General cleaning – what it is and how often it should be carried out

For a lot of individuals, engaging in a thorough cleaning is akin to experiencing a natural catastrophe. However, I can demonstrate that if you approach this undertaking with astuteness, you can derive enjoyment not only from the outcome, but also from the procedure.

What is general cleaning

There are various interpretations of this concept, so it is necessary to first establish its definition. The debate about whether basic window cleaning is sufficient or not is not relevant, as it involves a different approach in which this cleaning process incorporates two factors: frequency and magnitude. Furthermore, the specific tasks involved vary for each individual apartment.

If we go back to the previously mentioned windows, if washing them once or twice a year is sufficient for the subjective feeling of cleanliness in the apartment, then it can be safely classified as part of general cleaning. However, if they become so dirty that they need to be washed every month, or even more frequently, then it would not be considered part of a typical "general" cleaning routine. The same can be said for dealing with scale buildup. Even if you include window wiping every six months as part of your daily cleaning rituals, such as folding things and wiping crumbs from the table, it is still not quite the same as a comprehensive overhaul.

To put it simply without overcomplicating things, general cleaning involves performing all the cleaning tasks that you don’t typically do on a regular basis in a concentrated effort over a couple of days or less.

How often you should do general cleaning

The immediate question that arises is how long does it mean when we say "a long time"? Well, as the saying goes, everything is relative, so let’s explore the categorization of various cleaning methods to get a better understanding:

1. The Daily category encompasses tasks that need to be done on a daily basis. This includes washing dishes, organizing and hanging up items (not just clothes), making the bed, and more. For some people, this category also includes sweeping and mopping the floors. To determine if an activity falls into the daily category, ask yourself a simple question: "Would my apartment look messy if I didn’t do this for more than a day?"
2. The Weekly category includes tasks that need to be done 2-3 times a week. This usually includes dusting, vacuuming, taking out the trash, doing laundry, and mopping the floors.
3. The Monthly category involves tasks that only need to be done once a month. This includes using a vacuum cleaner with a special nozzle to remove dust from upholstered furniture, cleaning lamps and sconces, blinds and baseboards, washing the doormat, and decluttering by getting rid of unnecessary items.
4. Every three to six months, it is necessary to perform various cleaning tasks such as cleaning the stove, oven, and microwave, as well as sweeping cobwebs out of corners and washing windows.
5. And lastly, there’s the grandest cleaning of them all – general cleaning. I will provide more details about it below. This type of cleaning is typically done once or twice a year.

Additionally, there is what’s known as unforeseen cleaning, which, as the name suggests, is never planned by homeowners. It usually occurs before unexpected guests arrive or in response to a sudden mess, such as broken dishes, spilled coffee, or scattered cookies on an expensive carpet. It can even be prompted by an unexpected flood that doesn’t require repairs – the possibilities are endless.

Stages of general cleaning

Let’s talk about the main point here. In order to make the cleaning process easier and more enjoyable, the first step is good old-fashioned planning. How can you do that? Allow me to explain.

Planning on paper may take a bit more time and effort than simply glancing around your apartment, but it provides you with an objective checklist of tasks, which is often different from the subjective "oh my God, what a mess!". That’s the initial aspect to consider.

Next, it’s common for a deep cleaning session to create an even bigger mess than what was initially there (for instance, taking out all the books from shelves and placing them on the floor). This can be overwhelming and make it feel like no progress is being made. However, when you have a sheet with completed items checked off, it looks very encouraging.

It is recommended to divide the apartment into separate zones and systematically clean each one, starting with the smaller areas and gradually moving on to the larger ones. This way, the areas that have already been cleaned won’t interfere with the ones that are yet to be cleaned in the future.

Note: When you finish cleaning each zone, it can be helpful to mark down the time spent on it. This list can serve as a valuable reference when planning for future cleaning sessions.

The next step involves preparation. Gather all the necessary supplies such as rags, sponges, brushes, cleaning products, mops, buckets, basins, vacuum cleaner, and/or dustpan. Check off each item on your to-do list, and if something is missing, make a trip to the store now to avoid wasting time later. If there are any items in the apartment that are out of place, consider organizing them as part of the preparation stage as well.

The third step involves taking action. You have the flexibility to choose the order of the rooms based on your convenience, but I suggest saving the bathroom and toilet for last. This is because these areas are commonly used for tasks such as rinsing rags and discarding water from buckets.

The most effective way to clean is to start from the top and work your way down. This logic is based on the fact that dirt and dust can fall from higher surfaces onto lower surfaces, so it is best to clean the lower surfaces last.

Since every apartment is different, it’s hard to give specific advice, but here are a few things that are often overlooked:

• Don’t forget to wash the walls and ceilings, if possible.
• Take the time to clean the chandeliers.
• Remember to clean behind and under heavy items like gas stoves, beds, closets, and sofas. Also, don’t forget about the bathtub and toilet.
• Give your paintings a little dusting.
• Don’t neglect the heating radiators.
• Remember to clean the pipes and faucets.
• Take the time to clean the handles, switches, and sockets.
• Clean the kitchen hood thoroughly.
• Don’t forget about cleaning the inside of the refrigerator.
• Make sure to clean your remote controls, even if they are in a plastic case.
• Toothbrush holders.

Trust me, even though this type of task requires a lot of effort, there is a great feeling of satisfaction as you see each item on your to-do list being completed. Gradually, the number of unfinished tasks decreases, which makes it all worthwhile. And even if you can’t completely compensate for the effort – having a clean and sparkling apartment certainly helps. Enjoy the process of deep cleaning!