Cost of House Cleaning Brooklyn

The cost of getting a home or office cleaned depends on the size and workload. The first visit is usually the most expensive because the cleaners must get used to what the home looks like and where everything is. Usually the next visits take less time because the home has been cleaned before and is prepared for easier cleaning tasks for the future. The price will be lower the next time around. 1st Class Cleaners provide discounts to contract clients. It is not necessary to create a contract. 1st Class Cleaners welcomes first time customers and hope that their service is up to their client’s standards so that they will hire them for their future cleaning needs.

Is it Safe to Have House Cleaning Services in Brooklyn?

1st Class Cleaning hires professional and trained professionals to work on our staff. If a client is worried about leaving a cleaner in their home alone, they can stay with them to show them the ropes. If the client will not be home during services, a key may be left with the company in a double locked box. Keys are cross-referenced and coded so that no mix ups occur. If a valuable item or room is not to be touched, the maid should be informed to stay away and only work on the area that they are instructed to. 1st Class Cleaning is completely bonded and insured so there is no need to worry about theft or vandalism. You can rest assured that your valuable items are safe. 1^st Class Cleaning employs professional and trustworthy individuals who work diligently to make your house feel like a home.

Contact Us  for All Your House Cleaning Needs in Brooklyn

1st Class Cleaning serves the Brooklyn, Downtown, Manhattan, New York City, Queens, Astoria and Wall Street areas. No home or office is too big of a project for them. Call us at 1-800-309-7881 or contact us today! By providing the necessary information, a quote can be given over the phone for the initial cleaning and for future cleanings afterwards. With a professional staff and organic cleaning equipment, clients will be happy that they hired 1st Class Cleaning to have their home or office service.

New homes have a more detailed checklist when it comes to cleaning than previously lived in homes or general cleaning of an occupied home. The construction dust and debris requires intense and specific attention to every surface and inside every cabinet as well.

1^st Class Cleaning will arrive prepared to tackle your new home from top to bottom and all sides. The cleaning professionals will wipe down every surface and inside every cabinet, including the floors and light fixtures. Vacuuming will be done across all surfaces, carpeted as well as non-carpeted, windows, corners and the like. 1^st Class Cleaning will ensure your house looks like the sparkling new home of your dreams.

Sure, you could save money and clean your newly constructed home yourself. However, are you willing to invest the time and energy needed to cover every single surface and crevice in the house? Do you have the equipment necessary to reach all corners, clean off labels and make your home spotless? Why not hire professional cleaning service that already knows what needs to be done and already has all necessary equipment and cleaning supplies? 1^st Class Cleaning will cover every necessary item that needs to be done following construction of your new home and installation of your chosen decor and comfort items such as carpet and light fixtures.

By hiring experienced and efficient professionals for the job, you can focus on getting your things packed and the family ready to move. Walking into your brand new home where it is sparkling and ready to move into is a moment worth the cost of hiring the professionals. You get to enjoy your home all clean and ready to be occupied. Each room, all windows and doors, all flooring and fixtures will be shiny and clean, ready for you and your family to begin your new life in your new home.

When the construction on your new home is almost complete, contact us at 1st Class Cleaning, www.1stclasscleaningnyc.com, for a detailed list and estimate on how we can provide you with new house cleaning service Brooklyn style. You will appreciate being able to move in and enjoy your new home immediately. Moving is plenty of work without having to clean as well!

Families with young children are often consumed during the week with work, school and extra-curricular activities. When these sports and recreational commitments extend into the weekend days as well parents need to find a solution to help with the cleaning. Even families with substantial free-time during the weekend may believe that family time is valuable and decide to hire a cleaning company to enhance the amount of time available to spend doing family-centered activities. It is essential to research a company’s reputation and the services they offer to find one that is customized to your needs and requirements.

When deciding to employ the services of a house cleaning company you will want to find one that is affordable, customer-friendly and experienced. Furthermore, an individual considering hiring cleaning help will be concerned with the safety and security of their valuables and heirlooms. Choosing a company that requires their employees to be bonded and insured helps validate that your treasured items will not be broken, touched or misplaced. Prior to the first cleaning you will have the opportunity to discuss with a housekeeper what areas need to be cleaned, how often you would like to have your home cleaned and what to expect from service. Some companies will require a long-term commitment but it is also possible to hire companies that feature flexibility. With no required contracts it is easy to have your home sparkle and shine for an upcoming event or after guests leave. For busy families they may find that consistently having a professional come to clean the house is incredibly beneficial and allows them more freedom and time to enjoy family events.

In addition to ensuring that those cleaning your home are responsible and respectful it is also important to consider what materials are being used to scrub, disinfect and polish. Hiring a housecleaner that utilizes eco-friendly cleaning solvents and materials that are safe for children and pets is becoming a factor in deciding which company to hire. By using products free from harsh, dangerous chemicals you are prioritizing the well-being of the earth and your family’s health.

Once you have decided that hiring a professional cleaning company will provide the benefits your family deserves take the time to contact 1st Class Cleaning at www.1stclasscleaningnyc.com today. Our prompt, courteous response will reinforce the value we place on providing superior professional cleaning services to New York City residents, customized for your specific living situation.

Commercial Kitchen Maintenance
Large industrial kitchens in NYC are in constant use, with enormous amounts of food being prepared by the cook staff. Every drip and drop, every spilled substance and every residue on the countertops means a breeding ground for bacteria. These kitchens must be kept sanitized in order for commercial operations to continue as the premises must meet the enforced health codes. An expert commercial cleaning service deploys knowledgeable field staff that can quickly turn a dirty kitchen into one that looks brand new, and this maintenance can be scheduled for any time of the day or night.

1st Class Cleaning NYC personnel know exactly what to look for in terms of dirt buildup, grease deposits on the surfaces and ventilation hoods, behind appliances and around refrigerator seals. Armed with the latest in green technology cleaning products, 1^st Class Cleaning will thoroughly clean an industrial kitchen while keeping their products away from foods, utensils and sensitive areas like gas burners, electric heat elements and wiring.

Home Kitchen Sanitation
Most airborne and food borne illnesses are contracted by individuals after the germs have bred in areas where there is organic buildup. The kitchen may fall behind schedule in terms of maintenance when the family is too busy, the adults work outside the home, or there is an unusual amount of use in the kitchen itself, such as a large house party with lots of cooking to be performed. 1st Class Cleaning NYC has field operatives that specialize in the cleaning of kitchens, removing grime, grease and soot from the appliances, making sure the entire range and stovetop is free from food buildup, leaving the oven shiny clean and removing the accumulated dust from the cabinets, hood and hard to reach areas.

These house cleaners can be hired to perform a one-time operation or can be used on a weekly or monthly basis. They arrive with the proper equipment and environmentally-friendly cleaning products that will not affect individuals or pets who have certain allergies. It is imperative to use a company that avoids the use of toxic chemical cleaners as these can have a negative effect on both humans and their pets when dangerous residues are left behind. An eco-friendly cleaning service uses organic chemicals that will not harm the water system and are easily broken down when the waste is sent via the sewer system to the water treatment facility.

Using the services of a professional kitchen cleaning service is not only quite affordable, it is the best way to insure that the health of the individuals nearby is not affected by germs or bacterial growth. A healthy kitchen is a happy kitchen and a more enjoyable place to prepare foods, either for the family or for restaurant diners, when the premises is maintained by the expert staff at 1st Class Cleaning NYC. Contact us at www.1stclasscleaningnyc.com and enjoy a clean kitchen today!

Know What You Need

So many people hire a cleaning service without first figuring out what they need.  Don’t be vague about the services that you want provided to you.  If you need your bathtub scrubbed or , make sure that the house cleaning service you hire is up to it.  There is nothing worse than assuming that a service will be provided to you only to find out that it is unavailable.  Be upfront about your needs.  Require a detailed list of services from the house cleaning service you are interested in hiring.  If those services match your needs, you can move forward confidently.  Ensure that the cleaning service can work around your schedule.  If you need the job done in the afternoon and the company only offers evening time service, this can be a hassle.  A cleaning service should be convenient not aggravating.

Know Your Standards

If you are going to hire a company to clean your house, you should have high standards.  Making a haphazard selection without finding out a company’s quality of service is not recommended.  Find out the reputation of the company before you invite them into your house.  You can look at customer reviews online.  Positive and negative comments will help you to make a more informed decision.  Does the company have a satisfaction guarantee?  What if you are unhappy with how your home was cleaned?  The company you hire should have such a high standard that they ensure that you are pleased with the job.  A company like 1^st Class Cleaning will re-clean any room in your house if you are not satisfied.

Know Their Operation

The way a company operates is important for you to know.  A company with a strict employee selection procedure can make sure that only honest people have access to your family and property.  A company with a stringent code of conduct with consequential impact will help to prevent you from being victimized and taken advantage of.  House cleaning service companies that are bonded and insured protect themselves and you from financial responsibility should there be an employee accident or damage to your property.

1^st Class Cleaning knows how hard it is to find a quality cleaning service in Astoria, Queens.  Let 1^st Class Cleaning provide you with house cleaning service that you can depend on.  Visit www.1stclasscleaningnyc.com to find out more about their services.

The Benefits

There are many rewards that come with hiring a cleaning service.

• You Time:  This is the time that you can spend doing the things you want to do.  That could be sleeping, going on a date, watching a movie, playing with your child or even working.  You time is important and cleaning shouldn’t get in the way of that.  Having a house cleaning service that can clean your home at the time you desire is imperative.  A great house cleaning company can deliver their service at any time.  You should be able to dictate a time that is convenient for you.

• Special Occasions:  Getting ready for a special event at your home is hard work.  Making sure that all the details are just right and executing your plans can be difficult.  Cleaning is one element that you should be able to entrust to someone else.  Since cleaning can be tedious and time consuming, it can take away from all the other elements of your party or social gathering.

• Hygiene: Keeping your home sanitized and hygienic is vital.  Having young children in your home raises the sanitary requirement because they are more susceptible to contracting diseases because of their partially developed immune system.  Germs and bacteria from dirt and household pets can increase your need for a house cleaner

• Guests: When family and friends pay you a visit for hours or even weeks, this can put immense pressure on you to make your house sparkling clean.  Because you love your family and friends, you want to go the extra mile to make them feel welcomed.  Instead of worrying about how your house looks, you can take the time to plan how you will spend time with your guests.

Services

Formulating a cleaning plan that is developed with you in mind is the best part about hiring a cleaning service like 1^st Class Cleaning. You can select from a wide variety of cleaning services that are perfect for your home and lifestyle.  Your needs are their priority.  Standard services include cleaning floors, dishes, kitchens, bathrooms, changing bed linens and dusting knickknacks and decorative items.

Make Sure That the House Cleaning Service:

- has a good reputation

- thoroughly screens their employees

- is bonded and insured

- guarantees their work

-offers the services you need

-can accommodate your schedule

-uses environmentally friendly products

-has great customer reviews

A company like 1^st Class Cleaning has been providing superior house cleaning services for years.  To schedule an appointment for them to clean your house, visit www.1stclassremedy.com today.

A house cleaning service will do just about anything you need on the inside of your home. If you need bushes trimmed, leaves raked or sidewalks swept, a house cleaning service is not the way to go. But, if you want help with an annual Spring cleaning, if you need to sanitize your home after a family member was sick, if you need to do a thorough cleaning upon move out to make sure you get your security deposit back, or if you want a weekly cleaning to keep your house sparkling, a house cleaning service can help you. Most companies can even customize their services to meet your specific needs so that you get exactly what you want from them. They can also come on your schedule, and some will even come when you’re not home so that you can come back from work to a totally clean home.

Before hiring someone, ask yourself a few questions.

How do I know I can trust them? This question is vital if you’re going to have the service come into your home when you aren’t there. Find out about their hiring process and how they screen their employees. Do they do background checks? How can you be assured that the people who come in and out of your home are trustworthy?

What happens if someone gets hurt? To avoid a lawsuit and the potential financial impact of something like that, make sure you hire a company that is bonded and insured. That way, if something does happen in your home you aren’t liable. This protects the employee by keeping them covered in the event of an accident that requires medical attention, and protects you by keeping your assets covered if a worker happens to trip and fall in your home.

What is their reputation like? The easiest way to find out about a business is to Google them. Find out what people are saying. Type in their name in Facebook and Twitter. Search forums for current reviews on the company. This will help give you an accurate picture of the company’s current employees and policies. That way you can decide if they will be a good fit for you and your family.

What type of cleaners are they using? This is an especially important issue if you have family members with respiratory problems, or pets. It’s important to hire someone who uses environmentally friendly cleaners so the members of your household are not in danger every time they come to clean.

When you’re searching for a New York house cleaning service, consider 1^st Class Cleaning. They are bonded and insured and do background checks on all their employees, so you can rest assured you’re getting the safest and most secure cleaning service possible. They also use environmentally friendly cleaners that absorb dirt, rather than breaking it down with harsh cleaners. That helps keep you and your family safe from toxic chemicals.

For more information about New York house cleaning services, or to schedule your appointment with 1^st Class Cleaning, go to www.1stclasscleaningnyc.com today.

First of all, it’s important to understand what a house cleaning service does and doesn’t do.  Most house cleaning service providers do not include any type of lawn maintenance or landscaping in their services. They also won’t provide power washing services of things like decking and driveways.  In general, a house cleaning service will do just about any type of domestic task inside the home you can imagine.

Do you live with a particularly messy teenager?  Or, maybe you acquired a foreclosed home that is filthy.  What’s known as a “deep cleaning” may be in order.  This involves the most thorough cleaning of the entire home.  Nooks, crannies, and every surface possible is scrubbed and disinfected until it’s sparkling.

Bathrooms and kitchens also provide plenty of places to be cleaned.  Scrubbing appliances and fixtures until they look new, cleaning refrigerators inside and out, even oven cleanings can be arranged by some house cleaning services.

Once you’ve decided specifically what you expect from your cleaning service provider, you should look into the company’s hiring process.  How are their employees screened?  How will the company respond if your personal property is damaged while they are there?  How are your things protected?  Some cleaning companies don’t require you to be home at the time of your cleaning.  So, how is your key or alarm system handled?  Who has access to that information?  Check reviews from customers closely for any complaints of theft or excess damage, and don’t hesitate to ask the company you’re considering about them if there are any.  Also, protect yourself by ensuring you hire a company that’s insured, and provides their workers with workman’s compensation.  That way, in the unlikely event a maid is hurt in your home you will be better protected.

Something else to think about is what type of cleaning products are they using?  Do you have a child with allergies or asthma?  In that case, you should avoid companies using toxic chemicals to get the job done.  Businesses like 1^st Class Cleaning only use green products made by a company called Method.  The cleaning products they use absorb dirt naturally, rather than chemically eliminating it.  Method products are also biodegradable and don’t pollute the rivers, streams and oceans they may eventually end up in.  They are also safe for homes with pets and surfaces that have been cleaned with their products don’t need to be rinsed after cleaning.

Finally, how does the service fit into your budget?  Are they offering super low prices to lure you in?  Again, check the company’s reviews to try and discover if the quality of their work is in line with their prices.

It’s important to consider specifically what you may want to get from a house cleaning service in order to hire one you will be happy with.  Decide what you would like, then call a reputable service, like 1^st Class Cleaning.  They can easily meet the needs of your home, family and budget.

It’s important when looking for a cleaning service to hire that you understand what you need from them.  If you need someone for landscaping or any kind of lawn maintenance, then a house cleaning service may not be the best option.  They also won’t handle any power washing needs, or basically anything on the outside of your home.

However, the inside of your house provides an endless list of possibilities.  Many companies will tailor their services to meet your specific requirements at that time.  Only want someone to come once for a heavy duty Spring cleaning?  Just need your windows done occasionally?  Or, do you want someone to come weekly to keep your home looking like a photo in a magazine?

Many house cleaning companies offer a range of services including:

• Top to bottom deep cleaning
• Weekly maintenance, including vacuuming, mopping and dusting
• Cleaning all appliances, including the refrigerator and oven inside and out
• Bathrooms
• Windows
• Grout steam cleaning
• Bacteria sanitizing

But, before you move forward with a company that does all these things, there are a few things to consider.  Are their employees insured and bonded?  Many smaller cleaning companies don’t provide this to their employees, putting you and them at risk if they are hurt in your home, or if your things are damaged.  What are their policies regarding personal property damage?  Read their customer reviews.  Have they had any complaints, especially involving theft?  How were these issues resolved?  Your own security is also an important consideration.  Will they come to your home when you’re not there?  If so, who has access to your keys or alarm codes?  How can you be sure their employees can be trusted?

Something else to think about is the type of chemicals are they going to use in your home.  This should be carefully considered, especially if you have someone with asthma or pets living in your home.  Companies like 1^st Class Cleaning use only green products manufactured by a company called Method.  Their products absorb dirt, rather than break it down with harsh chemicals.  They are also environmentally friendly and completely biodegradable.  In fact, it’s unnecessary to rinse any surface that’s been cleaned with Method products.

Additionally, how affordable are their services?  Do their prices line up with what they’re offering?  Does it seem like they’re offering an awful lot for not very much money?  This could come back to bite you, if they’re tactic is to lure customers in and then offer low quality work as you will have to pay someone else to clean your home again.

Finally, do they stand behind their work?  1^st Class Cleaning offers an Unconditional Satisfaction Guarantee.  If you are in any way unhappy with the cleaning, they will come back and redo it for free.  So, please don’t hesitate to contact them and schedule your home cleaning today.

Many people have different ideas as to just what jobs might be involved when they hear the term “house cleaners”. House cleaners do not typically do things that are involved with outside work such as landscaping and power washing. More to the point, these cleaners do almost any domestic job inside the house that you could think of.

Some homeowners truly need what is known as a “deep-cleaning”, starting from the top of their house, and working all the way down. While this involves lots of dusting, sweeping, rearranging, and sorting, there are some house cleaners that will do it—for a fee.

This type of cleaning also has additional steps when it comes to the bathrooms, and various nooks and crannies. House cleaners will have their own tricks of the trade to ensure that bathrooms are spotlessly cleaned, and the faucets aren’t dripping or covered in mold.

Slipping into the kitchen also provides the house cleaners with plenty to do. Scrubbing refrigerators until they’re spotless inside, floors until they look shiny again—and the stovetop unit until it looks like it was brand-new. Even cleaning the oven can be arranged by these professionals.

The house cleaners New York residents can find are well worth the money that is spent—and then some. Freedom from doing even the most mundane of chores can be worth the money spent to homeowners.

Consider that just a small amount of money, and about twenty minutes’ worth of prep time, will get you a really clean house—all while you are gone at work. Floors swept, house dusted, windows done; the basic household stuff that you can never seem to get to yourself. Yes, paying that small fee is worth it.

Ensuring that you are getting what you’re paying for is difficult, so it pays to get references from other people. Take the time to compare the prices of several house cleaning companies. If the one that you are considering is more reasonable than others, then it is probably the right fit for you.

Think about what you are in need of, specifically for services from house cleaners New York offers. Is it just little stuff that would only take you a couple of hours at most, if you were detail cleaning, or are you looking for more involved projects that will take more time?

Write down what you need, then can a local, reliable company like 1^st Class Cleaners NYC. They offer an extensive line of cleaning services for every part of your home or office. If you want it all done right, you have to trust the professionals. 1^st Class Cleaning NYC is a go-to cleaning company with a great reputation and incredible services.

When searching for cleaning services ensure that you do the following:

• Know what kind of cleaning is needed before you start looking for house cleaning services in Rochester New York. Determine if you want all rooms clean and the extent of the cleaning required. Will cleaners need to clean windows, and if so, how often? Having all of this down helps in writing the contract and determining cost.
• Determine how much you can afford to pay weekly or monthly for house cleaning services depending on your needs.
• Search for potential house cleaning services in Rochester, New York. Make a list of five to 10 of the companies that interest you, and contact them. You can find prospective cleaning services by searching online, asking for recommendations (nothing beats word of word) and the yellow pages.
• Get an idea of the cost structure so you can know whether or not it falls within your budget. Some companies charge more for certain kinds of residences and based on the number of persons who live there. This way you can weed out those providers that will be more costly than you budgeted for.
• Find out what experience they have in doing certain kinds of cleaning. Many houses in Rochester have natural hardwood floors or marble. It makes sense to get cleaners who have experience with this type of surface.

Checking out the company offering house cleaning services in Rochester, New York or anywhere else is also important. You will have strangers in your home where you have valuables. As such, you need to be sure that the staff has been properly screened by the company. It is also important to question any references that are provided. Make sure all workers are licensed and bonded.

With so many people going green, requests are sometimes made for natural or organic cleaning solutions. Plus, some people have allergies to certain chemicals, so it is important to discuss this with the cleaning provider. They should be willing or able to use alternative cleaning material. Many house cleaning services in Rochester, like 1stClassCleaningNYC offer hypoallergenic and green cleaning solutions.

For many home owners it is a necessity to get house cleaning help. Keeping a house clean and tidy is a never-ending process. For many homeowners, they simply do not have the time to put into housekeeping themselves. It may not be necessary to get full time help, but many house cleaning companies offer flexible options. Some will come in when called for special tasks or for a set number of hours. Finding house cleaning services in Rochester, New York isn’t hard, and you will have your house cleaned the way you want it.

With the right attitude and a little time management, it doesn’t have to take a lot of time to get some of the smaller, less time consuming chores done. Being able to get some light dusting in after work while the kids were at soccer practice, or running the vacuum cleaner through the living room area while dinner is in the oven is a nice idea, but even the best of us are not even able to accomplish this much after a long work day. Assuming we have the time and energy to do a few things in the evening to keep things neat and orderly doesn’t constitute a clean house. Most experts would say that while your home may look clean, it is not. Looking clean and surface clean are two entirely different entities. Most people don’t have time to sufficiently clean their house, let alone move all the furniture while vacuuming, or dusting all the pictures on the walls along with the endless knick knack collection. For most of us, keeping the bathroom spic and span on a daily basis can only be achieved in Lysol and Scrubbing Bubble ads.

There are many areas in the home that are not thoroughly cleaned, and who has time for it? The kitchen is one area that may appear to be clean and is one of the most unsanitary areas in the home. Lift up the stovetop burners and take a gander at all the food and grime that is hidden there. How about the range hood or the top of the refrigerator, or even the top of the kitchen cabinets? If you have kids keeping the bathroom clean and germ-free is next to impossible on a daily basis.

Of all the services that we are able to find the money for, one service that should be included in the monthly budget is hiring a maid service. Being able to have someone that comes in to do many of the chores that we do not have time for or that we hate doing is worth every penny. Hiring a maid service does not have to be expensive and most services provide you with many different plans to choose from. When you start to consider that most services provide their own cleaning supplies and are relatively inexpensive, it is easy to justify a monthly or bi-weekly service that provides you with a clean home, peace of mind and more time to spend with your family and friends.

There are several considerations when you decide to hire a house cleaning service. NY has so many of them, and the prices that they offer can really vary. How important is price to you? Some people are on a very strict budget but still want their house to be cleaned. Other people have plenty of money to spend on cleaning, but they might want to use that cash for other things, so they could still be looking for the best deal or the least expensive house cleaning service that they can find. The most expensive service won’t always do the best job, but the least expensive service may not be wonderful either. More than just the price of the service should be considered. The value – or what you’re actually getting for the price that you’re paying – matters much more than the actual dollar amount you’re handing over.

When you hire a house cleaning service, NY has licensing requirements for businesses and you should check to see if your house cleaners are licensed and insured. Are they registered with the BBB, and have there been any complaints made against them? If there were complaints, were they resolved quickly and appropriately? There are plenty of unlicensed people who will clean your house, but what happens when they get hurt on your premises or when they break something that’s costly or that can’t be easily replaced. These are all things to consider, and it’s not necessarily a good idea to save a few dollars by getting someone who’s business status is questionable to clean your home.

If you decide to hire a house cleaning service, NY phone directories and Internet searches can be helpful but they’ll only lead you so far. Rather than just pick the first name you find, really pay attention to who you’re hiring. Check them out, get a few price quotes from different companies, and then get to know the people a bit. Talk to them, see if you feel comfortable with them in your home, and make sure the company is a legitimate one. Ask about discounts, if you’ve found other companies that charge less or there are other extenuating circumstances. It never hurts to ask, and you just might get an even better deal than you were expecting.

1. Establish a household cleaning schedule. Everyone who lives in your home should have some place in this schedule, even if it’s simply to be responsible for their own areas. A household cleaning schedule breaks down the daunting task of cleaning a whole house into manageable chunks that are performed throughout the week.
2. Clean as you go. Do you have the unfortunate habit (as so many of us do) of leaving behind your newspapers, clothes, and dishes where you last used them? If you do, breaking this habit for good will only make life easier on you. After you are done with something, put it away or clean it up. Enforce this rule for everyone in your home.
3. Clean rooms from top to bottom. Start at the ceilings and work your way downward; this is the fastest way to thoroughly clean a room and helps you to avoid having to re-clean areas. Dust high to low and always clean floors last.
4. Have fun with it. There’s no shame in putting on some jams and dancing with your mop if it gets you happily through what would otherwise be a menial chore. Cleaning is a lot more fun if you can head bob or dance through it.
5. Get rid of it if you don’t love it or need it. Clutter confuses the eye and can make a tidy home look unkempt. If some items in your home aren’t regularly useful, don’t fit in with a design plan, or have meaningful sentimental value, donate them. Excess stuff just takes up space and takes more time to clean.
6. Keep all your cleaning supplies in the same place. It can be tempting to leave cleansers in the areas they are most used – glass cleaner in the bathroom, for example – but you will lose a lot of time if you need that product to clean something else yet you can’t remember where you put it.
7. When you can, go natural and green. Many people think this means investing in expensive “green” products, but most of the time baking soda or white vinegar work wonders, without the nasty chemicals that might affect the air quality in your home. A simple vinegar cleaning solution: combine one part vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle. This solution works wonders on most surfaces and is incredibly cost effective.
8. Focus extra attention on the bathroom and kitchen. The bathroom and kitchen are both areas filled with moisture and are the two favorite places in your home for bacteria to grow. Make sure your kitchen sponge isn’t actually spreading bacteria by washing it regularly. To go the extra mile, stick it in the microwave for a short period after washing and let the heat kill the bacteria.

1. Manage your clutter – true neat-niks will tell you the key is clutter management. Clutter seems to pop up on a daily – and sometimes hourly basis. From jackets and sweaters to toys and books, clutter alone can quickly turn even a clean home into what looks like a disaster zone. The old average ‘everything in its place’ is the golden rule. Make it a habit to always carry something with you when you leave a room – just be sure to put it in its own ‘home’ and not simply leave it to clutter up another room.
2. Easy ways to hide ‘stuff’ – Anyone with kids can tell you that toys and their other ‘stuff’ seems to grow out of the carpet. The same holds true for hobby enthusiasts and simply busy people. Find innovative and unique ways to store that stuff away. A great idea is a coffee table that doubles as a storage unit. The busy mommy can use it to quickly and effectively hold toys, while the rest of us can use it to store everything from magazines to video games.
3. Do it a little bit at a time – Setting out on Saturday morning to clean your whole house is simply daunting. You are likely to lose steam half way through and not get as much done, as you would like. Instead, divide up your cleaning chores throughout the week. Make Monday mildew day and clean the bathrooms. Make Tuesday trash day and empty out all the garbage while cleaning out the fridge. You will find you have a lot less to do when Saturday comes around.
4. Flip it – don’t always clean your rooms in the same order. The rooms you do first will get cleaned the best, while, as you lose steam or interest, the later rooms won’t get the same attention. Instead, switch it up. If you live in a two-story house, clean the upstairs first one week and the downstairs the next.

Keeping a home clean is a lot of work, but by learning to work smart, it is possible to have a clean home most of the time.  Mange your clutter, organize and plan and then you can use that cleaning service to take care of all the really unmanageable jobs.

Be prepared

Arm yourself with all of your cleaning supplies from the onset. Designate a “cleaning bucket” and fill it with your favorite products, scrub brushes, dusters, etc. Have a few old washcloths, paper towels, and older towels to use for drying. Make sure to use the correct products for the job. If you have a mild soap scum problem in the bathroom, make sure you have the necessary products. Contrary to popular belief, baking soda won’t clean everything. Aside from the physical preparations, be mentally prepared to complete the challenge. If you are too busy for a total cleaning at once, build a schedule. Make Tuesday the day you clean the bathrooms, or Saturday mornings the time you mop the tile in the kitchen. Adhering to an established schedule will build your confidence in your ability to maintain a clean household.

Plan your attack

The easiest and fastest way to clean is from the top down. Tops of shelves and bookcases tend to be less dirty than the lower shelves. It will be a nice way to ease into the cleaning routine. Clean back to front- reach in the depths of shelves and drawers before moving to the front. Clean behind the sofa and hard to reach areas behind chairs before moving to the open spaces. Start in a room and move in a way that makes sense to you- typically left to right, focusing your attention on a specific area at a time for maximum efficiency.

Dust first- vacuum later!

If you plan on dusting all exposed surface areas, you will be able to vacuum up the dust and dirt afterward. Remember to work from the top down- don’t forget ceiling fans and tabletop lamps. Dust can gather on all of these objects and after a thorough cleaning, you will notice a significant difference in the air quality of your home.

Don’t be afraid to throw away!

Clutter accumulates over time. Understandably, it is difficult to part with objects and mementos that carry special meaning. Yet, the easiest way to keep a house clean is to rid it of unnecessary clutter. Edit the amount of things you keep on display in your household, and you will be pleasantly surprised with how much easier clean up becomes.

If you establish an effective cleaning routine, you will be less hesitant to conquer the house cleaning chore.

Before beginning to clean your blinds, be sure to check the manufacturers recommendation for cleaning products and processes. Some blinds are sensitive to abrasive products while others aren’t. This step can save you from wrecking your blinds with the wrong product.

For Plastic Blinds

1. Use a feather duster to remove any built up dust. Adjust the blinds during this process to each of the ‘open’ or ‘closed’ positions to be sure you are catching the dust from every angle. If a feather duster is not available, an upholstery brush attached to a vacuum works well, as does a soft cloth. The feather duster is the best option as it has the ability to get in-between the slates.
2. If the blinds have areas that are soiled – perhaps from dirty hands, you will need to use a dampened towel. Some people find that antibacterial wipes work well for this step.  Avoid spraying a cleaner directly on the blinds as this can sometimes lead to spots. Taking the towel, place each slat between the fingers and thumb and gently run your hand back and forth along the length of the blind.

For wood or faux wood

1. Close the blinds fully
2. Spray with appropriate wood cleaner – generally recommended by the manufacturer of the blinds.
3. Wipe gently with a soft cloth
4. Rotate the blinds fully to expose the opposite side and repeat the above the process.

For Fabric Blinds

1. Using a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery brush or other appropriate attachment, gently vacuum each side of the slats.
2. Spot treat any problem spots with mild cleanser and warm water if recommended
3. Rub a dryer sheet along the length of each blind to prevent future dust build up. The dryer sheet will not completely prevent dust, but will help.

For Metal Blinds

The same process used for plastic blinds also works well for metal blinds. One word of caution:  metal blinds can be very fragile. Because of this, it is important to take great care when cleaning the slats. Even a little bit of pressure can cause one to bend.

Like anything, a bit of preventative maintenance can save you lots of time and energy. Whenever you clean your house (weekly), gently run a feather duster over your blinds. The point here isn’t to deep clean them, simply to knock the worst of the dust off of them. Many people find they do not need to deep clean their blinds for three to six months by simply keeping up the maintenance on them.

Spring-cleaning can be made easier with some preparation that will help you get started early. Go from room to room and make a list of all the tasks you will need to do in order to completely clean the room. When you amass this task list, review it and see what cleaning supplies you will need. A complete cleaning supply kit will ensure you can get started early and not have to stop when you realize you don’t have a certain cleaning supply. In the kitchen, keep in mind specialty appliance cleaners, like oven cleaners. In the bathroom, if you have hard water, keep lime scale removers in mind. By making a complete task list and ensuring you have the supplies on hand to tackle it, you will be able to get an early start on your spring-cleaning and not lose any momentum.

Once you have a task list, dividing the chores up into manageable sizes will help spring-cleaning from becoming too difficult. When you look at an entire house that needs to be cleaned, it seems like a never-ending task. If you look at one or two rooms a day that need cleaning, it becomes far easier to mentally and physically tackle the cleaning tasks. Group together similar tasks. For example, clean bathrooms together. If you need to vacuum upholstery, vacuum the drapes while you have the vacuum set up with various attachments. Your task list will also help you plan ahead. If you need to let oven cleaner sit for a while, you can plan to do tasks in another part of the house away from the fumes of the cleaner. You can clean out the refrigerator and freezer the day before you go to the supermarket, ensuring less items you have to remove and keep fresh while doing these chores. A little forward planning will go a long way to making cleaning much easier.

One other thing to keep in mind when spring-cleaning is that you don’t have to do it alone. If you have help, you will be more likely to start early and complete the job. Get family members to help. If you live alone, suggest a housecleaning swap with a friend, where you help each other clean one another’s homes. Enlist the services of professionals to steam-clean carpets and wash windows. Housecleaning companies offer spring-cleaning services that you can use to augment what you do, or to do the job entirely. Check to see what services are out there to help you get started and get your spring-cleaning finished early.

(When at the store, note that just because a cleaning product says that it’s environmentally friendly doesn’t make it so, and eventually, everything’s biodegradable, so that label doesn’t really mean much of anything!)

First of all, think reuse, reuse, reuse. Rags are a great substitute for paper towels, and you can use a reusable mop, such as a rag mop, instead of one with a disposable base. Try using a natural sponge instead of a disposable one.

Then, for ingredients… here are some household basics that will help you keep your home clean without destroying the environment (or poisoning your family):

• Distilled white vinegar
• Lemon juice
• Baking soda
• Plain white soap (without scents, colors, or other additives… purchase or make your own)
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Cornstarch

One thing to remember while cleaning just about anything is that hot water  tends to speed the cleaning process. Regular soap is a great cleanser. It needn’t just be for the body.

Clean glass using a vinegar solution or straight lemon juice. These are also both great for cutting through grease.

For light abrasive cleaning whether on the counters, in an appliance, or in the oven, add a little bit of water and some baking soda and scrub away.

In the bathroom, tea-tree oil works great on mildew, and so does vinegar. To clean the toilet, vinegar is great for around the rim detox. For inside the toilet, let lemon juice and baking soda sit, followed by a good scrub.

You can take care of a clogged toilet or a clogged drain with nothing more than vinegar and baking soda. Adding a little hot water speeds this up even more.

To clear out a nasty odor from the disposal, grind up ice cubes (to clean it) and pour some lemon juice in it (for the scent).

When it comes to stains, first of all, don’t let them sit. Not for a minute, not for a day. You’ll find, as grandmother always said, club soda is great for carpet stains, (and non-toxic!).

If that doesn’t work, let cornstarch soak it up for a bit, then follow that with a water-vinegar solution scrub.

For an anti-bacterial disinfectant, add a few drops of either tea-tree oil or lavender to water. Both are excellent antiseptic agents.

For deodorizing, baking soda works great, whether in the fridge, the pantry, or the carpet. Once you’ve taken care of odor, get rid of those chemical air fresheners. Use candles or potpourri instead, or even incense, if you’d like a nice scent.

To polish furniture or wooden floors, add olive oil to either lemon juice or vinegar and rub away for a nice shine.

First make an abrasive cleanser paste. You can do this my mixing water and a household cleaner, but a much better alternative is simple baking soda and water. You want to add just enough water to make a thick paste.

Second, wipe the bumpers, headlights and windshield with the paste and then scrub. You can also use a mesh covered sponge. The mesh will help remove the bugs, but it will not scratch glass or damage your paint job.

For particularly gummy spots, especially those that seem ‘tarry,’ apply a light coat of a conventional degreaser. A great product is WD-40; it works well and is a staple in many homes.

Fourth, pretreat each bug ‘splat’ with your car cleaner. It is best to use the cleaner undiluted for this step. Use a soft cloth or a car wash mitt to gently prewash the area.

Finally, wash the car as you normally would. These steps should ensure that your car is cleaned of any ‘remains’ from your trip.

While the paste created in step one will work great for any bug cleaning need, sometimes preventing the bugs is the best way to go. Instead of spending your time scrubbing off lawn furniture and fixtures to get rid of bugs, use a few simple tips to keep your backyard as bug free as possible.

You can create an easy to use and environmentally friendly bug catcher out of nothing but an old soda bottle. Simply take a 2-liter bottle, empty it and punch four holes around the very top of the bottle. Put several inches of a sugary soda or plain sugar water into the bottle. Thread twine through the holes to make a tie. Tie the bug catcher to a tree branch. Placing several of these throughout your backyard space will cut down on the number of bugs considerably. For a more festive look, consider wrapping the bottle itself in colorful paper or saran wrap. This simple trick works great for bees, wasps and flies.b

Keeping your home and car free from pesky bugs can be difficult, but a few easy home remedies can make all the difference. Be prepared to put a little elbow grease into it and your car, mobile home or bike will shine!

Get some good supplies. The windows you see that look beautiful at the office are because a professional is using the right tools and equipment. Invest in a squeegee or other tool with a mop-like handle. This soft surface can give your windows just the right amount of water to get them clean. Lines and imperfections in the cleaning job are normally a result of too much water that is left running down the window.

Clean the screens first. Often there is debris that collects on screens that can just leave your clean windows looking dirty. Use a dust rag or something with feathers to clean the screens before you start on the windows. Be sure to remove cobwebs and debris. If you can, spraying screens down with a garden hose may also help. Be sure to allow the screens to dry completely before returning them to the windows.

Use warm water. Warm water will do a better job of getting your windows clean. You can use any type of detergent or cleaner, just dilute in warm water.

Develop some good technique. Experts recommend making an S-shape along the window from the top to the bottom. Another option is straight up and down. If you use this method, be sure to remove any excess water from your squeegee so you don’t leave lines. Again, lines are the main complaint of those who try to clean windows and don’t get the results they want.

Don’t leave out the window frames when you are cleaning the windows. Dirt and dust can accumulate in these areas, leaving windows dirty almost immediately. Use a cloth, add some water and detergent to get into the cracks and crevices of the windows. Be sure to dry these areas completely and to clean them before you clean the windows as to ensure excess water does not dirty a clean window.

Try using alcohol. A bit of Isopropyl Alcohol mixed with warm water can help to get windows even cleaner. Be sure to mix the alcohol and the water well before starting to clean.

Be careful in cold weather to not use water that is too hot or you may crack your windows.

Clean windows up to four times a year. It is a great thing to do with every change of the seasons. By cleaning windows regularly, it will make the job easier the next time.

Windows are the way you view the outside world. Be sure to invest the time and effort in having the right equipment and doing it the right way. You won’t regret it when you look outside and everything looks brighter!

My clean-up preparations begin while I am selecting party supplies. First, I examine the guest list: how many people are attending? Based upon the answer, I often opt for disposable utensils and dinnerware. Certainly, there’s an associated cost with anything disposable; however, as I’m often forced to remind myself, time is money.

Every moment that I spend cleaning up is a moment that I could have spent working or spending time with my daughter. So the amount of time available to you can and should be an important consideration when purchasing supplies.

If I’ve selected disposable dinnerware and utensils, I then seriously consider the purchase of a disposable tablecloth. Nothing speeds up clean-up like using the tablecloth as a bag for all disposables: unwanted food, dinnerware, utensils; and throwing it directly into the trash. (I often leave this step for next-to-last execution right before I sweep, so I can heap as much trash as possible in one place, careful not to overload.

Still examining the guest list, I check for the presence of children. Kids can be so untidy, especially when not closely monitored, as often happens at parties. Activities that keep kids occupied instead of drawing on the walls are a real plus. I’ve found that video games can be a great distracter, as can movies. Another alternative is a drawing table with a protective covering that’s durable and made to stay in place! To serve this purpose, on our foldable plastic and aluminum table, I often tape a vinyl tablecloth in place. I recommend pencils, since they’re erasable, or washable markers. Connect the dots games or crossword puzzles can come in handy.

When possible, I try to stay away from chocolate cake, or anything with an especially juicy filling. Boy, can that stuff get ground into the carpet! But when it can’t be avoided, one of my first tasks once the last guest leaves is to examine the carpet for traces of ground-in food and drink. The sooner a stain is attacked with stain-remover, the less likely it is to set in.

Balloons, when popped, can make an enormous mess, and paper streamers tear easily, leaving ragged pieces on the floor. These are best avoided. I also recommend putting any streamers out of reach. Once, I caught children systematically tearing up streamers and sprinkling them on the floor for fun! Prefabricated polymer or mylar balloons and signage are much sturdier than the alternatives. Also, the signs can be reused for the next big occasion.

The first step is making sure your clothes and linens are truly clean. Clean clothes are the first and best step toward great smelling laundry and fresh, clean clothing. Be sure that your clothing and linens are free from all excess debris. Any dust or hidden pens or crayons can cause a disaster in the washer or dryer. Once your clothing is sorted and placed in the washer, make sure you add the correct amount of detergent to your washing machine. Some particularly dirty loads of laundry may need the extra boost of borax or another laundry-boosting product such as an oxygenated cleaner like Oxyclean. Using these products may increase the cleanliness of your wash, particularly if you have some clothing or linens that need some extra care.

Some people swear by certain perfumed laundry detergents for a clean-smelling load of laundry. For some, this may be the best solution to making their laundry smell good. For others, the smell of some perfumed cleaners may be too strong, or may not be pleasant to everyone. There are other alternatives to add a clean, fresh smell to your laundry. For example, using a fabric softener with a pleasant smell can make your laundry smell fresh and clean. Add your fabric softener to your laundry as directed by your washing machine.

The final way to get your laundry smelling clean and fresh is to use dryer sheets while drying your laundry. Many dryer sheets come in different scents and using a dryer sheet will transfer those scents to your clothing and linens for a clean and fresh smell that will last a long time. Some dryer sheets have scents that last longer than others, so it’s best to try out different ones to find the scent that most appeals to you. Overall, a clean load of laundry and use of fabric products will help your laundry stay clean and fresh until its next wash.

The best way to prep your home for sale is to make sure you keep it clean at all times. Countertops should be free of clutter, the sink should be clean and dried, the bathroom should be spotless, and all of the bedrooms and carpeted areas should have clean, fresh carpet. The house should be free of any offensive odors and the carpet should not have any stains. The way your house looks to a potential buyer shows them that you took good care of your house and that it will be in good condition if they choose to purchase it. You want your house to look appealing, inviting, and most of all very clean.

You want to be sure to disassociate yourself from your home and be able to let go so that you are in the mental mindset to hand your keys over to a new owner. In general, you want your home to be as general and impersonal as possible to attract the greatest number of buyers. Not all people like the same things, and showing your home simply will allow people to envision their own belonging in your home and will make a greater impression for a sale. Be sure to store away all of your personal items to keep buyers from being distracted from the house itself.

De-clutter your house before selling it. If you are not moving out before your house is shown, start going through your belongings and getting rid of items you no longer need. The less cluttered your home looks, the more room it will have and the more appealing it will be to potential buyers. You may need to rent a storage unit or get some more attractive storage solutions in places such as your garage or shed to hold any items you would like out of sight. Make your home welcoming, but not a showcase for your family items.

If you have kept your home in good repair and clean while you have owned it, cleaning your house for a potential sale should be a snap. Vacuum floors and wipe down counters daily. Try to do dishes as soon as you use them to keep your dishwasher and your sink clean. The best way to attract buyers is to make your house as clean and welcoming as possible. Be sure to make sure your lawn is carefully manicured and mowed so buyers will instantly find it appealing as soon as they are in front of it. Your home should be detailed and cleaned inside and out, including the little details such as the outsides of windows and dusting every nook and cranny in the house.

Making sure your house is tidy and welcoming will ensure a quick sell. Buyers will love that your house is in such good order and you will find that all of your hard work will be rewarded.

The first most common area overlooked by home cleaners is behind the toilet. We all know the value of keeping a clean bathroom and a sanitary toilet, but seldom do we realize that the area behind the toilet can collect dust, grime, and germs over time if no carefully cared for. Make sure to sweep and mop behind your toilet whenever conducting your regular cleaning routine. This simple action can greatly reduce about the germs that accumulate on your bathroom floor.

The next most common place people forget to clean is your shower door tracks. Many people take the time to scrub their showers and shower doors, but rarely do they realize the amount of dirt, residue, and mildew that can build up in the tracks of your shower door. Take the time to use some simple water and vinegar to wipe up any gunk left in the tracks of your shower door and keep it sparkling clean. Flush the tracks with hot water and dry with a towel to make it sparkling clean.

One of the most overlooked places to clean is the walls and doors of your bathroom. You may take the time to clean your bathroom mirror, shower doors and toilet, but your walls are constantly coated with hair products that you can’t even see. Over time these products create a layer of dirt and grime on your bathroom doors and walls that can be incredibly difficult to clean. Take the time to wipe down your doors and walls during cleanings to keep the layer of grime out of your bathroom.

Looking up high may not be something you’d think about while cleaning your home, but the corners of rooms and the blades of fans can get incredibly dusty and dirty, spreading cobwebs and dust mites around with your air conditioner and throughout your house. The next time you’re vacuuming, try using the long attachment to clean the corners and edges of ceilings and dust your ceiling fan often.

Many appliances tend to go unmoved, but no appliance harbors more dirt and grime than your refrigerator. Take the time to move your refrigerator and clean behind it, and don’t forget to mop, too. Allow the area to dry before pushing your fridge back against the wall. Cleaning behind the fridge can help the fridge work better as its air filter can get clogged and dirty over time. Also, hair from pets can settle behind the fridge. Keeping the area behind the fridge clean will keep unwanted pests away from your kitchen and food areas.

Last, don’t forget to vacuum and clean under your couches and other furniture that you rarely move. Pet hair, dirt, dust and grime can even accumulate in places that you don’t go, so be sure to take the time to move your furniture while cleaning and get the dirt and dust that lies below.

The filters used for your air conditioning unit are more often placed along the return duct, or where the air enters your air conditioner. Cleaning this area is the first way to keep your air conditioner clean and free from dust, and also helps clean the air that comes from your air conditioner as well. Not keeping this area clean can lead to a significant decrease in performance from your air conditioner, and could cause major problems that may need professional maintenance. Keeping your AC filter clean is one of the best ways to protect one of your home’s more expensive appliances.

To keep your window unit from getting clogged, the easiest method is to create your own mesh filter to keep particles and insects out of your unit. If your window unit already has a mesh screen, cleaning is a breeze. Take the filter out and scrub the intake area underneath it to get rid of any dust, dirt or grime. Then take the filter and wash it thoroughly. Use a cloth or rag to scrub this area and wash with soapy water. Your cloth or rag should be lint-free to reduce the amount of dust and particles trapped in your air conditioning unit. Make sure to dry the filter before putting it back on your window unit to keep the air conditioning’s intake from getting wet.

Cleaning the filter of a larger air conditioning unit can be more difficult than a window unit. Keeping your air conditioning unit clean is vital to lasting a long time and keeping costs low, so it’s important to learn how to keep your air condition filter clean. Larger air conditioning units tend to have larger and more numerous filters that can attract a lot of different debris. The obstructions caught in these filters would be regular dirt and dust, or animal hair or fur, leaves and insects as well. These obstructions can make the performance of your air conditioning unit decrease, so it’s important to clean your unit and its filters regularly to keep this debris from accumulating. Not cleaning your air conditioner’s filter can also lead to allowing bacteria to come into your home through the air, which can be harmful to your health.

Changing your air conditioner’s filter is important to keeping your home healthy and keeping the air conditioner clean. Doing this should be done every month to every three months for the best in air quality. You can also clean your air conditioner’s filters at home with a lot of elbow grease. Use high pressure washes to get your filter as clean as possible and scrub and sweep until all of the debris is washed away. Doing this regularly can guarantee a better working air conditioning unit and cleaner, healthier air for your home and family.

Properly caring for your carpet doesn’t have to be a difficult task. First, routine vacuuming will help keep debris off of your carpet. Vacuums come in all different qualities, and it’s best to choose one that will not only pick up dirt from your carpet, but hair and dust mites, too. Be sure to find a vacuum with a cheap filter to keep your air clean as well. A vacuum should be an important investment for every homeowner to ensure that your home will stay as beautiful and valuable as when you first purchased it.

Unfortunately, vacuuming alone cannot keep your carpet free of debris and stains. This is where cleaning agents, chemicals, steam vacuums and other special tools to clean your carpet come into play. One of the most popular deep clean methods used are sprays and foams you can purchase in your neighborhood supermarket. Although these seem economical, these formulas can actually cause more harm to your carpet by settling in and attracting and trapping more dirt. It is best to use these chemicals wisely and follow all directions to ensure the best clean.

Another popular product you can find are dry carpet cleaners that simply absorb excess dirt and oil and are easily vacuumed away. These are great temporary fixes, but neither spray shampoos nor dry cleaners can get your carpet 100% clean. Your best use of time and money is using a wet vacuuming method or steam cleaner. You can more than often find these at your local mega mart and they can be rented for a certain amount of time. These deep cleaners use heat and steam action to saturate your carpet and suck up the excess dirt, oils and debris. These treatments work well for most types of carpets, but can be rather time consuming. The best course of action is to invest in a deep cleaning occasionally and be sure to keep your carpet clean between deep cleanings.

Stains in carpets are often difficult to remove, but there are many home remedies that can help you keep your carpet clean, even when you come across very stubborn stains. Club soda is known to get one of the most stubborn stains, red wine, out of your carpet. Some have said that regular shaving cream can get food stains out of carpet if allowed to stand before being blotted. The most important thing to remember is never to rub a stain. Always blot a stain until it comes up, as rubbing a stain can damage your carpet’s fibers and spread the stain around.

Your carpet’s quality can make your home look beautiful and keep the value of your home high. Be sure to invest in quality cleaners and take time to make sure your carpet stays clean and fresh.

One of the most widely-used household products for keeping your house clean and sparkling is ordinary household baking soda. Baking soda is a very versatile ingredient that not only helps you clean, but can also eliminate odors, as well. Baking soda is known to neutralize both bases and acids, which helps it neutralize odors instead of covering them up like many other household cleaners. You can use baking soda as a way to clean sinks and counter tops because it can be used as an abrasive. Baking soda can even be used on expensive china to keep it clean without harsh chemicals or the risk of breaking in a dishwasher..

Another amazing household ingredient is regular bleach. Bleach is known as a disinfectant and is very useful in tiled areas such as your bathroom and kitchen. Bleach can kill many bacteria and can be used to kill and clean away mildew and mold wherever it may build up. It’s important to remember that you should never mix bleach with ammonia or ammonia-based cleaning products as that could be incredibly hazardous.

Vinegar is one of the most commonly used household do it yourself cleaners as it is very effective and very inexpensive. You can use vinegar to clean your windows and glass, countertops, tile, and even your coffeemaker. Vinegar is great at killing mildew and removing stains, and works great at removing hard water deposits from your bathrooms and kitchens.

WD-40 is one of those household products that many people don’t think of when coming to cleaning their home. WD-40 is excellent at getting rid of waxy residues such as crayon marks, so if you have children WD-40 can be extremely useful. It also helps remove grease and adhesive leftovers. You can use WD-40 to lubricate many household fixtures, as well, to keep them from squeaking and rusting.

And finally, one of the most overlooked household products for cleaning is regular borax. Borax, most commonly known as a laundry booster, is not only to help your laundry detergent work more efficiently. You can use borax to help deodorize your trash compactor, food disposal, or garbage can. Borax is also very good for cleaning your walls and floors, too. Use a small amount of borax and water to scrub your kitchen walls and get rid of built up oil and grime. Your garbage can will also benefit from a soak in borax and warm water and a good rinse. Keeping your disposal and garbage areas clean will keep your house from bacteria and unwanted odors.

Before you leave for vacation, be sure to empty all of your clothes from your washer and dryer to keep them from molding or wrinkling. It’s also important to be sure your laundry or mud room is clean so it will make it easier for you to return with your luggage and any extra items you may be bringing back from your trip.

Taking the time to clean and prepare your bathrooms and kitchen will also be a great benefit to you while you’re away. If you want to keep bugs and pests out of your home while you are gone, be sure to do a thorough cleaning of your dining area and kitchen. Be sure to surface clean your bathroom and make sure the floor and tub or shower is cleaned to deter any silverfish from taking nest in your bathroom while you are gone.

If someone is going to be checking on your home while you are out, it is important to make sure your home is tidy so they have a pleasant experience while checking to make sure everything is okay. This will also ensure that if anything has occurred like a burglary or if a fixture breaks, it will make it easier to spot the damage and get the correct help while you are away.

Be sure to find a place for your pets if you are going to be gone for an extended amount of time and do not have an involved pet sitter who can check on your pets often. Unattended pets tend to get bored, lonely, depressed or frustrated and may take these feelings out on your furniture or carpet. Coming home to a pet’s mess is probably not on your list of priorities, so be a responsible pet owner and be sure to have someone check on them often or take them to the vet or a kennel to keep them from getting lonely or bored and make sure they are cared for.

Another important tip to remember when leaving for vacation is that most of your appliances will still use energy while you are gone. Be sure to turn down or unplug any unnecessary electrical appliances or fixtures so that they do not cost you unnecessary money while you are not in your home.

Be sure to do any necessary yard work before you leave your home for vacation. An unkempt lawn is a telltale sign that the residents are away. Mow your lawn and trim any hedges or plants that need to be tended to before you leave for your vacation. A manicured lawn can keep any unwanted attention away from your home while you are gone.

And lastly, coming home from a vacation to a dirty house is not only unpleasant, but it can really put a damper on your vacation time. Cleaning and maintaining your home before leaving for a vacation can enhance your vacation experience and make coming home a pleasure instead of a chore.

1. Wash Everything- Did a smoker just sit on your bed? Have your friends been hanging out in the living room smoking? If you can launder sheets, pillow cases or slip covers, this would be the first step to removing the odor from your house.
2. Use a vacuum- Scents will stick to fabrics and carpet flooring. Make sure you vacuum as much of the odor out of the carpet before you turn to cleaning products or alternative measures. If the smell is in your car, you can go ahead and vacuum the seat cushions and the foot mats as well.
3. Vinegar- If you have a stale cigarette odor in your home put a bowl of white vinegar out all night. You might be surprised at how well it eats up the odor.
4. Baking soda- You should sprinkle baking soda liberally over any cloth covered carpet, piece of furniture, or car seat. Baking soda has long been known to eat up odors, and cigarette smoke is no exception! You should always test the baking soda on a small corner of the furniture first to make sure there are no adverse reactions to it.
5. Coffee- You can put bags of coffee grounds in various places where the stench of stale smoke is the most severe. It will help eat up part of the odor.
6. Air it all out- Immediately after a smoker has been in your home, it helps to air out the room or the vehicle by opening all doors and windows for a few hours to let the scents slowly disperse. Leaving things closed, instead, will allow the smells to sink into the fabrics very quickly.
7. Charcoal- Leaving charcoal in a container around your house is also another idea. In about a week you will notice a dramatic decrease in the cigarette odor in your home.
8. Clean Surfaces of Furniture- Smoke residue can land on tables or chairs or floors. Try to do a good deep cleaning of your furniture and floors to remove all traces of stale smoke from your home.
9. Clean Your Light Bulbs- Light bulbs, whether you know it or not, attract smoke. When you turn a light bulb on, the smoke on the outside will heat up and release odor. Wipe your light bulbs down to stop this from happening.

There are many all natural ways to combat stale cigarette odor, and get it out of your home once and for all.

What to do if company is on their way:

Look Good in front of your guests (They will never know)

1. Create a checklist with a deadline and the tasks that need to be done. To make your life easier you are entitled to ask for help and if you have a big family even better because you can assign tasks to each of them and offer rewards when dealing with lack of enthusiasm. Take advantage of having a large family; everyone who is part of the mess should help.
2. If you are the type person who needs to get in the mood in order to complete tasks, try making cleaning fun and get yourself in a good mood. Pump up some music in your stereo, turn off the TV and just enjoy yourself while cleaning. It is also a good way of changing your family’s attitude towards cleaning if they are doing it against their will.
3. A great way to begin is by cleaning the rooms’ guests see first, such as the kitchen, main bathroom, and living room. Once you have cleaned these rooms move on to the bedrooms, which are rooms guests don’t tend to look at in detail. The rooms mentioned at first are very important because they tend to say a lot about a person. If these rooms aren’t well-cleaned you won’t be able to impress your guests and look good in front of them.
4. Remove Clutter: If you have any dirty dishes in any of the rooms clean them, or if you have a dishwasher place them there so they could be cleaned. Also if you have piles of clothes all over your bedroom floor pick them up and put them away. Not one piece of clothing should be seen on your floor.
5. Pick up everything from your floors, toys, hobby and sports items and place them where they belong. Make sure you straighten furniture, cushions, pictures, and lampshades or any magazines left around the house.
6. Make beds, dust, broom, mop and when you are done go back and check to see if everything looks nice and neat so that you can relax and be ready to receive company with open arms.

How to prevent this situation from happening again

1. Make a chart with daily chores for everyone in your home as well as yourself. Place the chart in a room in your house where everyone usually hangs out this way they will always be reminded of the chores that need to be done. Also by doing small chores everyday your house will always be clean and you won’t be jammed up with chores when expecting company.
2. If you are not a fanatic of sweeping or dusting, get yourself a good vacuum with attachments so the chores will be easier and the vacuum will do most of the work for you. This usually encourages people when it comes to cleaning because they find it easier. Make sure you have good and healthy cleaning products and equipment such as, pails, mops, wash cloths, and scrubbing brushes.
3. However, if you hate cleaning and you prefer not to deal with cleaning your home you could always call a cleaning service and have someone go to your home every week.

These tips are helpful and necessary at desperate times when company is expected but to avoid stressing situations it is best to maintain your house clean on a daily basis.

Stickers on Walls
Begin by cleaning your children’s walls, if they have any stickers on the walls try removing as many as possible. If you are able to remove most of them don’t worry about the rest; you could remove them with a little Ben Gay ointment and then use a blow dryer to blow on them. This is a great method to use on carpets as well. You could also so use other cleaning products that have been known to remove stickers.

How to Clean Stuffed Animals
To clean stuffed animals you can use a pillowcase. Put the stuffed animals inside the pillowcase and tie a strong knot. Then put the pillowcase with stuffed animals inside into the washing machine. There’s no need to put them in one by one, if they are all in a pillowcase they will still be properly washed.

Another method to clean stuffed animals is to place them inside a paper sack with baking soda and give them a good shake. They will look as good as new.

When cleaning stuffed animals with natural fibers, they should not be immersed in water. But they could be cleaned by wiping them off with a soapy cloth and then with a clean wet cloth.

Before you put any stuffed animal inside the washing machine make sure it does not have any torn seams.

Make sure that the stuffed animals you put in the washing machine doesn’t have a “sound box” or other mechanical parts.

Remember, before putting stuffed animals in the dryer, check for any plastic parts.

Keeping the Kid’s Room Uncluttered

1. Every month put away half of your children’s toys and switch them around. This way they will play with half and every month you switch them so they could play with the other half. This creates fewer amounts of toys in your kid’s room and more space for them to play.
2. Find plastic tubs, boxes, or baskets around your house and label them. These will be useful to store toys and teach your children how to sort them so that they won’t be all over the floor. If you want your kids to take part in the cleaning activity you can let them decorate the containers. This will make them more fun and personal as they become more organized with their toys.
3. Your kids can take part in cleaning their room too. You can set a short period of time daily for your kids to organize their room by placing everything where it belongs. This can help the kid’s room to stay uncluttered all the time. However, when dealing with kids you might need to be creative and make a game out of room cleaning. Use a timer to time them and whoever does it in the least amount of time could receive a reward. This will make your children want to help and even look forward to cleaning their room in order to get the reward.
4. As your children grow they stop using a few of their toys so once every two months go through the children’s toys and let them pick out what they still play with and what they don’t. Once you have done this you can pack them up and donate them to less fortunate children.
5. Another good method to keep your floor clean is to place bookshelves in your children’s room so that they could stack their books, toys and stuffed animals.
6. Hanging up clothes and putting things where they belong are good cleaning habits to teach your kids. Teach them to be neat and organized; it will help them in a variety of ways.
7. When it comes to cleaning your kid’s room, it isn’t easy but there are ways of maintaining their room nice and clean so that they can sleep in a clean and well organized room. Establish your kids cleaning habits before it’s too late or they will grow up to be messy and dirty … ‘children learn what they live.”

1. How do you prevent fingerprints on stainless steel?
The best way to prevent fingerprints is to use a product called Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish from a company called Method. Lightly spray it on your stainless steel once or twice week. This product works by leaving a thin wax layer that resists fingerprints, therefore they won’t show up. Use a clean lint-free cloth to wipe the surface. Be careful not to spray too much because when you wipe the surface it will be soaked and it may leaves marks.

2. How can I wipe stainless steel and not leave marks behind?
Wipe in the same direction of the grain. If you wipe against the grain, you are leaving tiny amounts of cleaner in the micro-edges of the grain. Wiping with the grain does not leave this sort of residue and you stainless will look perfect!

3. Which products should not be used or avoided?
When cleaning stainless steel you should never use oil or and products that contain oil. When you wipe the oil off with your cloth the lint will stick to the oil. Also never use any cleaning products that contain bleach because your stainless steel will lose its luster.

The damages that are often seen on steel when using the wrong cleaning products are scratches. Any abrasive or mild product like Scotch-Brite pads or a soft scrub should not be used because it will scratch your stainless steel instantly.

4. How do you deal with accidental scratches?
When it comes to accidental scratches you are forced to use an abrasive like Scotch-Brite pads. Spray some of the Steel Cleaner & Polish on to the scratch on the steel and then abrade with the pad. Be careful and rub gently in the grain line until the scratch is gone. Finally apply some more Steel Cleaner & Polish with the lint-free cloth.

5. What about dents to stainless steel?
Unfortunately, your choices are very limited. Similar to a dent to your car, you can knock out the dent from the inside of the stainless steel element.

6. Does normal kitchen use cause stainless steel to rust?
No, however, if you have outdoor components in stainless steel, such as a barbecue, while you won’t get rust, you can get some discoloration over time exposure to all elements in the environment.

7. So, what is the best way to maintain stainless steel?
KEEP IT CLEAN! While, stainless steel is “stainless” this does not mean that it doesn’t get dirty. Use Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish for best results and clean it at least once a week or so.

Stainless Steel will give your kitchen a great modern look and it’s what makes your kitchen standout in your home. Maintain it by cleaning it regularly with the appropriate cleaner and keep your kitchen shining bright as it never has before.

Save Energy with Laundry:

1. When washing your clothes you should lower the temperature settings. Instead of using hot water use warm or cold water (greasy stains are an exception). In order for you to use cooler water you should experiment with laundry detergents to see which one works best with cooler water. A cooler wash temperature will be fine when presoaking heavily soiled clothes. Set the washing machine on cold water rinse the temperature of the rinse water does not affect cleaning.
2. The thermostat on your water heater has to be turned down. For your home needs a setting of 120F is sufficient. You will save energy with either warm or hot wash cycles by turning down your thermostat.
3. Put as many items possible in the washing machine to its capacity. Many people under load instead of overloading their washing machines. Always check your machines load capacity and then take out a few loads to measure it up. Judge the volume of clothes in a load with your eye. It takes less energy to wash one large load than two on a low or medium setting.
4. Use the suds- saving feature if it is available on your washing machine when washing lightly soiled clothes. By doing this you save water for the next load to be washed.
5. Separate your clothes when drying and dry similar clothes together. For example, lightweight clothing dries faster than fiber clothes or bath towels.
6. Another helpful tip to save energy is to not over dry clothes. Also reduce the need for ironing and another energy waster by taking clothes out while they are still slightly damp. It would be even better if your machine had a auto-dry button, if you do use it instead of the timer and you will be saving more energy.
7. Do not make the mistake of adding wet items to a load that is already dry.
8. Take advantage of the heat still in the dyer from the first load, dry two or more loads in a row.
9. A clogged filter will restrict flow and reduce the performance of your dryer. It is best that you clean the dryer filter.
10. Drying small loads is a waste of energy. Dry full loads, but be cautious not to overfill your dryer. Even when drying full loads air should still be able to circulate freely around the drying clothes.
11. Make sure that the dryer exhaust vent outside is clean and that the outside hood opens and closes freely.

Keep Your Washing Machine Clean

1. Begin by cleaning the exterior of your washing machine. A cleaning cloth with an all purpose cleaner or soap dish soap is the best cleaning method. Then smoothly with the cleaning cloth wipe the exterior of the washing machine all around.
2. In the process of washing your clothes there is always a time where you spill detergent inside the machine. To clean those detergent spills use the same cloth you cleaned the outside of the machine clean the inside. Make sure you retrieve solid residue left from what was washed and after wiping down with a cloth rinse with water from the machine. Your washing machine will smell and look clean in the inside.
3. No one wants a smelly machine to prevent this from happening when a load is removed leave the lid open on the washing machine in order to allow it dry out. If you close the lid and there is water inside unpleasant smells develop. If your washing machine already has smells try washing an empty load with vinegar soda and a mixture of baking soda.
4. Water softeners added to your laundry detergent may be a solution for lime scale buildup.

Stop worrying about wasting energy with laundry, these tips will help you save energy and have a clean laundry room. Remember that washing machines and dyers should be cleaned as well if you want your clothes to out clean and smell fresh.

Fiberglass Sinks
Fiberglass sinks are very delicate so they need to be well taken care of and you need clean them with the proper cleaning products. Always use non-abrasive cleaners such as:

• Liquid laundry detergents, hand washing soap, or dishwashing soap
• Water to a paste and baking soda moistened. Apply to wet surface and gently rub with the paste on a sponge or soft nylon brush.
• All-purpose cleaners for household or bathroom cleaners.
• Baking soda in warm water or trisodium phosphate in warm water. Use mild to moderate alkali solutions.

All these cleaners above should be applied with a non-abrasive applicator or a sponge. The non -abrasive applicator can be a sponge, polyester, or polyethylene. Rub it on gently and always rinse to remove the cleaner completely. If you don’t rinse with plain water you will end up with hard water soap stains and it is what you don’t want to have on your faucet.

Don’t even think about using an abrasive cleaner when cleaning fiberglass sinks! When I mention not using abrasive cleaners I mean common scouring powders, scouring pads, paper, steel wool, or scrapers. Using abrasive cleaners may damage your fiberglass faucet.

Porcelain Enamel Sinks
Porcelain enamel needs to be extremely well taken care of when cleaning because it is a glass surface fused to a metal base. This glass surface is very hard but can be chipped with hard hits. It can be damaged by acids and abrasive cleaners or applicators. This type of glass surface is acid resistant but not acid proof which causes the glass coating to gradually dissolve from acid contact. Removing stains on your porcelain enamel faucet with acetic and muriatic acids can be effective but they will dissolve part of the surface coating. Once it dissolves the glass coating it will get to the metal base where it will attack and cause serious damage.

In order to clean porcelain enamel without worrying about damaging it you have to wash it with hot or warm water. Use detergents such as baking soda or non-participating water softener. Then create a solution with one of the detergents and warm water to remove stains on your faucet. Always remember to rinse with plain water.

If you prefer to use scouring powder you may use it, but make sure that it’s one of the very finest. Many scouring powders contain tough particles like feldspar or quartz that can cause scratches instantly. Once a glass surface like porcelain enamel has been roughened; it catches all types of dirt very easily such as grease, soap residue and deposits from hard water. You may also use household commercial or bathroom cleaners.

DO NOT use any type of bleach to full strength to remove stains on your porcelain faucets or let them remain on the glass surface for a long time. If you have stains that you know will only be removed with chorine or hydrogen peroxide bleaches, use as little as possible and remove it right away.

There are so many different types of faucets and different methods and cleaners to use, it seems almost impossible to not damage your faucets with the wrong cleaners. Yet all it takes is to do a little research. There is nothing better than walking into a kitchen or bathroom and seeing faucets and sinks shine. They are what make your kitchen and bathroom stand out and look spotless. These tips will help you and make your life easier by not having to kill yourself using cleaners and applicators that will not work. By using the cleaners and applicators mentioned, you will see great results.

The best way to begin to clean your bedroom and still have time to clean your home is to create a schedule. By doing this you will have a routine and it will be easier for you to maintain your bedroom and home clean.

Hang it or fold it!
I understand that sometimes you may arrive to your bedroom tired from having a long day at work and that the last thing you want to do is hang your clothes or fold it away. However, you should try to do your best in putting away your clothes the same day you it take off so that your clothes aren’t on your floor and doesn’t accumulate to the point where you can’t even see your bedroom floor! When you get up in the morning and get dressed to go to work place the hanger on your door knob so that it is easier for you to hang your clothes when you arrive to your home.

Bring it with you.
When you take your mail, magazines, drinking glasses etc. to your bedroom make sure that before you go to sleep you place them next to your door. By doing this you’ll be reminded in the morning as you walk out of your bedroom to take these items with you and put them away where they belong.

Trash in bag!
It is always a great idea to have a small nice looking waste basket in your bedroom. What often happens too many of us is that we’re to lazy to bring the waste from our rooms outside so we leave in our bedrooms. If we place a small waste basket in our bedrooms all you have to do is remove the bag twice a week. Also make sure you keep spare bags at the bottom of your waste basket this will make your life much easier and simpler for your bedroom cleaning routine.

Dust Bunnies NOT ALLOWED!
Having dust bunnies underneath your bed or in hidden corners is unacceptable. The best way to get rid of them is by deep cleaning your bedroom every two to three months. You must deep clean your room every now and then because dust attracts dust mites and you must not let dust mites enter your home. The best way to begin deep cleaning your bedroom is to remove everything from your closet floor. Vacuum all corners to get the dust out and with a barely damp cloth dust baseboards. Make sure that there isn’t any dust lying around in your closet. When you are finished vacuuming the floor replace everything that was on your closet floor. Then move furniture and dust the back of you bed frame. Vacuum underneath your bed and any other corners. Don’t forget to vacuum both sides of your mattress because its dust mites favorite place to hide. Empty pillow cases and change bed sheets so that your mattress will be clean and fresh.

Cleaning Wood Furniture.
To clean your wood furniture it is best that you use “Wood for good Wipes” from method products that specialize in green cleaning. They leave your wood furniture looking brand new and helps protect it from cracks.

Put away your jewels.
Often in bedrooms you see jewelry lying on dressers and even night stands. In order for your room to look organized and for you to not to loose your jewelry you should have a container or box to put away your jewelry. Also put small jewelry items away first and then the larger ones this will make it easier to put them away.

Your Bedroom is an important place where you get your beauty sleep and relax that is why we should take good care of this room and always make sure that it is organized and clean. Once you have your bedroom looking spotless everything else will fall into place and you will find it much easier to clean the rest of the rooms in your home. All it takes is a little bit of energy and wanting to make your bedroom and home look marvelous. Go now and begin to make these tips useful by giving your bedroom an incredible make over!

Disassemble Decorations
We all enjoy putting up Christmas decorations for the holidays but hate taking them down and this is what should be done first when starting your post holiday cleaning. The first step for post holiday cleaning is to disassemble holiday decorations and store them carefully for another twelve months. After this is done you will feel a relief and motivated into cleaning your home.

• If you have any lights outside you should start by removing them carefully without tangling the strings. To make your life easier and if you are planning on using the same lights next year, wrap each individual strand around a piece of cardboard and I reassure you it will be much easier to unravel.
• For those who prefer to avoid wrapping each ornament with newspaper you can make your life simpler by storing them in a box filled with shredded newspaper. Another option would be to buy a storage container for ornaments of post holiday sales. It all depends on what way you prefer to store your ornaments.
• What do we do with leftover wrapping paper? If you have leftover wrapping paper it doesn’t have to be thrown away! Find a plastic tubs around your house and place your leftover wrapping paper in it. Store your tubs in a place where they won’t be seen or bother you the basement would a good storage place. It may come in handy for next year and help you save a few dollars by not having to buy wrapping paper.
• Leftover gift boxes and bags can also come in handy for next year instead of throwing them away break them down and place them underneath your mattress. By doing this you will have replacement boxes on hand incase the stores run out before you’re finished with your Christmas shopping.
• You probably have holiday accent pieces around the house; if you do you should go from room to room removing them. A few of these pieces would be holiday pot holders and decorative bath towels. Store these items together in a box or container and label it so that you won’t have a problem finding them next year.

Cleaning up after Guests
Many have family members or friends visit for the holidays and you must cleanup the guest room after they leave so that it’s ready for the next visitor.

• Begin by changing the bed sheets and refreshing the mattress with Febreze.
• Have clean blankets and towels ready.
• Vacuum and dust the room. Also give the windows a shine with a multi-surface spray that is streak-free such as Windex.

Change it up
Keep in mind that it’s a new year which means that it’s the perfect time to change the furniture in your house. What a better way to start off the year than with new rearrangements.

• Play around with your furniture a little.
• The easiest room where you could rearrange furniture is your living room. Place the rugs in different areas.
• Move the sofa or couch around until to you find the right spot.
• Have fun with it, pretend that you’re an interior designer.
• While you’re moving furniture around it is the best way to clean places you haven’t cleaned in a long time.
• Grab the vacuum and clean where the sofa was before and you will probably find post holiday debris that was hidden as a result of being covered by the furniture.
• After vacuuming all the hidden places perform a normal cleaning routine.

You cooked now clean
Time to clean where all the cooking took place, during the holidays the kitchen is the most important and busiest room in a house. Therefore, it is also the room left with a bigger mess that is why we must give this room a deep cleaning.

• Start with the refrigerator by throwing away all the leftover food.
• Wash any dishes left in the sink and store as usual.
• Clean the top and inside of your stove. If you don’t clean it as soon as possible it will be harder to take the grease off.
• Wash any table cloths or cloth napkins.
• Sweep your kitchen floor very well so that it will be easier to mop after you’re done. Use Lysol to mop your kitchen floor that way your floor will look and smell clean.

Cleaning up after the holidays isn’t easy but in order to get back on track and start off fresh this New Year we must. I guarantee you that if you follow these tips your house will be clean in no time and ready to welcome the year 2009!

• Begin… Now!
  No time better than the present. Stop wasting time! You already have a long list of things to do, why waste more time. Get up and motivate yourself into cleaning your home. It is better that you clean before Christmas and not at the last minute. You’ll have a lot less stress and do much better job. Get it over with as soon as possible this way decorating will be much easier. You may even get Inspired to rearrange furniture or polish silverware.
• Create a Checklist
  Make a list of all the things that have to be cleaned in your home, this is the best way to start. By creating a checklist you will be organized and know what has already been cleaned and what has not. It will definitely make the process much easier for you. This will help you distribute your time better. Also it will give you motivation once you check off something on your list it will give you a sense of accomplishment.
• It only takes 30min.
  Who said that you have to clean everything in your home in one day? Cleaning shouldn’t be done in a rush. You could clean something different for 30min each day. One day could clean only the bathrooms, the next day the bedrooms, then the living etc. Cleaning could be done a little at a time everyday. As long as you clean a little here and there you’re gaining on it, and when you least expect it your list will be all checked off.
• Ask for help
  This tip is for all the mothers and wives who live with their children and husbands. You have the right to ask them to help you clean the house. The children and your husband are probably on vacation for the holidays and they could be of great help. A great way that they could all contribute is by dividing chores and giving each of them something to do. Before you know it cleaning could be done in one whole day with their help.
• Make your life easier
  There’s no need to clean or organize things that you don’t want. Throw away clothes you don’t wear anymore. Give as a gift to someone items around the house that you’re not pleased with or have no use for anymore. You’re just making your life harder by cleaning or organizing stuff that you don’t want anymore. If you throw or give away what you don’t need you’ll have less to clean and cleaning will be easier!
• Enjoy it!
  Why do you keep thinking that cleaning is hard and boring? Like they say life is what you make it. So make cleaning fun for yourself. Let cleaning be something that you could enjoy while doing, after all it is the holidays. Play some music while you’re cleaning and maybe even dance a little before you’ll know you will be having a blast while cleaning. Also while you’re cleaning promise yourself a little treat to look forward to like for example a long hot bath or a night out having fun.
• Holiday Aromas
  After your home is spotless you could top it all off with scented candles. These candles will make your home smell like new and everyone who walks in will know you worked hard cleaning your home. I recommend you get cranberry scented candles those are the ones that really do the trick and bring the smell of the holidays.
• You did it!
  Congratulations! If you already cleaned your house and used these tips you have finished and are ready to celebrate the holidays with your family and friends. Your home is sparkling cleaned and smelling great to welcome your loved ones.