House cleaning tips.?

Question

Looking for ways to keep the house clean with less time. What rooms to start with first and what methods work the quickest. Example do you dust or vacuum first? Also looking for tips on the best overall cleaning product to move from room to room with ease. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Lets see, I'm not sure how big your space is so I'll try to be as helpful as can be.
Always dust first, so any dust that falls on the ground can be vacuumed up later. Windex is a good product. Almost any generic brand will work. Alot of people like the swifter dusters and clorox mops. They're both light weight and easily stored.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

The other answers are right - fly lady has great tips! But you will find it easier to keep up if you straighten up before going to bed. Make sure the dishes are done and kitchen counters wiped down. Straighten couch cushions and put away magazines, toys, etc. that are left out after everyone has gone to bed. (This is a great time to toss those items you know the kids will whine about if they see you do it...lol.)

I always dust first, top of the room to the bottom with a damp rag or duster so the dust falls down and doesn't get redistributed. Vacuum after so you pick up the dust that has fallen.

My 2 favorite products are the pledge duster with pledge all surface spray and lysol's antibacterial kitchen spray (for light switches, handles, etc.). I use windex for glass and mirrors with a squeegee to make it fast and streak free. For stubborn spots use the Mr. Clean magic eraser sponge - it even took permanent sharpie marker off my wood table top!

Good luck!

Answer 4

Wipe off surface clutter like crumbs then vaccumm then dust this makes it less likely that you will have to redust after the air has settled from the vaccuming. As for clutter just get a small laundrey basket and go through everything by room. Example start with your kids room then go through the house with the basket and collect all there possesions in the basket and put them away. Do this for every room and you will be done in no time. I also swear by magic erasers and pledge multi surface spray for everything.

Answer 5

I use all natural products as I have allergies and care about the environment. First, always dust first as it settles on the floor and then you vacuum. Bathrooms are usually the nastiest, so you do them first -- baking soda works as good as comet, and vinegar left on will get rid of mold. Same for the toilet, vinegar and baking soda and it fizzes so it's fun for little kids to try and won't hurt them with chemicals. Vinegar is great for cleaning tile floors, I also use it diluted on linoleum floors. Works great on windows/glass also. I use old newspapers or old dishtowels instead of papter towels. This method is environmentally friendly and safe. You will notice the asthma and allergy problems will significantly decrease when you use less chemicals in your home. Just my opinion, but it has worked like a miracle for me, no more sinus infections for the first time in my life.

Answer 6

I think one room at a time, and dust first, so you can vacuum it up then! Tidy, de-clutter, then clean. A good polish and a clean duster is a great overall product to bring with you. This site has good de-cluttering and natural cleaning tips:

Answer 7

Fabuloso is a great cleaning product. Smells wonderful and can go in everything from mop water to dish water. You can clean sinks, toilets, mirrors, everything all with one product. Also, do one load of laundry a day. It's worth it not to have a pile of laundry for the weekend.

Answer 8

KITCHEN
Every Day
# Wipe down the sink after doing the dishes or loading the dishwasher (30 seconds).
# Wipe down the stove top (one minute).
# Wipe down the counters (one minute).
# Sweep, Swiffer, or vacuum the floor (two minutes).


Every Week
# Mop the floor (five minutes).
# Wipe the cabinets, backsplashes, and appliances (10 minutes).
# Wash the dish rack (four minutes).
# Wipe the switch plates and phone (one minute).
# Wipe the inside of the garbage can (one minute).


Every Season
# Empty and scrub down the inside of the refrigerator (30 minutes).
# Empty and clean the insides of the utensil drawers (15 minutes).
# Scrub down the cupboard exteriors (30 minutes).
# Clean the stove-hood filter (10 minutes).
# Perform "Shiny Sink 101"

BATHROOM
Every Day
# Wipe out the sink (30 seconds).
# Wipe the toilet seat and rim (15 seconds).
# Swoosh the toilet bowl with a brush (15 seconds).
# Wipe the mirror and faucet (15 seconds).
# Squeegee the shower door (30 seconds).
# Spray the entire shower and the curtain liner with shower mist after every use (15 seconds).


Every Week
# Scrub the tub (three minutes).
# Scrub the tiles (five minutes).
# Mop the floor (two minutes).
# Wipe the switch plates, doorknobs, and doorjambs (one minute).
# Empty and wipe out the wastebasket (30 seconds).


Every Season
# Take down the shower curtain, then launder it according to the care instructions.
# Empty, weed, and clean the medicine cabinet (20 minutes).
# Perform "Shiny Sink 101" on the tub and sink.

BEDROOM
Every Day
# Make the bed (two minutes).
# Fold or hang clothing and put away jewelry (four minutes).
# Straighten out the night-table surface (30 seconds).


Every Week
# Change the sheets (five minutes).
# Dust all surfaces — including electronics, books, picture frames, windowsills and ledges, and tops of door frames — and remove all cobwebs (10 minutes).
# Dust or mop the floors or vacuum the carpeting (five minutes).
# Throw out old magazines (one minute).
# Wipe the switch plates, doorknobs, and doorjambs (one minute).
# Wipe and disinfect the telephone (30 seconds).
# Empty the wastebasket (20 seconds).
# Vacuum the heating and air-conditioning vents and the inside of the closet (three minutes).


Every Season
# Wash the insides of the windows (15 minutes).
# Strip the bed and flip the mattress (five minutes).
# Launder the mattress pad and dust ruffle.

LIVING-AREA
Every Day
# Pick up crumbs and dust bunnies with a handheld vacuum (one minute).
# Fluff the cushions and fold throws after use (two minutes).
# Wipe tabletops and spot-clean cabinets when you see fingerprints (one minute).
# Straighten coffee-table books and magazines. Throw out newspapers. Put away CDs and videos. (Two minutes.)


Every Week
# Dust all surfaces — including electronics, books, blinds, picture frames, windowsills and ledges, and tops of door frames — and remove all cobwebs (15 minutes).
# Dust-mop the floors with a microfiber cloth or a Swiffer, or vacuum the rugs and carpeting (five minutes).
# Vacuum the upholstery (five minutes).
# Throw out old magazines (one minute).
# Wipe the switch plates, doorknobs, and doorjambs (one minute).
# Wipe and disinfect the telephone (30 seconds).
# Shake out or vacuum the doormat (one minute).
# Vacuum the heating and air-conditioning vents (one minute).


Every Season
# Wash the insides of the windows (15 minutes).
# Lift big pieces of furniture and vacuum or mop underneath (10 minutes).

Here's how to do the Shiny Sink 101
Adapted from www.FlyLady.net (a.k.a. Marla Cilley)

1. Fill sink to the rim with very hot water; add one cup regular bleach. Soak for one hour.
2. Drain and rinse thoroughly.
3. Scrub with Ajax, Bon Ami, or baking soda.
4. Be sure to rinse thoroughly.
5. Shine with Windex or another glass-cleaning spray. Dry thoroughly.

Answer 9

visit the flylady website.... she's got some great tips.

http://www.flylady.net/