I love tips that give me more "bang for my buck."
Random tips, in random order:
Devote most of your time/resources on the things/areas you use most frequently.
Never use hot water on a protein-based stain (eggs, cheese, feces, vomit.) Hot water denatures the protein, "cooking" it and makes it more difficult to remove.
Liquid dish soap or shampoo are great for removing stains with protein and/or grease.
Never throw away old towels or toothbrushes--they're always good for cleaning something. OK--I throw out toothbrushes after I use them on pet mess.
Love my "stand-up" dustpan! It has a long handle, and stands up by itself, so I don't have to bend over/squat to use it.
Every kitchen/bathroom should have cleaning supplies in it, even it it's just wipes, or window cleaner and paper towels. Every room should have at least one wastebasket, and bags for trash. If it's easier to clean, you're more likely to do it frequently.
Every floor of the house should have the supplies and equipment necessary to clean it. See rationale above.
Shop-vacs are the greatest desqualoring tool EVER!
Always have a few baskets, clear plastic shoeboxes, or other smallish, versatile storage containers empty and handy. Keep them in the areas that accumulate little cluttery bits, so you can drop them in the box instead. Looks better, keeps the bits from escaping, and you can carry it elsewhere to sort/return items. Keep a hidden area clear enough to hide them during a "stash and dash."
Dollar stores are a great source for cleaning supplies and storage containers. I bought my 1st "standup" dustpan for $1.
Clear bags and containers are more useful than opaque ones--you can see what's in them from every angle.
Don't use containers/bags so large than you can't lift them easily.
Smallish items in cupboards/drawers/fridge/shelves can be stored in shallow boxes/dishpans/bakeware. Especially good for things that fall over/get lost easily, and for deep cupboards. Keeps the cupboards/shelves/drawers cleaner, too.
Keep your cleaning sponge/dish brush/dish cloth in the dishwasher, so they're cleaned every time you run it. Keeps my dogs from turning them into chew toys, too!
Consider ease of cleaning when purchasing new items, especially things that get dirty easily (floors) or things you really hate to clean. I chose the color of flooring that most closely matched my pet's hair!
If a surface needs scrubbing to clean dried-on mess--don't! Instead, wet a towel with warm soapy water, wring it out a bit, let it soak on the mess for a few minutes. Most of it will wipe right off. Do not use this technique on porous surfaces.
Easiest way to clean a microwave: bowl of water with vinear or lemon juice. Heat in micro for a few minites, wait a couple more to allow the steam to do the work, and wipe! All the mess will come off easily, and you can use the water to clean something else, too.
Homemade window cleaner: 2 Tblsp rubbing alcohol, 2 tblsp ammonia, enough water to fill a quart bottle. Cheap and effective.
Newspapers are great for cleaning glass--better than any other wipe.
Pet hair on an uncarpeted floor? Nothing beats a dust mop, sprayed with a little water.
Most clothes labeled "hand-wash" can be washed in a machine in cold water with gentle detergent, then hung up to dry. For really fragile items, secure them in a pillow case or mesh bag. If you do handwash an item, but own a washing machine, use the spin-dry cycle to wring it out and help it dry faster.
A tension rod mounted in a doorway can allow you to air-dry clothes on a hanger--just don't overload it! Over-the-door hooks are also great for keeping clothes off the floor/chairs, etc.
If you have a dog, you will never have to clean food off the floor!
Mine even try to keep the litterbox clean, too!
If you compost your food waste, your garbage won't stink, you'll have more room for other garbage, and you'll have free compost!
Put a laundry basket everywhere you have clothes on the floor--everywhere.
Always have extra clothes hangers.
A coat tree is great for any room.
Multiple-skirt hangers are great for hats, scarves, etc. They look like a long hanger with about 8 clothespins.
Respect your nature. I like to see everything, so I have hooks everywhere and hang clothes, cleaning equipment, towels--everything I can. I also don't like kneeling down, so I sit on an overturned bucket, or a little stool (struggling to refrain from any "nurse humor" here!) I also don't like having my fingertips in water or mess, so I always look for products with a long handle.
"Drip-dry hooks", aka "lingerie hooks" look like a hook with a clothespin attached. Great for hanging many small items: sponges, hats, even papers on a door knob.
Every bed should have a waterproof mattress cover. Trust me--you never know until you need it. Keeps the dust mites down, too.
Plastic dishpans and cat litter buckets are great for all sort of cleaning/sorting/storage/gardening tasks. Plus, they stack easily when not in use.
You can clean almost anything with these supplies: liquid dish soap, dishwasher detergent (if you have a dishwasher,) laundry detergent (if you have a washer,) vinegar, rubber gloves, ammonia, water, chlorine bleach, baking soda, old towels, a nylon scrubber, an old toothbrush, and a scrub brush. While you may have products you like better, keep these around, and you'll always have something you can use.
Never, ever mix chlorine bleach and ammonia together--the results can be fatal.
If you want to clean something delicate, but don't know what product to use, anything that's made for cleaning your face will be very gentle. Try it on a small area first.
Keep one set of brushes, rubber gloves, sponges, etc for "clean" areas, and one for "dirty" areas.
Start with the "clean" areas, and work your way to the "dirty" areas. Just as easy as any other way, but more effective, and you won't have to wash your hands as often.
Carry a trash bag and walk around the outside of your home at least once a week. You might find something that needs attention before it becomes a big problem (trash, disconnect downspout, broken fence, etc.)
If you need a big funnel, cut a plastic bottle in half.
Turn on all the lights when you clean, and work from "top to bottom." Just as easy as any other way, but more effective.
Consider what you could delegate, should someone be able to assist you. So many people squander these opportunities by not considering this ahead of time. (If we want to imitate my Grandma, we say "Don't help me!")
Cobwebs in a hard-to-reach area? Use a broom with a damp towel secured to the end. A vacuum nozzle works great, too.
A pizza pan or cookie sheet hung on the wall makes a great magnetic bulletin board!
A push mower allows your kids to mow the lawn, without hurting themselves. Haven't been able to teach my dogs to use it, though.
Never let a 12-year-old boy use a weed flamer.