Vacuuming, dusting, wiping, disinfecting, vacuuming, mopping, removing cobwebs, washing up, bathroom cleaning, window cleaning - just to name a few of the stages of cleaning.
The cleaning is a compulsive but necessary task that comes from our need for cleanliness and order. If we had to define it scientifically, then the cleaning is an activity that brings a dirty, dusty, untidy property to a state of clean, fragrant, order. The Cleaning-Technology professional definition of cleaning goes like this: "A formally and substantively assessable, trusted, documented and integrated service that removes or retains in a predefined area, inappropriate (contamination) and hazardous (something that poses a risk) materials, using professional methods and in a planned timeframe."
Man has a basic need for cleanliness. Because a clean environment gives you positive energy and health, plus a well-kept home or office always makes you feel good and admired by the people who live there or come to visit!
We pack around ourselves on a daily basis, and in the kitchen or living room there's always something to put back in the place we left it after use. And if an unexpected guest arrives, we suddenly rush to hide the mess, trying to shake the place up with a "lightning clean".
There are different cleaning and tidying practices and methods that can make it easier or more effective to clean dirty, contaminated surfaces or to maintain a basic cleanliness in your home. For example, a friend of mine leaves the vacuum cleaner out front, so she vacuums a little every day. But some of us swear by spending a quarter of an hour every day cleaning up and putting things back in their place, so we can prevent chaos from taking over. But there are also more strict rules: 'Wash what's dirty! What's in front, put away!"
There is one main question, and that is, how much should we dive into cleaning?
The answer to this question depends on how much cleaning the condition of the property requires or how much time and energy you have available.
Choose the cleaning product that suits your needs and tastes before you start cleaning. While we are sure that everyone has a regular cleaning product that they use, we recommend that you reassess it from time to time, as newer products or products that are better for the environment and for us are always appearing in the shops. Or more effective! Depending on our lifestyle, we can now choose between organic and chemical-based cleaning products.
In addition to the above-mentioned minor packing, quick tidying and cleaning, there are 3 main types of cleaning.
The first is the daily cleaning. At this level we can talk about only 1 - 2 hours of work or maximum 3 for an average-sized apartment with average levels of dirt. It is, of course, an all-round tidying and cleaning. We start with a packing session, during which we put the utensils we left in front of us back in their places, and the clothes we took off are thrown into the laundry basket. Of course, you can also have a dust cloth in your hand, so that you can clean the visible surfaces of the dust almost in parallel. In this "little clean up" case, don't dive too deep into dusting, just wipe visible surfaces such as the coffee table, kitchen counter, tables, shelves of cupboards, etc., even if only with a dry microfiber cloth, but if it's smudged, wipe it with a wet detergent cloth. Of course, the basic rule of dusting, that you go from top to bottom, should be followed! Then, after thorough vacuuming and mopping and we finish the cleaning with a ventilation session. Of course, if the sink is full, wash the dishes!
The next step is weekly cleaning. Usually people have more time and energy on weekends, and if you have missed the daily cleaning and tidying on weekdays, the condition of property needs too that we should dive into the bigger cleaning. This job starts with a thorough dusting, not only of the visible surfaces, but also by unloading the shelves and dusting off the various objects and technical items (TV, monitor, hi-fi stuff). Remove the cobwebs as well! Dust bed linen, pillows, small rugs and carpets outside, or leave them outside for a few hours to air out if you can. Then we use a damp, detergent sponge to wipe down furniture, cupboards, tables, doors, tiles and any other surfaces that might be dirty or dusty. After wet wiping, wipe the surfaces with a dry cloth to avoid stains and streaks! Next comes the vacuuming, which includes the seating and upholstered furniture. Then we move on to cleaning and disinfecting the toilet and bathroom. Tiles, bath, shower cubicle clean with descaler and after all we wipe down the bathroom cabinets with universal detergent. We also wash the bath carpet and the toilet carpet. Mirrors are cleaned. And at the last step of the bathroom cleaning we can wipe down with disinfectant detergent the surfaces. Then in the kitchen we wash and wipe down the kitchen furniture, fridge and oven. Wash the dishes too! Of course in the kitchen we use alkaline cleaning agents. The final stage of cleaning is mopping and letting fresh air in. Always do the mopping from the inside out, so as not to mess up freshly mopped surfaces!
And finally, let's talk about the holy grail of the cleaning - the deep cleaning (major cleaning). Major cleaning is a process that should be carried out 2 - 3 times a year. Roughly 4 - 6 months is the length of time it takes for an occupied property to reach the level of contamination that requires an A to Z deep clean. Every nook and cranny, including the area behind your furniture, every object, including flowers, must be cleaned and cleared. Cleaning can take up to a full day, even for an average-sized home that is cleaned regularly. Why? Because this is when the tasks include window cleaning and door cleaning, carpet cleaning, upholstery cleaning, cleaning the pantry, thorough dusting of all surfaces (which is touch not just about the visible surfaces, but also about dusting shelves and the tops of lamps and cupboards), comprehensive vacuuming. But if you want more into cleaning, you can also clean out your wardrobes, sort through your clothes and things, and get rid of unused items. Of course, clean out the inside of the cupboards before putting them back! You can do the same in the kitchen with plates and glasses. In addition to cleaning out the cupboards, you can also wash the cutlery, kitchen appilances, pots and pans and cooking utensils. So you can see that when it comes to cleaning up, the only limit is your enthusiasm and energy, because the list of tasks is endless.
Always empty the trash after cleaning is finished! If you want to live in an environmentally responsible way, separate your rubbish!
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