Cleaning the house will also seem like a task that doesn't require too many explanations, but come to think of it, where would you start? Besides, how do you clean the bathroom? In this article, we'll walk you through the easiest and most convenient way to do it, so you can check the tasks off the list and feel instant gratification. Once you get started, you won't want to stop until the house is shiny!
Steps
Part 1 of 6: Prepare a Plan
Step 1. Decide what you want to clean and how long you have
This helps you determine how to organize the schedule. Be honest with yourself about what you can do, the time and motivation you have.
- If possible, work from top to bottom. You certainly don't want to vacuum and then fill the floor with crumbs, or dust the underside of a piece of furniture to make it dirty again while you take care of the higher parts. Don't have much time? Start tidying up, and then gradually work your way up to accomplish more specific tasks.
- For an "average" person, who generally works outside the home, it is better to do something every day, so as not to accumulate dirty dishes and laundry. In addition, it is also necessary to establish a few monthly days to devote to deeper cleaning. The organization is up to you (and the people you live with, of course).
Step 2. Always prepare a list of all the tasks to be done and the order to follow
You need to know what room you want to start from and where you want to end up (generally it is best to finish at the front door). This strategy allows you to speed up the process and avoid having to go back to a point that you have already cleaned up, especially if more than one person is in charge of these tasks.
- Create a plan that allows you to do the same activity (such as vacuuming, sweeping, or mopping) in one sequence across all rooms. This way you won't waste time, you won't have to jump from one task to another all of the time and you won't have to go looking a thousand times over for the products you need.
- The list of tasks that you will find in this article will show you in general what you should do in all the rooms, but it is not necessary to complete it in an orderly manner, the important thing is to follow a logic.
Step 3. Try delegating
If you live with other people, cleaning the house shouldn't be your responsibility alone! Nobody moves a finger? Face the situation head on and talk to others to develop a rotating cleaning schedule. Doing so is much better than having to take on this grind on your own.
Make sure that the assignments are suitable for the age of the people concerned. For example, children in elementary school can tidy up their bedroom, while teens can also clean the garage or bathroom. Furthermore, the tasks should be distributed equally. Disinfecting the bathroom certainly cannot be compared to tidying up the coffee table
Part 2 of 6: Cleaning the Bathroom
Step 1. Clean the toilet
Of course, it won't be the most compelling experience there is, and in fact it's one of the worst tasks. Better deal with it as soon as possible. Put on a pair of rubber gloves (not the ones you use for washing dishes!) To prevent your hands from coming into contact with dirt and bacteria. Gently scrub the toilet with a sponge after soaking it in hot water - the dirt will dissolve. Let the water do its thing while you take care of the inside of the toilet.
- Next, spray a special cleaner inside the toilet and around the rim. Let it sit for a minute or two, then scrub with a scrub brush. After you're done, download.
- Once the toilet is cleaned, return to the outside surfaces. Spray on disinfectant spray and wipe dry with a rag or paper towel.
Step 2. Clean the shower cubicle or tub
It is known that dirt accumulates quickly in these spaces. You will need a special cleaner, a stiff bristled brush, and some elbow grease to do a good job. If you don't have a product designed for the box or tub, liquid dish detergent is great for getting rid of dirt that has stuck on the surfaces (in fact it removes grease from the dishes without problems). Afterward, continue cleaning as usual using an antibacterial product.
Use car wax in the shower cubicle to keep it clean longer (don't apply it to the floor, otherwise you risk slipping). To make the glass shine, use half a cup of ammonia after mixing it with 7-8 drops of dish soap in about 4 liters of water
Step 3. Clean the sink
Most washbasins get very dirty. Before using a product, make sure it is suitable for the surface in question. Once you're sure, go ahead. Let it sit for a minute to get rid of bacteria and mold, then scrub with elbow grease and a stiff sponge. When it looks shiny and well disinfected, rinse with warm water and dry with a clean cloth or kitchen paper.
If you notice stubborn stains, you may want to use a brush to try to dissolve them and then remove them. Better one with stiff bristles, like the one used in the shower
Step 4. Clean the windows and mirrors
Generally a window cleaner is used, but it would be better to use it for the final touch up, in order to polish the surface. It cannot actually replace soapy water at all, especially if the mirror is quite dirty. Here's how you should take care of these parts:
- First, wash the glass with a solution of warm or hot water and dish soap. Use a rubber rag, sponge, or window cleaner. The non-scratching powder detergents are excellent for glass, ceramic and metal surfaces, because they eliminate limescale residues without leaving marks. Then, wipe with a dry, lint-free cloth or paper towels.
- If you are an ecologist, you can clean the windows while respecting the environment. Just mix vinegar and water, wipe dry with a lint-free cloth and then wipe with newspaper. You will not see the shadow of a smear. Be sure to use elbow grease - some pressure is needed to properly clean the glass.
- If you really don't have anything else, spray a glass cleaner directly on a paper towel and wipe the surface. This product works to make stains and specks of dust easy to remove. If used incorrectly, it will leave smudges. You can also use paper from an old newspaper to polish the surface after cleaning. The glass will be free of scuff marks, and you also have a way to recycle newspapers.
Part 3 of 6: Cleaning the Kitchen
Step 1. Wash the dishes
By using them well, you will save yourself a lot of work. The dishwasher works perfectly when you load it completely and start it immediately after using the dishes.
- Larger items, such as pots and pans, usually need to be washed by hand, as they don't fit well in the appliance.
- Dishes wear out more easily when washed in the dishwasher, because the detergent is abrasive. The porcelain plates received as an inheritance, the crystal glasses you use for wine and other very fragile items must in fact be washed carefully by hand.
Step 2. Try washing the dishes by hand as well
It's much easier if you take care of them right after using them. You will rarely need to soak them or scrub them hard, as food residues won't have a chance to harden. Just wet the sponge or brush with hot water, pour in some dish soap and scrub each dish (on both sides). Rinse thoroughly with warm water.
If you decide to leave the dishes to soak, imagine a basin full of brown water in which dirt, grease, food particles, millions of germs and many other residues wallow. At this point you will realize that it is a decidedly disgusting method, and far from hygienic. If you have to soak a pot full of residue that was used 10-15 minutes earlier, that's no problem. What we want to tell you is that it is usually best to wash the dishes immediately, as soon as you get the chance. Avoid leaving them in the water
Step 3. Also try to dry them
If you don't, you run the risk of water residue staining the glass. In addition, the exposure to bacteria will be significantly higher. You don't have to try too hard: wash the dishes (if you do it by hand), rinse them thoroughly, arrange them on a dry dish drainer and let them air dry.
Make sure you also let your brushes, sponges and tea towels dry between uses, again to prevent germs from accumulating
Step 4. Clean the oven and microwave
This task is certainly not fun either, especially if you don't do it very often (it's easy to forget). However, it is one of the tasks that will allow you to notice the difference the most. The kitchen will smell better while you are cooking, because there will be no food residues in it. Here's how to proceed.
- As for the oven, consult the instruction manual to find out if it is self-cleaning. It's a nice convenience and will save you a lot of work. In this case, remove the grids to immerse them in the soapy water, let the self-cleansing cycle complete, eliminate the residues in the lower part and, finally, wash this part with a suitable detergent and a damp cloth. Doesn't it have this function? Remove the racks and place them in a basin full of soapy water, spray a detergent solution on the internal surfaces, let it act and, finally, use a sponge and an oven scraper.
- Switching to the microwave oven, you can use a bowl in which you will have poured vinegar, lemon and water, dish soap or window cleaner. Just insert it into the appliance, turn it on for a few minutes and then wipe with a cloth. Encrusted dirt will be removed easily and the microwave will be as good as new.
- Clean the kitchen sink. To know how to disinfect a sink, you can find information in the section dedicated to the bathroom. After all, one sink is worth another.
Step 5. Organize the kitchen cabinets
Now that you've got the nastiest part out of the way, you need to move on to dressers and drawers. The cleaning you will do in this case depends on you and on what you think is appropriate. The important thing is to come up with a fairly intuitive and sensible system.
- Sometimes it is enough to simply empty the furniture completely, clean it and rearrange it, without trying to examine every single object and stress yourself with the organization.
- When you have everything out, wipe the inside of the cabinets, dry or with a damp cloth, as you like.
- Group bowls, crystal glasses, baking pans, and so on. In short, combine the objects belonging to the same category. Also make sure you have easy access to the ones you use the most.
- If there are unnecessary things, think about where they should be placed. Throw away what you no longer need to make it easier. Do not store waste, but at the same time do not throw away useful things.
Part 4 of 6: Cleaning the Bedrooms
Step 1. Fix the mess right away
Again, start at the top and finish at the bottom. The first step is to organize all the rooms to get rid of unnecessary things or tidy them up. Sort out the sheets scattered on the floor, put your clothes in the laundry basket and throw away the litter found next to the bed. Only then can you actually start cleaning.
While cleaning, move around with the garbage bag and the laundry basket available. This way you can pick up everything as you pass, without going back and forth
Step 2. Make the beds
Of course, it seems absolutely pointless: after all, when you go to sleep you will have to undo it again. However, after ordering it, you will realize that the room immediately becomes nicer and cleaner. Tidying up the room while ignoring the bed is foolish, because you will defeat all other efforts.
Of course, also remember to regularly change sheets, pillow cases and blankets included. It's great to lie on a tidy bed in the evening, but this feeling is much better if the linen is freshly laundered
Step 3. Organize the closet
In fact, you should strive to keep it tidy every day, but it's easy to get out of your control. Make a mind map of the wardrobe and try to figure out if the arrangement you have given to pants, shirts, accessories and underwear is practical. If not, try to organize your content by grouping items in the same category and keeping the clothing items you wear most often close at hand.
Examining the wardrobe, trying to figure out what you want to throw away (you can get rid of anything, not just clothes), is ideal. There are probably several items of clothing or accessories that you no longer like and that only take up space unnecessarily. However, don't throw them directly in the trash - you can generally give them to charity
Step 4. Dust, vacuum, wash the floor and spray an air freshener
All those shelves, nooks and crannies and crevices (not to mention the area under and behind the bed) are a true paradise for dust and mites. To get rid of them, microfiber cloths do wonders, but you could also use a cleaning spray or disinfectant wipe to get the job done. After you've cleaned everything, including the corners of the floor, you can vacuum or mop.
- Go gently with certain pieces, such as lampshades and curtains. In this case you can direct the airflow of the hair dryer in their direction to eliminate the dust.
- Once finished, put the icing on the cake by sprinkling a pleasant and fresh deodorant, such as lemon or lavender.
Part 5 of 6: Clean Up Popular Areas
Step 1. Clean the floor
This step depends on the material it is made of: wood, ceramic, linoleum or carpet (then there are sub-categories). Each of them requires a different method. Which one is right for you?
- Vacuuming is the most effective way to get rid of all the dust and other dirt that accumulates on the carpet (and practically it is necessary to do it daily during the moulting period of your four-legged friend).
- Alternatively, if you have ceramic or wood floors, try using a microfiber cloth. Do you have rugs? Use a mechanical broom suitable for these surfaces (non-electric device that has a brush and must be used manually). Both of these methods make you avoid vacuuming every day, while still keeping the floor clean.
Step 2. Wash on the ground
Innovative substitutes can come in handy for doing this, but usually a mop and bucket is enough to get rid of dirt that has stuck to the ground. In the kitchen, but also in other rooms, it is necessary to have clean and shiny floors. When it comes to textured tiles or floors, nothing removes dirt from cracks and crevices better.
There are numerous types of floor washing rags. Those made of fabric are more effective and long lasting than those made with spongy materials. Using a quality cloth is a guarantee: a little elbow grease is enough to get a fantastic result. Use hot water and your favorite floor cleaner (again, read the labels before choosing)
Step 3. If you have pets, fight fleas
The best defense against these insects? The vacuum cleaner. And also avoid having rugs or carpets in the house, which only attract fleas (and also accumulate a lot of dirt). If you have a four-legged friend, vacuum every day. This prevents the proliferation of these insects (which in fact feed on the dead cells of animals and humans).
To get rid of fleas without using poisonous products, sprinkle borax on rugs or carpets after vacuuming and let it do its thing inside the fibers. This method will allow you to never have fleas in the house again. You can find borax at a home or home improvement store
Step 4. Dust off the furniture
Dust mites, tiny, practically invisible, are everywhere. If we saw them, we would do nothing but dusting all the time. They can be found anywhere in the house and can also cause sneezing, coughing and asthma. In addition to removing dust, vacuuming and moping are useful.
To dust furniture, dampen a microfiber cloth or glove and wipe the surfaces. Follow a continuous movement on each side of the furniture, so as not to overlook any points. Proceed in one direction throughout the room. You can use a special spray to polish them and make the process easier
Step 5. Polish the wooden furniture
Products that are used to polish furniture are not intended to clean them. Accordingly, read the instructions carefully and find the one that fits your specific needs.
- Some furniture is resistant to liquids, and should be washed with a soapy water-based solution. Make sure you dry these surfaces quickly.
- Then, apply the indicated amount of polish, following the instructions. This step prevents dust from settling on the furniture.
Step 6. Use multipurpose products with caution
In general, these cleaners aren't always good for every cleaning you want to do. Make sure you read the labels carefully before purchasing them to make sure they fit your needs. They must in fact be indicated for the tasks you want to complete at a certain time. There is no need to ruin a beautiful piece of furniture.
Also, don't mix products. This can be very dangerous. Use them one at a time and follow the instructions on the label
Step 7. Organize the trinkets and fluff the pillows
Now that you've cleaned all the surfaces (including the floors), you should move on to the smaller items - come on, you're almost done! Fluff the pillows, fold the blankets and arrange everything in the room, imagine having to introduce it to potential buyers of the house. If you have too many things in evidence, keep them in a labeled box so you don't forget what you put in them.
After you're done, spray some air freshener, sit back and watch the final result. You forgot something? Maybe you can oil the door hinges? Cleaning the walls? Change a light bulb?
Part 6 of 6: Concluding the Cleaning
Step 1. Don't forget to clean the exterior as well
Having a clean balcony and garden creates a more livable environment, yet they are often overlooked. Raking leaves helps prevent mold from forming, which occurs in damp places after rain. Doing this regularly also allows you to get rid of insects and other animals, resulting in a clean and well-kept looking garden. Did you know that this way the sun's rays reach the grass easily and promote faster and healthier growth? Well, now you know!
- Don't have a rake or do you suffer from back problems and can't take care of it? Use a leaf vacuum, which also saves you time.
- Pruning plants (hedges, rose bushes, etc.) can help prevent water levels and dirt from reaching the walls of the house.
Step 2. Do your laundry by hand or with the washing machine.
That pile of dirty clothes thrown on the bedroom floor will have to end up somewhere. Here are some basic instructions to take care of this task:
- First, set the right wash cycle so that the temperature and program are right for the clothes you wash. If you do the laundry by hand, use water at the temperature and level necessary for the items of clothing in question.
- Next, pour the correct amount of detergent into the right washing machine compartment or bowl (if you wash by hand).
- As for the softener, pour it into the compartment at the beginning of the wash cycle if it is automatically introduced by the washing machine, otherwise you have to wait for the last rinse cycle to start. Each washing machine has its own system, so follow your model's instructions to avoid damaging your clothes.
Step 3. Put the laundry to dry
If you make a mistake you risk finding yourself with a bad result. Once the washing cycle is finished, beat the clothes to open them and remove the wrinkles that have formed, only afterwards you can put them in the dryer or hang them on the clothesline. This process helps prevent creasing and promotes more effective drying.
Also, it is best to remove clothes from the dryer while they are still warm. Among other things, folding a pile of warm and clean clothes offers a pleasant sensory experience
Step 4. Examine the house and do the cleaning you skipped earlier
You had a nice long list, but it was certainly not exhaustive, in fact you never stop cleaning. Here's what else you could do:
- Empty the trash cans and take out the trash.
- Cleaning the kitchen table.
- Change sheets, pillow cases and duvet covers.
- Clean the walls.
- Clean the refrigerator.
Advice
- Do not put the sponge on the dish drainer to dry. It's pretty dirty, full of germs and bacteria. If you have a dishwasher, you can disinfect it this way by washing it together with the dishes. It is especially important to replace it frequently. Don't forget to rinse it with hot water and then wring it out. Sterilize it by leaving it in the microwave for one minute. Make sure it's wet before you do this, otherwise you risk causing a fire. It does not have to be dripping, as long as it is moist.
- Wash the inside of the refrigerator with baking soda to eliminate odors.
- Many people prefer to clean their windows with crumpled newspaper (instead of kitchen paper) and window cleaner.
- If your friends are willing to help, cleaning together helps make time fly, and in the meantime you can chat with someone.
- You can use mismatched socks instead of rags, so you don't have to buy them. Even old T-shirts can be cut for this purpose.
- When you need to clean, start cleaning in the living room, which is usually the first room in the house that anyone enters.
- Powder detergent is versatile and its use should not be limited to laundry. You can also use it to degrease, clean the oven and the bathroom, in fact it is less abrasive. Leave a fresh scent in the home that tastes clean.
- While cleaning, carry a clothes rail with you, which helps you reach things that are too high or in hidden places and allows you not to cause too much tension in your back.
Warnings
- Some products are aggressive on the skin, but also on various other things and surfaces, such as linoleum or wood. It should never be stressed enough: read the labels. It only takes a few seconds, but you can save yourself hundreds of euros, because if you ruin something then you will have to fix it. If you are unsure after reading the instructions, test the product in a hidden area before starting.
- Do not mix the products, otherwise you can generate very dangerous chemicals. Use them one at a time and follow the warnings on the label.
- Make sure the sponge is damp before putting it in the microwave. Another thing: when it comes out of the appliance it is hot, so handle it with care.
