Cleaning Tips: How to Get Your House Ready for Company in 4-hours
But over the years I have learned much about my own and others cleaning habits (or lack thereof) and have gotten some tips from the pros along the way. My sister has her own successful cleaning business, a real wiz, and there was a time when I hired professional help. Amazed at what the cleaning professional could do in 4 hours, I had to pick her brain about her products and methods.
So with the holidays coming up, or any special occasion, this is a good time to share some of the cleaning hotspots that are noticed by company and what to do about them.
Cleaning Products
Cleaning Cloths: Microfiber cloths are the best as they have no lint and are soft yet clean well.
Multipurpose Cleaner: Use one good cleaner that will work on most any surface but wood and glass. I highly recommend Awesome (not Awesome Orange) cleaner. It is at the dollar stores and Wal-Mart and cleans better than any product I know of. It also makes a great spot remover on clothes.
Glass Cleaner: Get a good brand as they tend to evaporate quicker and not leave streaks.You can add alcohol to boost evaporation, which is particularly helpful when cleaning windows during the winter. Do not use harsh chemicals as they will damage mirrors. Windex, ammonia water-based solutions (no alkali) or 5% household vinegar are good choices.
Wood Cleaner: This deserves a separate article to best address all the types of woods and cleaners. In general, avoid the cheap stuff, you get what you pay for and often the wood looks worse. For general cleaning, the less oil the less dust accumulation (e.g. Endust). For deep cleaning wood, Murphy’s Oil soap is good. For oil-based polish, Liquid Gold or Old English (also good for scratch coverage). Pledge also carries some good everyday and oil-based cleaners.
Bathroom / Sink Cleaner: Glass cleaner works well for maintenance and shine. Bon Ami is a good powder scrub, like Comet. but it is more gentle and environmentally safe. Disinfectant products are relatively equal and can be used as needed. Note that glass cleaner possesses some disinfectant properties.
Carry All: Gather your cleaners and supplies and put in a plastic basket or bucket with a handle. Add paper towels, a cleaning brush, toothbrush and gloves if desired.
Cleaning Tips
Ceiling Fan: One of the most dreaded and overlooked chores, clean the blades with a lightly damp cloth (to keep the dust from spreading) and clean the light covers in the sink with soapy water or glass cleaner. If the blades are really dirty try a hand vacuum with a hose attachment for hard to clean areas.
Cabinet Facings: Focus around the handles and where water spots or food splatters may collect. Wipe down the rest of the surface area to brighten.
Silverware / Glasses: Wipe down spotty dishes with a microfiber towel. A good dish-washing detergent, such as Cascade, really helps. Most spot inhibitors only do a fair job, especially if your dishwasher is lacking. Overcrowding dishes is a major precursor to spots.
Curtains/Sheers/Blinds: If you smoke, have pets or have a dusty house, these wall dressings absorb the brunt of the dirt and odor. It is much harder to clean blinds where stains have set. A lambswool duster works well for maintenance. To tackle really dirty blinds, put them in the tub, spray with awesome or glass cleaner. Let sit 5-minutes, use a brush if needed, and rinse. Washable curtains and sheers do well to get a boost with non-chlorine bleach when cleaned or add a little bleach if they are white. Follow manufacturers’ suggestions.
Baseboards: Depending on the size and surface, baseboards are major dust and dirt collectors. They should be cleaned with a cleaner appropriate for the finish, but often all purpose cleaner on a damp rag works best.
Mirrors / Glass The biggest mistake made when cleaning glass is to use too much cleanser. The second is using the wrong cloth. Use just enough glass cleaner on a microfiber or paper towel to clean the surface, then go around the edges. Avoid spraying glass directly, but if you must, watch for spillover. If it accumulates around the edges it will, over time, damage your mirrors.
Knick-knacks: Depending on the surface, if they need more than a light dusting, some will be easier to clean by putting them in the sink and spraying with cleanser, then rinse and wipe down. Set on a towel if needed. For those that can’t be wet, try a microfiber towel with a light coating of dust cleaner.
Carpets: If they look bad, most of your cleaning efforts will go unnoticed. Also carpets hold the smells in the house, even if you don’t notice them. To freshen them the spray on foams work well, particularly Arm & Hammer and Carpet Fresh. The fresh smell lasts for days. For trouble spots try Awesome or a good carpet spot remover – test for colorfast properties. Throw rugs can be used in worn or stained areas and improve the look of old carpeting.
