{"id":1750,"date":"2017-03-23T13:38:46","date_gmt":"2017-03-23T20:38:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.realtyexecutives.com\/blog\/?p=1750"},"modified":"2017-06-21T16:02:25","modified_gmt":"2017-06-21T23:02:25","slug":"optimize-spring-cleaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.realtyexecutives.com\/blog\/optimize-spring-cleaning","title":{"rendered":"Spring cleaning: Optimize your cleaning time"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Optimize<\/a><\/p>\n

According to The Maids<\/a>, spring cleaning typically takes at least four hours per 1,000 square feet.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can clean virtually any house in about four hours a week. I learned this when I had a residential house cleaning business,\u201d says Sherry Hewins<\/a>. \u201cThe keys to being able to clean your house are organization and consistency.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although you don\u2019t have to spring clean your home every weekend, getting organized and optimizing the task to make the process more efficient should help keep it as short and sweet as possible.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Select chores based on how much time you have to clean<\/strong><\/p>\n

What to clean depending on how much time you have available:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t
Time<\/th>Kitchen<\/th>Bathroom<\/th>General<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
1 \u2013 3 hours<\/td>\u2022 Wipe down kitchen counters
\n\u2022 Clean\/disinfect kitchen sink
\n\u2022 Clean inside microwave
\n\u2022 Wipe down stove top
\n\u2022 Clean garbage disposal
\n<\/td>		\u2022 Wipe down bathroom counters\/vanity and mirror
\n\u2022 Clean\/disinfect bathroom sink and toilet
\n\u2022 Scrub tub, shower walls, tile and grout
\n\u2022 Clean shower racks<\/td>		\u2022 Declutter
\n\u2022 Dust furniture and surfaces
\n\u2022 Sweep, mop and polish floors
\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
4 \u2013 8 hours<\/td>\u2022 Clean\/polish kitchen appliances
\n\u2022 Clean stove top, drip pans and knobs
\n\u2022 Clean inside refrigerator and freezer
\n\u2022 Clean the oven<\/td>		<\/td>\u2022 Vacuum floors and upholstered furniture
\n\u2022 Polish\/treat furniture
\n\u2022 Disinfect door knobs, light switches, remote controls
\n\u2022 Dust\/clean cords and cables
\n\u2022 Clean door frames<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
9 \u2013 12 hours<\/td>\u2022 Wipe down and clean inside kitchen cabinets
\n\u2022 Clean behind oven and refrigerator
\n\u2022 Clean fridge's condenser coils or fan
\n\u2022 Clean dishwasher
\n\u2022 Clean\/degrease range hood and filter
\n\u2022 Empty and clean pantry, including floor and door<\/td>		\u2022 Clean inside bathroom cabinets<\/td>\u2022 Vacuum mattress
\n\u2022 Wash pillows
\n\u2022 Clean windows and window screens
\n\u2022 Wash and replace curtains
\n\u2022 Clean blinds
\n\u2022 Clean lamp shades, light fixtures and ceiling fans
\n\u2022 Vacuum and wash rugs\/carpets, including stairs and closets
\n\u2022 Clean behind and under furniture
\n\u2022 Wipe down walls, including areas around plugs\/switches
\n\u2022 Dust vents and replace air filters
\n\u2022 Clean dryer vent
\n\u2022 Sanitize wastebaskets<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

How to maintain your appliances without voiding your home warranty<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

Use apps and checklists<\/strong><\/p>\n

Top-rated apps like Spring Cleaning Checklist<\/a> (free, Android) and Tody<\/a> ($3.99, iOS) have everything from checklists and reminders, to cleaning playlists and how-to videos. You can gamify your spring cleaning, split chores up between everyone in the house, or schedule them out.<\/p>\n

Cleaning hacks<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cNobody wants to spend all their time cleaning,\u201d says blogger and life hacker Vanessa Beaty<\/a>. Her cleaning hacks range from removing water stains from a table with a blow-dryer, to cleaning tight spaces with the tip of a ketchup bottle, and have been pinned 70,000 times.<\/p>\n

YouTube is a good resource for cleaning hacks that have been tried and tested, with how-to videos typically offering detailed instructions that are easy to follow.<\/p>\n

Take strategic breaks<\/strong><\/p>\n

Research shows that productivity increases if you incorporate frequent breaks into your work. \u201cEvery 90 minutes, our body tells us to take a break from what we\u2019re doing because it\u2019s getting tired,\u201d explains productivity expert Cathy Sexton<\/a>, adding that breaks a good way to refresh your focus.<\/p>\n

Breaks are also a good time to hydrate and eat something to replenish your energy.<\/p>\n

Do you have any spring cleaning tips to share?<\/p>\n

 
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