• Cleaning a neglected house can be a daunting task.Woman cleaning the house. image by maron from Fotolia.com
  
  Few people enjoy cleaning their house, but leaving it in a neglected state can have disastrous consequences for your social life and your health. No one likes visiting a filthy house and an excessive build-up of dust and dirt can lead to unpleasant, stale odors that can cause illness. Cleaning up a filthy house can seem a daunting prospect, but by following a basic cleaning strategy, you can swiftly bring your house back to its former glory.
  
  

Make a Schedule

• If your house needs a thorough cleaning, it can be daunting knowing where to start. Making a schedule will break down the task into manageable components and give you a feeling of progress as you tidy each area and move on to the next one. Draw up a room-by-room schedule, outlining the cleaning products and tools you will need for each area and the amount of time you expect to take with each task.
  
  

Tools and Products

• Survey your house and locate the areas most in need of attention. Some areas may have a significant build-up of rust or grease which will be the focal point of your cleaning. For these areas, purchase high-quality cleaning products and tools to give yourself the best chance of completing the job. Having all the required materials to hand will save you a lot of time running from one room to another trying to find the right product for a specific job.
  
  

Clutter

• Some areas might simply need a thorough cleaning out rather than aggressive scrubbing. Old clothes, newspapers and general clutter should be sent straight to the garbage as these will cause you significant annoyance when trying to carry out surface and fabric cleaning. Having a clutter-free house will also help you assess the full extent of how filthy your house is and the steps needed to repair the damage.
  
  

Natural Products

• Natural cleaning products can be just as effective as chemical alternatives. If you have children or animals in the house, you may be concerned about them breathing in harsh fumes which can cause illness. Vinegar and lemon juice are two natural solutions which are excellent at clearing up heavy grime which affect kitchen and bathroom surfaces. Mixing baking soda with an essential oil such as rosemary or lavender creates an excellent fabric and carpet deodorizer for lounge and bedroom areas. This will help rid your house of unpleasant smells built up from lengthy periods of neglect.