Tips Busy Moms Can Use to Clean Homes in a Jiffy

Having a baby can leave you with no time for yourself, the things you want to do, or the things that have to be done. So even if you really want to clean up your house, you may not be able to.

Because it’s something that you have to get done, here are some tips to help you while junior is taking a nap.

Do Away with Unpleasant Baby Stains

If you have a baby, there are bound to be stains on clothes, on upholstered furniture, on the carpet and what not.

• For oil-based stains such as those from food, baby oils and creams, or petroleum jelly, cover the area with talcum powder or cornstarch so that it can absorb the oil. Wait for about twenty minutes before you scrape off the residue. Wash the cloth or fabric as per manufacturer’s instructions.

• Protein stains from breast milk, formula milk, food, spit up, or diaper leaks will have to be cleaned with an enzymatic cleaner first. Enzymatic cleaners digest the protein in the stain and prevent the fabric from turning yellow. After treating with the enzymatic cleaner, wash the fabric as you always do.

• For stains from berries, other fruits, vegetables, and juices, treat with a solution made from one part vinegar and two parts water. Let it rest for about ten minutes and then launder as you do.

• Be very careful with stains on carpets, sofas, or furniture upholstered in delicate fabric. Never rub stains; gently blot them with a dry or damp cloth. Use a gentle detergent and water to blot at the stain until it disappears. Blot again with a clean cloth and water. Use a hair dryer to dry the area.

Make the Windows Look Spotless

Before you make a rush to the windows armed with a window cleaner and cloth, stop. Grab a brush, open the windows and get rid of all the dust settled on the sill and the frame. Clean the frame and sill with a damp cloth and go over the frames again with a dry one.

You can now proceed with the window cleaner. Don’t pick a sunny day to clean the windows as the sun will make the window cleaner dry up quickly. This will create streaks when you clean it.

Don’t Forget the Drapes

With just a handheld vacuum cleaner, lint roller, water, and foam upholstery cleaner, you can have your shades, valances, and sheers looking as good as new.

If you have shades in very smooth or fine fabric, go over them with a lint roller or a brush. You can use a vacuum cleaner for other fabrics. Lower the shades and clean them on both sides. If there are any stains on your shades, spot clean them using warm water and dishwashing liquid. Dab at the stains with a damp cloth or sponge.

Since all sheers are generally made of cotton, polyester, or nylon, they are relatively easy to clean. Just look for the label on the panels and wash as recommended. If you can’t find a label, you can wash the sheers in lukewarm water and mild detergent. If throwing them in the washing machine, turn on the gentle wash cycle. You can tumble dry sheers on low heat and hang them back on without ironing.

Valances are the toughest to clean so it might be tempting to hire a professional to do the cleaning for you. Save your pennies; grab a vacuum cleaner, get onto a step stool, and get the valances rid of the dust. Hold the fabric with one hand as you go over all the folds and pleats. Use a handheld garment steamer or steam iron to blast steam onto the fabric to make it look fresh. This will also help rid the fabric of any odors.

Clean Your Objets d’Art

If you have some interesting silver objects, art prints or sculptures displayed around your home, they will need regular cleaning too. Use a soft cloth to dust sculptures or frames of art prints. Spray a mild cleaner on a clean cloth and go over the sculpture or frame again.

Be careful with art prints; avoid touching the surface of the canvas or else you’ll have unsightly fingerprints on the painting. A soft bristled brush can be used to get rid of dust settled on the surface of the print or debris lodged in the corners of the frame.

Head to the Kitchen

If you don’t want your grimy counter top or sink to harbor bacteria, you have to get rid of the grime. A scrubber and dishwashing liquid should suffice. For stubborn stains or calcifications from hard water, you can use vinegar.

If you use your toaster oven a lot, you’ll see it has bits of food in the crumb tray, on the rack, or on the pans. Remove all of these from the toaster oven and use a non-abrasive sponge, and mild detergent or dishwashing liquid to clean. Spray some cleaner onto a soft cloth or plain sponge and use it to wipe the interiors of the oven.

You can follow the same steps to clean a microwave oven. If you wish to remove tough stains on the interior of the microwave, heat some water in a glass bowl for about 5 minutes. The steam will have the stains come off easily. Remember to never spray cleaner directly onto any electrical appliances.

Conclusion

Dirt, grime, and food stains not only make your home look dirty and smell bad, but allow the growth of bacteria too. A clean home will not only look attractive but will also provide a healthy and safe environment for your baby to grow.

Don’t forget to take some time off for yourself once the cleaning is done!