Attribution: Image via Flickr by beggs
With a busy family that’s always on the go, there’s little time left for mundane duties like dusting and vacuuming. It’s not even just the cleaning that’s the problem, it’s getting the right equipment/products that can be cost consuming. However, if you are on a budget then you can easily find a vacuum or something that is affordable for you. However, being time-poor doesn’t have to mean living in a pigsty. These strategies will help you cut the clutter and keep your house clean.
Dirt, mud, leaves, gum, grass, and worse can all cling to the soles of your shoes. When you and the members of your family wear your shoes inside, these substances can get tracked through the rooms in your home and ground into your floors. Insist that everyone in your household and any visitors take their shoes off by the front door to help keep your floors clean longer.
Use Concentrated Cleaning Products
Concentrated cleaning products, like the Legacy of Clean line from Amway, are more effective than their watery rivals. These superior products contain high-quality ingredients which attack dirt and grime faster without compromising your safety or damaging the surfaces in your home. Since these cleaning products are more effective, you won’t waste time scrubbing those few spots trying to get out stubborn grime like tide rings in the bath and food baked onto your cooktop.
Choose the Right Tools
Using the wrong cleaning tools can add a lot of time to your cleaning regime. Housewives in the 1950s might have relied on dusters, but they tend to spread the dust around your surfaces rather than removing it. Instead of this outdated cleaning tool, use a microfiber cloth which will pick up dust with just one wipe. When wet, these cloths are also ideal for cleaning countertops and tiled surfaces.
Steam mops require less effort to use than traditional squeeze mops so they’re much faster to use. They also sanitize as they clean, so you won’t need to spend extra time applying disinfectant sprays. Best Products Pro have created a list of their top 10 mop picks, including traditional and steam mops. You should take a look if you are looking to buy a new mop.
Brooms with soft, fine bristles will pick up small particles of dirt on hardwood and tile floors. When sweeping outside areas like patios, opt for a broom with coarser bristles which can clean porous surfaces more effectively. Make sure you store those brooms with the handles down to protect the bristles. Otherwise they won’t clean as well and you’ll waste time you can ill afford.
Think all dustpans are created equally? Think again. Look for dustpans with rubber edges which won’t leave those annoying lines of dust behind.
Clean Just a Little Every Day
Little cleaning rituals can make a real difference in your home. Rather than letting the dishes build up, wash and dry them after every meal. You’ll find the dishes easier to clean because the food won’t have time to dry and stick. After you use your bathroom sink, dry it off to prevent unsightly spots. Wash down the walls of your shower stall as well as any shower glass panels after you shower to prevent soap scum from accumulating. These small tasks take very little time, and they’ll help keep your home clean without mounting big productions.
Clean to a Poppy Playlist
Cleaning to upbeat music helps you work more efficiently because the beat moves you along. Steer clear of soppy ballads and opt for some cheesy 80s pop or modern rock music instead. If you’re unmotivated to clean, try making a special cleaning playlist that you only listen to when you’re doing chores. Knowing you’ll get to listen to the playlist if you pick up a mop could give you the added incentive you need to get cleaning.
Get the Whole Family Involved
There are several people living under your roof all making messes, so why should the responsibility for keeping the house clean fall on only the adults’ shoulders? Even very young children are capable of helping out around the house. Getting them to clean up their toys, tidy communal living areas, and dust off surfaces teaches them responsibility. As your kids grow, give them more challenging tasks like vacuuming and mopping. If everyone works together, you’ll be amazed what you can accomplish in as little as 10 minutes.
Busy families tend to make a mess, but with these smart strategies it needn’t get you down.
I really enjoyed reading your tips for cleaning – I actually do most of these already!
#SaturdaySparks
Sarah Bell
http://www.trendyandtidy.com
These are great tips.
I’m a big hater of cleaning. I just posted a post at the Saturday Sparks link party an older post of mine called “the real reason the dishes aren’t done (today)” http://iamzoewatson.com/2016/03/22/dishes-arent-done-today/
It’s not that I don’t like a clean house. I’m like most busy people, I just wish I didn’t have to do it!
I keep starting each week with the idea that I am going to clean a little each day, but something happens by about Wednesday then suddenly it is Sunday with so much left to do. sigh. I am going to try and implement some of your tips here and see if I can make things go a little smoother. 🙂
Great tips and a little of cleaning a days does make my work load less crazy during the week. Thank you for sharing these great tips at Dishing it and Digging it link party. It’s awesome having you. Enjoy your week.
Hi Sherry! All of your tips are so helpful! I`ve recently gone back to work fulltime after a long time off and I find it challenging to keep up with cleaning the house. We take our shoes off and that is such a big help to keep floors cleaner! And yes, everyone in the house helps out with a chore! I like the idea of doing a bit each day to not have that huge list at the end of the week!