By Special to the Town Crier

People today have less time for everything - including house cleaning.

When they do clean, however, they don’t want to use harsh chemicals, according to a recent survey.

For example, the majority of respondents, 69 percent, prefer natural cleaning products for laundry, as long as the products are effective at removing stains and odors.

Cleaning products that are effective but will not harm the skin, children or pets are growing in popularity, Yet the time available for cleaning - about half the time people spent in the 1960s - is still limited.

According to the survey, more than a quarter of respondents say they are too busy with other activities and chores to focus on cleaning the home.

Thus, housecleaning often gets pushed aside.

For an orderly and clean home, Orange Glo International offers these quick and easy, healthy tips for cleaning the home that typically can be accomplished in less than two hours:

The Bedroom: 30 minutes.

Use old socks as mitts for dusting difficult woodwork, and wash small treasures with soapy water instead of dusting, to keep them dust-free longer.

After years of use and annual spring cleaning, bed linens can become dingy and worn. When washing bed linens, add a scoop of a multi-purpose stain remover to the load to boost your detergent’s washing power, remove nasty stains and brighten whites and colors, without damaging the fabric.

Also, remember to wash the comforter and curtains at least twice a year to get rid of dust mites and to remove odors.

The Kitchen: 30 minutes.

Water spots on stainless sinks can be removed with rubbing alcohol.

Vacuum the front of the coils on the refrigerator to get rid of dust and dirt, and replace the box of baking soda inside if older than one month.

For countertops with set-in, greasy messes, use an orange oil-based all-purpose cleaner and let sit for a few minutes to lighten the cleaning job.

The Bathroom: 45 minutes.

First, organize your toiletries and other items; if near-empty tubes and bottles clutter the cabinets and drawers-toss them.

Once your belongings are neat and orderly, tackle the tub and sink.

Ugly hard-water stains, soap scum and mineral deposits build up quickly, so you should regularly take the time to polish them up. A quick, effective product will work instantly to remove the buildup, without allergy-causing fumes. Be sure to rinse with water after use.

To learn more about healthy cleaning products, or to find more quick cleaning tips, logon to www.greatcleaners.com or call toll-free 800-781-7529.

- North American Precis Syndicate