There are rarely enough hours in a day and we don’t usually want to spend any of them cleaning our homes, let’s be honest. Still, ignoring the chore buildup is oh-so-tempting and often our chosen course of action (oops). That’s why it might be a good idea to check out some cleaning tips over at cleanhomeguide.co.uk for example, it might just be the thing that you are looking for to help motivate you into cleaning your house.

But, once we find ourselves in a pinch for time–maybe friends, family, a significant other’s coming–we’d rather kick ourselves than speed clean, but we know that’s what needs to happen.

So, in order to perfect your “10-minute-tidy” skills, check out these 20 tricks to encourage and quicken easy cleaning…and no one will ever know! Something else you could do would be to a hire a cleaning company, you can see here what you can have done, and don’t worry no one will ever know.

1. The catch-all kit.

Decide what cleaning products are essential to you and keep them on hand in your own personalized cleaning kit (such fun!).

via Getty Images / Thomas Perkins

2. Before you start cleaning, put on some music.

Make a playlist beforehand, listen to the radio, put on your fave CD/record/cassette, anything. Whatever it is, as long as you love it, it’s going to make the next 18 things easier!

via EDM Sauce

3. The Walk-Through.

Quickly go through each room in your home picking up or straightening any items that are out of place. Put them into a basket, box, drawer etc., that will remain out of sight until your guests leave (after that you can put everything back where it belongs!).

via GQ / Illustration by Paul Tuller

4. Next up, dishes.

After the walk-through, get this out of the way. Everybody hates doing dishes (or loading the washer), but you’ll be amazed at how much cleaner everything feels immediately once numbers 3 and 4 are done!

via Free The Mom

5. Now move on to surfaces.

This is an absolute must. Use cleaning wipes to clean kitchen and bathroom counters, tiles, fixtures and anything else that may get noticed.

via iStock / fatihhoca

6. It’s DIY time: Rubbing alcohol

There are tons of different things you have around your house that can stand in as surface cleaners. One unexpected lifesaver being rubbing alcohol.

via The Creek Line House

7. Another: White vinegar and lemon juice (doesn’t even need to be freshly pressed).

via Shutterstock / Brooke Becker

8. And who’da thought: vodka works as a surface cleaner too (but we understand if you want to keep that in your glass while cleaning).

via About.com / Karen Peltier

9. Also, if you do take the vodka route…

…you can shine kitchen, bathroom, and light fixtures while you’re at it. Don’t worry about the smell, it dissipates quickly and you can even add some essential oils for additional air-freshening benefits. Perhaps lavender, patchouli, peppermint, wild orange, whatever you like!

via Huffington Post

10. In the bathroom now…

…also make sure to switch the towels, you know, so they look fluffy and smell pretty. If you feel ambitious, make some DIY linen spray to keep on hand (added bonus from the essential oils in number 8). If you are cleaning a glass shower panel (examples can be found at GlassShowerDirect.com) then be sure to use number 7’s tips!

via Back to Her Roots

11. If you have the time for a tub clean, it’d be a good idea.

Try a simple mix of baking soda and water to remove that stuck-on grime that Mr. Clean made his millions on.

via Apartment Therapy / Misty’s Bright and Colorful Cottage

12. Don’t forget the mirror! All mirrors for that matter (vinegar, water, and microfiber cloth).

via Apartment Therapy / Misty’s Bright and Colorful Cottage

13. Pet hair.

The absolute worst to encounter for your visiting guests. If you don’t have a handy dandy pet hair remover contraption then use a rubber glove to create static and get that bizz gone from chairs, couches, pillows etc.

via Apartment Therapy

14. Post-pet hair abolishment, take a look at your curtains and lamp shades.

Take a lint roller to what’s been accumulating these past few months.

via One Good Thing By Jillee

15. On the topic of dusting, do not forget your blinds and ceiling fans.

You can use that vinegar from before plus an old (clean) sock on your hand to wipe down blinds, and it’s a good idea to keep a surplus of micro cloths on hand for dusting fans.

via Keep Home Simple

16. You’re almost there, what song’s on?

So if you’re getting into the whole DIY, all-natural solutions to cleaning products, consider making some dusting spray for your cleaning kit. It works wonderfully and is super easy. All you need is water, olive oil, vinegar, and essential oil.

via One Good Thing By Jillee