My PowerForce Behind Spring Cleaning + Giveaway
I’ve shared with you recently how much I love having a clean home and how important it is to us. With two little ones and two dogs cleaning is a regular job around here and I want to do it as efficiently as possible. One thing I do a lot is vacuum. Between snacks and dog hair it’s something that I do daily. Between vacuuming the carpets and vacuuming the hardwood floors, the vacuum gets a lot of use around here. At least once a week I like to do a deeper clean which involves a lot more cleaning time but if I do it well, it last a good week and it makes me feel better about the kids being all over the house. Today I’m going to share with you my tips for efficiently cleaning my house.
When Cleaning (this is the biggest one) Start from Top to Bottom.
It doesn’t matter what room you are in and what you are cleaning, if you start at the top of the room and work your way to the floor you’ll only have to clean everywhere one time. If you are cleaning a room that needs dusting, start dusting first at the top (ledges, fans, etc.) then work your way to the “above floor surfaces” wiping them down and cleaning them off. Once you are finally finished there sweep up the area or vacuum it up and make sure you get all of the corners.
Use Your Tools
Don’t do everything by hand or a rag. If you have a vacuum that has attachments, use those to help you out. It not only makes your life easier in the immediate situation but if you are already using the vacuum during that task there will be less vacuuming to do later. Plus, your tools let you get places that you can’t always do without them. Use your carpet edgers for the slimmer areas, around the edges of the room, in furniture grooves and under items like the couch that you don’t want to move all of the time.
Your Broom Can Only Get So Much
I love having a vacuum that does a great job on hard surfaces. I’m constantly sweeping the house but I feel like just moments after I’ve swept there is stuff all over the floor again. Does that happen to you? It can’t just be in my house. My final sweep for the day I sweep it all into one spot of the hard floor and then use the vacuum to sweep up the pile. Once that pile is swept up I usually do a quick once over all over the hard floors to pick up any lingering items that the broom missed.
Use Products That Work for You and Your Home.
There are a lot of cleaning products and cleaning equipment that I have used and some I’ve liked and others just don’t get the job done. Some are too heavy, some are too toxic – you get the drift. As you learned last week, I really love plant based cleaning products because they work well and I feel like they are safe around my children. When it comes to cleaning equipment I really like vacuums that work efficiently, have a bagless system and are lightweight for carrying around the house. We now have two vacuums – both of which I like a lot – but the newest is the BISSELL Powerforce Helix. It’s efficient, lightweight and bagless. It comes with the basic attachments and a 2 year warranty. Even better though it’s less than $50. It’s excellent for the stairs because it’s very light weight and the hose has great versatility for length and it does really well on carpet and hard surfaces.
Work Smarter not Harder
Every person is going to have tools that work better for them, as well as, schedule that works better for them. There are items that I know need to be done regularly around our house a couple times during the week. Other items that I complete once a week. Some weeks I sprinkle tasks throughout the week different based on if we have things going on or if guests are coming and I know I’m going to want to make sure things are all ready to go in place. So, be flexible across all things. Just remember to start from top to bottom like I mentioned at the very beginning so you don’t have to do anything twice.
BISSELL PowerForce Helix Giveaway!
How to Enter: Leave a comment below with your cleaning tip and you’ll be entered to win one of five BISSELL PowerForce Helix Vacuums ($47.84 value). One entry per person. The five winners will be selected across a variety of blogs participating in this giveaway campaign. Giveaway ends May 16, 2016.
[Tweet “Enter to WIN 1 of 5 BISSELL PowerForce Helix Vacuums”]
So Tell Me – What is Your Best Cleaning Tip?
My problem is not being all that motivated to clean daily but since I have several style at home mom YouTube channels I watch I turn them on and they start their diy routine of cleaning or what not and it motivates me so much. I instantly get up & start working! So if you have that problem of getting motivated to clean get inspired by a friend or watching YouTube????????
Finding motivation and inspiration from others – that’s a great one Katy! I’m so glad you’ve found some sources that do that for you!!
My best cleaning tip is wait until the kids are in bed! Unless they’re big enough to help. In that case, enlist all the help you can get!
Goodness, yes! Sometimes my three year old is excellent helping and sometimes….not so much. But nap-time and after bed time are my best times to get efficient cleaning done!
My best cleaning tip is cleaning up the messes as quickly as they happen and try to keep on top of it so then the big cleaning attempt is not so overwhelming!
Goodness, yes! It saves so much time when you just do it right then and there and not let it all add up!
My best cleaning tip is make sure to go over the spot (carpet) many times different to get the most picked up. Going over it once does not ensure that your carpet clean of dirt and hairs.
Great tip, Tee! I use the same! I always vacuum a couple different directions for this same reason!
My cleaning tip: clean as you go. The kids are eating breakfast, I’m doing dishes. The kids are in the tub, I may wipe down the sink and toilet. Also, a cleaning schedule helps. I love clean mama’s cleaning schedule!
That’s a really good one, Kassie! I do similar! I haven’t seen Clean Mama’s schedule – I have to check it out!
I desperately need to do our blinds! It’s on our spring cleaning list! I try to clean one or two rooms daily (wipe counters, run the little vacuum) then on the weekends its not so bad!
I totally agree, Julie!
My best cleaning tip is to do something everyday. Dust, vacuum one room, sweep floors and this way you can keep up with all the cleaning in the house.
Definitely makes it so much more manageable, Julie!! Great tip!
My favorite cleaning tip is to use a damp cloth to dust with. A damp
cloth grabs dust, holds it, and prevents it from flying all over, making
a bigger mess. Thanks for the chance
jslbrown2009 at aol dot com
That’s a great tip, Lisa! I use the same tip, makes life so much easier!
my favorite cleaning tip is to take one room at a time.
Great tip, Steve! I have to agree. SO much more productive when you stick to one room and you don’t hop around!
Use dr brommers for deep cleaning
I’ll have to check out Dr. Brommers! I haven’t heard of it before! Thanks for the tip Lauren!
Do one room at a time and start from top to bottom that way you don’t have to do it twice.
Great tips, Aaron! I agree!
Really nice opportunity and I appreciate this.
Teach your children to help from a young age. Even though it takes them longer to do certain jobs at first eventually they will get the hang of it and in the long run it will be better for the entire family.
Great tip, MaryAnn! I love including my daughter in cleaning and she loves helping out so she usually is thrilled that I include her!
Use microfiber cloths for buffing and cleaning, but go to the automotive section to buy them. They will be much cheaper than the ones in the cleaning section.
We love using microfiber cloths and you are completely right! SO much cheaper in the automotive section, funny how that works isn’t it?!
Use a squeege to clean pet hair off the carpet
Jenniferanne74 @ aol.com
That’s a really great tip, Jenniferanne! I need to use that trick! Thanks for the tip!
My best cleaning tip for shower curtain liners/vinyl shower curtains: put in the washer with a cup of bleach. It removes soap scum, mildew, etc. without scrubbing.
That’s an excellent tip, Annette! I’ll be using it the next time I clean my shower curtain!
My most practical tip is to clean as you go, making the task less daunting than it would be if you just allow dozens of tiny chores to pile up into one big one.,
I couldn’t agree more! Makes for much less work later. Great tip!
I pick one room a day during the week to clean so I am not so tired and cleaning doesn’t seem to be so stessful. I then have the afternoons to myself to do what I want.
Taking it a little at a time certainly makes things feel more obtainable! Thanks for the tip, Birdiebee!