Short on time before the festivities? This 3-day, room-by-room cleaning plan comes with simple kitchen, pooja room and bathroom hacks that work around a 9-to-5.
Diwali and Navratri are close, guests will be dropping by, and the corners of your house are suddenly looking very dusty. If you also have office deadlines, taking a week off to clean is not going to happen. Three days are enough, though, if you plan them properly.

3-Day Festive Cleaning Plan For Busy Working Women

No time for a big festive clean-up? This simple 3-day, room-by-room plan with easy hacks will get your home ready without the stress.

Before You Start

Choose your three days now. Weekend plus one evening works for most people. Tell the family who is doing what, because cleaning alone will wear you out by Day 2.

Fill one bucket with dishwashing liquid, white vinegar, baking soda, lemons, a scrub brush, gloves and old t-shirts for dusting. Clean from top to bottom, fans first and floors last.

Day 1: Kitchen And Pooja Room

Do the kitchen first, before you get tired. Take out one shelf at a time. Throw away old masalas and packets you have been ignoring, wipe the shelf and put things back.

Grease on cabinets and tiles needs a spray bottle of half vinegar, half warm water. Spray it on, wait five minutes, then wipe. For the chimney filter, soak it in hot water with dishwashing liquid and a spoon of baking soda for 30 minutes. A light scrub is enough after that.

The microwave takes three minutes. Put in a bowl of water with lemon slices, run it, and let the steam sit inside before wiping. Chopping boards come clean when you rub half a lemon with coarse salt on them.

Pooja room next. Rub brass and copper with tamarind paste or lemon and salt. Wash diyas and bells in soapy water and dry them in the sun. Wipe the idols with a dry cloth and put fresh fabric on the platform.

Day 2: Living Room And Bedrooms

Fans first. An old pillowcase over each blade, pulled off slowly, catches the dust. Then do the tops of cupboards, frames and shelves.

Keep the washing machine running all day. Curtains, cushion covers and bedsheets can go in three batches while you work. For the sofa, vacuum the seams, leave baking soda on it for 20 minutes and vacuum again.

Go through your wardrobe one shelf at a time. Clothes untouched for a year can be donated. Move your festive outfits and jewellery to the front. Mattresses can sit in the sun for a couple of hours.

Wipe mirrors and glass tables with diluted vinegar and newspaper for a streak-free finish. Mop at the end. Vinegar in the mop water is fine, but not on marble.

Day 3: Bathrooms, Balcony And The Entrance

In the bathroom, put cleaner or baking soda and vinegar into the toilet bowl and leave it. Scrub tiles and the sink with baking soda paste. Rub a cut lemon on water stains on taps and glass, wait a bit, then wipe. Clean the exhaust fan too. It is usually the dirtiest thing in there.

Balcony: sweep, wash the floor, wipe the railing and clean the pots. A marigold string makes it look festive straight away.

Finish with the entrance, since guests see it first. Wipe the door, nameplate and shoe rack. Shake out the doormat or get a new one. Then put up rangoli, diyas and lights.

Conclusion

Work for 45 minutes, then stop for chai. One room done on a tiring weekday evening is still one room less to do. If you can afford it, call a helper for a day to do the windows and chimney.

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(Image Credits: Pinterest)
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