How
Clean is Your House?
by Karen Fritscher-Porter
Do you watch reality television shows with names
like How Clean is Your House, Clean Sweep, Clean House, Mission Organization
and more? They certainly are entertaining. And informative too! They
do provide some good ideas for organizing and cleaning your home. But
what have you actually implemented in your housecleaning plan after
watching these shows? And really...how clean is your house? Try answering
these questions in this house cleaning checklist to determine if your
home is as clean as it could be.
CLEAN HOUSE CHECKLIST
1) Can you draw words in the dust on your shelves,
counters and more? Do family members leave you messages that way? That's
clearly a bad sign when it comes to deciding how clean is your house.
In that case, use a slightly damp cloth to carefully wipe up dust once
or twice a week. The damp cloth is so you don't just brush all the dust
into the air.
While you're at it use a long-handle duster to
clear away those cobwebs. They tend to collect at the ceiling and upper
wall corners and behind items like bookcases that set near the wall.
2) How often do you vacuum your carpets? Once
a week is a good answer. For instance, schedule every Friday as vacuum
day. Wait longer than that and you might find it becomes a much dirtier
job and affects your allergic sensitivities to dust.
But what if you live in a large house? In that
case vacuuming the whole house once a week could be quite a tiresome
chore, especially when combined with all your other chores. So instead
you might want to vacuum daily. But the catch is you might just want
to vacuum one room each day of the week. For instance, vacuum the living
room on Friday, the bedroom on Saturday and so forth.
Just remember though to dust before this chore
(from top downward and even if it's the day before you vacuum). That
way your vacuum can collect any dust that still falls to the floor during
dusting (despite your damp dust cloth).
3) Is your shower or tub growing anything in
it? The only thing that should be alive in your shower or tub is you.
If it's growing mold or mildew, wipe it down with a cloth and spray
bottle cleaner that contains bleach. You may want to let the cleaning
spray settle on it for a few minutes before wiping it down.
Also wash your shower curtain or liner as needed
in the washing machine with some bleach and detergent. Do this to keep
it clean and free of mold and soap scum. You may want to throw a few
towels into the washing machine with your shower curtain to give it
some scrub action. Hang the clean shower curtain to drip dry back in
the shower.
4) Look in all of your closets and on shelving.
Do you see items that already are caked in dust, grease or grime? This
is a sign. It's a strong sign that you don't use these items regularly.
It's time to re-evaluate these dust-covered items to determine why you
have them.
You may decide you don't need this "clutter"
and donate it to a thrift store or trash it. Or you may decide you do
need the item but forgot you had it. In that case, give it a new home
near where you'll remember to use it (or just admire it if it's pretty
or sentimental decor)--preferably frequently. Otherwise out it goes.
Why create more housework by having to clean and dust unused clutter
that provides you with no benefit?
Your home is truly your haven. Keep it warm and
comfortable in atmosphere. Housecleaning will help create this environment.
This house cleaning checklist above listed some ideas to help you determine
how clean is your house. Get started today using the checklist and ideas
but don't feel limited to only those housecleaning tips and advice on
the list.
Karen Fritscher-Porter
is a nationally published freelance writer who produces a series of
websites with home organizing and house cleaning tips. Learn more about
how
clean is your house at http://www.EasyHomeCleaning.com
where you'll find advice to help you clean every room in your home.
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