10 things you can clean if you only have 10 minutes

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. Occasionally there are only 10 spare minutes in a day for cleaning.

Luckily, according to cleaning experts, that is more than enough time to make a visible dent in the chaos and help keep your home tidy.

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," suggested 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!"

Entryway

"Time to match up shoes, sort out papers, rehome assorted accessories, tidy pet items and organize your reusable bags," suggested Lynda Reider of Cut the Clutter RVA.

Stove

"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," said Chris Willatt of Alpine Maids.

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," suggested Marla Mock, President of Molly Maid, a Neighborly Company.

Utensil drawer

"Empty out your eating utensil drawer completely, wipe it out, do a quick declutter and put everything you want to keep back," said Diana Rene, the Decluttered Mom.

Fridge

"A quick fridge wipe-down can eliminate all the spills and lingering odors," said 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."

Baseboards

"Grab a slightly damp rag and a slightly damp Magic Eraser," said Willatt. "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."

Couch

"Cleaning pet hair and dandruff off your couch takes less than 10 minutes provided you use a drill brush attachment to do it," said 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."

Glove box

"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," suggested Reider.

Lampshade

"The beautiful lampshades that you have with intricate details are a nightmare to clean," noted 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."