Moving into your own space can be a liberating experience; however, with more independence comes more responsibility. Whether you’re living by yourself or with roommates, dust, dander and dirt can build up quickly. Here are some tips and tricks to keep your space fresh and clean. 

Dos:

Utilize white vinegar for cleaning. According to Dr. Maria Vila in The Zoe Report, vinegar can be used to clean surfaces such as shower doors, bathtubs, clothes and even a dishwasher, as it helps “remove oil residues, mineral build up from water, soap residue and stains from food and wine.” 

Get a cleaning caddy. You’ve created a steady cleaning flow and you are slowly making progress, but then you can’t find your Scrub Mommy! Keeping your cleaning supplies in a carriable caddy saves you the additional chore of playing hide-and-seek with your cleaning supplies. 

Start cleaning from the top. According to All Services in One, starting your cleaning from the top and work your way to the bottom “ensures that any dust that falls off from higher points will eventually end up on lower levels” that you can sweep up later. 

Ask for help. You don’t have to clean everything by yourself, especially if you have roommates. Divide up tasks to get the job done faster. If you live alone, ask a friend to come over to help. Sometimes cleaning up can seem overwhelming when you think about everything you have to do, so having someone there to help you can ease the stress and make the cleaning process faster. 

Don’ts: 

Utilize white vinegar for disinfecting. Although vinegar is a good surface cleaner, according to The Zoe Report, unlike bleach, it is not a “complete solution to disinfectant.” The Zoe Report and Dr. Vila stated Bleach is able to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, mold and mildew, while vinegar is only able to eliminate 90% of bacteria and 80% of viruses. So, if you need to clean, use vinegar, but if you need to disinfect, use bleach. Never mix the two, as according to Healthline, it can create a harmful and irritating chlorine gas. 

Use cleaning solutions in closed off spaces. When using cleaning solutions that contain bleach or other hazardous chemicals, remember to open a window or, if you’re in a bathroom with no window, turn on your ventilation system. You don’t want to trap yourself in a space with hazardous chemicals and risk your well-being.

Mix certain cleaning chemicals. As mentioned before, do not mix bleach and vinegar to avoid creating chlorine gas. However, according to Good Housekeeping, you should also never mix cleaning products with these chemicals in them: 

• Bleach and ammonia
• Multiple drain cleaners
• Hydrogen peroxide and vinegar
• Bleach and rubbing alcohol 

To prevent exposing yourself and others to hazardous gasses, take the time to read the ingredients of the products you are using. 

Following this list of dos and don’ts can help you clean safely and efficiently. Now put on some tunes, get your broom and mop out and clean the day away! If allowed, a nice smelling candle or a plug-in air freshener may be a great final touch. 

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