Read Online Speed Cleaning by Jeff Campbell - Free Book Online Page B

frequency of vacuuming depends on how dusty your environment is and how sloppy you are. If you like to eat crackers while sitting on your couch or if the cat sleeps there, you will overwhelm the capacities of the whisk broom and will have to call in the vacuum regularly. But not now.
First finish
dusting and polishing.
    Back to our sample couch, however, which has pet hair and cookie crumbs on it. Clean from the top down, using your whisk broom. You will be tempted to start with the cushions, as they are easiest to deal with. Resist. First, starting with the left side of the couch, whisk the crumbs and hair from the top, back, and sides. (Careful not to make work for yourself by whisking debris onto the clean end table.) Whisk down and toward the cushion.
    Should you clean under the cushions? Ah, the eternal question asked by reluctant cleaners! The answer lies under those very cushions. Lift up a cushion or two and peek. You will know instantly. If it needs a thorough cleaning underneath, set the left cushion on the one next to it to get it out of the way while you whisk out that area. Then move to the next section and (starting once again at the top of the couch) repeat the process. If the area under the cushions only needs a touch-up, just tilt the cushion up for a quick swipe with the whisk broom. Leave the tops of the cushion for the vacuumer, who can do them much faster.
    To signal the vacuumer that the cushion tops
only
are to be vacuumed, leave a cushion overlapping the next one. The large vacuum has a beater brush that is safe for most fabrics. You simply lift the beater brush up to the couch cushions and vacuum away. No further vacuuming is necessary as long as you have removed the hair and crumbs from the rest of the couch. Keep in mind that you want to do everything possible to make vacuuming easier. These steps greatly reduce vacuuming time.
    Be careful. Vacuuming fabric with the beater brush can catch certain loose fabrics, can catch tassels or strings, can damage certain delicate fabrics, or may accelerate the wear and tear of your couch. If you prefer to avoid any risk, use the small vacuum.
    If the amount of pet hair on the couch demands that the
entire
couch be vacuumed, then don’t whisk it at all. It can be vacuumed with the small vacuum after the dusting. The signal to remind yourself or apartner to vacuum the
entire
couch is to stand one cushion straight up.
    To signal the vacuumer to clean
under
the couch, move one corner of the couch forward. If the couch is the sort that sits flush to the floor, it doesn’t need to be moved often, since it’s almost impossible for dirt to get under it.
Plants
    Continuing top to bottom and left to right, you come upon a large potted plant in the corner. Dust the plant with the feather duster top to bottom. On broad-leaf plants, support a leaf with one open hand while you dust with the other so the stem doesn’t snap. Pick up the dead leaves, which often clog the vacuum, and put them in the apron trash pocket. Our sample plant is close to the wall and too heavy to move easily, so, with a cleaning cloth, dust the hardwood floor around and behind it where the vacuum can’t reach—once again, saving the vacuumer time.
Drapes and Window Frames
    Next is a wall with windows. With your feather duster, dust the top of the drapes and curtain rods for cobwebs. Working from top to bottom, dust all the window frames. Don’t use a feather duster on wet windows unless you want to ruin your day. (A wet feather duster is a pitiful sight.) Often in the winter you’ll have to wipe with a cloth because the frames are wet. Then dust the windowsill.
Leather Chair
    Particles of dust, sand, and grit work their way into leather and wreak havoc with the finish and stitching. The whisk broom is excellent for dusting leather furniture, especially if the upholstery is tufted and has buttons or piping. And use your toothbrush if the cracks and crevices are dirty: keep both in hand, because