Archive >> Zachary >> November/December 2007 >> Articles >> Clean Thoughts: Neat House & Morning Glory Blossoms:Beautiful But With Short Life Spans!
06/Dec/2007
Clean Thoughts...Neat House and Morning Glory Blossoms: Both Beautiful but With Short Life Spans!
Triple Crown Cleaning of Zachary
Some of us are okay with cleaning and some are not! Some excel at home cleaning and some just do not.
Nevertheless, taking care of our homes is a deed we all must undertake and it is one that can evolve into a vicious cycle. Housework is never really done. Clothes are always getting dirty along with dishes, floors...I could go on, but why?
A clean home is like a wonderful blooming morning glory. And, like a morning glory, it is beautiful while it lasts, but it does not last long. As soon as the kids get home and folks return from work there goes all of your hard work. So it is a vicious cycle; vicious and continuous.
Valuable Tips
In all my years of experience I have picked up some valuable tips on cleaning that I am willing to share. (Note to cleaning professionals: Please stop reading now).
First of all, simplify your home. Save what you love and get rid of the rest, because you will have to dust it and clean around it every week. Believe me: remove the clutter and you will rediscover your home.
Secondly: organize. Not everything, just some cute baskets or bins to corral small items. Go for it! Clean off that kitchen counter! While I was growing up, my mom had a “junk” drawer, I have three.
Short, Sweet and Painless
My next tips are short and sweet and quite painless:
(1) Clean from top to bottom and back to front. Thus, no dust can get on clean surfaces.
(2) Sweep before mopping and dust before wet cleaning. Invest in some Pledge or other furniture polish. I love the way my wooden furniture looks freshly polished.
(3) Clean your mirrors when time allows. They look so beautiful print and smudge free.
(4) If you have pets spray your carpet and furniture. Use a static remover prior to vacuuming to help with hair removal.
(5) When sweeping wood floors: spray your broom with furniture polish so dust and debris doesn’t fly everywhere.
(6) My favorite product is Clorox Wipes. I admit I am addicted and can’t survive without them. They are wonderful to have in the kitchen as well as the bathroom.
(7) Keep a container of any antibacterial wipe in each bathroom. They are great for a quick clean up and are multi-purpose. Cleaning the toilet is my least favorite chore. If you are like me and want to gag (especially when pregnant) when you clean the toilet, my advice is to clean it more often. Between cleanings, pour in a cup of your favorite fragrant cleaner, let it sit for a while, brush, flush, leave a capful of cleaner in the bowl for fragrance and finish the seat with a Clorox wipe and voila, clean commode.
(8) In the kitchen: Focus on sanitizing the sink, fridge, door handles, food prep areas and trashcans often. Salmonella and other food borne pathogens are for real, and one must be cautious.
(9) Another helpful cleaning tip: Wash the kitchen sponge in the dishwasher.
(10) Last but not least: You want your house to smell good, so Febreeze has become a good friend of mine. And the product comes in so many scents. Plug-ins are useful as well. A home that smells fresh promotes clean.
For what it’s worth, these are 10 bits of wisdom gained through blood, sweat and tears. When my home is clean, I am content and wonderful to be around. I wish you all a very happy, healthy and clean holiday season.
