The kitchen is the one room in the house that can get two-, three-, or more-times a day cleaning. Because it’s the heart of every home, the kitchen gets more traffic, too. That means more dust and debris on the floor. And since meal preparation takes place here, that means more messes and spills and dishes to clean up.

Cleaning the kitchen is such a frequent job, it pays to take steps to make cleaning easier and better. Here are some tips to help you make kitchen cleaning quicker — so you can get out of the kitchen faster!

Tip. No. 1: Clear the counters
Although it might look nice to have lots of knick knacks on the countertops, all that stuff makes more work because you have to move it all just to wipe down the counters. Make your counters as spare as possible to make cleaning as easy as possible.

Tip No. 2: Keep a bowl of sudsy water in the sink
Don’t spend time scraping out that microwaved egg stuck to the bowl. Instead, keep a large plastic bowl with sudsy water in the sink. Change the bowl water every day and add dirty dishes to it as the day goes on.

This way, dishes have a chance to soak, making clean up that much easier. And, even though dishwashers are really good at cleaning these days, silverware that’s been left in soapy water will get cleaner once it’s loaded into the dishwasher.

Tip No. 3: Clean out the plastic cabinet
One of the biggest problems in kitchens is the lack of space — and much of that space is taken up by all that plastic. I bought one nice set of perfectly clear plastic ware and that’s all I really need. All the other plastic bowls went into a garage sale (or recycling) and a few really large pieces went into tall cabinets. A whole cabinet opened up.

Tip No. 4: Keep a broom nearby
The kitchen needs to be swept daily because of traffic in the room and because crumbs and food particles often land on the floor. Keeping a broom nearby will help encourage you to keep the floor swept more often — and will reduce the attraction for insects.

Tip No. 5: Be sanitary with sponges and paper towels
Sponges trap bacteria and should not be used to clean up blood from meat or even spilled egg which can carry salmonella. Use paper towels to clean up bacteria-laden messes. Use your sponge to clean dishes and put it in the dishwasher at least once a week to clean it. Keep a “cleaning sponge” under the sink for routine cleaning in the kitchen (wiping counters, etc.)

Tip No. 6: Edit and organize the pantry and refrigerator regularly
The pantry and the refrigerator are two busy places in the kitchen, so make sure each trip you make is an opportunity to clear out and clean up. Looking for pasta? Take a moment to straighten the pantry and organize while you’re looking. Try to section refrigerator shelves and make “areas” for dairy, leftovers, vegetables, etc. The more organized you are, the less likely you’ll find science experiments growing in the cabinets and fridge.

Tip No. 7: Put a wire holder on your sink cabinet door
Wire holders can hold the cleaning products you use most often, such as cleaning spray and scouring powder for the sink. When they’re conveniently placed, you’ll use them more often. But, if you have to dive under the sink to find your cleaner, you won’t be as enthusiastic about cleaning.

Tops on my spring cleaning list this year is clearing away clutter, and then, tackling dust. Dust is important because the amount we have can impact our health and wellbeing. We actually do have more dust than we used to – you’ll read why further on – so you’re not imagining it and your housekeeping skills aren’t slipping.

Dust Makes You Sick
I should know. A couple weeks ago, I was very sick. As I was resting in my media room, I couldn’t stop coughing. So, I took cough medicine. Then, I went back to the media room. What I noticed was that I couldn’t stop coughing in the media room, but amazingly, as soon as I walked out, the coughing stopped.

So, I opened the shutters, turned on all the lights, and stood back in horror. The entire media room was completely coated in dust – from the ceiling, TV, walls, fixtures, everything – and I clean it every week. But, I don’t clean the walls and ceilings. But I did that day. Now, let’s dive headlong into dust…

Dust happens.
You know that as soon as you dust, more dust will collect. Dust can be – and should be – fought. Why? Dust creates problems, from eye irritation to lingering colds and allergies. More importantly, it makes a house dirty and that attracts more dust. Not only that, but as our houses become tighter – and more heavily electronic – the dust problem is an increasing one. Strange weather patterns, tight houses, more electronics and indoor pets than ever before, means more dust.

Some rooms also have more dust than others do. The bedroom, with all its fabric in the mattress, pillows, bedding, curtains, blinds, and carpeting is one giant dust magnet, making dusting in the bedroom vital. Have you ever noticed at bedtime, your nose suddenly gets stuffy and you reach for the breathing strips, antihistamine, or chest rub?

The problem probably isn’t your sinuses, it’s dust. Just look behind your bed’s headboard. The living room is another dust magnifier with all the electronics and upholstered furniture. Fortunately, you can arm yourself with some dust-fighting tools and information.

What’s dust made up of?
Dust is made up of a variety of things from blowing dirt, bacteria, pollen, pollutants, molds, animal dander, hair, decomposing insects, fibers, dryer lint, insulation, dust mites and their excrement, and mostly, human skin flakes. It’s not a pretty mix.

Where does dust come from?
It comes from a variety of sources including plants, roads, wind, clothes dryers, electronics, attics, basements, air conditioning ducts and vents, pets, pollen, insects, carpeting, and knick knacks.

Vacuum your dust
Declare war on dust with your vacuum. A good quality vacuum will provide you with the suction and onboard tools you need to get the dusting and cleaning job done. An old, poorly maintained vacuum, with an over-filled bag will actually make the house dustier. Use the edge and crevice tool to vacuum the edge where the wall meets the floor – a serious dust collection area. Use the brush on electronics, blinds, and lampshades, and the upholstery tool to go over mattresses, drapes, and upholstered furniture.

Make sure you have extra bags or that you empty the dust collection cup at every use to keep suction power at its maximum. Other dust-fighting tools include the oversized Swiffer Max. The large head makes dusting walls a snap. Microfiber is the best cloth for dusting because the cloths are electrostatic to attract dust, and the fine fibers, trap it.

Dust or vacuum first?
This age-old housekeeping question is an important one. Definitely dust first, and then vacuum, so you vacuum up anything that’s been knocked to the floor while you’re cleaning or dusting.

Dust happens. It’s a universal truth that as soon as you dust your furniture, more dust will collect. But, that doesn’t mean that the battle has to end there. Dust can be – and should be – fought. Why? Dust creates lots of problems, from eye irritation to lingering colds and allergies to that annoying itchy or runny nose.

More importantly, it makes a house dirty and that attracts more dust. Not only that, but as our homes become tighter – and more heavily electronic – the dust problem is an increasing one.

Electronics, like those mammoth TV’s, cable boxes, and players, not to mention, attract and trap dust. Then, once it’s attracted, all that great insulation and tight-fitting windows keeps it trapped in the house until you get rid of it. And even if you are the most meticulous house keeper, dust will always come back to bother you.

Some rooms have more dust than others too. The bedroom, with all its fabric in the mattress, pillows, bedding, curtains, blinds, and carpeting is one giant dust magnet, making dusting in the bedroom especially important.

Have you ever noticed that when you go to bed, your nose suddenly gets stuffy and you reach for the breathing strips, antihistamine, or chest rub? A lot of people have this same “problem.” But the problem probably isn’t your sinuses, it’s dust.

The living room is also another dust magnifier with all the dust-magnet electronics and upholstered furniture. Lastly on the dust attraction list are the kitchen (top of the fridge scare you?) and the laundry room (just look behind that dryer), making these two more spots that need more frequent dusting. Fortunately, you can arm yourself with some dust-fighting tools and information.

What is dust made up of?
Dust is made up of a variety of things from blowing dirt, bacteria, pollen, pollutants, molds, animal dander, hair, decomposing insects, fibers, dryer lint, insulation, dust mites and their excrement, and mostly, skin flakes that humans shed.

Where does dust come from?
It comes from a variety of sources including plants, roads, wind, clothes dryers, electronics, attics, basements, air conditioning and heating ducts and vents, pets, pollen, insects, carpeting, knick knacks. If you live in the south, coastal states, desert, or Southwest, you have more than your fair share of dust due to excess pollen, windy, and dry conditions. But not matter where you live, dust will be a problem and it needs to be addressed.

Dust collection areas

As mentioned earlier, some places are dustier than others. When you are dusting make sure to concentrate on the following areas:

Mini blinds. These attract and trap dust. Vacuum regularly or spray them in the shower with “MiniMaids” blind hangers.

Electronics. Clean often and brush behind the TV with your vacuum brush attachment.

Tops. This includes tops of doors, window trim, cabinets, refrigerator and furniture.

Fixtures. Lighting and ceiling fans will attract dust, so clean them regularly.

Upholstery. Dust mites love upholstery. Vacuum as often as possible.

Stuff. This can range from knick knacks to silk plants to bookshelves. Streamline collectibles and eliminate as much clutter as possible.

Pressure washers are one of a homeowners best all-around cleaning tools. Pressure washing your house is one of the quickest ways to revive the look of your house, your driveway, sidewalks, or decks. Every house can use a wash, so if you’re thinking of repainting, consider pressure washing your house first before determining whether you need to repaint or not.

Often, simply removing accumulated dirt and mold is all that’s needed to make your house look clean again and make the paint look fresh. Besides, if you do need to repaint, one of the first things you’ll need to do anyway is to wash the house to get it ready to be painted.

Pressure washers can be used on outdoor lawn equipment, for washing decks and fencing, washing down driveways, walkways, and garages. They are versatile and wonderful instruments for cleaning all around the house. Choose a well-made pressure washer with a good name so it will last and give you the performance you’re looking for.

Here are some tips to consider if you want to pressure wash your house

Know your pressure washer. It’s important to always read the owner’s manual before using your pressure washer. Pressure washers work on just that — pressure. That means that they can be dangerous to operate if you don’t know what you’re doing. You must also be aware of all the particulars of your individual washer, such as whether you can turn it on or not without water, for example.

Practice safety first. Avoid standing on ladders to use a pressure washer as you can easily fall off. You should also wear appropriate footwear, not flip flops, and be careful of electrical outlets and elements. Eyewear, such as goggles, is another important consideration. Your individual pressure washer should provide good safety tips for pressure washing.

Don’t wash too closely. One of the most common problems with pressure washing is washing too closely. It can cause scarring of paint or wood. Always check the nozzle and make sure it is the correct nozzle for your task as using the incorrect nozzle can cause paint to be damaged or other problems.

Be careful about plants. If you use chemicals with your pressure washer, you will want to make sure that you do not let these chemicals settle and sit on your plants or there could be potential for damage. Always spray plants with water to make sure no chemicals have settled on the leaves.

When it comes to holidays or special occasions, nothing beats a beautifully set table with crystal, china, silver, and linen. And nothing brings that to life quite like a gleaming, sparkling chandelier.

The problem is that many chandeliers suffer from neglect. Because of their intricacy, many people resist cleaning them until it’s absolutely, positively necessary.

If your chandelier is coated with dust and cobwebs, it’s time to clean it before that special occasion comes and when you might be in a hurry, which could cause you to drop crystals or damage the fixture.

Instead, clean your chandelier before the big event and it will be ready when YOU are!

Two methods to clean a chandelier
You have two choices when it comes to cleaning a chandelier. The choice pertains to the way you clean the fixture. The choice is to wet clean or dry clean. If you have an ornate chandelier or one that’s too high too clean, you may end up having to wet clean the fixture.

Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations
If you have a particularly fine chandelier, you should contact your favorite lighting center or where the fixture was purchased to inquire about how to clean it properly. Or if you’re in doubt, always ask a lighting professional. However, many will recommend a spray cleaner or individual hand cleaning. If you have any concerns at all, hand — or dry — cleaning is always the best choice.

Safety first
Before cleaning the chandelier, follow good safety practices.

* Turn off the electricity at the breaker box.

* Set up a light that’s plugged at another outlet on another breaker switch.

* Move the table away.

* Bring in a ladder that is tall enough so that you don’t stand on the last two steps.

* Place a piece of plastic on the floor to catch any drips.

* Place a washable, soft, double-folded blanket on the floor just in case any crystals fall.

Now you’re ready to begin cleaning your chandelier.

To dry clean a chandelier
Dry cleaning a chandelier involves having two cloths, one to clean with and the other to polish with. I recommend using microfiber cleaning cloths because these are lint free and wipe away smudges and dirt better than any plain cleaning cloth. The ultimate glass cleaning kit includes soft, microfiber cloths and Sprayway cleaner, a commercial glass cleaner.

Spray one cloth with enough cleaner to make it thoroughly damp. Next, wipe each crystal clean with the damp cloth. Follow up with a dry cloth to polish and dry each crystal.

This is a tedious, time-consuming process, but you will have the assurance that no liquid worked its way into any electrical wiring. You will also know that each crystal was independently polished.

To wet clean a chandelier
Preparation is the key here. Take the time to do all the steps completely.

Cover all bulbs with small plastic sandwich bags and secure with a rubber band.

Following the instructions on an ammonia bottle, make a cleaning spray of ammonia and distilled water; (distilled water won’t leave a residue on crystal like tap water does). Follow up by spraying the chandelier with plain distilled water to rinse. Or, you can purchase a special chandelier cleaner. Spray the chandelier thoroughly to clean off dust and dirt and allow cleaner to drip off, or follow the directions on the product.

Some crystals will need to be wiped by hand.

Let the fixture dry for one to two days before turning the light on again. Now, you have a sparkling chandelier just ready and waiting for your next special meal!

In the kitchen, there’s one item that can make the difference between a rush to the table and a rush to the hospital: the cutting board. If you use the same cutting board to cut meat that you use to make a salad, you could be flirting with disaster. That’s because when different types of foods (meat or vegetables) are prepared on the same board, there’s a great potential for contamination.

One way to make absolutely certain this never happens is to purchase more than one cutting board. It’s the only way to be completely sure you don’t run the risk of exposing yourself or your family to food poisoning.

Is a little diarrhea something to dread that much you might ask? Yes. One of the deadliest bacteria is E. coli and the very young or old can both die if they ingest the bacteria – and one of the prime ways to be exposed through cross-contamination.

Select cutting boards by their use
In my own home, I have a variety of cutting boards. I have a very large plastic cutting board that I use to prepare foods on and cut vegetables, a white plastic cutting board that I use strictly for meat, a small plastic board for fruit, and a large wooden cutting board that I use to cut and serve bread on.

The white plastic cutting board I use for meat is small enough to fit in the lower rack of the dishwasher so it can be cleaned and disinfected. I only use this for meat and always put it into the dishwasher after using it. Another large plastic cutting board usually sits on top of my counter so I can prepare sandwiches or snacks and I scrub it often in the sink.

Wood risks
What’s the problem with wooden cutting boards? Nothing really. They’re beautiful, but they’re a maintenance nightmare in my opinion. We need to know our boards are sanitary and that’s what poly plastic boards can give you: peace of mind.

They allow you to sanitize them which is most important, but they also don’t absorb food smells and flavors. If you’ve ever cut watermelon on a wooden board that has had garlic chopped on it, you’ll understand.

Remember, select wood cutting boards for vegetables or fruit. If you have to use a wooden board to cut meat, wash with hot water and soap afterwards. But never soak wooden boards in water or put them in the dishwasher. For cutting meat, select a poly or plastic cutting board. These are the best because they can be popped into the dishwasher.

Next time you’re in the kitchen, think about whether you could be taking your health – and your family’s health – into your hands. Why take chances? Your health is worth this extra bit of insurance. Following good healthy food preparation habits will make your living space a healthy one, too.

DON’T just vacuum the floors. Those attachments are great for vacuuming lampshades, blinds, air vents, ceiling fans, and use the brush for upholstered furniture. Make it a part of your weekly vacuuming to turn the cushions over on upholstered furniture, vacuum that side, and vacuum the crevices.