There is no place like home, whether you live in a mansion, a tiny house on wheels, or in a van home. Your home is the place where you feel safe and relaxed, which makes it imperative to keep your home clean, tidy, and organized. Cleanliness of your home is as vital as your own body to make things happy, healthy, and hygienic. However, given the modern fast-paced lifestyle, it could be difficult to find enough time to keep your house sparkling clean. Now there are two ways to go about remedying the situation: you can either hire a cleaning service to help out with the regular cleaning chores two or three times a week, or you can adopt an efficient do-it-yourself system that not only fits your tight schedule but also makes things easy and quick.
Hiring a cleaning service is a good option, but it could add significantly to your expenses. So why not opt for option number two? No need to scratch your head trying to figure out how and what will work, because we are lending a helping hand. We have compiled various home cleanliness tips across the board, checking the main spots that need daily cleaning. Let’s get to it, then.
Empty the Dustbin Regularly
The dustbin is one of the dirtiest places in the house, providing a festering ground for bacteria and mold, while attracting pests like cockroaches and houseflies, leading to various infections and diseases. Therefore, it is imperative to empty the dustbin regularly. If you live with family, chances are that the trash can is filled up to the brim every night and should be emptied before bedtime. Keep a separate dustbin in the kitchen for wet waste and another for dry waste. You can label them to prevent any confusion.
But that’s not all: odors of things you put in the dustbin can latch onto the surface. Wash the containers once a week with hot water and a liquid cleaner to get rid of any gunk or smell stuck to it. The same goes for your big garbage bin on the curb, as it can accumulate all sorts of smells after being outdoors all the time. That being said, disposing of garbage is a daily task to keep your home clean and odor-free.
Also Read: Spring Cleaning Tips to Brace up for a Total Refresh
Vacuuming and Dusting are Vital
If you think you don’t need to dust your home regularly, think again. Dust particles are so minuscule that you won’t even notice them until a strong sunbeam highlights them floating in the air. Sweeping and vacuuming the high-traffic areas of your house is mandatory, especially with kids and pets around. Once a week, do a thorough sweep under the furniture, dust the walls and ceilings, and wipe down furniture pieces and fixtures to get rid of the layers of dust sitting on them.
Vacuum the rooms, such as the guest room, where people don’t go frequently, at least twice or thrice a month. Indulge in mopping the floor at least twice a week to keep it squeaky clean. Deep clean the rugs and carpets seasonally, depending on the material. You can check out the guide to buying the right carpet cleaner for your home. Keeping your home dust-free can help ward off many respiratory irritants and diseases and keep allergies at bay.
Also Read: Best Vacuum Cleaners to Buy
A Clean Kitchen is Mandatory
The kitchen is the heart of any home. It is also one of the places that sees the most footfall and tends to get the dirtiest with the mess cooking can make. Therefore, it is mandatory to keep a clean kitchen. You don’t even have to do much to achieve this goal; just keep your kitchen countertop and sink clean after each meal, and things should neatly fall in place. Take cleaning up dishes as a responsibility that needs to be done just after dinner is over. Don’t postpone the task until the next morning, as it will conversely increase the burden. Clean the refrigerator inside and out every week.
Any spills should be cleaned up right away to prevent them from tracking around the house or sticking to the surface, requiring more elbow grease once they dry up. Deep clean and degrease the kitchen cabinets seasonally to keep them fresh-looking. Remember, a solution of mild soap with warm water can ease all the cleaning chores in the kitchen. Wipe down the surfaces with this mixture. If that doesn’t work in some cases, you can always use vinegar and baking soda.
Also Read: 7 Simple Kitchen Organization Ideas for a Fruitful Culinary Experience
Keep the Living Room Tidy
Another space that sees a lot of traffic in the house is the living area. It is also where you entertain people, making it essential to keep the space tidy. Don’t fret. It is fairly easy to do this. First, organize the magazines, newspapers, or books you keep under the coffee table or on shelves every day. Wipe down the surfaces regularly.
Ensure that your living room furniture is aligned with one another and is sturdy. Worn-out furniture tarnishes the aesthetic of the room. If the sofa needs reupholstering, get on with it. Wash the cushion covers regularly and pat them down when straightening the cushion after you get up from the sofa to keep things neat. Place a few air-purifying plants in the living room to make things livelier.
Also Read: Small Living Room Décor Ideas for Maximum Space
An Organized Bedroom Means Relaxing Sleep
The bedroom is your haven in the home. Make sure it keeps you relaxed and calm. How do you ensure that? Well, by being organized, of course. If your bedroom is uncluttered, it could be a turn-off, and you won’t feel at ease. Keep things in their designated place and off the floor.
Make the bed as soon as you get out of it in the morning or at any time of the day. Don’t eat in bed, because it could cause spills and crumbs to be wedged between mattresses, leading to skin irritation. Wash the bedding every two weeks to keep things hygienic. Fold and put away clean clothes and bedding. Put dirty clothing in the laundry basket. Deep clean the room once a month.
Also Read: How to Make Your Bedroom Feel Like a Luxury Hotel Room in 10 Steps
Dry Bathroom is Your Friend
Let’s face it: the bathroom can make or break your morning mood. A clean, dry, and odor-free bathroom will instantly uplift your mood when you enter the space in the morning. So how do you achieve that every day without fail? You need to wipe down the bathroom floor, walls, tub, and doors thoroughly after each shower. Make sure to remove as much water so that the space dries soon, because a moist bathroom is a welcome ground for bacteria and mold.
If the bathroom has a window, consider keeping it open, especially during the bathing hours, to draw out steam. If not, then air vents and exhaust fans are your friends. Fresh air helps minimize moisture in the bathroom and dry areas faster. You can also follow simple tips to clean bathroom tiles and grout easily with homemade solutions. Clean the toilet every night before bed. Place a room freshener to keep things odor-free.
Also Read: 15 Easy Tips to Transform Your Boring Bathroom Into a Spa-Like Haven
Pay Attention to the Outdoor Spaces
The outdoor spaces, such as the yard, garden, and garage, are an extension of your home, which is why it is vital to pay as much attention to them as you would to any other space in the home. Whether it is pruning the plants, mowing the lawn, or keeping the garage clutter-free, the outdoor spaces require regular tender love and care. These areas need daily or weekly maintenance to stay on top of things.
You also need to take care of any broken vessels or pots with standing water lying around the house, as they can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes or other insects. Make sure the water tanks are properly covered. Seasonal checkup and maintenance of the rain gutters and roof is also imperative to keep things under control, especially during the rainy season.
Also Read: 5 Fall Home Maintenance Tasks You Should Accomplish Before Winter Comes
HVAC Maintenance for a Healthy Home
The air vents and ducts of your home can harbor dust and other debris, which must be cleaned to facilitate the proper ventilation and functioning of the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) unit in the house. You need to clean or replace the filter regularly, clean the coils, and ducts. To ensure that your HVAC system is functioning properly, perform regular checkups and cleaning tasks at least twice a month.
The vents of the AC need to be cleaned thoroughly as they get clogged up with dust, pet dander, and other particles, which can make the system inefficient. Therefore, to reduce indoor air pollutants, mold growth, and insect infestation, air duct cleaning is vital.
Also Read: 10 Simple Air Conditioner Maintenance Tips You Need to Know
Air Purifier Maintenance
Air pollution is everywhere. While we can detect outdoor pollution with the naked eye, it is not as easy to do so indoors, which is why you need to invest in a quality air purifier to maintain the indoor air quality. A good air purifier will help improve the air quality and eliminate harmful gases and pollutants. It will also help eliminate allergens, pollutants, and airborne viruses. You can choose models that suit your space configurations, but go for units with HEPA filters and smart features that offer real-time air quality monitoring.
But buying a good air purifier will not solve the problem altogether. You also need to take care of its cleanliness and maintenance to ensure that its efficiency isn’t hampered. Regular cleaning will prevent dust buildup, enhance airflow, and extend the unit’s lifespan.
Also Read: 10 Best Air Purifiers on Amazon to Buy Before They’re Gone
Create a Schedule and Stick to It
Whether daily tasks or seasonal deep cleans, you can make a schedule for every cleanliness job in the house to make things smoother. Making a checklist of sorts will help you know what to do in each room so you can stay on schedule and get things done efficiently and quickly.
Most of these things can be achieved by doing them as you go about. For example, wipe down the shower after you are done using it. This will help the space dry up faster. Or doing the dishes after each meal so you don’t have to stare at a sink full of dirty dishes at the end of the day. Get our printable checklist to help you curate a fail-safe spring cleaning routine to work through over a week or a day.
