Let’s face it: No one likes to spend hours a day cleaning their home. From dusting to vacuuming to laundry – cleaning is a must. Most of us have to do a bunch more than just that once-a-year spring clean, too! So, we’ve gathered some of our best cleaning tips and tricks to help you save some precious hours for more enjoyable things.
Dusting won’t seem like much of a chore if there is a lot less to remove in the first place. Therefore, it’s best to do as much as you can to prevent dust from forming. Check out these dusting tips!
The best place to start with our cleaning guide is the creation of a cleaning schedule. You can get everyone in the house involved in this and draw up a simple routine: The kitchen on Wednesdays, the living room on Sundays. Change tasks around each week to make sure everybody gets to have a go at the bathroom once a month. A quick cleaning tip for the forgetful types: Try setting an alarm on your phone to remind you of upcoming tasks!
It’s difficult to know how to clean if you don’t have the right products at your disposal. That doesn’t mean you should stockpile tons of different cleaning products for every imaginable surface type. Instead, opt for a good multi-purpose cleaner to save some of your hard-earned cash! The same applies to equipment – you don’t necessarily have to buy all the fanciest gadgets! The most essential cleaning products and equipment include:
- Liquid dish soap
- Multi-purpose surface cleaner
- Laundry detergent
- Toilet cleaner
- Sponge
- Micro-fiber dusting cloth
- Vacuum
- Mop
We get it, cleaning the dishes after dinner is the last thing anyone wants to do after a nice meal! But before leaving that tomato saucepan on the counter to get all crusty, it’s worth getting into the habit of washing any kitchen items and appliances in the same evening. Not only will the utensils be easier to clean when food remains are still fresh, but things won’t pile up over time and leave you facing a mountain of dishes the next day. Try cleaning step by step: The counter, microwave and stove. A quick wipe-down after usage means leaves a lot less work for “future you” to do!
This is an important house cleaning basic: Find out where your household items regularly pile up. From clothes to magazines – there will be certain hot spots in every home where single items quickly turn into mountains. Decide which clothes you’re going to wear again, and which should go into the wash. And remember to take that magazine with you after you’ve finished reading it.
Make sure to use your cleaning products as they were intended. Using an all-purpose cleanser is great as it can be used to clean various surfaces and appliances throughout your house. We recommend using Soft Scrub® All Purpose Cleanser, which is perfect for cleaning sinks, shower, countertops, toilets, stovetops and more! If you don’t have Soft Scrub on hand, you can create your own surface cleaner by mixing equal parts white vinegar and water and put into a spray bottle or jar. Spray or wet a sponge or cloth with the mixture and use it to clean away residue and grime from your countertops and surfaces.
The order makes all the difference. At least when it comes to keeping your floors in shape. Start by sweeping or vacuuming the floors to get rid of large bits of dirt, hair, food or mud. Then use a wet mop to address dried stains and finer dust particles. Remember, the area behind the fridge or toilet will need a good wipe too.
Dishwashers and washing machines are a godsend, saving us plenty of work. But they also need a little TLC from time to time! Around once a month is a good rule of thumb. It’s well worth learning how to clean them deeply. For example, you can use a specific cleaning tablet for that appliance, or vinegar and baking soda solution to help freshen them up.