Written by: Mienke van Rooyen
With this I want to provide you with some tips and tricks to make sure that your housekeeping efforts don’t get the better of you, while saving you some money. Personally, I only have cleaning services once a week, because a girl has gotta eat, right?! So I am left with a messy house six out of the seven days of the week, and don’t even mention the state of the kitchen or the braai after a “lekker” social event with family or friends.
I don’t know about you but for me, housekeeping is a double edged sword. Some days it provided me with so much satisfaction and joy but most days I am annoyed by the amount of dishes laundry and just want to run away and never come back unless someone else took the initiative to clean, because why it is always me that feels the need to clean?
Call them life hacks, call them cleaning hacks, call them what you want but these will add value to your housekeeping efforts.
Always clean from the top down
Professionals are of the opinion that you will save yourself some sweat by working in a structured manner. This means starting at the top (walls and windows) working your way down to the bottom cupboard and then the floor. To be very honest with you I wasn’t keen on the idea of planning and structuring my cleaning sessions because let’s face it, I just want to start and finish and not think too much. However there is a reason the saying “work smart not hard” exists. make sure to clean each room from top to bottom by doing this you avoid knocking dust or crumbs down onto a space you’ve already cleaned. Once you’re done you’ll easily be able to vacuum or sweep all that’s on the floor.
Your dishwasher is for more than dishes
I don’t blame you for being hesitant when it comes to experimenting with an appliance as expensive as a dishwasher. However once you realise what your dishwasher is capable of you’ll never look back.
The next time you are deep cleaning your bathroom, place items like your toothbrush and soap holder on the top rack, this will allow you to get rid of grime without needing to scrub and use expensive disinfectant products. Also, don’t hesitate to use clean your cleaning utensils in the dishwasher.
Ugh… not the dirty microwave again
Other than an oven I hate cleaning the microwave it’s uncomfortable and annoying, to put it politely. This hack is a real game changer! To loosen up the grime and stubborn food splashes in the side, simply place a cup or bowl of filled water in the microwave and run for three to five minutes to steam the grime loose. The steam will loosen the stuck-on disgusting residue. If you’re feeling fancy ad some vinegar and vanilla essence to the water for some extra cleaning and a nice vanilla aroma, that is if you enjoy the vanilla scent…
In good housekeeping… timing matters
If you were to ask me what time during the day do I prefer to clean the house I wouldn’t be able to give you an answer, I clean when the dirt annoyed me (horrible I know, who doesn’t have a set cleaning schedule?!) But Because Mom Says is of the opinion that it’s best to clean during the hours of 10 a. m. and 3 p. m. for the simple reason that mid day sun provides the best natural light to reveal hidden dust and dirt.
Keep your white laundry white as snow
Ever since I could remember this has been a struggle in our house. As a young adult this is also the question I ask my seniors most frequently. I found the best working hack on Blissful Home Decor’s Instagram page.
All you’ll need is;
- Peroxide
- Detergent powder
- Lavender essential oil. PS: I’m sure you can just a d your favourite scent here
- Muffin pan
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How to let the kids do their part
For all the mom’s and dad’s who feel overwhelmed.
I’m pretty sure you also get annoyed with toys constantly laying around in the house, somehow there are toys end up everywhere except in their storing places. Here’s what you do, purchase buckets and place each childs name on it. When toys are laying around simply take those handy buckets and throw everything in each kids’ basket (or better let them do it) At the end of each day, instruct the little ones to grab his and her bucket and put away the toys inside of it! This trick will become very handy once you have more than one child, because more kids equal a bigger mess.
