A clean home in the summer rain

CEBU, Philippines - Even as summer has already set in, now and then the rains still come, especially as a result of a weather disturbance. It is still possible to experience wet days at the height of the dry season. Rain showers – or even downpours – may come when these are least expected.

The rains, in whatever season, can be so much fun. In fact, little children look forward to it with great anticipation. A rainy day is also a good time for book lovers to catch up on their reading.

But such ‘bright’ scenario is only one side to the rain story. There’s something else about the rain that’s dreaded by grownups, especially those in charge of cleaning up. 

It can really be a test of one’s nerves to watch little feet track water and mud through floor that one just mopped. Or to have just wiped dry the counter only to have dirty wet backpacks thrown about. To avoid – or at least minimize – the torment, one may find helpful a few tips from the website http://tremendousmaid.com, meant to keep the wet clutter contained and the housecleaner’s sanity intact.

? Limit wet shoes to the entryway. Contain the dirt, and the cleanup at the end of the rainy day will be simple and easy.

? Give your family a designated place where to store their bags, purses and backpacks at all times. Make sure they adhere to the rules when it’s dry. Prepare that space to be as simple to clean as possible. A coat rack can double as a bag rack any time of the year.

? Get kids out of wet and dirty clothes quickly. Damp spots on your upholstery quickly turn to catch spots for surface dirt on clothes. You will have to launder them anyway. 

? Place hampers in each bedroom and bathroom of the home. Once again, clothes will transfer water and dirt to whatever they are tossed onto, even the floor. Making this process simple produces great habits.

? Make sure wet pets are limited to an easily cleaned area, preferably where the shoes are stored. Give them a toy and a bed to keep them occupied. Better to slightly inconvenience the animals than have your prized couch smell like a wet dog. Even the most casual of contact will pass bad pet odors when wet.

? People congregate indoors on rainy days. Make sure clutter does not build up. Remember the golden rule of housekeeping: “When you are done with it, put it up.”

The little effort spent in formulating house rules and establishing these among the house residents will save much more effort necessary in cleaning up dried up mud on the floor, wet marks on the couch and walls, and clearing the house of awful smell.  Moreover, it helps keep the house fresh and clean during the rainy days – a place the house residents can be proud of! Ulysses Sumayang   (FREEMAN)