I tried the versatile 'Today's Top Three' chore challenge and loved its adaptability

Keeping on top of cleaning my home whilst juggling work and other responsibilities can sometimes feel like a bit of an uphill battle. That's why I love trying new hacks that promise to make things easier.

In search of a speedy cleaning method, I came across the 'Today's Top Three' method. The idea is to pick the three top cleaning, tidying or organizing jobs you wish to accomplish, however big or small, and make sure you get them done that day.

After trying out this cleaning tip for myself, I'm certain it's a winner, but the key is making work for your needs and being flexible when deciding on the challenges.

I tried the Today's Top Three housework hack

Over my years of cleaning my home, I've learned that the best decluttering methods and cleaning tips from pro cleaners have one thing in common: they're easy, understandable and more often than not, quick to do.

The Today's Top Three challenge ticks these boxes. All you have to do is think of three cleaning or decluttering tasks you'd like to achieve on any given day and make a plan to get them done. And according to cleaning experts, like Sabrina Fierman, vice president at New York's Little Elves, it's a great practice to get into.

'This is an important habit to cultivate,' Sabrina says. 'It is very sustainable, even if it's something one hasn’t learned, adopted or done by personal nature. Even naturally messy or organizationally challenged people can succeed with this challenge.'

Her advice for making this work for you is to pick the three most important things you want to get done. 'It may be tasks that present the greatest challenge — like your sock drawer, or shoes, mud room, or even just filling up the dishwasher each evening. Alternatively, they can pick very easy things like organizing a single kitchen cabinet drawer. It should take about three to eight minutes for someone to declutter this drawer and it can be done in the time they are waiting for their coffee to brew.'

What you'll need

This will depend on what space or room you intend to tackle. But here are a few of my favorite cleaning items that never let me down.

• Microfiber towels: Reusable, lint-free and so handy, a multi-pack of microfiber cloths, available from Amazon comes in a variety of colorways so you can dedicate one shade for particular rooms. This will avoid cross-contamination when cleaning.
• Wipes: Tackling surfaces? Then allow me to introduce you to the Citron Antibacterial Spray from Method which gets a lot of use in my home for its fresh smell and natural formulation.
• A notepad: Jotting down the chores you intend to get down will help you start this challenge off on the right foot. This 8-pack of magnetic notepads from Amazon makes tasks look more fun and the clever magnetic backing means you can keep your to-do list in sight.

When I gave this cleaning method a go in my home over a number of days, here's what I found:

1. It's as easy or as hard as you make it

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Before

I've tried many a cleaning and decluttering challenge in my time to ensure my home feels mess-free. The 5-second decluttering rule was simple and something I'll be using for moving forward while the Friday 30 cleaning method is a habit I've been doing for years and I don't see that ever changing.

But what I liked about the Today's Top Three cleaning challenge is the fact you're in control of how difficult or simple you want to make it.

For example, when I was feeling a little zapped of energy, I tried tackling easy chores such as plumping up cushions on the couch, clearing all work items off my dining table and loading the dishwasher.

The next day, when I had more time (and muscle-power) so I tackled my deliveries, opening up boxes up, flattening them so I could place them into the recycling bin and even got around to wrapping them too.

'The Today's Top Three challenge is a fantastic approach for maintaining a clean and tidy space without feeling overwhelmed,' Maia Barnett, CEO and founder of Los Angeles-based maiorganization explains. 'By focusing on just three tasks, it keeps the process manageable and creates a sense of accomplishment. Over time, these small wins compound into big results, making the practice sustainable for the long term.'

I totally agree!

2. It makes a massive difference

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Don't you love it when a viral cleaning hack actually works? No matter what space I applied the Today's Top Three to – from my bathroom to my bedroom and my dining space to my living area – this hack was easily transferable from task to task.

On another day I wiped down my hob with some detergent such as Walmart's best-selling Ultra Triple Action Dish Soap, as it was harboring grimy, dried-on food stains for more than two days.

I also gave my dining table a once-over and cleaned my kitchen sink by filling it up with hot, soapy water and wiping down the sides with a soft cloth, much like Amazon's FIXSMITH Microfiber Cleaning Cloth.

I've always felt a sense of satisfaction from getting tasks done. But I think what really made me feel all the more sprightly during this challenge was seeing my list of chores crossed out on my pad.

3. I wouldn't want to do it every day

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Although I really appreciate a clean-looking space and often scout out the best ways to make your home smell nice, I don't want to be doing chores every single day to keep it that way.

That's regardless of whether it's simple cleaning and tidying tasks such as unloading the dishwasher, or more strenuous tasks, like deep cleaning my oven, I don't want to feel internal pressure to do these daily.

Head of Solved and cleaning whiz Punteha van Terheyden adds, 'That's the thing about all the challenges, hacks and methods out there: it's a great framework. Nobody is pressuring you to do anything a particular way, so alter, tweak and change these methods to work for you.'

Punteha adds that most of the time, these methods are designed to get you out of a chore rut or boost your motivation and start cleaning, tidying or decluttering without feeling overwhelmed. 'Adapt them to your heart's content and don't worry too much about the 'rules' as nobody will be grading you on it,' she adds.

Delve into H&G's Decluttering Library for a full run down of other methods we've tried, tested, loved and now organized into handy categories for you to browse based on time and person type.

My verdict

Overall, I'd say the Today's Top Three challenge is a great way to keep on top of your household chores. Most days, after seeing my speedy results, it spurred me on to nail a couple of other quick cleaning wins, such as putting the trash out or placing household items back in their rightful place.

On other days, when time wasn't on my side, it did feel like I was creating more work for myself than I needed to and I felt pressured to get jobs ticked off around the home, instead of cracking on with other, perhaps, more important work tasks. That's a lesson learned on my end.

When I next put this challenge to the test, I'm taking cleaning pro's Maia's wise words into play. She says, 'Put yourself in the right head space by meditating for 10 minutes,' she says, 'Prioritize tasks based on areas that impact your daily routine the most, and reward yourself for completing the three tasks. It could be as simple as enjoying a coffee break or some downtime'.

If this challenge isn't for you, try the 10-10-10 decluttering challenge which can help you banish a serious build-up of clutter. Or, learn why the 'one-touch' tidying rule is the easiest cleaning hack one of our writer's has ever tried.