Often slovenly, lazy, sloppy and gross, bachelors aren’t exactly the perfect picture of sanitation. However, while it might seem counterintuitive, messy bachelors actually have a few things to teach us when it comes to cleaning. Lazy guys who love to shirk their cleaning duties also know all the best shortcuts to get a house clean in no time — when they have to, that is. So if you’d like to spend less time cleaning up, and more time kicking back, here are some of the best lessons bachelors can teach us to get a house clean in no time.
Let the Robots Do the Work
In the last decade, we’ve seen a tremendous number of robo-cleaners hit the market, including units capable of vacuuming carpets, clearing gutters, scrubbing pools and mopping floors. These gadgets offer the perfect combination of technology and laziness that most young bachelors find irresistible. So invest in a few robo-cleaning tools to shoulder some of the down-and-dirty housework that you hate most.
The Rewards of Laziness
Occasionally, there are big payoffs for laziness. A 2005 study found that a made bed plays host to far more dust mites than an unmade one. By covering your bed each morning, you trap in heat and humidity, perfect conditions for the mites, which can cause asthma and allergies. Leaving the covers off, however, gives the bed time to air out. So if you don’t mind the sight of a messy bed, skip this step; you’ll save yourself several minutes in the morning and get a chance to go an extra round with the snooze button.
One-Pot Meals
College kids and bachelors live off ramen noodles not just because they are cheap, but because it’s a meal that can be made and consumed in a single pot, eliminating the need to wash a lot of dishes afterward. Ramen isn’t exactly the tastiest or most nutritious meal, but you can replicate the advantages of single-pot cooking with hearty stews, soups and casseroles. For more inspiration, check out one of these sites dedicated to the art of the one-pot meal.
Spartan Living
The more stuff you have, the more stuff you have to clean. So if you find yourself constantly dusting bric-a-brac and shuffling around unused kitchen gear to wipe down a counter, maybe it’s time to get rid of some of the clutter in your life. Most bachelors live pretty spartan lives: a bed, a few pots and pans, a couch and a TV. You’ll be amazed at how much easier it is to clean once you’ve stripped your life down to the things you actually need.
Just Clean What’s Dirty
While it’s important to give the home a good scrubbing every now and then, for the most part, you can get away with cleaning only the things that are dirty. If you notice a small spill on the floor, grab a dishrag and wipe up the dirty spot instead of feeling like you have to bust out the mop and do the entire surface.
Don’t Over-Organize
There aren’t many bachelors that know what a credenza is. Wardrobes and China cabinets are equally unpopular with dudes. While organization can be important, often time spent dutifully filing stuff away in cupboards and arranging things on shelves can be a waste. Opt for a simpler storage solution: a few big plastic containers stowed beneath the bed will do the job just as well, and the large, wide bins make it easy to spot what you’re looking for when you need it. Not only will it spare you time spent organizing, the below-the-bed storage will free up space in your room.
Don’t Fold
Finally, a note about folding clothes: Don’t do it! Sure it spares you from unsightly wrinkles, but embrace the rumpled look and just pluck clean clothes out of a laundry basket when you need them. I know, this might not fly for your work attire, but there’s little reason to carefully fold T-shirts and jeans that you wear during your after-work hours.