Soooo, turns out your mom is right, when it’s your house everything changes. ‘Cause I somehow became a real Monica Geller when I moved out of my parents house. I’m not surprised through, my mother is tidy and clean and definitely taught me how to clean and how to clean well.
And before you ask, no this is not some old fashioned, women need to clean kinda story. Everyone has personal responsibility to maintain a clean space. These are just things I have found to make this part of adulting a little easier.
So, since I am now best friends with my swiffer and the kind of person who finds joy in cleaning, here are 30 things to know to have a clean place, because that makes everything else so much better.
- Start by picking out a candle that you adore, it can be expensive, this is your reward for cleaning.
- Keep white boards on your fridge to write down what you run out of as you run out. Then just snap a pic on your way to the grocery store. (This was my boyfriend’s idea actually, man’s a genius).
- Wipe counters, then vacuum then mop, there is simply no other way to do it.
- To clean your microwave steam a glass of water in it for 20 minutes and then just wipe it out.
- Use the previously hot glass of water and add a splash of alcohol to clean your toothbrush.
- Double up what you are cleaning to maximize spending a few minutes a day, like start the dishwasher and then wipe down the counter while it runs. Now you have clean dishes and a clean counter.
- Hydrogen peroxide is a lifesaver ladies.
- When your brain is done working, do an easy task and feel accomplished.
- Laundry counts when its clean, folding is extra credit.
- Silk pillow cases can only get washed on a gentle cycle and need to air dry.
- If you have a lot of delicates or sweaters, invest in Woolite, it’s a game changer.
- Honestly, laundry can be done on cold. Hot water is only for bedding and towels.
- LAUNDRY. SANITIZER. That is all.
- Have something to air dry and no drying rack? Hang it on the shower curtain rod!
- Rubber gloves are life changing, and you feel like a mad scientist.
- You need to clean out the inside of your trashcan, this is an outside job, use the hose.
- If you have something that has an odor that won’t wash out lay it on a towel in the sun for a few hours.
- Wash white sneakers and leave them in the sun to make them bright white.
- Allow me to sound like a beauty guru, WASH YOUR MAKEUP BRUSHES. Do you hair brush too while you are there.
- Know the dad from My Big Fat Greek Wedding, yeah Windex is amazing. It makes dusting and cleaning counters so easy. Just be careful on using it on white paint though cause it might stain.
- Soaked dishes with caked on stuff like scrambled eggs in hot water and then scrap it out before putting it in the dishwasher.
- If you have storage jars on your counter wipe them down with windex so they are shiny.
- Periodically, empty out the jars, storage bottles, or drawers organizers wash them and then put everything back. It makes the whole space feel cleaner.
- Vacuum every other day, swiffer or mop at least once a week. Clean your shower once a week, wash all your towels weekly as well. I promise you will notice a difference.
- Easiest way to clean your blender is to take it apart and put it in the dishwasher.
Now go burn your candle and relax you earned it bestie.