Sometimes it seems like housecleaning is a never-ending, time-consuming chore. Just when we thought we had a day or two off from work, then we have to spend our free time cleaning instead. However, housecleaning doesn't have to consume your free time. With some clever ideas and time-saving actions, you can slash your cleaning time and have time to spend with your family doing the things you enjoy the most.
Instead of spending an entire day or weekend cleaning, clean half the house, or one story of a two-story, on one day or afternoon; clean the other half or other story on another afternoon. Reserve a block of time for the attic, basement, or garage.
Try dusting cloth lampshades with a lint roller. It works quickly and effectively and you don't have to drag out the vacuum and hook up the hoses and attachments. And old sock slipped over your hand makes a great dusting cloth to dust furniture with while cleaning the shades.
Newspaper works great for cleaning mirrors and windows. You'll not only be saving money on paper towels, but you'll be creatively recycling at the same time. Vinegar is an affordable and effective cleaner that can be used on windows and mirrors, and if you wait for an overcast day to clean your windows and mirrors, you're less likely to have streaks.
Soak your toilet with a deep cleaning bowl cleanser while cleaning the outside. The inside dirt and stains will be loosened and more easily cleaned. By using a drop-in cleaner, you can extend the time between scrubbings.
Use a baking soda solution to wipe down the inside of the refrigerator. It scrubs and eliminates odors without damaging surfaces.
When you begin cooking, run a sink of hot soapy water, and wash as you go. Food on dishes won't have a chance to harden, and you'll be that much ahead when the meal is done. Make sure you've got plenty of paper plates and disposable flatware and cups on hand for those nights when your evening schedule is jam-packed with activities
Your kitchen has two enemies the first is grease and the other bacteria. Before deciding to get the excess grease off your kitchen, move all the small appliances off the counter to ensure the bacteria won't flourish underneath the toaster, oven or mixer.
If you have 30 minutes to spare, you can add the following to the list. A few sprays from an all purpose cleaner onto the floor and a damp micro fiber cloth will do the trick in minutes, without the use of a dirty water bucket. You can spray the surfaces of appliances with disinfectant and wipe them dry within minutes.
If you have one hour to spare, begin with the cabinet fronts. Using a solution of soap and water, take a dish sponge and wipe the cabinets from top to bottom. If the cabinets are made of wood, use a wood cleanser.
If you have more than an hour to spare, you can deep clean the appliances. To add freshness to the interiors of the refrigerator, clean it using 3 tablespoons of baking soda with 3 cups of warm water. Wipe the insides of the oven with an all purpose cleanser. With the aid of a plastic scraper get bits of food off the racks. Remove bits of food or crumbs from inside cabinets with a vacuum attachment or a damp cloth.
If the appliances are made of stainless steel wash them with soapy water and use a nonabrasive sponge. Dry with a kitchen towel. If you want to you may smear a layer of -steel polish complying to the package instructions. Then simply wipe off any excess straight away. Get a dry towel and buff the polish on top of the surface. Stop when the surface becomes shiny and the towel comes out dry.
In addition to the above, here are some other handy house cleaning tips:
To remove wax from candle holders, place them in the freezer for an hour or so, the wax will simply slide off the holders.
If your drinking glasses are cloudy, soak them in warm water mixed with vinegar for an hour, then wipe with a nylon sponge.
Remove nasty odors from mattresses by dampening the affected parts with cold water and sprinkle borax over them. Rub the powder vigorously into the affected areas, brushing off any remaining powder.
If you want to remove wallpaper easily, mix equal parts of vinegar and water and roll over the paper until thoroughly soaked. The paper will peel off by itself after two applications of the solution.
To let the garbage bins smell fresh, place slices of lemon in them. The bins will be free of bad odors . While washing delicate cloths in a washing machine place them inside pillow covers and run the machine on a gentle cycle.
For removing crayon marks on the walls, rub a small amount of tooth paste onto them and rub off with a clean cloth.
To wipe mirrors clean, first wipe with a rag soaked in warm water and then wipe dry with a crumpled newspaper.
Both Juliet Sadler & Claire07 Bowes07 are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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