coming clean

What is it about housecleaning that can send even the most energetic and efficient of souls ducking for cover? If you'd rather visit the dentist than do battle with dirt, you're not alone.

If you cringe at the thought of tackling the mildew in the shower, chasing dust bunnies around the living room, or washing the grimy refrigerator shelves, you have a lot of company.

Nevertheless, it's time to come clean. The tips and techniques below can help.

Cleaning Surfaces & Routines

Outdoor table on lawn.May Cleaning Checklist
Women in backyard around charcoal grill.How to Clean a Grill
Cleaning caddy filled with cleaners.Sanitizing Your Home
Blue cleaning caddy filled with tools.Summer Home Cleaning Tricks
Simplify Summer CleaningSimplify Summer Cleaning
Patio couch with blue cushions.Cleaning Patio Furniture
Cleaning Crystal GlasswareCleaning Crystal Glassware
Hand putting sanitizer spray in purse.Cleaning Purses
Black bucket and window cleaning tools.Cleaning Windows
Silver cocktail shaker with lemon.Try a Cleaning Cocktail
Home living room interior organized.Summer Cleaning Hacks
Woman cleaning weights at gym.Beating Gym Germs
Silver toaster with two slices of bread.Cleaning Small Kitchen Appliances
Blue cleaning caddy filled with products and tools.Speed Cleaning Tips
Young boy helping do laundry.Seasonal Kids Chores
Washing soapy hands under running water.Flu Prevention Cleaning
Gloved hand cleaning brass.Cleaning Brass
Woman looking a drinking glass.Cleaning Cloudy Glasses
Woman's hands with makeup tools.Cleaning Makeup Applicators
Gloved hands vacuuming couch.Upholstery Cleaning
Woman in jeans vacuuming.House Cleaning Schedule
Man dusting chandelier with feather duster.Light Fixture Cleaning Tips
Hand reaching for dishes in dishwasher.House Cleaning Timetable
Pair of diamond rings isolated.Cleaning Jewelry

Cleaning Electronics

Woman cleaning a computer screen.Cleaning a Computer
Cleaning a laptop screen.Laptop Cleaning
Woman cleaning phone exterior.How to Clean Your Phone
Flat screen TV isolated.Cleaning Flat-Screen TVs
Arm with fitness tracker on wrist.Cleaning Smartwatches
White earbuds isolated.Cleaning Earbuds & Headphones

Cleaning, Sanitizing & Disinfecting

Man in bed with side table with medicines.Home Cleaning After Illness
Pull up wipes in blue container.DIY Disinfecting Wipes
Blue cleaning caddy with products and tools inside.Household Germ-Killers
Woman holding caddy filled with cleaning products.Cleaning Products Defined
Ask a Question or Share a Tip at the House Cleaning ForumHouse Cleaning Forum
Hand on washing machine dial.Washer & Dryer Disinfecting
Woman cleaning kitchen counter.Cleaning House
Woman cleaning wood table.Cleaning Wood Furniture
House cleaning service team cleaning home living room.Hiring a Cleaning Service
Clean brick fireplace hearth.How to Clean Brick
Gloved hands cleaning bathtub fixture.Household Cleaning Schedule
Washing soapy hands under running water.Cleaning to Prevent Colds
Gloved hand cleaning chandelier.How to Clean Lamps
Vinegar, salt, and lemon on table.How to Remove Rust
Gloved hands cleaning interior of refrigerator.Removing Fridge Odor
Child in jeans vacuuming carpet.Allergy Cleaning Tips
Puppy sleeping atop paper towels.Cleaning Up After Pets
Bed bug bites on child's legs.Banish Bed Bugs
Woman taking down curtains.Cleaning Curtains
Mopping black-and-white floor.Weekly Home Cleaning
Young girl sneezing into a tissue.Cleaning to Control Allergies
Hand turning mini-blinds wand.Cleaning Window Blinds
Toddler washing wall.Cleaning Walls
Hands in lap cleaning tarnished silver.How to Clean Silverware
Marble kitchen countertops.Cleaning Marble
Woman vacuuming sofa.Furniture and Upholstery Cleaning
White hand-vac cleaning window blinds.Cleaning Mini Blinds
Stainless steel pot with spaghetti.Cleaning Stainless Steel
Dust mop and rags on wood floor.The Cleaning Routine

Cleaning With Kids

Mother and two kids washing dishes.10 Rules for Teaching Kids Chores
Child's feet vacuuming carpet.Chores for Kids by Age
Mother and daughter cleaning living room.About Housekeeping....
Young girl cleaning table top.Monthly Chores for Kids
Young girl making bed.Bedroom Cleaning With Kids
Young girl holding laundry in basket.Daily Kids Chores by Age
Mom and daughter cleaning living room.5 Cleaning Games for Kids
Girl cleaning kitchen table.Allowance for Chores?
Girl scrubbing table.Weekly Kids Chores
Toddler putting clothing in dresser drawer.Bedroom Kids Chores
Girl washing dishes in sink.Assigning Chores by Age
Young boy doing laundry.Getting Kids to Clean
Unhappy boy and girl with cleaning tools.Consequences for Kids

Carpet & Floor Cleaning

Mop cleaning wood floor.Cleaning Linoleum Floors
Red nail polished spill on white carpet.Remove Nail Polish Stains on Carpet
Man spraying carpet stain.Removing Carpet Stains
Blue carpet being steam cleaned.Hiring a Carpet Cleaning Service
White t-shirt with chocolate stains.How to Remove Chocolate Stains
Mop, bucket and cleaners on floor.Cleaning Kitchen Floors
Yellow vacuum on hardwood floor.Cleaning Hardwood Floors
Red mop on wood floor.Cleaning Laminate Floors
Girl vacuuming floor.Vacuuming Secrets
Woman vacuuming carpet.Carpet Care Basics
Hand broom and dust pan on stone floor.Cleaning Stone Floors
Brown paper lunch bags.Remove Wax From Carpet
Floor mop and cleaning caddy with products inside.Cleaning Floors
Red canister vacuum isolated.Choosing a Vacuum
Sitting dog next to liquid carpet stain.Carpet Pet Stain Removal

Seasonal & Holiday Cleaning

Torn holiday wrapping paper beneath Christmas tree.Eco-Friendly Holiday Cleaning
Young girl in Santa Hat with cleaning tools.Holiday House Cleaning With Kids
Green hand broom and dustpan with broken holiday ornament.Holiday Speed Cleaning
Table setting with holiday decor.Preparing for Holiday Entertaining
Holiday ornaments in cardboard box.Holiday Cleaning Hacks
White patio furniture on porch.Fall Patio Furniture Cleaning
Woman cleaning table with Christmas tree in background.Holiday Cleaning to Brighten Your Home
Wood floor with dust mop and cleaning rags.Spring Cleaning Without Chemicals
Gloved hands cleaning window.Fall Cleaning Checklist
Organized wood closet interior.Spring Clean Your Closet
Young boy and girl washing dishes.Party Clean Up With Kids
Silver party platter with assortment of cheeses.Partyware Cleaning Tips
Girl cleaning kitchen table.Spring Cleaning With Kids
Man cleaning interior home window.Cleaning Professionals Can Help With Spring Cleaning
Woman spot-cleaning upholstered chair.Spring Cleaning Shortcuts
Two young boys on outdoor sidewalk, covered in finger-paint.Summer Cleaning Tips
Mother and daughter playing with duster.7 Resolutions for a Cleaner New Year

Find more cleaning stories on Clean 2.

Enjoy this page? Please pay it forward. Here's how...

Would you prefer to share this page with others by linking to it?

  1. Click on the HTML link code below.
  2. Copy and paste it, adding a note of your own, into your blog, a Web page, forums, a blog comment, your Facebook account, or anywhere that someone would find this page valuable.