A clean home is essential for many reasons. Not only does it make you and your family feel better, but it can also help to prevent illness. In fact, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “Households with children have a significantly lower rate of asthma than those without children.”
A clean home is also essential because it helps to protect your family from harmful toxins. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stated, “Indoor air pollution is one of the top five environmental threats to public health.” Some primary sources of indoor air pollution include tobacco smoke, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), combustion products, and asbestos.
The bottom line is that keeping your home clean is a critical way to protect your family’s health. However, you will have to learn to prioritize what needs to be cleaned and when. This can be tricky, especially if you have a busy schedule. Here are some tips on how to prioritize the cleaning of your home.
The Bathroom is a Priority
If there is anything that you should prioritize when it comes to cleaning your home, it is the bathroom. This is because the bathroom is one of the most common places for illness-causing bacteria to hide. In fact, according to the CDC, “Bathrooms can be a breeding ground for germs that can make you and your family sick.”
Some of the most important things that you should do to keep your bathroom clean include:
- Washing your hands thoroughly and often
- Cleaning toilets, sinks, and showers regularly
- Changing towels and sheets frequently
Your bathroom cleaning essentials will vary depending on the size of your bathroom and the number of people who use it. However, it would help if you generally aimed to clean your bathroom at least once a week.
The Kitchen is Another Priority
Another important room in your home that you should focus on cleaning is the kitchen. This is because the kitchen is where food gets prepared. If your kitchen is not clean, then there is a risk that you could contaminate your food and make yourself sick.
Some of the most important things that you should do to keep your kitchen clean include:
- Washing dishes thoroughly
- Cleaning countertops and cutting boards regularly
- Sanitizing appliances
Kitchen cabinets might also require special attention. This is because they can harbor foodborne illness-causing bacteria.
It would help if you aimed to clean your kitchen at least once a week. However, if you cook frequently or have a large family, you might need to clean it more often.
The Outdoor Area Will Require Attention Too
While the indoor areas of your home are essential to focus on, you should not forget about the outdoor areas. This is because dirt and pollen can track indoors, which can cause allergies or other respiratory problems.
Some of the most important things that you should do to keep your outdoor area clean include:
- Sweeping porches and decks
- Cleaning gutters
- Washing windows and doors
- Maintaining landscaping
Unfortunately, some lawn maintenance tasks will be time-consuming and challenging to accomplish. Trees are among the most demanding outdoor features to prioritize. This is because they can drop leaves, branches, and other debris, making your outdoor area look messy. Fortunately, arborist services can help you take care of your trees and keep your outdoor space neat and tidy.
The Car Needs Some TLC
Your car is another essential item you should focus on when cleaning. A dirty car can harbor bacteria and other contaminants that cause illness.
Some of the most important things that you should do to keep your car clean include:
- Washing the exterior
- Cleaning the interior
- Vacuuming the carpets and upholstery
It would help if you aimed to clean your car at least once a week. However, if you use your vehicle frequently or have a large family, you might need to clean it more often. The garage will also require regular cleaning to prevent the build-up of dirt and debris.
Don’t Forget the Storage Rooms
While the rooms in your home that you use regularly are essential to focus on, you should not forget about the storage rooms. This is because these rooms can harbor dust, mold, and other contaminants that can cause allergies or respiratory problems.
Some of the most important things that you should do to keep your storage rooms clean include:
- Cleaning shelves and surfaces
- Vacuuming carpets and upholstery
- Washing windows and doors
It would help if you aimed to clean your storage rooms at least once a month. However, if you have many items stored in these rooms, you might need to clean them more often. Declutter items that you no longer need to make cleaning easier.
Final Thoughts
Cleaning your home is essential to keeping yourself and your family healthy. However, it can be challenging to know where to start. Hopefully, this article has given you some ideas of what you should prioritize when cleaning your home.
