Spring Cleaning Checklist – How to Clean Like a Maniac and Get It Done!

Or How You Can Get The Same Results In Just Half The Time.

By Kristi Patrice Carter

With winter coming to an end and summer just a few months away, it's that dreaded time of year again when we get the dusters out and the rubber gloves on, and take to our houses to get them ready for the upcoming BBQ's, summer get-togethers, etc. However, whereas I used to dread the arrival of spring and the cleaning chores it brought, now I actually look forward to it. You can too, and in half the time, if you follow these simple steps:

· Start at the top of your house. That way you won't be dragging dirt from upstairs to the lower levels as you clean. Simple, yet effective.

· Spread rubbish bags around the house. This will let you deposit any rubbish as you work, then take outside afterwards, and save on the time collecting it all up at the end.

· Multi-task! Why not vacuum the stairs or clean the bathroom while you have the washing machine doing your laundry?

· Dust all furniture before you start with the vacuum cleaner or floor washer. This will stop any dust particles falling onto a newly-cleaned floor. The best kinds to use are lambs wool and feather dusters, as they retain particles better.

· Make a cleaning checklist of what needs to be done. This will stop you wasting time on something that doesn't really need attention, and let you concentrate on the important things.

· Stick to one room at a time. You'd be surprised at how much longer I used to take by doing little bits at a time in each room. Now I fly through the house!

· Clean the house while listening to your favorite CD. You won't believe the difference this makes to keeping you focused and in a positive, can-do frame of mind.

· When dusting, use products that can work on more than just one surface. Why dust wood with one spray, clean a worktop with another and clean glass with yet another when you can now buy sprays and products that does all three together?

· If you have more than one bathroom in your home, do them both at the same time. After all, you already have the cleaning cloths, sponges and the like out – why put them away only to have to get them out again afterwards?

· Leave the sink alone until the very end. If you're like me, you'll deposit little pieces of rubbish in the sink while you're cleaning, so why double up the work by cleaning the sink first, only to have to do it all again later? Save it until last, you'll see what I mean.

These are just some of the handy tips that I've found can help me spring clean and enjoy it, and best of all, in half the time! Even if you just use some of them, you can enjoy it too.