Cleaning doesn't have to be overwhelming and stressful. Whether you're a senior citizen wanting to keep their home clean or just looking for ways to declutter, our top 10 house cleaning strategies will help you get organized with minimal fuss. Find out the best tips and tricks on how to declutter and make your home more organized today!
Make a House Cleaning Schedule and Stick to It.
Making a house cleaning schedule and sticking to it is the most important thing when it comes to maintaining a tidy home. Determine what areas need to be cleaned, which tasks should be done daily/weekly/monthly, and set specific goals for yourself. Consider breaking down large projects into smaller assignments if needed and make sure to use the calendar app on your phone, or write out a physical plan, so that you don't fall behind. Keeping up with a cleaning schedule will keep your home looking its best!
1. Make a plan
As with any chore, house cleaning for seniors should start off with making a plan. Think about what areas of your house you want to focus on and how often they need to be cleaned. You can make an easy-to-follow checklist to ensure that no area is forgotten!
2. Set the Timer
Research shows that setting the timer will help you work faster and more efficiently while reducing clutter in your home. For example, if you’re dusting and you have 15 minutes in the day, set a timer for 10 minutes and commit yourself to getting as much done as possible within that timeframe—you may end up finishing all the dusting by the time it runs out!
3. Don’t Overload Yourself
Cleaning your entire house at once can be overwhelming, especially for seniors who are living in large homes. Try breaking up projects into smaller tasks and don’t feel pressured to tackle them all at once. Instead, create a timeline that works for you and stick to it.
4. Create Clean Habits
Lead by setting an example for others (such as grandkids) by showing them how good housekeeping habits look like. For example, make sure everyone knows how important it is to remove their shoes when entering home from outside so they don't bring dirt inside. Reinforcing these positive behaviors will keep things looking neat over time which makes life way easier down road!
5. Tidy as You Go
When you’re tidying up, don’t leave a mess for later. Take a few extra minutes to ensure that each room has been properly organized and that all surfaces are free of dust and dirt. This will help you save time when it comes to cleaning up as everything will already be in its place. Additionally, if you leave a mess for later, chances are it will sit there for days or even weeks before your next deep clean!
Have Essential House Cleaning Supplies on Hand.
It's important to have all of the essential house cleaning supplies at your fingertips in order to clean easily and efficiently. Some common items that should be kept close by include dustpans, microfiber cloths, vacuum cleaners, mops, floor cleaners and solutions (for wood floors or carpets), sponges, scrub brushes, window cleaning solutions and tools (squeegee or extension poles), specialty products for ovens or showers, and other general cleaning items like sanitizer and bleach. Having these supplies on hand will make it easier to accomplish your weekly house cleaning tasks!
6. Use Organizers
Organizers such as baskets or bins can help keep your surfaces free from any messy clutter. Have one basket designated for each type of cleaning supplies, like mops or brooms, so they stay in one place and are organized when not in use.
7. Label Items Clearly
Label items clearly whenever possible so they are easy to find again when necessary - this is especially helpful if several family members have similar things stored in one place; also be sure to put labels on containers used for storing food/other perishables in case anyone needs quick access without asking multiple people first!
8. Squeegee Shower Walls After Every Use
Mold and mildew can quickly build up if you’re not diligent about wiping down your shower walls every time you use it. To make it easier, invest in a squeegee that will allow you to quickly and effectively remove soap scum, dirt, and bacteria from your walls. This is a simple tip that will save you time on deep cleaning while also maintaining a germ-free environment!
Start at the Top and Work Your Way Down.
When it comes to house cleaning, it’s important to start at the top and work your way down. This means that you should always begin by dusting the ceiling fan, light fixtures, curtains and any other hard-to-reach areas before moving onto the floors. This will make sure that you are trapping all of the dust which may then be transferred onto other surfaces. Additionally, this will help remind you to carry a ladder or step stool as you go around your house in order to be able to reach higher areas if needed!
9. Check Heights Carefully
Make sure not to overlook any high spots when combing through your home during a cleaning session - this includes checking air vents for dust accumulation or behind door frames where dirt might collect over time due to lack of visibility from floor level alone.
Pro tip: Have longer handled tools handy - such as rags on sticks - help tremendously with reaching hard-to-get places!
Limit Strenuous Activities
For elderly individuals whose mobility is limited due to age or illness, consider hiring professional cleaners/housekeepers if necessary instead of attempting physically taxing activities such as heavy vacuuming or scrubbing floors by oneself; this could also include picking up ready- made meals at the grocery store rather than cooking from scratch which uses lots energy too (it's nice treat anyway!).
10. Hire Caring Transitions of Northern Virginia!
For seniors, decluttering and deep cleaning your home can be a daunting task. Fortunately, Caring Transitions of Northern Virginia is here to help make the transition easy and stress-free. Our team of professionals can provide assistance with house cleaning and estate planning to help make sure that your retirement years are as smooth and organized as possible. Take advantage of this spring season to get organized and create a fresh start for yourself—let us handle the house cleaning for you!