Cleaning Tips
Cleaning Tips
We like to think we know a thing or two about cleaning. Here are some top tips to help you keep your house bright and clean.
Dusting
The best dust cloth is a damp, clean, cotton cloth. To dampen, hold the cloth by a corner and lightly mist with clean water from a spray bottle. The cloth should be just damp enough to pick up dust without leaving moisture streaks on the furniture.
Dampen a clean, soft paintbrush to remove dust from louvered doors, telephone keys, carved furniture, etc
Wipe wood surfaces with the grain to avoid streaks.
Floors
Sweep or vacuum floors first to collect crumbs and dirt before damp mopping. Start washing the floor in the farthest corner of the room and work your way towards the door.
Place a mat inside and outside each entrance to your home to reduce the dirt that is brought in on shoes and boots.
Dish cloths and sponges can be incubators for germs. Launder dish cloths regularly, and microwave damp sponges in the microwave on high for several minutes to kill bacteria.
Vacuum
Sweep or vacuum floors first to collect crumbs and dirt before damp mopping. Start washing the floor in the farthest corner of the room and work your way towards the door.
Place a mat inside and outside each entrance to your home to reduce the dirt that is brought in on shoes and boots.
Dish cloths and sponges can be incubators for germs. Launder dish cloths regularly, and microwave damp sponges in the microwave on high for several minutes to kill bacteria.
Picture Frames
To clean a picture, wipe the top of the frame first, down the sides and across the bottom. Always spray glass cleaner on your cloth and never directly on the glass to prevent seepage under the glass that could damage the picture.
Chrome
A dry clean cloth will polish chrome to an eye-catching gleam.
Bathroom
Use a toothbrush for hard to reach areas around the soap holder, taps and drain. Add a fabric softener sheet to the wastebasket to avoid odours.
Foggy mirrors can be easily remedied by rubbing a small amount of shaving foam onto the surface.
A small window squeegee used on the tile walls after each shower will slow the formation of water spots on the surface.
To unclog shower heads, remove and soak the head in boiling water and vinegar.
It will be much easier and less time consuming to clean the bathroom if it is done on a regular basis. Then you will be maintaining the room instead of letting mildew and soap scum build up over time.
Cobwebs
A clean lightly dampened cloth tied around the working end of your dust mop or broom will take care of cobwebs.
Clean by Schedule
Create a long-term cleaning schedule that lists tasks often left out of regular cleans, such as ovens, light fixtures and fridge interiors. By knowing what you plan on cleaning, and how often, you can develop a strategy that ensures nothing is overlooked.