Clean Like a Pro: Where to Get Started Cleaning First

by Grace Martin (HOTH) - November 26, 2024

According to The Business Wire, Americans spend six hours a week on household chores, which shows how much we prioritize a pristine home.

Although we all regularly clean, we will never be as efficient and pay as much attention to detail as the pros. But if you take their advice, you’ll realize how much it elevates your cleaning.

Ready to learn from the pros? Read on to discover everything from where to get started cleaning first to being fully prepared to tackle the job.

Create and Maintain a Strict Cleaning Schedule

The key to a successful home cleaning strategy is organizing your cleaning tasks by creating a schedule. Get into the habit of lightly cleaning throughout the week, such as vacuuming and wiping down countertops, then dedicating one day to deep cleaning. The beauty of a schedule is it keeps your home consistently spotless and prevents dirt from building up, which puts your family’s health at risk.

Homeowners should also note any appliances or areas in the home that don’t need regular cleaning. For instance, you don’t need to clean baseboards and wash windows every time, so add those to a monthly schedule instead.

Invest in the Right Cleaning Tools and Supplies

Our beginner cleaning guide wouldn’t be complete without mentioning this step. Your home will only be spotless if you have the right tools and supplies for the job.

At the very least, you’ll need sponges, microfiber cloths, and paper towels to remove gunk. It’s also important to choose cleaning agents that align with the surface. You should, for instance, invest in glass cleaner and a squeegee for mirrors, windows, and other glass surfaces in your home.

Homeowners should also grab a Swiffer Duster to speed up the dusting process. These are useful thanks to their extendable arms for hard-to-reach places, such as light fixtures and top shelves.

Seek inspiration from the pros and store supplies in a caddy so you can grab supplies as you clean. Most homeowners forget that a major part of cleaning the house is maintaining cleaning tools. To save time in the long run, clean your mops, empty the vacuums, and routinely wash microfiber cloths for the most efficient cleaning techniques.

Don’t Declutter and Clean at the Same Time

A common mistake is to declutter and clean each room simultaneously. The problem with this tactic is that it’s too time-consuming and overwhelming. If you notice this happening, declutter the room before whipping out your supplies.

Encourage everyone in your household to watch out for clutter in common areas, such as coffee tables, the entryway table, and your bedroom closet.

Clean From the Top

One of the top cleaning tips is to start from the top of the room. Pros swear by this trick because it means dust and debris can fall onto the floor, which you sweep up afterward. So start with ceiling fans and light fixtures, then move on to countertops and tables.

Tackle the Bathroom First

Pro tip: Clean the bathroom first.

Most bathroom cleaning agents need time to sit, so you can focus on other rooms in the meantime. Additionally, bathrooms require the most amount of work to completely sanitize the space, so tackling the hardest room first will make the other rooms a breeze.

Further, you likely won’t need a mop because it takes too long. Instead, get down on your knees and use a rag to wipe down the floors. It’s far more efficient and lets you get into awkward crevices like behind the toilet.

Clean the Kitchen Last

Save the kitchen for last because it’s a high-traffic room that will likely get dirty first. To start, remove appliances and items from countertops and the kitchen table so you can see which areas need your attention.

Do the same for your kitchen cabinets. Wipe down crumbs and spritz the shelves with an all-purpose cleaner until it’s spotless. Next, give your refrigerator TLC by removing shelves and soaking them in hot soapy water.

There will likely be stubborn food and drink stains that feel impossible to remove. When this happens, mix baking soda with water to create a paste that will effectively eliminate them. Let the paste sit on the stain for 10 minutes, then scrub and rinse with water.

Grab a long-handled scrubbing brush to reach those tricky areas and seals on the refrigerator. And don’t forget to give the exterior a wipe down as it can quickly accumulate dust.

Dust, Dust, Dust

You know the order for cleaning and dusting every room, but how do you maximize your efforts?

Grab a damp microfiber cloth and your Swiffer Duster as your tools. The key is to know where dust accumulates in your home, which is usually underneath furniture, atop appliances, and on cluttered shelves.

Don’t Forget the Glass and Windows

Although cleaning glass and windows requires less maintenance, homeowners must still add them to their schedule. The most effective way of cleaning glass surfaces is with a window squeegee.

First, dip a cloth in soapy water, wipe down the glass, and then squeegee it dry. Following this order is quicker and prevents those pesky streaks.

Finish With the Floors

Once you’ve finished with every room, it’s time for the floors. Sweep down hard floors, such as in the kitchen and bathroom, before bringing out the mop. Start at the corners of the room and move backwards.

On carpets and rugs, vacuum the area thoroughly to ensure you remove any dust buildup.

Tips on Where to Get Started Cleaning First

Now that you know where to get started cleaning first, it’ll be easier to create a schedule that you can commit to. Make sure you have the right cleaning supplies and regularly clean them for the best results.

At Yorleny’s Cleaning Service, we understand how busy life gets, which is why we offer extensive cleaning services to meet our clients’ expectations. We stand behind our work so much that we offer a 100% money-back guarantee to ensure our customers are satisfied.

If you’re interested in hiring us, we’d love to hear from you. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.