'Trust me, these 3 hacks will make your home feel instantly cleaner.'

Thanks to our brand partner, Kärcher

Why does cleaning take up so much of my adult life?

One thing they really didn't prepare you for when it comes to being an adult — and especially a parent — is how long you'll spend cleaning. You finish one job, feel that satisfying moment of accomplishment… and suddenly a new mess appears.

And it's rarely the amount of mess that gets you. It's the time it takes. Hours that could be spent doing literally anything else — resting, parenting, socialising, or doom-scrolling.

So I've become a bit of a cleaning-hack detective. Anything that saves time, reduces effort, or stops me from spiralling into the overwhelm-clean-repeat cycle earns a gold star in my house.

Which is why, when I tried the Kärcher Window Vac WV 6 Plus and Kärcher Steam Cleaner SC 5 Deluxe, things escalated quickly. After a week of testing, they've officially earned a place in my top three hacks that make my home feel instantly cleaner — without eating into what little free time I have left.

Ditch the cloths and scrubbers — let the gadgets do the work for you.

Anyone else clean their surfaces to perfection only for streaks to magically reappear as if they're mocking your hard work? If so, I've found the ultimate hack for you.

I started my Kärcher testing with full enthusiasm, tackling everything from mirrors and shower doors to my benchtops and windows. If it was reflective, I cleaned it.

Image: Supplied.

I was genuinely surprised by how easy the Kärcher Window Vac was to use — both the spray and the vacuum function. As someone who's only 4'11, being able to clean higher-up surfaces without needing a ladder (or a prayer) was a revelation. But the true joy? No paper towels. No buffing. No arm workout. And absolutely no streaks.

Image: Supplied.

My benchtops are usually unforgiving, and this was their make-or-break moment. The finish was instantly shiny and streak-free. The shower doors? Gleaming. The windows? Suddenly so clean I felt like I could see the outside world in full HD.

Even my parents noticed — and casually admitted they had been quietly judging my previously grimy windows. (I had other priorities, okay!)

Then I unleashed the Kärcher Steam Cleaner, the deep-cleaning workhorse. And I didn't hold back.

Image: Supplied.

I went to town on my kitchen first: oven, stovetop, splashback, cupboard doors, sink. Then I took it into the bathroom for the shower tiles and sink. And finally, I did the floors. The Hand Nozzle and Steam Turbo Brush attachments were my top picks and they delivered.

Watching grime lift from my stovetop was honestly fun. Like I was witnessing #CleanTok in real life — truly a dream. And because the steam is generated with nothing but water, it makes it chemical-free, and kills 99.99 per cent of common household bacteria. Thankfully I didn't have the usual headache or worry that I'd inhaled something questionable. With a chronic illness and a young child, this was a huge relief.

It saved me so much time. I usually run out of steam (pun fully intended) after two cleaning tasks, but this setup made deep cleaning feel doable and… kind of enjoyable? My stovetop and sink looked professionally cleaned. I was extremely smug about it.

Image: Supplied.

Between both tools, the Window Vac and the Turbo Brush were the MVPs. They made cleaning faster, easier, and genuinely satisfying. They're not just tools, they're motivation hacks — and let's be real, we all need a bit of that.

Image: Supplied.

Hack 2: Reset your kitchen before you cook.

As someone with ADHD, my kitchen can either be a functional space or the catalyst of panic. One hack changed everything: starting every meal prep with a clear benchtop and an unpacked dishwasher.

If the dishwasher is empty, everything goes straight in as I cook. Which means the after-meal clean doesn't feel like a punishment for daring to feed myself. It instantly makes the kitchen look and feel cleaner, and way less overwhelming.

A clear benchtop is my home's version of a power pose. Even if the rest of the house is auditioning for a before shot in a renovation series, this one surface being calm makes everything feel more manageable.

Hack 3: The five-minute first rule.

This is the hack that changed my entire routine: if it takes less than five minutes, I do it straight away.

Before this rule, I was the reigning champion of creating mountains of unnecessary tasks for future-me — little things like hanging clothes on the chair, clearing the bathroom counter, returning items to their home. Individually? Tiny. Collectively? A landslide.

Now, if something takes five minutes or less, it gets done immediately. And the magic of this hack is that once you start, you often keep going. A quick tidy becomes a rhythm, and suddenly the house looks calmer and more put together.

It's a five-minute ritual with a very big payoff.

Work smarter, not harder (your brain will thank you).

The biggest shift for me hasn't just been the clean surfaces — it's the reduced mental load. These hacks, and especially the Kärcher tools, make the jobs that used to feel big and overwhelming suddenly manageable. They help me stay on top of things, manage my fatigue, and keep my weekends focused on my daughter, not endless chores.

Even getting back 30 minutes makes such a difference. That's extra playtime, extra rest, or simply a moment to breathe.

Finding ways to work smarter, not harder, doesn't just save time — it gives you back your headspace. And honestly, who wants to spend their life scrubbing when you could be doing literally anything else?

Shop Kärcher's indoor cleaning range online.

Struggling to fit life and a household clean into your busy schedule? Stop letting chores take over your valuable time!
Kärcher is here to simplify your life and bring back the joy of having a truly clean home, effortlessly fitting maintenance into your demanding schedule.
Need a quick fix? Grab the ultra-easy Window Vac. It's the instant, streak-free, drip-free solution for all smooth surfaces. Its speed and satisfying results make cleaning glass effortless and quick.
Need to go deeper? Use the Kärcher Steam Cleaner. It's a powerhouse that delivers a hygienic clean without the chemicals, killing 99.99% of common household bacteria using only water.
These reliable, multi-purpose tools are the ultimate cleaning hacks for time-poor households, giving you back precious time to focus on the things you enjoy.
It's time to bring back the WOW in your home!
To find your perfect cleaning hack, visit karcher.com.au today.