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What are Some Cleaning Tips?

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

Most people do not consider housecleaning to be the highlight of the week. However, cleaning the home is a task that has to take place sooner or later. If you want a clean home but are not sure where to begin, here are some basic cleaning tips that will help make the job seem a little more manageable.

One of the issues that can make cleaning seem like such a huge job is that there are so many different steps to the overall process. When confronted with a need to scrub tile, dust, vacuum carpeting, change linens, and wash windows, the job may seem completely overwhelming. One of the most effective ways to clean is to not attempt to do everyone at one time. Break the cleaning process down into manageable units. Dust today, vacuum tomorrow, change linens the following day, and do the laundry on the fourth day. As you proceed, the overall job will be less intimidating and you have the benefit of being able to look around and see what has already been accomplished.

A bottle and cup of laundry detergent. Breaking cleaning tasks down can make them more manageable.
A bottle and cup of laundry detergent. Breaking cleaning tasks down can make them more manageable.

Another of the basic tips for cleaning is to get rid of as much clutter as possible. All those extra knick-knacks that you never really look at collect dust and create one more item that requires cleaning. By streamlining the home to elements that are of practical use and a only a few extras that provide visual interest and personality, you can easily reduce a cleaning task from requiring an hour of your time to a half-hour.

Kitchen floors may require less scrubbing if shoes aren't allowed on them.
Kitchen floors may require less scrubbing if shoes aren't allowed on them.

Taking off your shoes in the house is one of the most overlooked cleaning tips. It is also one of the simplest ways to minimize the introduction of outside dirt and grime into the home. Parking the shoes by an exterior door means that kitchen and bathroom floors require less frequent scrubbing, and carpets do not have to be vacuumed as often. This means these tasks will take up less of your time.

Bare or socked feet won't leave dirt on bathroom floors like shoes will.
Bare or socked feet won't leave dirt on bathroom floors like shoes will.

One of the easiest ways to clean effectively is to arrange your cleaning tasks in a logical sequence. For example, do you vacuum first and then dust? If so, you are creating extra work for yourself. Start with ceiling fans, then dust tall pieces of furniture, then move on to tabletops. Any dust particles that you do not capture with your dust cloth will fall to the floor and can be taken care of during the vacuuming process. Cleaning tips of this type help to ensure your home looks and feels cleaner once you are done.

A durable vacuum cleaner that has great suction power is a great investment.
A durable vacuum cleaner that has great suction power is a great investment.

Organizing your cleaning supplies and placing them in appropriate areas is another simple but very effective example of cleaning tips. Store cleaners used in the bathroom area under the lavatory sink or in a cabinet, rather than elsewhere in the home. Kitchen cleaning supplies can store easily under the sink. If the layout of your home does not allow this type of arrangement, buy a caddy and place all your basic cleaning supplies in the caddy. This will prevent you from having to search for the cleaner you need and keeps all your supplies within easy reach.

Disinfectant wipes are a convenient way to wipe down various surfaces.
Disinfectant wipes are a convenient way to wipe down various surfaces.

There are also cleaning alternatives you may consider. For people who work long hours, consider having a service come in once or twice a week to handle chores such as cleaning the bathroom, or dusting and vacuuming. Also consider sending clothing out to be laundered. Using outside services leaves the lighter and less time-consuming chores for you to accomplish on weekends or by taking a couple of hours throughout the week to finish them up.

It is sometimes good to wear protective gloves when cleaning.
It is sometimes good to wear protective gloves when cleaning.

Effective cleaning tips will vary from one situation to another. Assess your current circumstances and determine what you can reasonably design as far as a procedure to maintain your home properly. Then commit to making use of the right resources to accomplish those goals. Doing so will ultimately help you enjoy your home more and also prevent a state of panic when someone shows up unexpectedly at your door.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum

After many years in the teleconferencing industry, Michael decided to embrace his passion for trivia, research, and writing by becoming a full-time freelance writer. Since then, he has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGEEK, and his work has also appeared in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and several newspapers. Malcolm’s other interests include collecting vinyl records, minor league baseball, and cycling.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

sputnik

Some people devote certain number of hours in the beginning of the day to straighten out the house, and then leave the more thorough cleaning of each area lets say for once a month.

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    • A bottle and cup of laundry detergent. Breaking cleaning tasks down can make them more manageable.
      By: Kitch Bain
      A bottle and cup of laundry detergent. Breaking cleaning tasks down can make them more manageable.
    • Kitchen floors may require less scrubbing if shoes aren't allowed on them.
      By: Mitarart
      Kitchen floors may require less scrubbing if shoes aren't allowed on them.
    • Bare or socked feet won't leave dirt on bathroom floors like shoes will.
      By: david hughes
      Bare or socked feet won't leave dirt on bathroom floors like shoes will.
    • A durable vacuum cleaner that has great suction power is a great investment.
      By: Supertrooper
      A durable vacuum cleaner that has great suction power is a great investment.
    • Disinfectant wipes are a convenient way to wipe down various surfaces.
      By: Edie Layland
      Disinfectant wipes are a convenient way to wipe down various surfaces.
    • It is sometimes good to wear protective gloves when cleaning.
      By: flas100
      It is sometimes good to wear protective gloves when cleaning.
    • Dishwashers can help keep dishes clean and from piling up in the sink.
      By: Piotr Pawinski
      Dishwashers can help keep dishes clean and from piling up in the sink.
    • Different cleaning chemicals are useful depending on the item being cleaned.
      By: mihalec
      Different cleaning chemicals are useful depending on the item being cleaned.
    • Designating one day a week  to each chore, like laundry, can keep cleaning manageable.
      By: Microstock Man
      Designating one day a week to each chore, like laundry, can keep cleaning manageable.
    • Kitchen and bathroom surfaces should be disinfected to avoid the spread of germs.
      By: Tatty
      Kitchen and bathroom surfaces should be disinfected to avoid the spread of germs.
    • A lint roller might be used as an inexpensive duster substitute.
      By: Brooke Becker
      A lint roller might be used as an inexpensive duster substitute.