You don't need a degree in housekeeping to keep a clean home. A little goes a long way. You also don't need to spend all your spare time leaning. What you do need are the basics, which include not only the right tools and supplies but also an understanding of how to use them -- along with a clear idea of what you are trying to accomplish and why. Most people would probably enjoy living in a clean home -- if they don't have to do the work! Guess what? It might not be as hard as you think.
Benefits of cleaning
Why do you clean? What's in it for you? Would you like to be able to eat off the floors? Or would you be happy just to be able to fix dinner without first having to clean up the kitchen or empty a sink full of dishes?
There are some obvious benefits of cleaning. First of all, a clean home is a healthier home. Germs are everywhere. But some germs, especially germs in the kitchen, bathroom, and nursery, can create and spread illness. While it is impossible to eliminate all germs, cleaning and disinfecting is the best offense against them.
Regular upkeep can also help carpets and furnishings last longer. Frequent vacuuming for example, can extend the life of carpets by preventing dirt from being ground in, in which can easily destroy carpet fibers. If you can't keep up with regular cleaning routine, hiring a professional cleaning service could save you money in the long run. Plus, if you ever have to sell your house, a clean home that's obviously been cared for is more likely to sell quickly -- and at the best price.
For many people, cleaning is it's own reward. The look and smell of a freshly cleaned home produces a sense of accomplishment, satisfaction, and pride. With me I find cleaning to be good therapy -- an opportunity to let my mind wander and ponder my current state of affairs. Even if you don't enjoy cleaning, you can look at the results of you r labor and see the return on your investments. Besides, isn't it nice to come home to a clean house or apartment?
Of course you do! That's why all you need to do is figure out what works best! It's not the cleaners, most of these examples are home made! Natural! (To an extent!) & work better than store bought products!
What kind of cleaner are you?
Do you love to clean, or do you go out of your way to avoid it? The way we approach cleaning all depends on our mood, attitudes, experience, time, energy and goals. You will most likely fall into one of four categories: The super cleaner, The speed cleaner, the green cleaner, or the catch up cleaner.
Super cleaners
You are people who attack dust and dirt with a vengeance! A person who puts cleaning on the top of your to-do list. You take pride in your ability to maintain and present a clean home. You also find that cleaning relieves stress and even consider it therapeutic like me! If you're anything like me, you go the traditional route. Getting down on your hands & knees to scrub those floors or use the same products your parents did, & find they work perfectly! Unlike my home, yours would be considered immaculate compared to most standards.
Advice for you super cleaners, go easy with harsh cleaning products that can damage surfaces over time. It's always best to start with the least harsh cleaning solution first. Since you spend a lot of time wiping counters and whatnot, be sure to disinfect kitchen sponges and dishcloths after you use them or you will just create & spread more germs. Defeating the purpose. Also as it is rewarding & relaxing, if the cleaning becomes to feel like an obsession, recognize that it may be that your using it as an excuse to avoid dealing with something beyond the germs on the counter.
The Speed cleaner
You are someone who enjoys a clean home, as you most probably do, but it's not in your list of top priorities. Cleaning probably gets postponed for one reason or another. & when you have spare time, you would definitely rather go shopping then spend it cleaning stinky toilets. You most likely seek quick and easy solutions to your cleaning challenges. You may also have a tendency to purchase the latest and greatest cleaning products and tools! You also have a whole cupboard filled with cleaning products that never really lived up to their standards. & if you could afford it, you'd hire maids in a second!
Advice for you speed cleaners, if you really want to spend less time cleaning overall, clean more often. Start with a thorough cleaning, and then get into the habit of doing a little cleaning each day. Keep the cleaning supplies handy to where you use them or put them in a bucket or caddy that makes it easy to tote them to the job. Consider ready-to-use cleaning products such as a disinfectant wipes for quick cleaning between weekly or bi-weekly cleanups. Toss those lingering products that never worked, You don't need them they're just taking up space.
The Green Cleaner
Advice for you, there are some excellent commercial cleaners that contain natural ingredients on the market. But there are also products in your kitchen that will also do the job just as well maybe better! White vinegar and water for example (which is what I use) get the job done SUPER quick on kitchen floors and counters. Just as baking soda is the perfect nonabrasive cleaner for the kitchen and bath.
The Catch-up cleaner
You have a fairly high tolerance for dust and dirt, you also put off cleaning until it becomes something that you absolutely must do. By the time you decide you need to clean it's a monumental job that requires huge amounts of time and effort. You tend to accumulate clutter, which makes the task of cleaning seem even more overwhelming. You may have discovered that the only way you can keep your home clean is to hire the services of a professional cleaner. But even then, your home quickly falls into disarray between cleanings.
Advice: It's a lot easier to keep up than catch up. Consider hiring help to get your house clean, or arrange a work trade with family members or friends. Their cleaning help in exchange for your cooking or babysitting for example. Once your home is clean, get in the habit of everyday cleaning. Set a timer for 10 minutes in the morning and 10 mins at night. Spend 10 minutes on everyday clean up in your kitchen and bath and 10 minutes on one bigger chore such as vacuuming. Offer yourself a daily reward for your efforts.
It is very easy to ignore the chores for me. I find once I get into a routine, there will be one day where I don't do anything. I am all of the above cleaners. I do it all. Sometimes for a week or two I will clean my heart out, then stop then do the catch up, then speed clean with natural products I make from home. I really recommend using vinegar and water for your floors, I know it smells kind of bad but if you put a few squirts of lemon juice in there, Tadaa! Good luck on your cleaning & stay tuned into my blog for more on cleaning!
For many people, cleaning is it's own reward. The look and smell of a freshly cleaned home produces a sense of accomplishment, satisfaction, and pride. With me I find cleaning to be good therapy -- an opportunity to let my mind wander and ponder my current state of affairs. Even if you don't enjoy cleaning, you can look at the results of you r labor and see the return on your investments. Besides, isn't it nice to come home to a clean house or apartment?
Of course you do! That's why all you need to do is figure out what works best! It's not the cleaners, most of these examples are home made! Natural! (To an extent!) & work better than store bought products!
What kind of cleaner are you?
Do you love to clean, or do you go out of your way to avoid it? The way we approach cleaning all depends on our mood, attitudes, experience, time, energy and goals. You will most likely fall into one of four categories: The super cleaner, The speed cleaner, the green cleaner, or the catch up cleaner.
Super cleaners
You are people who attack dust and dirt with a vengeance! A person who puts cleaning on the top of your to-do list. You take pride in your ability to maintain and present a clean home. You also find that cleaning relieves stress and even consider it therapeutic like me! If you're anything like me, you go the traditional route. Getting down on your hands & knees to scrub those floors or use the same products your parents did, & find they work perfectly! Unlike my home, yours would be considered immaculate compared to most standards.
Advice for you super cleaners, go easy with harsh cleaning products that can damage surfaces over time. It's always best to start with the least harsh cleaning solution first. Since you spend a lot of time wiping counters and whatnot, be sure to disinfect kitchen sponges and dishcloths after you use them or you will just create & spread more germs. Defeating the purpose. Also as it is rewarding & relaxing, if the cleaning becomes to feel like an obsession, recognize that it may be that your using it as an excuse to avoid dealing with something beyond the germs on the counter.
The Speed cleaner
You are someone who enjoys a clean home, as you most probably do, but it's not in your list of top priorities. Cleaning probably gets postponed for one reason or another. & when you have spare time, you would definitely rather go shopping then spend it cleaning stinky toilets. You most likely seek quick and easy solutions to your cleaning challenges. You may also have a tendency to purchase the latest and greatest cleaning products and tools! You also have a whole cupboard filled with cleaning products that never really lived up to their standards. & if you could afford it, you'd hire maids in a second!
Advice for you speed cleaners, if you really want to spend less time cleaning overall, clean more often. Start with a thorough cleaning, and then get into the habit of doing a little cleaning each day. Keep the cleaning supplies handy to where you use them or put them in a bucket or caddy that makes it easy to tote them to the job. Consider ready-to-use cleaning products such as a disinfectant wipes for quick cleaning between weekly or bi-weekly cleanups. Toss those lingering products that never worked, You don't need them they're just taking up space.
The Green Cleaner
Advice for you, there are some excellent commercial cleaners that contain natural ingredients on the market. But there are also products in your kitchen that will also do the job just as well maybe better! White vinegar and water for example (which is what I use) get the job done SUPER quick on kitchen floors and counters. Just as baking soda is the perfect nonabrasive cleaner for the kitchen and bath.
The Catch-up cleaner
You have a fairly high tolerance for dust and dirt, you also put off cleaning until it becomes something that you absolutely must do. By the time you decide you need to clean it's a monumental job that requires huge amounts of time and effort. You tend to accumulate clutter, which makes the task of cleaning seem even more overwhelming. You may have discovered that the only way you can keep your home clean is to hire the services of a professional cleaner. But even then, your home quickly falls into disarray between cleanings.
Advice: It's a lot easier to keep up than catch up. Consider hiring help to get your house clean, or arrange a work trade with family members or friends. Their cleaning help in exchange for your cooking or babysitting for example. Once your home is clean, get in the habit of everyday cleaning. Set a timer for 10 minutes in the morning and 10 mins at night. Spend 10 minutes on everyday clean up in your kitchen and bath and 10 minutes on one bigger chore such as vacuuming. Offer yourself a daily reward for your efforts.
It is very easy to ignore the chores for me. I find once I get into a routine, there will be one day where I don't do anything. I am all of the above cleaners. I do it all. Sometimes for a week or two I will clean my heart out, then stop then do the catch up, then speed clean with natural products I make from home. I really recommend using vinegar and water for your floors, I know it smells kind of bad but if you put a few squirts of lemon juice in there, Tadaa! Good luck on your cleaning & stay tuned into my blog for more on cleaning!
This one is a great one Babe!!! I love how you broke it all down!! You really r a natural!! xo
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