Whether you’re new to cleaning your own place, or have done so for years and years, keeping your house clean and tiny can be a painstaking, and sometimes expensive, process. The aisle in the store is just a barrage of “all natural based cleaner” “kills 99% bacteria” and insanely bright colors, its an advertisers wet dream and a consumers worst nightmare all rolled delightfully into one. Here’s a few tips and tricks I’ve learned throughout my household cleaning trials.
Condense Your Supplies
One trick I’ve learned from my parent’s is the magic of a simple cleaning product that has been around for decades and has truly stood the test of time: Murphy’s Oil Soap. Its mostly designed for wood, however, it cuts through the grease and crud on my stove top like nothing else, and lifts stains out of upholstries and carpet. You can also buy it in a great big concentrated bottle and water it down in a squirt bottle for every day use. I do exactly that and the bottle says very simply Do Not Use on Glass. Aside from that though, this still will clean everything from counter tops to carpets.
Go Green, Save Green
Chances are, somewhere in your house, there is lurking a hardwood or tile floor. Try getting what I call a Green Mop by either Libman or Rubbermaid. Unlike their Swiffer counterparts, they need no batteries, the pads can be washed and reused, and the bottles can be filled with whatever floor cleaner you like. I use a Libman with some nice lavender scented Lysol to get the job done for a whole lot less. I love that I never have to worry about running out of pads, buying more fluid, or having to replace the batteries ever. They are truly a worthwhile investment for your home.
Don’t buy name brand
And steer clear of pretty scented additives and things. Generally they just weigh down the formula and make it less effective. Most mopping products are okay with a bit of scent, as most concentrated materials are as you can control how much you need (which to me is just far more simple and effective) but for the most part just keep it basic. The only other things I have for cleaning are your basic broom and dust pan, glass cleaner, and knock off Swiffer wipes called Grime Boss that I used to dust the tv and anything else I don’t feel like getting cleaner on (my witchy things for example).
Also make sure to clean your house more often than what you would consider to be normal in summer, and especially don’t let dishes sit in the sink too long or food crumbs linger on the counter. Now is the time when ants get into your home and that is the last thing you want to deal with in the summer heat. As always, keep all of your cleaners stored safely away from kids, cats, small things with low IQ scores in general. Be smart, be safe, and be cheap man. You’re never too rich to save a dollar or two.
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