Cleaning your house regularly is one of the most important things you can do to keep your home healthy, safe, and well-maintained. However, it’s also one of the hardest things to do consistently. The time when you have the least amount of motivation to clean is also when it’s most necessary.
Fortunately, there are many ways to make cleaning simpler and more efficient so that it becomes a habit rather than something that sneaks up on you occasionally. If your house has gotten into bad habits or if you just want new ideas for how to keep your space tidy, read on for our guide to cleaning your home from top to bottom – and everything in between!
1. Create a welcoming environment
First and foremost, let’s make sure everyone is welcome in your house. You wouldn’t want unwanted pests or critters to settle in your home, would you? To prevent pests from reproducing in your home, the first step is to ensure that it’s clean and clear of food waste. Make sure to store any leftovers in airtight containers that are either stored in the fridge or disposed of as soon as possible.
If you have a pet, clean up after them immediately, so they don’t leave any unwanted messes behind. If you have a garden, keep it free of weeds and other plants that may attract pests. Next, maintain a dust-free and allergen-free home so that everyone may breathe easier. Making your home a clean and safe environment for your family members may be accomplished by regularly washing your floors and linens, installing air purifiers, and vacuuming routinely.
2. Practice floor care basics
Keep your floors clean, shiny, and free of allergens by sweeping or vacuuming them at least once a week (more often if you have pets or kids) and mopping them at least once a month.
Stay on top of spills and messes as they happen to avoid cleaning several large messes later. You may also want to consider placing a floor mat at your home entrance to trap dirt and moisture and limit the amount of grime and allergens that accumulate on your floors.
To help cut down on the effort involved in keeping your floors clean, look for vacuums with a host of features such as a long cord, a quick-stop button for cutting off suction when you step away, a HEPA filter, a long wand to clean ceiling-fan blades, and an adjustable height for easier use.
For floors, look for a mop with a long handle that makes it easier to reach your ceiling fan, an extendable sleeve for ease of use, a broad head to cover more surface area with each pass, and a microfibre fabric that is tough on dirt but soft on your floors. You can also make your floors easier to maintain by keeping shoes out of the house.
3. Maintain regular dusting
Dust is the enemy. It’s not only unsightly but also bad for your health. Reduce the dust in your home by using vacuum cleaners instead of brooms, installing HEPA-filtered air purifiers, and keeping the windows closed when it’s dusty outside. Doing so prevents them from spreading around your house. Thus, it can help reduce symptoms in people with allergies and lower the risk of allergies developing in young children.
Remember to tackle hard-to-reach areas like shelves, blinds, and walls. Use a lint roller to remove pet hair from sofas, chairs, and other upholstered furniture. You may also purchase sticky pads specifically intended to remove pet hair. Use a long-handled duster to clean ceiling fans. Wipe down light fixtures and switch plates regularly to prevent dust accumulation. You can also buy anti-dust cloths designed to keep dust from building up on your furniture.
4. Conduct bathroom maintenance
Your bathroom can get pretty dirty and grimy if you don’t keep up with it, especially if you have a shower or a bathtub. Clean it thoroughly once a month by scrubbing tiles, tubs and sinks with an antibacterial cleaner, mopping the floor and wiping down any dusty surfaces like cabinets and drawers.
If you have a bathtub, you can also try cleaning it with baking soda and vinegar. Mix 1 part baking soda with 2 parts warm water and pour it into your bathtub. Let it sit for a few hours, then scrub it with a sponge and run a bit of vinegar for good measure. After you finish, you can use regular cleaners to finish the job.
If you have a shower or a combination shower/tub, clean it with a squeegee to prevent water from collecting on the walls and floors. You can also clean the showerhead with vinegar to prevent mineral buildup.
5. Perform a kitchen deep clean
If your kitchen hasn’t been thoroughly cleaned in a while, now is the time to schedule a deep clean. Begin by emptying all the cabinets, drawers, and shelves. Clean the inside of the cabinets, wipe down the shelves, and remove any clutter (or other items you should probably have removed a long time ago).
Tackle the counters next. Spray them with an all-purpose cleaner, and scrub them clean with a sponge or scouring pad. Clean the inside of your cabinets and wipe the inside and outside of your fridge (you might be surprised by how much dirt and grime build up over time on it). Wipe down the range hood, and clean your oven, microwave, and other kitchen appliances you regularly use. Clean the exterior of your cabinets with a rag or a sponge and an all-purpose cleaner. Wipe down your walls where there might be a lot of grease and grime.
6. Windows are important, too!
Now that your home is cleaner than ever, let’s keep the streak going by cleaning your windows. It doesn’t take much effort to get sparkling windows, and the results are stunning. Best of all, cleaning your windows is easy, even for the most inexperienced cleaner.
All you need is a squeegee and a bucket filled with warm water and a bit of dish soap. Splash the water on the windows and start scrubbing with the squeegee. You may also use dusting sprays or sprays that repel bugs to keep your windows clean. If you have curtains, put them in the washer on a cold-water cycle with some detergent to clean them. If you have blinds, simply wipe them down. You’ll be amazed at what a big difference it makes when all is done.
7. More rooms!
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s move on to other rooms in your house. Ensure you’re storing items properly and keeping them organised so your home isn’t overrun with clutter. You can use baskets, crates, and bins to store items that are too big for a drawer but don’t necessarily need to be kept out in the open. Be sure to label each one, so you know what’s inside.
Hooks, shelves, and cork boards can also keep smaller items from cluttering your home. Dusting, vacuuming, and cleaning your property regularly and utilising a dehumidifier in particularly moist areas can help keep your home clean and fresh. If you have rooms in your house that you rarely use, be sure to regularly clean them so they stay tidy as well.
Conclusion
Remember that while it’s essential to keep your house clean, spending too much time cleaning can also be bad for you. It’s better to spend 15 minutes cleaning a few times a week than to spend all day cleaning once a month.
It’s also crucial to note that cleaning your house doesn’t have to be done swiftly or flawlessly. It’s about ensuring that the vital areas (bathrooms, kitchens, etc.) receive the attention they require while the rest of the house is cleaned as thoroughly as possible. With these cleaning tips and tricks, your home will be sparkling in no time!
When it comes to deep cleaning a home, OCD is a company you can trust. Our team of professionals has a reputation for being detail-oriented, reliable, and thorough. Our services range from marble floor polishing to end of tenancy cleaning services in Singapore. They are designed to meet the needs of those who have allergies or chemical sensitivities, have pets, or are environmentally conscious. OCD uses ecologically friendly cleaning chemicals and non-toxic cleaning supplies.
To help our customers maintain beautiful homes, OCD also offers various services, such as HDB painting services in Singapore. Our team of expert painters will work with you to create a look that suits your style while refreshing the look of the walls and making your home more visually pleasant. With our painting services, you’ll get the best results, thanks to our team of experts.
Drop us a message today to get started on having clean, beautiful homes!
