Do you really think
Martha Stewart never swept a little dust under the carpet seconds before
guests arrived? Oh, how we’ve been damaged by the myth of perfectionism! We
are slaves to microscopic specks of lint, hard-water smudges, and the
relentless pursuit of dust bunnies. Brainwashed by Hollywood and slick photo
spreads, we chase after unrealistic expectations.
Setting Cleaning
Priorities
If you are easily distracted and have trouble getting to the cleaning you
actually do need to accomplish, try to limit those distractions when cleaning.
Don't turn on the TV, and don't answer the phone. But of course, you can clean
to music. Crank it up and watch the time fly!
During the week,
the rooms that matter most to you are the ones to keep neat. If you worry
about all the rooms all the time, you'll spread yourself way too thin.
If you can clean
only one room before company is expected, tackle the bathroom. This is the
only room where people spend time solo and may have the time and tendency to
notice a mess.
A great solution for quick clean ups and for stopping the spread of germs in
your home is the
Healthy Shelf Towel and Wipe Dispenser. Put one in the bathroom, in the kitchen, and in the nursery for
easy spur of the moment general wiping and cleaning.
Start With Dusting
A little dusting
goes a long way, and it's the task to tackle first when you’re doing
housework. In every room of the house, including bathrooms and the kitchen, if
you let dust build up, it becomes grime. Grime requires heavy-duty (and
invariably toxic) measures. Not to mention a lot more elbow grease.
The Basic Rules
Dust high to low. Let dust that you've kicked up from the top of an
armoire or the crown molding, for example, have plenty of time to settle
before you attack the floor. Try
a High
Reach Cleaning Kit
for those hard to get to high dust jobs (but
only when absolutely necessary or if your friends are really really tall.)
Continue dusting
top to bottom with your
Microfiber Cleaning Cloths.
Most dusting can be done quickly with these handy cloths and a vacuum.
"Feather dusters and rags often just blow dust and dirt around," (The cloths
can be washed up to 500 times.)
Dust before you disinfect — especially in the bathroom. "Make sure you pick up
hair and dirt, so you aren't just pushing them around from surface to surface
as you clean,"
For serious dust on upholstered furniture and rustic wood furniture that would
snag a cloth, use a vacuum cleaner. Add the brush attachment to dust window
screens, blinds (close them first), and lampshades.
Dusting the Desk/Entertainment Center-Before dusting the computer
monitor, use a
Disposable Compressed Gas Duster on the keyboard. It kicks up all
the crud and crumbs between the keys with a blast of air. Spray a little
all-purpose cleanser (such as Mr. Clean Antibacterial Multi-Purpose Cleaner)
on a
Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
and rub down the desktop and the phone receiver.
Sweeping
Sweeping doesn’t
have to be a chore, Simply sweep your floor using a
Flip Up Sweep Set.
You’ll
always be able to keep your broom and dustpan together with this set – the
broom clips to the dustpans pole for easy storage!
Then use a universal cleaning mop (Star
Mop)
that has 40 times the cleaning power of an ordinary cleaning mop and can be
reused over and over again for a very simple job.
Grab up pet hair and remove lint, dust, dirt, and more from clothing,
upholstery, carpets, and rugs with a soft bristle 100% natural
FURemover Broom which can also be used wet
to clean cars, boats, and R.V.'s. not to mention as a squeegee for cleaning
windows too.
Disinfecting
Disinfecting
should be the next step in your housework routine. That doesn't mean you have
to don surgical scrubs and autoclave everything in sight. There's a
difference, after all, between disinfecting and sterilizing, and chlorine
bleach is usually overkill (with the exception of occasional use on
food-preparation surfaces that come into contact with raw meat and potentially
harmful bacteria).
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE LIQUID ANTISEPTIC
is a great germ-killing alternative to chlorine
bleach (the fumes of which are particularly harmful when inhaled in tight
spaces).
A spray bottle filled with clean water will rinse off the cleansers you use on
shower and tub walls, toilets, and bathroom and kitchen counters. This helps
prevent a soapy film from forming and attracting more dust and dirt.
The Basic Rule
Save the dirtiest surfaces for last. "Work from areas of low contamination to
areas of high contamination," says Jeff Bredenberg, author of
2,001 Amazing Cleaning Secrets.
That means when you clean the bathroom, do the toilet at the end, so you're
not introducing dirt to surfaces that were relatively clean to begin with.
Disinfecting the Tub and Shower - Once a week or so, apply an
all-purpose cleanser, which can eliminate up to 97 percent of germs and
bacteria. If you can make it part of your daily routine, use
Seventh Generation Shower Cleaner
to prevent germs and soap scum from building up
in the first place. It contains hydrogen peroxide (no chlorine) and can be
used while you are taking a shower.
If you have more buildup, wet your tub and sprinkle on a nonabrasive powdered
cleanser such as
Bon Ami Cleaning Powder(Bon
Ami is a much gentler alternative to scouring powders such as Comet and Ajax,
which can scratch porcelain, causing it to become porous and therefore more
receptive to germs.) to create an on-surface paste, or use a creamy cleanser,
such as
Soft Scrub Cleaner.
Let it sit for five minutes. Use a spray bottle filled with water to rinse (if
you have a handheld showerhead, use that instead). Dry thoroughly with a clean
towel.
Disinfecting the
Toilet - The germs
from your toilet aren't fatal — but the idea of germs from your toilet
migrating to your toothbrush is less than life-affirming. Studies have shown
that traces of bacteria from the toilet can be found on toothbrushes. The
easiest fix? A daily swabbing of the offending fixture, using a toilet brush
and a splash of all-purpose cleanser.
Disinfecting Kitchen Counters and Sinks
Regularly: With dishwashing liquid and a damp microfiber cloth or sponge, wipe
down your counters, cooktops, and sink every night after dinner is over. Rinse
the cloth or sponge thoroughly and wipe again.
When Needed: For a deeper clean — or after working with raw meat — sprinkle
Bon Ami Cleaning Powder
(or use
Soft Scrub Cleaner) on a sponge. Go over the
dirty surface, then let the cleanser sit for five minutes. Rinse with a clean
wet sponge and let air-dry (towel drying can recontaminate surfaces).
The last step in your house-cleaning routine, after you've dusted,
disinfected, and scrubbed. The surfaces are clean, and now comes the fun part,
the reward for all your hard work: a little polish and the whole house
sparkles.
The Basic Tools
Dishwashing liquid. "A dollar's worth of Joy will clean your windows for the
rest of your life.
The all-purpose, reusable wonder cloth
Microfiber Cleaning Cloths does more than
just dust. It buffs and shines, too.
The Basic Rules
Work from the outside in. On appliances, mirrors, and windows, clean around
the edges, and work toward the center.
Dry thoroughly. Surfaces will shine more brilliantly if you dry them
immediately after you clean them.
Avoid abrasives. Steel wool and gritty cleansers, such as Comet and Ajax, can
scratch stainless-steel and chrome finishes.
Safeguard your surfaces. Many of your cleaning standbys, such as ammonia,
bleach, and vinegar, can dull and even corrode chrome and stainless steel.
Olive oil and WD-40, however, do double-duty as shining agents for stainless
steel. To bring a renewed shine to wood furniture, try Earth Friendly Products
furniture polish ($5, ), which contains olive and orange oils.
Polishing Stainless Steel
Regularly: A streak-free stainless appliance is the gold standard of a clean
kitchen. When you're polishing one, you're really oiling the finish. Wipe with
the grain, which typically runs vertically (up and down) on refrigerators and
horizontally (left to right) on smaller appliances. While many scratches
aren't removable, you can wipe away fingerprints with a stainless-steel
cleanser and a microfiber cloth.
When Needed: Sometimes kitchen cleansers don't take care of tough corners,
like where the edge of the sink meets the counter. Marla Cilley, author of
Sink Reflections (Bantam, $10.50, www.amazon.com), suggests taking a blunt
blade, such as a butter knife, and cleaning around the rim of the sink "just
like you would clean dirt from under your fingernails."
Polishing Chrome
Regularly: Dab bathroom and kitchen fixtures dry daily with a microfiber cloth
to prevent water and mineral deposits. "The best way to keep chrome shiny is
to blot it dry," says Mirjam Lippuner Konsek of Kohler, which makes bathroom
and kitchen faucets and sinks.
When Needed: Use the soft side of a wet 3M sponge (the abrasive side can
scratch chrome) or a microfiber cloth. Rinse using a spray bottle. Wipe dry
with a microfiber cloth. For the ultimate shine, try a mixture of cream of
tartar and hydrogen peroxide on a clean rag. Rinse and wipe dry as usual.
Shining Mirrors
Regularly: Using a circular motion and a microfiber cloth or paper towels,
wipe down mirrors with Perfect Glass cleaner ($5, ), which doesn't leave
streaks behind.
When Needed: "To remove sticky substances like hair spray and toothpaste, use
hot water and a microfiber cloth," says Tara Tan, director of house-keeping at
the W Times Square Hotel, in New York City.
Shining Windows
Regularly:A microfiber cloth easily lifts dust and fingerprints. You can also
vacuum window frames and moldings with a brush attachment.
When Needed: Since annual window-cleaning is such a monumental task, you'll
want to economize wherever possible. Instead of using a specialty glass
cleaner, fill a bucket with water and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid.
Dip a microfiber cloth into the solution and work from the outside in. Begin
where the glass and the window frame meet, removing dirt from the corners,
then move to the center of the pane. Dry immediately with a separate
microfiber cloth. (For many people, prohibitive heights and busy weekends make
professional services an attractive and worthwhile option.)
can of compressed air (available at office-supply and hardware stores). Sure,
it’s great for blowing the dust out of computer keyboards, but it also helps
clean out the tiny grooves on my kitchen and coffee tables, where crumbs love
to hide. Plus, it’s a quick fix between dusting jobs for all furniture
surfaces.
Cleaning Small Appliances
Germs breeding in your microwave? Gunk stuck in your toaster? Give your
kitchen workhorses a much deserved spa treatment.
Microwaves
Cheese meltdowns, syrup spills, and butter tsunamis: Readers said this
indispensable machine takes a beating—inside and out. To soften up grease and
calcified oatmeal (or whatever that crud is), place a bowl of water mixed with
lemon juice in the microwave and run on high for one minute, then use a
food-safe sanitizer (such as Lysol's version) to banish germs lurking under
the turntable. An all-purpose cleaner (such as Windex MultiTask) or a mildly
abrasive powder (like Bon Ami) can usually dislodge one of the biggest reader
complaints: constantly reappearing streaks and fingerprints on the door. Buff
with a rag or a microfiber cloth.
Toasters
To get rid of those “annoying crumbs stuck in the bottom of the toaster,”
slide the tray out and wipe it down, then blast the interior with a
computer-keyboard cleaner. Don’t forget the exterior: Coax stubborn rust spots
off chrome with a ball of crumpled aluminum foil. Before cleaning any
appliance, always remember to unplug it.
Coffeemakers
While dispensing your favorite brew, your coffeemaker may harbor oily residue
(from the grinds) and caked-on minerals (from the water). Every one to six
months, run a descaling solution (such as Barista Cleaner & Descaler) through
the machine. Then rinse thoroughly with clean water. Check the coffeemaker’s
instruction manual first.
More Tips
A mild abrasive will immediately lift the dirt off cabinet knobs and handles,
but don’t use it on painted cabinets — it will dull the gloss.
To extract grime lodged in nooks and crannies, apply a multipurpose cleaning
solution, then get into the groove with a cotton swab.
Control where your cleaning solution goes. Unlike a spray, a gel glass cleaner
won’t seep behind push buttons or into appliances.
Cleaning Large Appliances
Stovetop stains, grungy ovens, dusty refrigerator coils, and petrified dryer
lint (oh, the horror): Yes, you can conquer them all.
Cooktops and Ovens
Burnt-on splatters are a major reason stoves are so “troubling and daunting,”
as one reader put it. So soak before you scrub. Remove cooktop grills and
saturate stains with an all-purpose cleaning solution (such as Simple Green or
Mr. Clean). Give the solution about 10 minutes to do its job, then wipe clean.
When you scour the oven, you’ll need a powerful, highly alkaline oven cleaner,
which may contain lye, so be cautious. (Try a fume-free product, like
Easy-Off.) Caveat: Oven cleaners are not safe for use in a self-cleaning; they
can damage the interior.
Refrigerators
Food debris beneath the bins bugs you big time. Pull them out and use a
food-friendly spray cleaner (like those made by Home Thymes), which won’t
contaminate fruits and vegetables. If you really want to do the refrigerator a
favor, dust the condenser coils with a coil brush or your vacuum cleaner’s
crevice tool. (The coils are located on the back of the refrigerator, usually
at the bottom.) Appliance wheels, available at hardware stores, help move the
refrigerator away from the wall.
Clothes Dryers
“Is that a fire hazard?” a reader asked, referring to the dust clouds that
gather inside the dryer duct and in back of the dryer. “Lint is highly
flammable,” confirms Captain Jim Doucette of the Sacramento Fire Department,
in California. Once a year, check to see if air is coming out of the duct
outside your house. If you can’t feel air, snake a lint-removal brush up the
duct or call a professional to do a deep cleaning. Also, vacuum behind the
dryer at least once a year.
More Tips
Any filter in the house should be cleaned at least once a year. Range-hood
filters can be degreased in a sink filled with hot water and detergent.
No need to buy sprays and wipes made especially for stainless steel. Spritz
with window cleaner and polish with a worn T-shirt.
Put those irritating fake credit cards that come in the junk mail to good use:
Scrape along the edges of the stove’s knobs to get rid of accumulated grease.
Cleaning the Bathroom
In a word: yuck. It’s your least-favorite room to clean, but new tools make
the job easier than ever before. Really.
Toilets
The number one item on readers’ things-to-avoid list? The toilet, especially
when it comes to what one reader called the “damp dust” that collects around
the base. A swivel-head mop with a detachable pole (such as Mr. Clean Magic
Reach) distances you from the beast. The smart way to clean the bowl’s
interior, says Laurie Kilpatrick, cocreator of the video series Miss Laurie’s
Smart Guide to House Cleaning ($15,www.misslauriessmartguide.com), is to pour
a bucket of water into the toilet to empty the bowl (trust us — it works) so
you can clean with less sloshing. Try a brush with disposable pads (such as
the Scotch Brite Disposable Toilet Scrubber).
Tiles and Grout
Go for a cleaner that’s tough enough for porous, stain-loving surfaces (such
as Ceramiclean Tile & Grout Cleaner). As with any strong product, open a
window, wear rubber gloves, and dilute according to the package instructions.
“To stay ahead of the grout game,” Kilpatrick says, “keep an old toothbrush in
the shower and scrub away mildew the moment you see it.”
Showers and Tubs
Dissolving soap scum (a mysterious combination of soap, sweat, body oil, dirt,
and mineral deposits) can require serious elbow grease. Use a product
specially formulated to break it up (such as Scrubbing Bubbles). Or go for a
mildly abrasive powder and a nylon-backed sponge, which protects porcelain
while loosening dirt. Or invest in a flexible scrubber with single-use pads
(such as the Clorox BathWand).
More Tips
To remove streaks from mirrors, says Peggy Oelschlager of Maids Home Services,
a residential-cleaning franchise, use coffee filters. “As a finishing touch,”
she says, “you can’t beat them.”
Ran out of cleanser? In a pinch, rub a dab of plain toothpaste onto bathroom
fixtures, then buff clean to make them shine.
Pour 1/2 cup baking soda down the drain, followed by 1/2 cup vinegar. Cover
the drain with a wet cloth, wait five minutes, uncover, and flush with
steaming-hot water.
Cleaning the Bathroom for Guests
Use Lint Roller on Lamp Shades
Cleaning Surfaces with Baby Wipes
Baby wipes are useful for quick surface cleanups in kitchens and bathrooms.
They also are great for cleaning up after craft projects.
Cleaning with a Handheld Vacuum
I use a cordless, bagless, handheld vacuum cleaner for everything from kitchen
crumbs to dust bunnies. Then I just empty the canister into the trash.
grab pet hair like a magnet and are ideal for removing hair, lint, dust, dirt,
and more from clothing, upholstery, carpets, and rugs
remove pet hair from furniture, clothing, carpet, and more
remove loose hair or as a washing mitt for applying soap and scrubbing your
pets.
Quickly and easily clean scuff marks off your walls with Mr. Clean Magic
Eraser. But don't stop there! Use it in your bathroom on your sink, in your
kitchen on the refrigerator—anywhere you need a quick clean.
will change all of that. 
.
Most dusting can be done quickly with these handy cloths and a vacuum.
"Feather dusters and rags often just blow dust and dirt around," (The cloths
can be washed up to 500 times.)
)
that has 40 times the cleaning power of an ordinary cleaning mop and can be
reused over and over again for a very simple job. 
disinfect
most surfaces in both the bathroom and the kitchen.
.
That means when you clean the bathroom, do the toilet at the end, so you're
not introducing dirt to surfaces that were relatively clean to begin with.
(Bon
Ami is a much gentler alternative to scouring powders such as Comet and Ajax,
which can scratch porcelain, causing it to become porous and therefore more
receptive to germs.) to create an on-surface paste, or use a creamy cleanser,
such as
Let it sit for five minutes. Use a spray bottle filled with water to rinse (if
you have a handheld showerhead, use that instead). Dry thoroughly with a clean
towel.