Cleaning is a task where there is no “right” way to do things; people are always going to clean either in the way that makes it easier for them to accomplish or in the way that they’ve been used to doing it. More often than not, however, these methods that we think are easy or fool-proof aren’t exactly efficient. They’re not completely wrong, but there are certainly better ways to clean your home that are not only easier and faster but also more effective.
Here are some items and parts of your home and how you can clean them the easy way.
Showerhead
We’re often focused on cleaning the entire shower stall, even the shower knobs and faucet handles, that we forget that the showerhead needs cleaning, too. Cleaning the shower head is especially important to ensure the smooth flow of water, prevent or get rid of clogs, and stop the growth of harmful bacteria.
For a thorough declogging and sanitizing of the showerhead, first wipe off the dry debris using a sponge or clean cloth. Next, mix about equal parts of water and white vinegar and put it in a plastic bag that’s large enough to cover the showerhead. Then, simply put the bag around the showerhead and ensure that the holes are immersed in the water-vinegar solution. Let it soak for about an hour, or longer if you are dealing with heavier stains. After the alloted time, just remove the bag, wipe or scrub the loosened gunk and mineral deposits, then rinse by simply running the shower on hot. If you must, give the showerhead a quick lather with your preferred detergent before rinsing thoroughly.
Floors
The key thing to remember when cleaning your floors is that if you are going to mop it, you first have to sweep or vacuum it. This is to make mopping a whole lot smoother and also protect your floors from scratches. After sweeping or vacuuming, fill your mop bucket with hot water and mix in your preferred cleaning solution that’s safe to use on your floor type.
If you are using a rag mop, the ideal motion is a horizontal figure of eight; for sponge or microfiber mops, vertical strokes work the best. These motions will ensure that you will cover every bit of the floor. After mopping, give your floor a rinse by mopping with plain water. You can either use the same mop and rinse that out, or have a separate “rinse mop”.
Windows and Glass Surfaces
The old-but-gold trick is to use paper towels for the drying step to ensure that there are no streaks of pieces of lint left behind. However, even if this method does ensure a streak-free shine, it’s also rather wasteful.
Using a microfiber cloth is the quickest, most effective way of cleaning windows and glass surfaces these days. Not only do you reduce the need for paper towels for drying, you also don’t need a lot of cleaning solution to do the job; more often than not, plain water is already enough to get rid of stains and marks since the strands of the microfiber cloth will already pick up and hold on to the dirt and grime. Afterwards, just wipe down the surface with the dry end of your microfiber cloth for that good-as-new, streak-free shine.
Microwave Oven
The best way to prevent food bits and sauces from building up into hard-to-remove gunk? Wipe off the spills and stains immediately! However, it’s not an ideal scenario and the task can quickly get tedious, especially if you simply want to enjoy your heated-up dinner after a long and tiring day from work.
To easily get rid of the caked-on debris in your microwave, you can turn to the ever-reliable water-and-vinegar solution. Just pop a bowl of it in your microwave and run it on high for about two minutes. The steam and the acid from the vinegar will loosen all the dried-up food bits and all that is left for you to do is to wipe the grime off. The vinegar will also get rid of bad odors, leaving your microwave smelling fresh.
Cutting Boards
Cutting boards, whether wood or plastic, are prime breeding grounds for bacteria since the cuts on their surfaces can trap bits of food. This means that your good ol’ dishwashing detergent won’t cut it -- you really have to get into those grooves to achieve a thorough clean. What’s more, if you don’t get those food particles out before washing you cutting boards, you run the risk of driving these debris even deeper.
To remove the food particles, scrub half of a lemon along with some kosher salt onto the surface of the cutting board before washing and scrubbing it with warm soapy water. Rinse thoroughly and let dry before using again, especially wooden boards. If the nicks and cuts are a little too deep already, you might want to replace your cutting board.
It’s safe to say that everybody wants to make cleaning an easier task with amazing, long-lasting results. With these helpful tips, you’re a little closer to achieving that goal!
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