With the refreshing spring air approaching, many will start their spring-cleaning projects accordingly! While I will always encourage everyone to maintain a clean home routinely, various cleaning tasks are quarterly (cleaning the shower curtain liner – cleaning underneath & behind items), semi-annually (emptying/purging & cleaning kitchen pantry & cabinet shelves), and annual tasks (steam cleaning upholstered seating, touch up painting throughout) for a seasonal home-sweet-home reset.

Additionally, the following insights are transferable, too!

The 5 “Dos”: For Specific House Cleaning Tasks

When doing cleaning tasks, the process forward requires planning.

• Do use a dishwasher, if you have one, for thoroughly cleaning dishwasher-safe items. It can save you time and water—The Rule: Water conservation protects the environment & saves you money. Load up a dishwasher to reduce manual cleaning time. YES, saving time when doing any task is total “happiness” upon completion.
• Do clean top to bottom. For instance, if you dust up above the cabinets, some dust will fall on the countertops, cabinets, & floors. Further, food crumbs will fall to the floor when you wipe down the countertops. You can start at the top to save yourself from needing to clean items & surfaces again. The Rule: Top-to-bottom cleaning is time-saving.
• Do disinfect hard surfaces and handheld objects regularly. Damp wipe and clean surfaces before disinfecting them because disinfection is effectively accomplished on clean surfaces only. Examples are light switches, faucets, toilet handles, remotes, and toys! The Rule: Clean and then disinfect, or use a pre-moistened disinfecting wipe so you can clean & disinfect simultaneously. Easier cleaning!

• Do deep clean the interiors of your large & small kitchen appliances. Organize the fridge, deep clean the oven and the microwave, sanitize the sink’s interior, etc.: Thorough cleaning is the Rule. 
• Do, in a suitable way, clean frequently used surfaces and objects more regularly, perhaps even daily! Examples are kitchen counters, eating tables, handrails, and appliance handles. These surfaces are more likely to build up germs and bacteria since soiled hands frequently touch them. The Rule is to clean and disinfect to prevent the spread of infection.

The 5 “Don’ts”: Because A Clean Home Can Be Yours!

Whether you’re doing routine or spring cleaning, here are a few things that you should not do:

• Don’t avoid cleaning unused spaces. Examples are behind the couch, above the cabinets, under the bed, and cleaning the rarely-used guest bedroom. Inactive rooms will indeed collect dust and dirt. Reduce the stress of needing to clean any room in a hurry. Keep all rooms in the home on a cleaning schedule: Active (Frequent/ongoing cleaning) & non-active (Less frequent cleaning but not forgotten). The Rule: A Clean Home Can Be Yours!
• Don’t neglect your well-being. Create cross-ventilation within an interior space or area of a residence. First, open a window and the door while using chemical-based cleaning products. Second, the cross ventilation during the cleaning process will eliminate any lingering odors. The Rule: An appropriately clean room exhibits a clean appearance without the identifying & strong scents of lingering cleaning solution odors.  
• Don’t allow any floor surfaces to hold onto soil and dirt ongoing. Wood, tile, marble, and carpeted floor surfaces require a weekly cleaning routine without pets living in the home and minimally twice a week with pets living inside the house. In addition, gritty germs and abrasive soil particles enter the home via shoe bottoms, pet paws, etc. This matter contributes to dull, dirty germs on floor surfaces—The Rule: Cleaning floor surfaces is an ongoing task for maintaining a healthier home environment. 
• Don’t mix house cleaning chemicals! Be especially careful when using cleaning products that contain ammonia or bleach. Not only can they be harsh on your skin and lungs, but if you mix certain chemicals, they can even be toxic & caustic when combined. The Rule: Follow the manufacturer’s printed directions for properly using the product to the letter. 

Don’t try to take on too many cleaning tasks at once. For your consideration, when taking on multiple cleaning tasks in a day, extra helping hands can support overall success, mentally & physically. Another action plan is to clean over several days. The Rule: Prioritize – Plan – Process, three-step execution for thorough & accurate cleaning results.

Need A Customized House Cleaning Plan?

House cleaning tasks done with knowledgeable efficiency will support outstanding results every time.

Since you now have a professional friend in the industry: Ask Cindy can help you frame an execution plan for your specific house cleaning tasks: https://askcindyhow.com/services/

Ask Cindy offers personalized step-by-step guidance for customized how-tos for home cleaning projects. In addition, you can book a free consultation with Cindy. Share your specific cleaning project details, including dropping pictures into the secure portal for your particular cleaning project; Cindy will provide you with a customized cleaning script for cleaning that space, room, interior, or exterior areas. DONE! 

Welcome to Ask Cindy’s non-judgmental world for house cleaning done right. “I’ve seen it all!”

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I WISH YOU ALL A HAPPY SPRING SEASON 🌷🌺