How can I learn to clean better, without getting discouraged?

Question

Well to be completely honest, I am LAZY when it comes to cleaning! I was never really taught to clean when I was growing up nor was is cleaned for me. i dont have a dirty house, just messy... I clean big time about once a week and always make sure dishes are clean and no food is out etc. I have a baby now an that semicleaning isnt the way I think it should be, I want it to be spottless!! How do I do this efficiently? How do i get into a routine of cleaning (like floors etc)? Is there a way I can start to enjoy it a little? THanks for any help!!

Answer 1

Well first off you cant do it all in a day. Save certain tasks for specific days. For instance, On Mondays do 2-3 things or so, then Tuesday follow suit, Wednesday, etc...Get into the habit of doing things on particular days so it doesnt feel like you are cramming..

Answer 2

Play music that you like while cleaning. I, personally, seem to get more done while I am talking on the phone (with a hands free device).

Set a certain amount of time a day aside for cleaning. Start off with 5 minutes and declutter as much as you can. Sit back and appreciate how good it looks in that amount of time, then increase the cleaning time.

Start on the things that will give more impact first. For example, I will declutter the baby toys and then vacuum one room. It will look better almost immediately and the instant gratification is satisfying and encouraging.

For bathrooms, I clean the toilet and the sink one day then tackle the tub and floor the next. (I have 2 baths and a powder room.)

If you put things away in designated areas, then you don't always have to declutter that stuff over and over, giving you more time to worry about the other things.

For things that have to go upstairs (or in different rooms), I have a bin or laundry basket for them. When I leave the area/room I'm in the basket goes into the doorway of the room or up the stairs.

Don't be afraid to ask for help from the others who live in the house. It's their space too!

Another thing I do is write a list of all the things that need to be done ex bathroom cleaning: clean mirror, clean sink top, clean basin, clean toilet, clean bathtub, clean floor. As I complete the things, I cross them out and, to me, it's more satisfying. Initially, it seems overwhelming to see such a long list, but each task is quick so it's a mind game of sorts.

Assign certain days for certain tasks so you're not doing it all in one day.

Sometimes I use different products to "change things up". Also convenience items (like Lysol wipes), while a little more expensive than the usual products makes tasks quicker, so it's less of a chore.

I hope these help.

Answer 3

Don't get discouraged! You just need a plan. Try this:
Every day:
1. wash dishes.
2. wipe down countertops
3. pick up clutter and put away (carry a basket from room to room to put the clutter in. Finish one room before moving to the next)
4. make beds
5. wipe out the bathroom sink with some rubbing alcohol and paper towel
6. Take out trash if needed
Every week:
1. Scour sinks & tubs, shine up faucets
2. Clean the toilet
3. Sweep and mop the floors
4. Vacuum carpets
5. Change sheets & pillowcases
6. Dust furniture
7. Clean mirrors, tv screens, computer screens
8. Wash & dry laundry - put it away
9. Wipe down appliances, clean fridge and throw old food away
10. Wash out inside of wastebaskets, put fresh trashbags in
11. Sort through mail, papers & bills. Shred unwanted mail.
Monthly:
1. Vacuum furniture
2. Wipe fingerprints off doors, doorknobs, fridge door, etc
3. Wipe down telephones
4. Clean out the oven, put foil in the bottom to make it easier next time. (people say not to do this, but I have never had a problem with it)
5. Dust or vacuum under beds
6. Clean out cars
7. Clean out freezer and inside of fridge, wipe it down.
Spring & fall cleaning:
1. High dusting (you may want to do this every month or two also)
2. Clean window glass and windowsills
3. Wipe down baseboards & woodwork
4. Shampoo carpets
5. Clean out closets and throw away stuff you don't need
6. Change furnace filters/AC filters
7. Sweep and clean outdoor sidewalks, patio, garage
8. Go through junk drawers, pantries, etc and throw away unneeded stuff

I hope this covers everything. A great idea for toy storage is mesh laundry hampers. Sometimes you can find them in bright colors for kids' rooms. Clutter is the biggest obstacle and can make a house look messy when it is actually clean.
Best wishes!

Answer 4

I clean up to 6 houses in a day. I know for some people it can be frustrating cleaning their own house because you so easily get sidetracked.You just need a plan for quick cleaning.the best way to do that is to take one day and really deep clean everything, then a week or so later when you go to clean again, it will be a piece of cake.then every week or two pick ONE room only to deep clean, and repeat the cycle and your house will never really get dirty. get some daily shower spray for the bath, wipe your stove everytime something splatters same for the floor. it only takes a second to wipe something up, a lot easier than trying to scrub it later.

Answer 5

I am in the cleaning business and here is our secret!
This cuts down on our time a lot.
We buy this cleaning cloth off the internet. You have to buy in packages of 5 but they are only like $3 bucks a piece. I have ordered them and use them on everything, especially cleaning windows and clean mirrors. They are made out of tiny fibers. They are guaranteed not to scratch and all you do is rinse the cloth under water, wring it out and wipe ANY surface with no streaks or scratch. Use em over and over. I have not thrown one away yet!
I am sold on this ...I encourage you to try it out….hope this helps…Steve

Answer 6

I've been following FlyLady's cleaning program, and it's helpful, because she makes it simple and not overwhelming. Following her program, it takes a few months before everything is spotless, but it took a while to get messy, so it'll take a while to get neat as well.

Here's her first steps for having a clean house:
http://www.flylady.net/pages/begin_babysteps.asp

After you get used to that, she has a weekly "zones" program, so that, in addition to regular cleaning, you do a deep clean one area of your house each week.

The nice thing is that you get into the habits gradually and in 15-minute time spurts, instead of spending hours cleaning at once.

Answer 7

GURL!!
DON'T DO THAT TO YOURSELF!!!!
I was there (and STILL am),...........BUT!!!

I have learned to pick up clothes off the floor and put them where they belong(MOST of the time),...at the END of the day.

You don't CLEAN house, you KEEP house.

Put your duster OUT where you can see it and grab it on your way to do something else. Wipe wherever you are standing.

I happen to have a dishwasher---but I ABSOLUTELY hate washing dishes.

My sister told me to buy containers for storage for certain things.
Do you THINK I use those things? I THINK NOT!
But they are stored neatly, somewhere............

My sister and I were told we couldn't go out to play till our room was clean---she did it all...........
I really NEVER learned to clean--now SHE has a neat house,
and I, like you, have a messy house, VERY UN organized.
(But there is a path to everything,.hehehehehehe)

Answer 8

Sounds to me like you need some routines in your life. Go to www.flylady.net. Go in click on subscribe. It will make it so that you get a bunch of e-mails everyday. This is great. Follow all of the instructions. You won't regret it. Good Luck! =0)