36 THE QUEENS COURIER • AT HOME • NOVEMBER 12, 2020 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
36 THE QUEENS COURIER • NOVEMBER 12, 2020 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM at home
Home cleaning: Tips for tackling your mess nemesis
You know it has to get done, but you just
don’t want to. It’s been on the to-do list
for far too long. You may try to ignore it,
dodge it or even cover it up. It’s your mess
nemesis - your least-favorite cleaning task
- and you’re dreading having to tackle it.
Not all cleaning is equal
While some people enjoy cleaning more
than others, everyone can agree that not
all cleaning tasks are created equal. In fact,
88% of American adults have a least-favorite
cleaning task, according to a new survey
from the makers of the home cleaning
brand CLR® (pronounced “CLeaR”). When
asked to liken their least-favorite cleaning
task to a person, 33% of Americans
said it’s like a scam caller. When asked
to choose between activities, almost half
(43%) would rather go to the dentist than
handle their least-favorite cleaning task.
Cleaning during quarantine
Considering the COVID-19 pandemic
and the extra time people are spending
at home, messes are more frequent
and can quickly become bothersome. Th e
frequency of cleaning has increased for
most Americans over the past several
months, but Americans are, understandably,
split on their level of cleaning productivity
during this time: 53% have tackled
a cleaning task they’ve been avoiding
for years during the pandemic and 42%
have avoided at least one cleaning task
during the pandemic.
Tips for conquering
a mess nemesis
Whether it’s soap scum, mildew, rust,
stinks, stains or spills, it’s time to show
your mess nemesis you mean business.
Follow these tips to get the job done right:
Set a date: It’s easy to keep avoiding
tasks you loathe, so set a time for when
you plan to focus on cleaning and be
specifi c. For example, 10 a.m. Saturday
you’re fi nally giving the boot to that lime
and calcium buildup on the shower door.
Put on some cleaning clothes, play some
motivational music and focus on getting
the job done once and for all.
Stock ample supplies: Stock necessities
such as sponges, scrubbers and rags
before diving into any cleaning mission.
Having the right supplies for the specifi
c job makes tasks simpler. Use proper
cleaning formulations for your task,
such as the CLR line that has products
designed to get rid of the grime in virtually
every area of the home, from the kitchen
and bathroom to the patio, garage and
beyond.
Follow directions and use safer products:
Always follow the directions on any
product to ensure you get the results you
want without making the mess worse or
damaging the items. What’s more, use
products that clean eff ectively without
unnecessary use of harsh chemicals. Many
of the CLR products are approved by
the EPA Safer Choice Program, meaning
they’re recognized as a safer alternative to
traditional cleaning options that rely on
the use of harsh chemicals to be eff ective,
such as bleach. Look for the EPA Safer
Choice label on the front of the product.
Rally the troops: Whether it’s a big
mess that requires multiple sets of hands
or a tough mess that requires a few people
strategizing, help can make a big difference.
Even if you need to focus on the
mess nemesis while other people handle
regular household chores, this can keep
things moving forward thanks to teamwork.
Get your partner, spouse, kids or
roommates in on the action.
— Courtesy of BPT
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