Spring is here—and with the season of renewal comes the perfect time to get your house and life in ship-shape order!
But who wants to spend the bulk of their time actually cleaning? You have better things to do—like enjoying the fresh Charleston air! In the spirit of quickly tidying up, here are a few ways to make chores more efficient and effective, so you can have a sparkling home in no time flat.
Tidy the Kitchen
- Sanitize the sink.Did you know that a dirty kitchen sink has more bacteria than a toilet seat? To disinfect, clean your sink with soap and water first, then spray a mist of vinegar followed by a mist of hydrogen peroxide, and let air-dry. (Note: Don’t mix the vinegar and hydrogen peroxide together—spray one after the other.) If your sink is stainless steel, make it sparkle afterward by putting a few drops of mineral oil on a soft cloth and buffing. This prevents water buildup, which deters mold, and keeps the sink looking clean longer.
- Ditch paper towels for good.Paper towels don’t stand up to the task of heavy-duty cleaning quite like microfiber cloths. When wet, they sanitize and clean floors, counters, glass and tile, and eliminate the need for other cleaning products. They’re reusable, too—just machine-wash and hang to dry. Easy!
- Zap the sponge.Sponges can be a breeding ground for bacteria. Disinfect yours every night by squeezing it out and microwaving it on high for a minute. When it’s shredded and smelly, it’s time for a new one.
Beat the Bath
- Clean the liner.Mold and mildew—a shower curtain’s arch nemesis. Throw your besieged liner in the wash with a few towels, which will help scrub it clean, then hang it back up to dry.
- Scrub the toilet.Drop a teaspoon of Tang Drink Mix in the bowl. The citric acid acts like a natural scrubber—not to mention, it’s nontoxic, in case the dog takes a sip. Let it sit for a few minutes, then swish and flush.
Get Swept Away
- Pick the right broom.For indoors, choose one with finer bristles to pick up smaller dirt particles. For outdoors, opt for stronger, stiffer bristles, which work better to clear uneven surfaces.
- Sweep like you mean it.Turns out, there is a right way to sweep!Hold the broom like a canoe paddle, with one hand on top of the handle and the other toward the middle. Push your hands in opposite directions to get the most out of every sweeping stroke. Sweep from the outside in so that you don’t miss any spots, and move the dirt to the center of the room, where it will be easy to pick up.
Rein in the Bedroom
- Make the bed.If your bed is made, your bedroom looks neat. When you wake up, pull the covers up to your chin, and then gently peel the covers away from your body, folding the covers down. The bed will be close to half-made, and you can easily finish the job before you walk away.
- Tame the drawers.Most women have drawers full of clothes they don’t wear, and their dressers absorb the unwieldy burden. Donate the clothes you haven’t worn in a year, and commit to putting away your clean laundry as soon as it is done.A little more space and organization make a world of difference in how clean the room feels!
Let’s hear your time-saving cleaning tips. Share below!
