8 Quick Cleaning Tasks You Should Do Every Morning, According to Professional Cleaners

Make the Bed

We’ll start with a super easy one. Making the bed is a great way to kick off the day, ushering you into a productive mindset while ensuring you have a cozy place to land once night falls.

“If you make the bed, the whole room looks tidy,” says Barbara Brock, a professional organizer. “An unmade bed immediately gives an impression of disorganization and chaos. Visually, [a made bed] will be calming.” 

Wipe Down the Bathroom Sinks

Toothpaste splatters, soap residue, and makeup debris—all items that can find themselves in your bathroom sink. Leave it to dry for the entire day and you’re looking at a mess that’s harder to clean up.

“A quick wipe every morning keeps sinks and countertops from collecting buildup that turns into soap scum, hard water stains, and grime over time,” says Lauren Houser, a cleaning expert with Zep, Inc. “[Sinks and countertops] are also hotspots for bacteria. A quick clean ensures a fresh, sanitary space.”

Clean the Coffee Maker

Coffee or tea is a non-negotiable part of the morning for most of us, but if your machine isn’t clean it can affect the taste of your steamy beverage. A deep clean to demineralize the machine is something you can do every week or two, but in the mornings make sure to wash out the coffee pot and wipe-down the machine (and surrounding area) to take care of any splatter, advises Michelle Urban, a professional home organizer. This way, it’ll be ready to go tomorrow morning and there will be less you’ll have to clean during your deep clean sessions.

Unload the Dishwasher

Ideally, you’ve loaded up the dishwasher the night before and have woken up to a load of sparkling clean dishes. In the morning, take five minutes to unload the dishwasher so everything is back in its rightful place, Brock advises. She also says this frees up space to “fill it up during the day, resulting in keeping the kitchen relatively clean all day long.”

Run the Garbage Disposal

After breakfast, take care to rinse and run the garbage disposal to keep food from sitting all day and getting stinky. “Flushing it with hot water and a bit of dish soap helps clear any leftover food particles,” Urban says. You can also squeeze some lemon juice or sprinkle a little baking soda inside to help deodorize the drain.

Take Out the Trash

Speaking of things that get smelly, overflowing trash cans must be tended to. The morning is a great time to take out any full trash bins to prevent smells from saturating the house all day long. This simple chore takes only a few minutes and can make a world of difference in the way your home smells when you return from work or errands.

Wipe Down the Fridge and Microwave Handles

The kitchen is a busy place in the morning, so make it a habit to address any high-touch spots like fridge and microwave handles.

“Between grabbing snacks, making meals, and kids reaching for juice boxes, they collect fingerprints, food smudges, and germs,” Urban says. “Giving them a quick wipe every morning helps keep things cleaner and more hygienic. Keep some disinfecting wipes handy for a quick daily swipe. This 10-second habit makes a big difference in keeping your kitchen looking fresh.”

Quick-Tidy the Entryway

The area where you first walk into your home collects the most dirt, dust, and pet hair, especially if you wear shoes indoors. “Floors in high-traffic areas, like the entryway can feel gritty by morning, especially if you have kids or pets,” Houser says. “A quick sweep or mop prevents dirt from being tracked throughout the house and keeps everything looking and feeling clean.” Also, be sure to tidy up strewn items in this area so you have a calming welcome upon your return home.