There are a few of us who actually enjoy cleaning house. To them, I say "I've got fresh coffee and a mop ready for you, come on over!"
For most of us, though, house cleaning is a necessary evil. We hate the crud more than we hate the cleaning. So why not do your cleaning as efficiently as possible? Garnered from my own years of personal experience, here's four ways to save time cleaning.
Use The Best Cleaner
That doesn't mean the most expensive. Nor does it mean the most popular. Get the cleaning aids that are designed for the job, but don't rely on manufacturer claims or advertising. Windex is the perfect example here.
Windex is the number one window and glass cleaner in the U.S. With no apologies to manufacturer S.C. Johnson, don't use Windex. Almost all varieties contain ammonia, and ammonia leaves a film behind that is very soon quite visible.
My personal favorite is Sprayway Glass Cleaner, which works great and actually smells good, too. Or, just use a solution of vinegar and water.
Filters - Get Them and Use Them
If your vacuum doesn't have a built in HEPA filter, it's time to upgrade. While the main part of the vacuum does catch and filter out a lot of material, the HEPA filter catches and filters out much more. And then remember to change or clean the HEPA filter regularly, because it's separate from the primary vacuum filter and is easy to overlook.
And on the topic of filters, be sure to regularly change or clean your HVAC system filters. If you're not following these two practices, it means all that dust is flying through the air, on it's way to a safe landing on your furniture and floors. And that means more cleaning.
Use a Steam Mop
I used to regularly use a floor cleaner product that was advertised to leave a shine after it cleaned your floor. But what I noticed was that over time, whatever it was that was shining my floor was also building up. Soap, dirt residue, and other chemical buildup is what makes your floor look darker and dingier the more times you clean. Yes, read that again. The more you clean the dirtier your floor gets.
Some years ago, I was introduced to a steam mop. Not being a fan of harsh chemicals anyway, I was impressed that it cleaned using only water. And what's more, steam mops clean extremely well. In fact, steam is the method of choice to clean grout, one of the most difficult cleaning chores.
Cleaning House Made Easy
While cleaning house may not be your favorite thing in the world, you can make it easier. In addition to the above essentials, here's some quick tips to consider:
- Keep a squeegee in the shower. Every time you shower, take 40 seconds and squeegee the walls and shower door. The shower always looks clean and there's no more shower scum.
- Use strategically placed throw rugs. They don't have to be the eye-assaulting ones your grandma used. Today's version is part of the decor. When soiled, simply toss in the washing machine instead of cleaning those carpet traffic uglies.
- Consider losing the shoes at the door. You have no idea what you've stepped on and collected on your shoes throughout the day. Why track all that into your house? Besides, barefoot is beautiful!
- Keep a schedule. Not everything has to be cleaned with the same frequency. Keep a schedule or at least note the items that need attention only three or four times a year.
Who said cleaning house has to be a dreaded chore?
I'm a serial entrepreneur, with a resume that makes me look like a Jane of all trades. Pretty sure we are all reluctant Messiahs, travelling through life planting seeds where ever we can. Hopefully, most of mine have been good ones! MA from Miami University (Ohio, not Florida), BA from Cal State.
