13 things you can clean if you only have 10 minutes, according to experts

Southerners know the importance of keeping a clean and tidy house. Despite juggling packed calendars and busy lives, folks still take pride in their homes. That means spring cleaning, of course, but also making sure to try new ways to keep things clean year-round. There's deep cleaning the house in one packed day, opting to clean one room per month, or trying out the 6/10 cleaning method to keep homes neat. Occasionally there are only 10 spare minutes in a day for cleaning.

Luckily, according to our cleaning experts, that is more than enough time to make a visible dent in the chaos and help keep your home tidy. Here are 13 things that can be cleaned in 10 minutes or less.

1. Clean the microwave.

“Simply fill a microwave-safe bowl with one cup of water and add either a tablespoon of vinegar or a tablespoon of lemon juice,” suggests Victoria Tran of Sorted Professional Organizers in New Orleans. “Microwave on high for about two to four minutes. The steam will help loosen any grime, and the added substances help eliminate odors. Let the bowl cool slightly before removing it. Then, just wipe down the inside of the microwave with a damp cloth, and it's as good as new—all in under 10 minutes!”

2. Tidy the entryway.

Take a few minutes to tackle that entryway or mudroom. “Time to match up shoes, sort out papers, rehome assorted accessories, tidy pet items, and organize your reusable bags,” suggests Lynda Reider of Cut the Clutter RVA.

3. Get the stove sparkling.

You can clean your stove in 10 minutes, according to Chris Willatt of Alpine Maids. “Fill your sink with soapy water, and toss the grates or coils in there. Clean your stove with all purpose. Wipe the grates and place them back on the stove. This is good practice every time that you use your stove so that you never have to take time to deep clean your stove.”

4. Tackle toilets.

“Apply toilet bowl cleaner then scrub with a toilet brush and flush. Lastly, clean the rest of the toilet with an all-purpose cleaner,” suggests Marla Mock, President of Molly Maid, a Neighborly Company.

5. Clean the utensil drawer.

“Empty out your eating utensil drawer completely, wipe it out, do a quick declutter and put everything you want to keep back,” says Diana Rene, the Decluttered Mom. “This sounds SUPER simple (and that's because it is!) but it will make a big difference in how you feel every time you open that drawer!”

6. Refresh the fridge

“A quick fridge wipe-down can eliminate all the spills and lingering odors,” says Rocky Vuong of Calibre Cleaning. “Create a solution of water and baking soda. Wet a microfiber cloth in this solution and wipe down the shelves, door compartments, and doors. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer and leaves your fridge smelling fresh and looking clean.”

7. Hit the baseboards.

“You can clean all of the baseboards on a level of your home in 10 minutes,” says Chris Willatt from Alpine Maids. “Grab a slightly damp rag and a slightly damp Magic Eraser. Start anywhere in your home and wipe your baseboards. If you come across any stains that the rag is not lifting, switch to the Magic Eraser. Clean baseboards make your home pop and look cleaner than it may actually be.”

8. Clean pet hair off the couch.

"Cleaning pet hair and dandruff off your couch takes less than 10 minutes provided you use a drill brush attachment to do it,” says Ryan Knoll from Tidy Casa. “This attachment goes on your drill and just brushes all the dirt and grime off your couch. You just have to make sure you don't torque the drill too much. Turn the drill on gently and glide it over your couch. You will have a clean couch in under 10 minutes."

9. Clear the glove box.

Got 10 minutes in the parking lot? Tackle the glove compartment or middle console. “Cull things down to two types of items: those you use frequently in your car and those you need in an emergency. Use makeup bags to corral small, similar items together. Take a minute and gather your registration and other important documents,” suggests Reider.

10. Lint roll A lampshade.

“The beautiful lampshades that you have with intricate details are a nightmare to clean,” notes Vuong. “Use a lint roller to get rid of dust and pet hair from the lampshades with woven and fabric materials. The lint roller will gather the dust particles without disturbing the delicate details.”

11. Clean a sink.

Pick a sink, any sink, and get it sparkling in just 10 minutes. “Make a mixture of baking soda and vinegar and scrub the sink, then rinse thoroughly,” says Mock.

12. Organize the car trunk.

“Are your reusable shopping bags and sports equipment taking over the trunk?” asks Reider. “Keep only what you use frequently alongside your emergency jumper cables and tire inflator.”

13. Purge your email inbox

Take 10 minutes to tackle your digital home, too. “Do a speed round to delete all excess messages and prioritize what needs responses,” suggests Reider. “If you do this frequently enough, you may even have time to handle some of those responses within your 10-minute timeframe.”

(Southern Living is a lifestyle magazine aimed at readers in the Southern United States featuring recipes, house plans, garden plans, and information about Southern culture and travel. Online at www.southernliving.com.)