The Kitchen Sink V5I19

Hello Friends! September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. You never know what someone is going through and encouraging your children to be kind, while bullying in schools is at a high right now. Kindness and friendship goes a long way. If you or Someone you know needs help, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988. Someone is there to Listen.

“Please Help”-Reddit User

“I grew up with parents that are hoarders, so the house was never actually cleaned. I was never taught how to properly clean the floors, bathrooms, walls and pet messes. I just got my first apartment, and I really want it to stay clean. I don’t have any pets as of now but I’m wanting to get a dog in the future. If you have any advice I would love to hear it.”

First Congratulations on the Apartment! That’s a Big Step into Adulthood and being aware of the hoarder tendencies will help keep you motivated. I’ve recently had the” how will you care for yourself when you move out” conversation with my youngest. He wants me to move with him to keep his house. Bless his heart that is not happening. So, this is practical advice for anyone who recently left the nest.

Starting a Cleaning routine from scratch, can be overwhelming. First you need the proper supplies, broom, swiffer, mop, vacuum cleaner, cleaning clothes, and all-purpose cleaner. My favorite is Pine glo, but recently I discovered they have new scents! I recommend the new watermelon, as it smells sooo good! A cleaner like Pine Glo or Fabulouso are a everything cleaners. Clean your counters, wipe your wall, and mop your floors. A true everything cleaner.

Now that you have basic supplies, I recommend cleaning as you go during your week, doing dishes, taking trash out, and if ya make a mess, clean it up. Then you can take a few hours when you have time and “Deep Clean”. Living in an apartment or any rental you want to stay as tidy as possible, gotta get that Deposit back.

Floors needed to be swept as needed and mopped or vacuumed once a week unless otherwise needed.

Bathrooms are intimidating for some people. If you wipe out the sink after you use it, and put things away after you use them then you really only have to do a quick once over it. Soap scum and Hard water can build up on the shower/ tub. I recommend a spray bottle with 1:1 Water and vinegar with a squirt of Dawn dish soap. Spray when you are done using the shower/tub and rinse. Then you can you the same cleaner to deep clean as needed.

Walls can be a pain; I suggest a sponge mop specifically to use on walls only. Mix up warm water and a good pour of your favorite All Purpose cleaner and mop your walls. You probably want to do this once a month unless you feel like your walls are messy.

When it comes to adding a Furry Bestie to your home, it does add more cleaning. For a dog, If you train and take them outside as much as possible you won’t have any messes to clean. For future reference, there are tons of cleaners for pet messes. I like to use ones with peroxide in them because the peroxide helps breaks down the enzymes that attract them to go back to that spot. Now cats are slightly different, you have to stay on top of that litter box to keep them from going anywhere else. Might be a splurge, but I recommend an auto litter box. It does the day-to-day work, and you empty the bin and add littler. Easy peasy way to stay in your feline’s good graces. Dog or Cat there will be hair. This is where a good vacuum comes in, you can give the house a once over a few times a week or do something we call slow vacuuming. It’s just what it sounds like, it is tedious but oh my, the amount of hair and dirt you will collect is so satisfying.

Remember to be patient with yourself, you are learning and doing your best. Somethings take time to become a routine.

Happy Cleaning