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We live in such a demanding world. We have to work, work, work, make dinner, and we're expected to clean too? And what with all the chemicals and cleaning gadgets on the market, it's an overwhelming job. But with just a few basic tools, you can learn how to clean anything. Remember, our great-grandmothers didn't have any of these modern "necessities," and most of their homes were cleaner than ours!

Chemicals - If you keep some of the more basic liquids and chemicals around in your home, you'll be able to clean nearly anything. First one we'll start with is ammonia. Do you want clean clarity? Ammonia is a good choice to use for cleaning solutions. Ammonia is wonderful stuff when you mix it up with water to clean your glass, stainless steel, and tile or linoleum floors.

To polish up some dull items and get them shining again, you'll want lemon juice. This acidic liquid is good for the job. And how could we do without bleach? We need it to kill off the mold and mildew, as well as get rid of those stains on the white items.

But remember, you must always remember that bleach and ammonia must be kept separate! The fumes created by mixing these two chemicals are deadly! Don't play around with them. To tackle the really challenging cleaning jobs, use cream of tartar and salt. You probably already have them stocked in your spice cabinet. With these items on hand, you'll be prepared for how to clean anything.

Large tools - Probably a vacuum, most likely a Swiffer or a dust mop, definitely a good broom with a dust pan. All three are considered necessities in many households, depending on the types of floors.

If you have tile or linoleum flooring, you may be one of many people who prefer the bucket and mop. A long-handled duster will get into ceiling corners and remove dust from the blades of ceiling fans.

Small tools - Rags, sponges, and two microfiber cloths are the staples for your small cleaning tools. Great rags can be made from old cloth diapers, and men's undershirts. Sponges should be replaced on a regular basis, as they can hold germs. Microfiber cloths come in two varieties.

Nubby or napped, the first kind of cloth is mostly used for dust and general household cleaning. Then there are very smooth cloths, intended for electronic screens and other delicate surfaces. And if you don't want to dry out the skin on your hands or handle nasty things directly when you're learning how to clean anything, you may want to consider rubber gloves as one of your cleaning necessities!