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WHAT'S NEW
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What type of cleaner are you?
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Discover your cleaning personality and get tidy-up tips that suit your unique style.
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By Donna Smallin
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The green cleaner
• You prefer a softer, gentler approach to cleaning
• You are not willing to trade dirt and germs for chemicals, nor do you believe that it is necessary to do so
• You have a better-than-average knowledge and awareness of the ingredients in cleaning products
• You prefer "natural" cleaning products and are willing to make your own cleaning solutions with natural ingredients
• You or someone in your home may have allergies to some cleaning products, or you may be concerned about the use or storage of chemical-based cleaning products because you have children or pets or are expecting a child
• You consciously choose nontoxic products in recyclable or refillable packaging and minimize your use of disposable products
Plain and simple advice
There are some excellent commercial cleaners that contain natural ingredients on the market. But there are also products in your kitchen that will do the job just as well. White vinegar and water, for example, can be used to clean kitchen counters and floors. Baking soda is the perfect nonabrasive cleaner for the kitchen and bath.
The catch-up cleaner
• You have a fairly high tolerance for dust and dirt
• You put off cleaning until it becomes something that you absolutely must do
• By the time you decide you need to clean, it's a monumental job that requires huge amounts of time and effort
• You tend to accumulate clutter, which makes the task of cleaning seem even more overwhelming
• You may have discovered that the only way you can keep your home clean is to hire the services of a professional cleaner. But even then, your home quickly falls into disarray between cleanings
Plain and simple advice
It's a lot easier to keep up than catch up. Consider hiring help to get your house clean, or arrange a work trade with family members or friends -- their cleaning help in exchange for your cooking or babysitting, for example. Once your home is clean, get in the habit of everyday cleaning. Set a timer for 10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes at night. Spend 10 minutes on everyday cleanup in your kitchen and bath and 10 minutes on one bigger chore, such as vacuuming. Offer yourself a daily reward for your efforts.
Page 2 of 2
 | Excerpted from Cleaning Plain & Simple by Donna Smallin. Copyright 2005 by Donna Smallin. Excerpted by permission of Storey Publishing. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher. |
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