Spending time to clean your home is a worthwhile endeavor, but it can also feel like a never-ending activity; someone will always be making a mess that needs to be cleared up. A family member may have bought some dog clippers for their poodle or had friends round for drinks and nibbles. When it's all over, they or you will need to sort out the aftermath.
Not only will you want your house to be tidy, but you'll also want it to be clean and germ-free. This way, it will protect both your household and your guests. In this article, we will discuss four simple ways that you can keep your home in the best condition possible.
It can be demoralizing if you seem to be tackling the kitchen, carpets, and bathroom every single day of the week. Be organized and write your list in advance, sticking it on the fridge for ready reference. Do one key chore each day (or tackle one specific room) to maintain order around the house. Empty and wipe down the refrigerator once a week to keep it free of germs and smelling fresh. Vacuum your carpets once a week, and more if you have areas that experience high foot traffic or if you have molting pets.
Clean the key areas of the toilet and bathroom daily. Keep the kitchen counters clear, wiping down the appliances after use. It can be useful to have a multi-surface cleaner that kills 99% of bacteria, fungi, mold, and viruses. If it's an eco-friendly plastic-free product, it will be good for the environment as well as effective at disinfecting surfaces. You could use it both in the kitchen and bathroom.
The more mess you have, the more dirt and germs there will be. Whether the clothes are piled in the corner of your bedroom or the papers and notes are scattered all over your desk, tackle clutter wherever you find them. There may be toys on the floor, empty cups on the coffee table, or books and magazines on the sofa. Whether the shoes on the living room floor or computer game boxes in the bedroom, put them back where they belong as soon as you see them.
Start with a small area like a bedroom or bathroom. Go through each item in that room one by one and ask if you use it regularly or just once in a while. If it hasn't been used for a couple of years, the chances are there's no need to save it anymore! Do some research on what types of charities accept usable items such as clothes, towels, etc., or give things to friends if you don't need them, and they're still in good condition. Check out your basement and attic, as well as your bedrooms and other key areas.
Your garden is another important area to tackle. You have the opportunity to clear out the rubbish and prevent unnecessary accidents. Less mess will be trodden into your carpets, and fewer pests will be able to take up residence. Other benefits include giving your garden a fresh start and making it more enjoyable to use. Don't forget the garage and garden sheds: they are all places where clutter can accumulate if you don't check regularly for things that need throwing out or giving away. Should you decide to put your house up for sale, it will be tidier, and you will have less stuff to transport to the new home.
Create A 'Clearing Up' Culture
Develop a habit of always carrying something out of the room if it shouldn't be there, whether it's dirty dishes or clothes that have been lying around. If something has been spilled, sort it immediately before it can create marks and stains. Do this before someone could slip and have an accident, too.
Don't be the only person who clears up after yourself or who does cleaning chores. Even young children can become involved with things like washing up, and it is a valuable life skill. Make sure that the occupants of your house put things in the dishwasher and not on it - it takes the same amount of time and energy! Teach the household to bring their dirty washing to you, rather than you having to go and collect it. They should do this once a week, rather than simply keeping stuff on the floor or in a laundry basket.
Amazingly, the air indoors can be up to five times more polluted than the air outside. This is a big problem that most people don't realize exists, especially when they have allergies or sensitivities, including asthma and other respiratory conditions. The pollution can be caused by such things as gas cookers, cleaning agents and car fumes from outside.
An air purifier can help to eliminate air pollution and bring fresh air into your home. There are different types, such as those which use negative ions for cleaning the air, or ozone technology that is used in hospitals to remove germs. There are air purifiers you can get for your home that can solve the issue and reduce unpleasant odors in the process. (You can also use fresh flowers, air fresheners, and scented candles to mask smells and create a pleasant atmosphere). Don't forget to regularly maintain your air purifier, replacing the filter when required. This will preserve the life of your unit, stop it from overworking and help ensure you can enjoy the best possible air quality.
Perhaps you are now ready to wage war on clutter and to have a game plan for keeping the house clean and tidy. You may be ready to train up your family to help you and be ready to buy an air purifier. In turn, everyone will be able to reap the benefits, whether it's by breathing cleaner air, or not having to battle with junk. Both your household and guests will enjoy being in the home, both now and during the many years ahead.