CLEANING TIPS OF THE MONTH
Cloths at the ready, set, go!
Cleaning with the whole family
Winnenden, May 2016 – Children liven things up. And this is easy to see. No
sooner has a room been tidied than a mess is being created in the next room.
But the little ones are simply not interested in creating order and cleaning. This
too can be changed: when approached in the right way, cleaning can become a
real family project.
EXPERT ADVICE
from: Urte Paaßen, Domestic Economist
"Tidying is made much easier for children if their building bricks, teddy bears, etc.
have a fixed place. It is helpful to have large baskets or cardboard boxes that have
symbols of photos on them. For example, there can be one container for everything
with wheels, one for books, one for painting supplies and one for soft toys. Toys
that are not interesting right now can migrate to the basement or attic for half a
year to create more space. After this time is up, simply exchange them for other
toys. In this way, children will regularly have other things they can play with."
TIP 1
Who does what in the household? It is a good idea to draw up a cleaning rota, so
that this question does not have to be discussed over and over again. To do this,
first create a list of all of the household chores that generally need to be done.
These are then assigned to the family members, based on time and competence.
Everyone should be involved in deciding who does which jobs. In this way, duties
are allocated as far as possible so that everyone can concentrate on their favourite
tasks. As soon as a cleaning activity has been completed, it is ticked off on the list
or marked with a label.
Journalist contact
Alfred Kärcher GmbH & Co. KG
Tim Maier
Alfred-Kärcher-Str. 28-40
71364 Winnenden
Tel.: 07195/14-3919
Fax: 07195/14-2193
[email protected]
Ketchum Pleon GmbH
Eva-Maria Langwieser
Rotebühlplatz 23
70178 Stuttgart
Tel.: 0711/21099-413
Fax: 0711/21099-499
eva-maria.langwieser@
ketchumpleon.com
CLEANING TIPS OF THE MONTH
When fathers regularly help with cleaning around the house, the kids get involved
more often too.
Source: Survey by Allensbach Institute for Demoscopy 2015
TIP 2
Using the right technical equipment can have a great impact: With a shortened
mop for the youngest ones, colourful cloths or a cool apron, it can immediately be
more motivating to get to work. And it is not just the children who are happy with
their personal aids, but the grown-ups too: because anyone who wants to have fun
while cleaning will quickly set the bucket and cloths aside and clean using
technology instead. This triggers positive emotions. This was the conclusion
reached by a neuroscientific study. When observing cleaning scenarios, for
example with a Kärcher window vac, increased activity in the area of the brain that
is responsible for reward is measured – the same area that becomes active when
we see chocolate.
TIP 3
Men and cleaning don't go together? Not true. The stereotype that men dislike
cleaning does not apply to all cleaning devices at least. A Forsa study found that
75 percent of all men enjoyed operating the high-pressure cleaner to remove dirt
from their car, terrace or driveway. Pressure of up to 160 bar makes it fun for the
majority (44 percent). So if people want to do something nice for their husband,
then they will let him clean the terrace! This also sets a good example for the
children. Because when fathers regularly help with cleaning around the house, the
little ones get involved more often too.
TIP 4
Even if housework is more of a necessary evil for many people, families can try to
provide incentives. These are different for everyone. A family competition can be
motivational, for example: who can finish tidying their room the quickest? Another
option is to set up a glass into which every child can place a marble after each
completed task. As soon as the container is full, everyone gets to go on an outing
together. Here, each family finds its own incentives and rewards.
CLEANING TIPS OF THE MONTH
About Urte Paaßen: after studying biology, the 50-year old decided to pursue a
career in domestic economy. She stayed true to this profession and today works as
a domestic economist. She is fascinated by the diversity and extensive knowledge
required for the profession of domestic economist. Since obtaining her master's
certificate, she now passes on her knowledge to apprentices with a great deal of
enthusiasm. In 2010, she started the Internet platform "Wissen rund um die
Hauswirtschaft" (www.hauswirtschaft.info). Here, domestic economy is presented
graphically. A large section is devoted to the cleaning and care of rooms.