How To Successfully Clean Different Things Around The House
Cleaning isn’t exactly the most enjoyable pastime, but it’s something that needs to get done regardless of whether you have a big space or a small one. There are many different ways to clean and many different things that need cleaning.
When you’re honest with yourself about the amount that needs to get done, it can get quite overwhelming, especially if you aren’t keeping up with it. Fortunately, we’re here to help you. Here’s how to successfully clean a variety of different things around your home, and maybe a few you wouldn’t have thought of. Let’s get into it.
Your Floors
When it comes to cleaning your floors things aren’t exactly as clear cut as a mop, some water, and a quick vacuum. The type of flooring you have will dictate the way you should be cleaning it, the products you should be using, and how often you should be doing it. Let’s take a closer look at a few of the more common options people have in their homes and how you should be taking care of them.
Carpets
Plenty of people have carpeting covering their floors. It’s a great option to keep your house warmer and is great for families with children who play on the floor. The downside to carpets is that they can get quite dirty and then are incredibly hard to clean. There are a few companies that offer machine washable rugs, but these are few and far between. According to https://nycsteamcleaning.com/manhattan/, hiring a carpet cleaning company could make your life a lot easier. It’s important to deep clean your carpets at least once or twice a year. This gets out everything you couldn’t with normal cleaning equipment and kills mites.
It is important that you carry out your own maintenance though. You should be vacuuming your carpets regularly (once a week at least). Be sure to use a carpet cleaning powder that you sprinkle over the surface, brush in, let it sit, and then vacuum after you have left it for several minutes. We recommend that you invest in a good vacuum, but something super heavy and bulky that you don’t want to use regularly probably isn’t a good idea. Something with good suction power should be enough.
Wooded Flooring
When it comes to wooden floors they are either surface-sealed with varnish, or penetrating-sealed with oil. You need to know which it is in order to treat and clean your wooden floors appropriately. If you aren’t sure which of the two is on your floor, we have a trick. If you run your finger along an oiled floor, it should smudge. If it doesn’t, then it’s probably varnished. Surface-sealed floors should be cleaned with warm (not hot) water.
You could use a wooden floor cleaner made for the specific purpose of cleaning varnish floors, or you could use diluted dish soap. This cleans the floor without stripping it too much. When it comes to penetrating-sealed floors, try to avoid water entirely. Clean these with a dry mop and vacuum.
Tiles
Most homes have tiled floors. These are really easy to clean. Start off by vacuuming the area. Then add a bit of hot water and some tile cleaner to a bucket and you’re good to start mopping.
Your Couch
Out of all of the things in a home, something that gets cleaned the least is your coach. Some couches have a cover that can be removed and washed in the machine, but this simply isn’t possible with upholstered furniture. Depending on the type of fabric used in the upholstery, your couch will have a code. The code associated with your couch will determine how you clean it. On the underside of your couch, it should read one of the following: W, S, SW, or X.
(W) Wet cleaning only – You can spot clean with diluted dish soap and a cloth.
(S) Dry solvent cleaning only – You can only clean with a specialized upholstery cleaner. Anything else will cause severe damage to the fabric.
(SW) Dry solvent or wet cleaning –You can use a wet or dry upholstery cleaner to clean.
(X) Professional cleaning –These couches should only be vacuumed or cleaned by a professional. Avoid X couches if you have pets.
Your Sink
Your sink is made up of more than the basin. You should regularly be wiping down the faucet, basin, and surrounding area with an all-purpose cleaner to keep the area free from bacteria. Wash your sponges and change them once they are spent. You can kill bacteria by soaking them in boiling water or nuking it in the microwave for two minutes. It needs to be soaking wet and not contain any metal, otherwise, it could start a fire.
Small Appliances
Small countertop appliances should be wiped down regularly. Things that sit out all the time like toasters, coffee machines, and blenders tend to build up dust, and splatter from food. A wipe-down will do, but every so often these should be cleaned a little more thoroughly. Remove the parts that are removable and wash them thoroughly.
Use a small cleaning brush, or toothbrush to scrub those hard-to-reach places. This way you are able to keep your appliances looking good and break down any serious build-up before it starts to get ugly. Do not scour your appliances. This will damage the finish and essentially ruin the appearance of your appliances.
Your Refrigerator
Rotten ingredients and leftovers could lead to nasty smells emanating from your fridge. An easy way to stop this is by throwing away things that are no longer at their peak on trash day. If you have any spillage make sure to clean it as soon as possible. Using a warm damp sponge or cloth, wipe away the dirt. If it’s hardened, leave the warm sponge or cloth on the spot until it loosens. Then all you have to do is wipe it clean and you’re good to go.
A simple mop and vacuum once a week just isn’t enough. Your home is packed with all sorts of things that need specialized care. Be sure to clean things with the appropriate cleaning tools, and equipment in an appropriate manner. We hope that you found this post informative and have a better idea of how to clean your home.
