Fact: cleaning is no-one’s favorite job. Every homeowner detests the cleaning process, but it’s an essential part of life. After all, it’s so much nicer when the dust and dirt is gone. We all enjoy a clean and tidy house, but keeping it that way is never easy! In fact, staying on top of the regular cleaning is one of the most stressful things about owning a house. But, don’t worry. Over the years, we’ve picked up some tips and tricks to make the whole process easier. We can’t guarantee any fun! But, we can at least guarantee a clean home.
The trick is to stay on top of things regularly. But, if you do find yourself in need of a big, long clean, here’s how to get started. The following is a complete and thorough guide for cleaning your home and garden from head to toe. We’ll cover the basics, and take you right through to the exterior of the home. Remember, it’s not just the insides that need to look and feel their best. The important thing to remember about cleaning is that it’s also essential for the general maintenance of the house. When dirt builds up, it damages the fibres of the home. In extreme cases, it can erode the structural quality too. It’s not just about aesthetics when it comes to cleaning! Without further ado, let’s dive into our thorough list.
Dusting – We suggest that your main cleaning tasks always start with a good dusting from head to toe. There’s nothing worse than cleaning the whole house and then dusting. Suddenly, you throw up bits of dirt all over the place. It ruins all your hard work! That’s why you should get the duster out first. Get into every corner (skirting boards are always the worst offenders). Get behind the beds, cupboards, and wardrobes. This is where dust builds up the most. It also helps you get a sense of how much cleaning work needs to be done.
Vacuuming – Once you’ve given everything a good once-over with the duster, you can get the vacuum out. This will catch any of the settled dust thrown up by your previous activity. It will also help you give all the carpets a thorough, deep clean. Ideally, you should vacuum the house at least once a week. If you’ve got pets with long hair, you’ll probably have to vacuum twice a week or more. Again, get right into the corners, and use the extension nozzles to reach the tricky areas.
Bathrooms – Bathrooms are probably our least favourite place to clean! Toilets and showers gather dirt like nothing else, and it’s worth getting stuck into the bathrooms regularly. The more often you clean them, the less disgusting the task! If you don’t clean the bathrooms regularly, you risk long-term damage. When mold, bacteria, and residue build up, they eat away at the grout and bathroom appliances. The moist environment is a breeding ground for bacteria, so be careful here. Use rubber gloves and bathroom chemicals like bleach to keep everything clean and tidy.
Kitchen – Like the bathroom, kitchens are another area that are very susceptible to dirt and grime. With constant cooking and eating, it’s very easy for food and dirt to build up. It’s also a high-traffic environment with children and pets running through with dirty feet and shoes! Our main piece of advice is to tackle the kitchen regularly, and try to stay on top of it. You’ll need special cleaning products for the oven, tiles, and the fridge. Again, these are breeding grounds for bacteria.
Patios and exterior – Now that we’ve covered the problem areas inside the house, let’s turn our attention to the exterior. Your first job here is making sure the patios and pathways stay clean. It’s often difficult to spot the dirt buildup, because it happens so slowly over time. The best thing to do is get your hands on a pressure washer. These are high-powered jets of water that blast the dirt away seamlessly. You can use them on patios, paths, and even the house itself if you’re careful. Finally, get in between the cracks and remove any growing moss and weeds.
The roof – As a house owner, you probably haven’t considered cleaning the roof before. But, it’s a vital and essential job. Unfortunately, this isn’t one you should attempt on your own. Getting on the roof is dangerous and requires expert tools. But, over time, dirt and growth on the roof will deteriorate the condition of your tiles. That’s why modern roof restoration is so important when it comes to exterior cleaning. These experts will keep the tiles and gutters clean from damaging dirt and buildup. It’s also worth keeping your eye on dirt and algae in the gutters. It’s not just unsightly, but could cause flooding and other problems.
Bonus advice!
Now that you know how to get your house looking spick and span, here are some bonus tips for helping it stay that way. Remember, the longer you leave it, the worse it gets!
Take one room at a time – The cleaning often seems like a mammoth task when you leave it for long periods of time. To break it down into small chunks, just tackle one room at a time. It’s surprising how quickly you can clean up a room when you set aside one evening. Rather than focus on the entire house at once, make it a little easier for yourself!
Make it a habit – Cleaning only works when you make it into a scheduled habit. When you let it build up over time, the potential damage only gets worse. Try to work the cleaning into your daily schedule. Always wash up the dishes after a meal, for example. And, when you leave a room, do a quick check to make sure it’s all tidy and clean.
Get everyone involved! – Finally, rope the whole family into the job. Give the children specific cleaning tasks as part of their chores. Make it into a fun activity!
We know you all dread the cleaning, but use these tricks and tips to make it simple and easy. Good luck!
