El Paso, Texas (NAPSI) - The federal government says we spend about 45 minutes a day cleaning. The secret to effective cleaning is to make the best use of your time:

Get rid of clutter: Donate or sell reusable items and throw out the junk.

Use a multipurpose cleaner: You can save time and money by using a cleaner for multiple purposes. One example: JAWS (Just Add Water System) Multi-Purpose Cleaner/Degreaser is non-toxic, doesn’t have a harsh smell and cleans appliance interiors and exteriors, tile, granite countertops, sealed wood floors and even hard-surface outdoor furniture and grills. Each bottle of 32-oz. cleaner comes with an attached refill cartridge (Jawscleans.com).

“The refill cartridge not only saves you money, it cuts down on kitchen cabinet clutter since you reuse our bottles and just buy the small refills,” said JAWS International CEO Bruce Yacko.

Clean from top to bottom and back to front: Dust and grime often collect on top of furniture, bookshelves or cabinets. Start at the top and work your way down. Then work from the back of an area to the front to avoid cleaning do-overs.

Choose the right air filter: Many air filters come with ratings that range from good to premium. Replace your filter every one to three months based on the manufacturer’s recommendation.

Focus on one project at a time: You could clean all the windows one day and save the bathrooms for next weekend. Or, clean the dirtiest room first. You’ll have a greater sense of accomplishment and a much cleaner house.