Life is getting busier for most Americans. Every day, there seems to be less time to spare to dust or vacuum the house. Luckily, you can make your cleaning routine faster and more efficient so that you have some time to binge on your favorite shows.
You can save time and money by understanding the process and adopting better techniques. In this article, we’ll be looking at some of the best home cleaning tips for windows, carpets, and other parts of your residence.
Preparation and Organization
The traditional approach involves working on each room entirely before moving to the next. The problem with this approach is that focusing on one area can feel repetitive, which makes you tire faster.
One of the best home cleaning tips common with professionals is to focus on each task at a time. You can focus on one task, such as dusting throughout the house, before moving to wipe surfaces. Most people find that focusing on tasks improves their concentration and helps them work faster.
You don’t want to leave a blind spot or overwhelm yourself with duties. The secret is to adopt a simple technique that you will use in every area of your house. One of the best home cleaning tips is to dust and wipe, moving from top to bottom, and left to right.
You can start by dusting the top of shelves and home storage units before moving left to the edge of the wall. By moving from top to bottom, you’ll prevent dirt from falling onto the furniture and the carpet below after cleaning. Once you’ve wiped the items on that level, move to the next shelf.
Begin with the most basic cleaning task. You should dust then clean the shelves with detergent and a soft cloth. Determine the path you’ll follow to avoid repetition so that you can retain your focus. By following these steps, you will leave your home spotlessly clean in about two to four hours.
Dusting and Removing Stains on Surfaces
Dusting is an uncomplicated process. You can use any cloth to eliminate dirt on surfaces. However, it may be tricky to get to some lampshades or the top shelves. A sticky lint roller will be more efficient in removing dirt from windows, mirrors, and modern furnishings.
Old clothes tend to leave strands of fiber, which could force you to repeat the process due to watermarks or soap stains. If you can’t get your hands on a lint-free cloth, consider using newspapers to polish windows and mirrors. They are easily accessible and are an affordable alternative that won’t leave unsightly strands of fabric.
A home cleaning service provider is usually adequately equipped to tackle dust and stains in your home. Unfortunately, individuals might not have access to this equipment. One of the best home cleaning tips you can utilize to overcome this huddle is by improvising cleaning tools and solutions using everyday items you have around you.
- Old Toothbrush: Clean the keyboard and remove dirt on wood grains and uneven surfaces. The bristles of the toothbrush can get to the crevices and cracks of appliances. Remember that computers and electronic devices can host toxins and harmful bacteria. You can use an old brush to gently scrub your laptop before you proceed with the cleaning process.
- Vinegar: Half a cup of vinegar can work as a disinfectant for cleaning shelves and boards in the kitchen. It will kill germs and remove organic stains. Dab a cloth with apple or white vinegar and wipe doorknobs, the remote, and other non-electric appliances.
- Lemon and Salt: You can make a solution of lemon and salt in place of vinegar. The mixture can be used to remove grease from sinks and equipment. It is also a safe solution for indoor flowers and garden plants.
Cleaning the Kitchen
The kitchen sink is another area of your home that can be an incubator for toxins and harmful bacteria. Also, if not properly cleaned, it can leave bad odors. You ought to be thorough when cleaning the sink to keep your home healthy and safe.
You should start by removing clutter. Wipe off the countertops and shelves, preferably with a cloth soaked in a disinfectant solution. Remember to clean the surfaces of appliances. If the stove’s handles are stained, take them off and soak them in the sink for about an hour to loosen dirt.
Next, clean around the sink as you wipe the faucets and taps. You can use a damp cloth, but be careful with stainless steel. It is resistant to rust and corrosion but tends to succumb to abrasive cleaning. Use a lint-free cloth or wipe with a soft cloth gently to avoid damaging the sensitive metallic appliances.
You can clear the drain with a mixture of one part baking soda and two parts vinegar. Pour it down the sink and wait for 20 minutes to take effect. You can then slowly pour hot water to clear any FOG (Fats, Oil or Grease) that have accumulated in the drains.
Laminate flooring is popular in modern homes due to its durability and ability to mimic other types of tiles. If you have laminate flooring in your kitchen, be careful when using steam cleaners and harsh detergents. Warm water and a mild solution should be sufficient to remove grease and oil from its surface.
The Bathroom and Shower
Just like the kitchen, the bathroom is prone to a lot of dirt buildup. However, the spread of grease and grime is often more extensive than in the other rooms of your home. One of the best home cleaning tips for this area is to remove all items from their usual place before you start wiping.
Certain items may be placed on the dirt. You risk missing critical spots if you ignore removing the items from their usual place. Make a point of using containers or trash cans for the disposal of waste. You can move towels, soap dishes, toiletries, and other items, to your home storage before you start cleaning.
The first step should be to get rid of cobwebs and dust from the ceiling and the top shelves. That will prevent dust and debris from falling to the lower shelves and parts of the wall.
The buildup of grease and grime may have spread to handles and doorknobs. You will need an acid-based detergent if you have significant amounts of grime in the shower. You can improvise with lemon and salt if you don’t have the special solutions used by your home cleaning service.
It is easier to eliminate the stains from your bathtub if you let the solvent settle for a while. Begin by rubbing the lemon and salt around the areas where there is a buildup of stains. Clean other surfaces as you wait for it to take effect. After 15 minutes, the stains should be ready for rinsing.
There are other parts of the bathroom where you may want to apply various techniques for more efficient cleaning. Materials are susceptible to varying types of discolorations. Some of the best home cleaning tips for other items may include:
- Removing Mildew from Shower Curtains: Mold and mildew can accumulate on the shower curtains due to the quantity of moisture present. Not only can mold cause bad odors, but it is also a respiratory health risk, especially for people with allergies. Use vinegar and salt, or regular bleach, to spray on the curtains. Wipe with a sponge or damp cloth to remove dirt and mildew.
- Rust Stains: Another problem you’ll have in the bathroom or shower is rust stains on metallic fittings. You can use an old toothbrush with toothpaste to scrub away rust from these surfaces.
The Living Room
Dust the whole room as you pick up clutter and preferably move it to your home storage. Start dusting from the ceiling and top shelves as you identify parts of the walls that may have stains.
Do not forget to take down the curtains and blinds to get to windowsills and the crevices. Put the curtain aside for thorough cleaning later.
Make a point of wiping the surface of your cast stone fireplace. The material can accumulate significant amounts of dirt and dust with time. Fortunately, a soft towel and warm water will often do the trick. If you use a commercial solution, make sure it is mild enough not to cause stains.
Also, remove books from the shelves and dust before you wipe the surfaces. Unplug electronics and clean the appliances with a soft cloth. You may then remove the doormats and rugs carefully before cleaning the floor.
Before you move out of the living room, remember to deep clean your carpets. To help you with that, here are some of the best home cleaning tips that work even on stained carpets.
- Blot the Stains: If you have just stained the carpet, blot it with a paper towel or cloth, rather than wipe it. Blotting prevents the stains from sinking into the carpet. You can dab the fabric as you move inwards towards the center of the spot to avoid spreading the stain to a wider area.
- Ice Cubes for Gum: Chewing gum can be stubborn to remove, especially when it dries up. One of the best home cleaning tips is to dab it with ice-cubes for about 30 seconds to a minute. This freezes the gum, and you are able to easily lift it off. However, in case there are a few remaining bits, cut the few strands below as carefully as you can. For other types of candy, ensure that you absorb the sugars. Sugar is a magnet for dirt and micro-organisms that can cause diseases.
- Steam-Cleaner: If you want to deep-wash your carpet, consider using a steam-cleaner. The steam is able to get to the lower strands and remove odors and stains. It also helps to remove salt, soils, and dirt caught under the fabric.
- Recycling: Consider giving away old toys and books to free your storage space. Consider mattress recycling for upholstery and household items that you no longer use.
- Professional Carpet Cleaning: Deep-cleaning your carpet is critical for preventing the accumulation of allergens. If you don’t have a steam-cleaner, consider hiring carpet cleaning professionals at least once a year. Not only will you be saving on equipment, but you can also tap into their expertise and learn some of the best home cleaning tips and strategies.
Your Home’s Exterior
The exterior of your home is prone to dirt and grime, which stubbornly sticks to the surface of your siding or wood deck. Mold and mildew are the other culprits that may cause stains and bad odors around your house.
Some of the best home cleaning tips that will leave your exterior looking fresh and pristine include:
- Power Washing: A power washer can quickly eliminate dirt from hard outdoor surfaces such as patios and driveways. There are varieties today that allow you to add a detergent to loosen grease and grime. You may also add a commercial solution that can act on mildew. However, use the equipment with care, as it may damage sensitive wooden furniture and fittings. Take time to understand the material you’ll be cleaning, so that you can set the appropriate power rating.
- Windows Exterior: Using a power washing machine on windows can be risky. You may opt to hire a professional service to complete the task. Alternatively, you can avoid watermarks by using an adjustable squeegee. The squeegee can absorb water before it dries up through evaporation, preventing streaks of soap from forming on the glass.
- Plant-Safe Cleaning Solution: You can avoid damage to plants in your garden, by cleaning the stonework with a bleach-free solution. Most stains can be removed with a mixture of water and soap. You may add vinegar or baking soda to remove grease stains. Commercial cleaners that contain fragrances are harmful to plants and can damage parts of your patio and deck.
- Doors and Walls: Avoid using an overly powerful pressure washer to clean walls. The jets of water can damage or scrape the paint on your walls and garage doors. You can, however, use your garden hose to rinse off road-salt or dirt. Also, remember to spot-clean grease stains with a solution of house bleach and water.
In Conclusion
Cleaning your home is not as hard as it may seem. By applying the best home cleaning tips shared here, you can finish the task in no time. In case of doubt, consider hiring a professional cleaner with the right equipment and expertise to avoid unnecessary damage.