- The key to cleaning a house is to do the work when it needs it. For example, a home that belongs to a single person who works regular hours and visits family on weekends needs less cleaning than a home with three kids and two cats. Most chores can be done a little at a time, and may be incorporated into a daily routine. For example, by choosing to dust one room each day, you will have your home done in a short amount of time, rather than devoting hours on a weekend to the chore. For bigger jobs, such as cleaning grease off kitchen walls, build time into your schedule to tackle the job.
- Approximately 80 percent of the soil that enters your house is tracked in as dry soil. The remaining 20 percent are oils and starches. Regular vacuuming of the carpet will help to remove most dry soil, while spot cleaning will help with oil and starch stains. To vacuum the carpet, divide a room in sections. Then, working slowly so the vacuum cleaner can lift the soil, run the cleaner over the section multiple times. Change directions as you work. Most spot cleaning can be done with water or a mild cleaner such as club soda, or lemon juice and salt. Don't rub the stain. That can work it into the carpet and cause the fibers of your carpet to deteriorate. Instead, cover the stain with a towel and let the towel absorb the stain.
- As dirt and spills build up on your carpet, it may become necessary to clean the floor. When you decide to clean your carpet, you have three options: you can hire a professional, rent a commercial grade steam cleaner, or use a household carpet cleaner. A professional steam cleaner will handle most aspects of cleaning your carpet from moving the furniture, to selecting the cleaner, to drying the carpet. If you choose to clean your own carpet, you will have to do these things for yourself.
