There are many reasons why you should take household cleaning seriously. Not only does it ensure that your home is always organized and presentable, but it also keeps your space healthy and hygienic for you and your loved ones. However, maintaining a clean home can incur quite a significant cost that your budget may not be able to accommodate. Here are some simple and easy tips that you can try to clean your home without breaking the bank!
Create Your Own Cleaning Solutions
There’s a wide range of commercial cleaning solutions available on the market that are meant to make your cleaning experience much easier and more efficient. Having the right cleaning solutions ready is absolutely essential for keeping your home nice and clean, but some of them can be quite costly. Fortunately, you can create a few common cleaning solutions with items and ingredients that you already have around the house:
- All-Purpose Cleaner: In an empty spray bottle, combine equal parts water and white vinegar. Feel free to add a few drops of your preferred essential oil as well for a nice fragrance.
- Glass Cleaner: Mix a cup of water, a cup of white vinegar, and a tablespoon of rubbing alcohol in an empty spray bottle.
- Disinfectant: In a spray bottle, add half a cup of white vinegar, half a cup of unflavored vodka, one and a half cups of water, and around ten to twenty drops of your favorite essential oil.
Use Reusable Cleaning Tools
When it comes to household cleaning, using single-use products and tools may not be the most sustainable option. Aside from producing a significant amount of waste and hurting the environment, it can also be a massive hit to your cleaning budget. A much better way to go about cleaning is by using reusable items, which can reduce your purchases over time. Here are some options that you may consider:
- Microfiber Cloths: Microfiber cloths are great for removing dust and dirt from any surface with just a single swipe. Not only are they more cost-effective and environmentally friendly, but they can also be much more efficient compared to single-use paper towels.
- Reusable Mop Pads: Some mops come with disposable mop pads, but it’s much more practical to opt for one with reusable pads. You’ll be able to easily clean any dirty mop pad by simply throwing it in a washing machine, eliminating the need to constantly buy more mop pads.
- Old Pieces of Clothing: If there are some old towels or t-shirts that you were thinking of throwing away, why not cut them up and use them as rags for cleaning instead? It’ll definitely be one less thing you’ll have to buy in the future, and one piece of fabric can often produce several pieces of rags.
Make the Most Out of Household Items
You may already have some everyday items in your home that can be used for household cleaning, and the best part is that they’re more natural, affordable, and non-toxic alternatives to most cleaners. Here are some that you should know about:
- Lemon: Thanks to its citric acid content, lemons possess antibacterial and antiseptic properties, making them effective at killing anything from bacteria, mold, mildew, and more. Aside from disinfecting surfaces, lemon juice can also be used to remove stains and rust.
- Baking Soda: Baking soda is a very popular household cleaning alternative, mainly due to its versatility. Aside from soaking up any unwanted spills or odors, it can also be used to scrub any stubborn stains.
- White Vinegar: White vinegar is formulated with acetic acid, which is a very common ingredient found in many commercial cleaners. This acid is what gives white vinegar its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, making it great at disinfecting surfaces, as well as breaking through stubborn grime.
Regular Cleaning
Having a solid household cleaning routine in place will reduce the need for deep cleaning in the future, allowing you to save time, energy, and money. Here are some tips to help you get started:
- Divide Tasks Throughout the Week: By spreading out your cleaning tasks across your week, you’re much more likely to stick to your cleaning routine and get some cleaning done. Schedule your tasks in a way that easily fits into your daily routine.
- Clean Up Spills Immediately: Allowing spills to dry completely will not only make them harder to clean but also increase the likelihood of staining. Soak up as much of the spill as you can with a clean cloth before performing the proper cleaning methods.
- Don’t Overlook Any Items: Some commonly overlooked areas and items include your curtains, carpets, upholstery, and the spaces underneath furniture and appliances. Leaving out these spots will prevent your home from being truly clean and healthy.
- Consider Professional Cleaning: Cleaning companies offer flexible and affordable services, as well as a wide range of promotions and discounts to help you cut costs. Regardless of whether you’re looking for general cleanings or specific packages like carpet cleaning services, professional cleaners are more than happy to accommodate your cleaning needs and make household cleaning effortless.
Declutter Regularly
Having large piles of clutter scattered throughout your home is not only unsightly but also unhygienic. Clutter can attract and collect large amounts of dust, dirt, and debris, which can scatter across your home easily. Aside from that, you’re also less likely to thoroughly clean your space when many disturbances are preventing you from doing so. Here are some helpful decluttering tips to keep in mind:
- Use Storage Solutions: When you assign designated storage containers for your items, you may be less likely to leave them out in the open. Use bins, baskets, and other organizers to keep your general space clean and tidy.
- Schedule Regular Decluttering: A great way to stop clutter is by preventing it from happening in the first place. Make it a habit to regularly tidy up your area and put everything back where it belongs. Aim to do this at least once a week.
- Separate Unused Items: A great way to optimize your storage space is by regularly going through your belongings and separating items that you want to keep from items you want to throw away. You can also consider donating or selling unused items as well.
A clean household provides a much easier space to live in, and the good news is that it doesn’t have to put too much of a strain on your finances. By following these cost-effective household cleaning tips, you’ll be able to keep your living environment clean and fresh without overstretching your budget.