How to Deep Clean Your House: The Best Systems, Books and Tricks

21 Comments

1. Is anyone else breaking out around their face due to wearing a mask? I am and it’s really driving me crazy. I think I need a mask with a vent of some type for circulation. Has anyone used a mask with a vent that helped the breakouts? I’m desperate! Thanks Ladies!

   1. A mask with a vent is going to defeat the purpose of protecting you and those around you. I’m afraid you’re going to have to live with it or try some different brands of masks.

      1. +1 to this. CapHillStyle featured a mask that doesn’t sit directly on the skin as supposedly helping with mascne. Also, be prepared to get DRAGGED by other commenter for asking for a mask with vents–these comments are ruthless and getting worse by the day.

   2. I have no advice on a vented mask, however, Herbivore did an instagram post, yesterday, I think, about mask-ne and suggested a routine (with their products, of course) to help reduce it. You might want to check it out. Even if you don’t use their stuff, maybe you could find similar alternatives?

   3. Yes, my tips are below, but honestly the easiest cheapest solution is a thin mask of sulfur ointment every night, for about 30-60 minutes (or you can apply with q-tips to whichever areas are worst). My routine is this:
      PM – double cleanse, sulfur ointment for between 30-60 minutes (either a thin layer on problem spots, or dabbed just on breakouts), my prescription (curology), thin layer of either facial oil OR hydrating toner, and then a thin gel moisturizer. I’ll also use pimple patches on any especially bad spots before hydrating but after treating/cleansing.
      AM – just face wash (not oil cleanse), thin layer of differin, facial oil, sunblock, setting powder, eye makeup (I don’t bother with foundation with a mask). I find that the setting powder and the other layers do help a bit to dissipate the moisture build up.

      1. Sorry – this is the sulfur ointment. It’s usually about $4-$6 for a jar:
         https://www.amazon.com/Cruz-Medication-Allergy-Tested-Preservatives-Fragrances/dp/B00H5UP96I

   4. A vented mask means you are blowing your breath outside of the mask–so in some ways you are a worse danger to those around you than those without a mask as it’s harder to tell that you’re essentially going mask-less.

      I’d recommend playing with a few different mask styles. The paper disposable ones seem to heat up a lot less to me. I also do better with ones with a nose wire. It’s the sweat that’s your enemy.

      Skin-wise, I’d consider whether you need make up under the mask (less stuff to clog). I use an oil cleanser and then a regular cleanser to loosen any oil/makeup and get really clean. My go-to has been the CEO glow moisturizer–the vitamin c seems to make my skin turnover enough that it doesn’t clog. And I take spironolactone since hormones are my bigger problem. A derm can probably recommend some good topicals though if you’re at a point of crisis so you can heal.

   5. Thanks everyone. By vented mask I meant the mask with the round “port” – we’ve all seen them. I used vented wrong but that’s what I meant. I saw one advertised on IG and that’s what prompted my post here. Thanks for not ripping me a new one for using the wrong terminology!

      1. The ports are a problem though. That’s literally what it is doing–venting your breath out of the mask.

      2. The valve isn’t stopping your breath from exiting to those around you. Delta just banned them for this reason: https://thepointsguy.com/news/delta-masks-with-valves-exclusion/

      3. That port – meant to increase breathability – makes the mask less effective at protecting others from you. Please try alternative solutions before purchasing one.

      4. Yeah we think those are terrible too.

   6. Here’s a few things that worked for me:
      – A fresh mask every day
      – On hot or humid days, I use two masks, one for my commute and one in the office
      – Wear different styles of masks, so that the mask isn’t touching your face in the same places everyday
      – Different soap or detergent. One of my laundry detergents was making my face break out, I’ve actually had good results hand washing with bar soap
      – A plain white cotton mask (bought mine from American Giant) seems to bother my face the least, so I wear these (versus some patterned ones) when I can
      – I don’t wear makeup but I do wear gobs of sunscreen, and that seems ok
      Masks with vents defeat the purpose of the mask, and that likely wouldn’t help to prevent breakouts anyways.

   7. I had breakouts due to masks too — they seem to occur especially where the mask edges hit my face (jawbone, side of cheek, bridge of nose). I apply a thin layer of Vanicream moisturizing ointment on those areas before applying my mask. It isn’t completely foolproof — I had to wear a mask for longer than typical the other day, and I had one breakout. But it cuts down on breakouts significantly for me.

2. Sorry, “replace butter”?

   1. Yes that puzzled me too…

   2. Tbh I don’t remember what that meant either — like I said I haven’t updated the list in a while (like, um, back when I mostly just drank morning coffee and ate weekend Triscuits at my apartment as a single girl). I think the theory was that if I hadn’t replaced the stick of butter in a while to go do that.

      1. I love this so much.

3. My favorite recommendation for all things cleaning is Ask a Clean Person, aka Jolie Kerr. She has approximately one billion columns on various outlets if you just search “Jolie Kerr how to clean X”, you will find a bunch of recommendations. She wrote a book I love called, “My Boyfriend Barfed In My Handbag.” Finally, she had a podcast called Ask a Clean Person, which is one of my favorite podcasts of all time. She doesn’t make new episodes anymore, but the archives are extensive. She’s got a couple of series about deep cleaning that go room by room. There are also podcasts on almost any other subject you can think of. I have listened to every episode a few times and really enjoy listening to it while I’m actively cleaning.

4. For daily systems, I really like the Clean Mama cleaning routine. Even if I miss a day, I feel better knowing that there’s a rough schedule for when things need to happen, plus a make-up day if I need it. It keeps things from getting too out of control.

   My recent deep-cleaning list has included:
   – Hosing off the front stoop/back patio — by this time in the summer, those areas are getting grimy and gross.
   – Washing the bath mats in each bathroom
   – Taking off the vent covers & washing them in soapy water. I try to do this twice a year.
   – Getting rugs and curtains cleaned. Some I can do on my own, others need to be sent elsewhere.

5. I have what has been described by many as an “uncomfortably clean home” (ruuuuude!) with two kids and no cleaners. I will say that “clean” and “neat” are not the same! I’m a clean freak, but not a neat freak! (unless people are about to come over then yes, I tidy the areas they will see)
   The key to me is to just do it every day. I keep cleaning stuff under the sink in every bathroom. Every bathroom gets the counter and toilet wiped down every day. Because of this, it truly takes maybe 1 minute and is always sparkling. Toilets get scrubbed once a week.
   baseboards are vacuumed once a week. Robotic vacuum does most of the vacuuming so and areas the robotic vacuum doesn’t reach are done once a week (stairs, corners, etc.) I also vacuum the corners of the rooms by the ceiling for spider webs and the air intake vents once a week. Seriously just takes a couple of minutes while I walk around listening to a podcast. Cordless dyson and its attachments are perfect for this.
   Daily shower spray is key to keeping shower glass clear. I have a squeegee in our shower as well for the glass. Everyone’s good at remembering the shower spray, so I very rarely have to do more than give the tub or shower a quick rinse.
   Keeping light switches clean makes a big difference. I do windows at least once a week, good ol’ fashioned windex is the best.
   It sounds like a lot typing it out, but my house isn’t very large (1,500 sq ft) so it really isn’t that much.

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