How to Do an Efficient Clean-up of Your Apartment – A practical guide

 Cleaning is never anyone’s favourite thing to do, barring a few exceptions. Be it an apartment, a rented room or a house, the thought of deep-cleaning piles of dust and decluttering living spaces can make you run a mile in the opposite direction. The longer you put it off or procrastinate, the worse it gets. If you can relate and are looking for creative, less tiresome ways of cleaning your apartment, here are some useful tips on how to go about it.

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Organise your cleaning

Organising your cleaning at the outset helps you have a clear picture of your tasks and how you will tackle them. If you’ve been putting off cleaning for weeks, chances are you don’t know where to start. Go around your apartment with a notepad and jot down all the spaces. Next, list down areas that need decluttering and prioritise them, beginning with the room with the most clutter/piles of items to the least.

List which room you will begin cleaning first and what kind of cleaning needs to be done for each room. For example, dusting, vacuuming, washing, and mopping. Once you have an idea of your cleaning routine, gather your cleaning supplies in one place. Bathroom cleaning materials, cloths and wipes can be kept in a caddy/basket. Ensure your vacuum, broom, mop, and garbage bags are also in one location. This will save you from wandering around your apartment looking for things during your cleaning session.

Declutter

It is easier to declutter your spaces first before cleaning your apartment. It makes for easier and faster cleaning. Put items back in their places and trash those no longer needed or are meant for the bin. For example, dirty laundry can be stored in the laundry basket, while clothes/shoes that belong in the closet/rack can be neatly returned to their original location. Likewise, clear any dishes/utensils in the kitchen, put soiled/dirty dishes in the dishwasher or wash them yourself.

Tidy the trash

Along with the trash collected after decluttering, go around your apartment, empty the trash bins and collect any garbage strewn across the floor or other areas. Ensure you place all the trash bags near your front door to ensure you take them out after your cleaning session is complete.

Begin with the bathrooms

The bathroom is the least favourite space to clean and tidy up, but the sooner you get it out of the way, the less stressed you will feel. Start by cleaning the toilet section, including the toilet seat and then move towards the shower or bathtub. Next, wash, clean and wipe down the sink/countertops and the mirror. Lastly, scrub, clean and wash the floor. Be sure you mop up any excess water to avoid slips and falls.

Next stop: kitchen

Tackle the kitchen thereafter. Since you have already decluttered this area, your countertops are object/dish-free for a proper wipe down. Use an all-purpose cleaner to disinfect and properly clean tables, countertops, the fridge and the stove. Wash, scrub, clean the sink and use a broom or vacuum to clean the floor.

Tackle living spaces

Your bedrooms, living and dining areas will be the last sections. Clean all the furniture, doors and windows using a cloth or feather duster. Many Colombo city apartments, including those offered by TRI-ZEN, are bound to have dust crop up frequently due to the urbanised surroundings and pollution. Utilise a cobweb cleaner to wipe out any spider webs accumulated between the corners of your walls/ceilings. Remember to always start with your bedrooms and work towards the living/dining areas.

The final sweep

Once you’ve decluttered, cleared the trash, and dusted your spaces, it is time to execute the penultimate step of your cleaning process: vacuuming. For those who don’t have a vacuum, sweeping is also possible. If your vacuum is accompanied by specific attachments, use them. For example, some attachments help vacuum curtains, carpets and sofas, while others can reach small nooks and tight corners. Be sure to empty your vacuum bag if it gets full. Finish your cleaning routine by mopping the floors with a disinfectant/floor cleaner.

Other tips

Who says cleaning has to be boring? You can liven it up or make it fun by listening to music or streaming a tv show/movie. This will help keep your mind distracted from the mundane cleaning process. Alternatively, you can promise yourself a reward for completing your cleaning session. This reward can be ordering a delicious meal, watching a movie, taking a long bath or simply not doing anything. It is also vital that you try to clean your apartment regularly. You can tackle one room daily by decluttering, tidying up and cleaning. You will avoid having to deep clean often.