Making the Most of Your Time When Cleaning Homes

There is really no wrong way for you to clean a home. But as with any business, time in your cleaning business is valuable. The more cleaning jobs you can fit into a day, the more potential profit you earn. If you can complete the basics faster, then you have more time to offer specialized services or to move on to cleaning the next home.

When you start cleaning it is important to not track dirt into rooms that you have already cleaned. It is most productive to start in rooms that are not centrally located - usually the bedrooms and bathrooms and then work your way through the rest of the house. Clean the high traffic areas, including the kitchen, last.

Following are some general tips to save time while cleaning:

• Make sure that you have the supplies you need close at hand. An easy way to do this is to carry all your supplies in a caddy. If you use concentrated products, mix up enough in the morning to last throughout the day.
• When cleaning, make the most of every movement. Avoid backtracking. Every footstep you spend going back to rooms you've already cleaned costs you time and energy.
• Always clean from top to bottom; otherwise you will have to re-clean soil and dust that drops from higher surfaces.
• Working in circular patterns helps to lessen footsteps and keeps you focused so no tasks are left undone.
• Use color coded microfiber cloths so you don't cross-contaminate surfaces.
• Always use high quality cleaning products and supplies. Spend a little more and get professional strength cleaning chemicals from a trusted janitorial distributor. Avoid using homemade mixtures as they will not always be of the same strength, may damage the surfaces you're cleaning, and affect the quality of your cleaning.
• Save time and energy by letting your cleaning products work for you. Apply the cleaning solution and then give it a few minutes of dwell time before rinsing.
• Always keep your tools and equipment in good working order. Spend a little time at the end of each day to clean and inspect your equipment.

Save time when cleaning a bathroom by first applying cleaner to the toilet bowl. Then as the cleaner is working, move on to the shower or tub. Remember to start at the top and work your way down. After the shower, finish the toilet, and then move on to the counters, sinks and faucets. As an added touch, clean any soap dishes. Don't forget to wipe down the walls and light switches. Finish by sweeping and mopping the floor.

For living rooms, bedrooms and dens, begin by dusting high and moving your way down. Wipe down any light switches. Vacuum the room slowly and thoroughly. If you are cleaning a large room or one with furniture that has to be moved, you may want to break the room up into sections.

The kitchen should be one of the last rooms cleaned. The specific way in which you clean a kitchen is determined by its floor plan. As always, work from top to bottom. Begin by cleaning any countertop appliances, such as toasters and microwaves. Then move on to the stovetop and clean with an all-purpose or disinfectant cleaner. Wipe down countertops. Move and clean under appliances. Then wipe down the outside of the refrigerator, oven door and any other large appliances. Clean the sink and then finish by sweeping and mopping the floor.

Working efficiently, having your cleaning products do the work for you, and keeping your equipment in tip-top shape will speed up your cleaning time on any job. And, the less time spent cleaning, the more profits in your pocket!