We bet you've got a few of these down pat (yay, you!).
By Lauren Smith, Good Housekeeping
Imagine this: You spent all day cleaning for a living and then you have to go home and do it all over again. Talk about a bummer. But we had a feeling that most professional cleaners pick and choose what tasks they think are the most important to tackle on a daily basis — and we were right. Here's what always makes the cut.
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Imagine this: You spent all day cleaning for a living and then you have to go home and do it all over again. Talk about a bummer. But we had a feeling that most professional cleaners pick and choose what tasks they think are the most important to tackle on a daily basis — and we were right. Here's what always makes the cut.
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They take out the trash.
Every morning, Livia Joyce from A to Z Cleaning sorts through her leftover food and throws away items she doesn't think her family will eat. "Mornings are perfect because they're the most suitable time to take the garbage out as well," she says. Meaning you can tie up your bag and sit it outside — instead of letting stinky food smell up your fridge all day.
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They wipe down the bathroom sink — every single time they use it.
Sure, it might sound like a lot (we recommend once every day), but Ashlee Edie, a professional cleaner at Handy, swears by it: "You will instantly see what a big difference it makes, because when you don't do this, makeup, toothpaste, soap, and hard water builds up, making your entire bathroom appear slightly dirty."
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They squeegee shower walls.
After you're done rinsing down in the shower, take a minute to run a squeegee across the walls to dry 'em and help prevent mildew stains. "This makes my shower look like new without ever having to scrub it down," says Derek Christian, of Blue Skies Services. It only takes a minute and will save you way more time and elbow grease later.
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They never forget to wipe down brewers.
Think about it: You probably touch your teapot or coffeepot handles at least once a day, depending on how many cups you drink — so it's no surprise it's crawling in germs. "Did you know teapots and coffeepots in the office or home carry the most bacteria?" asks Diane Regalbuto, owner of Betty Likes to Clean. It's true, which is why you should not only clean the inside, but also the outside.
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They wash the things that give them the most stress.
When it comes to prioritizing, Matthew Mercuri, digital Marketing Manager at Dupray, has a system: "Ask yourself this question: If I left my home for two weeks, what would be the worst thing to clean when I returned?" For him, it's the bathroom sink covered in toothpaste — so he wipes it down daily. For others, it might be dog hair or a kitchen counter covered in food crumbs.
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They vacuum the most high-traffic spots.
That means door mats and area rugs. "They act as filters that capture and trap dirt and allergens from getting into the air and spreading throughout the home, but they must be regularly cleaned to keep them working optimally," says Jotham Hatch, national training director for Chem-Dry.
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They tackle the dirtiest things.
Small electronics like your remote control, cell phone, and headphones are often the dirtiest items. "I like to clean my remote every night before bed, making it part of my daily routine," says Ashlee Edie, a professional cleaner at Handy. You can just wipe yours down with a disinfectant wipe and you're all set.
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They use a "two-minute rule."
Sometimes, it's easier to tackle a task head-on instead of waiting until later (whenever that might be). "If a task takes less than two minutes to complete, do it immediately," advises Emma Gordon, an organization and storing expert at Clutter. "Small tasks that are allowed to pile up will turn into fodder for procrastination later."
