While living under your own roof and by your own rules might seem exciting at first, don't expect all that euphoria to last. Living alone also means having to deal with real responsibilities like cleaning up after yourself.

While you could always hire a maid to do it, most struggling 20-somethings don't really have that kind of cash to splurge on hiring a maid. Plus, do you really want to be known as that 40-year-old who still has no idea how to use a broom?
 
We're not expecting you to transform into Martha Stewart overnight, but familiarizing yourself with these cleaning basics will at least help you on your journey to becoming a full-fledged and independent adult.


Kitchen



Quick Tips: Wipe off any remaining food off before grouping similar dishes together. Let them soak for awhile to remove crusty bits. Hot water works best for tackling grease. Get it done ASAP so you won't have to deal with an entire load piling in your sink. A little background music can help make this chore less tiresome.



Quick tips: Keep things organized by storing food items in baskets and labels. Lining shelves with removable mats or cling film will make it easier to clean up spills and stains.



Quick tips: To save money, try non-toxic remedies like scrubbing with baking soda or spritzing the surface with a mixture of water and white vinegar.  Not only is it effective in cleaning up stove grease, it won't leave scratch marks on your appliances.

Bathroom



Quick tips: You can do all this while taking a shower. Clean both the surface and underside of the toilet seat before moving on to the sink, sink basin and faucet. Remove leftover hair strands to prevent clogging up the pipes. If you have extra time, scrub the tiles with bleach to prevent mildew, wipe the mirror clean using a lint-free cloth or newspaper with glass cleaning solution, and finish up by air-drying the bathroom mat.

Dining room



Quick tips: Clear the dining room table before dusting the surface with a dust cloth. A faster option is to lay a tablecloth when eating and remove it once you're done. Remember to run a broom or mop quickly under the table and chairs to clear away leftover crumbs.

Living room



Quick tips: The most efficient way is to clean in a spiral, which means targeting all the areas closest to the walls before working your way towards the middle. Dust off furniture before starting on the floor. Remember that different floor surfaces require different cleaning methods (for tips on cleaning marble floors, click here). While you're at it, clear away clutter by chucking keeping bin bags close at hand. Finish off by walking through your home spraying a little air freshener or lighting a scented candle..

Bedroom



Quick tips: Remember to flip the mattress every six months to make it last longer. If you plan on laundering your dirty bed sheets, you can use it to wipe dust off furniture and any other items before chucking it all in the laundry.



Quick tips: Clutter is not your friend, especially if you have limited closet space. Once you're done spring cleaning your wardrobe, use mini racks and clear plastic containers to keep the rest of your stuff organized. That way, you won't end up wasting precious minutes rummaging through a laundry pile just to find something clean.