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Cleaning Made Simple


Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 205 Posts
August 31, 2009

cleaning binInstead of keeping specific cleaning things for specific jobs, I have learned to "generalize" my supplies. So now, I keep on hand the following things for cleaning any room in the house.

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  1. General cleaner (409 or whatever brand you use): I keep 3 bottles. One in a spray bottle, and 2 larger refill bottles.

  2. Window cleaner and paper towels: Again; 3 bottles. One in a spray bottle, and 2 larger refill bottles. I also keep 3 rolls of paper towels, one that is in use, and 2 spares.

  3. Scouring powder: 2 cans; one in use, one spare

  4. Furniture polish: 2 cans; one in use, one spare

  5. Ammonia: 2 bottles; one in use, one spare

  6. Disinfectant: 3 cans; one in use, 2 spares

  7. WD-40: 2 cans; one in use, one spare

  8. Oven cleaner: 2 cans; one in use, one spare

  9. Drain opener: 2 cans; one in use, one spare

  10. Febreze: 4 bottles; one in use, 3 spares
These 10 items will take care of any household cleaning that needs to be done. I keep spares according to how much the item is used. For instance the general cleaner, window cleaner, and disinfectant are used all over the house and get used up fast so instead of one spare, I keep 2 spares. And the Febreze is used literally everywhere; furniture, drapes, carpets, rugs, etc, so it REALLY gets used up fast.
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Cleaning tools:

Now For My Actual Cleaning:

Instead of trying to keep the whole house clean all the time, I've learned to let the house look "lived in". I give one room each day a good general cleaning. Once every 4-6 weeks instead of a good general cleaning, it gets a good thorough cleaning.
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The difference being a general cleaning means basically "surface" cleaning. Wiping counters, sinks, tubs, showers. Putting scouring powder in the toilet and swishing with the toilet brush. Cleaning the mirrors. Vacuuming, mopping. Wiping inside appliances. Feather dusting.

Thorough cleaning takes longer. This is when I bring out the big buckets and give everything a good scrubbing. I also get under the sinks and clean, then straighten. This is when I do the windows (insides only, outsides have their own day). Also this is when I bring out the furniture polish and really polish the furniture. I also get down with a pumice stone and really scrub the toilet, followed by a dose of bleach in it to disinfect it.

By Cricket from Parkton, NC

Editor's Note: Here is Cricketnc's cleaning schedule, posted previously:

Comments

August 31, 20091 found this helpful

Wow. This article made my thrifty head spin. A Roomba vacuum, paper towels, and 409. All too expensive for me. Lol.

 

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September 1, 20090 found this helpful

I printed off your entry as I am moving soon & I will take the list to the market. Thanks!

 
September 1, 20090 found this helpful

I like all your cleaning tips except the last one. I recently learned that pumice stone actually contributes to a toilet that will get dirty faster because the pumice scratches the porcelain. I use a very fine water sand paper about once every six to eight weeks in the toilet followed with a product called amaz.

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Apply the amaz with a finer version of the green scotch pad, let dry and wipe off. It does a much better job than the pumice stone.

 
September 1, 20091 found this helpful

Doesn't it bother anyone to use that many chemicals to clean a home? Try some vinegar, baking soda, borax and other things for a cleaner, more natural home. Also, use rags in place of paper towels and newspaper for window washing. This person spent way more money on her thrifty cleaning than I do in a couple of years!

 
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