5 Tips to Help Guys Clean Floors Fast

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I'll be honest, keeping floors clean is not one of my favorite household tasks. However, it is a necessary part of being a dad. I would much rather be playing with my kids, hanging out with my wife, or doing pretty much anything else. Because I know many guys feel the same way, I wanted to pass on 5 tips I have found to help guys clean floors fast. After all, the quicker you clean the floors, the sooner you can get back to doing other awesome guy things like saving the world from zombies, tracking down Bigfoot, or constructing that 4,000 square foot tree house in your backyard.

1. Make Sure You Have the Right Tools

You won't get anywhere without the right tools. Just like a mechanic or a construction worker, your tools make all the difference. For this job you will need a few special items. Get yourself some rags, an iron, a rake, vinegar, water, a great vacuum, and your favorite drink to congratulate yourself when you are done. My vacuum of choice is one that has useful attachments, can clean any surface you put it up against, and doesn't have a cord to slow you down. I'm talking about the Electrolux ErgorapidoRealtree Xtra. The great thing about this is it does equally well with camping or using it to clean your kid's carpet. It is limited edition, but it's available right now at Walmart.com. Oh, and If anyone asks why you need all of these random items, just tell them, “Don't worry about it, I’m like the MacGyver of cleaning.”

2. Rake Those Toys Up

Don't quit reading now, this tip is an awesome parenting hack! You may think I'm joking but the fastest way to get ready to clean the floors is to rake up all the toys lying around. Keep a small, clean rake on hand to quickly gather all the toys into a storage bin. Don't worry, you can sort them out later. As soon as you have all the larger items picked up go back and check for smaller things. Just make sure you put the rake away before your wife gets home. If she does ask about it, just mumble something about how MacGyver never had to answer questions like this and walk away. She will be left speechless by your response and at the same time amazed by the spotless floors.

3. Use a Hand Vacuum to Clean Higher Places First

It's a good idea to first clean tabletops, high chairs, stairs, and other places where kids and pets have been. You know kids somehow create a hurricane of food particles around them. So use that hand vacuum to get in the tight spaces and if some lands on the floor, you can clean it up after. One of the reasons I like the Ergorapido is because it comes with a built in hand vac that it is fast and simple to get out and use in the places where dirt loves to hide.

4.  Vinegar and Water Make Quick and Easy Work of Dirt

For your hard surfaces first vacuum then use this “Your Wife Will Call You a Superhero” floor cleaning solution. Mix 1/2 cup white vinegar with 1 gallon of water. This won't leave residue or streaks. You can dispense it easily, and keep it for later, by putting it in a spray bottle. As always, I recommend testing this on a small area of the floor first.

5. Remove Crayons with an Iron

Sometimes crayons, candles (seriously guys, what are you doing with these on the carpet anyway), or other waxy things can get stuck in your precious rug. Kids mash them in and it is tough to get out. Heat up your iron and throw a rag over the wax. Gently iron the rag and the wax will transfer to the rag from the carpet. After you get up as much as you can, use your favorite carpet cleaner to clean the rest. Guys, this MacGyver tip will help wipe away any evidence that you were lighting candles and listening to Celine Dion in the living room.

I hope these tips help you the next time you need to quickly clean your floors. Obviously this isn't necessary when the guys come over for the big game, but it just might save you the next time your wife calls to say she is bringing her mother over! Remember to pick up the Electrolux Ergorapido Realtree at Walmart before it's gone and let me know what other tips you have in the comments below.