I’m going to let you in on a little secret: professional cleaners know something you don’t know. They know how to make cleaning as efficient as possible, which means saving both time and money while getting the best possible results. Curious? Read on for some tricks of the trade on how to get your come squeaky clean.
Tidy First, Then Clean
It is infinitely easier to clean empty surfaces, so put toys and clothes away and clean dirty dishes before you tackle cleaning surfaces, furniture and floors. Tidying can be a boring, frustrating task. Consider establishing household rules and habits for putting items away immediately after they are used, to save yourself the headache.
Plan of Attack
Professionals agree that your time will be best spent if you clean with a plan, whether it’s your entire home or just a single room. One recommended method: top to bottom, left to right. This will ensure that nothing gets forgotten.
Another idea: if you’re cleaning the entire home, do it task-by-task, not room-by-room. You might be hopping around the house a little bit more, but it’ll actually take less time. Take it a step further by planning your cleaning time—think of it like scheduling an appointment with a cleaning pro. Setting time aside consistently will mean less time spent cleaning in the long run.
Choose Your Weapons Wisely
If you’ve spent any time in the cleaning supply aisle lately, you’ll know that there is a product for EVERYTHING. Pros keep it simple: a glass cleaner, an all-purpose cleaner, a tile/grout cleaner, and a toilet bowl cleaner. A little vinegar, lemon and baking soda can go a long way.
Be sure to have a good pair of rubber gloves, and wear something that can get a little dirty.
Dust Before Vacuum, and Sweep Before Mop
Save yourself from having to vacuum twice by dusting beforehand. That way, you can pick up the fallen debris. Don’t forget to dust the tops of furniture—these areas are often forgotten, but that’s where dust tends to accumulate. Similarly, clean counters before cleaning the floors, especially in the kitchen where crumbs will likely fall to the ground.
If you’re working with hard flooring, sweep them before you mop. When you’re ready to start mopping, start in the corner of the room that is furthest from the door, and work your way towards the door.
Windows and Mirrors
There’s more to cleaning windows and mirrors than you might think. First of all, it’s actually best to dilute your cleaning product with a bit of water. This will help reduce those streaks that are left behind. It’s also best to use a cloth when washing these surfaces—paper towels can leave lint and tear easily. Microfiber clothes are best, but old linens or cotton t-shirts cut up into squares will do the job just fine. Finally, don’t apply product in circles. You’re better off going back and forth horizontally, then vertically, to minimize streaks.
Less is More
When you’re using product to clean surfaces, less is more—apply it to the cloth, rather than directly to the surface. You’ll often need less than you think. As a bonus, this will make your product last longer, saving you money in the long run. As for dusting, you can often get away with warm water and a microfiber cloth—no cleaning product needed.
It’s All in the Details
Professionals know that little things make big differences, so they always go the extra mile. This means doing things like folding your toilet paper into points (just like at a hotel!), or vacuuming in a calculated pattern to leave consistent marks on the carpet. These details might seem silly, but your eye will subconsciously pick up on them and they’ll give your home a little extra oomph.
