Cleaning a house can feel like an overwhelming task, and most of us simply don’t know where to start. What are the steps that need to be taken? How to clean a house properly? Where can I get help if needed?
Cleaning can sometimes feel like you’re trying to tame a whirlwind. No matter how much work you put in, it never seems quite enough. But fear not! Knowing the proper steps and tackling the problem with a clear plan in mind can make cleaning your home something any of us can do with relative ease.
The key is to approach this task one step at a time rather than being overwhelmed by it as a whole. Plus, it can be surprisingly rewarding when you reflect upon the favorable result of all your hard work.
So if you’ve been dreading having to clean your house again, don’t worry! With just the right amount of knowledge and effort, cleaning a house properly doesn’t have to be such a grievous task after all.
Benefits Of Cleaning A House
Cleaning your home can have a wealth of positive effects on your life. It sets the tone for day-to-day living. It allows you to enjoy your mornings and evenings without worrying about an unclean house’s messiness. With that being said, here are some of the primary benefits you’ll reap from cleaning your house properly:
? Better moods
We all know of the benefits of a clean home. It looks nice, and finding things that have been put away is much easier. But did you also know that regular house cleaning has other powerful benefits? Studies have proven that it can even give us a better mood!
When we take the time and energy to spruce up our homes, it gives us a sense of accomplishment that can lift our spirits. Plus, it make us feel more content in our environment. Plus, sitting back and surrounding yourself with freshness when you’re done is nice.
Regular cleaning offers us numerous psychological advantages: mainly feeling organized, orderly, relaxed, productive, and inspired. All of which can boost our overall good moods. So don’t underestimate the power of tidiness; keeping your house neat is aesthetically pleasing and can work wonders internally too!
? Less Exposure to Allergens
Cleaning your house regularly means you can benefit greatly from less exposure to allergens. Allergens such as dust mites, mold spores, pet dander, and pollen are always present in our homes. They build up over time until they’re eventually kicked into the air when we move things around or open windows or doors.
By cleaning your home regularly to reduce dust accumulation and tackle any moisture-filled areas prone to mold growth, you can significantly limit your exposure to these triggers. Vacuuming carpets and curtains with a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner is particularly important. This will ensure that dust particles don’t get stirred up into the air again. However, spring-cleaning your entire house all at once every few months will also help keep allergies under control – all year long!
? Keeps The Pests Away
Most pests, such as ants and cockroaches, rodents like mice or rats, and even larger wildlife creatures like raccoons or squirrels, are drawn to areas with easy access to food and shelter. If food is left out on the counters or floors, crumbs and spills can accumulate in the room’s corners, and clutter collects in large piles around the house.
These types of animals have the perfect environment to make their home. However, when a house is regularly tidied up, there are fewer places for them to hide or find sustenance. It makes much more difficult for them to establish themselves in your home.
Keeping your home neat and clean can also help deter other bugs like fleas or spiders from residence indoors. So although some may see cleaning as an edifying chore, its true purpose of pest prevention shouldn’t be lost on anyone!
? Better Sleep
That’s right – a squeaky clean house might just give you the best night’s rest you’ve ever had. Studies have shown that living in an environment free of clutter and mess can significantly reduce stress levels. Moreover, it helps promote relaxation leading up to sleep time. Not worrying about items waiting for you to clean or organize can also be a huge comfort.
As such, dedicating just a little bit of time each day to ensure that all surfaces are dusted, floors swept, dishes rinsed and put away, bathtub scrubbed, etc., will cater to our mental well-being. It reduce anxiety associated with being restricted by walls filled with disorderliness.
? Increased Productivity
Taking the time to tidy up can help increase productivity in various areas of your life. Everything from work performance or studying for exams to creativity. Regular daily tasks can benefit from creating a clean and organized living space. You don’t have to reorganize every week, but intentional cleaning increases focus on every level.
Decluttering allows us to make room for creative tasks we wouldn’t otherwise have time or mental capacity for. Swapping a layer of dust for overdue projects and passions helps bring more light into our lives.
Being able to identify the objects around you and having confidence that everything has its place can bring peace of mind. Furthermore, it improves productivity within the job market or amongst peers. Cleaning a home is not just about having a pretty living space. It can be viewed as an investment in self-growth and value if done intentionally.
? Saves Money
There are many ways in which maintaining a clean house can help you stretch out your budget. For starters, when you keep your house tidy and organized, you’re less likely to purchase something you already have but may need to remember since it’s buried in clutter somewhere. This means you can use the cash for something else instead of wasting money on a duplicate.
Additionally, suppose dust or dirt accumulates in areas such as the kitchen and living room. In that case, it can lead to long-term damage or repairs that wouldn’t be necessary if these items were routinely cleaned. Regular cleaning helps prevent such expensive situations from occurring!
Finally, when you keep up with tidying and organizing tasks around your home, annoying chores like laundry don’t pile up so high. They’re easier to manage, so laundry doesn’t become costly, either.
? Reduced Injury
Sure, a messy house can look inviting and cozy at first glance, but as many know, that mess can quickly become hazardous. From tripping over toys strewn about the living room to cut yourself on hidden kitchen knives beneath the dishes, the consequences of an untidy abode can be quite serious.
Keeping your home clean helps reduce these potential risks by ensuring all hazardous items are put away properly, eliminating slippery floor hazards, and ensuring all surfaces are free from dust and dirt that may obstruct your view as you move around your house. Setting aside a regular cleaning schedule will help greatly reduce the chances of any serious injury taking place within your home.
? Warm Welcomes
There is nothing quite like the feeling of walking into a home that has been freshly cleaned. That feeling of warmth and comfort greets you as you walk through the door, accompanied by a sense of relaxation from knowing that all tasks have been taken care of.
Cleaning a house offers many benefits beyond this warm welcome, however. Not only does it help maintain good hygiene and improve the living environment overall, making our homes a place where we can truly enjoy life and take pleasure in our surroundings.
While it is true that cleaning can take time and effort, its advantages are well worth the effort. Clearing away clutter counteracts stress and depression, inviting family members to work together to produce results for everyone to appreciate. A clean home not only gives you a feeling of fulfillment but also brings a boost in energy. Plus, it increases productivity within an individual’s own life.
Steps On How To Clean A House Properly
Ready to take on the challenge of cleaning your home? Here are some simple steps to help you get started:
① Start Off By Decluttering
Cleaning a house properly starts with decluttering. This can seem overwhelming to many, but it doesn’t have to be. Start by going room by room and removing the items that don’t belong there. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself if the item has been used within the past year. If not, then chances are that it’s an item you can get rid of to reduce clutter.
As you remove items, ensure they’re being put away in their proper storage area or put into a container designated for donation or recycling. This makes your home look cleaner instantly and ensures all necessary items remain easily accessible. Once you’ve tackled the tough work of decluttering, cleaning your house should be a breeze!
② Apply Products and Walk Away
Once you’ve decluttered your space, it’s time to apply some cleaning products and walk away. This step is important because it allows the products to do their job, killing germs and removing stubborn spots that have built up.
Doing this is quite simple: all you need to do is apply the product and allow it to sit on the surface for a specified time. This gives the product time to break down any dirt or particles stuck onto various surfaces. Whether it be bathroom fixtures, kitchen countertops, tile, grout, or other items.
The specifics vary depending on what type of cleaning product you’re using (and what surface it’s applied to.) Therefore, always read directions carefully and follow them explicitly.
③ Clean Your Ceilings and Walls
You don’t want dust, cobwebs, and stains haunting your home. In order to make sure you get rid of all the dirt, it’s important to start cleaning your ceilings and walls first.
Firstly, collect any necessary tools like a ladder or bucket for getting into those hard-to-reach places. Next, you’ll need to fill the bucket with warm soapy water suitable for the surface you are cleaning (if you don’t know what kind of paint was used on your walls, then read the label before using any products).
Soak a soft cloth in the water and wring it out until it’s damp. Too much moisture will leave streaks on your walls! Besides wiping down all surfaces to remove dust and build-up, you can use an extension rod with a duster or vacuum if needed.
Finally, rinse the area with water after scrubbing gently and dry it completely with a microfiber cloth to avoid streaks.
④ Do The Dirty Dishes
Doing the dishes is probably not something most people look forward to, but ensuring your dishes and cutlery are clean is important. To start, make sure everything is scraped clean from all food residue. You should have a separate sink with warm water for washing and one with cold water for rinsing.
Plates can then be loaded into the wash basin before adding a few drops of dish soap. Afterward, scrub each plate hard with a soft scrub brush. Make sure to get both sides – before placing them in the rinse basin. Finally, dry each plate completely with a kitchen cloth and put them in their designated cupboards or shelves.
⑤ Clean Under Sink Cabinets
Make sure to have vinegar, baking soda, dish soap, microfiber cloths, sponges, and scrubber brushes on hand. To avoid dirt from collecting in previously cleaned areas, start cleaning under the sink from the top down.
Start by removing any objects that may obstruct your cleaning process and set them aside. Wipe off all surfaces with a damp sponge or cloth. Then, use a mixture of vinegar and water. Then, poured into a spray bottle for extra stuck-on dirt or grime on these surfaces. Next, rinse off with warm water. Then, use baking soda and water paste to clean any shiny metal parts like pipes thoroughly.
Finally, don’t forget about garbage disposals. Deep clean them using half a cup of baking soda and one cup of white vinegar, followed by hot water from the tap to run down this drain to remove build-up that may have created clogs over time.
⑥ Clean Mirrors
Start by gathering the necessary items for this job: glass cleaner, towel cloths, and possibly a squeegee. The glass cleaner should be sprayed onto the glass directly, then wiping it off using lint-free towel cloths.
If they are particularly dirty, you might have to repeat this process before polishing off any remaining residue with a dry cloth. Lastly, if you want ultra-shiny glass, you can always grab that squeegee for some serious shine!
⑦ Tackle The Windows
For anyone living in an area with a lot of pollen, it’s especially important to include the windows in your cleaning routine and ensure they’re spotless. You should start by thoroughly dusting them on both sides with a microfiber cloth. If that doesn’t get all the dirt off, you can use gentle cleaning products like soap and water or vinegar mixed with water for tougher jobs.
Ensure you have enough cloth to rinse out any cleaning solutions before wiping down the window panes. A squeegee can also come in handy for removing excess liquid. However, be careful – rubbing too hard or leaving too much excess moisture can strip paint from glass surfaces or corrode window frames. So, be sure to work gently!
⑧ Don’t Forget About Your Baseboards
Baseboards are that strip of material along your wall that often get forgotten about when it comes to deep cleaning. However, this task is essential for giving your home a truly clean and tidy feel. To clean them efficiently, it is best to start by using a vacuum with a crevice attachment to remove any dirt and dust from inside the grooves in the baseboard.
Then you can apply some all-purpose cleaner with a soft cloth or the same crevice attachment from the vacuum if possible. For extra sparkle, you can opt for an old toothbrush and some baking soda to carefully scrub away any tough stains or residue.
⑨ Vacuum Your Furniture
When it comes to vacuuming your furniture, there are a few tips that can help make sure that your furniture looks spic and span.
To start, always make sure you’ve thoroughly dusted the surface of each piece. This ensures that when you start vacuuming, you won’t just be dealing with surface dust. Next, attach the appropriate nozzle to your vacuum cleaner.
For most surfaces like couches or mattresses, the crevice attachment is ideal, reaching deep into the fabric to draw out germs and dirt particles. Lastly, use short strokes over each area, concentrating on seams and folds to ensure clean all those tough spots are.
⑩ Mop Your Floors
Another important step to thorough cleaning is mopping your floors. This will help clear away dirt and grime that have accumulated over time. To do this correctly in no time flat, you’ll need a few things: special mop buckets, specifically-made detergent, the right kind of mop head, and lots of elbow grease – it’s hard work!
First, fill up one bucket with warm soapy water for scrubbing and another one for rinsing. Then take any furniture out of the way before using your mop head to scrub the floor from corner to corner. Make sure also to get into all the tight spaces.
You’ll need to rinse off with clean water as you move along until all directions have been covered. Finally, you can use a dry cloth to absorb any remaining moisture and make it sparkle!
⑪ Scrub and Disinfect The Bathroom
Don’t forget to give your bathroom a good scrub down! To begin, arm yourself with some rubber gloves and protective eyewear. Ready? Now it’s time to go to work! Start by clearing off any surfaces with a damp cloth.
Next, use an all-purpose cleaner or a disinfectant to scrub down toilet seats and other surfaces that people may touch – like the door handles and light switches. A sponge or microfiber cloth should do the trick for outside surfaces. On the other hand, you can use an old toothbrush or pipe cleaner to clean cracks and crevices around grout lines. Be diligent with frequently used bathroom items – like faucets, door knob handles, and toilet flush buttons.
These areas often get overlooked, yet come into contact with multiple people during the day. Once everything is properly cleaned and dried off, it’s time to freshen up the space with some pleasant-smelling cleaning products!
4 Ways To Maintain A Clean Home
Maintaining a clean and tidy home can be quite a challenge – especially if you have a busy family life or don’t have enough time to devote to it. However, with a few simple tips, you can keep your home in tip-top shape and enjoy a cleaner environment for yourself and your family. Here are some tips on how to maintain the cleanliness in your home:
⓵ Establish Good Habits
The key to maintaining a clean home is to establish good habits. This means making sure that everyone follows the rules when it comes to cleaning up after themselves. For example, always ensure dirty dishes are washed immediately after meals. In addition, put away all items or toys when not in use.
You could also designate specific days of the week when certain chores should be done, such as laundry day or vacuuming day. This will help reduce clutter and keep everything organized.
⓶ Invest in Quality Cleaning Supplies
Quality cleaning supplies are essential for keeping any home clean and tidy. Ensure you have all the necessary cleaning products, such as rags, sponges, brushes, buckets, mops, and more, so that you always have what you need before beginning any cleaning task.
Additionally, investing in specialty products like window cleaners or carpet shampoos can help make tackling tough stains easier. Just make sure to read any product labels carefully first!
⓷ Set A Schedule
When it comes to keeping things organized (and staying sane!), setting a schedule is one of the best ways to stay on top of things. Whether it’s an hour each day for tidying up or specific tasks each week for deep-cleaning purposes – having a timeline will help ensure that everything gets done on time so that you’re not scrambling at the last minute!
⓸ Get Everyone Involved
Last but certainly not least – don’t forget to get everyone involved! Having kids help out with smaller household tasks like picking up their toys or making their beds can be great practice for them while helping keep your house clean at the same time. And if it still feels like too much work? Consider hiring someone else who can do all of those tedious chores for you – freeing up valuable time. Therefore, you can enjoy more quality time with your family instead!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does a professional cleaning service cost a lot?
While using a house cleaner might sound expensive, it’s actually much more affordable than you think. Professional cleaners are trained to use efficient time management and detail-oriented cleaning methods to ensure the job gets done right the first time. That being said, what you get out of it often outweighs the cost. You don’t have to worry about cleaning up after yourself, and to get your house sparkling clean every week is a great way to save time while still having a beautiful house. So although it can seem pricey at first, you’ll quickly find that the benefits of a professional cleaner make the cost worth it in no time!
Q: How do you clean wood floors that are waxed?
If you have waxed wood floors, cleaning them can be tricky. The key is to not use anything abrasive, like steel wool or strong chemical cleaners – because even though these might be effective for other floors, they’ll ruin the wax protection layer on the wood. Instead, wood cleaners are specifically designed to clean wood and wax simultaneously. Apply a small amount of wood cleaner to the floor with a mop and rinse it off with water afterward. This should be done regularly and not just once or twice a year, as wood floors need regular maintenance to look their best and last for years.
Q: Can I use a magic eraser to clean walls?
Whether or not you can use a magic eraser to clean your walls really depends on the wall’s material. Most walls are made with some sort of paint, which a magic eraser can typically be used to remove dirt and grime safely. However, if your walls are textured or made with any other material, a magic eraser could cause damage by scratching off too much of its surface. It’s always best to ensure you’re familiar with the material before taking any cleaning measures!
Q: What is the right way to clean a washing machine?
The right way to clean a washing machine is to use hot soapy water on the highest setting. Then, add some odor-removing detergent or baking soda. If you’re concerned about stain spots, add a small amount of bleach to the mix. Allow the washer to run through its full cycle, then repeat twice more with hot water only. Finally, open the door and let it air dry before closing up. Cleaning your washing machine regularly ensures that all dirt and bacteria are removed. Therefore, dirty laundry day will be hassle-free!
Q: Why is regular cleaning important?
Keeping a clean home is essential for leading a peaceful and comfortable lifestyle. A cluttered space can be overwhelming, and the mess can cause unnecessary stress, so regular cleaning helps to alleviate this. Even simple tasks like wiping down surfaces and vacuuming carpets make a huge difference in maintaining a healthy environment. Plus, it’s so much easier to find things when everything is cleaned up! Regular cleaning also prevents dirt and grime from forming, which could lead to health issues such as respiratory problems or allergies. Avoiding dust accumulation means you won’t have to put extra effort into deep cleaning later, either. By taking small steps every day, you can enjoy your safe and structured space while also improving the air quality of your home!
Final Words
Cleaning a house properly is no easy feat. However, the effort will be worth it when you can relax and enjoy a sparkling space free from dirt and clutter. Starting with the basics like vacuuming, wiping down surfaces, and doing dishes can help you ease into more deep-cleaning tasks or even part-time cleaning jobs. Take your time, use the right supplies, and don’t forget to read the labels on cleaning products to make sure they are suitable for what needs cleaning. With these strategies in mind, you’ll soon have a sparkling-clean home!
