With our busy lives and hectic schedules, household chores often get neglected. The longer things get put off, the more overwhelming the thought of cleaning becomes. All those good intentions of getting caught up on the chores can fly out the window, with the anxiety of not knowing where to begin. Before you know it you're living amongst clutter, disorganization and total chaos. Keeping your house clean really isn't all that difficult. Following a few simple steps will have your home bright and sparkling along with your outlook.

With the change of each new season, a thorough cleaning should be done. Windows need to be cleaned. All of your appliances such as fridge, stove, freezer, washer and dryer, should be moved and the area behind and underneath cleaned. Ceilings, walls, window frames and baseboards need to be washed. Light fixtures and ceiling fans should be taken apart and cleaned of dirt and bugs. All blinds and curtains must come down and be washed. Carpets should be cleaned and cupboards washed out. The oven will probably need to be cleaned as well.

Next is your routine cleaning. This should get done at least once a week. Don't kill yourself trying to clean the whole house in one day. It is easier to make a schedule of what chores need to be done and designate a day for that chore. Monday could be the day for dusting and Tuesday the vacuuming gets done. Cleaning out the inside of the fridge should be added to the schedule every few weeks. Whatever system works best for you. As long as you follow your schedule everything will get done.

This is the best part. These tips will help you keep the house tidy in between cleanings. Some general upkeep will keep your house looking clean and cut down on the time it takes to do your routine cleaning. These things can be done quickly on a daily basis.

Never leave a sink full of dishes. This makes the whole kitchen look dirty. Wash the dishes after meals. Now you've got the cloth in your hand already, wipe down the stove top, counter top and inside of the sink. In a matter of mere minutes, you've got the whole kitchen sparkling.

Keep a container of premoistened, disposable cleaning cloths in the bathroom. After brushing your teeth in the morning, use one to wipe off the mirror, wipe down the sink and taps and around the bathtub. You're not done with it yet. Finally wipe the toilet seat and rim, then dispose of the cloth. When finished in the shower, spray down the walls and shower curtain with shower

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