If you’re like many busy homeowners, you struggle with finding the time and energy to perform house cleaning chores—and when you are able to work on these tasks, you’re often left feeling you’ve done a halfway job that hasn’t left your home environment nearly as clean as you’d like. Perhaps you’ve even used heavily scented cleaning products or room freshener sprays to mimic the scent of a freshly cleaned home but skimped on the actual cleaning—although this is completely understandable, this tactic is best used on an occasional basis when the situation calls for a quick, temporary fix. You probably also know people who are as busy or busier than you are who nonetheless always seem to have a clean home, and you’re undoubtedly wondering what their secrets are
Making sure your home is clean and tidy can be a big job, but it’s worth it to keep your property looking its best. Breaking down your to-do list into smaller tasks can make a significant difference. Although many effective strategies are available to those who are generally strapped for time yet want to enjoy a clean home, you can’t fail by using the following tried-and-true tactics.
Windows
It takes hardly any time at all to open a window and close it again, and few things make a home seem cleaner than an abundance of fresh air. Opening major windows for a few minutes on most days keeps homes from getting that musty smell that hints at underlying dirt no matter how pristine a home appears on the surface. A daily infusion of fresh air also provides your home interior with the air circulation necessary to keep mold and mildew populations down. Fresh air is particularly important in newer construction because these structures have been built with airtight doors and windows for energy efficiency—and although these features provide optimal savings on utility costs, the air in these homes quickly becomes exceedingly stale if they aren’t aired out on a regular basis. Using fine-mesh window screens and ensuring they are in good repair will keep insect and rodent pests from accessing your home when you open the windows.
Flooring
No matter where you go in your home, you should make sure to keep your floors clean. Doing so can go a long way toward making your entire home feel more put together. If you have carpets, be sure to vacuum regularly – at least once a week, if not more. If you have hardwood floors, sweeping and mopping will help to keep them looking shiny and new. To help tackle these jobs, floor cleaner companies have introduced lightweight, portable devices that make it fast and easy to stay on top of the inevitable debris and crumbs.
Bathroom
Your bathroom is one of the most important rooms in your home to keep clean, as it’s where you, your guests, and your family go to take care of your daily hygiene needs. Be sure to clean the toilet, sink, and shower/tub regularly – twice a week, if not more. To make things easier, keep a small stash of cleaning supplies (toilet cleaner, sponges, etc.) in the bathroom so you can quickly and easily tackle any cleaning needs that arise, and to make it easier for family members to tidy up after themselves, too.
Kitchen
Your kitchen is another important room to keep clean, as it’s where you prepare and eat your meals. As such, it’s important to regularly clean the counters, stovetop, and sink – at least once a week, if not more. In addition, be sure to empty the garbage can and wipe down the outside of any appliances on a regular basis. If you have a dishwasher, be sure to run it at least once a week to keep your dishes clean and sparkling, and occasionally run an empty load with a dishwasher cleaning agent to keep your cleaning machine clean.
Cleaning
Many busy people let household cleaning chores go until they pile up to the extent that they’ve got an overwhelming mess on their hands, making it even more difficult for them to jump in and tackle the chores necessary to get their house in order. Keeping your home from ever reaching this point is a big step in getting your house cleaning regime under control, and you’d be surprised at how much cleaner your home will be if you spend just 10 minutes per evening straightening up. For instance, it should take less than five minutes to wipe down kitchen counters and another five minutes to put your living room in order.
If your house is in need of thorough and immediate cleaning, consider looking for a service to assist you. House cleaning professionals will help you stay on top of things. They can help with often-neglected tasks like wiping down the baseboards, washing and sanitizing garbage receptacles, cleaning and sanitizing the refrigerator, and washing windows. If neglected these things can make even the tidiest house seem a bit grimy. If this seems overwhelming, you can always hire out all, or part, of the job to the pros, so that all you have to do is sit back and enjoy the results.
The most important advice anyone can give you about home cleaning and keeping your property looking great is to set up routines that keep it manageable so that it doesn’t feel like such a daunting task. Once you have a system in place that works for you, it will be much easier to keep your home clean and tidy – and you’ll be able to spend more time doing something you enjoy.
