Efficient cleaning methods might seem hard to come by, but they are readily available if you are ready to give them a try. All it takes is a shift in mindset, because who likes cleaning? If you feel that way, then the concept of keeping things around your home clean and tidy is probably a fraught one and something you avoid. Change how you approach cleaning by trying one or all of these hacks today.
Clean Your Appliances
Your appliances get dirty, and that is a fact. Whether it is the fridge, toaster oven, microwave, or washing machine – yes, even the washing machine – they all succumb to buildup over time. As part of your overall cleaning routine, make time to assess the appliances to ensure they are clean and in good working order, which will help them work better and last longer.
Take a look at your washing machine, for example. Since it is an enclosed space that encompasses dirty clothing and towels, among other things, along with hot water, there will inevitably be a buildup of residue, mold, and human hair. This problem is compounded when you have a beloved pet. Dog and cat hair add to the mix and create more buildup inside your washing machine, which may result in less cleaning power. Luckily, it is easy to tackle this problem by using a trusted washer cleaner by Uproot Clean to dissolve the grime and eliminate buildup and odors.
Clean as You Go
Make it your new mantra: Clean as you go. It means embracing the idea of putting items away as soon as you are done using them or wiping up a spill right after it occurs. By adopting this practice and mindset, you will avoid becoming overwhelmed by a looming pile of responsibilities that seems insurmountable.
To illustrate, when you are preparing a meal, instead of waiting until the meal is over to clean up and put ingredients back in their place, do it as you move through the cooking process. After adding spices to your pot on the stove, collect them in one area and put them away as soon as you are done using them. This clears up counter space and is one thing you can check off your list. When the meal is over, you will, of course, have a few things to clean up, but the majority will be complete.
Create a Routine
You have a work schedule, a workout routine, and your children have their days planned as well. You should create a cleaning routine, too. The idea behind this effort is that with a clear plan guiding you and your family on what days you should clean which room, etc., you can treat the tasks involved with cleaning your home just as you would anything else that pops up on your schedule, such as a medical appointment – it is important and you need to stick to it instead of putting it off.
The most important thing about creating a cleaning routine is to actually make one. The next essential component is following through with it. In order to do so, be realistic when making your schedule. If you know it will be unreasonable to clean the entire house on Monday afternoon, do not set yourself up for failure. Instead, schedule bathroom cleaning for Monday and then move on with your duties throughout the week. Do what works best for you and make changes as you need.
Watch this helpful video to learn realistic tips on how to create a daily, weekly, and monthly cleaning schedule.
Enlist Help
If you have other people residing in your household, and unless there is a realistic reason they are unable to assist you in maintaining a clean home, they can indeed help. Even little ones can do their part. After all, if they never learn how to clean, they really will never help. Gather everyone together for a family meeting and discuss age-appropriate tasks, timelines, and expectations. Those expectations may need to include lowering yours a little bit. If you like the linens folded a certain way and your teen son does it his own way, perhaps you can take a deep breath and let it go.
Use your recently created cleaning routine and make a corresponding responsibility chart so everyone involved has a clear understanding of their role in cleaning the family home. Be understanding and allow for changes to occur, since sometimes your spouse will have a large project at work and you will need to pick up their slack, or vice versa. Or, your daughter may have a soccer tournament and a big assignment due on the same day. Be flexible and be helpful to one another by modeling patience.
Make it Fun
Even if cleaning brings you joy, there are times when it is really not that exciting. Whether that is your experience or not, there are always ways you can bring more fun into the task. Remember, nothing says work has to be a chore. Try some of these mood-lifting ideas to help you have a better attitude about keeping things clean.
- Call a friend or family member to catch up on one another’s lives.
- Listen to a language app lesson to brush up on your skill set.
- Curate a heart-pumping playlist to boost your mood.
- Listen to a favorite podcast.
- Play an audiobook and get lost in the story.
- Set a timer.
- Make it a competition by cleaning with your family and see who can finish their task first.
If all of these ideas fail you, never fear. You can still have a good time with the cleaning process, even if it is the end result that you prefer, by rewarding yourself for a job well done. Treat yourself to a gelato at the cafe down the street or with a mani-pedi after chipping yours while cleaning the sink. You have a lot of options, so find what works best for you to use as motivation.
Now that you have some new time-saving cleaning hacks to try, you can create a cleaner home environment just by getting started. Remember to be intentional about what you clean, including appliances, and try to have fun along the way.
