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Holiday Cleaning Hints

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Save time and energy this holiday season by streamlining your cleaning routine.

Get organized
Try simple things like making a list and keeping two caddies of cleaning supplies, one upstairs and one downstairs, to make cleaning quick and easy.

Work it in, Work it out
Have your house sparkle and work off the holiday bulge at the same time! Studies show that music above 90 beats per minute actually raises adrenaline levels. So blast your favorite tunes and you'll clean faster and burn calories at the same time.

Shutter clutter
Place a good-sized basket in every room where floor clutter collects. Even before you begin to dust, pick up the odds and ends of clutter off of the floor. Simply place them in the basket and put the things away later. Plus, you never know what you'll find among the mess!

A method to the madness
Save time and energy by streamlining your cleaning routine. Work clockwise around a room to avoid doing double duty and clean from top to bottom (as dust and dirt will fall). Pick a spot and start cleaning left to right and from top to bottom around the room in one direction. When you're back to the beginning, pick up your supplies and move to the next room.

Bacteria beware!
Be sure to use sponges that are color coordinated to avoid cross contamination and invest in the best products that will inhibit bacterial growth. The new Spontex WOW! All-Surface scouring sponge contains new-age sponge material that absorbs more than 20 times its weight, yet dries quickly when rung and prevents food particles from being trapped - a benefit of the easy rinse sponge and coated all surface scouring materials. For additional insurance, put the sponge in the microwave for about one minute to zap out any potential for bacteria.

Make it a family affair!
Don't be afraid to ask the family to help you clean. Make it fun for the everyone: Choose cleaning gloves that offer bright colors. Let your children choose which color they'd like to use and assign colors to certain rooms. Latex gloves that emit a pleasant odor (rather than the typical latex smell), will add a fun twist to the task and keep noses happy.