Do you need a reason to get up and clean your home? Simple- picture neglected toilets, dog fur on seats, and cluttered bedrooms.
Well, you are not alone in your place of ‘not now.’ Everyone, at some moment, considers cleaning a fair amount of work. And juggling between cleaning and a full-time job doesn’t make it easy either.
If you keep scouring through this full-scale guide, you’ll get to know the tried-and-tested, easy home cleaning tips you badly need.
Getting The Right Tools
No doubt, the word ‘cleaning’ draws groans and mumbles from everyone sometimes. But think of it, what if cleaning is easier if you have the right tools for the job?
Do you want to know the tools that can make house-keeping painless? Here you go:
Use A Powerful Vacuum Cleaner
Dust and pet hair on the seats, carpets, and the floor can be dealt away with a vacuum cleaner. Apart from suctioning dust off items, a vacuum cleaner can also help you recover small items that hide under the seats and carpets.
Pick The Right Broom
Since brooms come in various forms to meet different cleaning needs, it is crucial to designate brooms for each place you sweep. You need one for the cobwebs, the yard, and another for the house.
By so doing, you’ll not only be preventing the spread of germs but also ensuring the longevity of your broom. For instance, if you use soft bristles broom for indoors and the stiff bristles broom for the yard, you’ll keep them in shape for longer.
Here’s a broom selection you’ll wish you knew sooner.
Angle Broom
Yes, you are right. There’s more to its name-angle broom. It has the advantage of reaching remote corners because the bristles are trimmed at an angle. It is suitable for the stubborn cobwebs in remote corners.
Push Broom
Push brooms, unlike traditional broom models, have wider bases to accommodate larger spaces. They are the best bet for sweeping up dirt, debris, and dust in driveways, warehouses, and garages.
Use An Easy Wring Mop
If you want a fun cleaning spree, try using easy wring mops. Don’t limit yourself to standard and unruly mops that require you to wring by hand.
Do you want the water on the floor to dry sooner? Go ahead and get a bucket that wrings the mop for you.
Opt For A Microfiber Cloth
For windows, floors, sinks, and bathtubs, go for a microfiber cloth. This tool is arguably the best cleaning item to scrub and lift grease, dirt, bacteria, and liquids off surfaces.
And if you are an eco-conscious individual, there’s no better way to clean while caring for the environment than using the microfiber cloth. It’s a favourite for chemical-free cleaning. Water is enough!
Use Spray Bottles
The next time you buy cleaning supplies, reach for spray bottles. But why spray bottles?
It’s because they are small and portable, and they can hold some chemicals and liquid soap you use to clean. And they give you the option to spray, stream or spritz soap onto spaces when cleaning. This allows you to control the amount you need without waste.
Choosing Your Cleaning Products Wisely
Ensure that the products you choose are suitable for what you intend to clean. It is equally important to understand what products can be applied to each of your wood furniture, leather, or stainless steel.
Use Bleach Cautiously
No doubt that bleach is the best treatment for killing bacteria and viruses. However, it is a hazardous chemical that can be destructive if users aren’t cautious.
How harmful is bleach? Well, bleach remains on surfaces after cleaning and continues to emit its harsh fumes to the environment.
Sadly, exposure poses respiratory illnesses to the human body. It does not spare the environment either.
Use All-Purpose Cleaner
If you don’t own an all-purpose cleaner, then you are missing out. You won’t see the need for storing tons of costly cleaning agents if you have this wonder product.
It acts as a detergent, disinfectant, degreaser on the floor, bathroom, kitchen, and glass.
Create Your Cleaning Solutions
Cleaning doesn’t necessarily need to be bought. You won’t go to the stores if you realise that you can whip up cleaning products from your home. Yes, you can have inexpensive homemade detergents, glass cleaners, multi-purpose cleaners, and more!
Luckily, you are about to make a discovery.
White Vinegar
This multi-purpose cleaner is tough on mould, scum, bacteria, and dirt. Although it might lack the heavenly scent you can get from other supplies, don’t underestimate its power in getting rid of foul odours.
This natural cleaner also works wonders on cutting grease and shining glass. And, it is safe to use on fabrics, wood furniture, and glass.
Baking Soda
No one can express the value of baking soda enough. It removes all kinds of grease, proteins, and animal mess.
This fairy product is slightly abrasive- meaning that you can scour through tough stains on any surface without the fear of scratching it.
Castile Soap
This natural vegetable soap is a deodorant, detergent, and all-purpose cleaner! Here’s a secret- it is vegan-friendly because it’s made free of animal fats. Its core ingredients are coconut, avocado, castor, almond, and hemp oils.
Lemon
Goodbye to expensive and harsh cleaning solutions. Nature’s fruitful lemons are the little scrubbers that leave surfaces and houses sparkling and smelling like heaven.
They give drains a boost and wipe floors clean, degrease pots, and polish furniture. Apart from that, they can remove rust.
Cleaning Products You Should Never Mix
No matter how well individual products give surfaces an overhaul, please don’t mix them blindly. Before you play the chemist, it is essential to understand that some products are safe when you use them individually. Blending them with other solutions can cause harmful fumes and stir unsafe chemical reactions.
Plus, even if it isn’t toxic, you never know their effect on a fabric or surface. Here are cleaning products you should never mix.
Bleach & Vinegar
No doubt, these two alternatives are handy cleaning staples that work well separately. Well, it should remain just that – work individually.
Vinegar is an acid, while baking soda is a base. If you mix them up, you mostly get water as the end product, robbing them of their power.
We strongly advise to never mix them and store in a container with a lid. This can cause an explosion which can harm people in your household.
Ammonia & Bleach
Here comes another dangerous combo. If the two ingredients work well alone but still harm the human body, imagine what’ll happen if you blend them.
They also explode just like bleach and vinegar- along with respiratory difficulties, like shortness of breath. They are ingredients in most cleaning staples, so check every product you buy before you use them.
Rubbing Alcohol & Bleach
The two solutions combine to form chloroform- a highly dangerous substance. Chloroform can cause damages to our liver, kidneys, heart, and brain. Even with slight exposure, it can leave respiratory damages.
Combining the two may not make you pass out- but keep away from its toxicity and irritation all the same.
Hydrogen Peroxide & Vinegar
When you mix them from the same bottle, you produce peracetic acid. The solution is corrosive and will irritate the eyes and mucous membrane.
Cleaning The Kitchen
No other room in your house needs attention as much as the kitchen. But then, this should not be the reason for you to obsess over it. You can clean a kitchen in the shortest time and maintain cleanliness with these easy home cleaning tips.
Revive Cloudy Glassware
Soak your cloudy glass dishes in white vinegar. After a while, scrub them with a microfiber cloth and watch the calcium deposit come off your glassware.
Clean Your Coffee Maker
Empty the tool and add vinegar and water to the coffeemaker. Now, brew the mixture as if you are brewing coffee and wait for half an hour.
Pour out the brew, brew again, but with water alone this time, then drain.
Sanitise The Microwave
Don’t allow your favourite equipment to rot away when you can give it a clean wipe. Start by wiping away crumbs and stains with a piece of cloth.
Then heat a cup of water and vinegar in the microwave for a few minutes. Wipe stains off using the steam built up in the microwave.
Remove Stains On The Chopping Board
Remove Stains On The Chopping Board
You can wash your plastic board on a hot cycle in a dishwasher. Or use a scrub brush and hot soapy water to hand wash if it is wooden or you don’t have a dishwasher.
Finish by soaking it in a solution of white vinegar for a few minutes. Wash again with soap and water. Remember to pat it dry if you have a wooden chopping board.
Disinfect Your Sponges
Make peace with cleaning your sponge after every wash. Wash it in a dishwasher, dish on a heated dry scale. Apart from that, you can rinse the sponge clean, soak it with water, and microwave it for a while. Make it a habit to change your sponge every week. Despite disinfecting, they can still harbour germs and bacteria.
Clean The Oven Efficiently
We’re all guilty of not cleaning our ovens. Afterall, with baking pans, we tend to forget cleaning the oven. Start by setting everything aside from the rack and the thermometer. Then mix water and baking soda to make a consistent paste.
Spread it all over the walls of the oven’s interiors, leaving the heating elements untouched and let the paste sit overnight. While you wait, wipe the rack, the thermometer, and anything that was in the oven clean.
On the following day, use a damp cloth to wipe the dry soda paste. You can use plastic to scrape them off. Next, spray vinegar to clear the residues. Wipe until clean.
Clean The Stove Last
Spray the multi-purpose solution on the stovetop and leave it to sit for a few minutes. You can combat the stubborn stains with a scouring powder that does not scratch.
Come back and wipe the stove clean with a cloth.
Cleaning The Bedroom
The bedroom is our very first thought whenever we need to relax. And to achieve that, it must maintain its cleanliness. Give your bedroom a makeover using these easy cleaning tips.
Put Away The Clutter
If your bedroom starts to feel suffocating or stressful, it’s a clear sign your bedroom is cluttered. Start by decluttering items that shouldn’t be in the bedroom, or stuff lying on the floor and chairs. All the clothes, socks, and shoes you no longer use should go. You can sort them out and give them to charity or sell them.
Organise The Closet
After dejunking, organise whatever you remain with. Pair up your socks, and organise them on a shelf. Put your clothes, shoes, and bags each in its place.
Wash Your Sheets
The bed makes a statement about a room. For this reason, it should stay well-kept. For starters, wash your sheets and bedcovers and see the glow that happens. Nothing beats lying down on a fresh set of sheets.
Cleaning The Bathroom
On average, men spend 855 days while women spend 770 days in the bathroom. The least you can do for your bathroom, considering what you put it through daily, is a powerful scrub. Here’s how to work your way through it.
Clean The Glass Shower Doors
Scrub using a non-abrasive cleaning agent such as baking soda twice a month. And, if the glass doors are cloudy, a teaspoon of lemon oil or white vinegar can rub the cloudy layer off, leaving water to bead up and roll off.
Combat Mould And Mildew
Hydrogen peroxide is the go-to agent when mould and mildew attack your bathroom. Spray this eco-friendly alternative in the bathroom, not forgetting the distant corners, and leaving it to soak in for 3-5 minutes. Scrub it off using a nylon pad and wipe with a cloth.
Unclog The Drain
You can easily get rid of water pooling in your shower by boiling water and pouring it down the drain.
You can also mix vinegar and baking soda and pour the mixture into the drain. The fizzy reaction will help break up the grime blocking it. Then flush the solution with hot water.
Use A Pumice Stone To Clean Your Toilet
If your toilet is made of porcelain, a pumice stone will work for you. You won’t require cleaning detergents, but water and scrubbing strength. The best part is you only need to do it once in a while with a deep cleaning session.
Cleaning The Living Area
An awful amount of dust can collect in the living room; it is the most used part of the house. And it’s also where you receive your guests. Do you want to give it a touch?
Clean The Couch
This part is the most unkempt because it holds the most junk. Remove unnecessary throw pillows, put the remote in its place, and straighten the fabric. And, if you have a pet, remove fur off the couch.
Clean The Carpet
You can vacuum the carpet or, depending on the level of dirt, wash it with soap and water to remove stains from the carpet.
Other Handy Things To Know
There’s more to tidying up the house than cleaning the rooms. You should:
Clean From Top To Bottom
The smartest way to clean a surface is by working on it from top to bottom. This technique will save you from early fatigue because it ensures you don’t clean a spot twice.
Create A System
Always assemble your cleaning supplies before you start cleaning. You can use a bucket or caddy to store them.
And don’t tidy up the entire house in one session. Instead, do a bit every day or a room at a time.
Use Different Rags For The Kitchen And Bathroom
Avoid scrubbing all the surfaces using the same rag. Have a rag for the kitchen and a separate one for the bathroom to prevent transferring bacteria to surfaces.
Doing The Laundry
When washing clothes, cold water will help cut on the electric bill. You’ll be protecting the environment in the process. However, use hot water for sheets, towels, and innerwear to prevent bacterial growth.
Practice Good Habits
Make cleaning a habit, and you won’t stay too long cleaning a single surface. And, if you have recyclable waste, don’t throw it away.
Play Some Tunes While Cleaning
Time flies fast when you’re having fun. Play your favourite playlist and you can sing or hum to it while cleaning. In no time, you’ll realise you’re done with cleaning before you know it.
Clean The Air Last
Now that every place is clean, improve the quality of your house by purifying the air. Ventilation, houseplants, or scented candles can do the job. And if you want, invest in an air purifier.
Enjoy Your Fresh, Clean Home
After some deep cleaning, you no longer have to scrub with all your might. Maintaining the house will be a breeze and it won’t feel like a chore. With the house sparkling, you can relax on the sofa and enjoy your home over a glass of chilled juice.
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