Keeping your home spic and span can sometimes feel like too tough a challenge. No matter how often you clean, the house seems to get dirty again before the floors have even dried. For those who don't have hours to spend cleaning, worry not! There are simple, effective ways to keep your home clean on a daily basis. Here are some tips to consider:
Invest in doormats. Placing doormats at your back and front doors helps cut the amount of dirt and debris trailing into your home. Placing additional mats outside can help cut even more.
Groom pets daily. Pet hair -- especially cat and short-haired dog hair -- can invade your home in an instant. Brushing your pets every day -- and giving your dogs a bath every now and again -- can do a lot to help.
Keep ducts and fans clean. Air vents and ceiling fans build up dust over time. When they're turned on, that dust is then transferred to your floors and furniture. Cleaning them regularly will reduce the amount of dirt flowing throughout your home. If you need professional help, you can generally get your ducts and vents cleaned for about $330 (the national cost average).
Replace air filters. If the air feels stale or musty, there's a chance you need to replace your air filter. Do so frequently to avoid too much debris entering into the air. You can also hire a pro to do this for you.
No more window screens. Window screens don't really prevent dirt and debris from entering your home -- just bugs, really. Unless you have small children, it's better to remove them; removing the screens will keep your windows cleaner.
Keep storage handy. Storage boxes are always good to have on hand. Keep some broken down in your closet or under the bed for easy access. You can also build shelves for a relatively inexpensive cost.
Organize the coffee table. Coffee tables get cluttered quickly. Make sure you keep only the bare essentials on the table -- and clean the table's surface often.
Make sure your floor is showing. If you have kids or pets, there's a good chance that your floor is littered with toys. You can teach kids how to pick up after themselves, depending on their age. But with pets, you may need to keep another storage box handy.
Dust! You shouldn't have to spend hours dusting your home on the weekends. Take a moment or two to wipe off surfaces once a week. This keeps the dirt down and makes your house look a bit shinier.
Create a place for every item. You should have a designated place for every item you use. Racks, shelving -- whatever you need to keep everything organized. That way, items don't end up piled on your dining room table or in the living room.
Written by Andrea Davis
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