I read in a book written by Don Aslett (the great cleaning guru) something that made so much sense that I am sharing it with everyone.
- If it can be hung, hang it! Things like pictures. Even hair dryers can be hung in a neat caddy on the wall, if your are serious about the bathroom. I have stuck regular size Kleenex boxes to the walls or side of cabinets by pushing thumb tacks through the bottom of the box. I have done it. I don't like stuff on the toilet water tank. There is only a slight pin hole to repair. So much time is taken by having to move things to clean the surfaces underneath them.
- If there are a lot of collectibles, put it all under glass. You won't have to dust as much if your collectibles are in proper shelf with doors that keep out the dust. I don't know of too many people who like dusting each and every item. I'd rather clean one pane of glass then having to hear someone bemoan that I broke one of his or her precious items.
- If it has to be on the floor, make sure it reaches all the way to the floor. He is talking about furniture legs where you see underneath. Use dust ruffles. Fill underneath the bed so dust can't collect there.
- Have a rinse bucket beside your cleaning bucket. When cleaning the floor, it will help keep the cleaning going, with less stops for changing water.
- Let cleaning solutions have time to work before scrubbing the surface. Some solutions take at least a minute before they began breaking down grime. You will save on cleaning fluids, believe me.
- Keep large objects flush with the wall or at least at a straight angle. They will be easier to clean around when vacuuming or sweeping. Most vacuum cleaners move only in straight paths. Not everyone has the money to afford a Dyson.
- Putting artificial grass down on your sidewalk starting four feet from your entrance will knock off most of the dirt that gets in when even having guests that use the doormat. You can get it in different colors; there is no need for the bright green to clash with your terra cotta paver stones. I find that you don't have to salt your entrance way as much either.
- Counter sink the edges of gardens and flower beds. That way the lawnmower has room to maneuver around the pretty lawn things.
- My own rule is: Keep things in the same spot if you want others to help. They cannot get into the mood if the cleaning supplies move around. Cleaning is bad enough, let alone having to look for things to get the cleaning finished. That is one reason why my Dad won't help cook anymore, everything in the kitchen gets moved around.
A couple of days before my parents went on an extended trip to Japan, my mother took extra time and moved the pots and pans from drawer under the stove to another set of drawers. It took me about 30 minutes to find things so I could just cook my supper. I almost quit to go out to eat.
But Don Aslett is not a neat freak, he just believes in avoiding having to do unnecessary movements when cleaning. After all, he was in the hotel cleaning business for a good part of his career. He believes in function as well as cleanliness.
By Tim from Science Hill, KY
