For those of us who were never taught how to properly clean our homes, we may be used to grabbing some wipes and sprays and winging it. Should be easy enough, right? Turns out a well-cleaned home is the product of some specific steps that lead to success. Like anything else you want to do well, there are do’s and don’ts in cleaning that will keep your home fresher for longer.
Do keep a broom handy.
It can be a hassle to pull out the vacuum for a little bit of dust and crumbs, especially if your vacuum is large. Those smaller messes are what brooms are best for. Quickly sweep up the mess into small sections and send it away in a dustpan. A quick sweep every day or two will prevent dirt build-up.
Do make a deep-cleaning schedule.
Things like ovens, refrigerators, washing machines, and other large appliances don’t require frequent cleaning. However, that doesn’t mean you should let them slip your mind. A good way to keep things clean is to write in your calendar each month when each bigger task will be completed. You can do a different one every Sunday and repeat the cycle, or something similar. Keeping things organized helps prevent neglecting areas of the home.
Do let the disinfectant spray sit.
If you wipe up the disinfectant spray on the toilet shortly after spraying it, the chemicals won’t have sufficient time to completely destroy those germs. Make it a habit of spraying and then completing another task while the disinfectant sits. For instance, you can wipe the bathroom mirrors or throw the bath mats in the washer while you wait.
Don’t vacuum before you dust.
A good thing to keep in mind is to work from top to bottom. This means cleaning higher areas like your ceiling fans and dusty out-of-sight places, then counters and tables, then floors. This ensures that dust and messes will fall to the floor as you go, and will be vacuumed up at the very end. It’s also best to mop right after an in-depth dusting and vacuuming, so you’re not mopping up unnecessary filth.
Don’t neglect unused spaces.
Rooms like a guest rooms or attic don’t gain as much foot traffic, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be cleaned with the rest of the house. Dust can collect in stagnant spaces and impact air quality. A simple dust and wipe down now and then should do the trick.
Don’t get lazy.
It’s easy to get into the habit of quick cleaning with half the effort. Cleaning only what is visible is a good start, but dust and dirt will collect in those hard-to-reach places. It is important to roll up your sleeves and get the nooks and crannies, even if it’s once a month. Use furniture sliders to move heavy furniture, and step stools to get to high places.
All of the different rules of cleaning can get overwhelming, and you may not have the time in your schedule to tackle them all. When this is the case, you can always depend on a professional cleaning service to do the job right. Cleaners have the experience and knowledge to make your house feel like new. Keep these do’s and don’ts under your belt, but always remember who you can call to handle the mess instead.