Have you ever wondered how a cleaning service can make an entire house spotless in a couple of hours but it takes you an entire Saturday to do the same? I know they don’t have those “helpful” little ones following following them around! But, there are a few tricks of the trade that I’ve learned recently and I want to share them with you.
1. Schedule, schedule, schedule.
When a professional cleans a house, they have a set amount of time. They schedule appointments, commit to a time frame, and finish on time. If we schedule a two hour time block on our calendar to clean, that should help us start and stop on time.
As a side note: There’s quite a bit of talk on the blogosphere about housework schedules for SAHM’s, WAHM’s, and WOHM’s. We’ll have a place to share different types of cleaning schedules on iDreamofClean very soon. If you have a schedule that you’d like to share, send it to me, and we’ll link it up. Or if you have a specific question about housework schedules, please ask!
2. Dress appropriately.
Wear clothing that you specifically set aside for cleaning (you know, something other than pajamas). That way a stain or two won’t matter. Also wear shoes, gloves, and even eye protection if needed.
3. Motivation.
Getting motivated to clean can be a lot like getting motivated to work out. Music helps! Listen to something upbeat and fun. Consider creating a playlist just for cleaning!
4. Stay Focused.
Pros don’t stop to watch TV or check email (or twitter, or facebook, or skype, or….you get the idea) so if we want to clean like the pros it’s probably best that we remove our distractions as well.
5. Cleaning tools and products.
Buy good tools and products and use them!
6. Tote your tools.
Keep everything with you so you aren’t running across the house and in and out of rooms wasting precious cleaning time.
7. Clean top to bottom and side to side.
In order to make the best use of our time, we should clean top to bottom and side to side. Clean everything in one spot and keep moving. Professionals don’t move back and forth across one room or multiple rooms. They clean everything in their path and work their way out the door.
8. Use both hands.
Spray with one hand and wipe with the other. Or use a wet rag with one hand and dry with the other.
9. Pick up before you clean.
Picking up is not the same as cleaning. You don’t want to move a stack of papers, clean that area, and move the stack back. You do want to have all of your piles put away so you can clean without anything obstructing your path.
10. Team Work!
Make cleaning a family affair! It will take less time if additional people are involved. The more, the merrier!
Do you implement any of these tips when you clean? Are there other tips that weren’t listed?
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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: givingupperfect
March 30, 2010 at 1:47 pm
I always forget to wear shoes when I do major cleaning. And then my feet and legs are DYING by the end!!!
.-= Mary @ Giving Up on Perfect´s last blog ..Some things I think you might like reading =-.
Totally know what you mean! I’m a barefoot kind of girl (at home anyway). Just can’t bare to wear outside shoes inside!
Bags, Boxes and Baskets
When I’m picking up I plan out exactly what and how I’m going to clean from start to finish and then I make sure that I have plenty of bbb’s to put everything I pick up in so I don’t have to keep running back and forth. For example, toy’s, laundry, specific room things, books, trash, etc. The messier the room the more bbb’s but it means that I never have to leave a spot until it’s completely picked up and ready for dusting and vacuuming. It saves SO much time and I’m not exhausted when I’m finished, instead I feel invigorated knowing that I blessed my home and accomplished so much.
The three B’s are a great tip!! I need to try that!
Twitter: itscome2this
March 30, 2010 at 5:16 pm
I need to get a carrying thing … I’m bad at spending to much time running from room to room to get supplies!
.-= mandi@itscome2this´s last blog ..Get your favorites ready!! =-.
There may be a giveaway for one soon….but, shhhh, don’t tell anyone! :-)
Twitter: oohamanda
March 30, 2010 at 5:58 pm
How have I never known top-to-bottom-side-to-side before? What a great tip!!
And I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THE SCHEDULES! I don’t have one to offer, of course…
.-= oh amanda´s last blog ..Top Ten {Tuesday}: 2010 Disney World Moms Panel Training Day 3 =-.
Love your site!!! Great job!
Thank you :-)
I almost always forget top to bottom, side to side. And every time I think “What was I thinking??”. My biggest things is sorting like items with like items. That way I can just scoop things up and move them together instead of having them scattered every where.
Also – I always tackle the “easiest” area first to feel more accomplished. ;)
.-= Sarah´s last blog ..You gotta read this =-.
I always debate about starting with the easiest area or the most dreaded. I like the idea of feeling like I’ve accomplished something right away!
If I only have a limited amount of time to clean, which is often with three boys, I ask myself what messes would I be most embarrassed by if I had unexpected company? I clean those first, working my way down the list in my head, and before I know it my house is pretty darn respectable.
.-= Joy´s last blog ..Spring =-.
That is such a great idea! I will definitely have to try that!
Twitter: ProverbsWife
April 11, 2010 at 2:54 pm
I’m like a regular June Cleaver…pearls and all. I often clean house in a dress, slacks or whatever I put on for the day. I’ve been challenging myself to be less frumpy and more fabulous. So far….as long as I wear my aprons, I haven’t had any problems with stains and such.
This is a great list of tips. I have one to share. I keep separate cleaning supplies in all 3 bathrooms, the kitchen, the laundry room and the cleaning closet. It makes me more inclined to clean up when I don’t have to go searching around for the supplies.
.-= Saidah @ A Proverbs Wife´s last blog ..How I Got a FREE $150 from College Advantage: Learn How to Get Yours Too! =-.
Oh, I love it! Pearls and all! :-)
Great cleaning tip! Nothing like having to run around the house to find your supplies. Thanks for sharing!
i have a different take on top to bottom etc approach. Ie I go in the bathroom spray on tub and tile cleaner, put in the toilet bowl cleaner, spray the counter and sinks then I go back and clean the tub, then then the toilet, then the counter and sinks. I let the cleaner get a head start, less scrubbing,
I don’t use a bucket for my all purpose cleaner, I use a spray bottle, cleaner mixed with water. (and not use expensive spray cleaners, sorry fantasik and 409) It is always ready for any job and I don’t over use cleaner. I even use it on the floors, I just spray sit a minute and then clean and rinse. Like dishwasher detergent (different post) we use too much cleaner, less is good.
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