Bathrooms - Deep Cleaning

When I was little I was in charge of cleaning the upstairs bathroom. I think I started at seven, but my little sister didn't clean the bathroom until I went to college! That's just how it goes with little sisters...back to bathrooms...I would pretend I was hosting a cleaning show to the huge mirror audience. I would take them through what I was doing step by step, explaining everything. I was a funny kid. Now I clean my bathroom in three different ways, the mid-week-wipe-down, the weekly cleaning and the twice a year deep cleaning. Bathrooms are perhaps the grossest rooms in the house, especially boys bathrooms!
Mid-Week-Wipe-Down:
I use cleaning wipes (So sorry Mother Nature, but I do recycle more than I throw away so I allow myself this one extravagance) wipe down the sink, counter, top of the toilet, and then the seat in that order. Touch up the mirror and I'm done! So easy!
Weekly Cleaning:
Using soft and scrub I scrub the sink and counters, making sure to rinse off the excess otherwise it dries white and powdery. Scrub the toilet inside and out, I use rubber gloves and a sponge, it sound gross but it's the most effective method for me. After I do the mirror I use that same paper towel to dust off the toilet paper roll holder, towel racks, and any decor. I don't clean the bathtubs every week, but at least once a month. My favorite cleaner to use on the tubs is a magic eraser, I recently tried the generic version and it worked just as well.
Twice a Year Deep Cleaning:
Take everything out of the cupboards, purging as you go. Vacuum out, then wipe out cabinets and drawers put everything back in an organized fashion.
Happy Cleaning :)

Cupboards

Dishes should be stacked from big to little in like piles. Thankfully I don't have glass or open cupboards! It doesn't look perfect, but we can always find what we need which is the whole point!


When I cleaned out my kitchen the other week I thoroughly organized the spice/baking cupboard. I don't have a very big kitchen and a small pantry. But, by keeping like things together in an organized fashion I can always find what I need and it makes my kitchen feel a lot bigger. Small spaces will always seem bigger after a thorough purge and organization.

Bathroom cupboards seem too hold all different kinds of things, hair bows, combs, toothpaste, toilet paper, make-up, all kinds of things. I don't know about you, but my husband has one shelf and one drawer, whereas I have a drawer, a cupboard and three shelves. Now, I realize I sound like a broken record but the rules of organization are the same for every closet, cupboard, and drawer in your home. Keep like things together, throw out garbage and broken items, and maintain it! Whenever you put something away, put it where it goes! By maintaining all areas of your home you only have to do a major clean out twice a year.

Sweeping and Mopping

There is a time and place for sweeping. Garages, front porches, sidewalks are all great sweeping areas. But not inside. Why? When you sweep, all the dirt, dust and filth are swept up into the air landing on your furniture, counters, cabinets, walls, appliances, maybe even your kids. I use a hand sweeper for cleaning up under the table after meals, it also works especially well for cleaning up play dough. Other than that I recommend using your vacuum to clean your hard surface floors before mopping. If your vacuum didn't come with a floor attachment you can get a small vacuum for hard surfaces pretty cheap.

Now for mopping. I have found the most effective way for me to my hard surface floors is on my hands and knees using the hundred wash cloth method developed by my Mom! First I take a bucket, put in a some all purpose cleaner, fill with warm water, put in my wash cloths (about 20, seriously) then put on my rubber gloves and go. I take out a wash cloth, wipe the floor, baseboards and touch up the walls as needed. Once I use a cloth I do not put it back in the bucket, I get out a new one each time, this way each new cloth is clean, not filled with dirty water. I do not have time to do this every week, but I try to do it twice a month. Meanwhile I own a steam mop that I use in between and I love it! I also have owned a Swiffer and that seemed to work fine in between deep cleans. The most important tip I can give you is to avoid the old method of cleaning your floors with dirty water, don't double dip your mop!

Closets

1. Pick one and start there, don't try to do it all at once.

2. Purge, Purge , Purge! If you haven't worn it in a year it's gone! Unless you were pregnant! I have saved some special clothing, the sweaters we were wearing when we got engaged, my wedding dinner dress, my wedding dress, my favorite baby clothes from my kids, a dress I made in college and a few others. But the key is it I specifically chose to save each piece.

3. Make 4 piles: garbage, keep, donate, sell. Ebay is your friend!

4. Keep a box for clothes your kids have grown out of handy, in the closet if possible. When your child has grown out of an item of clothing, put it in the box, donate it to charity or a friend or family member who has children younger than you.

5. Have a place for everything, shoe racks, baskets for purses, tie racks, belt racks, hooks for hats. These can be found at any Target, IKEA, Wal-Mart, Bed Bath and Beyond, and for not much money.
6. Fold sweaters: it helps them maintain their shape and takes up less room.
7. Hang clothing by type, facing the same direction so you don't waste time searching for certain pieces. My closet goes like this: camisoles/tank tops, short sleeve under shirts (shade), short sleeve tees, nicer tees, short sleeve blouses, quarter length sleeves shirts, blouses, cardigans, long sleeve cottons, blouses, cardigans, jackets. Then there is a section for shorts, Capri's, and pants. Pants are hung from slacks to jeans. Skirts are hung by color and length.
It sounds like a lot of work but once it is done if you put back clothing where it belongs it is easy to maintain. I use the same method with all of my children's hang up clothing, they don't believe quite as strongly as I do about maintaining order, but what's a Mom to do!?! In my baby's closet I hang up clothes to grow into in the back up to one size, so I don't forget I have them. Put on some of your favorite music, get the kids involved, and remember to take it one at a time!