![]() Dragging out a bucket and mop, then repeatedly dunking it in dirty water seemed like I was just spreading germs and dirt to every corner of the room. Photo by David Reber's Hammer Photography Photo by David Reber’s Hammer Photography 14. ![]() Playing some good tunes (and, perhaps, rewarding kids with a treat afterwards) will ensure it doesn’t seem like a chore. Put on some dance music, set a timer for 10 minutes, and challenge your family to do a quick “power clean.” This gets the family to help out and allows you to focus on a spot that needs a little extra attention (like the fridge). The coating from the dryer sheets repels dust, which means less work for me later. Her tip: “I attach the sheets to a Swiffer sweeper and run it over the baseboards about once a week. Kate Murtha’s secret to clean baseboards is using dryer sheets. When it’s always set, family members will be less likely to toss their junk down on the table when they walk in the door. Place down a mat for a week and see how much dirt gets trapped in the treads - it’s shocking! Now imagine if the mat weren’t there all that dirt would end up in your house instead. The proof is in the pudding for this one. Houselogic recommends you keep your home’s humidity level between 40-50 percent to keep static to a minimum and discourage dust mite growth. On the flip side, too much moisture creates an ideal environment for dust mites (ick). Too little moisture in your home leads to static electricity, which causes dust to more easily stick to surfaces. Giving everyone (including your cat or dog) a place to hang their items right inside the door you use the most will help reduce the amount of stuff you have to pick up later. Designate A Hook (Or Cubby) For Each Family Member Homelogic estimates it can cost anywhere from $300-$600 to clean the ducts of a 2,000 square foot home. While having clean ducts isn’t proven to reduce the amount of dirt in your home, it can help reduce airborne allergens and increase the efficiency (while reducing the strain) of your heating and cooling units. If you play your cards right, you can (((gasp))) train husbands and kids to carry it upstairs too. I even put a basket at the bottom of the stairs and load it with items that need to go back upstairs and get put away. Not only do I have baskets to hold shoes, but I use baskets to hold pet toys, kid toys, mail, you name it. If the shoes stop at the door, less dirt will get tracked throughout the house. Place a shoe basket near exterior or high-traffic doors at your home. Thanks for the tip, mom! Photo by Acme Canine 5. Now that I have my own home, I’m a believer. ![]() My mom always told me to brush them outside to keep the hair and dander that come loose out of the house. I’ve had multiple pets since I was a kid. It will cut down on the amount of deep cleaning you need to do. Every time you’re in that area, do a quick clean. Stash Cleaning Supplies Around Your HomeĬlean queen, Alyson Lewis, recommends you tuck cleaning supplies in inconspicuous, yet convenient spots of your home (i.e dust cloth in a desk drawer and paper towels in the bathroom closet). Sweeping out your garage regularly will help reduce the amount of dirt and debris your family tracks into your home. Sweep Your GarageĮven if your garage door is sealed well, your car and everyday commuting will bring dirt into your garage. When you get in and out of your car, you unknowingly can track that dirt into your home. This can allow dust, pollen, and debris to creep into your garage. Over the years, exposure to outdoor elements will deteriorate the rubber seal on your garage door and allow gaps in the seal. ![]() If you get frustrated like me, try these 19 tips to help your home stay cleaner, longer. It seems that even if I spend 3 hours cleaning one part of my house, when I turn my back, something gets dirty and dusty or something is left out. Wish your home would stay clean for more than 5 minutes? Join the club. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |