Do you clean stairs going up, or going down?

During my time in the cleaning industry the conundrum of whether you clean going up the stairs or clean while walking down has been put to me many times. 

For safety reasons it is easier to vacuum stairs by starting at the bottom.  The reason why is due to the vacuum cleaner being behind you.  It is safer to carry the cleaner up the stairs in one hand and vacuum with the other.  Even with a back pack it is less hassle.

If you have been vacuuming on the higher-level people think when they reach the stairs it is quite normal to continue vacuuming walking down the stairs.  Of course, if you are vacuuming the lower level first you automatically continue by vacuuming up the stairs.

There is another reasons why vacuuming upwards instead of downwards is better.  You can see more dirt as you walk up stairs: check it out next time you walk up your stairs.  You will be amazed at the number of bits of fluff and dirt you will see

Another reason is that the vacuum head is easier to manipulate on an upward thrust and whether you are vacuuming over carpet, tiles or timber stairs you can twist the vacuum head where you want.  Don’t believe me?  Try it; you’ll see I'm right.

So, the answer to whether you should vacuum stairs going up or down is, vacuum up. 

BUT !!!!

If you are mopping the stairs, it goes in reverse.  Why?  Because you should put the bucket at the bottom of the stairs, walk up and start mopping your way down.  Once again it is safer. I have seen many cleaners put their bucket at the top of the stairs and try and mop each step from the bottom going up facing backwards.  It doesn’t work and lots of the steps don’t get thoroughly wiped. 

Of course, the other reason for mopping from the top down with the bucket at the bottom?  You aren’t walking over the wet steps.   Simple really.

So, there’s your answer.  When it comes to cleaning the stairs: vacuum up and mop down. 

Julie Finch-Scally

The Guru of Cleaning®

Author of Stinking Cleaning

Tidy drawers save time

How often of late have you gone to remove something from your drawers either in the kitchen or bedroom and not been able to find what you are looking for?  As you rummage through you get more annoyed with yourself, especially if you are in a hurry, and then in haste and anger toss everything out onto the floor so you can separate each item and finally find what you are searching for.

Why is this happening?  What can you do to make life easier for yourself? 

There are a couple of reasons why you can’t find the single items, one there is too much in the drawer in the first place, and the other reason is there is no system as to where you store everything.  By adopting a system of where everything is stored you will solve the first problem.

In your cutlery drawer you will have an inner storage tray which allows you to separate the knives from the forks and spoons.  These trays can be purchased from your local supermarket or hardware store and should fit into most sized drawers.  Cutlery trays are wonderful for arranging makeup and keeping things separate.  They also work well in workshops where such things as screw drivers and chisels are kept.  Storing like articles in their own space will always make them easier to find. 

Extra cutlery storage trays are great for the kitchen and vanity units, but what can you use in your bedroom drawers to keep the undies, socks and handkerchiefs apart?  Empty shoe boxes placed side by side in a drawer are a wonderful way to keep things together and if there is a space infront or down the side; that can be used as a separate storage area.  BUT THE BEST PART IS; if you fold the items as you put them away and place the most recently washed article at the rear of the drawer; when you take your clothing from the front you are rotating all your underwear.  That way everything will wear out evenly and you won’t lose or forget items. 

You haven’t got any shoe boxes?  See if you can purchase a few from a local shoe shop.  They will probably give them to you, but it is polite to offer to pay.  If they want to charge you more that 20¢ a box say “thanks, but no thanks” and go to another store.  Best of luck.

Cleaning inside the washing machine

The large sheet came to the end of the final rinse and spin. The machine started to sing to me to let me know the washing cycle was completed, and the door finally opened.  But although the screen said the word ‘End’, it didn’t leave the screen and a red sign appeared at the top.  The drum needed cleaning.

I am lucky in that my washing machine tells me when the drum needs to be cleaned.  This is the first machine I have ever had that does this.  Mind you this is the first machine that sings to me when I press the set up buttons and when the washing is completed, but the indication that the drum needs to be cleaned is a wonderful idea.

According to the washing machine manual, cleaning the drum removes mould that might build up inside the machine.  According to the outside packet of the powder used for cleaning the drum it flushes out built-up detergent scum, calcium deposits and lint as well as bacteria.  But the one thing both promotions for cleaning the drum state is; by keeping the washing machine clean inside improves its performance, wards of unnecessary repairs and lengthens its life.  All the things one needs with a washing machine. 

How does it work?  Some of the powder in the packet is placed in the detergent drawer and, with my machine, the special drum cleaning cycle is chosen.  If your machine doesn’t have a special drum cleaning cycle put the system on the highest heat for water (70° is recommended), and at least two rinse cycles.  This is what my machine provides.

Now there is some conjecture as to how much cleansing powder one should use.  On the packet of cleansers I buy it says a whole packet should be used with each clean.  In the manual it states only one tenth of the cleanser amount recommended by the cleansing agent manufacturer should be used. Each time I have cleaned the drum I have used only one tenth and it seems to work perfectly.  But then I have a front loader, and with an upright washing machine maybe the extra amount is necessary.  If you have one of these machines check your manual.

Is it a good idea to clean the drum of your washing machine?  I do believe so.  Of course the amount of washing put through the machine affects the frequency of drum cleaning, but if you do many loads I would recommend putting the drum through a cleansing cycle at least every two months. 

Find more information about cleaning in

Stinking Cleaning by Julie Finch-Scally

perfect for the 18.24 year olds.