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 Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 10:20 pm
Here, we explore all the aspects related to cleaning one's house.
I am well adept at cleaning house. I room and boarded with my aunt for 6 months, and she is obsessive/compulsive about having a clean and tidy space! Once a week, all of the family members pitched in and cleaned the entire house. I know of nooks and crannies that many people overlook. I also increase my awareness of the best household products, and the most cheapest products to clean with.
Well, I'm here to tell you that you don't have to exert that much work with house cleaning. Your house can stay clean longer also if you don't have pets or children.
Anyway, in my first post, I will be exploring Liesa Abrams "Real U guide to living on your own" on house cleaning.
This is a suggested and reasonable guideline to cleaning activities, NOT IN order so keep that in mind.
Daily or most-days-of-the-week-chores
- wash dishes
- make the bed
- keep papers and mail organized (they pile up quickly!)
- empty the garbage
1-2 times a month
- wipe the kitchen and bathroom
- wash and change the bedsheets
- do your laundry
- sweep or vaccum the floors
- dust the surface areas
- recycle and clean out the trash cans and use disinfectant sprays on the cans
1-2 times a year
- clean out the refrigerator
- clean behind the furniture
- polish the furniture
- clean lights, pictures, walls
- wash the windows
- sort all things and toss out unused and old things.
Now, when I talk about order... I am meaning that the general rule of having the most efficient housecleaning is to clean from TOP to BOTTOM.
the TOP to BOTTOM rule is a general rule of thumb.
So, if you were to have a big housecleaning event, you would dust the top surfaces and walls first, then you'd clean the furniture, then you'd sweep and mop the floors.
Without following the TOP to BOTTOM principle, your shiny new floors would look rather grangy after you decided to dust fan blades off of the ceiling fan, which would be an ultimate waste of time for you.
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Posted: Fri Sep 08, 2006 10:36 pm
Now I will make a short explanation as to why these chores are important:
- dishes pile up fast.
- papers and mail pile up fast, plus, it's essential to keep on top of bill collectors.
- the garbage also piles up fast. and when it overflows, there's the temptation of just throwing the junk on the floor or wherever, which is gross.
- the kitchen and bathroom need to be cleaned more often than other rooms because they are heavily used rooms, prone to odor and germs.
- your bedsheets need to be changed because oils, dustmites, and other allergens accumulate.
- your laundry is essential because you only have a limited amount of clothes to wear. When you run out, you have no choice but to take care of cleaning them.
- sweep/vacuum the floors: dirt gets tracked everywhere. plus, you don't want to be lazy on this chore if you don't want permanent, or hard-to-get-out stains or other junk. You do not want to walk barefoot, only to find your feet brown and gray from dust and dirt, and grimy from sand just for walking on your floor. Also, carpets are awful because they lock in odors and allergens too.
- you dust surface areas so you don't breathe that gross junk in your nostrils.
- trash cans can be a cesspit of germs.
- you clean out your fridge because it accumulates spilled liquids, odors, crumbs, and really gross and rotten but obscure food over time.
- you clean behind the furniture to get rid of accumulated dirt, dust, and possible bug/mice droppings and/or carcuses. Don't be surprised if you see gross stuff like that, if you have not taken care of your house in the first place.
- you polish the furniture if you know it is real wood. real wood is preserved and has a longer life if you use lemon or almond oil. Plus, it looks beautiful. processed board only needs to be wiped with a dampened rag of water, do not use oil on processed board.
- lights, pictures, and walls do accumulate dust, but at a slower rate than surface areas.
- your windows eventually get grimy and opaque.
- we tend to accumulate junk over time, so once a year it is a good idea to sort through all of your stuff and know which stuff to toss out, give away, or sell so you do not become a pack rat. the more junky stuff you have, the more cluttered the house is which makes it difficult to keep clean. People with more cluttered houses also feel more stressed. Having a clean, open space is relaxing to people.
* cochroaches and other pests love cluttered, unkempt spaces especially if there is crumbs of food and drink left about. Keeping that in mind may foster better household habits that lend itself to a cleaner space.
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Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 8:22 pm
The gag factor:
getting grossed out may be a common feeling we get when doing some heavy-duty house cleaning.
It's ok to hold your nose and fan the air when you are encountered with a obnoxious odor, or grimace at the site of urine stains where some dude missed aiming at the toilet properly, for example, or sigh in despair when your pet dog laid a steaming pile of s**t on the carpet. Yeah, my examples sound gross, but I'm only trying to touch up with reality. Living can be gross.
You will encounter gross things, and it's ok to be in touch with your feelings that it's gross. However, it's not ok to ignore something that's gross. You have to get gutsy, get strong, get mature, and conquer the offending issue. And conquer it in a timely manner.
It's a real strength to display enough maturity to act responsible for your cleanliness- and ultimately, your health.
If you don't act soon enough, WORSE things will happen. Remember the steaming pile of s**t on the carpet? Leaving it exposed to the air is sending those germs all over the air, the same air you breathe and live in. Leaving it exposed like that can make it MORE likely that you or someone else will step on it and smear it all over their foot/shoes and the carpet. Once it is smeared, it makes it even more stubborn to lift it from the carpet.
Your living area is not only a sanctuary from the rest of the world, it's an investment. Take good care of your house now, and in the future the $$ will take care of you.
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Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 8:47 pm
Now, I present to you uncommon places to clean, and more tips and tricks:
- the tops of doors contain an unusually large amount of dust. You'd think otherwise unless you actually try dusting there one day. Nobody I know ever knows about this tip.
- depending on which ceiling you have, they need to be cleaned too! A ceiling that has taken years of abuse by heavy smokers needs to be re-painted. A pop-corn or textured ceiling needs to be brushed with a broom or a vaccuum. A non-textured ceiling is simply cleaned by a simple duster. Spider webs tend to accumulate, at least.
- ceiling fan blades can get dusty.
- walls can get dusty. Most people never think of walls. However, it accumulates slower than other surfaces.
- Picture frames, and the glass also get dusty.
- move small items such as computer speakers upward to swift more dust off, then place the item back down.
- move items that lie on the floor around so that the floor can be in better shape.
- move furniture, even if all you can do is slide it a couple of inches.
- sometimes, certain small items can leave remnants of junk from the bottom, such as rust coming off of a can of shaving cream. Attempt to clean and dry such areas before placing them down again.
- houseplants LOVE getting spritzed and showered with slightly cool water, preferably even every day. The water cleans off dust naturally, which gives the plant more opportunity to absorb its optimum amount of sunlight. It is a healthy move for your plant. Your houseplant will thank you. (Also, some houseplants are natural air-cleansers!)
- Having a difficult time cleaning at your house? You probably have too much junky stuff. Consider getting rid of stuff you don't care for.
- in the bathroom, consider putting odds and ends toiletries in available shelving, cabinets, or even a simple bucket to contain them. It's way better than scattered all over the bathroom sink. Multiple people using the same bathroom need to contain their toiletress
- People don't like cleaning under the toilet, but paying attention to that back area by going on your hands and knees with a rag, to wipe at the walls, the surrounding floor, and the porcelin makes a difference in looking and smelling professional. You do not have to do this area often, on the plus side.
- Whenever a shower was taken, always draw the shower curtain flatly, covering the bath area, so that mold and mildew do not accumulate between the folds of the curtain.
- people do not think to wipe down the cabinets themselves, whether it is in the kitchen or bathroom. They can get greasy so a soapy water solution with either grease-cutting dishwashing liquid or a wood-cleaning solution, or even a cleaning spray like 409 and a rag/paper towel works. KNOW what surface it is though!
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Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 9:07 pm
Here's some time-tested products that I've tried, that will not ever let you down, but they arn't the cheapest, bare bones things you can use. I will make a list of those later.
Any swiffer brand product delivers quality, but it is pricy. If you must get swiffer, buy the starter package, and then look around later for generic replacement parts if you think you can break this in your budget.
+ I swear by the swiffer duster. The long wand (not the short one-piece wand) will reach every surface you could ever swipe by, from ceilings, to walls, to surface areas. It is a no-effort item and it REALLY traps dust- it does not send dust back in the air. Yea, it's not cheap, but you can get generic dusters at local grocery stores and even the dollar store. I have not been fortunate enough however to test these generic brands though.
+ comet cleaner is not only a very effective cleaner for the bathrooms and kitchen sinks, it is very cheap too. It's also not as hard on the nose and eyes as opposed to scrubbing bubbles cleaners. HOWEVER, watch out for the generic brands. I think it was the "dollar general" generic brand that DID scratch porcelin surfaces.
+ to eliminate odors, febreeze and Oust are gentler to use. Lysol spray is a very strong spray that can be abrasive when pumped in the air. Lysol is better adapted at surfaces, and areas of potential molding/mildewing. air fresheners, candles, scented oils, incense, and plug in variety scents are not worth your money to get rid of odors because they just mask them.
+ Mr. Clean's magic eraser does work especially on house appliances such as the refrigerator, the washer and dryer, the toaster oven, etc. Do test the particularly slick surfaces for scratching, still. I do not buy these often at all, it's useful for once-in-a-blue-moon manner to help get the exteriors of the appliances their "whitest white" when soap and a rag just don't cut it. You can check out their website for more uses (all name brand products have an official website to promote the many uses of their product).
+ I personally use 409 as a general cleanser, but this is more out of habit than actual thought. It's good for overall cleaning. I'm sure there are many other alternatives out there.
+ I use a simple broom and simple mop. My house carries a lot of traffic though. Other people have other needs. Carpets need vacuums, and houses with light traffic can do well with a fancy swiffer broom thing.
+ a good floor cleaner depends on the surface you use. Real wood floors need some oil in their cleaner because it's healthy for the wood. Other floor surfaces have other needs.
+ window cleaners are not a big topic for me. I'll use anything. But I know there are more quality brands out there that deliver better results, I just don't know of any.
+ laundry detergents, dishwashing detergents, and fabric softeners do not have to be of the most expensive brand to work well. HOWEVER, be careful with the cheapest brands because I have found that the absolutely cheapest priced products have more filler, and less active ingredients. It is not worth washing a load of dishes in the dish washer, only to have gritty grime coating the insides of your glasses and cups. You would not be saving money in the long run.
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Posted: Sat Sep 09, 2006 9:18 pm
Your bare bones, cheapest cleaning products you could ever have.
Recommended: "Reader's Digest "Extraordinary uses for ordinary things""
Basic products listed in the book are
- Ammonia
- Baking Soda
- Borax
- Fabric Softener sheets
- lemons
- Rubbing Alcohol
- Salt
- Toothpaste
- Vinegar
- WD-40
I will later edit this list in what the book recommends you use these products for. But I hope at least this list inspires you to research how common household products can be used to help clean house.
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Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 7:10 am
Grip of Death + I swear by the swiffer duster. The long wand (not the short one-piece wand) will reach every surface you could ever swipe by, from ceilings, to walls, to surface areas. It is a no-effort item and it REALLY traps dust- it does not send dust back in the air. Yea, it's not cheap, but you can get generic dusters at local grocery stores and even the dollar store. I have not been fortunate enough however to test these generic brands though. I ended up with a Swiffer, but I'm a treehugger and the idea of throwing out those cloths every day didn't sit well with me. I found some cloths at the grocery store that claimed super clingy powers with dust and cut them to size for the Swiffer head. You save money by not having to buy replacements. Hey, you're doing laundry anyway, and they're small so it's not like you need a whole new load. Plus, you can use both sides before washing. Grip of Death Lysol spray is a very strong spray that can be abrasive when pumped in the air. Lysol is better adapted at surfaces, and areas of potential molding/mildewing. I'd like to add that Lysol is toxic to cats. If you have cats, find something else. With all cleaning products, check the label for safety around pets. You'd be surprised! Grip of Death + Mr. Clean's magic eraser does work especially on house appliances such as the refrigerator, the washer and dryer, the toaster oven, etc. We use these daily at work to wipe down pretty much everything in the store. I'm amazed at how well they work! Good tips, Grip! smile
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Posted: Sun Sep 10, 2006 7:45 am
Question time!:
My bathroom tiles are awful. Especially where they meet the actual bathtub. The plastic stuff that covers up the cracks is being pushed up by mould. I can clean the stuff on the surface, but it just comes right back again because it's there under the plastic stuff. It's always visible, too and it's really gross. Is there a way to clean up the mould that's in the tile cracks under the plastic stuff without destroying the plastic stuff?
Or is this just a case for "look better before you pick your next apartment"?
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Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 9:11 pm
Kukushka Question time!: My bathroom tiles are awful. Especially where they meet the actual bathtub. The plastic stuff that covers up the cracks is being pushed up by mould. I can clean the stuff on the surface, but it just comes right back again because it's there under the plastic stuff. It's always visible, too and it's really gross. Is there a way to clean up the mould that's in the tile cracks under the plastic stuff without destroying the plastic stuff? Or is this just a case for "look better before you pick your next apartment"? Excellent question, thanks for asking Kush. Unfortunately, I have never encountered a problem as unique as yours. ... I know older places tend to have bathroom tile grout that can be stained over time, and I am aware that there is cheap, amatuer solutions (such as bleach and a toothbrush) that could help allieviate that embarrassing cosmestic problem. However, for your case, I would call around and try to get expert advice before I would work on *anything*- since you do have the issue with the plastic stuff. Try the big brand name department stores such as Home Depot and Lowes first for advice on remedying the problem, and if they don't know what to do, try phoning up the specialty stores. They may try to recommend to you a special product that you can buy depending on your needs, but as always, it's your decisions.
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Posted: Tue Sep 12, 2006 5:14 am
Thanks, I'll use that if I ever have the same problem in a house I plan to live in longer than just another year, lol. If it requires bringing someone in, my landlord can take care of it wink
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Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 7:40 pm
Careers in cleaning:
You can work for a reputable company to provide cleaning services. However, you won't make as decent a wage you could compared to working on your own.
You can start your own business as a housecleaner, or provide other cleaning/organizing services with lower start up costs than opening up other businesses. However, to keep your head afloat you would need to develop a clientele that esteems your services. There's a lot of competition in the cleaning businesses.
It's also physical work. Some physical work is light, however, others may be taxing and exhausting, especially if you work by yourself for long hours.
Also, you can be exposed to toxic or irritating chemicals, depending on which cleaning products are used.
Here are a small list of other tasks related to cleaning you could do for a living.
* Homeowners Referral
* House Cleaning
* Garage Cleaning
* Carpet Cleaning
* Janitorial Services
I knew a single mother raising two kids who had a makeshift business in cleaning other people's homes, and it was essential under-the-table money so that she could provide for her kids. Whether or not it is wise to accept money under the table, or report it to get taxed, I cannot comment on that.
Aside from that, cleaning services arn't generally highly esteemed in society. They arn't generously-paid work or prestigious work (unless you work as a maid, butler, or "house manager" for a wealthy homeowner, which you will have to research more about)... there is strenuous physical labor involved.
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Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 11:37 am
I am not sure what took me so long to add my own little bit to this -- I have a few suggestions that you may find helpful.
For the most part, you covered the vast majority of obscure places most people tend to forget to clean -- I hope to add to that list.
1. Fans, especially tower fans: These will slowly collect dust after time. Every time you turn the fan on you are circulating dust, lint, dander, and a whole host of other allergens. This will also cause dust already present in the rest of the room to stir and settle in more obscure places. I highly recommend that, at the very least, you dust the blades once a week. For tower fans, taking them apart can be a pain; but, I have noticed that they gather dust much more quickly than regular upright fans -- also, the excess dust can lower the efficiency and even damage these fans.
2. Closets: Most of the time, people will only clean the open spaces, neglecting closets and other places that people do not spend more than few seconds looking into. These places gather dust just as quickly as the rest of the house and should be cleaned. If I have not worn a particular article of clothing in over a week, I will remove it from the closet and shake it outside to remove any dust that has settled on it -- you would probably be surprised how much dust the average cotton shirt can collect just sitting in the closet unattended.
3. Ovens: They are a pain to clean and, usually, you are going to have to use highly corrosive cleaners with fumes -- be sure to operate in a room with good circulation and take regular breathing breaks. I typically clean the oven only once a month and, depending on use, I can do it fairly quickly and efficiently. Waiting longer may seem like a good idea; but, by that point, more food will have collected and will be more difficult to remove.
4. Microwaves: I always clean them out anytime I cook/defrost anything in there -- this is especially true when defrosting frozen meats, which can release harmful bacteria into the microwave.
5. Toasters: These should be cleaned fairly often -- most toaster fires could have been prevented through a systematic practice of decrumbing.
6. Ventilation: After time, these will collect with dust, making them less efficient and more prone to overheating and malfunctioning. I recommend that you clean the covers fairly often and replace filters as needed.
I can't remember any more off the top of my head; but, I shall be sure to add more as I think of them. 3nodding
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Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 8:14 pm
EXCELLENT tips, Asexual! Thanks for your input!
- A good general rule to pick up on is that failing to clean the things in your house can reduce efficiency, and/or increase damage or hazards.
For example, you lose efficiency by failing to dust off a light bulb from a given fixture over time, you get reduced light in your house. However, you still pay the same price for the bulb and the electricity used! Save money, and wipe down your light bulbs.
Another example, Asexual pointed out wisely, is to take care of your toaster. Toaster crumbs accumulate very, very fast. Not only is that a potential hazard, but it is likely to attract bugs in the house. Bugs love the smell of food and sloppy messes... don't give them a reason to come knocking on your door!
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Posted: Sat Oct 07, 2006 8:29 pm
CLEAN AIR
clean air is essential to home health. Many people arn't aware of how important it is to notice the quality of their air.
- carpets can be a problem. Carpets accumulate lots of dirt, and many times a vaccum cleaner does not truly "get" everything out. Also, carpets lock in allergens. Odors accumulate also in carpets. If it is possible (if you have the money), rip out the carpets and instead, beautify the hardwood floors underneath or install some flooring. Rugs can achieve a similar comfort level that carpets have, except they can be removed for extensive cleaning. If you are stuck with carpeting, make guests take off their shoes before entering, don't keep an indoor pet, and make sure you run the vacuum cleaner very, very slowly for several seconds so it has the time to suck up as much dirt as it can.
- ventilation systems can also be a problem. Get your ventilation system checked out, and get it cleaned. Use filters too.
- If the temperature outside is nice, cut off your AC or heater, open the windows, and run the fans to aid in circulation. Having fresh air in the house makes a big difference. You'll find that you feel more alert. If the temperature is fridgedly cold, you can still open up one window for 5-15 minutes occassionally to let cool, fresh air combat the toasty household. This tip is especially a good idea to employ RIGHT after you've done some major housecleaning.
- certain house plants, such as "lucky bamboo", are natural "air filters". Don't rely on plants themselves to completely clean your house air however, since it takes a great number of plants to do that job.
- You could look into purchasing an air filter as well, although I cannot comment on the best ways and cheapest ways to find a good one.
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Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 12:42 pm
Kukushka Question time!: My bathroom tiles are awful. Especially where they meet the actual bathtub. The plastic stuff that covers up the cracks is being pushed up by mould. I can clean the stuff on the surface, but it just comes right back again because it's there under the plastic stuff. It's always visible, too and it's really gross. Is there a way to clean up the mould that's in the tile cracks under the plastic stuff without destroying the plastic stuff? Or is this just a case for "look better before you pick your next apartment"? I think I can effectively answer this question, or at least give it a shot. That plastic stuff is caulk (sp?), a poly-plastic-chemical liquid that comes in a tube at menards and such. Over time, the pores in the caulk widen and moisture gets in, allowing the mold and mildew under it. Sounds to me like you might need someone to recaulk your tiles. It's not very hard and if we lived closer, I'd come do it for you since I do it every year for my shower. A professional can do that for you no problem. It shouldn't even take very long since it's probably a "cozy" sized appartment bathroom, right? All he will do is pull up the old caulk and with steady hands, replace it with shiney new caulk!
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