Category: Cleaning

Adulting · Cleaning · Family · Parenting

Tips for Busy Moms: No House Helps

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Moms have a lot on their plates, probably more than men have in their briefcases. How do you manage a home without going insane? Good organization is critical. If you are a busy mom feeling overwhelmed, take a minute to read through these tips. They will make your life easier.

Meals

Nothing is more exhausting than daily cooking. What immense efforts were made for a meal that was then quickly swallowed! But offering healthy food to your family is well worth the time. Use these tips.

Frozen foods: Stock up on frozen foods. They are picked at full maturity, stored at the best time of freshness, and they will save you precious time: no need to peel them! 

Meal planning: Plan your menus for the five evenings of the week. Indeed, it is not preparing a meal that takes the most time. It is choosing what to cook! Last-minute decisions about meals are not just time-consuming; they can be stressful.

Cook on weekends: During the weekend, spend half a day cooking. Prepare as many dishes as possible for the week, which you will store in the refrigerator or freezer. When you get from work in the evening, all you have to do is reheat them and add the final touch (a fresh sauce, parsley, etc.).

Shopping

Make a shopping list: Make a shopping list of the products you need regularly. You will hang it on the refrigerator. Whenever you / the nanny / your husband find that something is missing, update it. When it’s time to go shopping, refer to it. It will save you from unending trips to the store during the week.

Use home delivery: Take advantage of the stores’ delivery services. As long as you group your purchases, the amount of the bill will surely entitle you to free delivery.

Shop online: Shopping online can be a bit more expensive. Butyou save the cost of the car trip, and you save yourself a lot of effort. A shopping cart for four people weighs at least 30 kg. Think about the strain on your back when you load and unload!

Cleaning

Pace yourself: It’s not about cleaning everything thoroughly every day but about keeping your home consistently tidy and clean. Clean that uncluttered kitchen table, dirty sink, a stained floor as soon as you notice that they need cleaning.

Use the right products: Most of us are don’t have the time to clean. So finding a cleaning product that speeds up the work can significantly save your time and effort. The right tile cleaner, for instance, should be tough on stains and gentle on the tile surface.

Get every tool you need: Gather all the equipment you need in a plastic bin that you can carry with you. This will eliminate the need to leave one room to pick up a brush or soap in another or from wondering where you may have put the mop.

Be strategic: When you tackle the cleaning of a room, proceed methodically. Update your knowledge on how to clean grout. Learn about the products and techniques that work best. When cleaning, start at a corner of the room and dust while going around until you return to the starting point. Then clean what is in the middle of the room.

Laundry

Get a laundry basket: Install a basket of dirty laundry in each bedroom or on each floor to encourage everyone to throw away their belongings. This will prevent you from stalking dirty socks under the bed and picking up T-shirts behind the toy box. Keep a separate basket for more delicate items, or those with specific care requirements. You can take a look at resources like The Laundress for tips on caring for velvet and other hand-wash fabrics. 

Documents

Talk to the children: Teach your children and your partner to empty the pockets of their clothes before putting them in the dirty basket. Nothing is more painful than the white paper handkerchief that we find crumbled on all the clothes or the purple bus ticket, leaving its mark on the ivory blouse!

Sort your receipts and papers, including pay slips, bank statements, reservations—separate bills from correspondence.

Among the documents to be processed, immediately deal with those which require an urgent response or which do not require more than five minutes (a check to write, a slip to fill out). Andgather the others in a file. You will deal with them later.

Good luck!

Cleaning

3 Common Areas You Might Miss While Cleaning The Home

JayneLeave a comment

3 Common Areas You Might Miss While Cleaning The HomeNearly 3 out of 10 British adults have trouble finding the time to clean their homes, according to a survey commissioned by Beko in 2019. The reason given was that they were too busy to do so, with most simply cleaning as they go and as needed. This does work to keep the house just clean enough to not be uncomfortable. However, many people might still feel anxiety at the fact that dust and dirt may be building up right under their noses.

That’s why it’s important to commit at least one day each month just to clean up the house. However, there are some areas that we might not think to clean but need to nonetheless. The next time you set aside time to give your home a proper tidying, remember these 3 common areas you might miss while cleaning the home.

Hard-To-Reach Surfaces

There are areas in the home that are so commonplace that we forget that they’re even there. Good examples are doorknobs, door frames, windowsills, and light switch panels. Light switches and doorknobs can also be bacterial and disease carriers since everyone in the house touches them every so often.

To clean these areas, first, give them a dusting to get rid of loose particles. Simply spray some disinfectant cleaning solution onto a cloth and wipe away. Microfibre cloth tends to work best as it can pick up dust and dirt faster. Remember to get into the nooks and crannies of the doorknob to dislodge the dirt trapped in them.

Areas Behind Or Underneath Things

Picture frames that are so old they blend into the wall can hide a surprisingly resilient layer of dust underneath. The same goes for the microwave on your kitchen counter or the patch of carpet your sofa has occupied since you moved in.

Once we realize that those covered areas can collect an unhealthy amount of dirt and disease, cleaning them becomes more of a concern. When dealing with tough stains, choose the right carpet cleaner that will suit your needs. You can also create your own solution by mixing dishwashing liquid, vinegar, and baking soda to get rid of tough stains on walls and counters.

Rarely Opened Containers And Drawers 

With a large build-up, dust may start spewing from even the smallest spaces. To prevent this, drawers and hidden corners in your monthly home cleaning. Take out all the contents, set them aside, and wipe down the interiors.

Use a natural cleaning solution if the dirt proves to be tough to remove. Then, let the area dry while you tend to other parts of the house.

Don’t fret if you happened to forget even one of these three hidden spaces. But while it has to be done, the reward in knowing that your home is dirty-free and well-maintained is what makes the task even more worth the effort.

Cleaning

Signs That Your Home Needs a Professional Deep Clean

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We all want our homes to be our sanctuaries from the bustle of the outside world. As much as we might like to dedicate to a regular cleaning schedule, our busy modern lives often get in the way. With everything else on your plate, it can be hard to find the time to give your house the attention it deserves.

Thankfully there are professional cleaners who are able to provide a thorough deep clean, scrubbing away any residual dirt and leaving your home looking spotless. Here are just a few occasions that may warrant a deep clean for your house.

When you feel overwhelmed

It does not take much of a lapse in weekly cleaning for grime and dirt to begin to infiltrate every corner of your home. The longer you put off the less savoury cleaning tasks, the harder it becomes to face the idea of getting stuck in. Worse still, it can become hard to prioritise which rooms to clean first and how to fit everything into your busy schedule.

When there is a newborn on the way

While it is true that babies need to come into contact with dirt to develop their immune systems, they certainly don’t need to be surrounded by harmful household bacteria and germs. When you’re bringing a new life into the world, you will want to be sure that you home is clean, safe, and ready to give your baby the best start in life.

You are trying to sell your house 

Prospective buyers are going to see a lot of houses. If you want to stand out, you need to go the extra mile to show them your property at its very best. Every little edge you can gain will help to ensure that you not only sell your house, but sell it at a great price.   

Before a party

If your house isn’t spotless before your guests arrive, imagine the state it will be in by the time they leave. Whether you are trying to impress that special someone or you just want to show off the best your home has to offer, it is well worth arranging for a cleaner to give your home a thorough service.  

After a party   

Nobody has ever thrown a party because they love cleaning up after everyone. If you don’t want to personally handle the festivity’s aftermath, it may be time to call in a professional. Booking a service in advance will allow you to enjoy the evening without having to worry about all the mopping and scrubbing you will need to do tomorrow. Leave it to the pros.  

You are about to move in

There will never be a better time to give your house a thorough deep clean than just before you move all your belongings and furniture in. Never again will your cleaner have such unprecedented access to every nook and cranny of your home. Moving is always stressful so why not take a load off your shoulders and take comfort in the knowledge that you won’t have to clean a thing when you arrive. 

Conclusion

Whatever the occasion, don’t be afraid to get some outside help to give your home the attention it deserves. Once you have seen the difference it can make to let a professional get to work on every inch of your property, you will wonder why you didn’t hire one sooner! If you’re in the London area, why not consider finding the perfect cleaner for you on TidyChoice?  

Author biography

David Reeson is a University of Leeds graduate currently working as a digital marketing intern at Tidychoice. He has years of experience working in digital marketing sales.

Cleaning

Top 8 Ways to Simplify Your House Cleaning

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Housework
Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash

House cleaning is a necessary but stressful process for everyone. Generally, it starts off as a seemingly simple chore which becomes increasingly overwhelming as time passes by. And most of us wish that the process could be simpler and less tedious. Well, it could be, but only if you know how to make the process simpler and less stressful. This article focuses on eight ways to make house simpler.

Do a little daily

Staying on top of  small daily tasks makes cleaning so much easier. Most of us prefer to do all our house cleaning in a single day, the main reason being the lack of time during weekdays due to work. However, doing a few small tasks daily such as wiping counters and washing dishes can make a huge difference. The aim here is to avoid building smaller chores into large ones.

Make a Schedule

Staying on top of things is not as easy as it sounds especially because there is a plethora of other stuff which occupies your mind and could cause you to forget that you have to do the dishes or wipe the counters. That is why it is important to have a schedule which clearly shows when you want to get some house chores done. Having a schedule gives you a clear-cut plan of action and prevents lagging or idling around when you have work to be done. This itinerary, together with all of the equipment that you need, such as the best handheld steamer for cleaning carpets, and upholstery, and a good mop and bucket for the kitchen floors, can really help to make your cleaning more efficient.

Make and implement rules

 Sometimes, making a few rules could be just what you need to make house cleaning simpler and less stressful. This is especially necessary if people usually make a mess at your home which you have to clean up all by yourself. Some rules would go make it easier to do your job, especially if everyone does theirs. Consider rules like “no shoes on while on the carpet” which could help reduce the number of times you need to vacuum-clean your carpet. An important part of making rules is implementation of the rules since rules without implementation are nothing but words.

Decluttering

 An important part of making cleaning simpler is organization. The main cause of cluttering at home is the fact that everything is kept everywhere. Have places for everything. If possible, label places where certain stuff should be kept like cups, plates, spoon/forks and other household equipment. This also applies to clothes, undies, and shoes.

Clean as you go

This technique is better and easier to use after decluttering. Once clusters have been reorganized, wiping becomes much easier, maybe even fun. Wiping bathroom counters and sinks after taking a bath could be easier after bottles and accessories have been moved out of the way. Also, cleaning dishes after meals make the sink empty which in turn makes wiping easy. However, not all chores are compatible with this technique but it is important to do those that are.

Be consistent

 Consistency is important in making house cleaning simple. If you have work to be done, do the work. There is nothing worse and demotivating than being in work mode and then lagging only to continue later. Being consistent is also about doing a little each day without skipping. Doing some laundry for about ten minutes each day will reduce the overall amount of laundry you have to do during weekends.

Delegate chores 

If dirtying the house is not entirely your fault, then, cleaning the house should not be entirely your responsibility. Make cleaning a family thing. Delegate some of the chores to the kids. Regardless of the age, everyone should be able to contribute in some way (except a toddler, of course). Being a mom doesn’t mean you have to carry the entire load of housecleaning.

Consider outdoor help

 If the burden of work is too much for you, employ a maid or a yardman. Employing outside help will immensely lessen your workload and give you time to actually spend with your kids and train them in the way you would like them to be. However, if you think you couldn’t handle the workload, outside help is unnecessary.

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Liz is a part of the Content team at Best Vacuum Expert, sharing expert knowledge and best tips on how to have a clean house.

Cleaning

5 Must-Haves Items to Make Clean-Ups a Breeze

Jayne2 Comments

Let’s face it: cleaning can be quite a chore (pun intended). However, the right products can help make this job easier, safer, and quicker. Here are a few must-haves that you should definitely keep in your cleaning cabinets.

Baking Soda

No list of cleaning must-haves is complete without baking soda. You can find it in the ingredient list of a lot of environmentally friendly cleaning products, but on its own, baking soda is a fantastic deodorizer, degreaser, and stain remover.  You can also use it to scrub the grime off tiles and grout, and remove the baked-on residue from the bottom of pots and pans. You can even add a cup baking soda to your load of laundry, along with your liquid detergent, to make whites look whiter and colors brighter.

Microfiber Cleaning Implements

Whether you’re at home or in the office, there are a lot of surfaces that can gather dust — tabletops, baseboards, the tops of the blades of ceiling fans, even picture frames. With the help of microfiber cloths and microfiber dusters, you’ll make quick work of these dusty surfaces. That’s because the positive charge of microfiber attracts and lifts dust, which has a negative charge, instead of just pushing it around like regular rags do. Another benefit of microfiber is that it will hold on to the dust until you wash or rinse it.

To deal with high places like the tops of cabinets, and narrow areas like the spaces under furniture, look for a microfiber duster with a threaded handle and a flexible head.

Sturdy Broom and Dust Pan

You need a good broom with sturdy, sweep-them-all head to deal with all kinds of dry debris on your floors: dust, food crumbs, bits of paper, even broken glass. Check the bristles: the tighter they are, the better. Another good feature to have on a broom is an angled or adjustable head; this will give you a more ergonomic stroke that’s easier on your wrists and arms. For dust pans, make sure that the lip lies as flat against the floor as possible, so that no rubbish can escape when you sweep them in. If you’re regularly dealing with a lot of detritus — spilled cereal from over-enthusiastic toddlers, for example — opt for a deeper dustpan.

Other features to look for are adjustable handles, clip-on attachments so you can keep the broom and the pan together for storage, and cleaning “teeth” that you can use to comb through the bristles of the broom to keep them clean.

Eco-Friendly Disinfectants

Keeping your kitchen and bathroom looking clean is not enough — you need to disinfect them to keep those germs and bacteria at bay. Ideally, you should wipe down the sink and kitchen counters every day. For your bathroom, once a week is an ideal schedule for disinfecting your toilet and sink. You should also wash and disinfect your shower curtains once a week to prevent mildew build-up. Your bathtub can take longer in between disinfecting sessions, about once every two weeks; adjust this schedule, however, if you shower often or if the tub is shared among several members of the household.

There are a lot of eco-friendly disinfectants available in the market, most of which are plant-based. You can look for ingredients such as eucalyptus oil, lavender oil, tea tree oil, apple cider vinegar, lemon, and mint.

Rubber Gloves

Of course, you don’t have to wear rubber gloves all the time, especially if you’re only doing some routine sweeping or dusting. However, for more heavy duty cleaning jobs like scrubbing the toilet and tub, cleaning the oven, and hand-washing heavy dishes and cookware, rubber gloves are a big help. They improve your grip and also protect your hands from bacteria and other harmful elements.

Keep your rubber gloves clean by simply rinsing and air-drying them after each use. You can pop them on the top rack of your dishwasher or include them in a wash cycle together with your other cleaning cloths to disinfect them. Air-dry them completely, away from direct sunlight to keep them sturdy for a long time.

It maybe tiresome for many, but just like any other job, you need the right tools for cleaning. Once you do, not only will you be more effective at doing, you’ll also find that it can also be rather enjoyable. Happy cleaning!