Most people don't think of cleaning as a highly skilled service. Well think again! Most people think it is easy to clean their house but if given the opportunity, they fall quite short to their own cleaning standards. This is because there is much more to cleaning than taking out a bucket, a mop, some paper towels and a few cleaning supplies. Knowing what to do with them and what order to do things is the critical part.

Below is a list of important tips that will make the cleaning process easier, more efficient and more thorough.

Always Dust Higher Areas
Before Moving to the Lower Areas

PICK UP THE CLUTTER: Clutter not only looks messy but it also prevents you from effectively reaching each surface in your home.

ALWAYS CLEAN FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: If you clean from the bottom up, dirt will naturally settle to the lower area that you just cleaned creating the need to re-clean those lower areas again. So whether you are cleaning the inside of your shower or dusting your furniture, always clean from top to bottom.

ALWAYS FOLLOW LABEL DIRECTIONS: If your goal is to remove mildew from your shower you will need a product designed specifically for that purpose such as Tilex Mold & Mildew Cleaner. You can scrub all day long with a soap scum bathroom cleaning product like Tilex Soap Scum Cleaner, but it will not remove the mildew from your shower. Likewise if you are trying to remove soap scum you will not be satisfied with the results if you use a mildew removal product. So always read the label and use the correct product for your application.

USE QUALITY PAPER TOWELS AND RAGS: Cheap paper towels may sound like a good idea, however they will leave annoying lint behind when cleaning with them. So always use a quality paper towel when cleaning. Also have plenty of clean rags on hand to clean with. Using the same dirty rag to clean your kitchen after using it to dust your furniture will just transfer the dust and dirt from one area of your home to another. We recommend getting a large bag of white cotton terrycloth towels. They can be laundered and re-used and are relatively inexpensive if bought at your local

DUSTING: Always dust the higher surfaces first before moving to the lower ones. This way dust will not settle on things you have already dusted. In addition, be sure to wipe all horizontal surfaces as these are more likely to collect dust than any vertical surfaces. Always avoid furniture polishing products such as Pledge as they contain silicones that will build up on the surface of your furniture. If you prefer a shine on your wood furniture, use Lemon Oil instead. This will not build up on the surface and actually moisturizes the wood.

CARPET SPOTTING: Be careful if using a product to remove stains on your carpet. Always read the directions so you are applying and removing the product correctly. Most products require spraying the stained area, waiting between 30 seconds and 2 minutes and then blotting the area to remove the stain. Avoid scrubbing the area as this will often lock the stain in permanently, not to mention that it damages the carpet fibers. Also remember to test a hidden area for color fastness. You don't want to spray one of these products on your carpet in the middle of a room to find that it has just changed the color.

TOO MUCH PRODUCT: Too much product is never a good thing. Sometimes the manufacturers instructions will be quite aggressive. For instance, when using floor cleaner, use it sparingly, as you may end up with sticky floors if you use too much. You may like the smell of Pine Sol, but remember, a little goes a long way. Murphy's Oils Soap is wonderful for cleaning wood floors, but only use a few capfuls, not 1/4 of the bottle when mixing with a gallon of water. You will end up with the same results as if you used a heavy hand.