Toni Hammersley - The Complete Book of Clean: Tips & Techniques for Your Home

THE COMPLETE BOOK of

CLEAN

TIPS & TECHNIQUES for YOUR HOME

by Toni Hammersley

Every day, I find myself sweeping the floors, wiping up spills, picking up clutter, and straightening pillows on the sofa. An hour later, I do it all over again. Messes are a part of life, and cleaning them up is essential to our well-being. Whether you live in a 4,000-square-foot home or a small one-bedroom apartment, implementing a cleaning routine is the key to success.

In this book, youll find homemade natural cleaning recipes and learn how to put together a green cleaning caddy. Youll also learn my secrets to keeping up with daily, weekly, and monthly chores. Ill share fundamental cleaning checklists, including plans for seasonal home maintenance and detailed spring and fall cleaning. Youll find a multitude of cleaning strategies for the tough jobs and simple tips for the small ones.

We all face challenges when it comes to keeping our homes clean and tidy. You may not have enough time in the day or the energy to keep up, or youre simply overwhelmed. Thats normal, and its OK to feel that way. By taking it one step at a time, you will learn how to conquer the messes and implement a cleaning plan that works for you. As you clean, think about decluttering as wellan organized house is much easier to keep clean. Check out my 30-Bag Purge Challenge at the back of this book for one fun and easy way to cut the clutter.

Give new life to your home and give it the attention it needs. By the time you get to the end of this book, your home will be sparkling clean and you will finally get to enjoy a much-needed Saturday afternoon at the spa. You deserve it! So put on your cleaning gloves, and lets get busy.

Hugs,

Toni

Getting Started

Motivation is the main challenge of a clean home. To help me get (and stay) motivated, I put on comfortable clothes, turn on my favorite music (really loud), and fill the diffuser with my favorite essential oils. And I always start with the big picture in mind. What do you want your home to look like when youre finished? You can accomplish it, one step at a time. My first step is to assemble a cleaning caddy and gather all of the supplies needed to conquer the messes. Youll create several homemade cleaning solutions to get the job done. Then we will concentrate on the chores common to all rooms of the house. I will outline these tasks and offer checklists needed to complete them. Working through the common tasks quickly gives you momentum to keep going. By using a kitchen timer, you can set your pace (and goal) to work efficiently. Lets get started.

STOCK YOUR CADDY

Streamline housekeeping duties by assembling a cleaning caddy to contain all necessary supplies needed to keep your home clean. A caddy eliminates time-draining, procrastinating searches for the right supplies and means fewer trips to the store or utility closet. Assemble supplies in a bucket or container with a handle, and everything will be within arms reach when you need it. Heres a checklist of my suggestions for essential caddy tools.

Microfiber cloths

Sponge

Disposable wipes

Duster

Lint roller

Toothbrush

Scrub brush

Grout brush

Gloves

Trash bags

Cleaning solutions

WIPE IT ALL UP

Youll want some options for wiping, dusting, and otherwise cleaning various surfaces.

MICROFIBER CLOTHS These soft, multipurpose cloths contribute to a healthier house. Woven from millions of very fine fibers, they snag dirt and bacteria in their web and sweep it away. Even dry or with a small amount of water, they are superior to paper towels or cotton rags when it comes to collecting dust and dirt. Because they absorb grime, clean them after each use by running them through the washing machine. Dont use fabric softener in the dryer with themit clogs the fibers, reducing their ability to grab dirt.

THE CLASSIC SPONGE A sponge is an essential tool for absorbing spills and washing dishes or counters. Look for nonabrasive types that wont scratch the surface youre cleaning. After each use, clean and sanitize the sponge through a full cycle in the dishwasher or kill the germs in the microwave for two minutes. Be sure the sponge is wet.

DISPOSABLE WIPES Although I advocate reducing, reusing, and recycling as much as possible, there are times when its necessary to use disposable products like cleaning wipes. Pet accidents and on-the-go messes are great examples. Simply wipe up the mess with a disposable wipe and toss it in the trash.

A DUSTER Microfiber or feather dusters on an extension wand are invaluable in hard-to-reach spacesthink ceiling fans, top shelves, corners, or under the bed.

ROLL THAT LINT

A lint brush is a multipurpose tool that is often forgotten among all the cleaning supplies in the caddy. It removes lint from not only clothing but also handbag interiors, lampshades, curtains, furniture, car seats, and flooring. And if you have pets, its great for animal fur. Now get rolling!

DON THE GLOVES

Just like what Grandma used, cleaning gloves keep hands soft and fingernails strong as well as provide a better grip in soapy water. Leave a second pair in a different color in the bathroom for cleaning the toilet.

BRUSH IT OFF

My three favorite brushes for cleaning are a toothbrush, a scrub brush, and a grout brush. Each has its unique properties, so use them all accordingly.