As adults, we take on many tasks that might be brand new to us — paying taxes, meal prepping, cleaning, and more. Do we truly know how to clean our showers in the most efficient manner? Do you know how often to dust your home? We are going to break down the when and how of general household chores to keep your household sparkling clean without all the elbow grease.

Bathroom

Shower — Cleaning your bathroom is one of the most loathed household chores, but a necessary one. You may be under the impression that you must fumigate with strong cleaners and bleach — but this is not always the case. A mix of white vinegar and baking soda can create a powerful cleaning agent without the toxic smells! Use this mixture to clean grout, apply it, and let it sit. Then agitate and rinse for a brighter and whiter shower interior.

Spouts — Use white vinegar to clean the residue leftover from water sources. Spray onto and into the showerhead to release clogged spouts, and spray and wipe the shower walls and door to reduce shower scum.

Toilet — When it comes to the porcelain throne, do not skip the disinfectants. This is where you should soak with high-powered cleaners. Be sure to get around the base of your toilet as well — the nooks and crannies are where germs come to thrive.

Kitchen

Sink — Sinks get tons of use, but are they really clean? Even though they may get wiped down often, they still need a little TLC. Sprinkle baking soda over a well-rinsed sink and start scrubbing with a small amount of dish soap. This works wonders without scratching the surface.

Stove — Depending on what stove you own, there will be different steps to take. If you own a natural gas stove, specific care guides are available online for an easy breakdown of how to properly maintain it. For electric stoves, trusty baking soda is your go-to again! Make a paste with three parts baking soda and one part water, apply to the stovetop, let it sit, agitate, and wipe down. Finish with glass cleaner to make your stovetop sparkle.

Oven — Ovens come with a pre-installed setting to run a self-cleaning cycle. If you have a heavy job at hand, it is recommended that you clean out the oven before running the cycle to eliminate any dangers of food catching fire or heavy smoke damaging your kitchen.

Floors

Carpet — Think that just vacuuming alone can keep your carpets clean? Think again! Unfortunately, that will not get to all the lingering dust and debris that can get clogged and woven into the fibers. Along with regular maintenance, you should also steam clean your carpets at least twice a year. This will help lengthen the lifetime of your carpets and keep household allergens low — dander and dust love to bury themselves into these crannies!

Wood — Wood floors are back in style in a big way, but do you know how to properly care for them? First, find out what your floors are coated in — wax or polyurethane. An easy way to find out is the water drip test: if water droplets soak into the floor, it is most likely wax; if they stay on top, polyurethane is your best guess. Wax floors require a cleaning solution followed by a coat of wax, whereas polyurethane floors call for a vinegar and water combo.

We hope that these simple but proper cleaning tips will help motivate you to keep your home in sparkling clean condition. The longevity of your interior can help save you money over time! Keep checking the Kratos Gas & Power blog for lifestyle tips!