Clean Up Your Act

The Daily Grind

You probably don’t have time every day to scrub the floors and dust every surface in your home, but a handful of quick daily tasks can go a long way toward keeping your home looking nice. Build them into your routine so they become second nature and you’ll reap the benefits. Do these tasks daily:

• Make the beds – It sounds silly, but this simple task can have a huge impact on your home.
• Load the dishwasher – Never let dirty dishes live in your sink. Try to clean up the dishes you use as you cook, and rinse and load your dishes right after eating to avoid forgetting.
• Wipe down surfaces after each use – Whether you’re cooking in the kitchen or brushing your teeth in the bathroom, keep a cleaning spray nearby to quickly wipe the appliances, counters and sink when you’re done.
• Pick up as you go – The culprit of your “mess” is often just clutter. Place dirty clothes in the laundry basket when you take them off, fold throw blankets in the Family Room and generally put things back where they belong. The kids can help with their toys and rooms as well!

The Forgotten Ones

Now that you’ve established a system for keeping the obvious areas of your home looking their best, you can focus on some objects you probably never think about cleaning – but should be. Every three to four months:

• Wash your shower curtain liner and bath mat – Load the items, along with one or two towels, into the washing machine and wash with a small amount of detergent and cold water on a delicate cycle, then hang to air dry.
• Dust or vacuum the air conditioning/heating vents – Spray the vent with a cleaning spray, wrap a cleaning rag around a butter knife and insert the knife between the metal slats, moving it side to side. Or, skip the hassle and use your vacuum’s wand with a dust brush to quickly eliminate pesky dust.
• Clean your mesh bath loofahs – Rinse and squeeze out any soap residue, then soak the loofahs for five minutes in a solution of one gallon of cool water and one quarter cup of bleach. Thoroughly rinse and hang to air dry.
• Wash your curtains – Remove any hardware from the curtains and then wash on a delicate cycle in cold water with a small amount of detergent. Dry on a low heat setting and remove the curtains before they are completely dry to prevent wrinkles.

Use these tips to create a cleaning routine that will keep your home in tip-top shape year-round!