20 Cleaning Tips to Keep Your Home Sparkling Between Cleanings

We’re excited to share some great news: Clean Couture was featured in The Apartment Guide blog! Check out the recent article we were quoted in: Cleaning Supplies List for Renters: The 33 Items You Need Now.  The Apartment Guide not only provides helpful suggestions but also boasts a robust property search system to find your perfect home. Building on this feature and our recent blog posts, we’re continuing with some simple yet effective tips on how to maintain a clean space between professional cleanings.

So, what are the usual culprits behind dirt and grime buildup? It’s simple: people, kids, and pets! We all love living in and enjoying our spaces, but that same activity also contributes to the mess. Interestingly, even an empty home can accumulate dust and grime. While we’ll be sharing tips on keeping your home clean during extended travel in a future post, for now, let’s focus on practical ways to maintain a clean home while we’re living in it day-to-day.

Let’s consider an average couple where both adults work full-time. If both or one of them doesn’t treat cleaning as a hobby or have strong tidying habits, chances are that in just one week, the home can start to look pretty “lived in.” From kitchen grease on the stove and backsplash to stains on surfaces, and mildew or water spots in the bathroom—we’ve all seen it. But how do you keep it from getting out of hand? As I mentioned earlier, habits play a major role. Simple routines, like loading the dishwasher right after a meal or wiping down kitchen counters and dining tables, can make a significant difference in how orderly your space feels. Adding tasks like sweeping or vacuuming regularly will keep your kitchen and dining area neat between professional cleanings.

In the bathroom, keeping a sponge or brush handy for a quick wipe off the sink daily—something that takes only seconds—can make your bathroom look noticeably fresher. For the shower, we’re big fans of using a daily shower spray, which helps prevent mildew and keeps the area cleaner for longer.

When it comes to bedrooms and living areas, the key is not to overwhelm yourself with chores. Simply put away clothing, small items, and any daily-use objects when you’re done with them. A quick wiping of the surfaces using a microfiber cloth can also go a long way in keeping these areas neat. To enhance your home’s ambiance, we recommend adding flowers or plants—they can brighten any space. Just remember to care for them and dispose of dead bouquets promptly. You can also experiment with home fragrances—there are so many options on the market, and discovering the right scent can be a fun and refreshing touch.

Here are some key tips to help you stay on top of cleaning between professional visits:

1. Kitchen:

   • Load the dishwasher right after meals.

   • Wipe kitchen counters and dining tables after use.

   • Sweep or vacuum regularly to maintain a tidy look.

1. Bathroom:

• Keep a sponge or brush handy for a quick daily sink wipe-down.

• Use a daily shower spray to prevent mildew buildup.

1. Bedrooms & Living Areas:

• Put away clothes, small items, and daily-use objects when not in use.

• Wipe surfaces with a microfiber cloth for a quick refresh.

• Add plants or fresh flowers to create an inviting space—just remember to care for them!

• Experiment with home fragrances to add a personal touch.

If you add kids and pets into the equation, keeping your home tidy can become even more tedious. But, as with anything, a quick daily routine is the key to maintaining a fresh-looking space. As a pet owner with a very furry cat, and both a teenager and a toddler at home, I’ve found ways to manage it all without getting overwhelmed.

First, invest in a quality vacuum to keep pet fur and debris at bay. Daily vacuuming doesn’t have to be a time-consuming task; it can take just a few minutes if you focus on high-traffic areas. An upholstery brush is also great for keeping furniture looking neat. Regular grooming of your pet can significantly reduce the amount of fur in your home and make a noticeable difference in cleanliness.

For older kids, establishing a system of daily chores helps them develop responsibility while contributing to the household. The key is to assign tasks that aren’t too overwhelming and set up a reward system that works for your child. For my teen, the reward is obvious—more screen time. I just have to be reasonable with how much I offer! With younger children, incorporating clean-up as part of their activities teaches them healthy habits early on. Treating clean-up as the final phase of playtime or any activity not only keeps the house tidy but also instills a sense of responsibility. One of my favorite articles on this topic is from Harvard, which offers great insights into encouraging kids to tidy up: How to Get Your Child to Put Away Toys.