Cleaning Tips Everyone Should Know
It in not necessary to clean things that are not dirty. Sometimes, all that is needed is a touch-up. You do not need to dry-clean a suit when it only has to be aired, brushed, or pressed. If there is hand print on an otherwise perfectly clean mirror, don’t feel you have to clean the whole mirror, just attack the print.
If you don’t need or like something in your house, give it away, dispose of it, or recycle it rather than having to clean it.
Always clean from top to bottom. (Gravity carries dust down only lower surfaces.)
Surfaces that you or your visitors can’t see – like the top of a cabinet – don’t have to be cleaned regularly. Put
some paper down, and when it gets too dirty, pick the paper up and throw it out.
If you’re vacuuming in a large room, add a 25 to 50 foot extension cord to avoid the exasperation of having to stop and relocate the plug. Be sure the cord has the same power rating as the vacuum.
Place mats strategically at each entrance to collect dirt that would otherwise be tracked in from the outside onto carpets and floors. Encourage friends and family to wipe their feet before entering the house.
Avoid any more walking back and forth than is absolutely necessary by gathering all the supplies you’ll need for a particular project and bringing them along with you at one time in a pail style organizer.
Before using any new cleaning product or an old-standby product on a new item, be sure to spot-test it on an inconspicuous part of the item for possible damage. Pretesting for possible damage is especially important.
To replace a foam cushion taken from a zippered cover, place the cushion in a plastic garbage bag and insert the bag open end first into the cover. Then, all you have to do is pull the bag out, leaving the foam in place.
Be careful when cleaning windows to avoid getting window cleaner on adjacent painted surfaces, furniture, or carpeting and damaging them.
Don’t buy furnishings solely with aesthetics in mind. When purchasing a carpet or piece of furniture, be sure to ask about issues related to maintenance. Look for cleanability codes on upholstered furniture. An “x” code means the piece cannot be cleaned by any method other then vacuuming.
Maximize lighting when cleaning or attempting to remove a stain. That way you won’t miss an important area that requires your attention.
If you plan to have your carpets or furniture cleaned professionally, be sure to remove pets and plants that might be affected by cleaning chemicals. Keep family members and pets out until everything is dry and you are given the “all clear” to enter the area.
