Who doesn’t feel better coming home to a clean, organized, clutter-free house? If you’ve ever wondered if the stress you feel when your home isn’t as tidy as you’d like is all in your head, science assures us that it is not. The truth is, we feel more stressed out and anxious when our homes are messy. Research reveals that clutter has a negative impact on our perception of home and our subjective well-being. And one study even found an increase in depressed moods and higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol in women whose home environment was cluttered.
It is easy to reduce stress by keeping our homes clean and tidy. However, some people can feel anxious about the task of cleaning. It can be difficult to know where to begin or how frequently to complete certain household chores. We asked three housecleaning professionals to share their top tips. These pro-housekeeping tips will help you keep your home spotless.
These cleaning products and tools should be on hand
You can make your cleaning a success by making sure you have the right tools. You don’t have to use expensive products to clean your home. A caddy with a few reliable and basic items will be your best option.
You must have microfiber cloths of our experts voted microfiber cloths their preferred cleaning tool.
Debra Johnson, a Merry Maids home cleaning expert, says that microfiber is better than sponges and paper towels for cleaning surfaces.
Johnson suggests using distilled vinegar in combination with microfiber cloths to clean surfaces. White vinegar, when combined with water and dish liquid detergent, is a great multipurpose cleaner that can be used for general cleaning and stain removal.
She says that microfiber cloths can kill up to 99 percent of bacteria using only water and are three times more effective than traditional cleaning cloths. Many hospitals have switched to microfiber towels, cloths, and mops because of this.
Keep up with all spills and messes throughout the day
Johnson advises cleaning as you go. Johnson recommends that you clean your kitchen every day to prevent it from becoming chaotic. You can avoid cross-contamination by tackling the clutter and mess that accumulates each day.
Johnson suggests keeping a microfiber cloth on hand to quickly treat spills. This will ensure that they don’t become hardened and make it ten times harder to clean.
Simple tasks can be completed quickly and often
Johnson is a good example of keeping on top of the mess in the kitchen. This will prevent you from having to deal with too much later. She says that trash should be taken out as soon as it reaches the top.
Gregory suggests that the key to kitchen-cleaning success is “Don’t procrastinate.”
You can make your kitchen look clean and organized by sweeping the floor at night, keeping an eye on surface messes and building up, and tidying up any daily clutter.
Baking soda is a great way to clean up tough messes
A microfiber cloth can be used to quickly clean up small spillages on the kitchen counters or appliance surfaces. Boone suggests using baking soda to tackle the larger food-related messes. She suggests that you keep some baking soda in your pantry to prevent grease buildup.
Use a clean cloth to wipe away grease accumulation. Let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe the area with a damp cloth to remove any grease.
Clean highly-trafficked spots several times per week
As with the kitchen, regular cleaning of your bathroom can help you avoid deeper and more frequent cleanings.
Johnson says, “Tackle small tasks before they become big ones.” Johnson says, “I’m referring to the toilet, the tub and shower, and the floors. Particularly behind the toilet. This is one of the most germ-ridden places in your home, so it should be cleaned at least once a week.”
Are you still not convinced that you should clean the toilet more often? Johnson says, “Just think. Every time you flush, the toilet water mixed with the waste sends plumes of microbes into your air, which in turn spreads all over the toilet.”
You can avoid tackling larger problems later by developing simple and consistent cleaning habits for your bathroom. To make it easier to clean your bathroom every week, use a shower squeegee and wash the toilet and toothbrush holders at least twice per week.
Attention to the smaller, less-known areas of your bathroom
Gregory recommends that you remember to clean the bathroom and keep it spotless. The toothbrush holder and faucet aerators are two of the most overlooked areas. The toothbrush holder is actually the third germiest place in your home. Therefore, you should make sure to clean it often.
Boone also stresses the importance of cleaning these areas. He suggests using a toothbrush and warm water to clean all nooks and crevices, including the faucet.
Keep dust at bay by paying attention to hidden areas of your living room
Your living room is where your family, friends, and guests spend the most time. You want it to be a place you enjoy spending time in. Johnson suggests that you move furniture around to make sure you hit every spot. You can move everything around so that you vacuum and dust the floor beneath the furniture before moving it back.
Johnson states that this will help you vacuum those places that have been collecting dust for a long time. Johnson says, “And don’t forget to vacuum under the cushions!”
You should vacuum between cushions and under furniture at least once per month to stay ahead of the game in your living room. Do these tasks only if you or your family member suffer from allergies.
Dust can be dealt with using the right tools
Although feather dusters may look cute, they are not practical. Boone recommends using a microfiber or cloth duster to effectively remove dust from the living room. Boone states that feather dusters can only move dust around, and not remove it.
