10 Rules for Safe and Clean Homes

Just designing and decorating your living space is not enough. It is equally important to keep your home clean and hygienic for which routines and consistency need to be in place. Wondering how to keep your home clean and hygienic? Here are 10 rules, or should we say habits that you need to follow. Well, without, any further ado, let’s get started.

#1 Clear the clutter

Make sure all the clutter is cleared from your living space, be it games, toys or books. It is important that you put away clutter in appropriate locations. Don’t despair at the clutter. If you don’t have a home for items like toys, books and games, create hidden storage spaces. Having a spot for everything that is both easily accessible and easy to put away makes it so much easier to tidy up – for both you and the rest of your family.

Vertical shelving can help display your knick-knacks in an organised way. You can also look into bookcases and stackable shelves to store your belongings. Storage ottomans are also suitable for reducing clutter and storing things out of sight.

Make sure you have a place for your family and guests to store their shoes before they bring dirt and grass into your home. Fewer items out on the counters and surface tops cut down on dusting and make cleaning a lot faster.

#2 Use doormats and area rugs

The less soil tracked indoors, the less often you will need to clean your floor. Keep it out of your home with doormats at each exterior door. Vacuum or shake them outside every few days. Additional mats outside the door can help trap even more dirt and debris.

#3 Make your bed daily

Some people hate making the bed and find it a waste of time, but it really makes a big difference in how tidy the room looks, how you feel about your room and about going to sleep each night.

Making your bed is a great way for you to become more inspired and motivated all through the day because you get one little task done first thing in the morning and it also allows you to come home and feel relaxed. When you come into your bedroom after a long, tiring day, you won’t feel a sense of disarray. Instead, you can have a sense of order and cleanliness. So, do invest time in this easy 90-second act of making your bed each day.

#4 Bust the dust

Don’t forget to vacuum the floors and couches at regular intervals, especially if you have pets and kids who are likely to run or crawl around. Sweep and mop the floor daily. Mop the floors of your house using a microfiber cloth and don’t forget the corners!

Dust desks, nightstands and shelves. Fluff pillows and fold blankets and throws. Dusting the mantel, coffee tables and end tables is important too.

For a clean kitchen, put away the dishes and clean the countertops. Wipe them off after meals and after dinner. It is also always good to have an empty sink! We know it sounds like nothing but it does take some effort.

For a clean bathroom, clean the sink. Don’t forget to scrub the shower, tub and toilet. Remove mirror spots, loose hair, makeup and wipe off the unsightly water rings. Make sure you clean common surfaces like toilet flush handles, taps and light switches regularly, particularly if someone in your house has been ill. Ensure that the shower heads are free from dirt and limescale.

#5 Use anti-pollution and anti-bacterial wall paint

In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the safest place to be is inside the comforts of your home and it is recommended that you sanitise frequently touched surfaces in your home. Most people don’t realise that walls can be a breeding ground for germs. Since so many people touch it throughout the day, it is important to clean and disinfect walls and use anti bacterial and anti fungal paint like Berger’s Silk Breathe Easy.

The luxury interior paint is designed to give walls a classy and rich appearance while also reducing pollution and killing harmful bacteria. Formulated with 100% acrylic emulsions and vibrant pigments together with bio-resistant additives, it prevents growth of bacteria, fungus and algae. This anti fungal paint retains a fresh, glossy look for a long time and has low VOC, formaldehyde reduction abilities and a pleasant smell, making sure you can occupy the room soon after its application. It is a one-time investment for the health of your walls.

#6 Do your laundry regularly

It is advised that you change your bedding at least once a fortnight, washing bed linen at high temperature. Pillow covers and duvets should be washed every few months to prevent dirt, bacteria or dust mites from building up. Items like towels, healthcare uniforms and gym kits should be washed at higher temperature, while most other items suitable for washing should be washed at comparatively lower temperature. If you have poor ventilation inside your home, try and avoid air drying indoors as dust particles or moisture can build up.

#7 Don’t forget your bins

Your kitchen bin can be a hot spot for bacteria due to food spoilage and spillage. Ideally, you should use a bin with a closing lid and a bin liner which can be tied before putting into an outside bin. Check to make sure the trash isn’t overflowing and throw out any food that’s no longer fresh. See to it that you wash your hands after contact with your bin and wipe down any common touch points.

#8 Clear out your pantry

Check all the dates on your food tins and canned goods and give your kitchen cabinets a good clean from the inside. Get rid of the dust, grime, grease and sticky spots from the jars and food storage containers on the kitchen shelves.

#9 Clean out your closet

Go through your closet and throw out everything that you don’t use or need anymore. Have a massive clear out! Yeah, you heard that right. Ask yourself if you really need the clothes that you have hoarded and if you answer no, then it needs to go straight in a bag that later goes to charity. It is the perfect way to keep everything fresh in your closet. Maximise your closet space with smart closet organisers and keep it under control.

#10 Create a weekly chart on a chalkboard

Do yourself this great favour and adopt these daily house cleaning tips so that you don’t end up spending your precious weekend cleaning, leaving no time for yourself. You can try writing your daily cleaning schedule on a chalkboard or a whiteboard and cross off the accomplished tasks as you go. In fact, to make cleaning fun, you can delegate tasks to your family members along with deadlines and give them points as well, turning this into a bit of a competition for you all.

These are the most important and simple tips to keep your house clean and hygienic. We at Berger Paints India hope you’re staying indoors and staying safe and these tips help you keep your home clean amidst the COVID-19 chaos. It’s over to you now. Happy Cleaning!