Let’s face it; the winter holiday season really is the most wonderful time of the year. It is a time to gather and enjoy family and friends that you might not see during the rest of the year. Your focus should be on them and the memories you make together.
One all that merry-making is over, though, you are often left with a big mess to clean up. This year, we recommend adding cleaning, organizing, and decluttering to your list of New Year’s resolutions.
Not quite sure how to do that? You may be wondering which New Year’s cleaning resolutions to add to your list. At TLC Cleaning, we are happy to help you with this list of our own.
If you adopt even a few of these steps into your regular cleaning regimen, you will be amazed at the difference you will see. You will be on your way to a cleaner, more clutter-free house in no time at all.
Keep reading to discover these simple and useful techniques to clean your entire house in record time. For a cleaner New Year, here are the seven essential steps you will want to follow in the following days, weeks, and months.
It’s all in the family
You know what they say about teamwork, it makes the dream work. If you dream of a cleaner house, you need to get everyone on board.
Every member of your family should resolve to strive for a cleaner house. Even the smallest hands can be part of the solution to the mess. The key is finding the right job for each of your family members.
Find jobs that are age-appropriate to save yourself some time and effort. Which jobs are age-appropriate? We are glad you asked-
Ages 2-4
-Help put away toys, shoes, books
-Dust baseboards, windowsills, end tables
-Check under furniture for things that don’t belong
-Carry dirty clothes to the laundry
-Take rugs outside and shake them out
-Empty silverware out of the dishwasher
-Help move chairs out of the way for mopping
Ages 5-6
-Put away the items that were found by the 2-4-year-olds
-Dust furniture- You may need to help with this at first, teach them to be careful not to knock things over
-Fold throw blankets and straighten pillows
-Sweep the floor
-Take laundry hamper to the laundry room
-Move laundry from washer to dryer
-Help fold clean clothes
-Unload dishwasher
-Set and clear the table
-Take out trash
Ages 7 and up
Learn how to operate the washer and dryer
-Load the dishwasher
-Wipe down countertops
-Help clean the bathroom
-Vacuum
Your kids might resist at first, but if you instill good cleaning habits in them early on, they are more likely to keep their own homes clean someday. They are sure to thank you for the lesson, at some point, way in the future.
Do these daily
-Pick up nightly. Have a place for everything, and keep everything in its place. Tidy up your living room and don’t leave your things lying around.
-Do the dishes as you go, don’t leave them for tomorrow. Avoid a sink full of dirty dishes.
-Prevention is key. Invest in a daily shower spray and squeegee walls. Spray and wipe down counters daily.
-Hang up your stuff. Always hang up your towels after bathing. The same goes for your clothes- when they are done bathing.
-Leave your shower door or curtain open. This simple move will help prevent mildew and mold from taking over your shower or bath.
Do These Weekly
-Vacuum carpets. If you vacuum regularly, you will severely cut down on the downtime your family will have to take due to allergies. Be meticulous, your family’s lungs depend on it.
-Dust properly. Don’t just use a traditional duster. Pick up a particle grabbing one or use your vacuum attachment.
-Tackle your toilet. Use a strong toilet bowl cleaner and a brush to remove grime and sanitize.
-Banish soap scum. Your daily shower spray will make this job easier. Grab your favorite all-natural bathroom cleaner
and scrub away.
-Wash your sheets. Your bed linens should be changed and washed at least once a week. Choose the cycle with the hottest water that your linens can take and use color-safe bleach to really clean and sanitize.
Do these monthly
-Tackle trash cans. It is easy to overlook one of the dirtiest parts of your house, your trashcans. Empty the trash bags from each one, transport all of them outside, and disinfect. Mix ¾ cup of bleach and one gallon of water and spray or wipe down all trashcans with the solution. Allow to sit for a few minutes and wipe with a clean towel.
-Clean out the fridge. We’ve all been blown away by the discovery of a new life form taking root in the remains of some food product we forgot about in the back of our fridge. Help avoid that devastating moment by emptying and cleaning your refrigerator every month. Throw away any food that you have cleaned at least three monthly cleanings in a row, just to be safe.
Do these quarterly
-Wash your windows. Don’t forget the sills! Also, you may want to call in a professional if you have more than one story.
-Deep clean the fridge and freezer. Clean and sanitize the shelves and throw out any questionable food. Pay special attention to the gaskets. These sneaky food and grime catchers need to be clean to function correctly. If you can remove them, do it and deep clean and sanitize them.
Do these biannually
-Deep clean floors. Rent a carpet shampoo machine for carpets or s floor buffer for concrete or tile. This deep clean is necessary for carpets, but it is very beneficial for all your flooring.
-Rotate your mattresses.
-Clean your blinds. Also, take this opportunity to clean your curtains.
Do these annually
-Clean your doormats.
-Inspect your chimney. If you have a fireplace, check your chimney for buildup.
-Vacuum ducts. Inspect and clean your air ducts and filters to maintain proper function. This cleaning will allow better air circulation and lower electric bills.
-Check your roof. Clear your roof of debris and check for leaks. Get to know your roof so you can spot problems early enough to prevent catastrophes.
-Light it up. Check and replace bad bulbs and give all your lighting fixtures a good once over. For extra shine, use a bit of polish and elbow grease.
-Wash your walls. Your walls, cabinets, baseboards, and woodwork need love too. Use a mild detergent and a clean cloth to remove dust and dirt.
-Seal up your wood. Reseal all wood to extend its life. This goes double for any outdoor decking or paneling. The elements are not your friends.
Cleaning is no one’s favorite task. It’s just one of those things in life that you just have to do. When it all seems like too much, contact TLC Cleaning. Let us clean it up for you.
