related activity. Kendra provided specific examples from her own routine:
After brushing teeth: "A few times a week, after I brush my teeth, I wipe down the sink. It literally takes less than a minute to do, and then I don't have to worry about chiselling off all the toothpaste, gunk and hair that gets into the sink."
While in the shower: "I wipe down the glass shower while I'm in the shower a couple of times a week as well. Again, it only takes me about 60 seconds, and it prevents all of the nasty soap, scum and water marks from getting on the glass."
The Cumulative Time-Saving Benefit
By consistently performing these micro-tasks, Kendra insists the cumulative effect is substantial. "These tiny maintenance tasks cut hours off my cleaning time over the course of the week," she said. The strategy turns a daunting, infrequent deep-clean into manageable, ongoing upkeep.
Other tasks that can be 'anchored' include quickly clearing hair from the drain after showering or giving the toilet exterior a swift wipe. The key is linking the action to an established habit, making it almost automatic.
Kendra credits this systematic approach for the overall cleanliness of her home: "I'm telling you as a cleaning expert that the 'do-then-clean' method is the reason that my house stays as clean as it does." For anyone tired of dedicating entire weekends to battling bathroom grime, this proactive hack could be a genuine game-changer.