Cleaning a home or office doesn’t have to be complicated, but it has to be done. Even in the least used situation, dust and germs build up and need to be disposed of regularly. It is wonderful if professional cleaners can be used to keep most things clean, but even then, there are day-to-day chores if all is to be kept tidy and sanitized. However, cleaning tasks don’t need to be complicated if the following steps are followed.
- Make a thorough inspection of areas to be cleaned and write down the tasks necessary to accomplish the job.
- Determine how long it will take to do each job and jot this information next to each identified task.
- Decide what cleaning materials and supplies will be required to accomplish the needed cleaning.
- Find a spot, often a broom closet or in the utility room, where cleaning supplies and cleaning implements such as broom, dustpan, vacuum, pail, brushes, and rags will be kept. Make sure these items are kept up so when it is time to use something, it will be ready and waiting. A trip to the store for a cleaning item often delays and sometimes stops a person from doing the intended job.
- Decide who will do each cleaning task. This can include children for simple things like dusting baseboards, wiping light switches, emptying wastebaskets, and sweeping. Even young children can be given small jobs. Ideally, all who live or work in the environment to be cleaned should share in keeping it clean.
- Have a family or office meeting to discuss the cleaning needs and get ideas for drawing up a schedule. When those who will be doing the cleaning help decide on guidelines and policies, there will be a better chance of having the cleaning done with a good attitude.
- Another advantage to having a family or office meeting is reinforcing people’s understanding of the importance of sanitation in keeping environments as free as possible from germs and allergy-provoking substances such as pollen and dust.
- When applicable, especially when children are involved in the cleaning, provide small incentives. Adults may like a soda or cup of coffee and some cookies, while children may enjoy earning a little spending money.
When cleaning tasks, be it for home or office, are broken down into doable jobs with those using the environment helping cleaning can be uncomplicated. And as is well known, the pandemic has taught us that a clean and sanitary environment is essential to good health.
