A house is a definition of who you are. It’s not about how grand or expensive the things are; but it’s based on how organized and clean you can keep your house. Your house may be small, but you can make it appear big with a clean and organized set-up. However, it’s difficult to clean your home on a daily basis, so here are some secrets to clean your house without spending too much of your time doing it:
1. Start From The Top
Cleaning should start from the top to the bottom, which when applied to your house is the ceiling to floor concept. The ceiling must be one of your top priority because the dust and dirt can accumulate on the ceiling, ceiling fans and lights. Once disturbed it can fall and get everywhere. If this happens, you and your kids or housemates will inhale it.
Moreover, the collected dust becomes home to many insects such as dust mites. Some health risks of prolonged exposure to dust in the home include asthma, allergic reaction, interruption of brain development, and dermatitis. To avoid the scenario mentioned, make your ceiling dust-free in these simple ways:
1. Use a hand vacuum that can reach corners of your house.
2. Use a cleaning solution for soot, smoke, or water stains: water mixed with all-purpose detergent or white vinegar, water with baking soda, and trisodium phosphate (TSP).
3. Roll over a paint roller to wipe off the solution.
4. Use a flat mop covered with a microfiber cloth for easier dust adherence.
But don’t forget to cover all your furniture with a drop cloth or paper to minimize settling of dust on your furniture before cleaning your ceiling.
2. Get The Right Equipment
Dust and dirt build up on your furniture, appliances, house decorations, etc. after using them for a long time. To prevent this, get the right equipment listed below to clean each stuff:
For furniture, you can use quiet vacuum cleaners to avoid waking up your baby; or you can use sponge and vinegar mixture to remove stains, lint-free cloth for smudges, or polishes to clean dirt and moisture build-up.
For appliances, you can use salt, lemon, or vinegar to remove stains and grease brought about by food and water. To remove burnt food on a stove top, cutting boards, and cast irons apply salt as a scrub. Squeeze the lemon to clean and deodorize microwaves, wipe out water stains from faucets, or remove odors from newly bought appliances. On the other hand, water with vinegar can clean kitchen countertops and the surfaces of refrigerators, food stains and smells of food processors and blenders, dishwasher, and kettle.
For house decorations, a microfiber cloth is enough to wipe the dust off instead of feather duster that will spread the dust from one surface to another.
3. Look At Entry Points Of Your Home
Windows are one of the first areas of your house to be soiled with dust, dirt, or grease. You can follow these guidelines to make your windows streak free clean:
1. Wipe the dust off your glass window or window grills using a lint-free cloth.
2. If stains or grease are visible, spray the glass with vinegar and let it stay for five minutes before wiping it off using a sponge, cloth, or newspaper.
3. If you have window screens, remove it before cleaning. Firstly, vacuum the dirt and dust before spraying it with water. Then you can wipe it off with a cloth damped in vinegar. Lastly, let it air dry.
4. You can also use a squeegee for larger windows.
5. For the window sills, vacuum or wipe them using cloth or paper.
6. For curtains, you can either wash, steam, dry clean, or vacuum clean your curtains depending on the type of cloth.
4. Don’t Forget the Walls
You may think your walls are clean but think again. Uncleaned dirty walls affect the overall appearance of your home design. Cleaning the walls are also vital for keeping your home fresh and clean. You can easily do it by using a cordless and light vacuum together when cleaning your floor. But if your walls are stained, wipe it with a damp cloth and use detergent or other chemicals depending on the type of stains your walls have. Cleaning your floor depends on the type of flooring you have:
1. For tiles, you can quickly clean it with a mop damped in a solution of an all-purpose cleaner. If you have glazed tiles, you can use car wax to make it shimmer.
2. For vinyl floors, it is best to use steam mop than soaking the floor with water. Too much water weakens the flooring adhesives.
3. Never use water for wood floors unless it is coated with a polyurethane finish. Instead, sweep the floor and use a wax applicator.
4. Linoleum floors require only sprays of water mixed with dish soap or vinegar before mopping it; flooding it with water is not recommended.
5. For carpeted flooring, regular vacuuming is essential.
Overall
Cleaning your home is not time-consuming when you do it regularly. A tidy house makes you healthy by providing you with exercise and keeping away germs and other bacteria causing illnesses. With proper cleaning tools, you can use the time you saved to rest and enjoy the dust and dirt-free home you have accomplished.
