If you’re one of the few people who finds pleasure in cleaning, then this information might not be for you! For the rest of us who don’t want to spend any more of our time and energy cleaning than we absolutely have to, here are some simple strategies for ensuring that when you do clean your home (even if only between visits from a cleaning service), you do it in the most efficient way possible:
Prioritize your goals
While you might know that you need to do some cleaning on a particular day, knowing exactly what you plan to clean and having it clear in your mind, can help you get the job done more efficiently, and prevent you from becoming distracted.
Limit your cleaning products
Sometimes, having more cleaning products and tools than you really need, can make the task of cleaning more complicated and time consuming. Most housework requires only a good degreaser, an all-purpose cleaner (white vinegar and water are effective if you’re looking for a natural solution), a pair of rubber gloves and a sponge or cloth. A vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter is also very helpful, and if you have tiled, stone or wooden floors, a good quality mop is essential.
If opting for natural, homemade cleaning solutions, make up a few bottles and leave them at handy spots around the home so that wherever and whenever cleaning needs to be done, you can do it quickly without having to hunt around for cleaning supplies.
Start at the top and work your way down
If you’re cleaning light fittings or anything towards the ceilings of your home, start with these and then move your way down, to avoid having to re-clean areas. You should also start at the back of each room or space, and work your way to the front. Begin with windows and walls, start by using the attachments on your vacuum cleaner to get into any nooks and crannies, and then clean surfaces with your favorite cleaning solution. Don’t forget under and behind furniture (if doing a deep clean), and then finish with the floor.
It’s worth hiring a professional cleaning service for deep cleans, even if that’s all you ever hire them for, as it can save you so much time and energy, and leave your home spotlessly clean.
Get the worst over with
Once you’ve cleaned the dirtiest or most cluttered room in your home, the rest should feel like a breeze! For bigger rooms, or those that are really grubby, it can be helpful to break the space into sections and tackle them one-at-a-time; mentally, this can make it seem less overwhelming and much more doable.
Declutter where possible
The minimalist approach might not be to everyone’s taste, but it sure does make cleaning your home a lot easier. Not only are there less objects to move around as you clean, but there are less items gathering dust, meaning less cleaning is needed. Particularly in spaces such as kitchens and bathrooms, where spillages and splashes can make decorative items and appliances grubby in next-to-no time, adopting a ‘less is more’ approach, can be helpful.
Make it a team effort
If you live in a multi-inhabitant home, unless you have agreed to be the only person responsible for cleaning the home, there is absolutely no reason why the other people you live with (including children) can’t be reasonably expected to help keep the home clean. Ask for help when needed, and you’ll find it much easier to keep your home clean for longer. Alternatively, if you really are facing the challenge of keeping your home clean alone, you can ask for help from a local cleaning service.
Cleaning doesn’t have to be a challenge, and although you might not enjoy it when you do it, cleaning can be made a lot more efficient and much more effective when applying the above mentioned strategies.
