Never Too Early For Spring Cleaning

Hello Dear Readers,
I don't know if any of you know this but Daddy's Home, Inc. started up as an Interior Design / Handyman / Housecleaning / Clutter Consultant business. Sort of a jack-of-all-trades thing that proved to be very successful in it's own way.
One of my favorite things in the world, believe it or not, is the feeling of accomplishment when a project involving de-cluttering or cleaning is involved. I know! Weird, right?
Even as a kid I used to love to clean all the silver and brass in the house just to see the shiny sparkling piles of metal when I was done. Maybe I'm just a raccoon or a crow at heart.
Well, this blog entry is all about home keeping and I hope my opinions and hints will help you out.
 When I would meet with a new client I would give them a list of products that I would suggest were in the house before I and my crew would show up for the gig and I will share it with you all and the reasons for all of the product choices. Now, these are just my personal favorites and I don't want anyone to think that I'm shilling for any of these companies who make these products, nor am I telling anyone that their fave isn't the right one for them.

EQUIPMENT:

A good vacuum with working attachments

Broom and dustpan

Sponge mop

Toothbrush for small spaces and grout

Sponges

Cotton rags

Paper Towels

Swiffer duster (it's great for me here in NYC where you can dust 3 times a day and never be done!)

Plastic caddy for products et al

PRODUCTS:

Glass cleaner (I find that anything with a bit of ammonia works well)

De-greaser (You can find a lot of these at the dollar store with names like Awesome, Fabulous, etc.)

All purpose furniture polish (Pledge makes a great one that does computer and plasma screens too)

Softscrub (I NEVER use the powdered kind on anything but metal - better safe than...um...scratched)

Comet, Ajax or the best...Bon Ami

Pine Sol, for toilets, in a bucket of water for floors, walls...anything. Just make SURE to dilute well for floors.

Now....here are a few guidelines to make things run smoothly:

1. Gather all of your products and equipment together in one spot - hence, the caddy - because it will save you time and energy in the long run if you carry everything with you. Imagine you were a professional cleaner. They come with a lot of their own stuff and can't just leave the job to get something else, right?
2. House cleaning is a job. A chore than needs to be planned for just like going to the grocery or the post office. Treat it that way. PLAN AHEAD.
3. Make a list and stick to it. Make an appointment with yourself and show up on time and ready to work.
4. If there is a lot to do, don't plan to do it all in one go. What I suggest is planning to start with a "maintenance run" first; what needs to be done on a regular basis - the bathroom, the kitchen, the vacuuming and dusting, etc.
5. THEN choose one bigger job per week. Something that needs special attention. My husband and I have our individual downfalls so I will choose to rearrange the pantry and clean out any expired foodstuffs, re-stack the cookware and bake ware, that sort of thing. He agrees to go through one foot (by depth) of unopened mail, papers, playbills, etc. that have piled up (Which, of course shows you how much he likes to hoard - but that's another blog entry in and of itself!)
6. Play music but TURN OFF YOUR PHONE. You have to limit your distractions. We all know how easy it is to get involved with a conversation and lose your focus on the work at hand. Put something fun on your stereo or MP3 player and go to town. There's no rule that says it has to be drudgery, right?
7. Clean rooms from top to bottom.Yea, I know it seems silly to say but think about it. If you vacuum first and then dust everything then where is that dust going? That goes for everything. Have a plan.
8. Replace your sponges and rags after you've finished your spring cleaning (and actually as often as you choose) not only is it nicer to look at newer sponges on the sink top, but it's healthier too as it will cut down on mold, mildew and bacteria in your home.

Now, I have to tell you that I am a fount of information and hints about specific cleaning, stain and/or repair type problems but you can always contact me with those questions individually.
Of course, cleaning as you go is the optimum choice but, let's face it, who has the same amount of time every week to keep up? That's why they (you know, the infamous "they") came up with the Spring Cleaning thing, I'm sure. To give us all something to shoot for. A beautifully organized and clean house before we start spending more time outside of it when the weather turns marvellous.

Happy Cleaning!

-SSG