House Cleaning Tips

Kitchens and bathrooms are the rooms that present the biggest cleaning challenges. They get a lot of use, and they are exposed to a lot of bacteria and germs.



Housework doesn't have to be a miserable experience. There are some things you can do to make it a little easier. Make sure you have everything you’ll need before you start. You don’t want to have to stop when you’re on a roll to restock your supplies. Include plenty of strong trash bags, cloths, sponges and cleansers in your caddy.

You may think you need a cabinet full of various products and an entire day to tackle these tough areas.

Before you start, getting organized by gathering all of your products and tools in one container that can be easily carried from room to room.

One of my favorite tools is a roll of paper towels. You can just use them and toss them. You’re not spreading dirt and germs around like you would if you used rags.

What you don’t need is a big collection of expensive products. Cleaning products can and should do double duty -- you don’t need a different product for each task. In fact, you can make your own products using ingredients you probably have in your cupboard already.

There are so many products you can make yourself that clean really well and are inexpensive.

• Windows

  Combine two quarts warm water and 1/2 cup corn starch. Wash windows with a sponge and dry with Sparkle paper towels. To make a quart for a spray bottle, use one quart warm water and 1/4 cup corn starch.

• All-purpose

  Make your own cleanser by combining four parts baking soda and one part 20 Mule Team Borax laundry additive. Use it just as you would any other cleanser.

• Spray

  This is perfect for most hard surfaces. Combine 1/2 teaspoon liquid dish soap, two tablespoons lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon washing soda, one teaspoon 20 Mule Team Borax and two cups water. Shake well prior to using.

• Make sinks shine

  To clean porcelain sinks and tubs, combine 20 Mule Team Borax and lemon juice into a moderately thick paste. Scrub porcelain sinks and tubs with the paste and rinse well. To tackle stains, leave paste on for a few hours or overnight. Wipe the sink dry with a strong, absorbent Sparkle paper towel and buff for a great shine.

Now that you’re stocked up, make a plan. Cobb suggests starting from top to bottom, since dirt and dust from light fixtures, for example, will end up on the sink or the floor. Be sure to finish one task completely before moving on to the next. Play your favorite CD or radio station to help you set the pace.

Incorporating some household chores into a daily routine can help “weekend warrior”, who feel like housework robs them of their leisure time. Do one room, or even a section of a room each day and when the weekend rolls around, you won’t feel overwhelmed.

And remember, you don’t need a lot of expensive products in fancy bottles to make your home a castle.
This article is courtesy of Article City
Author: Linda Cobb visit her at www.queenofclean.com

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