Being in the cleaning industry for as long as I have, I've learned a thing or 2 about not only cleaning, but also how to do it efficiently. Here are a few of my favourite tips.

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Kitchen

* Use a mop to clean cabinets

When I started my cleaning business 25 years ago cleaning top cupboards was definitely a challenge. I was much younger back then so, jumping on a counter like a monkey wasn't a big deal but, it was certainly time consuming. Since the invention of spin mops, there's no reason to treat the kitchen like a jungle gym anymore! I use my spin mop for cupboards, walls and even ceilings! 

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* Gas Range stoves

I get asked a LOT how to get burnt on food off of gas range stove tops and how to clean the Grates. A cleaning scouring stick is a MUST in my caddy for this reason! It's often referred to as a cleaning pumice stone BUT...this is Not the kind you'd use on your feet. That will, without a doubt, scratch your stove. The trick to the cleaning pumice stone or scouring stick, is to make sure your surface is wet as well as the scouring stick. 

For your grates, soak in a degreaser first and get off as much as you can. From there you can use the scouring here as well! Not to mention, it's GREAT for ovens

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* Glass top or ceramic stoves

Be careful what you believe on tiktok! I've seen so many videos of people using abrasive cleaners like "The Pink Stuff" or Vim. While this is unlikely to ruin your stove if used occasionally, repetitive use will take its toll.

Spray your stove top with a degreaser, sprinkle some baking soda and scrub with a non-scratch scrubber to get as much off as possible. If there's caked on debris, touch up with a razor blade. It really is that simple!

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* Prevent Sink clogs and stinky drains

Drain sticks are your answer! I like Green Gobbler but I know there's lots out there. If your sink is currently draining slow or clogged, you'll need to clear that first. After that, simply put 1 stick in your sink drain every month to keep it from clogging and smelling bad.

 

Bathroom

* There's SO much to say about a bathroom! Let me start with hair...if you have a lot of hair in your bathroom, do a quick vacuum first. This will prevent hair from getting wrapped up in your cloth and save you the fight! I always come back through with my vacuum to do a more thorough job before I wash the floors. 

 

* Swiffer your toilet! Yes...you heard that right. After dusting the rest of your bathroom, dust down your toilet. If you've ever fought with wet dust on your white porcelain toilet before, you'll appreciate this tip! It will not only save you time but you'll be less likely to want to slit your wrists ;) 

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* Use a milk jug

If you don't have a shower head you can pull off to rinse with, use a milk jug! Simply fill with water, hold it up to the shower wall, and drag across to rinse.

 

Adopting good maintenance habits in your bathroom will also lighten your workload come cleaning day. Use cleaning wipes (recipe here) to wipe down your counter and sink daily, put things away, and squeegee your shower after each use to keep soap scum down.

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Common Areas

* Dusting

Keeping dust down in our homes really comes down to our vacuuming skills. Notice I said vacuuming and not sweeping? Sweeping stirs dust and hair into the air so I don't usually recommend it. 

Vacuuming under beds, and under/behind furniture that you are able to, will help keep the dust down. As we walk around, dust from our floors (and under things) gets stirred into the air where it then settles on other surfaces.

A swiffer extender can also be helpful here. For furniture you can't get your vacuum under, use the swiffer to pull dust and hair from underneath.

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