Your grandmother likely mentioned that any job worth doing is worth doing well. This is especially true for cleaning. We talked to cleaning professionals for their best tips to help you get things spic and span. These hints will be useful whether you're spring cleaning, preparing for a holiday, opening up a vacation house, or just looking for shortcuts to make chores go faster.
 

How To Begin Cleaning
 

Start With a Blank Slate

"Declutter, then dust, then clean
 

Clean Clockwise

Clean clockwise in any room. This helps avoid missing things. 
 

Make a Plan

Everything works better with a plan. Professional cleaners use a carefully thought-out checklist to maximize time and resources. Plan for weekly or monthly cleaning and for the actual cleaning time. Try to plan so you can leave cleaning products working on surfaces or your washing machine running while you do something else.
 

How To Choose the Right Tools

Pick One Cleaner
 

Many think cleaning professionals use dozens of products. The truth is: all-purpose cleaners, or DIY cleaners, are much cheaper and easier. They're easier to carry and store, and buying in bulk is cheaper long-term. You don't need to track how much is left of every product.
 

There are exceptions. Organic materials like wood, leather, and natural stone are sensitive, so it's safer to use specialized products.
 

Get the Right Tools

Having the right tools makes cleaning your home much easier. Cheap melamine sponges are great for cleaning walls and substitute well for Magic Erasers. They're cheaper and do the same job, especially for stubborn bathtub stains.

​

Let Cleaning Products Do Their Job

"Cleaning professionals are efficient because they let products act on surfaces," said Steve Evans of Memphis Maids. "Work smarter, not harder. Let products act for 15 minutes instead of scrubbing like crazy!"

Special Cleaning Considerations

Use Dryer Sheets Outside the Dryer

"Dryer sheets are great for removing dust, hair, and small things missed by sweeping or vacuuming. They're excellent for cleaning ceiling fans and baseboards," says Jennifer Rodriguez, Chief Hygiene Officer at ProHousekeepers. "Wrap them over a duster or extended paint roller for hard-to-reach places. You'll be surprised how effective they are!"

Clean Your Grills Naturally

"To clean a grill grate, just use lemon halves and salt," says Rodriguez. "Rub them together, then swipe carefully over the heated grill grates. The lemon acid sterilizes and cuts grease."

Get Steamed

"Steam is more powerful than you think and safe for most surfaces," says Gazzo. "A power steamer is affordable and can soften grime without cleaning products or scrubbing. Just wipe with a microfiber cloth after. It's cheaper long-term and makes cleaning easier."

Add Inconspicuous Trash Bins

"Place a small, stylish rubbish bin at your front entrance," says Aziz. "Trash anything you bring in that you'll throw away. This has saved our regular clients lots of time."

Things To Avoid

Mind the Mix

"Don't mix manufactured cleaning products without knowing what you're doing," says Evans. "Chemicals can 'cancel' each other out, leaving just water or an ineffective chemical. For example, castile soap and vinegar are great cleaners, but mixed, the castile soap reverts to plain oil." Mixing unknown chemicals can also be dangerous, so use products individually as intended.

Avoid Non-HEPA Filtered Vacuums

"Use a HEPA-filtered vacuum," says Aziz. "They prevent excess pollen and dust from leaving the exhaust. Regular vacuums just spit out whatever pollen and dust mites have entered, making them highly inefficient for actual cleaning."