Professional cleaners have the tools, the talent and the know-how to make short work of cleaning a house. Cynthia Townley Ewer, author of Houseworks, reveals the secrets to speed-cleaning and organizing your home.

1. Make a Schedule and Stick to It

Set aside a specific time to get your chores done. "Nobody hires a cleaning service that promises to arrive some random Saturday when nothing else is happening," Cynthia says, "Take a tip from the pros and set up a regular cleaning schedule. Pros don’t quit until the job is done. Schedule the job and stick to it to get the work done in record time."

2. Find a Motivator

Cynthia suggests using motivators to prevent distraction and head off boredom. "Play your favorite upbeat music. Listen to a book on tape so you'll feel as if you're accomplishing two tasks at once."

3. Dress for Success

Professional cleaners dress in comfortable, washable clothing designed for work. Supportive shoes and kneepads spare their bodies. Goggles and gloves protect against chemicals. Throw out the bleach-stained sweatshirts, and create a cleaning uniform that includes shoes, gloves and eye protection.

4. Invest in Proper Tools

"Professional cleaners don’t use gadgets. You’ll never find them toting specialized one-time-use tools or the latest gimmick hawked on a TV infomercial," according to Cynthia. "Buy good tools — once — and use them, and you’ll be finished in record time."

5. Simplify Supplies

"There’s a reason the pros can tote all the products they need in one tray," Cynthia explains "They’ve simplified their cleaning products down to four basic supplies:

• Light-duty evaporating cleaner (glass cleaner or multi-surface cleaner)


• Heavy-duty degreasing cleaner


• Tile and bathroom cleaner


• Powdered abrasive cleanser

That’s it! No soap scum remover, no special counter spray, no single-use products designed to clean only blinds or fans or walls. The professionals know that with these four simple products they’ll be able to handle any ordinary cleaning chore."