You want to keep your house clean and tidy, but you don’t have hours each week to devote to deep cleaning. You don’t want to pay a fortune for house help either. Home cleaning and maintenance shouldn’t be so hard, but many of us don’t know really where to begin.
With the right cleaning and maintenance techniques, you can easily keep your home in top shape without spending lots of time or money. This article takes a comprehensive look at home cleaning and maintenance tips that will help make keeping your home fresh and simple.
Everything from daily tidying up all the way through deep cleaning the carpets is included! I’ll even cover seasonal cleanings like the dreaded spring cleaning.
Develop a cleaning schedule
Creating a cleaning schedule is one of the best Home Cleaning and Maintenance Tips you can follow. A cleaning schedule sets clear boundaries so it’s easier to stay on top of the messes around your house.
It also allows you to efficiently divide up your home cleaning tasks. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by having to clean everything at once, develop a cleaning schedule that breaks down each task into manageable chunks.
For example, one day could be designated for vacuuming carpets and another for dusting blinds. Additionally, you could plan for washing windows every other week or throwing out clutter once a month.
Once you have your schedule in place, assign days of the week or certain times of the month when each chore needs to get done and write them down on a calendar or sticky note somewhere visible in your house so you keep organized!
Use all-natural cleaning products
Using all-natural cleaning products can help you keep your home clean and healthy. Chemical-based cleaners may be effective, but they usually contain toxic ingredients that can make it hard to breathe or cause skin irritation.
That’s why natural cleaning products are the way to go for anyone trying to reduce their exposure to harsh chemicals. Natural products are often made from plant-based or mineral ingredients that have little impact on air quality inside your home.
Plus, many of these all-natural cleaning products are surprisingly effective when it comes to tackling tough messes and odors around the house. Whether you’re fighting dust, grime, grease, or gunk – there is a completely natural cleaner that will do the job without risking your health in the process!
So next time you need to deep clean your carpets, wash your windows, or mop your floors – reach for natural cleaners instead of chemical ones!
Vacuum and sweep regularly
Vacuuming and sweeping your floors regularly helps keep dirt and grime at bay. Not only will it make your home look cleaner, but regular vacuuming and sweeping can help to extend the life of your flooring.
It’s especially important to vacuum and sweep if you live in a dusty area or if you have pets that shed a lot. The frequent vacuuming pulls up all the debris particles, pet dander, and other bits that could get lodged into the fibers of carpets or rugs. Sweeping gets rid of any dirt and debris that was missed by the vacuum cleaner.
Part of good home maintenance is cleaning up messes as soon as they happen too. If something spills on your floor, clean it up immediately with a damp cloth so it doesn’t have time to stick around and stain or damage your flooring.
Dust surfaces frequently
Dust surfaces frequently to keep your home clean, cozy, and healthy. This can increase the lifespan of your furniture and help you avoid allergies from dust mite debris.
Start by buying the right dusting tools for the job like microfiber cloths, electrostatic clothes, lamb’s wool dusters, or natural brushes. Also use a vacuum cleaner with an air filter to capture fine particles so they don’t float around and stick to furniture or other surfaces in your house.
To avoid spreading even more dust when cleaning hard surfaces, first spray them down with an all-purpose cleaner and wipe them in one direction with a damp cloth. You should also frequently wash lamp shades and curtains to remove any built-up dirt or dust.
When you’re done wiping down surfaces, don’t forget to wash your own hands so that you won’t bring any extra dirt back into your home!
Clean appliances regularly
If you want to prevent your home from becoming dusty and full of dirt, it’s important to clean appliances regularly. The same applies to carpets, curtains, and furniture–the surface of the appliance is a major component of your home’s overall look.
When cleaning appliances, use a damp cloth and mild detergent, making sure to wipe dry afterward. If necessary, use a specialized cleaner for more tough stains on fridge interiors or oven surfaces.
You should also make sure to defrost your freezer at least twice a year. For best results, empty the freezer before you start the process and turn off the power; this will help you avoid any unforeseen damages during the thawing time.
Once finished, do a final round of wiping with a soft cloth to ensure no debris remains and then turn back on the electricity so your food can remain properly preserved!
Clean and organize closets and storage spaces
Closets, attics, and basements are often jam-packed with seasonal items and forgotten memorabilia. Cleaning out these storage spaces can be a time-consuming project, but the rewards will be worth it!
As you free up your closets and you have made room for the things you like to store there, take the next step towards organizing it. Determine where to place each item that is returned to the closet, such as hanging up clothes and coats on appropriate hangers or storing rolled towels in baskets.
Hanging organizers are handy tools when dealing with smaller items like accessories. Apportion out certain sections for specific items such as mittens, hats or athletic gear so everyone in the family knows exactly where to put things away once they find them.
Don’t forget about your attic and basement too! Boxes of holiday decorations and old magazines can take up a lot of space. Use simple shelving units to organize product boxes and create a convenient place for frequently used items.
Disinfect frequently-touched surfaces
Regularly disinfecting frequently-touched surfaces in your home is extremely important. This includes doorknobs, light switches, kitchen and bathroom counters, and any other items that are touched regularly.
The good news is that many common household cleaning products are effective at killing the germs and bacteria that may cause illness. Just be sure to read the labels closely and use the product as recommended by the manufacturer.
To save time and energy you can make a disinfecting solution right at home using household ingredients like vinegar or rubbing alcohol. In most cases, all you have to do is lightly spritz objects with the mixture and then let them air dry.
It’s fast, easy, and cost-effective — plus it can help keep your family healthy!
Wash bedding and towels regularly
It’s important to regularly wash bedding and towels to keep your home looking and smelling clean. Not only that, but washing your linens is also essential for hygiene and sanitation purposes.
Washing your sheets and pillowcases every week helps reduce the number of dust mites and other allergens in your bedroom. It also improves air quality since dust mites are a major source of indoor air pollution.
For towels, it’s best to wash them after each use to prevent the spread of bacteria and germs. Doing this on a regular basis will help maintain good hygiene while keeping the bathrooms in your house looking tidy and presentable.
So make sure bedding and towels are part of your home’s cleaning routine! It will make all the difference when it comes to giving your home that “just-cleaned” fresh look and feel we all love!
Clean windows and mirrors
Cleaning windows and mirrors can be a tricky task but it’s necessary to maintain them in good condition. You also want to keep them clean to improve the aesthetics of your home.
Start by dusting off the window or mirror with a dry cloth. This will help loosen dirt or grime that has built up over time and is stuck on the surface.
Once you have dusted away any dirt or grime, it’s time to start cleaning. Use a glass cleaner and some paper towels to wipe off your windows and mirrors until they are streak-free.
Be sure to rinse off any excess soap or soap residue as this can cause smudging when it dries. Finally, give your surfaces one last polish with a microfiber cloth for a crystal-clear finish!
Sweep and mop floors regularly
Sweeping and mopping floors regularly is an essential part of home cleaning and maintenance! It will keep your floors looking beautiful and prevent the build-up of dirt and dust.
Before you start, make sure to get all your materials together. For example, a good quality broom, slate head mop, a bucket (preferably with wheels), floor cleaner, and disinfectant wipe cloths can come in handy when it comes to keeping your floors clean.
Once you have all the materials required for sweeping and mopping your floors, it’s time to begin! Start by using the broom to sweep away any dirt or dust particles that might be stuck on the floor surface.
Then fill up the bucket with hot water mixed in with a small amount of floor cleaner. Using the mop head, dip it into the bucket for a thorough cleanse before beginning to mop over your shiny clean floor.
Remove stains and spills promptly
No matter how hard you try, stains and spills are unavoidable. So if you clean them up quickly, you’ll save yourself a lot of hassle in the long run.
Removing stains and spills promptly is essential for maintaining the aesthetic appeal of your home and furniture. Plus, stains on carpets, rugs, and fabric furniture can be stubborn and difficult to remove.
When tackling tough stains, act fast. Fill up a bucket with hot water and detergent of your choice – add some white vinegar for extra cleaning power – then use a scrubbing brush to gently lift the stain off the surface.
For smaller spills, like coffee or red wine, try blotting with paper towels first before applying liquid cleaner for tougher marks that require special treatment.
Keep the bathroom clean and disinfected
Keeping a bathroom clean and disinfected is essential for your home. Cleaning regularly will help you avoid any build-up of mold, bacteria, and dirt.
Start by removing all items in the bathroom such as towels, mats, toothbrushes, and razors. Once everything is out of the way you can start cleaning surfaces with soap and water.
Next focus on disinfecting hard surfaces like the sink, countertops, toilet bowl, bathtub, and shower walls with an EPA-registered disinfectant that can kill germs quickly.
Finally, make sure to address moisture issues in the bathroom like using a fan when showering or running the exhaust fan periodically throughout each day to reduce humidity levels which helps avoid mold growth. Following these steps will ensure your bathroom stays safe and clean!
Regularly check for mold and mildew
Mold and mildew can both be *very* hazardous to your health and to the structural integrity of your house. That’s why it’s important to regularly check for them in all areas of your home, even if it doesn’t appear damp or humid.
If you spot residual moisture in a certain area, it’s especially important to check the affected sites for mold growth. Look out for an unusual musty smell or a suspiciously dark underbelly on carpets and rugs that have been exposed to excess moisture.
Check around window frames, tiled surfaces, and bathroom walls for any sign of mold exposure. This includes discolored patches or stains on your walls that are either black, white, greenish, or yellowish in color.
Call in professionals as soon as possible if you suspect mold because it can spread quickly if left unchecked – better safe than sorry!
Bottom Line
Home cleaning and maintenance seems like a tedious endeavor to an outsider, but those who take the time to keep up with these tips will be rewarded with a home they can be proud of.
There’s nothing like coming home to a house that shines. Regular care and maintenance are essential if you want your home to stay looking its best, so make sure you commit to these practices as often as possible and enjoy the results!
