With every passing season, a good home deep-cleaning is very important to make sure everything is in order as the climate starts to change a bit.  This year, this is even more important.  Not only is the summer coming to an end but the schools are also slowing going to be reopening.  These are unprecedented times and it will be crucial to keeping your home clean and sanitized when the kids are going back and forth from school.  While there are many cleaning services back up and running in the area, it is also important to familiarize yourself with how to thoroughly clean the house without professional help.  Here’s your guide to getting started and have the cleanest house on the block-

 

Make sure you have the proper materials and cleaners!

Before you get started, you need to make sure you are stocked with the essentials.  This might take a little time due to current demand but is worth the time and effort.  Not only will having everything prepped and ready for cleaning make you more efficient, but it will also give you a peace of mind knowing your home has been properly sanitized.  Here is a starting list for everything you should get together:

·        Vacuum

·        Mop (if you have hard floors in your home)

·        Gloves

·        Microfiber Towels (make sure to have many of these!)

·        Window Cleaner

·        Toilet Brush

·        Appliance Cleaner

·        A Bucket

·        Bleach

·        An All-Purpose Cleaner

·        A Scrubbing Brush/Grout Brush

·        Supply Caddy

• · 

Clean smarter, not harder.

It’s best to stick to one room at a time and remember to always start with the room that will take the longest, if possible.  That way, you’re less likely to stop in the middle of a room.  This is more often than not the kitchen, followed by bathrooms.  Not only are these the most used rooms in the house by the whole family but they are also the rooms that naturally carry the most germs.  Once you’ve established a game plan, make sure to pick up anything on the floors or counters to ensure a more efficient cleaning process.  When cleaning a room, always start from the top and work your way down, moving from left to right.  Getting into this habit will ensure you are less likely to miss a spot.  Also, dust and debris will most likely fall while you’re cleaning so you can vacuum afterward.

·        If you’re planning on mopping, make sure to vacuum first, then mop, and vacuum again when the floors are all clean.  While it seems excessive, this is the most tried and true way to make sure the floors are actually clean. 

·        Use microfiber hand towels when wiping all of the surfaces of the house.  These will clean more efficiently are much less likely to leave streaks like paper towels.  Added bonus- they are also environmentally friendly!  Make sure to switch these out OFTEN.  You don’t want to be cleaning a surface with a dirty towel. 

Don’t underestimate a good dusting. 

This step is often overlooked in many parts of the house and it shows.  Not only does neglecting to dust properly attribute to the house getting dirty faster, it also can encourage allergies.  Before you dust, do your research to find the best product for your home and have the proper materials for the items that will be dusted. 

·        Popular items used for dusting consist of more microfiber cloths, socks, soft hairbrush attachments for the vacuum and lint rollers. 

·        Don’t forget to dust the top of your ceiling fans, window blinds, baseboards, above and below appliances and furniture, vents and all of the wood and glass around your home!  While it might seem excessive, the more often you dust, the faster the process will go each time!

Take the time to clean THOROUGHLY.

This might be obvious but we often find ourselves rushing to finish cleaning the house, leaving it not clean at all.  When actually cleaning, remember to be as thorough as possible.  Again, the more thorough you clean, the less often you’ll have to do it all over again. 

·        It is often necessary to vacuum more than once a week, or possibly every day.  This is a step that shouldn’t be taken lightly, especially with children or pets in the house.  Remember to move the furniture at least once a week in order to really make sure the floors are cleaned.  Any area rugs should get moved as well due to dust and dirt often collecting underneath.  Don’t forget to empty the vacuum out before or after every use!

·        Wipe down every surface you can find.  Don’t be afraid to get on your knees and thoroughly clean those baseboards!  They are overlooked very often and get very dirty due to coming in and out of the house.  If there is a lot of crumbs and debris on the counters always vacuum after you’re finished.

·        When cleaning glass, remember to once again use microfiber.  It will streak much less, leaving you with windows and mirrors to be proud of. 

 

DON’T FORGET TO DISINFECT!

Like we previously mentioned, these are unprecedented times.  It’s not only important to clean your home but to also make sure it is disinfected.  This requires bleach!  Don’t be afraid to use the materials that will ensure your family’s safety and health.  Don’t miss the necessary spots!

·        Doors.  It is crucial to disinfect all of the doors.  Think about how often we touch them!  Make sure to get the entire doors themselves, as well as the doorknobs. 

·        Faucet handles.  This is also one of the most touched areas in our homes that often get forgotten.  All of the sinks should be sanitized, taking special note of the faucet knobs. 

·        Cabinet hardware handles and knobs.  Again, we touch these all of the time and they need to be thoroughly sanitized as much as possible. 

 

Keep in mind that many, if not all, of our kids, are going to have to wear masks when they are back in school.  It’s often recommended that they wear a clean mask every day.  If needed, find a decorative basket to put by the door so they can leave their masks to get cleaned once they walk in at the end of the day.  Happy cleaning!  Your home will be spotless and you’ll be able to relax in no time!

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