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Clean Up Your Act
We all know them – those people whose homes always seem impeccably clean, even when you stop by unexpectedly. You may be asking, “Do they spend all day cleaning?” The truth is, you don’t need to break your back scrubbing every day. With a few daily tricks and a regular deep-clean schedule, your days of closing every door in your home when visitors stop by are over.
The Daily Grind
The Daily Grind
You probably don’t have time every day to scrub the floors and dust every surface in your home, but a handful of quick daily tasks can go a long way toward keeping your home looking nice. Build them into your routine so they become second nature and you’ll reap the benefits. Do these tasks daily:
- Make the beds – It sounds silly, but this simple task can have a huge impact on your home.
- Load the dishwasher – Never let dirty dishes live in your sink. Try to clean up the dishes you use as you cook, and rinse and load your dishes right after eating to avoid forgetting.
- Wipe down surfaces after each use – Whether you’re cooking in the kitchen or brushing your teeth in the bathroom, keep a cleaning spray nearby to quickly wipe the appliances, counters and sink when you’re done.
- Pick up as you go – The culprit of your “mess” is often just clutter. Place dirty clothes in the laundry basket when you take them off, fold throw blankets in the Family Room and generally put things back where they belong. The kids can help with their toys and rooms as well!
Take a Deeper Look
As you get into the daily routine of keeping surfaces clear and putting things where they belong, it’ll be easier to spot the areas that need a little more love and attention. Invest some time each week in deep cleaning to rid your home of bacteria and germs to keep each room sparkling – you can chunk it all into a one-time slot or break the tasks up throughout the week to make it more manageable. Each week:
- Change the sheets and pillowcases and wash the dirty linens
- Mop hard-surface floors and vacuum carpeted areas
- Clean mirrors and scrub bathroom surfaces
- Dust furniture and ceiling fans, if necessary
- Throw out expired food from the fridge and freezer
Take a Deeper Look
The Forgotten Ones
The Forgotten Ones
Now that you’ve established a system for keeping the obvious areas of your home looking their best, you can focus on some objects you probably never think about cleaning – but should be. Every three to four months:
- Wash your shower curtain liner and bath mat – Load the items, along with one or two towels, into the washing machine and wash with a small amount of detergent and cold water on a delicate cycle, then hang to air dry.
- Dust or vacuum the air conditioning/heating vents – Spray the vent with a cleaning spray, wrap a cleaning rag around a butter knife and insert the knife between the metal slats, moving it side to side. Or, skip the hassle and use your vacuum’s wand with a dust brush to quickly eliminate pesky dust.
- Clean your mesh bath loofahs – Rinse and squeeze out any soap residue, then soak the loofahs for five minutes in a solution of one gallon of cool water and one quarter cup of bleach. Thoroughly rinse and hang to air dry.
- Wash your curtains – Remove any hardware from the curtains and then wash on a delicate cycle in cold water with a small amount of detergent. Dry on a low heat setting and remove the curtains before they are completely dry to prevent wrinkles.
Use these tips to create a cleaning routine that will keep your home in tip-top shape year-round!
