Attention spouses and kids – we have the perfect gift for Mother’s Day or Father’s Day. And it doesn’t require wrapping! Give a vacation from cleaning. First, lure your giftee parent or caregiver out of the house, so you can clean with ease. Then, it’s time to get to work. Use our tips to prepare that can help make your task easy and effective:

Start with a plan. In general, you want to work top to bottom and from one side of the room to the other. Declutter before cleaning. For more details on how to get started, check out our Cleaning Guide for Beginners. Have more questions? Look for your answers on CleaningInstitute.org to have lots of reliable cleaning information at your fingertips.

Wipe and swipe. Before starting to clean, stock up on ready-to-use wipes. These already have cleaning product embedded and are perfect for one-stop cleaning. For instance, heat-activated wipes clean baked-on foods in microwaves; disinfectant wipes help remove grime on sinks, countertops, toilets, light switch covers, and faucet handles; and dusting wipes get rid of dust on surfaces like tabletops, television screens, picture frames, and knickknacks.

Crisp and fresh. If you’re planning an indoor event or celebration for your giftee upon their return, why not dress the table with special linens? Instead of ironing, you can use a wrinkle-releasing spray to make linens look crisp and beautiful. Use fabric refreshers to cover up and neutralize odors on hard-to-wash and soft surfaces, such as carpets, upholstery, and curtains.

Remember to read the label. Read and follow the product label directions on all cleaning products. Shh, don’t tell mom or dad – let them think they taught you everything you know!