With Christmas on the way, the only thing to be expected is the unexpected. Preparing for the holiday season with shopping, baking, and present-wrapping makes the days chaotic, so the thought of guests dropping by could put anyone into a tailspin. Not wanting guests to walk into a household disaster, the best way to be prepared for those unexpected guests is to do regular cleaning and keep up with it. These weekly cleaning tips will help any homeowner have a clean, fresh home ready for the unexpected.
Make a Schedule
The days go by so quickly, especially when one is busy, so having a set schedule for cleaning ensures important cleaning tasks do not get missed. Just as one could schedule doctor appointments, school meetings, or even the gym, scheduling cleaning makes it easy to see when the cleaning can be done and where it fits into the busy day. A sample schedule could include a different task each day. For example:
Monday: vacuum/sweep and mop
Tuesday: toilets and sinks
Wednesday: dusting and wiping
Thursday: laundry
Friday: decluttering
Saturday: groceries and errands
Sunday: time to rest
The schedule could also include the exact time the family will be cleaning, for example, every day at 10 am.
Use the Right Tools
Using the right tools is the best way to keep cleaning easy and quick. What was done before washing machines and dishwashers? Several great tools on the market make all the tasks of cleaning easier. Using a dual-bucket system for mopping with the best spin mop saves time and hassle. The Casabella Clean Water Spin Mop's dual-bucket system ensures clean water on every pass of the mop, and the spin action removes the dirty water into its own bucket, so the mop stays as clean as can be, allowing cleaning the entire floor area in one go. Other great tools for cleaning include a multipurpose duster, scrub brushes, microfiber cloths, and a good ol' bottle of water and vinegar.
Have Supplies in One Easy-to-Access Area
While having multiple cleaning tools will ensure that a homeowner has everything needed, storing these tools can be another hassle. Tools that take up little space or fold up for easy storage are always the best idea. The Casabella Clean Water Spin Mop does have two buckets, but they nest into one another for easier storage in less space. Using a broom and dustpan that does the same thing is important, as many brooms are stored behind an open door. Keeping all the cleaning supplies in one area also ensures a search isn't needed when cleaning.
Reduce Clutter
Clutter is the enemy of cleanliness. Keeping a home clean is hard if too much stuff is lying around. Especially in the weeks leading up to Christmas, the house is probably already overrun with holiday decorations. It is best to pack away other decorative items rather than try decorating on top of or around them during the holiday season. Fewer decorative items displayed means less dusting, wiping, and moving items. Also, unwanted mail, cards, and paperwork seem to add up during this time, so it is always best to throw away anything unwanted that comes into the home immediately rather than store it in a central spot to deal with later. Getting rid of excess clutter makes cleaning easier and quicker.
Be Proactive for a Clean House for Christmas
The best way to ensure a clean house when unexpected holiday guests drop by is to be proactive. Clean up spills and messes as they happen, rather than wait for the scheduled day to clean them. Wipe all counters down after using the kitchen or bathroom, and rinse out sinks immediately afterward. Hardened-on toothpaste is much more difficult to remove than if it’s cleaned up right out of the tube. Using a clean water mop, rather than having a mop bucket of dirty water sitting around, will make a world of difference.
These weekly cleaning tips should help homeowners reduce their holiday stress and leave more time for the great things to be enjoyed during the season, like visiting with family and friends and enjoying all that baking that was done. Cleaning shouldn’t get in the way of the enjoyment of the season.