10-Second Choices - How Little Things Make a Big Difference

When it comes to housecleaning, an ounce of prevention is
worth 100 pounds of cure. 10 seconds spent now can literally
save you an hour later. It's just common sense stuff, but it's
amazing how many people are too lazy to spend 10 seconds
now and end up spending hours later.

How many times have you spilled something on the stove,
and chosen to ignore it? We've all done it. Then it gets hard.
If you cook again, it burns on real good. Many times, that
stove will never look good again. Take the couple seconds
and wipe up spills and grease right away. Your stove will
look like new for years to come - with little effort.

Kitchen cabinets are another 10 second choice. You can let
grease and dirt build up and ruin the looks of your kitchen,
or you can spend an extra 10 seconds and wipe down one
or two every day when you do the dishes.

When's the last time you looked under the range-hood? A quick
clean with some dawn or 409 and a scrubby type sponge once
every week or two would keep it pretty clean. Ignore it for a
few months and it will take hours to get clean.

How about the bathroom? You've all seen the shower walls
with soap scum and hard-water build up. Probably a good bit
of black mold too. Getting it clean is a nightmare. I've used
what I call the wear away principle, where I actually remove
it little by little until it is clean. Keeping it clean is a breeze.
All it takes is a quick job with a squeegee when you get out
of the shower everyday. 10 seconds a day = no more build up.

Another housecleaning nightmare is blinds. The dust settles on
the blinds. Grease, smoke and humidity "glue" that dirt to the
blinds. While you can't avoid washing them forever, if you take
10 seconds every week or two and dust them off with a feather
duster, you'll extend the time in between washings.

The ceiling fan is a great little dirt devil. The dust settles on the
blades, and is then spread even around the ceiling, walls, and
the rest of the room every time you turn on the fan. 10 seconds
with a feather duster solves that problem.

So what's the secret to easy housecleaning?

Don't let build up happen in the first place. Keeping it clean in
the first place is so much easier than trying to clean it later
when it's all crusty and built up.

Whenever you're tempted to ignore it - just say- "Do it Now."
Just 10 seconds in most cases. Make that your motto and
you'll cut tons of miserable housecleaning time.

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You'll laugh when they ask -How often does the maid come?

Carole is the author of Secret Confessions of a Clean Freak.
If you want a really clean house, without spending your life
cleaning it you will want this complete handbook of cleaning.
Get your copy here >>>