by Erin Doherty

Created on: October 05, 2009

If you're new to housework, cleaning your space can seem like an impossible task, but it can be as simple or as complex as you would like to make it. In general, maintaining a level of cleanliness requires three components supplies, schedules, and techniques.

The household cleaning supply aisle of your local supermarket has dozens of options for cleaning tools and chemicals. If you are limited by space, stick to the basics. For tools, you should have sponges, cloth rags, a toilet brush, a plastic scrub brush, a sponge mop, a bucket big enough to accommodate a sponge mop, a broom and dustpan, and paper towels. If you have additional space, or if you have shedding pets, a duster and a vacuum with brush and crevice attachments would be real time savers. Chemical options today are virtually limitless, but you should have at least one of each of the following types:

*Non-abrasive cleaner This should be the most versatile cleaner in your house. Pick something that can be used on your shower tile, kitchen and bathroom sinks, tub, counters, and refrigerator shelves. Dry products marked as non-abrasive generally contain less synthetic chemicals.

*Glass cleaner can be used for all glass and most polished metal, like faucets

*Floor cleaner Pick a floor cleaner that can be used on most of the hard-surface floors, whether that is tile, linoleum, vinyl, or hardwood.

*Toilet cleaner In general, you could use a non-abrasive cleaner for this task, but a toilet cleaner will be more effective.

The schedule is different for every household and varies according to how messy you are as well as how clean you would like things to be. In general, try to categorize each task into four areas frequently, often, sometimes, and rarely. For instance, your list may look something like this:

Frequently (A times per week)
*kitchen counters, sink, and stove top
*bathroom counters and sinks
*high-traffic carpeted areas
etc.

Often (B times per week)
*other carpeted areas
*sweep bathroom and kitchen floors
*cleaning or deodorizing kitchen trash can
*shower/tub
etc.

Sometimes (C times per month)
*low-traffic floors
*dusting, including sills, baseboards, and corners
*refrigerator shelves
etc.

Rarely (D times per year)
*oven
*under beds/closet floors
*windows
etc.

Ideally, you should perform at least one cleaning task every day, at least until a schedule is established.

Techniques can also vary and most people tend to stick with what they saw as a child. Most people use sponges for cleaning, but damp rags can be just as effective and potentially a better tool for general dusting. To save space and money, only use paper towels for something extremely messy.

If you are planning to clean an entire room at the same time, it helps to work top-down. For example, in a bathroom, dust the upper corners and light fixtures, followed by the window sills. Then clean the mirrors, counters, and sinks. Once that is complete, most of the excess dust will be on the floor. Finally, wipe down the cabinet fronts and the baseboards and sweep the floors. Scrubbing and/or mopping the floor should be left as the last task.

One challenge many people face is the mental barrier of perfection. Remember, you aren't aiming for spotless on the first try. As long as it is cleaner than when you started and you continue to improve, you can have a clean space if you have the proper tools, chemicals, schedule and technique.

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