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The key to effective house cleaning

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picture of a lady doing some house cleaning chores

The most difficult part of cleaning your house is not how hard it is, nor how much you need to think, in fact it is the opposite of these things. The mindless tedium that comes with the chore is due to the fact that you do not have to concentrate, so making yourself carry on with it for so long as it needs to be done can be really difficult, due to how easily you can be distracted.

You will most likely be completely able to listen to thing while cleaning, just like while driving a car, or cooking. Essentially, you can listen to music, or whatever you want to, without it affecting your ability to get the job done, which means that at least part of you could be enjoying what you are doing!

Putting on a favorite album can be a great way to reduce the tedium that comes with household chores, as you would normally listen to such music when you were relaxing. Music stimulates the senses and lets you drift off into a different time in your life that you may associate with it. If you can do this when you’re cleaning, then you may allow a good hour to pass before the album ends and you realize that it all flew by rather quickly.

Basically what you are doing is using up the spare brain power that would otherwise be continually questioning why the clean is taking so long, and how you should be doing something much more interesting with your time! Distracting from such thoughts is pretty essential, as otherwise it will mean that your job is slower, as you drift in to thoughts of doing other things, or procrastinate in order to avoid doing the work!

tired after housecleaning job If listening to music is not really your thing, and you would perhaps prefer to watch TV, then there are many things that you can do in order to reduce the monotony of the process whilst still using the power of listening. Unfortunately the work that you do means that it is hard to watch TV or do much else other than listen, given that your hands and eyes are taken up with the task at hand. You may find similar solace in the power of radio dramas however. Many radio stations have soaps that will weave a story much as a television program would, which will take your thoughts elsewhere and get you thinking about different things entirely to the cleaning job.

If you are not interested in radio soaps, then documentaries are found in the form of informative radio shows as well as podcasts that can be downloaded for the sake of learning about things, which is a very productive thing to do whilst on the task. On a similar note, audio books are the perfect way to up the productivity of your day, as they will lead to you being a lot better read without the time constraints of having to sit down and actually read the thing! You may well find that you even start to look forward to the cleaning, so that you can get on with the story at hand!
This article was written on behalf of: Cleaner House UK – House Cleaning Tips

Simple ways for cleaning your hardwood floors

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young woman cleaning her hardwood floor

To clean hardwood floor to keep them in pristine condition you need to do it correctly. Dirt can cause scratches and abrasions, while liquid spills left untouched have the potential to warp the wood. Here’s a primer to help you get started:

  • Do focus on preventative measures. Ask guests to take their shoes off in the winter. Place rugs at the exterior and interior of doors to prevent anyone from tracking in dirt. Runners work well for high traffic areas. Wipe up spills immediately
  • Do use a dry microfiber dusting pad or microfiber cloth to trap dirt and debris and dust the floor regularly. Once a week, use a vacuum cleaner with a floor brush attachment if necessary.
  • Do deep clean periodically with a mop fitted with a microfiber cleaning pad. Use a green floor cleaning product in a spray bottle, following the instructions on the package. The area you spray should be slightly damp, but not wet. Clean with the grain of the wood. If necessary, wipe over the cleaning product with a damp cloth when finished. Don’t leave any water and make sure the floor dries behind you as you go. In humid or damp weather, turn on a fan or air conditioner to speed the process along.
  • Do use a product specifically designed for your floor. Conduct a spot test before applying to the entire floor. You can even use plain water to clean.
  • Do find out what finish was used on your floor. If it’s a hard finish, such as urethane, wipe up stains with a soft cloth. Don’t use steel wool or harsh chemicals. However, if your floor has a soft, oiled finish, you may have to rub stubborn stains with No. 000 steel wool and floor wax. Depending on the severity of the stain it is often necessary to stain, wax, and buff the spot so it matches the rest of the floor.
  • Do use water-based polishes a few times per year to keep floors protected and restore luster.
  • Don’t use abrasive cleaners or chemicals, such as ammonia.
  • Don’t use wood sprays meant for furniture. This causes build-up.
  • Don’t use a vacuum with a beater bar attachment on it. This will lead to scratches.
  • Don’t use oil soap, such as Murphy’s Oil Soap, on polyurethane surface floors (the most common type).
  • Don’t use soap-based products such as vinegar, steam cleaners, or wax on your floors.
  • Don’t clean with a wet string mop as this will cover the floor with an excessive amount of water.

Following these tips will help you keep your hardwood floor spotless and free of allergens. Preserve the life of your hardwood with the appropriate cleaners. When in doubt, ask a cleaning professional to determine the finish of your flooring.

Do you have any cleaning tips?

How to clean garbage cans so they won’t stink

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How to clean garbage cans to prevent stinking

Is your trash starting to smell? Is there some unknown sticky substance on the can? Time to put on your cleaning gloves and get down to business. Because we tend to throw away food trash, diapers, and other similar items, garbage cans quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria. Nix odor and germs by following these steps for keeping odorless garbage cans in your kitchen:

  1. Practice prevention. Keep your garbage can clean in the first place to cut down on work. Always line the can with a bag and take it out daily.
  2. Never overfill the trash. Fight the urge to push down garbage to fit more. Allowing it to overflow is a no-no.
  3. If your garbage can stays relatively unsoiled, wash it once a month or so. Also wash immediately after any spills or messes.
  4. After removing the trash bag, rinse out the garbage can with a garden hose or even in the shower. Then pat it down to dry it.
  5. Spray the inside and outside of the trash can with white vinegar. Follow with a mist of hydrogen peroxide (don’t mix the two in the same bottle as a chemical reaction can occur). Allow the mixture to sit for a few minutes. It will de-stink and disinfect. You can also use an earth-friendly, non-toxic store bought disinfectant.
  6. Scrub the entire garbage can, inside and out, top to bottom.
  7. Rinse the garbage can with warm water and dry. For best results, let the garbage can air dry in the sunlight.
  8. Be sure the trash can is completely dry before using another trash can liner.

Do you have any helpful tips for cleaning household garbage cans?

Is a messy roommate ruining your cleaning?

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Messy Rommate

Messy roommate? It can be frustrating when the dishes are always piling up and you’re stuck doing the bulk of the washing. Don’t let friction over chores cause an argument. Here are some tips for ensuring your home stays clean and all housemates are happy:

  1. Compromise and reach an agreement on a general level of cleanliness that is acceptable to all parties. Determine what tasks need to be done to maintain it.
  2. List tasks and all supplies necessary. Split the cost of the supplies evenly and take turns shopping for them.
  3. Ask what your roommate doesn’t mind doing. For example, if someone loves to vacuum, by all means assign them that task. If you both hate doing a certain chore, alternate on a weekly basis. If no one likes any of the options, randomly assign chores. For example, pick tasks out of a hat.
  4. Agree on how often each chore needs to be done and stick to it.
  5. Assign chores to each roommate. Write down the tasks on a calendar in a communal area as a reminder.
  6. No one is the same when it comes to how they go about doing something. If the way your roommate cleans the kitchen drives you crazy, consider taking it on yourself.
  7. Each roommate is responsible for looking at the calendar and knowing what they have to do, when, and how often. Don’t nag. If you notice that a roommate is slacking recently, have a friendly chat. Perhaps it has been a busy week at work or they’re going through a rough patch. Offer to switch chores and let them do something easier temporarily. Hopefully they will return the favor.
  8. If a roommate is just plain messy and skips their assigned tasks repeatedly, call a house meeting. Calmly discuss what is going on and what can be done to remedy it.
  9. If you are both messy or you don’t have time to get everything done, hire a full service cleaning company and split the cost.

By dividing the job and sticking to a schedule, each roommate will only have to do their fair share of housework. Keep the lines of communication open so that no one feels slighted or taken advantage of.

How do you divide housecleaning with your roommate?

House cleaning hazards and how to avoid them

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sliding on a wet floor is one of the most common house cleaning hazards

 

Cleaning your house may not seem like an activity that can lead to injury. While it’s not a full contact sport, there are hazards to watch out for. Tweaking some of your housekeeping habits will help you stay safe. Check out these common cleaning hazards and learn how to avoid them:

  • Sprains, Strains, and Pain: Lifting heavy objects incorrectly leads to back pain and sprains. Always keep feet shoulder width apart, your back straight, and knees bent. Lift with your legs and hold the object close to the body. Moving large containers, darting back and forth between tasks, and even simply bending into an awkward position can easily cause injury. Be sure to stretch, prior to cleaning, to warm-up your muscles.
  • Falls and Slips: Falling carries the risk of broken bones, sprains, concussions, bumps, bruises, and even death in severe cases. Never stand on a chair in an attempt to grab something out of reach. Instead, use a step ladder, which is more stable, or ask for help. Be cautious when floors are wet while mopping. Always make sure the stairways are free of objects.
  • Cuts: Washing knives, picking up broken glass, and dealing with sharp items, means cuts are par for the course. Be careful whenever you’re handling an object that could break. Wash knives and sharp objects individually instead of reaching into a sink full of soapy water for them. Rubber gloves offer a little extra protection as well.
  • Breathing Problems: Your lungs can get irritated by dust, fumes from cleaning products, pet dander, etc. If you have allergies or asthma, coming into contact with certain irritants can trigger an attack. Try wearing a mask if you find that you’re having difficulty breathing. Opt for non-toxic, green cleaning products to further reduce harmful toxins. Don’t mix chemicals, such as bleach and ammonia, as it will produce toxic gas that can lead to shortness of breath, coughing, chest pain, wheezing, and sometimes fluid in the lungs. Explosions have also occurred due to mixing.
  • Eye Issues: If your eyes come into contact with cleaning products, it can lead to serious irritation. Again, try to use eco-friendly products and wear safety goggles if eye irritation is a risk. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions if a chemical enters your eye.
  • Poisoning: Label all cleaning products and don’t forget to lock them back up in a cabinet as soon as your done using them. Children in particular are at a high risk for accidental poisoning. Using non-toxic formulas is always ideal.
  • Burns: Water hotter than 120 degrees F will burn the skin within a few seconds. When washing dishes in hot water, wear rubber gloves. Be careful cleaning the oven and stove top. Chemical burns are also a common household hazard. Chemicals, such as those that contain strong bases and acids, have the potential to leave behind anything from skin irritation to third degree burns. Keep your skin protected while using harsh chemicals, or better yet, use natural cleaners.

Follow these tips for injury-free house cleaning. Be aware of the risks and then take the steps to avoid them. Switching to earth-friendly, non-toxic cleaning products and wearing protective clothing will go a long way in keeping you and your family safe. Or, you can call in a maid service company to do the job for you.