What's in the bucket?

The most important way to cut down on the time you clean, is the products and tools you use. When I started this cleaning service, I spent an hour in the cleaning solution aisle at Dollar General. Before I started the service, I worked for a cleaning service that used chemicals that had to be mixed. When it was my turn to mix, I could never remember how much water to add, how much of the solution not to add, and if I should shake, bake, or stir. For that reason and for the cost, I decided that I was going to use, what I used to clean my own house  over-the-counter products.

Over the course of the next few posts, we will get to everything that "is in the Bucket," and why I decided on those particular products. A few things that I don't use is bleach, ammonia or pine solutions. While I know many who use these products or versions of them, I do not recommend them and they are not in my bucket.

But lets start with what is,  and the three things in the bucket I am NEVER without.
The service that I worked for, required all those who cleaned for them, to have a tooth brush;  a soft bristled paint brush; and a plastic paint scrapper.While I changed the paint brush to a hand brush, each time I clean, I am never without these items and let me tell you why.

First, the toothbrush.  It's for the area around the faucets, and the hot and cold handles and the drains in the sinks just to name a few. In the kitchen, dirt, grime and food particles build in this area, usually from your dirty dishes or dish water. If you don't remove that build up right away, they may have to be scrubbed away and a tooth brush is just the thing to get to that hard-to-get-to place. In the bathroom, soap, grim and dirt can gather in many places that you cannot clean with a cloth. I have also used a toothbrush even at the base of the toilet where it meets the floor.

I use the  plastic paint scrapper in the area between the stove and the counter. Food and run-off of all kinds build up there and to get it, you need something very thin and easy to use. One of my customers has a grill on her stove. There is an area between the grill and the front portion of the stove, where food particles and grease gather.The plastic paint scrapper is thin enough to fit in that area. I recommend a plastic paint scrapper over a metal one. You don't want to scratch the surface or injure yourself.

And last, is the hand brush. I use the it to dust delicate items, statues, lamp shades and bases, curtains, pillows and more. You would be surprised about the amount of dust on a lamp shade or curtain.

So there you have it; three things I use everyday to clean. And they are always 'in the bucket.'

Welcome!

 

My Eat-in Kitchen!

Hello, I am Pam. For the past seven years, I have operated a residential cleaning service. The friends that I clean for, my clients, have taught me a lot and I have learned a lot through trial and error; oh yes error. But I have been successful in this. So please come with me and learn as I have, that cleaning does not have to be a chore.