Make cleaning kitchens and bathrooms easier with these tips used by professional cleaners.
Start from the Top and Work to the Bottom
That means start with dusting high areas like the tops of cupboards or kitchen cabinets or the bathroom vanity. Use a microfiber duster to trap dirt and dust and not just knock it to the ground, or on to lower counter tops or shelves.
Wipe Left to Right Using an “S” Pattern
After dusting, use a microfiber cleaning cloth to clean counter cabinets and handles, or use it to clean a bathroom mirror. Be sure to wipe left to right in an “S” pattern. Using an “S” pattern insures all areas are cleaned only once. A lot of time and effort is wasted by not cleaning in the correct order and needing to redo areas over and over again.
Keep Cleaning Supplies Where You Need Them
Most professional cleaners use a cleaning caddy which is portable and contains nearly all of the tools they need to clean. If your home has two levels – keep cleaning supplies on each floor to make housework easier. Your cleaning kit could include the following:
- mop handle and floor pad
- broom and dust pan
- bucket
- spray bottle of water
- sponges – including melamine eraser sponges and non-scratch sponges
- microfiber cloths
- a dusting wand
- toilet bowl brush
- cleaning detergents
- gloves.
Use the Right Tools for the Job
Let the tools do the job for you. A melamine eraser floor cleaning pad can help remove grime from tiled floors without a lot of intense back-and-forth scrubbing. Simply wet the floor pad, attach it to the Velcro head of a mop and gently scrub. Cleaning with a melamine mop pad also save you from having to lug around extra detergent and a heavy bucket. Instead, add water to a spray bottle and spray water on the area of the floor you need to clean and let the sponge do the cleaning.
A melamine eraser sponge is also excellent at removing soap scum and hard water film from tubs and shower doors. Wet the sponge or spray the door and gently wipe to remove build-up.
Keep a few non-scratch sponges in your cleaning supplies as these can do pretty much anything. Use them to apply detergent to areas, scrub, shine, and rinse areas clean. Follow up with a microfiber towel to completely dry the area.
Save These Areas for Last
Clean the sink or toilet last. Dump any dirty water used in cleaning and rinse out any sponges. Use an eraser sponge to shine up faucets and to remove any soap scum from the sink. Rinse the sponge and you are done!