Honestly, cleaning, in general, can sometimes be a very tough task for all of us, especially if we do not know how to get it done properly. I am always in search of new and easy cleaning ideas for my home and personal items. Is it the same for you? If yes, then here are 10 wonderful golden rules of cleaning that are sure to make your life easier!
Clean it up sooner rather than later
Spills and stains are generally much easier to clean up immediately. For instance, if you mop up a tomato sauce stain off your clothes without any delay, it will offer very little resistance whereas if you postpone it for the next day, it will require significantly more effort. Similarly, carpet stains are easier to deal with when they are still fresh. However, there is an exception for muddy carpets as they will be easier to clean when left to dry.
Clean from the top
Cleaning from top to bottom always gives better results! When you are cleaning the entire house, start on the top floor and then work your way down in order to avoid soiling the rooms that you have already cleaned. When you are cleaning a room, you should first remove the spiderwebs and mold from the ceiling. Then, you should dust the ceiling fans and light fixtures, followed by window frames and wall hangings. Moving downwards, clean the furniture and floor. A similar approach applies to windows and mirrors. This ensures that dust falling from the top does not settle on something that has already been cleaned below. You would not want to clean your room twice, would you?
Start with dry methods then finish with wet
When you are cleaning your room, start with the cleaning jobs that require dry methods, for instance, dusting, sweeping, and vacuuming. Then, move on to the wet methods, for example, using an all-purpose cleaner and glass cleaner, and mopping. In this way, there will be less dirt clinging to the wet surfaces.
Start with the least harmful approach
First, use cleaning methods that are gentler before moving to more aggressive methods if needed. Good knowledge about the materials being cleaned must be acquired in order to avoid damage. For example, I found it better to let go of a small spot on my stove rather than ruining its shiny surface!
Let time do the work for you
A little time management trick will make your cleaning easier and faster. When you are planning to clean, first spray your cleaning chemicals where necessary and then find another task to do while the sprayed solution is working. In this way, when you come back to wipe clean, there will be very little scrubbing left to be done.
Carry your supplies with you
To carry the necessary cleaning products with you while cleaning is time-saving. When moving from room to room during your cleaning routine, it will be a lot more convenient for you to have either a large bucket, a rolling supply cart, or an apron with large pockets to carry your cleaning stuff with you.
When in doubt about new products, do a stealth test
Before using a new cleaning technique or product, you should test it on a small hidden area of the object. Likewise, while cleaning delicate objects, products should be tested first to prevent damage.
Avoid using too much of product
Do not apply large quantities of cleaning products. Instead, spray the product on the wiping cloth first and then apply it on the object. Overuse of cleaners can damage electronic appliances or any fragile objects.
Read the instructions on the cleaning products carefully
The manufacturers of a certain cleaning product will definitely know how best to use it. Therefore, it will be a good idea to read and follow the manufacturer’s directions when cleaning anything. Furthermore, the directions and cleaning tips of the appliances or items themselves should be taken into consideration. I personally never remove the care labels that come on clothes or other washable objects to ensure proper handling.
Protect yourself
Taking care of yourself is very important as many cleaning products contain acid, bleach, abrasive, and other substances which can damage your eyes, skin, nose, and even your lungs. My aunt, who worked as a cleaner, had an accident with strong detergents and got her feet damaged. So, you should compulsorily protect yourself with gloves, safety glasses, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and caps. In addition, protect your nails by applying petroleum jelly on them thus keeping them from drying, roughening, and splitting. You should also prevent your chemicals from mixing as they can be dangerous. For example, the combination of chlorine bleach and ammonia produces poisonous gases. Proper ventilation of your room will prevent you from inhaling any poisonous gases.
I bet that if you follow these 10 golden rules, you will get your cleaning done quickly and effortlessly! Please do not forget to share your personal experiences below!
