Feeling overwhelmed with the house and don't know where to start? Photo / Getty Images
The summer months can be the perfect time to get stuck into some cleaning around the house - especially when the rain has us holed up inside.
But after a month of festive entertaining and the kids running riot on school holidays, it can feel overwhelming to know where to begin when the chaos stops.
One person who understands the struggle is mum-of-three and cleaning and DIY content creator Brit Cunningham.
Cunningham’s cleaning videos have made her a name on social media; one of her most popular videos - showing her tidying with the caption “crazy how my body can’t tell the difference between a bit of mess and falling to my death” - has had nearly 550k views on Instagram.
Cunningham tells The Herald the videos that resonate most with her audience are those that are raw and honest, and not trying to appear as if she has it all together.
“I’m usually having a laugh or meltdown over something, while quickly trying to get as many of my ducks in a row as possible, before they fly away again. I don’t think people always want perfection; they want to know it’s okay to be human, while still craving a clean, calm space.”
So, where should people start if they want maximum effort with minimum time on their hands?
The 34-year-old suggests tackling surfaces first to clear both your space and mind.
“Things scattered everywhere feels like clutter, and clutter feels like chaos.
“I’d focus on the three worst clutter culprits: the entranceway drop zone, kitchen benches and dining room table. Once those are clear, the space starts to feel calmer - and it makes the deeper cleaning easier when you have the time.”
After that, Cunningham says she adopts a “room by room” method for tackling the bulk of the house.
“If you find cleaning overwhelming, this can be super helpful. We’re just going to focus on one space at a time, do as much as we can, then move on.
“For me, the first room is always the kitchen and the last is always the bathroom, but everyone has their own order. I’d deal with the dishes - bonus points if you dry/put away and empty/stack the dishwasher; take the rubbish out - a stinky house is not it; and spray and wipe all surfaces, before tackling the floors, floors last, always.”
The content creator says when it comes to the most neglected areas in the home, it’s often the bits you aren’t staring directly at each day, or the things you use to clean with.
“Skirting boards and ceilings are often overlooked, but they quietly collect dust and grime that can make a home feel dirty - even if it’s clean.
“Appliances, vacuums, mops, washing machines, dishwashers, etc., all need regular cleaning. The irony that cleaning machines also need cleaning is not lost on me, but regular maintenance saves you time and money in the long run.”
Cunningham says bins also need to be disinfected, which she does weekly to keep her house smelling fresh and feeling hygienic.
And if keeping a cleaner and tidier home was on your 2026 resolutions list, Cunningham has you covered with her must-dos for cleaning this year.
Firstly, she recommends implementing what she calls a “closing shift”; “spending 20 minutes in the evening to reset the key areas and prepare for the morning is one of those rituals that just makes life run so much smoother”.
She says creating systems within her home has also been a game-changer, and one she would recommend for those wanting to implement lasting changes.
“A home for everything, and everything in its home. If things have a dedicated spot to live, in a place that makes sense, they can’t clutter up your space.”
She also recommends getting the kids involved in clean-up.
“Make a household rule: don’t put it down, put it away”.
“For families, Tidy Up Time is a great game to play. Pop on a Disney soundtrack, and encourage everyone to work together to pack up the toys and things. Keep it light and fun. When kids are little we want to teach them the joy of a clean space, not punish them with cleaning as a consequence.”
There’s always a trend or a new toy, but a clean home doesn’t have to cost a fortune. You don’t need a million baskets or gadgets. I always say: use what you have, do what you can.
A steam cleaner: Steam kills up to 99.9% of bacteria and germs without chemicals, and you can use it on floors, walls, cabinets, grout, tiles and more.
A good disinfectant: Controversial but (in my opinion), essential.
A scouring pad and cream cleanser: A cheap, classic and unbeatable combo, with about a million different uses.
Microfibre cloths: There’s something magical about a good microfibre, they clean effectively and when they’re done, just pop them in the wash.
Elbow grease: Sadly, still the most reliable tool of all.
Honourable mention goes to rubber gloves: Protect your hands. Enough said.