How to clean your house quickly, window cleaning: 15 tips that will make your work easier
Every home – large, small, an apartment, or a vacation house – gets dirty. And while there is no single way to clean a living space, there are tricks to help you be more efficient. Whether we are talking about window cleaning or dusting. Set up a tour of your home, from the kitchen and bathroom to the bedroom and living rooms, to learn the basic cleaning rules, as well as a few tips that will help you sanitize the space thoroughly and efficiently. Because, whether we admit it or not, cleaning is a chore for most of us. But, with the right products and a little planning, you can minimize the time you normally spend sanitizing your home.
Table of Contents
- Create a system
- Clean from top to bottom, left to right
- Keep the right products handy
- Useful tips for cleaning the house
1. Create a system
Cutting your cleaning time in half starts with a system. This means cleaning the house in the same order every time: taking one room at a time and setting up a logical circuit so that you don't waste time running back and forth.
To reduce time, you must be consistent – that is the whole premise. Try to do the same thing every time you clean; that is, have a routine. Routine is the method, and this is an inherently better way to clean, because speed comes from method, not from rushing. You really can clean your house in half the time. It’s not a trick.
2. Clean from top to bottom, left to right
Do not start a room by wiping the coffee table, then cleaning the blinds, and continuing with window cleaning, only to see the dust from the blinds settle on the surfaces you just cleaned. It is most efficient to start at the top of the room, such as dusting a ceiling fan, and work your way down to the floor to eliminate redundant work. Also, cleaning from left to right ensures that you cover the entire room instead of walking from place to place.
3. Keep the right products handy
Having all the tools and cleaning products you need on hand means you won't waste time walking back and forth to the cupboard under the sink. Whether it's a mop, window solution, or cloths, if they are close to you, it will be much simpler to use them. This is especially true for high surfaces, such as chandeliers, or when dealing with window cleaning or door frames.
4. Window solution and squeegee, the tools for immaculate windows
Can't get the desired shine with just a window solution and paper towels? Then your weapon of choice is a professional window squeegee. Spray the cleaning solution on the glass, wipe with precision, and then remove the liquid with a squeegee. Use a top-to-bottom motion and wipe the blade at the bottom each time to get a streak-free window.
If you don't want to use a squeegee, you can resort to a window solution and a microfiber cloth. When wiping with the cloth, use horizontal movements and move from top to bottom. Do not try a window cleaning technique by scrubbing in circles, because you will leave marks, and avoid wiping the window with newspaper or paper towels, as they leave residue.
5. Don't spread the dust
A feather duster works great for cleaning blinds, windows, corners, and other areas. The duster works well for routine dusting, but for areas heavy with dust, you will need to use a vacuum cleaner. The important thing is not to push the dust from the furniture onto the floor or other nearby objects, because you will only make your work harder.
Before you start dusting, make sure fans and air conditioners are turned off. Start with the top of the furniture and the underside of shelves, banisters, picture frames, jewelry, and TV screens. For hard-to-reach areas, such as blinds and top shelves, use the duster. Change the bedding in bedrooms before vacuuming.
6. Eliminate grease stains in the kitchen
Splatters or grease stains inevitably end up on kitchen cabinets, especially those above or near the stove. You can use a degreaser to wipe away the grease or even reach for a dish detergent for removing grease.
You will mix a tablespoon of liquid detergent with a liter of warm water. Test the solution in an inconspicuous area, wiping it with a sponge or a clean cloth, to ensure that it will not damage or discolor the finish. Then rinse with another sponge and warm water.
For tough stains or deposits that won't come off with detergent, mix baking soda with water and gently scrub the problem area with a cloth.
7. Use lemon
Rust stains on patios, porches, garage floors, and driveways are unpleasant, but you don't necessarily need chemical solutions to remove them. Instead, use a lemon. The acid in lemon juice will dissolve the rust. Cut the lemon in half, squeeze the juice onto the stain, and let it soak for about 10 minutes. For old stains on concrete, you can try scrubbing with a stiff-bristled brush. Then rinse the lemon juice and dirt off with clean water.
8. Eliminate mold stains
Mold haunts bathrooms that are not well ventilated because water remains on the walls. If possible, use an anti-mold solution before painting or anti-mold plaster.
To prevent mold from returning, use a fan when there is a lot of steam in the bathroom. After a shower, take a few minutes to clean the water off the tiled walls and shower door. Also, ventilate rooms prone to dampness daily.
9. Eliminate limescale deposits
If limescale deposits have stained the sanitary fixtures, do not clean them with very abrasive brushes or sponges because there is a risk of scratching the surfaces. Instead, use white vinegar. Pour a little vinegar on a clean cloth and wipe the faucets. It doesn't take much effort to make them shine.
10. Declutter
Before you start cleaning, make sure to pick up all obstacles, whether it is clothes, toys, books, or glasses. You cannot clean in clutter, just as clutter cannot be allowed in a clean house.
11. Wipe mirrors and glass surfaces
Use a damp microfiber cloth and a window solution, followed by a dry cloth to wipe all mirrors and glass surfaces.
12. Disinfect countertops and surfaces
Identify, wipe, and disinfect hard surfaces – from countertops, appliances, and cabinets to door handles, light switches, TV remotes, and phones. It is advisable to disinfect many of these surfaces, especially those that could transmit germs to users.
Klintensiv Tip: Use a disinfectant that does not damage sensitive surfaces. KlinAll® is an effective product that cleans and disinfects; it can be used on various surfaces, in any room of the house, and in personal vehicles. The product does not contain chlorine and can even be used by people sensitive to strong odors and substances. A high-generation disinfectant that does not stain, bleach, or discolor. The contents have certified virucidal, bactericidal, fungicidal, and yeasticidal action.
13. Focus on the bathtub, sinks, and toilets
Spray detergent on the kitchen sink, then on the bathroom sinks, bathtubs, and toilets. Let it act for a few minutes so it has time to dissolve dirt and stains. Clean and rinse with plenty of water. Don't forget to wipe the inside of the microwave.
And while you are in the kitchen, make sure the trash can is in good condition. Don't forget that the waste container also needs to be cleaned and disinfected.
14. Sweep or vacuum first, then mop
Sweep the kitchen and bathroom floor. Start by wiping from the farthest corner of the room and move toward the threshold. Rinse the mop every time you finish an area of approximately 1 square meter. For the rest of the house, use the vacuum cleaner whenever necessary, but no less than once a week.
15. Cleaning your cleaning tools
An often overlooked part of house cleaning is maintaining your cleaning tools. Using a dirty mop or a vacuum with a full bag is much less efficient, and you will end up spending more time trying to clean the house.
Conclusion
A deep clean of a house involves dusting, vacuuming all surfaces of the house from top to bottom, including corners and hard-to-reach areas. Curtains and windows will also be washed, furniture will be cleaned and sanitized, and, most of the time, everything no longer needed in a home will be discarded. Sure, deep cleaning is done a few times a year, usually at the change of seasons. There are several benefits to regular deep cleaning (not the least of which is having a fresh start), such as eliminating allergens, dust, and mold, and preserving the integrity of paint, trim, furniture, and appliances.
On the other hand, weekly cleaning aims to maintain a pleasant and hygienic environment in the home. This usually involves wiping kitchen and bathroom surfaces, vacuuming, dusting, taking out the trash, and, if necessary, a window cleaning session. Disinfecting surfaces, especially those in the bathroom and kitchen, is an important part of weekly cleaning.
Sources:
https://blog.nationwide.com/home/home-maintenance/how-to-clean-house-fast/
