Nowadays, beginner house cleaners are a mixed bunch. They range from the twelve year old given more responsibility, to the adult or senior who is suddenly faced with taking over the responsibility from the primary housekeeper. Add to these the new father, the novice au pair, the household which can no longer afford to hire help - all people who might need to learn quickly what experienced housekeepers, maids, nannies, etc., have learned over the course of their careers. Most beginners are not only concerned about what needs to be done but where to begin, how often to do it, what is most important and what can wait.
Basic Housekeeping can be broken down into two categories: wet work and dry work.
In most cases, wet work is where the housekeeper should start.
WET WORK: Generally speaking, wet work involves any task that requires a bucket of hot soapy water, bottled, canned or spray-type liquid cleansers, rags, mops and/or other associated tools. Although mostly involving kitchens and bathrooms, wet work encompasses any room which requires the application of wet cleaning to any surface including window sills, baseboards, cupboards, walls and floors.
While the fastidious housekeeper might object, it is generally accepted that window sills, cupboards and baseboards do not require weekly washing attention. Light switches should be wiped once a week in heavy traffic areas such as washrooms and kitchens, while others can be done on a monthly basis.
All floors should be washed or vacuumed at least once a week if not more often especially where there are children, pets or people with allergies and other respiration related illnesses.
In kitchen and dining areas, all surfaces where food is prepared and served should be washed before and after each use. Garbage pails and wet recycle bins should be washed and disinfected once a week especially during the summer months when heat and humidity encourage fruit flies and odours most.
In washrooms, toilet seats and flushing levers should be wiped down after each use, while the bowl may be attended to on a weekly basis.
As a rule, windows are done semi-annually, in the spring and fall.
For your own protection, always use rubber gloves to protect your skin from potentially harmful bacteria and chemicals alike. Knee pads or a foam mat will protect your knees from bruising and damage to knee caps. When using a particularly strong vaporous cleanser such as an oven cleaner, a mask is mandatory. Masks can be purchased at any store that specializes in hardware or household items. I've found these items at Home Depot and Canadian Tire but my favorite place is Dollarama. Other discount stores also carry such items at a slightly lower cost so check your local dollar store first if, like me, you're on a budget.
DRY WORK: Dry work includes any task which does not require water or liquid cleansers, however it also includes the use of furniture polish and spray dust inhibitors.
Besides dusting and polishing furniture, sweeping/vacuuming floors and dusting windowsills, add the following:
loading and unloading dishwashers, washing machines and dryers
folding clothes, picking up and putting away clothes and toys
turning down bedding, stripping and making up beds
taking out the garbage, recycling newspapers, magazines etc,
walking, feeding and bathing pets, cleaning their cages, bowls etc.
The list is endless but don't be alarmed. All households are different and here are short cuts and stop gap solutions for even the largest and busiest homes in an emergency. The task can be as simple or as complicated as you want it to be and yes, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. But that is another story...
COMING SOON: HOUSEKEEPING 201 -
"WHERE DOES IT ALL END?"