If house cleaning is one chore you don’t like, you’re in luck; this article will discuss some cleaning tips from professional house cleaners. Many people today are busy and do not have time to chat about cleaning tips over coffee. If you are one of these people, sit back and relax; we will bring secrets to you.
In an interview with TODAY, two experts, Jan M. Dougherty and Beth McGee, who both ran cleaning businesses for years, shared their best cleaning secrets. With their advice, you can clean your house like a pro next time.
1. Keep Your Cleaning Tools Where You Will Use Them
Don’t just store your house cleaning products in random places, like under the sink. It is important to keep your cleaning tools, including rags, near where you are going to clean.
Dougherty, the author of The Lost Art of Housecleaning, said something about this. “You can’t clean properly if you do not have the rags you need,” she said.
2. Simplify Your Cleaning Products
Dougherty also mentioned something else. She said using too many different products for every room or surface is not a smart way to clean.
Instead, you should find a few cleaning products that work well for most surfaces. Dougherty only uses three products to clean dirt and grease from almost everything in her home.
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3. Get Plenty of Rubber Gloves and Microfiber Cloth
Rubber gloves are useful because they help you clean without feeling gross or uncomfortable. Microfiber cloths are also important because they can be used for almost everything. They can be used to clean the kitchen and bathroom.
They can also come in handy when you need to dust some things. This was explained by McGee, the author of Get Your House Clean Now: The Home Cleaning Method Anyone Can Master.
4. Entertain Yourself With Music
Even people who clean for a living like to have fun while they work. Dougherty suggests playing music that makes you want to move.
While cleaning, listen to something exciting that will get you pumped up. It should be loud enough to cover the sound of the vacuum cleaner so you can stay focused and energized.
5. Clean Your Showers and Bathtubs…Don’t Put Them Off
Beth McGee recommends cleaning your shower and bathtub at least once every two weeks. She believes that doing this will help to prevent it from becoming a big, tiring task.
Use a cleaning product that works best for your bathroom surfaces. Don’t forget to use a microfiber cloth. It will help clean faster. Microfiber covers more area in less time, so it is much more efficient.
6. Clean Only When Everything Is Brightly Lit
Dougherty suggests that you should open all the curtains or blinds. If you don’t want to do that, you can turn on all the lights before cleaning.
Try to finish your cleaning before 3 p.m. because, after that, the light starts to fade. When this happens, you won’t be able to see the dirt clearly like you would have earlier in the day.
7. Don’t Get Stuck on Picking Up Clutter
Instead of stressing over all the clutter in your room or house, focus on what you can manage at that moment. Clean up small piles of things like mail or magazines and wipe down surfaces around them.
Once you have done that, move on to other things you can clean easily. You can set aside a specific time later to deal with the bigger mess. The goal is to stay on track without getting overwhelmed by all the clutter.
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8. Follow a Cleaning “Path”
Cleaning a room can be easier when you follow a specific method. Cleaning expert, Dougherty, suggests starting at the top of a room and working your way down. She cleans from the back of the room to the front and works in sections, or “slices.”
According to her, each slice is a small area of the room, about the width of your outstretched arms. Yours can be defined by furniture. Clean one slice completely from top to bottom before moving to the next one. By following this method, you will know exactly what is next and will not get distracted. It is a simple way to stay organized while cleaning.
9. Start With the Worst Thing in the Room
When you clean, start with the messiest or most difficult part of the room. For example, in the kitchen, that might be the stove. In the bathroom, it could be the shower.
Tackling the most challenging part first makes everything else easier and quicker. If you wait until the end to clean the hardest part, you might get tired or frustrated and not finish. Starting with the worst part will help you feel more accomplished and keep you moving forward.
10. Plan Ahead to Reduce Dust
“Keep your windows closed when there is a lot of dust or pollen outside. You should also use filters on the air that comes into your home,” McGee said.
“Try to avoid having too much clutter because it can make dust build up more. If you have light-colored or dark furniture that is not shiny, the dust will not reduce, but at least, it won’t be very obvious.”
11. Brush Your Pets Regularly
“Brushing your pets often will help keep their hair under control in your home. Besides that, it is a good way to show your pet some extra care,” McGee said.
“Using a good vacuum regularly is the best way to get rid of pet hair. Sweeping would not work as well,” she continued.
12. Clean Until Everything Sparkles
Dougherty believes that a cleaning job is not really done until everything shines. “When you are done cleaning, spray some vinegar on the surfaces. After this, wipe them with a clean microfiber cloth.
You can do these to things like doors, glass, kitchen appliances, cabinet doors, and porcelain fixtures.”
Keeping your home clean and tidy doesn’t have to be overwhelming if you follow simple habits. By planning ahead to reduce dust, brushing your pets regularly, and making sure everything sparkles when you finish cleaning, you can create a more comfortable and inviting space. Small efforts like these not only make your home look better but also help it feel fresher and healthier for everyone.
