Carolyn Forté - Good Housekeeping Simple Cleaning Wisdom: 450 Easy Shortcuts for a Fresh & Tidy Home

SIMPLE
CLEANING
WISDOM

450 EASY
SHORTCUTS FOR A
FRESH & TIDY HOME

EDITED BY CAROLYN FORT

Most of us have a love-hate relationship with keeping house. I know I do. I love a clean home and the feeling of calm it brings my family, but I hate the dusting, mopping, scrubbing, and wiping needed to get it that way.

Yes, there are those who really do enjoy cleaning, but if youre like me, its just one more responsibility in an already packed day and something I try to accomplish as quickly as possible. Well, thats about to change. Whether youre a novice or a pro, an enthusiast or a procrastinator, youre in luck. Good Housekeeping Simple Cleaning Wisdom is jam-packed with Good Housekeeping Institute Labtested products and speedy, smart tricks and tips to help you clean faster, declutter more easily, tackle trouble spots, simplify big jobs, and accomplish more in less time. And who doesnt want (and need) more free time? In some chapters, youll find a checklist of what chores to do when and the go-to cleaning products and tools Good Housekeeping recommends for every household. We also dive deep, devoting entire chapters to the kitchen, living spaces, bathroom, laundry and clothing care, and more.

Youll find advice about how to keep your appliances working their best; how to zap dust, germs, and other allergens; how to make your bathroom sparkle when guests are at the door; and even how to wash special-care items, like pillows and comFortrs. As you read along, keep an eye out for recurring features, like GH Labtested products that carry the trusted Good Housekeeping Seal, common mistakes to avoid, and the ultraspeedy 1-Minute Tips. Because a home should look as good on the outside as it does on the inside, youll also find shortcuts for cleaning the deck, patio, garage, gutters, windows, and even the car. Clean, organized, guest-ready outdoor areas make a home feel larger and boost its value and curb appeal. Not a bad payoff for a little extra effort! Cleaning your home is really about caring for your home. Good Housekeeping has a long tradition of caring for American homes and families, and every hint tucked into these pages was put there to help you take better care of your family. Good Housekeeping has a long tradition of caring for American homes and families, and every hint tucked into these pages was put there to help you take better care of your family.

And if you look at it that way, whats not to love about cleaning? Please enjoy! Carolyn Fort Director of Home Appliances, Cleaning Products, and Textiles Labs Good Housekeeping

A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY Spend five or 10 minutes daily doing simple tasks like sorting mail, picking up clutter, and wiping down appliances, countertops, and shower walls. Youll delay (or maybe even eliminate) the need for deep-cleanings and make them easier to do if and when the time comes. chapterCLEANING BASICS I make no secret of the fact that I would rather lie on a sofa than sweep beneath it. Shirley Congran, novelist Keeping a clean, healthy home is one of the most important ways to care for your family, and its easier to do than it might seem. In the pages that follow, well recommend the best tools and products to use, when its time to do what tasks, and even ways to clean up after messy kids and pets. And weve sprinkled in lots of smart shortcuts to help you get a clean, tidy home with time to spare.

Lets get started! PRO CLEANER HABITS YOU SHOULD TOTALLY STEAL For professional housekeepers, time is money. Put that same approach to work in your home. KEEP SUPPLIES HANDY Stock a cleaning caddy with essentials, like rubber gloves, paper towels, a small brush, and your favorite cleaners, to save time and stay organized. Try individual caddies with tools for the kitchen, bathrooms, bedrooms, and living areas, stashing them in each room and safely out of childrens reach. BANISH CLUTTER BEFORE YOU CLEAN UP Recycle newspapers and magazines you wont read, and put shoes back where they belong (or have their owners do it!). WORK FROM TOP TO BOTTOM Dust first, then vacuum to keep dust and dirt from falling onto the surface youve already cleaned. WORK FROM TOP TO BOTTOM Dust first, then vacuum to keep dust and dirt from falling onto the surface youve already cleaned.

Always leave your floors for last and clean your way out of the room. HAVE HOUSE ONLY SHOES Taking shoes off at the door helps keep dirt outside. Designate slippers or soft-sole footwear as inside shoes, and floors and carpets will stay cleaner longer.