I’m always looking for ways to make homekeeping easier, simpler, and a little more enjoyable. Laundry seems to be everyone’s homekeeping nemesis, so today I’m sharing a few ideas for making it easier to “take a load off”.
August 20,2014
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Tip #5: Using vinegar to clean Stainless Steele
Tip #6: Removing mineral deposits from Shower Heads
June 1, 2014
Tips for cleaning with Vinegar
Tip #1: Using vinegar to clean floors
Tip #2: Using vinegar to clean Dishwater
Tip #3: Using vinegar to clean Coffee Maker
TIp #4: Using vinegar to clean Microwave
Tip #1: Using Baking Soda as a tub scrubber
Tip #2: Using white bead as glass magnet
Tip #3: Collapsible Laundry bins as Garbage bins
1. Gather your supplies!!!
Make sure you are stocked up on all your favorite cleaning surprise, paper towels, sponges, etc.
if I don’t have something I need, I am more likely to put it off and save it for a rainy day. Be prepared before you dive into the big job of spring cleaning!!!
2. Do your spring cleaning and organizing over time.
It is hard to do such a big task in one day. Create a schedule or list. I write what I want to do in my planner, that way I might actually do it because I wrote it down. One day do bathrooms, another bedrooms, or however you need to pace it out to get it all done right.
3. Get the right junk in the right place.
I am a great pile maker. I make a pile for the office, to go downstairs, to put in the bedroom. This is great, but it also makes spring cleaning hard. All the piles and junk everywhere get in the way. Get the junk into its proper place. If it goes in the craft room get it to the craft room so you can organize while you clean.
4. Do each room one at a time.
I’ve decided I get distracted. I get focused on cleaning, but instead of focusing my energy in one room I try to do it all at once and then at the end of the day, I have a semi clean house, but no one room is completely done. Start with one room and do it
until it is completely finished and clean. This will give greater satisfaction that you’ve accomplished a whole room, when you do reward yourself! You deserve it!
5. Throw out crap as you go.
Whether your throw it in the trash, donate to goodwill or have a garage sale. Round up the crap and get rid of it. It holds you down and makes it harder to have a clean home. As you deep clean this spring ask yourself if you’ve used something in the last 6 months. If you haven’t and you’re pretty sure you could live without it, toss it.
6. Start from the top and work down.
In each room start high up with light fixtures, then windows and blinds on down to the baseboards and floors. This is the law of gravity. If you vacuum your floors and then wipe the blades of your ceiling fan off, chances are you are going to
have to vacuum again. Make it easier on yourself. Do things in a progressive order top to bottom.
7. Move your furniture.
When used to dust as a child, I thought you just had to get all the visible dust and you were good. Just wipe around all the books and stuff on the tables decorations. Those things need to be move if not there is still a bunch of dust that gets missed. Same goes for furniture. Move it.
8. Wash everything.
I mean it. Walls, cupboards, sheets, mattress pads pillows bed spreads, drapes. It will leave your house with the fresh smell of laundry and spring.
9. Solve problems.
Our big problem: SHOES. They seem to end up everywhere. By every door. In the middle of the kitchen. Never on feet just spread across the house. Ok ok part of it is my fault but we all could improve right? My solution: a shoe rack near the garage door. I don’t know if it will work yet but I am going to try it and see. I will put our most used shoes on
the rack all others go to closets. Solving problems like this will make it easier to keep your home clean. On the flip side, if you have s problem you’ve fixed it but the solution isn’t working, don’t be afraid to change it again.
10. Get creative with your cleaning supplies.
Use things that you wouldn’t normally use to clean. I love to use an old or cheap toothbrush to get in little corners, cracks and crevices.
11. Air your house out.
Even if it is a bit chilly I love to get the windows open while I am cleaning. It brings a nice breeze to get rid of the stale closed up all winter air. Hang out things that can’t be washed like dry clean only beds spreads, pillows large area rugs. Get that spring fresh outdoors scent and bring it inside.
12. Touch up paint.
So this may not be cleaning, but it may as well be. I have a couple of places where the paint has been nicked around my
house. It is driving me crazy. My eyes go rich to the nicks. Touching up these nicks is like icing on a spring cleaning cake.
13. Tighten screws, change light bulbs, an d check smoke detectors.
Ok I’m weird. These things are just good things to check right now. Make sure things are working properly. Or if something has gone undone all winter that needs you attention, schedule it on your spring cleaning schedule.
Like change that hard to get light bulb on your porch. Do it you will feel better.
14. Create a Weekly/Daily cleaning schedule.
After your house is all spotless from spring cleaning, maintain it. Maintenance is key. It will make the deep cleaning an easy thing rather than a huge chore every few months. Find what works best for you. Do you like to get all your cleaning done in one day, or do you like to spread it out doing a little bit each day? Whatever your cleaning style: Make a plan.
15. Don’t do it all alone.
Enlist your husband, boyfriend, roommates, and/or kids. Maybe ask a friend to help your and then do the same for her. I always find it easier to keep going when someone is helping me out.
I hope this helps you to tackle your spring cleaning
organization this year.
Tip #1: Removing perspiration stains.
Tip #2: Use lemon and salt to clean stains and marks off your cutting boards and butcher blocks.
Tip #3: Gently scrub the inside of your tea or coffee stained mugs with salt and a damp cloth to
remove stains.
Tip #4: Use 1/2 a lemon dipped in salt to scour rust off a porcelain sink.
Tip #5: Use 1/2 of a lemon dipped in salt to scrub away lime buildup around your faucets.
Weekly Room Cleaning Tip
Step 1: Take everything out. Throw away anything that has expired or is not in good condition.
Step 2: Deep clean the fridge. remove shelves and drawers. This is a pain that will pay off in the end. Use hot water and soap to do the DEEP CLEANING. For those areas that are perhaps more dirty use lemon.
Step 3: Use wax paper to protect your fridge shelves and the bottom of your drawers. Wax paper works the best. It wont stick to the glass and looks fresh and bright.
Step 4: Use sandwich bags ( Fold top closure) to wrap butter, cheese, and vegetables. This is the best dollar you will ever spend. It is quick, easy, keeps your food fresh longer and your fridge odor free.
Step 5: Use small bottles for ketchup, mayo, and mustard. They work perfect for kids and thy are pretty much mess free.
Step 6: Use big plastic containers to store your bottles and smaller one for snacks, butter sticks, and to keep your veggies and fruits organized. Use smaller containers for smaller items. Also veggies and fruits are a lot easier to find. Just put the container out and pick what you need.
Step 7: Before you go shopping take a look at what you have. This not only will save you money but will help you to keep the amount of food in your fridge under control.
Following these simple Steps we went from a mess to the cleanest fridge we have ever had.
Vanilla as Freezer Freshener
Vinegar as Odor Remover
Make cleaning your Computer Keys simple:
Pillow Cleaning Routine:
Step 1 – Wash:
Remove the pillowcase and pillow protector. You will want to use the most liquid gentle detergent you have, avoiding harsh detergents loaded with stain removers and scents. Set your washer on the gentle, warm water cycle as well as it’s largest capacity. Put in the detergent and allow the washer to begin filling before putting in your pillows. Wash no more than two to three average pillows at a time to guarantee a thorough cleaning.
Step 2 – Rinse:
After your washer has completed it’s cycle, run it through the rinse cycle again. This is to make sure that the detergent is thoroughly removed from the interior of the pillow. Due to their thickness and density, pillows require a bit more care to be thoroughly cleaned. I like to run my spin cycle twice as well to remove any excess water.
Step 3 – Dry:
Upon finishing the washing portion of cleaning your pillows, it’s time to dry them. If your pillow is foam, you will want to line dry or hang your pillow to dry as a trip through the dryer would cause the material to melt. For other synthetic materials, dry on a low to medium heat cycle and avoid any high heat. Down and natural materials can’t stand much heat, so set your dryer on Air and allow them to dry thoroughly. If you would like to fluff up your pillows again, put a couple tennis balls in some socks and toss them in to agitate and return the fibers to their natural state. Stop the dryer every 30 minutes to rotate the pillows around to make sure that they dry thoroughly.
10 WAYS TO CLEAN WITH VINEGAR
House Cleaning List
Weekly:
- dust all hard surfaces
-vacuum or mop the floor
-wipe down the appliances
-wipe down the counters
-scrub and disinfect the toilet
-scrub and disinfect the shower and bath tub
-change the sheets
-check and empty the garbage as needed
Monthly:
- vacuum
-wipe and disinfect the wastebaskets
-wipe and disinfect the doorknobs
-wipe and dust ceiling fans
-scrub clean the stove burner
-dust the moldings
-wipe down fronts of kitchen cabinets
-clean out the drains
Every 3 to 6 months:
-launder or hand wash the curtains
-wipe and disinfect the wastebaskets
-wipe and disinfect the doorknobs
-wipe and dust ceiling fans
-scrub the stove and burner
-dust the moldings
- wipe down fronts of kitchen cabinets
- clean out drains
Every 6 to 12 months:
-clean the oven
- wash and clean the lamp shades
-sponge clean washable upholstery
-wash or dry clean pillows
-launder or dry clean comforters
-wash fabric shades
- empty and clean cabinets
-scrub tile grout
-wash and dry filter of the stove hood
Every year:
-professionally clean the rugs
-professionally clean the upholstery every year
- professionally clean the carpets
- professionally clean fabric shades
-touch up needed floors
-wash the walls
-clean pantry thoroughly
-professionally clean the drapes every 2 years