Clean Sweep’s 10 House Cleaning Rules
1. Clean
only what’s dirty. Why clean the whole door if there are only smudges around the
knob? Spot-clean whatever needs it, but leave the rest
alone.
2. Get
it together. Gather all the cleaning products and equipment you need before you
begin cleaning and carry them with you in a bucket or child’s wagon. Running
back and forth for supplies wastes time and effort.
3. Be
orderly. Work in a pattern, from left to right and top to bottom, around the
room, leaving the center of the room last.
4. De-clutter
before you clean. Use a basket to collect magazines, shoes and other stray items
on floors and surfaces before you start cleaning.
5. Be
frugal. Use only as much cleaner as you need. You’ll spend less time wiping up
excess.
6. Don’t
scrub. Let the cleaning products do the work. Pre-treat tough spots, then come back to wipe the
excess off after the products have done their job.
7. Extend
yourself. Use a long extension cord on the vacuum to minimize unplugging and
re-plugging. Buy a duster with a
long handle so you can reach into corners in a snap
8. Read
the label. Cleaning products are formulated, tested and retested for specific
jobs. Use them as specified and don’t dilute then unless directed, it may reduce
their effectiveness
9. Do
a little every day. Cleaning is more easily done in small, regular doses of 10
to 15 minutes a day. Whatever you do, don’t wait for things to get out of hand
before you tackle them.
10. Don’t
forget final touches. Take time to fluff pillows and cushions and arrange
knickknacks. The room will be nice even if everything isn’t absolutely
spotless.
8
Pesky Problems
1. Heel
marks on vinyl floors. Lightly rub scuff marks with a typewriter
eraser.
2. Stuck
contact paper. Wave a hair dryer set on warm back and forth from about 6 inches
away. The adhesive will loosen and you can lift the paper right up. If residue
remains, remove with paint thinner or an aerosol lubricant such as
WD-40.
3. Crayon
or tar on hardwood floors. Freeze by applying ice, then crack into fragments and
scrape them away with a very dull knife or credit card. If residue remains,
remove by carefully wiping it with very fine steel wool and a dab of mineral
spirits. (Be sure the area is well ventilated.)
4. Mildewed
grout. Make a paste of baking soda
and warm water; apply to grout with an old toothbrush. Let sit till dry, then wipe. If stain
persists, rub with a cotton ball soaked in bleach, then rinse well.
5. Grease
spots behind the stove. Rub them with heavy-duty household cleaner and a plastic
scrubbing pad. When the wall is clean, apply a coat of paste wax. Future spot
will come off easily.
6. Finger
smudges on vinyl wallpaper. Gently rub with an art gum eraser (found in
art-supply stores).
7. Greasy
dirt on mini-blinds. Put on a pair of old cotton garden gloves. Dip them into a
mixture of household cleanser and warm water. The run your fingers along each
slat, top and bottom. Rinse
8. Soap
scum on shower doors. Wipe with a solution of white vinegar and warm water, or
spray with laundry pre-wash. If scum is heavy, use a nylon scrubbing pad.
Rinse.
4
Smart Ways To Clean
1. Always
dust from the top down. When the dust falls, it won’t land on something you’ve
already cleaned
2. Wash
wall from the bottom up. Drips are easier to clean off a wall that you have
already washed.
3. When
washing windows, wipe horizontally on the inside and vertically on the outside.
If you end up with streaks, you’ll know which side they are on.
4. Apply
any stain cleaner from the edge to the center to avoid spreading the
stain!