Clean Sweep’s 10 House Cleaning Rules

1. Clean only what’s dirty. Why clean the whole door if there are only smudges around the knob? Spot-clean whatever needs it, but leave the rest alone.
2. Get it together. Gather all the cleaning products and equipment you need before you begin cleaning and carry them with you in a bucket or child’s wagon. Running back and forth for supplies wastes time and effort.
3. Be orderly. Work in a pattern, from left to right and top to bottom, around the room, leaving the center of the room last.
4. De-clutter before you clean. Use a basket to collect magazines, shoes and other stray items on floors and surfaces before you start cleaning.
5. Be frugal. Use only as much cleaner as you need. You’ll spend less time wiping up excess.
6. Don’t scrub. Let the cleaning products do the work. Pre-treat  tough spots, then come back to wipe the excess off after the products have done their job.
7. Extend yourself. Use a long extension cord on the vacuum to minimize unplugging and re-plugging. Buy a duster with  a long handle so you can reach into corners in a snap
8. Read the label. Cleaning products are formulated, tested and retested for specific jobs. Use them as specified and don’t dilute then unless directed, it may reduce their effectiveness
9. Do a little every day. Cleaning is more easily done in small, regular doses of 10 to 15 minutes a day. Whatever you do, don’t wait for things to get out of hand before you tackle them.
10. Don’t forget final touches. Take time to fluff pillows and cushions and arrange knickknacks. The room will be nice even if everything isn’t absolutely spotless.

8 Pesky Problems

1. Heel marks on vinyl floors. Lightly rub scuff marks with a typewriter eraser.
2. Stuck contact paper. Wave a hair dryer set on warm back and forth from about 6 inches away. The adhesive will loosen and you can lift the paper right up. If residue remains, remove with paint thinner or an aerosol lubricant such as WD-40.
3. Crayon or tar on hardwood floors. Freeze by applying ice, then crack into fragments and scrape them away with a very dull knife or credit card. If residue remains, remove by carefully wiping it with very fine steel wool and a dab of mineral spirits. (Be sure the area is well ventilated.)
4. Mildewed grout. Make a paste of  baking soda and warm water; apply to grout with an old toothbrush. Let  sit till dry, then wipe. If stain persists, rub with a cotton ball soaked in bleach, then rinse well.
5. Grease spots behind the stove. Rub them with heavy-duty household cleaner and a plastic scrubbing pad. When the wall is clean, apply a coat of paste wax. Future spot will come off easily.
6. Finger smudges on vinyl wallpaper. Gently rub with an art gum eraser (found in art-supply stores).
7. Greasy dirt on mini-blinds. Put on a pair of old cotton garden gloves. Dip them into a mixture of household cleanser and warm water. The run your fingers along each slat, top and bottom. Rinse
8. Soap scum on shower doors. Wipe with a solution of white vinegar and warm water, or spray with laundry pre-wash. If scum is heavy, use a nylon scrubbing pad. Rinse.

4 Smart Ways To Clean

1. Always dust from the top down. When the dust falls, it won’t land on something you’ve already cleaned
2. Wash wall from the bottom up. Drips are easier to clean off a wall that you have already washed.
3. When washing windows, wipe horizontally on the inside and vertically on the outside. If you end up with streaks, you’ll know which side they are on.
4. Apply any stain cleaner from the edge to the center to avoid spreading the stain!