Housecleaning Steps that Get the Job Done
Cleaning a Home Starts with a Plan and Ends with Satisfaction
Jun 14, 2009
Every person has his or her housecleaning strategy. Some people love to clean, while others detest the job. Whether one jumps right in to get the work done, or procrastinates until the very end, try these time and energy saving steps to make routine housecleaning go faster.
Create a Housecleaning Plan
An organized plan makes housecleaning easier. Cleaning one room at a time provides faster visible results as compared to cleaning a whole house by running from room to room. Spend less energy by storing cleaning supplies in one area such as in a closet or under the sink.
Decide what room to clean first and stick with that room until the job is done. Some individuals like to start with an easy room first, because once the work is complete, he or she is motivated to move on to the next challenge. Others like to clean the worst room first and get it over with. Gather cleaners and tools. A caddy or small cart comes in very handy for hauling cleaning supplies from room to room. Add a diversion if it helps, like turning on the television, radio, or stereo.
Clean the Living Room and Den
Get toys and clutter out of the room first to make the job easier. Start at the top by cleaning high places and then work down to the floor.
- Pick up clothes and put the clean items away (or have the owners do it). Sort and load soiled items into laundry baskets, or bundle them for the dry cleaner.
- Toss old newspapers and any clutter. Put away the kids' toys – or have the owners do it. It's never too early to teach children good cleaning habits.
- Vacuum drapes and dust high places like ceiling fans. Dust furniture and polish; vacuum floors (or sweep) last.
If young children want to help, then let them run dirty clothes to the laundry room, vacuum, or polish furniture. This is the way kids learn to take pride in the home.
Bed and Bath Cleaning Strategies
Spray shower tile (and shower doors if one has them), sink, toilet, and tub with cleaners about 15 to 20 minutes ahead of time. Cleaners need time to work before being rinsed or wiped away. Bed linens should be changed at least once every two weeks, or more often if needed.
- Emptying trash cans (in any room) is easier if one puts several bags at the bottom of the can before lining with a plastic bag. The next time the trash has to be emptied, a clean bag is ready and waiting on the spot.
- Change bed linens quicker by having a clean set ready to replace the soiled set. One does not have to go back later to make the bed. In warm weather, open windows to air out a room and let in the fresh outdoor scents.
- Dust as needed. Vacuum drapes or blinds, and vacuum or dry-mop high-traffic floor areas.
- Shower curtains and liners can be laundered in the washer on the delicate setting. Add detergent and a towel or two to help scrub away dirt. To dry the curtain, hang it back on the shower rod and let it drip dry, or toss it in the dryer for ten minutes on a no-heat setting.
- Clean mirrors, toothbrush holders, and soap dishes. By now the cleaners sprayed on the shower tile, tub, etc. should be working. Clean and rinse the sprayed areas, and don't forget the toilet handle, faucets, and vanity drawer pulls to eliminate harmful germs.
- Mop the floor. Never use an oil-based cleaner (such as some pine cleaners) on a floor that frequently gets wet, such as a bathroom floor. The oil film can make floor tiles slippery, causing falls.
Kitchen Cleaning Steps
The kitchen is a tough room to clean even with self-cleaning ovens and frost-free refrigerators. The job is less intimidating when a few short-cuts are used.
- Clean any dirty dishes and put them away.
- Change burner drip pans rather than spend a lot of time trying to scrub them. The gleaming new additions will brighten the room.
- Clean the oven (unless it's a self-cleaning type). Try green living cleaning products as opposed to harmful products with dangerous fumes. Baking soda is a natural abrasive grease cutter.
- Scan the refrigerator at least once a week and dispose of any old and/or out-of-date items. Thoroughly clean the refrigerator at least once a month, including vacuuming the coils on the back of the unit, for optimum energy savings and product efficiency.
- Take out the garbage. In the kitchen, use a receptacle with a cover for a cleaner appearance.
- Wipe down cabinets where grease may have spattered. Clean drawer pulls, the refrigerator door handle, and any place hands routinely touch.
- Disinfect counter tops with bleach and water, or use kitchen wipes to make the job go even faster.
- Sweep and mop the floor.
The clean look and feel of a home lifts the mood and relaxes the mind; in fact, housecleaning is a known method to reduce stress. Planning ahead and keeping cleaners and equipment ready-to-go helps cut down on cleaning time. Using green cleaners keeps indoor air free from harmful chemicals. A good plan results not only in a clean home, but one also gains a healthier environment and personal satisfaction.
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