Household Cleaning: How to Keep Up in Everyday Life

Switzerland is among the countries with the longest working hours in Europe. According to the Federal Statistical Office, Swiss residents work an average of over 41 hours per week. Add commuting, family, and social obligations to that. The household? Often gets neglected.

The question isn't whether you have time for cleaning. The question is: How do you organize yourself so that you can keep up in everyday life without spending hours scrubbing on the weekend?

The Reality: Why Housework Often Gets Neglected

In Switzerland, this phenomenon is widespread: During the week, you come home exhausted; on weekends, you finally want to relax, not clean. The result? The apartment slowly becomes more chaotic until eventually a marathon cleaning day is inevitable.

The most common reasons:

• Long working days and commutes
• No clear routine or system
• Perfectionism: All or nothing
• Lack of task prioritization

The good news: With the right strategies, you can keep your household clean without a huge time investment. It's not about perfection, but about smart routines.

Strategy 1: The 15-Minute Rule

Forget marathon cleaning days. The most effective method is simple: 15 minutes every day. No more, no less. It sounds like little, but 15 minutes daily equals 105 minutes per week. That's enough for a tidy household.

How it works:

• Set a timer for 15 minutes
• Focus on one area
• When the timer goes off: Stop

The psychological trick: 15 minutes feels manageable. You overcome the mental barrier much more easily than with a two-hour cleaning project.

Strategy 2: Rooms by Priority

Not all rooms are equally important. In a typical Swiss household, you should focus on this order:

1. Kitchen – Dirt accumulates here daily. Wiping counters and putting dishes away immediately makes the biggest difference.
2. Bathroom – Hygienically important. A quick wipe after showering prevents limescale buildup.
3. Living Room – The room visitors see. Order here immediately affects the whole apartment.
4. Bedroom – Making the bed takes 2 minutes and completely changes the room's feel.

Anyone who regularly performs maintenance cleaning knows: The kitchen and bathroom are the key rooms. If they're clean, the whole apartment feels well-maintained.

Strategy 3: Keep Cleaning Supplies Accessible

A common mistake: All cleaning supplies are stowed away in a cabinet. If you first have to gather everything, motivation quickly disappears.

Better:

• A small cleaning caddy in each bathroom
• All-purpose cleaner and cloths under the kitchen sink
• Microfiber cloths stored in multiple rooms

This way, you can spontaneously wipe the mirror or clean a surface without having to walk through the apartment first.

Strategy 4: A Weekly Plan That Works

A realistic weekly plan for working people in Switzerland:

Total: Under 2 hours per week. That's achievable, even with a full schedule.

Strategy 5: Combine Tasks

Use waiting times and in-between moments:

• While coffee is brewing: Tidy the kitchen
• During phone calls: Organize the living room
• After showering: Quickly squeegee the shower
• While brushing teeth: Wipe the mirror
• During streaming commercials: Quick room walkthrough

These micro-tasks add up. You clean effectively without perceiving it as "cleaning."

Strategy 6: Less Stuff, Less Chaos

A realization that's hard for many: The fewer things, the less effort. In Swiss apartments, which often aren't overly large, this is particularly relevant.

Practical tips:

• Declutter regularly (e.g., seasonally)
• One in, one out: For every new item, an old one goes
• Keep surfaces clear – nothing collects dust like decorations

When Professional Help Makes Sense

Sometimes routines alone aren't enough. In Switzerland, professional cleaning support is widespread and no longer considered a luxury. According to studies, about 15% of Swiss households regularly use cleaning services.

Professional help is particularly useful for:

• Deep Cleaning – For a complete reset when too much has accumulated
• Regular Maintenance Cleaning – For professionals who want to use their time differently
• Window Cleaning – One of the most unpopular tasks that professionals complete faster
• Moving Cleaning – When the old apartment needs to be handed over

The calculation is simple: With an average Swiss hourly wage, it can be more economical to outsource cleaning and use the time gained for rest or more productive activities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Household Cleaning

Conclusion: Getting Through Everyday Life with a System

Keeping up with housework isn't a matter of discipline or time. It's a matter of having a system. The 15-minute rule, a realistic weekly plan, and strategically placed cleaning supplies make all the difference.

And when that's not enough: In Switzerland, professional support isn't a weakness, but a smart decision. Whether regular maintenance cleaning or a one-time deep cleaning as a reset – sometimes delegating is the best solution.