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For several years I worked with a janitorial service cleaning offices.
From that
experience I learned many tricks to make your house cleaning chores easier
and faster.
First, decide on the level of disgust that makes you uncomfortable. If you
don't mind a little dust but can't stand clothes on the floor, concentrate
on that problem.
Second, treat house cleaning like a job - schedule a regular time to
clean,
put it on a calendar as you would a business appointment and keep that
appointment. Enlist your family in the project. If everyone works
together, all
the chores are quickly completed.
Third, assemble your tools. A pro has a cart to push around but that is
not needed in a home. Buy or make a caddy that holds your cleaning supplies.
Put a duster, liquid cleaner, damp rag or sponge, dry link free towel and
window cleaner in it and store it in a convenient closet. If you don't
have
small children, keep additional supplies where they will be used -
bathroom
tile cleaner, toilet brush, etc in the bathroom, cleanser in the kitchen.
Fourth, set a time limit. If you know that you have one hour to finish all
your
weekly cleaning, you will become efficient and organized.
Fifth, decide what is to be done on a daily, weekly, monthly and
semi-annual
basis. For example, daily chores could include pick up all clothes and put
in
proper place, dishes washed, garbage taken out, countertops wiped down
and books and magazines put away. Weekly chores could include dust
surfaces and window sills, wash TV, computer and windows where the dog
puts his nose, vacuum carpets, mop kitchen and bathroom floors and clean
toilet. Make a list of your items and choose how often they need to be
done.
Okay, now you are actually ready to start. Begin in one room and put
everything in its proper place. Then clean the upper surfaces by dusting
the
tables and window sills. Clean the tv and computer screen. Clean counter
tops and sinks and toilets. Last, clean the floor surfaces. Vacuum and
mop. Voila! Your first room is done. Repeat for the other rooms of the house.
Turn on lively music, turn off the television and just do it. Set your
timer and
see how much you can accomplish in the allotted time. Professional janitors know that cleaning isn't particularly fun but it
needs to
be done. If you treat it like a job, scheduling time, what needs to be
done
and a reward you will find that cleaning your house will be a lot easier. |