Deep cleaning is often a war against dirt, dust and grease. And when you’re on the trenches in bathrooms and kitchens, you need to have a strategy in order to survive.
Too many householders start cleaning routines with the best of intentions, only to give up when things get tough. However, if you’re prepared for the worst, you’ll be able to negotiate problems and setbacks when they arise.
Here are a few tips for surviving a long and arduous deep clean.
Create a schedule
If you’re going to get everything done in your allotted time, you need to be organised. Create a deep cleaning schedule, but make sure it’s realistic. Break larger cleaning jobs down into smaller chunks, and don’t try to fit too much into any one day.
But just because you take the time to devise a schedule doesn’t mean you have to stick to it religiously. Constantly reevaluate things, as there will be times when certain jobs are much harder and more time-consuming than you initially thought.
Gather together your tools
There’s nothing more disheartening during a deep clean than realising you haven’t got the correct tools for the job. Such situations either result in a lack of quality or the job in question being forgotten about.
Create a master supplies checklist, and then perform your own stocktake. Doing both of these things will let you know exactly what needs to be on your shopping list.
Get rid of junk and clutter
Before you start cleaning anything, clear all your rooms of unnecessary obstacles. This will help you to work faster and more effectively. And the faster you get individual deep cleaning jobs done, the more bearable the entire experience will be.
Wear loose clothes
A lot of deep cleaning jobs call for mobility and agility. It is therefore a good idea to wear loose-fitting clothes. And as you’ll be getting dirty and coming into contact with various cleaning agents, you should wear old clothes that you’re not precious about. It’s usually a good idea to wear more than one layer, however. This means you can quickly adapt to changing temperatures.
Plan your entertainment in advance
One of the main reasons why so many householders quit their deep cleaning prematurely is boredom. Wiping, dusting, scrubbing, sweeping and vacuuming can be very monotonous and mundane tasks — even more so when all you have for company are your own thoughts. Download some box-sets, and watch then on a tablet as you move around the home. Or create a deep cleaning checklist to give you motivation during your cleaning ordeal.
Book people in to help out
Using your deep cleaning checklist, book friends and family in to help out with some of the trickier jobs. Cleaning ovens, scrubbing floors and deep cleaning kitchen cupboards are all tough tasks, but they are a lot easier when there’s help. Make a point of booking people in to specific time slots, and they’ll feel duty bound to show up.
Stock up on snacks
You’ll need to keep your energy levels high when deep cleaning, so make sure you have lots of food. However, bear in mind that you’ll probably need your fridge-freezer to be as empty as possible if you’re going to deep clean it. To save yourself time, buy lots of ambient snacks and fruits, so you don’t have to waste time cooking.
Plan lots of breaks
Keep your energy levels and cleaning quality high be scheduling plenty of breaks. As a simple rule of thumb, try to take a 10-minute rest after every hour of cleaning. Even if you spend a few minutes nibbling on an apple and checking your phone, this type of micro break will keep you energised and motivated.
Drink lots of water
Deep cleaning is thirsty work, so make sure you’re drinking water regularly. It’s easy to become dehydrated when you’re engrossed in cleaning jobs, so fill a sports bottle with iced water, and take a sip every few minutes.
Deep cleaning doesn’t have to be hard labour. If you’re organised and plan every aspect of the process in advance, it could actually be a lot of fun!