05/26/2026
Suttyns scrub n sudz has been in the cleaning industry for over 2 decades and along the way has learned a thing or two and would like to share some tips and tricks for house cleaning;
1- always research the products you use to be clear on what surfaces the product is safe for and what the product does
Alkaline Cleaners (Degreasers)
High (pH 8-14)
How it works:
Cutting through grease, fat, oils, and heavy dirt.
Oils and fats are acidic. Alkaline molecules attach to them, breaking them apart so they can mix with water and wash away.
Examples: All-purpose sprays, oven cleaners, dish soap, bleach.
Acidic Cleaners
Low (pH 0-6)
How it works: Dissolving mineral deposits, hard water stains, and soap scum.
Minerals like calcium and rust are alkaline. Acids react with these minerals, chemically dissolving them on contact.
Examples: Vinegar, citric acid, toilet bowl cleaners, rust removers.
Neutral Cleaners
Balanced (pH 7)
How it works: Light dust, daily wiping, and delicate surfaces. They rely entirely on surfactants (surface-active agents) to lower the surface tension of water, allowing it to trap and lift away loose dirt without reacting chemically with the surface.
Examples: Specialized stone cleaners, mild dish soap diluted in water.
Disinfectants
Ph varies
How it works: Killing bacteria, viruses, and fungi. They don't technically "clean" away visible dirt. Instead, they use active ingredients (like alcohol, bleach, or quats) to destroy the cell walls of microorganisms.
Examples: Disinfectant wipes, isopropyl alcohol, sanitizing sprays.
2-Top-to-Bottom, Clockwise-to-Counterclockwise
Never walk into a room and just start cleaning what catches your eye. Pick a starting point (usually to the immediate left or right of the doorway) and work your way around the room in one continuous direction.
As you move, always work from the highest point down to the floor:
High: Ceiling fans, light fixtures, the tops of door frames, and window blinds.
Middle: Countertops, tabletops, light switches, cabinet fronts, and baseboards.
Low: Vacuuming, sweeping, and mopping (always done last as you back out of the room).
3- Master Your Tools
Examples:
-What cloth works best for what
I understand many people love microfiber I myself do not but regardless if you like it or not it should never be used on surfaces such as the toilet but should be used on glass and mirrors.
-Dry Dusting Before Wet Wiping
Putting a wet spray directly onto a thick layer of dust just creates mud, which is much harder to clean up. Always use a dry microfiber duster or vacuum attachment to remove loose dust before you introduce any liquid cleaners.
-The Power of the Squeegee
If you are still cleaning glass or large tiled walls with cloths alone, a professional squeegee will completely change your workflow. The Secret to Squeegeeing: It’s all about the blade and the angle. Keep the rubber blade clean by wiping it with a damp cloth after every single stroke. Hold the squeegee at roughly a 45-degree angle to the glass and pull downward with smooth, overlapping strokes.
-vacuuming
Most people only use the floor head of their vacuum, but the attachments are what actually get a house truly clean.
The Crevice Tool: Don't just use this for the couch cushions. Run it along your baseboards where they meet the carpet to pull out the hidden dust lines that a standard vacuum roll can't reach. It's also essential for sliding door tracks and window sills before you wipe them down.
The Dusting Brush (Horsehair/Soft Bristles): This is the single fastest way to dust intricate items. Use it on window blinds, lampshades, keyboard keys, and even the tops of books. The bristles agitate the dust, and the vacuum sucks it away instantly, preventing it from airborne redistribution.
The Upholstery Tool: This flat, static-strip tool is designed to pull fabric taut while drawing out deeply embedded pet hair and dander from mattresses, curtains, and couches.
4- cleaning products organized
Keeping your cleaning products in one designated area will help you with staying on task and staying focused it’s important to keep your supplies organized and clean as well.
5- easy ways to clean hard to clean things:
Stubborn stuck on messes in the microwave? Don’t scrub it by hand get a bowl or a cup of water and add some vinegar or some lemon juice and a heavy pinch of salt microwave for 1.5-3 mins and it should wipe off with ease you can put a little of the water on a cloth and wipe away any remaining stuck on grease
Cloudy glass door? I have two solutions for this problem
1-Spray the glass generously with white vinegar or a citric acid-based bathroom cleaner.
The Trick: Let it sit for 10 minutes so the acid can eat the minerals. Scrub lightly with a blue non-scratch pad, rinse with warm water, and immediately use your window squeegee to pull the water off the glass. If you leave it to air dry, new water spots will form instantly.
2- spray with bathroom cleaner throw some commit on it get a wet cloth wipe the bathroom cleaner and commit soaked glass doors let set 1-2 mins and spray with shower head or rinse with cup of water squeegee the doors dry
