Let’s be honest most of us don’t enjoy cleaning and if we can speed it up and make it easier, we sure will. But cutting corners is not always the best, and can end up making your cleaning and tidying even harder and, in-turn, you will develop some bad habits that will be hard to shake off.
If you have developed a few bad habits now is the time to start breaking them so you can develop a faster easier cleaning routine. Start breaking these habits one at a time and you will soon have a clean clutter-free home.
Stop Letting Paperwork Build-up
Post, bills, school letters, magazines, and newspapers have a habit of building up and if you don’t sort them out as soon as they come in you will have a mountain of paperwork before you know it. Stick to online banking and billing where you can and stop that mountain from building up.
Don’t Overuse Cleaning Products
A Little Goes a Long Way
Using too much cleaning product or laundry detergent is not always wise as it can cause much more harm than good. If the product is not rinsed away properly the residue that is left over can become a dirt magnet trapping in dust and leaving streaks.
Remember a little always goes a long way and by using too much you are wasting time and money.
Wet Towels and Shower Curtain
Get into the habit of not leaving wet shower curtains bunched up and towels in a heap. By pulling the shower curtain across the bath after each use it will dry more quickly and stop mould and mildew build up. Hang your wet towels to fully dry before folding them this way you will get a few more uses and you will lighten your laundry load. During the summer months you can always hang up outside for an hour let the summer wind dry and the sunshine disinfect.
Stop Wearing Shoes in the House
Most of us do take our shoes off, but sometimes we do get into that situation where we have forgotten an item and just need to dash in and pick it up or we are too embarrassed to ask guests to remove their shoes.
The few seconds it takes to remove your shoes will save you vacuuming time, not to mention all the bacteria and germs that can be found on the bottom of your shoes. For ease use good quality door mats that soak up mud in the wintertime and keep a shoe rack close to your entrance.
Make Your Bed
If the rest of your bedroom is clean and tidy but the bed is not made your room will look messy. After airing your bed in the morning, get into the habit of making it and encourage everyone in your home to do the same, even younger children can make their beds. If you are short of time in the mornings lighten your load by having fewer fancy cushions on your bed, keep it simple.
Always Dust Last
Dust falls like snow, so when you are cleaning a room always start at the highest point of the room and work your way down, start with the cobwebs and lightly dust walls and surfaces before you bring out your vacuum cleaner.
Don’t Forget to Clean the Things that Clean for You
You aren’t going to get good results if you and using a dirty vacuum full of dust or a mop head that is filthy. A dirty mop is just going to push dirt around your home. If your washing machine has a bad odour from bacteria build-up and your clothes are not going to come out nice and fresh. Schedule into your cleaning plan, once a month to focus on your washing machine, dishwasher, vacuum, and dryer plus clean your mop head after every use.
Don’t Leave Dirty Dishes in the Sink
Instead put mugs after a cup of tea straight into the dishwasher instead of leaving them in, or around, your sink area. Leaving dirty plates and cups in the sink is a breeding ground for bacteria and will make your kitchen look untidy. Encourage everyone in your household to get into this simple habit.