Hygiene Over Perfection: Practical Cleaning Tips for Toronto Families | H&M Maid Inc.
If you wake up every day to random clothing items everywhere, half-eaten snacks on the ground, and barely any toys in their original state scattered all around the house, it’s okay. Yes, parents all around the globe are in the same boat as you. House cleaning is becoming an endless task that resets itself every six hours.
We all know a perfect mom who seems to have it all together. She is always well-dressed, the kids are well-behaved, the house is spotless, and her married life can’t get any better. You compare their perfection with your chaos.
Family home cleaning can be tedious, draining, and overwhelming. You may feel like you are losing the mom race. Your house is a mess, the kids & husband are constantly dodging chores, and you have never looked this dishevelled in your entire life.
Here is some news for you, mama
It isn’t a race. It’s a journey. There is just 10% on show and 90% behind the doors. Even the most “perfect” parents have their struggles, hidden messes, and skeletons in the closet.
“I’m not trying to be perfect; I’m just trying to be good enough.” In a Jozikids blog, Tiffany Markman beautifully phrased what so many moms feel daily.
There are a few parenting rules that veteran parents swear by, and they might help you find the peace you need:
Messy Vs. Dirty house
- If clothes are everywhere and most are clean clothes that need sorting, folding, and putting away, then it's not a dirty house.
- If your sink is full of dishes and has more on the countertop. Unless the dishes smell of rotten food, it's not a dirty house.
- If you find a broken piece of toy in every corner, under the furniture, and in the bins, it's not a dirty house.
Clothes in random spots indicate that you have often provided your kids with clothing and washed it. Just putting them away can be overwhelming and lead to procrastination.
A sink full of dishes indicates that the family is fed. The absence of rot means that the dishes are hardly a day old.
Toys around the house indicate that kids are given things their age. Broken toys indicate that kids are allowed to be kids, and there are no unnecessary restrictions on them.
As Rachel Carpenter perfectly puts it in her blog on Motherly, “You’ve patiently waited for your turn, house. You’ve waited for me to catch up on the laundry, the dishes, and the vacuuming. I’m afraid you’ll have to wait a bit longer for your day to come. For now, we’re far too busy having fun, and I’ll take that over a perfect house any day.”
These messes can be cleaned, whether you do it yourself or with a single search of ‘affordable cleaning company near me’ to get help.
You may be wondering, if all these things are so simply resolvable, then what is all this fuss about “compromising on kids’ health and safety”? Why do I feel like my house is always dirty?
Well, there is a stark difference between dirty and messy homes. Messy homes are the ones explained above.
On the other hand, dirty homes can be hazardous for residents.
Signs Of a Dirty House
1. Musky Odour
A musky or sour odour greeting people as soon as they enter the premises is one of the primary signs of a dirty home. This smell generally arises from unresolved moisture issues. It is most common in homes with pets that pass urine, stool, or vomit on surfaces. This smell is also linked to old, dirty diapers. Musky smell also suggests that the property may be infested with pests.
2. Sticky Surfaces
Sticky surfaces in the kitchen and other parts of the house indicate an unhygienic state. A greasy kitchen is not necessarily a sign of a dirty home, as most people consume fried items, which quickly cover many surfaces with grease. However, sticky surfaces in other parts of the house indicate that proper cleaning has been delayed for a while.
3. Hoarding
This is a controversial take. Many hoarders keep their things very organized, avoiding the title of a dirty place. But an organized hoard also accumulates a lot of dust and gives space for pests to breed.
4. Pest Problem
Pests are a big sign that home deep cleaning has been neglected for a prolonged period. Toronto’s most common pests are cockroaches and rodents. CDC explains on its website that rodents carry many diseases that can be transmitted through their urine, saliva, faeces, and bites. Over 35 diseases are caused by rats and mice.
Smithereen offers deep insight into the types of pests, the diseases caused by each kind of pest, and how to tackle this issue.
5. Mould Problem
Mould issues do not typically stem from residents’ unhygienic practices. Rather, they lead to a dirty home and hazardous situations. Mould is usually visible, but sometimes, it can be hard to detect. Visible mould is green or black, and its texture looks like fuzzy dots or spots.
Mould grows because of moisture behind the exterior of the wall. It can be hazardous for people with weaker immune systems.
6. Unclean Pet Areas
Smelly pet beds, full litter boxes, dirty cages, and dander/fur accumulation in the house are big signs that residents neglect pet cleaning. The filthy condition of indoor pets points towards residents’ overly unhygienic practices.
Practical Residential Cleaning Tips for Homeowners in Toronto
If your house is messy, the following techniques will be the best course of action for you. Follow these steps and enjoy parenting every day:
1. Declutter
Take two big trash bags.
In one, start throwing away torn or discoloured clothing. Then, start tossing broken toys in the bag as well. Any item you think is not positively impacting you or your kid’s mental or physical health is going in the bag.
Second, start putting clothing items your kids haven’t been wearing for 3-4 months. This indicates that neither you nor they need or like that item. The same goes for shoes, toys, and other accessories.
The first trash bag goes in the bin, and the second goes in the car for donation.
2. Assign Cleaning Tasks
Preferably, start the home cleaning process on the weekend. Involve all family members and assign tasks to everyone.
Kids should put all scattered items in their places, such as taking dishes from around the house to the sink, taking dirty clothing to the laundry area, and putting clean clothes away.
Parents divide the task between them, too. The one doing the laundry is responsible for putting it away, too. The one filling the dishwasher will be emptying it, too. This way, each adult will be fully responsible for their task.
3. Carpets, Upholstery, and Surfaces
All rugs are placed in the sun for an hour or two to disinfect. The Upholstery is roughly dusted with a towel. Now, all surfaces, like countertops and tables, are dusted with a dry cloth, followed by a wet cloth, preferably using cleaning supplies.
4. House Floor Cleaning
After dusting and cleaning the upper surfaces, start cleaning the floors. It is a three-step process. Start with a broom and clean all the floors with it. Then, clean with a mop and cleaning supplies. The last step is to vacuum clean all carpets and lay them back on their spots.
5. Bathroom And Kitchen Cleaning
The bathroom needs specific cleaning supplies and a disinfection process. Start with the sinks and then move towards the commode. Perform disinfection treatment on the toilet bowl, shower handles, and faucets.
Use food-safe cleaning supplies and sanitizers for kitchen cleaning. The deep cleaning process includes emptying and cleaning cabinetry, cleaning behind appliances, deep cleaning the fridge, microwave, toaster, and scrubbing all countertops.
It’s an easy (though time-consuming) home deep cleaning process that will refresh your home for the month and create more harmony, clarity, and connection within your family.
However, Cleaning “dirty Homes” requires a lot more than that. A professional residential cleaner in Toronto is the right answer for you. They follow all the steps mentioned above and use advanced equipment, eco-friendly and pet-safe cleaning supplies, and expert techniques to ensure the best possible results.
H&M Maid Inc. provides Toronto’s best Residential, Commercial, and Post-construction cleaning services. Hire a professional maid service and have your home cleaned, sanitized, and disinfected.