How Clean is Your House
By Karen Porter

Do you watch reality television shows with names like How Clean is Your House, Clean Sweep, Clean House, Mission Organization and more? They certainly are entertaining. And informative too! They do provide some good ideas for organizing and cleaning your home. But what have you actually implemented in your housecleaning plan after watching these shows? And really...how clean is your house? Try answering these questions in this house cleaning checklist to determine if your home is as clean as it could be.

CLEAN HOUSE CHECKLIST

1) Can you draw words in the dust on your shelves, counters and more? Do family members leave you messages that way? That's clearly a bad sign when it comes to deciding how clean is your house. In that case, use a slightly damp cloth to carefully wipe up dust once or twice a week. The damp cloth is so you don't just brush all the dust into the air.

While you're at it use a long-handle duster to clear away those cobwebs. They tend to collect at the ceiling and upper wall corners and behind items like bookcases that set near the wall.

2) How often do you vacuum your carpets? Once a week is a good answer. For instance, schedule every Friday as vacuum day. Wait longer than that and you might find it becomes a much dirtier job and affects your allergic sensitivities to dust.

But what if you live in a large house? In that case vacuuming the whole house once a week could be quite a tiresome chore, especially when combined with all your other chores. So instead you might want to vacuum daily. But the catch is you might just want to vacuum one room each day of the week. For instance, vacuum the living room on Friday, the bedroom on Saturday and so forth.

Just remember though to dust before this chore (from top downward and even if it's the day before you vacuum). That way your vacuum can collect any dust that still falls to the floor during dusting (despite your damp dust cloth).

3) Is your shower or tub growing anything in it? The only thing that should be alive in your shower or tub is you. If it's growing mold or mildew, wipe it down with a cloth and spray bottle cleaner that contains bleach. You may want to let the cleaning spray settle on it for a few minutes before wiping it down.

Also wash your shower curtain or liner as needed in the washing machine with some bleach and detergent. Do this to keep it clean and free of mold and soap scum. You may want to throw a few towels into the washing machine with your shower curtain to give it some scrub action. Hang the clean shower curtain to drip dry back in the shower.

4) Look in all of your closets and on shelving. Do you see items that already are caked in dust, grease or grime? This is a sign. It's a strong sign that you don't use these items regularly. It's time to re-evaluate these dust-covered items to determine why you have them.

You may decide you don't need this "clutter" and donate it to a thrift store or trash it. Or you may decide you do need the item but forgot you had it. In that case, give it a new home near where you'll remember to use it (or just admire it if it's pretty or sentimental decor)--preferably frequently. Otherwise out it goes. Why create more housework by having to clean and dust unused clutter that provides you with no benefit?

Your home is truly your haven. Keep it warm and comfortable in atmosphere. Housecleaning will help create this environment. This house cleaning checklist above listed some ideas to help you determine how clean is your house. Get started today using the checklist and ideas but don't feel limited to only those housecleaning tips and advice on the list.

If your home isn't all you imagine it should be, keep learning how to clean and organize it better. Implement what you learn (as well as devise your own creative home cleaning ideas from scratch). Ultimately the answer to how clean is your house will be just two words you state proudly and confidently: very clean. Of course, you won't really have to say this aloud because the truth will be staring back at you and your guests. The truth is visible in the gleaming countertops, the spotless bathroom and more.