Some people find cleaning therapeutic and work every day at maintaining a tidy home. Then there are the rest of us. When it's time to give your home a thorough scrubbing, here are a few home maintenance tips to get the job done right, and quickly:
Easy Home Maintenance Tips for a Clean House
- Get the Basics Out of the Way
Running the dishwasher and washing machine can take a few hours, so it's best to start here. Gather up all the dishes and get them going before tossing in a load of clothes. While these are washing, you can move on to other tasks.
- Clear the Clutter
It's impossible to clean when there's clutter all over the place, so your next job is to go room-by-room and clear out the clutter. One idea is to take an empty laundry basket into a room. As you tidy up, place things that don't belong in that room into the basket. When you're finished with that room, put everything from the basket where it belongs before starting on the next room.
- Time for Dusting!
Start with ceiling fan blades and then move on to high shelves, tables and lower areas last. Next, get out the vacuum cleaner and get all that dust and dirt you've knocked down to the floors. While you're at it, use the upholstery attachment to vacuum your furniture.
- Now the Dirty Work
Now it's time to get down to the nitty-gritty of home maintenance: bathrooms and kitchens. In the bathroom, spray down all the surfaces with an all-purpose cleaner and give it a minute to soak in. Then, wipe everything down. Lastly, give the toilet a good scrub before mopping the floor.
In the kitchen, follow the same plan: spray everything down with an all-purpose cleaner, and switch to a degreaser for the stove and any other sticky surfaces. While they're soaking, clean out the fridge and wipe down the shelves. Then, get to work scrubbing the stove, sink, counters, and cabinet faces before mopping the floor.
- Finishing Touches
You're almost to the finish line! Empty all the trash cans in each room and take out the trash. Then, give the entire home a once-over to straighten up photos, knick-knacks, throw pillows, and other miscellaneous elements. Lastly, light a scented candle and order a pizza because there's no way you're messing up that beautiful kitchen now!
For more home maintenance tips and tricks, check out these blog posts:
- 6 Cleaning and Home Maintenance Myths You Should Stop Believing
- The Research Is in: Your Home Needs More Insulation
- Tips for Proper Bathroom Ventilation
