Cleaning the house

CEBU, Philippines - The phrase "cleaning the house" has become a popular figure of speech. It often refers to getting rid of systems that are no longer working or people whose presence no longer serve a purpose. The phrase applies to relationships as well, meaning to end an affair that has since lost its meaning.

This writing, though, is about is about literally "cleaning the house." It's about eliminating dirt that has built up for a while. And in the process, it's also about reclaiming precious space in the home, by returning things to their proper places.

The task may be simple, but it's tedious at the same time. This is the very reason why, with many people, cleaning the house gets postponed and postponed before finally being started. But there must be a way - or ways - to make the task less intimidating.

If only it could be done more quickly, especially in the kitchen, bathroom and living areas, where the most traffic in the home takes place. The idea is that if 20 minutes are spent every day in cleaning certain areas of the house, homes would run more smoothly. If that amount of time is invested on a daily basis, there's less likely to result an overwhelming, massive cleanup to do at the end of the week.

The website www.huggies.com shares quick cleaning tips designed to provide practical and effective strategies for cleaning the house. These are a combination of tasks to do on a daily basis, through to ones that need to be done once a week.

The Kitchen

The quick cleaning tips for this area of the house are both practical and relatively easy to do. For hygiene purposes, it is important to invest time in cleaning the kitchen on a daily basis.

A sparkling sink.  Lots of items pass through the sink - everything from dirty dishes, through to little hands covered in paint and in need of a rinse. So this hardwearing surface can start to lose its luster if it isn't looked after consistently.

• Pop some gumption on a damp sponge and clean the sink thoroughly.

• Once you've washed the sink down, rinse it thoroughly.

• Wipe down with a dry cloth in order to get a polished finish.

Tidy up the toaster. This little crumb catcher is likely to attract unwanted visitors if it isn't cleaned out regularly.

• Unplug the toaster first.

• Make sure the toaster is completely cold before cleaning.

• Turn the toaster upside down and empty the crumbs into the bin.

• Wipe down the outside of the toaster with a damp cloth soaked in vinegar to buff it up.

Polish up the kettle. This item is often a focal point in a kitchen and it is advisable to make sure it looks clean and shiny. Remember only to clean it when the kettle is completely cool!

• Ensure the kettle is completely cold.

• For stainless steel kettles, you only need a gentle detergent, mixed with some warm water and a soft sponge to wipe it down.

• Alternatively, place some bicarbonate on a sponge and wipe the kettle down. Follow this with a rub down of the kettle with a sponge soaked in vinegar.

Cleaning the microwave. This great place for heating up things can also get very messy when things explode or overheat! Cleaning it is a fairly straightforward process especially if you mop up straight away.

• Pop a handful of wet paper towels inside the microwave.

• Turn the microwave on high for 2 to 4 minutes.

• The steam from the towels should help soften up stains and spills.

• Leave the paper towels to cool down and then use them to wipe out the inside of the oven.

Cleaning your cast iron pots. Usually the last thing you want to do is wash your pots by hand, but this is actually much better for them than washing them in the dishwasher.

• For basic marks, simply rinse clean with water and a soft dishcloth.

• For more difficult stains, pop several tablespoons of salt on the base of the pot and leave for ten minutes.

• Rub the salt in, using a paper towel.

• Rinse the pot.

• Replace the oil film by coating the base of the pot with a teaspoon of oil.

The Bathroom

This is an area that can become cluttered and stained very quickly. These quick cleaning tips mean you should be able to speed through and have it clean as a whistle.

Bin it. Empty your bathroom bin on a regular basis.

• Once a week you should pop a spray of bleach in the bin.

• Rinse the bin thoroughly with warm water.

Wipe it.  It's useful to have a cloth specifically for wiping down your vanity or other bathroom surfaces as soon as you have finished using them.

• Wipe the surfaces daily.

• Apart from making it safer in terms of using hair dryers or straighteners near a wet space, it will also help protect the surface itself from being marked with water rings and stains.

De-clutter it. The bathroom is usually a fairly small space and can look cluttered very quickly. The good news is that cleaning it up can be done quite simply.

• Use these to store items in. For instance, hair clips can go in one container, razors in another. It also makes it easier to find objects when you are looking for them.

The Living Room

This is the room where the family spends time together. The couches can all too easily become grimy and the floor filled with the chaos of toys and books. If you have a pet you will often find lots of unwanted hair as well, which can be tricky to remove. Here are some simple strategies for cleaning it all up.

Cleaning the couch. These quick cleaning tips will help restore the couches to their former glory.

• Pop on some rubber gloves and then run your hands all over the couch. You will collect up fur and stray hair as you go. Discard the gloves after use.

• Vacuum your couch thoroughly using the smaller heads to get into difficult to reach corners.

• If you have a waterproofed couch, pop some mild dishwashing liquid into 1 cup of water. Create lot of suds.

• Place a clean sponge only into the cup of suds and gently blot at the stains on the couch.

• If your couch is not suitable to clean, then you will need to check with the product manufacturer what stain remover you should use.

Cleaning your TV screen. To ensure you're getting maximum enjoyment from the big screen, you need to wipe it down regularly.

• Use a cloth specifically designed for wiping down your TV screen, or use a microfiber cloth.

• Do not use water or detergent to clean it.

These quick cleaning tips are sure to help a lot in cleaning the house. In the first place, housecleaning need not be big deal. Cleaning the different areas of the house should only be made routine, different places on different days, regularly.  (FREEMAN)