Organizing Your Cleaning Chores
A Focused Approach
It happens to the best of us: cleaning chores pile up to the point that
we give up before we start or spend a lot of time but make little progress.
If you're feeling overwhelmed by the mess – or you could simply use some
insights on how to clean your house more effectively, the cleaning experts
at ServiceMaster Clean and Merry Maids offer a more organized approach.
Prevent Pile-ups
Of course, the best way to avoid spending endless hours on cleaning is
to keep up with housework and clean as you go. It takes a lot less time
to remove fresh dirt than stubborn, caked old dirt. It's easier to store
items properly than hide and dig through accumulated piles of assorted
stuff.
You're not in this alone...
If you're not the only one making the mess, why should you be the only
one cleaning it up? Get all family members involved to divide and conquer
the work – delegate!
Put everyone in charge of making their own bed and picking up their own
stuff. Keep a hamper in every bathroom for dirty clothes. Remind your
family members that, when they put away their clothes or belongings as
they use them, you all will have more time and energy for more enjoyable
activities!
Before bedtime, pick up the family or TV room and run the dishwasher.
Get a fresh start each day.
Eliminate Clutter
An uncluttered home looks better than one that is dust-free but strewn
with odds and ends. Regularly go through closets and cabinets to identify
items no longer needed or used. Give old clothes, appliances and furniture
to charity. Keep a basket in the kitchen for the mail, newspaper and car
keys so they're always in the same place.
Where to Start
The first step is to look at each room and determine what needs to be
done. Identify specific tasks and make a checklist of cleaning priorities.
If your time is limited, decide what is most important. And, as each job
is completed, check it off your list and savor the feeling of accomplishment.
Stay Focused
Minimize distractions. Turn off the TV so you're not sidetracked by an
interesting program (and anything, including commercials, will seem more
interesting than what you're doing!) If the phone rings, let the answering
machine or voice mail catch the call. Make sure you take all the cleaning
tools you will need into each room to avoid unnecessary trips back and
forth. Always start at the top of a room and work your way down as you
clean or straighten.
Room-by-room fresheners
Kitchen:
- Wash and wax wood floors.
- Mop vinyl floors.
- Clean out the refrigerator and pantry.
- Change shelf liners.
- Straighten out the "junk" drawer.
- Wipe down cabinets.
Bathroom:
- Wash windows inside and out with a squeegee and dust-free cloths.
- Dust the window sill.
- Vacuum the window well.
Window treatments:
- Vacuum draperies.
- Wash blinds.
- Replace heavy draperies with lightweight or sheer curtains for a fresh look.
Furniture:
- Polish wood furniture.
- Vacuum cloth upholstery.
- Clean and condition leather upholstery.
- Vacuum between cushions.
- Clean behind and under sofas and cabinets.
Closets:
- Assemble no-longer-worn clothes to give away.
- Vacuum floors.
- Dust shelves.
- Hang cedar blocks to freshen and prevent moths.
Floors:
- Sprinkle baking soda on your carpeting and leave it on overnight to absorb musty odors. Vacuum in the morning for a fresher-smelling house!
- Buy industrial-style "walk-off" mats for all entrances to cut down on tracked-in dirt.
Anytime you get the urge to clean, you can use this as your basic plan.
For more serious cleaning projects, contact the professionals at ServiceMaster Clean. Or, for ongoing help with your house cleaning, schedule maid service
from Merry Maids.
|
For more serious cleaning projects, contact the professionals at
ServiceMaster Clean.
Or, for ongoing help with your house cleaning, schedule maid service
from Merry Maids.
|
|
