Clean Like a Machine

If the thought of hosting a spur-of-the-moment gathering with girlfriends or a last-minute playdate for your kids feels more like a home invasion than a pleasant surprise, the time to re-evaluate the state of your house has arrived. A few key changes to your everyday routine clears the path to a picture-perfect palace.

Just because no two rooms are the same doesn't mean each space needs its own cleaning strategy. Here's how to tackle every room, regardless of their size, without wasting the day.

1. Isolate the Target

Benjamin Esteves Jr., field manager of New Jersey-based Maid for Mommy, advises breaking the problem into parts. "Attack one room at a time, and make sure you have the proper equipment and cleaners on hand so you don't spend time running back and forth to get the necessary items." Efficiency makes or breaks a cleaning regimen.

For Kathy Gillespie of New York, raising three children and surviving multiple moves taught her a few time-saving tips. "Keep supplies downstairs and upstairs. It eliminates trips and excuses to put off cleaning."

2. Choose the Tools

A typical cleaning tool kit should include dusters, a vacuum cleaner with attachments, micro fiber towels and glass cleaner. Esteves recommends stainless steel cleaner for the kitchen, plus picks deodorizing products and mildew and mold remover for bathroom duty. Gillespie's family secret to a shiny faucet: "Alcohol swabs or used dryer sheets polish up any fixture."

3. Top-Down Management

The crew at Maid for Mommy uses a ceiling-to-floor approach. With this strategy, all unwanted dust and debris fall the to lowest level. Here's a look at Esteves' three-layer attack:

Top: "Start with dusting the ceiling fans, light fixtures, drapes, window sills. Move to the sofas, removing cushions and using a vacuum hose or sweep to catch items that get caught underneath."

Middle: "Clean tables and any flat surfaces that collect dust - think picture frames and books, too - wiping everything towards the floor."

Bottom: "Do a sweep of the floor and vacuum of the rugs, a quick shining of glass, mirrors or chinaware and finish with the final floor wash or polish."

4. An Hour a day Keeps the Dust Away - and Weekend Plans in Tact

For those that lead busy lives, the idea of cleaning falls low on the list of priorities when it comes to the great balancing act of life. To keep your weekends free for fun and relaxation, carve out a little time each day to devote to cleaning one room. "This will free up many hours ... leaving only laundry for the weekend," says Esteves.

5. Enlist Help

A great coach knows he or she is only as good as the players. If you have children, get them involved. Esteves inspires his army with fun rewards. "Try doing movie and popcorn night after the kids clean their room. This way you awake their inner motivation and benefit from spending quality family time together."

The best offense for cleanliness comes from a good defense. Esteves equates showing off your best home to showing off your best you. "Treat your home like you would treat your body. How you care for where you live says a lot about your character." Let the world see your happy heart through your spotless home.

Tags: home improvement