Individual Cleaning Standards: What is Clean?

5/10/2021 (Permalink)

I think it’s important to note that everyone has different standards of clean. I met a man once who said he kept his home meticulously clean…and he was half right. His home was very clean, in the sense that it was clean of disorganization and clutter. But there was dust covering all horizontal surfaces within the home. So is clean “organization”? Or is clean “free from contamination & dust?” The answer is the later. If a space is well organized, it can still be filthy. But a “messy” house, with toys, books, clothes, and clutter everywhere…can be completely clean!

So how clean is your home? Most spaces appear clean until more detailed inspections take place. SERVPRO keeps our standard of clean as “Sparkling, dust free, sanitary, organized” organization matters when it comes to keeping a clean home. It’s also easier to maintain a clean home if it isn’t constantly covered with clutter. But it is interesting to note, that a space can appear messy as can be, but be completely clean.

Regular and proper cleaning is good for indoor air quality and health. Keeping the dust at bay is good for people with lung conditions such as mesothelioma and asthma. Airing out your home is very important, especially if you have no central air. Moving stale air out of a space, and inviting fresh air into the space, can give your house a crisp and fresh feel.

As spring is coming to an end, many of us are feeling the push to finish (or start) our spring cleaning list. So here are some tips on keeping your house clean, organized, and full of fresh air!).

-Make the beds daily (and keep bedding laundered weekly)

-Do laundry as it accumulates, don’t save all the laundry for one day of the week

-prioritize chores and tasks (dishes are more important right now than organizing the bookshelf)

-Be happy with 80% clean, if you get your home to 80/20 you are doing a pretty good job! Try not to obsess over the details and look at it as a 100% or nothing scenario.

-Declutter! Haven’t used it in the last 12 months and aren’t planning on using it in the next 12? Donate or throw out or sell that stuff!

-vacuum every day (or every other day if carpet is not a heavily trafficked area).

-sort and recycle paper ASAP! (Mail, magazines, bills, etc)

-Use doormats!

-Keep a cleaning schedule (Tuesday bathrooms get deep cleaned, Wednesday is dusting, etc)

-Try to wash dishes right after meals, and keep counters clean by the end of the day!

-Do a 15minute pick-up/organize routine at the end of each day!

-Air out your house often when the weather is clear and air quality outside is good.

Happy Cleaning!!