Spring Cleaning: Professional Cleaning Tips and Tricks

If you missed reading the past spring cleaning posts, make sure to read Spring Cleaning: Organizing and Getting Started, DIY Cleaning Products, and Speed-Cleaning Tips.

This week, we will highlight tips that professionals use when cleaning.

First, it’s important to have a cleaning plan. Know where you are going to start, and where you will finish. The way professionals clean is that they start at the farthest point from the front door and clean their way out of the house. Having a plan focuses your efforts and prevents you from wasting time and helps you do a better job.

Professional House Cleaning Tips for the Kitchen

• Prepare Room – Before you begin deep cleaning your kitchen, take the proper steps to prepare. Dust all the areas of the kitchen to prepare the surfaces for your work. Then fill up the sink with a cleaning solution mixture so that you can easily soak your cloth often throughout the process.
• Clean Dry before Cleaning Wet – Collect crumbs with a dishtowel or microfiber cloth before spraying and wiping surfaces, use a dust mop or vacuum on the floor before using a disposable wet floor cloth.
• Let Cleaning Products Clean – Spray cleaners on all surfaces, and let them go to work before you apply elbow grease. Start at the stove and move around the kitchen, spritzing appliances, countertops, and cabinets. Return to the stove and repeat the circuit, simply wiping the surfaces clean.
• Clean Top to Bottom -Wipe the exhaust hood over the stove before cleaning the cooking surface; wipe down counters, tabletop, and chair seats before sweeping the floor.
• Clean Clockwise – Start cleaning one side of your kitchen and move clockwise wiping every surface in small sections all away around the room.
• Clean Microwave and Stove – Save your microwave and stove for last since they are the greasiest. One quick tip for a stubborn microwave is to place a cup of water in the machine and boil it for a few minutes. This loosens up debris and grime in the microwave for easy cleaning.
• Clean Sink Last – After you’ve scrubbed the microwave and stove clean, drain your sink, spray in some all-purpose cleaner and use a brush to thoroughly remove any trace of your cleaning solution. Finish cleaning your kitchen by sweeping or vacuuming the floor, then mop it.

Professional House Cleaning Tips for the Living Room

• Start by dusting your living room. Work around the room in a systematic circle and dust every surface possible. From there, you can move on to cleaning the surfaces.
• Remember to rotate sofa cushions often to encourage even wear and increase their useful life.
• Always save the vacuum for last. This ensures that you’ll suck up all the debris that’s been shifted onto the floor during the cleaning process. Newer vacuums should not be pushing dust back into the air, either. If yours has this problem, consider investing in a new one or changing the filters and bags.

Professional House Cleaning Tips for the Bathroom

• Keep a small vacuum near the bathroom and give the floor and any carpets a quick once over every day.
• Use a small squeegee after your morning shower to slow the development of water marks.
• Use a white vinegar spray on your plastic shower curtain once a week to reduce the mold buildup.
• Use glass cleaner on tile walls and ceramic fixtures for clean, shiny surfaces
• Wipe mirrors and doors using first vertical, then horizontal strokes. Swirling patterns show up when the sun hits.
• Keep some potpourri, or a fresh candle, in the bathroom for a good scent.
• A simple nylon netting over the drain in the shower or tub can significantly reduce hair clogs.

Website resources used: eHow and Molly Maid.

Here are other Spring Cleaning posts to help you save time and money:

Spring Cleaning: Organizing and Getting Started
Spring Cleaning: DIY Cleaning Products
Spring Cleaning: Speed-Cleaning Tips
Spring Cleaning: Professional Cleaning Tips and Tricks
Spring Cleaning: How to Keep Your House Clean All Year Long