(housecleaning tips, surfaces and windows, floor cleaning tips, preventive cleanup techniques, tips for washing dishes)
Housecleaning Tips
- Prepare and follow a cleaning schedule – Use a schedule to determine when things are likely to need cleaning. By following a regular cleaning schedule, it is easier to maintain a minimal standard.
- Store cleaning supplies in a bucket or plastic carrier. Persons can also use an apron with pockets to carry cleaning supplies while working.
- Label cleaning items and keep them in a location separate from food supplies.
- Never mix ammonia and bleach; the mixture can produce a deadly poison. If cleaning products contain either ingredient, they should never be combined or mixed with anything else.
- Clean the stovetop immediately after cooking.
- Routinely wipe all countertop surfaces after food preparation and clean the microwave after each use.
- Sweep, mop, and vacuum regularly. If an area is missed during one cleaning, it will be addressed quickly the next time.
- Wipe down the shower immediately after bathing when the soap film has not yet adhered to tub and wall surfaces.
- Clean the bathroom mirror regularly, since it tends to gather spots from activity at the sink, such as shaving, tooth brushing, and hand washing.
Surfaces and Windows
- A “static” duster, such as a sheep’s fleece or acrylic duster on a wooden handle, will collect the dust, rather than move/push it from place to place.
- A vacuum or dust buster will pick up the dirt or dust, rather than move/push it from place to place.
- Use a feather duster to dust small objects.
- Dust cloths are now available with furniture polish included. You can find them in grocery stores in the cleaning supplies section.
- When cleaning a tabletop or window, apply the cleaning agent directly to the cloth.
- If you use a spray cleaner, locate the nozzle and spray into the cloth instead of on to the tabletop or window surface.
- You can also use multi-purpose pre-moistened cleaning cloths or wipes designed for special surfaces, such as stainless steel.
- When cleaning windows, clean in vertical and horizontal patterns, using overlapping strokes to avoid streaks. Always work in a consistent pattern, such as left to right, to ensure you’ve cleaned the entire surface.
- When cleaning a tabletop or other surface, use the locating technique to remove all items from the area to be cleaned. Be sure to place the items in a memorable location.
- Use your free hand to measure the work area and use it as a border marker each time you move to a new section. This helps to divide larger areas and surfaces into smaller, more manageable sections.
- Run your fingertips lightly over stove, countertop, and table surfaces to locate food residue or areas requiring special attention.
- When cleaning tabletops, follow a pattern. For example, begin in the far right corner of the table surface, working from the far edge to the front edge. Use small circular movements or overlapping strokes. Work until the entire surface or section is covered.
- Use a tray or cookie sheet at the front edge of the table surface to collect crumbs.
- Always check picture frames, windowsills, and door panels, since dust settles on horizontal surfaces and electrically charged ones, such as televisions and radios.
- Check the cleaning cloth periodically to determine if it needs to be turned or requires more polish.
- Go over the entire surface once more with a clean cloth.
Floor Cleaning Tips
- When sweeping or mopping, divide the floor into smaller sections by using furniture or appliances as “landmarks.”
- Gather dirt toward the feet and move it with while sweeping. Upon finishing one section of floor, use a dustpan or dust buster to collect the pile of dust and dirt.
- Hint: Use the width of the shoulders as a basic sweeping stroke.
- Use a dustpan with a long handle. That way, stooping is avoided and these often come with a broom attached.
- Remember to plan cleaning so that the person cleaning ends up near the dustpan or dust buster and does not “lose track” of the collected dirt.
- Get familiar with the vacuum cleaner so that attachments are easy to find when needed and it will also be easy to change the settings, replace bags, or clean filters.
- Get familiar with the vacuum cleaner so that attachments are easy to find when needed and it will also be easy to change the settings, replace bags, or clean filters