We all strive to keep our homes tidy. There is a sense of satisfaction that comes from clean rooms and appliances. However, sometimes it can seem like there’s always more to be done. In this article, we will look at some of the most useful cleaning tips that can make your household chores easier, as well as some helpful gadgets for around the house.
The Importance of a Clean Home
Though most of us appreciate the importance of a clean home, it can be easy to put things off. It may be that you lack energy, time, or the motivation to complete your chores. Sometimes, you may wonder why you should even bother. However, there are several important advantages to keeping your home clean.
- Organisation – A clean home makes it easier to find things when you need them. This could be especially important if you need to find important documents.
- Remove Allergens – Homes can quickly accumulate allergens such as dust and pet fur. Even if you do not have an allergy, when these allergens build up, they can have an impact on your health.
- Wipe Out Germs – A messy home is a haven for germs, which can breed on every surface. When you keep your home clean, you keep the population of bacteria and viruses low, reducing the likelihood of catching illnesses.
- Deter Pests – No one wants vermin in their home. Failing to keep a house tidy, however, could be considered an open invitation by many. Stray crumbs and spillages make for welcome food sources, but regular cleaning will have vermin scavenging elsewhere.
- Less Junk – It’s easy to hold onto things we don’t need. They might simply get forgotten, or you may convince yourself you will need them. A thorough clean, or even just a weekly tidy, can help remind you what is necessary and what is not. Do you really need to know what events were taking place in your local community three months ago?
Cleaning Tips for the Whole Home
When it comes to keeping the home clean, every room will have its own quirks. However, there are also plenty of tasks that encompass the whole home, as well as cleaning tips that can be applied to every job. These are some of the most important tips for you to know to make cleaning that little bit easier.
1. List Your Jobs
When all the tasks you need to do exist purely in your mind, they can become overwhelming. It can feel like the list is never-ending and you may worry that there are more jobs than you can manage. By writing down the list, however, you will realise that there are not as many jobs as you think. If you further split jobs into rooms, it will also become clear that certain tasks occur more than once, which brings us to our next cleaning tip.
2. Work on Jobs, Not Rooms
Tasks such as vacuum cleaning, mopping, and wiping windows are likely to reoccur between rooms. For many people, the idea of doing these jobs over and over again can kill motivation. Instead, choose one of these jobs and do the whole house. Not only does this mean you can tick it off in every room, but it saves you needing to gather your equipment every time you clean a room.
3. Keep Your Cleaning Tools Together
When it’s time to clean, the last thing you want is to struggle to gather your tools. Everything should be easily accessible, so you don’t waste time or energy gathering what you need. Bonus cleaning tips: you could consider a caddy, bucket, or basket for your cleaning tools. You can then simply pick this up and carry it to wherever you are planning to clean.
4. Use the Right Tools for the Job
Just as important as knowing where your tools are is to be using the right ones. When it comes to cleaning, a microfibre cloth is essential. It is a versatile piece of equipment that can be used for dusting shelves and furniture as well as cleaning windows. Of course, you should also ensure you have a broom, dustpan and brush, vacuum cleaner, and a mop. Multipurpose sponges are also ideal for cleaning around the house; opt for one with a sponge side and an abrasive side.
5. Leave Mopping or Vacuuming for Last
One of the worst feelings when cleaning is for something to get dirty after you’ve done all the hard work. Therefore, it is best to leave jobs like mopping or vacuuming for last. Sweeping your floors can also be included as a final job, though for a properly clean home you should sweep and then mop. The reason to leave these jobs for last is because, as you clean other objects around the home, dirt will inevitably end up on the floor. Rather than cleaning your floors then making them dirty as you clean other things, let the dirt accumulate as you work and clean it away afterwards.
6. Work as a Team
If you can, gather family or friends to help you clean. This could be the ideal option if you’ve allowed things to build up somewhat, or if you struggle with certain jobs due to health problems. You can set different jobs or rooms for everyone to do, reducing the workload overall and possibly even adding some fun to the task. Some lively conversation during cleaning can help make the time fly, and it’s a great way to catch up without just sitting around. Even if you only get them to help once a month, it can help stop the mess from building up.
Quick Tips for Every Room
Cleaning the house is an intensive job, and every room throws something different at you. To help you clean each room as efficiently and effectively as possible, here are some quickfire cleaning tips.
Kitchen
- Vacuum Your Cupboards – This may sound like an odd idea but clearing out your cupboards and using the brush attachment can be much more effective than trying to gather crumbs with a cloth.
- Leave the Oven to Clean Overnight – Whilst some ovens come with self-cleaning functions, this setting can be wasteful and may leave your kitchen smelling unpleasant. Instead, create your own cleaning solution using water, white vinegar, and baking soda (1/3 cup, 1/3 cup, ½ cup, respectively). Apply this solution to the inside of a cool oven, leave for 12 hours, and then wash it out with soapy water for a sparkling clean oven.
- Clean as You Go – Even whilst not carrying out a thorough clean, keep on top of mess when you can. Waiting for water to boil? Wipe down your worktop. Just finished the washing up? Clean the hob on your oven. Doing small tasks regularly can help prevent a big clean in future.
- Keep Your Bins Fresh – One of the worst experiences in a kitchen is opening your bin only to be hit by an unpleasant smell. However, there is a way to keep the stink away, courtesy of cleaning phenomenon Mrs Hinch. After you empty your bin, spray a square of kitchen roll with scented disinfectant and drop it in your new bag. This stops strong odours from gathering in your bin.
Bathroom
- Clear the Plughole – One of the most overlooked places to clean in the bathroom is the plughole. However, it can be where most of the dirt and strong smells gather. There are some heavy-duty solutions available commercially, but you can also clear the grime with soda crystals and boiling water. Some lemon juice can help to freshen up the smell.
- No More Limescale – Nothing ruins the aesthetic of a bathroom like limescale on your taps. You can get rid of it, though, without risking damage to your taps with abrasive cleaners. Instead, use whitening toothpaste to clean it away, then wrap a towel soaked in white vinegar around the taps to break down any that’s leftover. Leave overnight, wash away with warm water, and your taps will be sparkling.
- Erase the Mildew and Mould – A combination of baking soda and warm water can create an effective paste for removing those stubborn mould and mildew stains. Coat them with the paste, and within four hours the blemishes are gone. Wipe away with water to reveal your clean tiles.
- Shaving Foam Can Keep Glass Clear – To keep soap scum off glass surfaces in your bathroom, such as the shower door or mirror, squirt some foam on and then wipe away with a dry rag. An invisible layer will be left behind that prevents water from clinging to the surface, reducing the likelihood of the surface fogging up or becoming covered in soap scum.
Bedroom
- Strip the Bed First – Before you start cleaning your bedroom, you should remove the sheets from your bed ready to be washed and replaced. This will shake loose any dirt, making it easier to clean away as you tidy the rest of the room. Furthermore, don’t make the bed again until all other cleaning jobs in the bedroom have been finished.
- Have a Place for Everything – Nothing makes a bedroom look messy like clutter on nightstands and desks. Make sure everything has somewhere to belong. A box for jewellery, shelves for books, and clothes shouldn’t be left lying around. If objects must be left out, ensure they are kept neat rather than scattered across a surface.
- Check Under the Bed – Many of us may not think to look under the bed unless we’re chasing monsters for the kids or grandkids. However, this is a place where dirt and rubbish are quick to gather. Depending on the type of bed you have, you may be able to clean underneath without moving it. If you do need to move the bed, do so safely and with help if necessary.
- Vacuum Your Blinds and/or Curtains – It may seem strange to use a vacuum cleaner on anything other than the floor, but it is one of the best ways to clean away dust and other dirt. Be sure to use the brush attachment to loosen any stubborn dust patches or scrub unwanted fibres out of the curtains.
Living Room
- Declutter First – The living room is where you likely spend most of your time. This means it is also where many of your belongings gather. When cleaning the living room, removing this clutter and putting it all where it belongs frees up space for a proper clean. Moreover, less clutter will instantly leave your living room looking more open and tidy.
- Clear Away the Pet Hair – For pet owners, the battle against pet hair can seem never-ending. Fortunately, there are some clever cleaning tips that can make clearing pet hair from your furniture easier than you might think. Rubber gloves are excellent at lifting pet hair from your carpets and sofas. Lint rollers, however, are especially designed to lift hair and may be even easier to use.
- Wipe the Remote – In the UK, we spend an average of 187 minutes a day in front of the TV. This means hours spent using remote controls. As a result, it is important to clean your remote regularly. It’s something you might often overlook. Use antibacterial wipes and be sure to get between the buttons. Don’t use sprays or liquid cleaners, however, as these could compromise the electronics.
- Move Your Furniture – Just like in the bedroom, dirt likes to hide in places you can’t see it. However, it also has a habit of creeping back out. Cleaning under your living room furniture can help to keep your floors clear for longer. You may also find a few things you’d thought you lost.
Cleaning Safely
When you or your loved ones are cleaning the home, the most important of our cleaning tips is to be mindful of physical limitations. Health conditions and mobility problems can make some tasks difficult to complete. Remember that it is okay to ask for help. If necessary, you may want to hire a professional cleaning company.
For additional peace of mind around the home, you may also want to consider a personal alarm. With a personal alarm, you or your loved one can call for help at the press of a button if there is an emergency. Amongst over-60s, especially, falls are a major health hazard. With a personal alarm, help can be arranged in seconds.
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