Cleaning your house thoroughly and keeping it that way takes time, energy, and motivation. If you struggle to find the time to do the job yourself, it’s wise to hire someone else to do it for you. If you live in London, check out domestic cleaning in North London.
However, we do understand that not everyone can afford to hire cleaning services (maybe you treat yourself to it once in a while), which is why this guide offers the best tips for cleaning your home yourself and how you can further cut down costs!
How to Get Started
The first thing you’ll need to do is decide what you want to clean and then how often you want to clean it. Is your goal just to get your house in order, or would you like a once-over every week?
If you have children, will they be part of these cleaning sessions? If you have smaller kids around the house, you’ll need to clean more frequently.
Once you’ve decided on a schedule, start with your floors. Sweep them daily (or as needed) and mop them weekly. Make sure you use an all-purpose cleaner that won’t leave behind streaks or residue.
Next, tackle the bathrooms. Give sinks and toilets a good scrubbing at least once per week, and don’t forget about showerheads! For these smaller details, you can do a deep cleaning once a month.
Use the Right Tools
There are two types of cleaning tools, those you buy and those you make. You’ll need to invest in a few extra pieces of equipment to make your house sparkle—and it will be worth it!
Here are the basic tools you’ll need for a full house cleaning:
- Broom
- Dustpan
- Brush
- Dust mop/Vacuum cleaner (with attachments)
- Scrubbing brush or sponge
- Dishcloth or sponge
- Window-cleaning supplies (glass cleaner and paper towels)
- Bathroom cleaning supplies (scrub brush or sponge with stiff bristles)
- Cloths for polishing furniture and mirrors
DIY Tools
For more specialised jobs like washing windows or scrubbing floors, you may want to invest in some additional supplies. If you want to reduce costs, you can even use basic household items to help clean your home:
- Vinegar to deodorise (remove the odour of wet mops or any unwanted smell)
- Baking soda to scour (great for removing rust off of showerheads, sinks and other metal surfaces)
- Lemon juice to brighten surfaces
- Salt for removing stains from cutting boards
Thus, you don’t necessarily have to spend money on expensive store-bought cleaners; there are plenty of ways to cut costs with DIY cleaning hacks.
For example, instead of buying glass cleaner, mix together 1/2 cup water, 1/4 cup white vinegar and two tablespoons of alcohol. This mixture works just as well as commercial glass cleaners but costs pennies instead of pounds.
Stay Motivated with a Schedule
If you work all day, then go home and do chores like laundry and cooking, it’s unlikely that you’ll have time to clean correctly. By trying to fit everything into one night a week, you may be setting yourself up for failure.
It is also important to understand that hiring a cleaning service once a month is not enough to maintain your house. You need to think about how you want things done and create weekly tasks so that you can work towards a goal and not waste time planning each day.
For example, if you want to vacuum every Sunday morning before church or before guests arrive, set a reminder or assign it to a family member beforehand.
The same goes for dusting, mopping and other cleaning tasks; if you can make these chores part of your regular routine (and have everyone in your household pitch in), then they will take less time.
Tips to Clean Faster and More Effectively
Though cleaning isn’t everyone’s favourite chore, it is an integral part of a healthy home. The last thing you want to do after a long day at work is spent another hour scrubbing surfaces, toilets and carpets.
However, when your home is clean and organised, it helps reduce stress and keeps you feeling more productive throughout your day. These tips will not only help you get your house sparkling clean faster, but they’ll keep that sparkle as well:
- Use natural products instead of chemical-based cleaners. You can find plenty of natural alternatives to household cleaners at your supermarket or health food store. As a bonus, they’ll cost you less too.
- Tackle small areas first; larger tasks will seem less daunting if you start with something small and manageable, like wiping down countertops or organising your spice cabinet.
- Set aside a specific time limit each day to clean; don’t try to tackle all chores in one sitting—this approach is sure to lead to frustration and exhaustion.
Conclusion
This guide will ensure that cleaning becomes an easy task, even for those who hate it. The best way to keep a balance is to hire a cleaning service once in a while to take a break from household chores. Their deep clean, professional services will ensure that your house remains sparkly for a longer time period so that you can sit back and relax.