You’re Cleaning These 3 Rooms Wrong
A clean home is a happy home. And you always do your best — or at least try — to keep it that way. But what if we told you that you could be making more of those precious minutes you spend tidying up? Merry Maids‘ resident queen of clean Debra Johnson has a few tips on how to effectively scrub the three rooms in your home that need the most love. With all sorts of cleaning hacks, products recommendations, and stain-busting tips, she’ll help get your home back to its sparkling self, saving you time in the process.
The Entryway/Foyer
Don’t let grim in the door. With summer activities in full swing, your home’s entrance is bound to get more traction. And since it’s the first place guests see when they walk through the door, setting a clean tone is v important. Johnson suggests placing a doormat or shoe scrubber outside the door, as well as a shoe tray in the foyer to encourage visitors to keep their shoes — and dirt that comes with them — out of the house. “It’s also helpful to keep a small hamper in the mudroom to throw dirty or sandy clothes and towels in, instead of bringing them into the house,” Johnson recommends.
Keep a vacuum handy. To cut back on outside elements entering the door, Johnson says to “keep a vacuum — even just a small handheld one — in the foyer to stop the debris in its tracks.” A quick daily power-on is a surefire way to keep things tidy, while also cutting back on allergens and other unwanted substances from filling the air.
THE Kitchen
Do a daily clean. A kitchen is the main event during months of hosting and having the kids at home. Therefore, it’s important to make daily cleaning a thing — even if it’s just for 15 minutes or so. Johnson encourages starting with the dishes to avoid overfilling and smell. From there, take to the counters to get them as clear as possible. “Have the kids take any of their belongings to their rooms, put the mail where it belongs, and so on, ” Johnson says. While they do that, you can tackle the scrubbing. For the cleanest surfaces, “Wipe the sticky messes with warm water and mild dishwashing liquid — avoid citrus for granite and stone counters — and a microfiber cloth. Grab a fresh, dry microfiber cloth to dry off the countertops to avoid leaving behind water marks,” she says. Once all three steps are complete, you’re set. Just don’t forget to put these actions on autopilot for the rest of the week.
Free up the refrigerator. With so many BBQs on the agenda, you can expect an abundance of leftovers in your refrigerator. As much as you’d like to keep them around, Johnson proposes making a weekly task of getting rid of food (basically, anything that’s been in there more than three days), as well as doing a complete fridge wipe-down. To accomplish this, she suggests “[wiping] down the handles with a disinfectant spray and [removing] residue with warm water and a microfiber cloth.” Both actions will keep your fridge clean and clear for the rest of your gatherings to come.
THE KidDo’s Room
Make it a game. Since the kids are no longer in the classroom, keep them entertained at home while actually helping your cleaning cause. “[I] recommend creating a weekly chore chart that incorporates games into the cleaning to make it fun,” Johnson says. Kids love a race, so try a timed “speed clean” before bed, or a microfiber cloth “skating game” on hardwood floors. Track their progress on a poster or chart so they can beat their times with each attempt. “Rewarding them with a new toy or book once per month for keeping their rooms tidy can help too,” Johnson says.
Storage is key. Involve kids in the organization process. According to Johnson, “Everything needs a place, so buy clear storage bins and label them — by child, type of toy, or whatever system works for you — to make the cleanup process easier.” When it comes to clothes and towels wet from the pool or sprinkler, invest in a few hampers designated specifically for damp items. It’ll help keep other pieces of laundry from getting wet and taking on that dreaded mildew smell that is #theworst.
Do you have any tips for cleaning your home? Tweet us by mentioning @BritandCo.
(Photos via Getty)
