When it comes to the art of keeping our homes clean, some people are fanatics, some don’t bother, and most of us just do the best we can. But keeping our living environment clean is important for many reasons.
What some might dismiss as ‘just a bit of dust’ gradually builds up, circulating in the air we breathe. Even the most minute pockets of damp, mould and mildew lurking in the bath and shower can spawn spores that are damaging to our lungs and respiratory systems.
Kitchen surfaces, especially cutting boards and dishcloths, are popular breeding grounds for bacteria easily transferable to hands and on to food. And those furnace filters that haven’t been changed or cleaned for a few years aren’t doing us any good, either.
So now that spring is finally here, it’s time to stop putting off the inevitable and get down to the serious business of cleaning up and clearing out.
Getting started
Whether you’re tackling a major spring clean or just doing the weekly clear-up, cleaning can be daunting. So here are five tips to help you get the task in perspective:
1. Set aside a reasonable period of time to achieve the job at hand. A whole day or weekend is best, depending on the amount of work involved. If you finish early, you’ll feel you’ve accomplished even more. But if you start an hour before dinner, you’ll just end up throwing everything back in the cupboard again.
2. Be realistic about what you can achieve. You can’t rip a whole house apart in a day or overhaul an entire room in an hour. Make a plan and tackle one room at a time.
3. Make sure you have all the tools of the trade before you start. You wouldn’t begin decorating a room without the paint, so why start cleaning without the necessary mops, brooms, dusters, cloths and cleaning products? (more about this later)
4. Get everyone involved. Who made you the designated cleaner? Probably you. Unless you’re living alone, don’t take on the role of sole cleaner. Let them grumble – they must learn to take responsibility. And once they realise they’ll have to clean up after themselves, they might think twice about making a mess in the first place. (Wishful thinking, I know, but we live in hope!)
5. Be ruthless. There’s no point emptying everything out if you’re just going to put it all back again. If you haven’t used it or worn it for a year or two, chances are you’re not going to, so get rid of it. A good rule with clothing is to get rid of one item for every new item you buy.
Cleaning products: right under your nose?
Every year we spend millions of dollars on cleaning products - from traditional brands to new products promising a better result with less work in less time. But they all cost money – money that perhaps we don’t really need to spend.
Have you ever thought how our grandparents, great-grandparents and their parents before them tackled house cleaning? Life was certainly harder, the environment was definitely dirtier, and they had to manage without the many household conveniences we take for granted today.
So what did they use for cleaning products before the onslaught of supermarket aisles crammed full of cleaners, polishes, de-scalers, bleaches, detergents, oven cleaners, and the like?
They made do with everyday household products, and that’s exactly what more and more people are doing today. Vinegar, soap, salt, baking soda, club soda, lemon juice, essential oils – these are just a few of the everyday commodities that can make your home gleam and shine – at the same time helping you to save money and limit environmental damage.
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