How do you clean a house?

Question

OK, here's the scoop: My housekeeper is extremely ill right now, and I have company coming over in a few days. The house is totally trashed, and I don't know how to clean a house and do laundry so this is a very serious dilemma for me. I don't trust just anyone because the housekeeper prior to this one stole from me considerably, and I refuse to pay anyone (including teenagers) "under the table" because I could get in trouble if get caught. How do I clean the house? Do laundry (I prefer my clothes hanged out to dry on a clothes line compared to a dryer)? What are the best cleaning supplies and for what? How do I clean my electronics? The porches? I am very oblivious to this. I never had to clean a house before, and the task is very daunting to me (I don't even know how to cook sadly). How do I organize my entire house from top to bottom? I have old magazines, VHS, and other junk piling up. My godchildren I'm taking care of is not helping matters they are only destroying it.

Also, what should I buy to make my guests more at home in the guest bedroom? I haven't even attempted to transform the guest bedroom into, yes, a guest bedroom. What should I stock up as well? Thank you in advance.

Wow, thank you for the answers thusfar. But please keep the pity and insult to a minimum. To clarify, the VHS I have is before DVD's came out and unfortunately yes I was a spoiled child growing up but that shouldn't factor in. I am really desperate for serious answers on the how-to's not quips about what I ought to do. Some of you are lifesavers, albeit my intelligence and common sense is being questioned almost each time someone answers. :-P

Answer 1

Avoid common housecleaning mistakes! Here's how you can break the bad habits and do the best possible job.
Steps

1. Glass cleaners: It is commonly thought that glass cleaner does the cleaning. It's no substitute for soapy water! First, wash your glass (including windows and mirrors) with a solution of warm or hot water, dish soap and a rag, sponge, or squeegee. Wipe down surface with a dry lint-free cloth or lint-free paper towels. Now it's time for the glass cleaner. The glass cleaner acts as a shield to help keep spots and dust easy to remove. When misused, glass "cleaner" will leave streaks. If you want to clean glass and be environmentally friendly, clean the glass with vinegar and water, dry with a lint-free cloth, and rub the glass with newspaper. No streaks!
2. Furniture polishers: Like glass cleaner, furniture polish isn't meant to be a cleaner. However, it can be used for cleaning. If you'd like to use furniture polish, make sure to carefully read the labels and find one made specifically for what you need. Some furniture can handle water, and those that can should be used with the soapy solution from step one. Be sure to quickly dry off these surfaces. Next, apply the suggested amount of furniture polish and wipe away according to directions. This will keep dust from magnetizing to your furniture.
3. All purpose cleaners: Be cautious with all purpose cleaners. They aren't always safe for the purposes you'll need. Make sure to thoroughly read labels before purchasing to ensure it fits your needs.
4. Outdoor help I: Outdoor tasks can help create a better living environment. Raking leaves helps to prevent growth that happens in the wet climate after raining. Raking regularly will also assist in dropping the bug count in your yard. Raking will also leave your yard looking clean and offer more room for grass to grow and sunlight to reach.
5. Outdoor help II: Trimming back plants (hedges, rose bushes, etc.) can help prevent water lines and dirt from getting on the walls of your home.
6. Laundry I: First, begin the water at the needed temperature and level. Next, pour in the needed amount of laundry detergent where the water is pouring. If you use fabric softener, a great thing to use is the fabric softener balls that you pour your softener into and just throw in at the beginning. (This saves you from having to wait for the rinse cycle.) If you use one, do this with the detergent. If you put your clothes in first, you risk staining your clothes with the coloring in these liquids.
7. Laundry II: The way you transfer your clothes into your dryer can affect the way they come out. Once the entire washing cycle is complete, shake to remove the twisting of fabric and the heavy wrinkles then toss into your dryer. This process can help prevent wrinkling.
8. Good, old fashioned mopping: Some of these new and innovative substitutes for mopping are really interesting but they don't always do as promised. They are no substitute for a rag mop. These new cleaning methods are great for a quick cleaning, but if you have tile or textured floors, they won't get in the cracks and bumps. There are a vast number of options for rag mops. But one thing is guaranteed; with a little elbow grease, your floors will look fantastic. Use hot water and the appropriate cleaner for your floor (again, read the labels).
9. Hand washed dishes: Picture this: a bucket of water with dirt, grease, food particles, millions of germs, and a lot of other things that come off your dirty dishes. Now you know how disgusting that water can be. Washing your dishes in a sink of hot soapy water is not as sanitary as you may have once believed. If you need to soak a dish that has caked-on gunk from baking and regular use, that's one thing. But let's take the extra measure to get rid of some of those germs. If you use a sponge, get your water running hot, put some dish soap on your sponge, get the sponge wet, and now you can wash off your rinsed dishes (so you don't get food all over the sponge which makes for a better cleaning surface). Now, rinse the soap off of the dishes in hot water. Place in clean drying rack and allow to air dry. Drying with a dish rag can smear germs and bacteria all over your clean dishes.
10. Fleas: Your best defense against flees is your vacuum cleaner! Besides not having carpet, that is. Carpet is a breeding ground for flees (not to mention all the other things it's good for holding). If you have pets, vacuum daily. This will keep them out of the place they are successful in breeding; where there is pet and human dander. To kill fleas without using poisons, after each vacuuming, sprinkle Borax on your carpets and let it work its way into the carpet backing. You'll never have fleas in the house if you do this. You can find the Borax in the laundry detergent area of grocery stores, usually on the top shelf.


Tips

* Carry a caddy around with you while you are cleaning. This makes it easy to reach for the things you need!
* Clean so that you can vacuum, sweep, and mop all rooms together so that your hot water doesn't get cold and you don't have to go from one task to another.
* Using mismatched socks for your furniture duster is perfect and can save you money. Old t-shirts can be cut into rags, too.
* Many people swear by a crumpled ball of newspaper for use with your window cleaner (instead of paper towels).
* Don't throw your sponge in with the dishes while they dry. Your sponge is heavily soiled with bacteria and germs. If you have a dishwasher, sponges can be cleaned by washing them with your dishes. It's very important to replace sponges frequently. Don't forget to rinse them out in hot water, then wring them out. Sterilize your sponge by zapping it for one minute in the microwave.
* Dishwashing liquid is an excellent way to get rid of the scum in the bottom of the tub, just like it cuts the grease off your dishes! Then continue cleaning as usual with Lysol or other antibacterial cleanser.


Warnings

* Some cleaners are NOT safe for your skin, linoleum flooring, wood flooring, surfaces and many things. I can't stress this enough, READ THE LABELS. It only takes a second, but could save you hundreds of dollars in the event of a mistake. If you've read the labels and still aren't sure, test in an inconspicuous area first.
* Borax is very harmful to cats and can kill them since they give themselves baths. It can be harmful to dogs since they lick their paws. Keep it away from them - always wipe borax completely off surfaces and do not leave any containers or boxes containing borax within the reach of pets. Do not leave any piles of borax lying about anywhere.
* Make sure your sponge is damp before placing it into the microwave. Also, be careful with handling the sponge after it has been in the microwave as it will be hot!


Things You'll Need

* Glass cleaner.
* Furniture polish.
* Clippers and hedge trimmers.
* Dish soap.
* Paper Towels, rags, or sponges.
* Upbeat music of your choice to make cleaning a lot more fun!

Hope it helps.Good Luck!!
):-)

Answer 2

WOW! I suggest you get the god children corralled and tell them you are having a cleaning party. And everyone is required to attend!

Start in one room. Throw out all the trash and old magazines. Organize the VHS (you can afford a housekeeper yet, you still watch VHS---well we all have our crosses to bear). Where does the housekeeper put the unused VHS tapes? Put them away just like she does. Figure out if the junk piling up is trash and dispose of as needed. Only keep what has a place to be stored. Then get some Pledge, Windex and other sprays. Use rags or paper towels and dust all surfaces with Pledge and clean all glass with Windex. Use an anti static cleaner to clean the electronics.

Pull out the vacuum and clean the carpet or rugs. If you have hardwood floors get the dust mop and clean the floors. Do not use water on hardwood flooring.

For the bathrooms and kitchen get Clorox Clean up and clean all surfaces and floors. You may need a degreaser in the kitchen, I suggest 409 cleaner. Although if you do not cook the kitchen may not be a problem. Check the microwave though and make sure it is clean. If not put a cup of vinegar in the microwave and microwave for 2 minutes. Then wipe clean.

Continue cleaning each room---one room at a time.

Take a broom and sweep the porches. You may need to take the water hose and clean.

Please put clean linens on the bed you expect your guest to use. Leave clean towels and wash cloths in the bathroom where they can be easily found. Put some fresh flowers in the bedroom and if the bedroom has it's own separate bath put some nice bath salts, soaps, shower gels, shampoos and other nice tolietries, maybe some nice candles in both the bedroom and the bathroom.

As for the laundry. Separate the clothes by color. Whites, darks, reds. Always wash darks & jeans separate from other clothes. Reds should be washed separate. Then separate by good clothes such as your blouses, underclothes, etc. Wash towels separate from other laundry unless you are including sheets. It is better to wash too many small loads than ruin your clothes if you do not know how to do laundry. ALWAYS WASH IN COLD WATER. ALWAYS! Add clothes to washing machine, add 1/2 cap detergent and fabric softener in the dispenser (or add fabric softener at the rinse cycle). If you can not clean house and do not know how to do laundry I find it hard to believe you are going to hang your clothes on the line. But be sure you do not put your good clothes in the dryer. They will be ruined. If you use the dryer find the lint trap on the top of the dryer or in the dryer door and clean between each load. You could find a laundry mat that does your laundry for you and take it all in and have it done. Then you just pick it up. They charge by the pound.

Stock the fridge with sodas, juices, milk, eggs, bacon, sausage, butter and make sure you have deli meats and cheese. Buy crackers, bread make sure to have coffee, tea, cream and sugar. Maybe your guest know how to cook and would like some breakfast while they are there. Also you might get some pastries.

Lots of luck. I would be interested to know how this turns out. Enjoy your company and your godchildren.

Answer 3

I would love a clean, tidy house, but with 2 toddlers it seems almost impossible. They can empty out a cupboard in the time it takes me to turn around and realize what they're doing. I keep the kitchen clean everyday (not always tidy though), and try to do a load of washing everyday. The bathroom gets a clean about once a week. The floors really need a sweep or vacuum every second day, but that often doesn't get done. I have a big load of ironing that needs doing, but that can wait until I sit down to watch tv. I really hate housework, and am seriously considering quitting!

Answer 4

I feel sorry that you don't know how to do the cleaning and laundry......To clean a house, first you need a piece of cloth or a duster, dust your furniture, appliances. If you don't mind put all old papers and magazines to recycle. Do some vacuum cleaning to the floor. Clean the bath tub and sink (with cream cleanser use sponge to scrub) ,wipe the mirrors (need glass cleaner spray and a cloth) and clean the toilet with some disinfectant spray cleaner you can buy those stuff in the supermarket look for the shelves where you can find bathroom cleaner, you will find out the use of each cleaner by reading all the instructions. Kitchen is one of the most important place that need to be cleaned too, so don't forget to wipe all surfaces around...About the laundry, wash white separately from dark colour clothes... about cooking try to enrol to any cooking class around your place. OK Good luck!!! enjoy cleaning up!

Answer 5

If you refuse to hire other help, then start by organizing. Put away everything left out on the floors, in kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, etc. Then start dusting. Feather dusting is faster and easier, but you might want to use glass cleaner on glass and wood polish on furniture. It smells good and makes wood shine. Then vacuum all rooms. Then kitchen, I sure hope you know how to wash dishes, wipe down counters, get grime off of sides of refridgerator and dishwasher, clean stovetop with a all purpose degreaser spray, or with dishwashing detergent. Then clean bathroom. I prefer to clean toilet bowl with comet or any bleaching powder and scrub with toilet brush under rim, in back of cover, and wipe down seat well. Clean shower/bath with shower cleaner and a washcloth and/or brush if it is really dirty. Clean countertops and knickknacks and then clean floors with a mop and ammonia mixed with water.
Most cleaning supplys tell you how to use them.
Then start doing your laundry (this is the part I hate most). Seperate whites from colored and darks. Add a little bleach when washing whites, this will keep them sanitized as well as looking bright. Then wash your darks. Dry, then start folding and put laundry away in drawers or hang. Try avoid wearing clothes you have to iron.
You can do it.

Answer 6

If your house is truly trashed as you say, the regular methods won't work. To get started, use a large trash can with a garbage bag in it. Anything that doesn't belong out in view either goes to its proper place or in the trash can. This includes, papers, dust, clothes and dirt. When everything is gone that you don't want people to see, you're done cleaning.

Answer 7

How much time do you have? How many rooms?
1] throw out all trash. Put away all books, clothes, toys, everything in the place it belongs.
2] clean bathroom[s] - squirt cleaner in toilet. Polish mirror, faucets. Scrub sink, tub, shower. Wipe down outside of toilet, top to bottom, including under lid and seat. Then scrub toilet with brush, and flush. Sweep and mop.
3] kitchen - spray cleaner in oven. clean counters, sink, range,
fridge. Wipe down oven
4] other rooms - dust all surfaces, polish if needed. Dust/shake off lampshades and plants. Vacuum inside furniture cushions, then corners/edges of room, then middle of room. Vacuum under area rugs. Repeat everywhere else.
5] Guest room - clean sheets, clean room, extra pillows, reading lamp, a chair, and a place for their clothes and suitcases. [ flowers and a candle are nice too.]
P.S. Pay neighbors from big families to help you out - it isn't illegal to employ them once, since it won't be enough to deduct SS.

Answer 8

well you throiugh trash in the trash and things that arent trash you put up really not that hard common sesnse really. throw the dishes away and go buy new same w/ clothes. If the dog needs a bath take him to the pound and buy a new dog on your way home. If your house got piled up like this in a short time you have problems

Answer 9

you can organize your work by dividing the house into sections the kitchen and the bathroom/s in one day the reception in another day and bedrooms in another day or u can divide them more than that. at the end u will be done by 3 or 4 days without getting tired

Answer 10

I think it's pretty sad that you don't know how clean a house, you must of been a spoiled lazy child.

It's not rocket science to clean a house. Go to the store and look at all the cleaning products, it will tell you what it's for and how to use it.

Answer 11

Wow, you really sound desperate.
First of all make a chart: Bathroom, Living room-family room, kitchen, bedroom, laundry, electronics and porch...
GET 10 - 20 BOXES, SET THEM ON THE PATIO BECAUSE YOU WILL USE THEM... READ THIS THROUGH BEFORE YOU BEGIN, BECAUSE THE BOXES WILL BE USED. I TELL YOU SOME PLACES TO GET FREE BOXES, BUT YOU CAN BUY BOXES AT THE UPS STORE, HOME DEPOT, U-HAUL SELLS BOXES. GET SOME SHOE BOXES OR SMALLER BOXES... AS YOU FILL A BOX BE SURE TO MARK WHAT IS IN THE BOX ON THE SIDE OF THE BOX (DON'T MARK IT ON THE TOP, PUT IT ON THE SIDE... YOU WILL BE ABLE TO STACK BOXES AND THEN READ WHAT IS IN THEM
Bathroom:
1. Get toilet bowl cleaner from the grocery store.
Squirt some in the toilet. Use the toilet brush and scrub the sides, down into the drain hole around the top, then flush.
2. Get a brush on a stick, like a broom, but a brush... it reaches farther, but a small scrub brush will do, squirt some Soft Scrub (buy this, too) into the tub. Use the brush and scrub up and down the sides of the tub and the shower walls. Rinse thoroughly.
3. Squirt Soft Scrub into the sink... use a cloth or smaller brush and scrub all parts of the sink.. use the cloth to clean around the faucet and knobs. Rinse good and dry. Shine the knobs and faucet.
4. Use Windex on the mirror.
5. Get a Swifter and the Wet Swifter cloths... swifter the floor, get in the corners and behind the toilet and sink with a cloth. I get on my hands and knees to get behind the toilet and sink, ( I just like a really clean bathroom) and dry the floor, then leave. (Clutter- throw away those 3 nearly gone deodorants, get a shoe box to put stuff in you will use... toss the rest, then later go back and put these things in the drawers neatly.)
6. Get some Pledge, spray some on a cloth.. dust the tops of tables and hard furniture in the living room and family room.
7. Get a few boxes, put all the clutter in the boxes by types of clutter, try to do this neatly, put these boxes in the garage or even outside on the patio, so you can go thru them later... but this will get the clutter out of the living room...
8. If you have any glass tops in the living room and family room, use the Windex to clean them off.
9. Vacuum - thoroughly... move the furniture and get along the edges... vacuum the tops of the couch and chair cushions.
10. Take all clothes to the laundry mat or the laundry room
Sort into whites and colors. Start the washing machine, I use hot for the whites like socks, sheets and underwear, I use warm for the colors. Don't make the loads to big... they won't get as clean and they will take a long time to dry.
11. As soon as one load finishes be prepared to take that load out... you don't have time to hang out, so put them in the dryer this time. Start the next load of wash.
12. Take all dishes out of the sink. Set them on the counter next to the basin. Use a dish drainer, but if you don't lay out a couple of towels, even a bath towel if you don't have dish towels..As you wash stand the dishes up, don't lay them down... let them lean against the wall.. Use hot water to wash and rinse... do the glasses and silverware first... Rinse all dishes in Hot water. they will dry more quickly. Put the silverware in a large cup with the handles in the cup and the tops out...
13. As the dishes dry, wash off the top of the stove with a cloth. Wash off the counters. Get a small box like a shoe box to put clutter into, set it aside. Throw away all the junk mail and old receipts and other papers you don't need.
14. Open the re-frig... throw out anything that has been in the frig longer than a week... don't throw out the mustard, ketchup... just throw out left overs, doggie bags, 'to go containers.. Wipe off the shelves and wipe out the bins. Use Windex and paper towels...
15. Wash the kitchen floor with the swifter. If you have area rugs, wash them, too or at least go outside and shake them. Get in the corners, too.
16. GET some boxes... go the your nearest grocery store... they will save some for you... we have Vons and they stock on Thursday evening and they will save boxes if I come just as they are closing. I also find boxes at my local liquor store. or go and buy some boxes. Sort your papers in to categories... make a VHS box, a book box, a magazine box, a project box, a Bills box, and be sure to have lots of garbage bags... start by throwing out stuff that is old and you don't need. Make a "take to Goodwill box" and maybe even a "garage sale" box. Have the godchildren help. Get the boxes... Have them hold up each item... you tell them which box it goes into.
16. In the bedroom put all the clothes that are laying around on the chairs, floor and even in the closet.. throw them all on the bed. Hang up all the clean clothes, make a pile of darks to be washed, and whites to be washed... Take the piles out of the room, put them in a pillow case to take to the Laundromat if you don't have a washer and dryer. Put all books in one pile, magazines in another, put all pens and pencils in a cup, throw out all non essential papers. Have a dust clothe so you can dust them. Put little clutter in a shoe box. Dust the bedside tables. Vacuum under the bed and the carpet...
Good luck... email me if you need any help... [e-mail] I clean a home that has so much clutter and junk, I feel like I reorganize every time I go there, but I use the boxes and it really helps. And they love it when I leave... they just don't have time to organize... and they are very creative, so they spend their time doing projects and art.
Porch..The only thing that should be on the porch is the furniture, tables and chairs, etc. Organize the other stuff into similar groups... books, camping supplies, gardening stuff... sort it all and put it outside while you sweep, dust, vacuum,
Electronics. If your vacuum has a brush attachment you could use that to carefully get dust off the electric bars, around the T.V., etc. You can use windex on the outside of the speakers, the computer screen, and the t.v. screen. and t.v. stand.