The Household Cleaning Guide: Most Effective Methods and Products to Use

Imagine your home with a bathtub that sparkles… perfectly organized containers in kitchen cabinets … a decluttered living room… and a bedroom that emits a pleasant freshness. A clean and tidy living space can feel incredibly soothing. However, it can sometimes seem achieving that state is beyond our reach. That’s why we’ve prepared some tips to simplify your house cleaning regimen and create a healthy environment, all the while using eco-friendly cleaning products that do not contain ingredients of concern according to the EWG. 

Did you know that house cleaning promotes both physical and psychological well-being according to research? Your parents weren't just telling tales to get you to clean your room! The act of cleaning releases endorphins and contributes to greater stability of our emotions, thereby providing feelings of order and control, along with improving concentration levels and productivity.[1] 

But where to start when the task seems insurmountable? 

Create an action plan 

First, create an action plan. While there’s no miracle solution that will end house cleaning chores forever, there are indeed various methods that can be used to make the task less grueling. 

Daily house cleaning routine

A daily house cleaning routine should include the basic tasks to maintain an orderly and clean environment throughout the week. What should be cleaned every day? The dishes, the kitchen counter and the kitchen table. Also make the beds and put away any objects (like children's toys) that are lying around. This will make you feel like you’re in control of your living space. 

Weekly house cleaning routine

Your weekly cleaning routine should include the following: floors, appliances and bathrooms; dusting; and washing the bedding. Make sure to set aside a few hours in your schedule each week for these tasks. 

Cleaning by area

If you feel that your house or apartment needs a good, deep, intense cleaning, then targeting specific areas can be a great approach. However, patience is a must, and you’ll have to be content cleaning one area at a time, one day at a time. For instance: Monday can be devoted to the kitchen; Tuesday to the bathroom; Wednesday to the basement; Thursday to the kids’ room, and so on. This will prevent you from becoming overwhelmed and surrendering due to a lack of time… or motivation. 

Cleaning by task

Here's another suggestion: Rather than allocating your cleaning chores by area, you can do so by specific task. For example, you could opt to vacuum the entire house, then mop all the floors that require wet cleaning, perhaps clean all the mirrors, maybe dust all the furniture, etc. The advantage to this approach is that it enables you to focus on one task at a time and avoid having to bring out the same tools or natural cleaning products over and over. 

Seasonal cleaning

Seasonal cleaning probably creates the greatest level of satisfaction, as it’s an opportunity to declutter, as well as perform house cleaning tasks that we tend to neglect. Twice a year – ideally in spring and autumn – set aside a day or two and make a to-do list. For instance, in spring: Wash winter clothes and store them away; clean windows; wash carpets; declutter the garage; etc. Ready to get started? Take our 30 Days of Spring-Cleaning Challenge or check out these nine tips for eco-friendly cleaning. 

Marie Kondo's KonMari method

Inspired by minimalism, this cleaning approach is practically a lifestyle. Its decluttering mantra is to sort objects and keep only those that provide a sense of joy. Sort clothes, sort books, sort paperwork, sort toys… You get the idea: Everything (and anything) goes! Then after making some potentially tough decisions comes the tidying up part. This should be done in such a way as to harmonize your space and create a total Zen atmosphere. You must be able to see everything you're storing without having to shift things around i.e. no clutter in drawers, no stacks of plates in front of one another and, above all else, no poorly folded clothes! Of course, this can be viewed as somewhat extreme, but it’s an effective approach to preserve order in your living space – and your mindset! 

Use the right tools

Once you’ve created your action plan, make sure you have all the tools and eco-friendly cleaning products you’ll need. Trust us: There's nothing worse than having to grind a productive cleaning session to a halt by having to go buy a missing item or household cleaner. Make a list of what you’ll need based upon the task to be undertaken or the room to be cleaned. Tools may include:  

• Broom and dustpan
• Vacuum
• Mop and bucket
• Reusable cloths (these are preferable to using paper towels)
• Sponge
• Scrubbing brush
• Gloves
• Shampooing machine

And don’t forget to clean your tools once you’ve used them! 

Go with EWG-certified eco-friendly cleaning products

Along with having the right tools, you’ll also need household cleaning products: Choose products according to their intended use (to prevent risking surface damage) and take into consideration the products’ ingredients. Certain substances included in household cleaning products can be harmful health-wise, particularly for children and pets. 

Fortunately, there are eco-friendly cleaning products that are formulated using only ingredients that the EWG considers to be safe, such as products from ATTITUDE™’s Nature + Technology™ and Home Essentials™ lines that include multi-surface cleaners for kitchens, floors, bathrooms as well as windows and mirrors, laundry detergents and dishwashing liquids. 

But do eco-friendly cleaning products really work? The answer is yes! Among other things, Nature + Technology™ and Home Essentials™ household cleaners rely upon the power of saponin, a powerful plant compound that has extraordinary foaming properties, as well as natural origin surfactants like Myristyl Glucoside and Caprylyl Glucoside, which reinforce the cleaning action. Home Essentials™ home products also contain luxurious essential oils, providing an unparalleled sensory experience, and come in aluminum bottles that are infinitely reusable. 

Don’t neglect the places that pets like to frequent

If your household includes pets, it’s important to not only clean their spaces, but also the spots you share with them, like the sofa. The Furry Friends™ line includes eco-friendly cleaning products especially created with animals in mind, from multi-surface cleaners and fabric fresheners to stain removers and odour eliminators. The Pet Keen blog tested the products and published an article relating their positive experience with Furry Friends™. 

The pièce de résistance: An air purifier

Once your cleaning is done, place an activated carbon air purifier in some of your home’s rooms. Along with releasing a refreshing aroma, it eliminates odours and absorbs pollutants. 

So, do you feel like getting your clean on yet? Before beginning, learn how to best use our eco-friendly cleaning products so your living space will shine and you’ll have peace of mind. 

Source:  

[1] https://www.forbes.com/health/mind/mental-health-clean-home/