Declutter Your Home Tips

October 17, 2021 by Leave a Comment

Today, I’m sharing declutter your home tips. Decluttering can be challenging for many reasons. First, you might have impractical expectations of the whole process. Furthermore, you might have other decluttering obstacles or emotional attachments that make it harder to let things go. So, while you are frustrated with all the items in your home that you cannot seem to get control of, it is very easy to trip over some of the common decluttering mistakes that will worsen the process.

 

 

declutter your home tips

 

 

Declutter Your Home Tips 

 

Declutter Your Home With a Plan 

Failure to plan is planning to fail. This phrase cannot be any more accurate when engaging in a major decluttering project. Starting the project without enough planning will leave you frustration, distracted, eventually failing. So, to avoid this mistake create a plan that will keep you logically working through each space.

Try breaking the space into separate areas, and it is also advisable to have pest control plans that offer the most eco-friendly solutions tailored to protect your home, family, and pets as well.

 

Storage Bins for Decluttering Your Home

Never buy storage units before you begin the decluttering project. Chances are that you will have more free space than before you started.  Remember, keeping items that you don’t need can require storage and, in fact, cause more clutter.

So, consider buying storage units after finishing the projects and only when you need them. And as much as it can be tempting to buy those cute little storage baskets you saw in a mall, it is imperative that you don’t waste money and all the effort you put into decluttering your home.

 

Don’t Delay Giving Away or Donating Items

One of the keys to decluttering your house is getting things out quickly and for good. So, keeping  things in the garage waiting to donate them is not decluttering.  You are just moving things from one space to another. This is very dangerous as you will be giving yourself more time, and eventually, you will find yourself returning the items only to re-clutter your home. 

Therefore, if you want to sell the items, put similar items in a box. Tape the box closed, mark it with what’s in it, and write the date you want to sell it by on the box.  If the date passes, take them to a donation station.

 

 

declutter your home tips

 

 

Decluttering Emotional Items  

Emotional items are one of the most overwhelming clutters you will ever deal with. Your  attachment to family photos and childhood toys can derail the process. These items can also stop or delay your decluttering process or completely prevent you from carrying out the project.

So, start by leaving emotional items for the last day. Build a momentum that wins instantly. Leaving sentimental things for the last day will allow you to make a mental shift.  You will be in a better position to deal with and declutter the sentimental items.

 

The above mistakes should be avoided at all costs. However, it is essential to note that some things cannot be changed overnight. So, being aware of these mistakes is the first step to successful decluttering and making house cleaning easier.

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How to Remove Allergens From Your Flooring

June 3, 2019 by 3 Comments

Today, we’re sharing tips on how to remove allergens from your floors.When the warmer breezes of April and May prompt you to open your windows and get all the gunky and stuffiness of winter out, it’s time for your spring clean. You may have many annual traditions when it comes to cleaning in the spring such as washing windows, dusting the ceiling fans and beating out area rugs.  However, it’s important to pay special attention to your flooring in order to keep allergens and related particles from building up.

While spring means lovely trees and flowers blooming, it can also cause terrible allergies to invade your home. By cleaning your floors properly, you can avoid some of the worst of the pollen or mold incursion.

 

 

how to remove allergens

How to Remove Allergens from Flooring:

 

For Hardwood

 

how to remove allergens

 

Cleaning your hardwood floors regularly is the best way to remove allergens from your flooring.  Make sure you sweep and mop with a damp (but not saturated) cloth mop. Most hardwood floors just need a quick wipe with water, and for some you can use a vinegar and water mix or a very light soap like Bona.  Before you clean with any of these, make sure you test a part of your flooring in an out of the way place.

 

For Carpet

 

how to remove carpet stains

 

Wondering how to remove allergens from your carpet?  While carpet likely traps the most pollen of all your flooring options, it can be cleaned easily with a vacuum that has a quality filter. The filter keeps the allergens from spreading into the air. If, at the same time, you’ve been avoiding really scrubbing out carpet stains, there are many methods for eradicating various stain causes. You can try using this trick on most stained areas:

 

  • Get a bucket of warm water, some baking soda and some dish soap.
  • Sprinkle the stain with baking soda and then add about 1 tablespoon of dish soap for every 6-8 inches of stained carpeting.
  • Use a rag to move the mixture around until bubbles appear.
  • Gently scrub with a brush or towel using the warm water. Keeping the floor damp but not soaked.
  • Once dry, vacuum again.

 

For Cork flooring

While you might worry that cork would harbor more allergens because of its porous texture, cork is naturally antimicrobial, making it able to combat allergens like mold and mildew. If need be you can add a finish the further repels potential allergens. To keep your cork floor clean, use a damp mop once a week on it. If you want to use a cleaning product occasionally, make sure you use only recommended cork floor cleansers.

 

For Tile Flooring

 

how to clean tile

 

 

Allergens do not easily adhere to tile, so simple cleaning with warm water is usually a good way to make sure you don’t have to worry about accumulation. That said, old grout can build up mold, so if you notice this happening, it might be time to re-grout.

 

Still Worried About Breathing Easily? Be Aware of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)

Unfortunately, many finishes and some flooring can contain volatile organic compounds that can affect your allergies as well. These are particularly prevalent in synthetic carpeting and vinyl as well as most industrial coating like varnish. These can give off particles that become vaporous and are known as pollutants that cause breathing trouble for some people. While off-gassing from these products is most prevalent directly after installation or refinishing, it can go on for months or even years. To avoid this on your floors, you can use water-based products or apply an encapsulating sealer designed to trap VOCs and prevent them from off-gassing into your home.

 

You want to be able to soak all the beauty of springtime and to have a clean house without sneezing every few seconds. By keeping your floors clear of allergens, you’ll be able to enjoy spring (and all that other cleaning) so much more.

You may also like:  4 Simple Ways to Prevent Allergies.

 

About the Contributor – Sarah Archer

Sarah’s a writer who’s passionate about evaluating everyday home products to help consumers save time and money. When she’s not putting a product’s promise to the test, you’ll find her hiking a local trail or collecting new stamps in her passport.

 

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5 Reasons to Hire a Professional Office Cleaner

March 26, 2019 by 3 Comments

Regardless of whether you have a small office with few employees or a large office with a large building, it is important that the location be clean and tidy.  The appearance of your office plays a crucial role in the positive impact on potential customers and employees. Cleaning is one of the best ways to leave your work space in a professional atmosphere daily. So, here’s a few tips on why you should hire professional office cleaners.

In addition, an environmentally friendly, dust-free environment ensures your employees stay healthy.  In return they will be more productive.  Of course, cleaning the entire office by yourself is a rather difficult task.  As a result, try to hire a cleaning company.  For example, Sydney Office Cleaning will meet your cleaning needs and preserve your unique work atmosphere.

 

professional office clearners

 

 

Increases the curb appeal

Most people judge a book by its cover, right? The same applies to an organization.  If your office has a dirty appearance or dirty environment, your employees won’t want to work under those conditions.  Employees who spend 8 to 10 hours a day in your office are   concerned about the air quality.   So, make sure that your customers and employees are in a hygienic environment during working hours.

Builds client’s trust

Potential clients may want to meet in your work environment so they can understand how the organization works.  They want to assess the commitment, consistency, planning and business practices of your company.  If your office appearance is below their standards, the customer may think that you will treat their business the same way.  Therefore, it is important to create a sense of security, trustworthiness, and professionalism when it comes to your office.

 

Creates a safe and accountable team

In addition to the professional office cleaning service, enlist employees to help keep the office clean.  For example, have employees clean their cubicles or office area.   At this stage, they learn to continually clean certain areas of the building.   They should be expected to place trash in the appropriate containers.  They should use the same care in common areas after use and remember to be considerate of others in the restrooms.

 

 

professional cleaning service

 

 

Excellent results

Expert cleaners not only save time and money but, also ensure proper cleaning. This means that approved cleaning products by leading manufacturers are used to ensure cleanliness.  The products will also disinfect offices, kitchen areas and rest rooms.  Using appropriate cleaning products is important because employers must fully comply with all applicable hygiene regulations.  Professional cleaning devices are powerful and remove dirt, dust, and grime quickly and efficiently.

 

Cost-effectiveness

It makes sense to hire a professional office cleaner who will do the work effectively and efficiently for you. By hiring professional office cleaner, they work after hours and have the office space cleaned when the staff returns the following day.  They may come before you open or close depending on the contract.   Take advantage of any beneficial offers and discounts.

 

Professional office cleaners office services for daily cleaning entire buildings, alternating days, weekly, bi-weekly, and even monthly. You can choose the option according to your preferences and comfort.  Make sure your wishes are clearly stated in a contract.

 

 

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How to Get the Most Out of Professional House Cleaning Services

May 3, 2018 by 1 Comment

professional house cleaning services

 

When employing a professional cleaning service to help make your home sparkly clean, it’s only natural to want to get the most out of it. After all, you paid a good amount of cash to get rid of dirt and dust.

As the homeowner, you need to know that you’re getting nothing less than what you pay for.   A cleaner’s quality of work must reflect good results.  When you hire professional house cleaning services, make sure that your home gets the thorough and effective cleaning.

1. Choose the right cleaning service

Picking the right cleaner for the job plays a huge role in making sure that you get your money’s worth. When searching for professional house cleaning services, ask the following questions:

 

  • Do you have a bond and insurance?
  • Are your cleaners trained well?
  • Who manages your cleaners?
  • Do you provide your own cleaning products?
  • Do you have a system for quality control?
  • What services does your company cover?
  • What cleaning equipment and products do you use?

2. Create a to-do list

Walk around your house and look for areas that need cleaning.  Write down cleaning tasks and arrange them according to priority.  Most house-cleaners work in a specific time frame.  So, it will be helpful to let them know what they can do around the house in the amount of time that they have.

3. Request that any issues be reported to you immediately

To reduce the cost of maintenance and repairs, you can let your cleaning service assist you. Ask your cleaner to report potentially serious problems in your home to you as soon as possible to prevent minor issues from turning into a disaster.  This can help prevent any unsafe conditions from causing harm to you and your family.

4. Have a cleaning schedule

If you want to maintain a clean home at all times, having a strict cleaning schedule will make it possible. Determine how often an area in your home needs cleaning.  Doing so will help you lower your costs, especially on areas that only need cleaning on a weekly or monthly basis rather than daily.

5. Clear a path

To help housekeepers focus on the areas that need deep cleaning, clear a path so they can maximize their cleaning time. Remove clutter such as books, clothes and shoes that can slow down the work.  This allows the cleaners to concentrate on difficult areas where their work can have a bigger impact.

6. Rotate rooms

If your cleaning service comes often, chances are, not every room of your home will need a deep cleaning every time.  As a result, ask your cleaner to rotate working on sections of your house. This can help reduce the areas that require cleaning and eventually reducing your cost.

7. Calm down and relax

Now that you’ve decided to hire a cleaning service, you can focus on more important things to do.  Don’t waste your free time micromanaging each facet of the cleaning process. They’re professionals, so relax and let them do what they do best.

8. Avoid expensive add-ons

It’s great to have clean windows, but deep cleaning them is only necessary at least once or twice every year.  The same goes for your fridge and oven.  So avoid expensive cleaning add-ons when you hire professional house cleaning services by cleaning these areas on your own.

9. Give feedback

Did you love your cleaners’ work?  If so, be sure to let them know.  They will take note of your positive feedback and make sure that you get the same cleaning treatment the next time.

If your cleaners happen to miss something, tell them about that as well.  They will remember to include it in future cleanings so they successfully meet all your cleaning needs.

Hiring a cleaning service shouldn’t be difficult and stressful.  The main reason you hire them is to help you, and not to create further stress.

Communication is key to getting the most out of your professional house cleaning services. Know what you want and don’t want, and make sure to relay this clearly to the cleaners to get good results.

 

AUTHOR BIO

Mohamed Samad is the Founder & CEO of Matic Services. He started the company in 2016 after a series of small start-ups within the home services sector. Prior to that, Mohamed was Vice President at Greenstone Equity Partners, where he spent 24 months building the UAE business from 2011-2013 with its founder.

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The Importance of a Clean House

April 21, 2017 by Leave a Comment

 

clean house tips

 

A clean home is a dream for many of us.  But, sometimes life gets so hectic that you neglect to clean the house for a while!  For many people, it almost seems that cleaning is futile.  Things will just get messy again, especially if you have children!

So, while there isn’t exactly a temptation to never clean, there may be a temptation to clean less often.  Or to neglect certain areas.  But, it’s important that we take a look at just how vital a clean home can be. When you look at the benefits, there are a great range from physical to mental health.  You may not want to skip on cleaning tasks in the future.

Here’s a list of the areas you need to think about. This will make the importance of a clean house clearer to you than ever before!

allergy season

 

Allergens and General Hygiene

A lot of us are allergic to something, even if it’s on a very mild level.  If you don’t clean regularly, your carpet, bedding, and upholstery will be riddled with allergens.  Dust mites lurk in these areas.  Most importantly, they decrease the overall air quality in your home.  They trigger allergic reactions.  As a result, make sure all of these areas are cleaned often.

People don’t clean their carpeting as often as they should either.   Vacuum once a week won’t cut it!  You should actually consider giving your carpet a wash a few times a year.  As for upholstery, very few people bother to clean this at all. Remember to take a vacuum cleaner to your upholstery once in a while.

Safety

People like to imagine that their homes are the safest places on Earth. And, in many ways, this is true.  But the fact is injuries take place in the home. Falls, trips, slips, they’re all more likely to occur in your home than in the vast majority of other places.  Additionally, fire hazards are also something you need to think about.

When your home isn’t tidy, the risks of these things happening rise.  Mess and disorganization make it more likely that a fire will occur, and possibly spread.  It can also make exiting safely more difficult.

Pests

Liquid and food spills both attract bugs and rodents. Of course, you may say to yourself that these are certainly things you clean up right away. The fact is, most of us have unnoticed little spills somewhere in the house. People also tend to leave these things uncleaned for a little while if they occur on kitchen tops.

There are other things that attract pests.  For example, uncleaned pet bowls.  And that’s certainly something that is prevalent in the homes of pet owners! People usually leave pet food bowls for a few days before giving them a really good clean.  Furthermore, not taking the trash out regularly is another way to attract pests to your home.

 

organization tips

Pixabay

 

Organization

A lot of us lose things quite often. We lose our car keys or our cell phones.  Sometimes we lose important documents. We look in all the places we think we’d have placed them, but they still don’t manage to turn up. The more disorganized your home is, the more difficult it’s going to be to find things!

It’s much easier to organize your home if you declutter it first. Most of our homes have a plethora of items that we don’t really need or even use. Consider clearing out a lot of those items that you don’t use or need.  That way, when you clean house, your home will have less clutter.

Stress

An unclean home builds up a considerable amount of stress! It also begins a vicious cycle.  When you’re feeling stressed, you’re more likely to put off the task. Which means that your house is just going to get a bit messier.  The messier it gets, the more stressed you feel.

So, another clean house tip is make sure your home is clean if you want to keep yourself free from stress. Remember that stress is worse for your long-term health than many people think! Something else you should remember: cleaning provides you with a little physical exercise, which in itself helps relieve stress!

Productivity

It’s hard to be productive when your home isn’t very clean.  Disorganization and stress will make it productive.

They say that a clear home is a clear mind, and there’s a great amount of truth to that. If you’ve got work to do at home, be it an actual job or something creative then you need the mental space to perform those tasks.  Freeing up physical space can help you with that.

Value

The value of the property is going to be affected in the long-term by how clean you keep it. Generally, there are a lot of telling signs that a home that has just been cleaned has either been cleaned regularly or cleaned infrequently. Mess tends to build up in ways that leave signs of uncleanliness even after you’ve cleaned up.

If you rent your property, then this may mean that you won’t be able to get all of your deposit back when it’s time to move. If you own the property and decide to sell it, then the value could take a hit. With this in mind, it’s also worth bringing up the exterior of your home.  Its cleanliness also affects the value in a big way. You should be looking for ways to keep the exterior as clean as possible. Check out the Spray and Forget Deep Dive at A Cleaner Choice if you want to see reviews of outdoor cleaning products.

Hospitality

Surely we’ve all been in a situation where we’ve wanted to have friends and family over, but had to rush around and clean house in order to do so?  In fact, many of us had to turn down opportunities to see people simply because our homes weren’t tidy.

Outside of planned visits, it’s also worth noting that you never know who is going to come knocking at your door. You may find yourself in a surprise situation, standing awkwardly at the door,  Araid to let someone in because of the state of your home! Keeping your home clean will give you a lot more opportunity to be hospitable.

We hope that you found our clean house tips beneficial.  Do a thorough cleaning and than strive to maintain the house during the week.

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Get Your Kids Involved in Creating Clean Air

April 18, 2017 by Leave a Comment

creating clean air

 

 

Kids usually don’t want much to do with cleaning the house. They’d rather be outside playing, and who can blame them? But the lessons they learn in childhood last a lifetime.  So, teaching children lessons in house cleaning can include the importance of creating clean air in the home.  You can teach them this lesson through different tasks.

For example, turning a chore into a fun activity can help eliminate the perceived boredom that comes with cleaning. Here are a few activities to teach kids about creating clean air in the home and keeping it clean:

Changing the Air Filters

Air filters are easy to change. Most are located in a safe and accessible spot.  This makes it safe in getting teens involved in removing and replacing them. They’re also a perfect teaching tool to show just how dirty the air filters can get.  Dirt caught in the filters is dirt that doesn’t make it into the rest of the home.  Change filters regularly.

While you may not want your children actually doing the task on their own, you can write the date of installation on the filter.  Additionally, mark the replacement date on the calendar. When the due date arrives, the kids can remind you to change the filter.  Furthermore, they can accompany you to see how much dirt was collected. It’s a simple, yet important task that gets everyone in on the action.

Turn off the Lights

Lights by themselves don’t do much in the way of generating pollution. It’s at the power generation level where the pollution occurs. The act of turning on a light bulb creates a power demand from the power plant. That demand requires fuel to generate the electricity. Encourage the kids to turn off the light when they leave a room for any length of time. It’s a great way to instill the idea of keeping the air clean without nagging. When kids are shown that their lack of action has a greater consequence to their world, they’re more likely to turn out the lights.

Energy producers are turning more and more to renewable sources instead of burning coal and wood. But this doesn’t change the need to turn out the lights. The less energy needed from any source, the better.

Open Windows at Night in Warm Weather

Air conditioning during the warmer months helps keep the home comfortable, but it also traps dust and other air pollutants inside.  Open windows at night and use fans to circulate the air. Air is cooler at night and helps the home exhaust the heat. If the AC gets turned on during the day, it won’t work as hard to cool down the home because the internal temperature is already low.

These are some of the ways you can get your family to participate in tasks that keep the air clean in the home and atmosphere. Teaching kids to become energy and pollutant aware when they’re young helps them turn into responsible adults.

We hope that you found our tips on creating clean air beneficial, and you will implement a few ideas.

 

 

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How To Keep Your Home Tidy and Save You Time

December 13, 2016 by Leave a Comment

 

 

house cleaning tips

Having a hard time managing everything in your life?  You’ve likely got a family to run, a job, pets to walk, cooking, and at this time of year rushing around gift shopping.  After all, everyone wants to ensure Christmas lands with a bang.  The list goes on and on.  So, how do you balance everything?  If finances allow, hire external experts to do the job for you. They can help bring balance into your life and make the that you need.  Your home can benefit from their expertise and they can save you valuable time. Here are some great outsourcing options you should consider to make your life easier:

Hire A Window Cleaner

Cleaning the windows is a time consuming process.  Furthermore, sometimes getting to the upper floor windows is almost impossible. You can hire a local cleaning service for a monthly fee.  However, if you just want a one time cleaning, it is best to pay a one time payment.  This way your windows will be fine for the season, especially the top ones.  You can find window cleaners here.

Hire Someone To Cut The Lawn

It’s fairly easy to get a teenager or someone similar to cut the lawn.  For those of us who are proud of our yards and gardens, having the lawn cut incorrectly is not acceptable. If you are particular, you should consider professional lawn care. This will allow you to enjoy a cared for lawn, and gives you one less thing to worry about.

 

An Entry with a Beautiful Lawn and Colorful Garden

Source

 

Use Professional Power Washing Services

A professional power washer can make your home, patio and drive area look new again.  Power washing your home will remove dirt, mold, and mildew.  It also helps to preserve your driveway, walkway, porch and patio. It’s especially effective if you have color in your drive and it can save you a good day’s worth of work. You’ll only need it done once or twice a year, depending on how dirty it gets. When they’re there you could also ask the operative to give your car a quick wash, the power of the jet wash can remove grime missed in a car wash.

Employ Professional Cleaners

Hiring home cleaners can be extremely beneficial. Cleaning the house is what takes the most time. Usually families tend to have a big clean before Christmas so the house is ready for the decorations and scores of visiting friends and family.   If you have a hectic work schedule then this can be a great benefit to .  Decide if you want to make it a weekly thing.  If you don’t want the added expense you could consider doing it when you really need a break or more time.

Check around for the best prices, and work whatever service you need into your budget. Keeping your home tidy will free up time and give you a little energy for other things. It’s less expensive than you think.

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House Cleaning Tips for Busy Moms

November 17, 2016 by Leave a Comment

house cleaning tips

 

With kids to take care of, work at the office to do, a house to keep clean, and all of the other challenges life throws at you, you’re undoubtedly a busy mom.  Keeping up with it all the housecleaning can seem overwhelming sometimes.  However, by setting realistic expectations for yourself and utilizing these helpful tips, you can keep your home clean and organized:  

Keep Everything in Its Place:

Staying organized will help keep your house from becoming cluttered. Use laundry bins or small tubs to organize your child’s toys in his room.  Baskets are also useful for your cosmetics instead of spreading them out over your bathroom counter.  Laundry hampers in every bedroom will help keep dirty clothes off the floor.   Storage bins are great for organizing crafts and other projects.  Before you go to sleep each night, spend a few minutes putting everything back into its place. It will save you time later and help keep your home from becoming messy.  

Clean as You Go:

Setting aside enough time to clean your home from top to bottom isn’t always possible. One way to help keep your home clean is by putting things away and cleaning as you go.  Make your bed each day to help your bedroom look cleaner.  Put your clothes into the hamper or hang them back up when you take them off instead of tossing them onto the bed or the floor. Take a few minutes after each meal to wash the dishes instead of allowing them to pile up in the sink. This will make meal preparation and cleanup easier and faster.

 Have a Routine:

Having a regular routine will allow you to get things done more quickly.  Schedule your weekly chores for different days of the week so they don’t all pile up for you to do on the weekend.  For instance, do all of your vacuuming on Monday evening, all of your mopping on Tuesday evening, and clean your bathroom on Wednesday.  Doing one load of laundry each evening will keep your laundry from piling up as well.

 Enlist Help:

Make your children part of the team by giving them chores to do. Giving your children age-appropriate chores teaches them responsibility and helps you keep your home clean. Have young children put their toys away each night before they go to sleep. Older children can do the dishes after dinner, vacuum, or do laundry.  Remember to show your kids that you appreciate their help, and praise them for a job well done.  Chore charts are an excellent way to help keep them on track.  

Multitask:

When you can, clean your house while doing other things. When you’re talking on the phone, fold the laundry, do your dishes, or dust. Do a few dishes while you’re waiting for water to boil on the stove. Vacuum a room or clean your sink on a commercial break while you watch your favorite television show.  

Keep Cleaning Supplies Close:

Keeping your cleaning supplies close to you means you won’t have to spend time running to and from the cabinet underneath your kitchen sink, laundry room, or closet where you store them. You can fill small spray bottles with household cleaners, and store them in an apron you wear as you clean. Alternatively, you can put the household cleaners you need into a bucket or bin, and carry the bin with you from room to room. 

Cleaning your home can be a daunting task, especially when you’re a busy mom.  Following our house cleaning tips: cleaning as you go, enlisting help, staying organized, and multitasking can help you save time while keeping your home clean. 

Guest post by Maids by Trade, providing trusted and reliable house cleaning services across the United States for over 20 years.

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A Squeaky Clean House Is Possible Even With Kids & Pets

October 28, 2016 by 3 Comments

a-squeaky-clean-house-is-possible

I know how important keeping a clean house is.  It’s not just about appearances; it’s about how it makes you feel.  Spending time in a place that’s a mess can have a big impact on your mood.  It can lead to feelings of stress and anxiety.  Furthermore, it can make you prone to feeling blue and can even lead to depression.  Your messy house can impact your mental health; however, a clean house is possible.

No home is always perfectly organized and clean.  Occasionally, the mess will take over. This is especially true when you have kids and pets sharing your home.  Kids pull toys out and don’t put them away.  They throw food and tread dirt through the house. Pets shed hair here, there and everywhere, and are also culprits of walking mud and dirt into the house.  However, just because you share your home with children and pets, doesn’t mean it’s impossible to keep it clean. You just need a good strategy.

Become a minimalist

If you want to make the process of keeping your home tidy a little easier, become a minimalist.  This means clearing out anything that you no longer want or need, and ensuring that your home is completely free from clutter.

The best way to go about doing this is to focus on one room at a time and then work through each area of the house.  Be ruthless.  Anything that hasn’t been used in over two months, you most probably don’t need. You can choose to sell your unwanted stuff, or you can donate it to charity.

Always keep your cleaning supplies stocked.  If you don’t have cleaning supplies you can’t have a clean house. It’s as simple as that. So it’s a good idea to stock up on your cleaning items so you can keep your home in shape.

Keep cleaning products that you use regularly stored.  Make sure that your cleaning products are out of reach of  little fingers or that it has a childproof lock on it.

clean house tips

Image Source


Invest in the right cleaning equipment

If you want to keep on top of chores, you need the right equipment. With the right pieces of equipment, having a clean house can be much quicker and easier.

The chances are that you already have a mop, but do you have a steam mop? Steam mops make cleaning so much simpler as there’s no need for a bucket of water or chemicals to clean the floor.  All you need is a small amount of water.  Steam mops clean with steam that can kill 99 percent of bacteria.  Fill them with water, plug them in, and clean the floor using the same motion as you would when vacuuming. You can get six-in-one steam mops that have different head attachments and can be used for all sorts of cleaning. From cleaning the windows to refreshing soft furnishings, and many other areas of the home. If you’re going to invest in a steam cleaner, it’s best to opt for a multifunctional design, so that you can use it for various chores.

A good vacuum cleaner is also a must for keeping your home clean. What is important to remember is that not all vacuum cleaners are equal.  Some are better than others. For instance, pet hair vacuum cleaners tend to have better suction and be more durable than normal vacuum cleaners.  Plus, if you’ve got pets that spread hair everywhere, they’re ideal for keeping on top of the problem. To learn more about this type of vacuum cleaner, read reviews of the best pet hair vacuum cleaners of 2016 online.

It may also be worth investing in a handheld vacuum to use when you need to quickly vacuum up small messes.  The great thing about handheld vacuums is that they’re just as powerful as normal ones but are ideal for spot cleaning.

squeaky clean house tips

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Use containers to keep your home tidy 

Place containers around your home.  Store toys and other odds and ends.  This simple step will help  keep your home tidier.  To make it easier for kids to keep their toys neat, label each container with what belongs in them, such as ‘cars’ and ‘farm animals’. Use pictures if you’re children are too young to read.

Containers can also be used in the kitchen.  Containers can be kept in your cupboards as well as the in your fridge.  By having labeled containers, not only is it easier to keep things neat and tidy but it’s also easier to know where everything is.

Keep on top of the washing

Make sure you keep on top of the laundry.   If you get behind with your washing, it can be a nightmare to catch up with. Having piles of dirty laundry everywhere can make your home look a real mess. Keep all dirty clothes in a laundry bin.

It’s a good idea to have set days a week when you do the washing. This will ensure that you are able to keep on top of all the washing and don’t get behind with it.  Have a laundry basket for each family member.  Place each member’s folded clothing into their basket.  This makes putting the clean laundry away much easier.

Having a clean home when you have kids and pets can sometimes seem impossible, but the truth is it’s not. If you are smart about how you keep on top of a clean house and have a good strategy in place, it doesn’t have to be so much of a struggle.

 

Filed Under: Cleaning Tips, Life-Thoughts Tagged With: , ,

Pre and Post Vacation Cleaning Tips

October 10, 2016 by 4 Comments

tips for a clean house after vacation

 

Taking a vacation once a year is very relaxing. It helps you unwind and take a break from your busy schedule. By the time you resume your official duties, you feel fresh and energized. However, if not planned well, the last days of your vacation can be stressful as you try to run errands and do cleaning chores. Here are useful tips to help you manage the situation with minimal effort.

  1. Plan for your return even before you go on your vacation

Take care of some of the monthly routines before you leave. Pay any outstanding bills. If there are any utility bills that may fall due when you are away or soon after the vacations, contact your service provider and pay in advance. This will eliminate any anxiety due to late payments when you come home. It will also free time to do other things once you are back.

  1. Clean your house before you leave for your vacation

You do not want to be welcomed by a foul smell of dirty dishes or stinky trash.  Wash all dishes and put them away.  Empty the trash cans and keep them clean.  Throw out any food in the refrigerator that will expire while you’re on vacation.

  1. Tend to your lawn

You do not want to find overgrown grass when your return.  Mow the lawn and trim it before you leave.  You can return from vacation with a feeling that you don’t have to immediately attend to the lawn.

  1. Turn all the water taps off before leaving

Make sure all taps in the house are turned off. Especially, during winter when taps are susceptible to freezing. Also, make sure there are no running toilets or water leaks.  This will ensure that water does not spill and destroy your household items while you are away. Things can get messy and cause you unimaginable loss if your valuables get soaked in water.

Post-Vacation Cleaning Tips

You can travel peacefully knowing that you will have lesser issues to attend to when you return home. After enjoying your vacation, plan to travel home several days before you return to the office.  Always give yourself time to rest and get over jet lag.  It is unwise to return to work immediately after your vacation.  Especially if you have traveled a long distance.

Once you get home, unpack and relax. Sort the laundry and do a load when you can without pressure.  If you have pick up and delivery service for your dry cleaning, call your service provider.  If they do not pick and drop services, plan when you will take the laundry to them. Treat yourself to maid services to assist with the cleaning if you can afford it. This will allow more time to rest.

Use your extra time to catch up with your family and friends. If you bought gifts, visit and share the items. Tell them your stories about your vacation and allow yourself to enjoy the memories. Sharing your memories will  lift your spirit and leave you happy and emotionally strong.  Be sure to attend to any matters that could require your time before you return to work.

I hope these pre and post vacation cleaning tips will help you the next time you decide to head out for a little rest and relaxation.  What pre and post vacation cleaning tips do you have to share?

About the Author:  Beverly Jenkins is proud of her staff at The Tidy Maids house cleaning service in Raleigh, NC. She has 24 years of experience in house cleaning, customer service, and business operations. She knows all the tips and tricks and do-it-yourself hacks when it comes to cleaning and her clients’ homes are the best proof for that.

 

Filed Under: Travel, Travel Tips Tagged With: , ,