When you walk into a home, after you notice the furniture arrangement and the decor, your other senses get to work. The floor may be free of clutter, but there are weird smells lingering around. A clean house is more than just what you see; our other senses are just as important. If you truly want a clean home, go beyond just organising your shelves and picking things off the floor. You need to deep clean your house.
Here are four tips to make your house sparkling and ready for guests.
Clean the Floors:
Don’t just pick stuff up off the floor, really dive in and deep clean every surface. With tile or hardwood floors, it’s a little easier. Give it a nice scrub with a good mop, and the floors will look and smell clean. If there are any problem spots, you can usually find tough spot cleaners to dig in and get rid of any smells.
With carpet, though, it’s a little harder. If you have pets or kids, chances are something has spilled. Old food or pet ‘accidents’ can leave behind an odour. Luckily, there are many informative websites on how to get rid of carpet odour. Do a little research, and after you treat your floor, give it a thorough sweep with the vacuum for a fresh feeling and no odour. Take a look at these stick vacuum cleaners from the Unclutterer which will help you to clean your floor effectively.
Photo, Daiga Ellab.
Photo, Heather Ford.
Focus on the Bathroom and Kitchen:
Guests may not spend a lot of time in these areas, but the bathroom and kitchen are the areas where cleanliness most matters. When you’re doing a major cleaning session, spend extra time in these rooms. Make sure you clean behind the toilet as much as you can, and scrub the shower down even if you can’t immediately see dirt. Toilets aren’t the only thing that can hold a scent; be sure to check for mildew or mould near the shower to be safe.
In the kitchen, give all of your appliances a good wipe-down. It will get rid of smudges and messy fingerprints, but it will also get rid of any residue from things like old sticky food. Scrub your sink as well, you may use it to clean dishes, but it can quickly build up residue. Note that some cleaning products can be harmful to your skin. Remember to wear durable cleaning gloves when cleaning the bathroom or kitchen to avoid coming into contact with harsh chemicals.
Don’t Forget Dust:
Dust is essentially a buildup of particles, such as dead skin, pet dander, and other nasty things. If left unchecked, dust can cause some health issues and be unsightly for guests. Plus, dust does have a smell, so it is important to get rid of it all. When you dust, make sure you don’t just skim over the areas that are visible to guests. Dust any place you suspect there could be a buildup, especially in the hidden or hard to reach spots. You don’t have to dust every time you clean, but bi-weekly is a great schedule.
Get Underneath:
The empty space under your sofa and fridge can get very dirty very quickly. Cleaning underneath these areas once every few months is never a bad idea. You never know what kind of particles or food has gotten under these areas. There could be lingering smells, and you wouldn’t even notice because you’re used to it. Be thorough and check in these spaces every few weeks.
You may also have underlying issues you can’t see. Go deep, pull out units and/or white goods that have not been moved for years, there could be damp or water damage from leaks no matter how small. A water damage restoration company can be called upon to get things back to how they should be.
You don’t have to deep clean your house every month, but a few times a year is not a bad idea. Actually it’s a great idea. The hard to reach and often forgotten areas are the ones that can make your home dirty, even past the visuals. Don’t settle for a house that only looks clean, make it truly spotless.
