Suzanne O’Connor’s Bargains LA

Cleaning Tips on the Go

With the recession lingering on many of us are cleaning our own homes to keep expenses down.

I don’t have a housekeeper or maid. Never have. I have often thought of getting one cause I hate cleaning. The work, physical effort and time it takes to keep a home clean can be excessive, especially if you’re busy. But I haven’t, and over the years I have learned a few tricks to keeping a house orderly and clean on the run.

Maybe these will work for you or you can add some.

1. Try to immediately put away an item after you used it. Clothes get hung up, books put away etc.
2. I always keep paper towels and Windex stored but accessible in the bathroom.
3. Wipe the sink out and wipe down the bathroom counters after I brush my teeth.
4. Have several hand brooms and dustpans stored around the house for quick sweep ups.
5. We take turns cleaning the kitchen before we go to bed at night including wiping up the floor.
6. Dust and wipe down surfaces, door jams, ceilings while watching TV or talking on the phone.
7. Never leave a room empty handed. Empty trash cans, return a cup to the kitchen etc.
8. Plan 1-2 hours every weekend for one serious cleaning job. IE; shower, bathrooms, closets. Can’t do everything every week.
9. Make “the kids” do their chores right and on schedule, so you don’t have to go back and redo them.(this one’s tough)
10. Don’t put off a chore that could take 2 minutes today, till tomorrow when it could take more time.
11. Make your bed immediately in the morning… before coffee! Ya I know. But it doesn’t take a brain to make a bed.

Full, deep house cleaning days only happens once every 2-3 months. Who’s got the time?

Since I am a new homeowner, I am still trying to figure out out to handle yard chores. And yes we have a gardener.
Any tips on exterior cleaning, gardening, yard tool organization or composting?