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Cleaning Tips
Cleaning Tips
The Mighty Apron: Speed through your housecleaning - and do it in style!
by Amy Sardone on Aug 07, 2024
Why Aprons? Since the early 19th century, aprons have been an integral part of housekeeping... our modern apron blends the utility of the past with modern features to simplify and accelerate your cleaning!
Aprons have been used for centuries as protective garments in various industries and domestic settings. In the context of cleaning, aprons served as a practical way to shield clothing from dirt, water, and cleaning agents. In the early 19th century, women commonly wore aprons in their daily household chores. These aprons were made of durable fabrics like cotton or linen and were designed to be functional, with pockets for carrying small cleaning tools.
As the 20th century progressed, apron styles evolved to meet the needs of different tasks. While traditional full-length aprons remained popular, shorter aprons, often referred to as "half-aprons," gained popularity for their convenience and ease of movement. Today, cleaning aprons have seen further adaptation. They often feature multiple pockets and compartments for carrying cleaning tools, making them efficient aids for the modern cleaning professional or homeowner. These aprons are designed for both function and comfort, offering a blend of practicality and style.
Cleaning aprons have come a long way from their humble beginnings as simple protective garments. The Speed Cleaning Apron is a further evolution, designed to meet the specific needs of the house cleaning industry. Speed Cleaning Aprons offer both convenience and organization for tackling the tasks of maintaining a clean and tidy space in a short amount of time.
Need some help cleaning up? Here are some helpful tips for how to include your kids in house cleaning - and make it fun!
Teach your children some valuable life skills by involving them in cleaning up around the house. You can make it fun and you’ll enjoy having extra pairs of hands to help out once they’re used to pitching in. Here are a few ideas about how you can turn cleaning into something that they’ll enjoy helping you with:
Turn it into a game. There are lots of ways to gamify cleaning. Have them race against a timer and pick up all their toys before it goes off. If you’ve got two or more kids, have them compete against each other to see who can pick up all the dirty towels or fold the laundry first. Younger kids love to role-play, so encourage them to start their own pretend cleaning company where you call them up to have your house cleaned.
Crank up the tunes. Make it a special event by putting on a favorite song and blasting it through the house. You can incorporate some dance moves into your dusting (but be sure you’re not just flinging dust all around: gather dust in a Speed Cleaning™ Feather Duster then tap against your foot to release the dust to the ground to be vacuumed up). The point is to turn cleaning into an exciting and fun time, and having the right music can get everyone energized to help.
Hide surprises. This one requires a bit more work on your part, but you can make cleaning the house into a treasure hunt of sorts. Hide various surprises (candy, comic books, money, whatever!) around the house and let them know how many treasures are available to be discovered as they clean. They can collect them in their own Speed Cleaning Apron!
Encourage favorite tasks. If there’s a particular cleaning chore that your child enjoys doing, teach them how to do it well and encourage them to do it as often as they like. You might have to follow along behind them for a few tries to get it done correctly, but show them exactly how you like the dishes cleaned or the rug vacuumed and you soon won’t have to worry about the end result.
Give specific instructions. Give one or two simple instructions at a time. Being told to “clean up your room” can be a bit overwhelming to younger children, whereas the instruction of “put your toys back into the closet, then make your bed” is more clear. Clearly define the goal so your children know exactly what success looks like.
Have a clear reward system. Set up a system where the least desirable chores have the highest reward. For example, cleaning the bathroom is worth more than taking out the trash. Write down the rewards and let your children choose which chore they’ll take on based on what they’ll receive in exchange. And it doesn’t have to be a monetary payout—they could earn points towards a chore-free day, or staying up late, or selecting which movie the family watches that weekend.
Whichever tactic you choose, you’ll be helping your children develop skills that will help them as they grow into adults who have to manage their own homes someday. And you’ll get help keeping your own home clean in the bargain.
Cleaning Tips
Happy New Year! Happy NEW Cleaning Routine!
by Amy Sardone on Aug 07, 2024
Do your New Year Resolutions include staying more on top of cleaning your home? We have some tips to make it easier to keep that resolution in 2024!
Happy 2024! Did you write down your cleaning resolution yet? If not, get scribbling—writing down your goals clarifies them and gives you a much higher chance of achieving them. Ideally, your new cleaning routine will run on autopilot after you create new habits and make them stick. And the best way to make a habit automatic is to commit to it consistently for at least three weeks. Once you make it through this initial phase, it’s much easier to sustain. So take advantage of your fresh 2024 energy and get started!
Daily Simple Tasks
Consistency is critical when you want to make a habit become second nature. Make a commitment to doing some cleaning tasks every day during the first three weeks of the year. Keep your tasks relatively simple, like clearing up clutter in the living room on the first day, and vacuuming it the next day. You don’t want to take too much on and burn yourself out in the first few days. As you get comfortable with the routine, feel free to add on complexity and push yourself.
Reminders
It’s easy to forget that you had planned to change up your cleaning routine, so place reminders to clean every day or you might stumble and miss a few days. Missing those days isn’t the end of the world but it does defeat the purpose of getting your habit set in stone. Calendar notifications on your phone or via email will help keep you on track, or post-it notes in locations you see each day.
Splurge on a New Cleaning Tool
"Treat Yo Self!" Is there something in the Speed Cleaning store that you’ve been eyeing but haven’t bought yet? Having a new tool to work with will motivate you to stay on top of your cleaning routine. Take a look at our Top Sellers or take the plunge on a Speed Cleaning™ Total Home Care Kit. You’ll look forward to tackling your cleaning tasks when you have new tools to help scour away the grime and remove the dust.
Like Clockwork
Try doing cleaning tasks at the same time every day. The more consistent your cleaning routine is, the easier it will be to stick to it. Cues like cleaning at the same time every day will work as an internal alarm clock to remind you to take care of business. Studies show that daily habits can become part of your routine in as little as twenty-one days if you don’t skip a day. Figure out a schedule that works best for you and stick to it.
Have A Trigger
This is a great tip! In the morning when my first cup of coffee is gone, I used to reach for a refill. Instead, I use that empty cup as a trigger for me to spend the next twenty minutes doing my daily speed cleaning, and then I reward myself with that second cup. Find something that works as a trigger for you to know when to launch into your new cleaning routine.
Turn Cleaning Into A Game
Take the daily routine and time yourself, seeing how fast you can get your cleaning done. When it’s you versus the clock, you’ll be motivated to work faster and have fun beating your previous record. Put the SPEED in Speed Cleaning!
Decide Which Rooms Are MOST Important
Pick a room or two where you will focus your cleaning efforts for a little bit every day so that you can keep them in pristine shape. The most important rooms in my home are my kitchen and my home office. I can’t handle seeing stacks of dirty dishes lingering while I’m cooking a meal and I get my best work done when my home office is neat and tidy. So these two rooms are at the top of my list to make sure they are sparkling clean each and every day. The rest of the house can remain a bit untidy until a weekly cleaning happens and I’ll still feel good about things.
We hope these tips help you develop a new cleaning routine for the new year. Do you have any suggestions for how you’re going to keep up with your new year’s resolution to maintain a clean home? Let us know in the comments!
Cleaning Tips
Most Things Aren't Worth Doing. Find out why!
by Amy Sardone on Aug 07, 2024
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Are there too few hours in the day? Are you a cleaning business professional and you wish that you could clone yourself to get more done? Find out how to fix this now! Don't spend another day wishing you had more time. Hundreds of cleaning business professionals have applied these systems to get more done than they ever have and grow their cleaning business at the same time. Check out Speed Cleaning's president, Debbie Sardone, telling you what things are worth doing.
Cleaning Tips
by Amy Sardone on Aug 07, 2024
The invention of Speed Cleaning stands as a remarkable testament to innovation, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of efficiency in the realm of household maintenance. At the heart of this revolutionary approach lies the story of Jeff Campbell and his transformative journey from a corporate executive to the founder of a game-changing cleaning system.In the late 1970s, Jeff Campbell faced a crossroads in his life. Driven by a desire to break free from the confines of corporate life, he embarked on a new venture: founding The Clean Team, a small housecleaning company in San Francisco. However, what initially seemed like a straightforward business endeavor quickly revealed its challenges. The Clean Team found themselves grappling with the painstakingly slow process of traditional cleaning methods, which hindered their ability to thrive in the industry.Recognizing the need for a paradigm shift, Jeff and his team embarked on a mission of exploration and experimentation. They transformed their housecleaning operations into what Jeff fondly referred to as "dirt university," a place where they would experiment, test, and learn from each cleaning task. Their mission was clear: to discover the most effective, efficient, and time-saving methods for cleaning homes while maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness.The process of inventing Speed Cleaning was far from glamorous. The team's dedication led them to study not only the various cleaning products available but also the science behind professional-grade cleaning solutions. Unlike industry giants with vast laboratories and research facilities, The Clean Team's "lab" was the homes they cleaned. Each experiment, every innovation, was field-tested in real homes, under real conditions.Through careful observation, experimentation, and refinement, Jeff and his team pieced together a comprehensive cleaning system that would eventually become the cornerstone of Speed Cleaning. This system was designed to optimize every aspect of the cleaning process:
Technique: The team honed their cleaning techniques to minimize wasted effort and maximize results. They identified the most effective ways to tackle different cleaning tasks, from countertops to showers.
Product Selection: By venturing beyond common household products, they explored a wide range of professional-grade cleaning solutions. Their selection criteria included effectiveness, safety, and environmental impact.
Sequencing: They strategically organized the cleaning process to minimize backtracking and ensure a seamless flow through the entire home.
Efficiency: Speed Cleaning prioritized efficiency without compromising quality. The system aimed to complete cleaning tasks in less time without sacrificing cleanliness.
User-Friendly Approach: Jeff and his team developed a step-by-step methodology that was easy to understand and implement, allowing anyone to achieve professional-level results.
As the system evolved and matured, Jeff decided to share his findings with the world. What started as the official Clean Team Training Manual eventually became the groundbreaking book "Speed Cleaning." This publication not only unveiled the step-by-step process but also introduced readers to the selection of products that had proven most effective and environmentally friendly.The impact of Speed Cleaning was profound. It empowered individuals to transform their cleaning routines, making them faster, more efficient, and less daunting. The principles of Speed Cleaning transcended mere tidiness, championing a lifestyle that embraced cleanliness, organization, and free time.Today, the legacy of Speed Cleaning continues to thrive under new leadership, inspiring a global audience to revolutionize their cleaning practices. The journey from a three-person cleaning team in San Francisco to a worldwide phenomenon stands as a testament to the power of innovation, dedication, and the desire to reimagine what's possible in the realm of household maintenance.
Cleaning Tips
What is green cleaning and why should you care?
by Amy Sardone on Aug 07, 2024
Take a moment and peek at the cleaning supplies stashed under your sink that you DIDN’T buy from the Speed Cleaning team. Have you ever thought about how strange it is that some cleaning products have warning labels? These labels are required by law to indicate that the products contain harmful ingredients, with labels like “Danger.” It’s absurdly common for conventional cleaning products to contain toxic materials and to be fatal if swallowed. Products marked with “danger” can make you extremely sick, or cause blindness or death. And “danger” products can also explode if they get too hot. Yikes! So what can you do? Go green and replace all your conventional cleaning products with our line of cleaning products and tools that are the best, fastest, greenest, and most personally safe! Ditch the spray cleaners that cause asthma and replace them with our eco-friendly Speed Cleaning™ Red Juice (all-purpose cleaner) or Speed Cleaning™ Blue Juice (great for glass and mirrors). The benefits of green cleaning include better health for you and for the environment. With green cleaning products, you won’t be breathing in toxic fumes when you scrub the sink, and toxic substances won’t linger on your countertops to be accidentally transferred to food or hands. When searching for your new stash of green cleaning products, make sure they’re made from naturally occurring, non-toxic substances that are plant-derived (like ours are). You can rest assured that any cleaning product you purchase from us is safe for you and your family.
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