A Change of Perspective

When I started this blog I really felt that I had some tips to share with the world on keeping your house clean. So many things have changed since I started, I had my fourth child and we moved from a 2200 sq. ft condo to a 2700 sq. foot house with a yard. I've started to craft more, play more, sleep a bit more ;), I'm down to one child at home for most of the day and I refuse to use my "me time" while he naps cleaning, except for Mondays when I clean the house. I like to use that time to nap myself, bake, cook, read, sew, do a project, catch up with a friend, scrapbook, paint my nails, etc. Something that I enjoy and makes me a better wife and mother because I took care of myself. I know that sounds selfish but when I'm happy everyone is happier.
As far as cleaning goes I've made an elaborate chore/reward chart for the kids. The 12, 9, and 6, year old are perfectly capable of helping out around the house and it's important for them to learn the value of hard work. For example my nine year old wants $50 dollar ugly shoes. She is earning every last cent for those shoes because I'm hoping that she will learn the value of a dollar and she won't want to spend it all on ugly shoes!
So, the house isn't perfect, it's still quite clean and most of the time pretty straight but I've learned to let some things go until I can get to them. Like when the milk is sticking to the shelf every time I go to pull it out I know it's time to clean out the fridge. I still would encourage anyone out there to keep there house clean, but to live more and clean less. And for pete's sake clean the garbage can cupboard once in awhile so when your friends go to throw away garbage it's not revolting!!! :0)
The End

Simple Genius

This idea may have been used in households all over the world, but I came up with it on my very own and was oh so very proud and excited! (Not to sound too prideful or anything) The other day I made faux buffalo wings which involved chicken and oil. Which means oil splattered everywhere! I tried my usual windex to clean up on our glass top stove, but it smeared it around more than cleaned it up. Then a commercial came to my mind about dish soap cutting the grease, so that is what I did. I got out my handy dandy (My toddler loves Blues Clues!) dish soap scrubbing brush and scrubbed the stove top. Worked like a charm! While I was down there I noticed grease splatter and the walls, with a bit more elbow grease the walls are clean too!

I GIVE UP! Let the good times roll!!!

Summer is officially here in my corner of the world and as a result I have full time kids making full time messes. Yesterday, after putting the baby down for a nap I spent a good 30 minutes, vacuuming, steam mopping, cleaning the hard water and dirt off the outside of the sliding glass doors, and cleaning the hand prints, and baby prints off the inside of the sliding glass door. Then I sent the older kids outside for some much needed fresh air and fun in the sun. I went upstairs to finish the straightening and get ready for the day. As I came downstairs what did I see? One of my daughters squirting the doors, over, and over with her squirt gun. Then later that afternoon all of them completely ignored me and came inside dragging their wet and grassy feet over my freshly steam mopped tile! That did it, I spent most of the day grumpy about the whole thing. Today I realize I have two choices:

1. Do I yell at the kids all summer to keep the house clean?

2. do I do my best to straighten, keep to my weekly cleaning and call it good.

They make the choice for me, #2 it is. Wish me luck, because this super clean Mommy and her not so clean children need it!

Hard Water?

Do you have hard water stains on your faucet like me? This is after I had cleaned half of the faucet with a lemon! Worked like a charm! I just used half of a lemon as my cleaner and scrubber, some elbow grease and...

Ta Da! A beautiful, shiny, hard water stain free faucet.

Stainless Steel Woes?

For the first time in my life I have stainless steel appliances. At first I had a love/hate relationship with them. Love the shine, the measured water feature on the fridge and a dishwasher that works really, really good. Hate the drips, fingerprints, spots...get the picture? I tried Windex, because what doesn't Windex clean? The answer: Stainless steel. It cleans it, but leaves horrible streaks. I was on the hunt for a streak free cleaner and I found it! Baby Oil! Okay, it doesn't actually clean, but it polishes my stainless beautifully! First, clean with the Windex, then put some baby oil on a white wash cloth, {a little goes a long way} then polish away. Ta Da! Gorgeous streak free, fingerprint free, spot free stainless. Until someone walks by and touches it of course. But the oil lasts awhile so it isn't hard to polish it with a dry cloth as needed.

My First Junk Drawer

When I was moving in I had all this left over "stuff." Stuff that used to be in three different places in our other place. This is the stuff that doesn't quite have a home, stuff that I need regularly and sometimes in a hurry, like band aids, lip gloss, lotion, and tape. All these things can most likely be found in other place in my home as well. But random things like the felt pads to go on the bottom of the chairs, extra elastics to protect long hair from syrup in hair, all these things also go in the junk drawer. Occasionally I'll open it up and think "I really need to get this organized," but most of the time I just love it! It's so convenient.

Garages

Right now I have belongings in two garages. The garage at our old place has the leftover stuff stacked in a corner, but it is garbage free and has been swept out. We really need to get the rest of the stuff out of there, but we can't until the garage at our new place gets a major overhaul. It is a disaster area! Every time I move the garage is the last place to get organized, out of sight, out of mind I guess. But it isn't really out of sight, I go in there a million times a day to get in and out of the car. Thankfully the forecast is for sunshine on Saturday and we can tackle the garage and get some order! We have plans to put in some shelving, stack all the holiday bins together in order, take my little sisters stuff down to my older sisters house who has more storage room, (she doesn't know this, but I don't think she reads this very often!) figure out a way to organize the shoes so the shoe-death-trap at the bottom of the garage stairs disappears, and if I can get my dear husband to organize his tools a miracle will truly have occurred! I will post the after pictures, because there must be an after, I can't live like this!!!

Moving...

Every time I move I'm always shocked at how dirty my house is. Everything I can see is pretty clean, but under and behind furniture is disgusting. Dust bunnies, the size of small actual bunnies dwell under my bed, behind the couch, and on top of the kitchen cupboards. The question I keep asking myself is this, "How much do I really care?" In my eleven and a half years of marriage I have never lived in one place longer than three years, if I rearrange my furniture I clean the walls and flooring behind the furniture but other than that I might get to it, or I might not. Take my current home, the bed hasn't moved since we moved in, I'm scared to see what is lurking under there! As clean as I consider myself, and you know I am a self professed clean freak! I don't take the time to clean under and behind furniture that never moves, or that balls don't roll under. It's all I can do to keep up on everything I can see. So what if I never moved? How gross would it be then? If I ever stay in one place longer than three years I will have to develop some sort of system to make sure those life size dust bunnies, don't turn into life size dust elephants! Meanwhile since I'm moving my posts will be few and far between while I get settled in the new house, and get this house ready for the new owners, wish me luck!

Bills, Bills, Bills!

We all have them and we all have to deal with them. In our home I'm in charge of the household finances. After nearly 12 years I finally have a system that works for me. When I get the mail I go through it one time and make a decision: recycle or keep. Everything I keep has a place, (surprised?) coupons, magazines, bills, all go in their own spot. On Mondays I look at what bills need to be paid that week, including the next Monday and if they need to be mailed I use a magnet and put them on the back door so I don't forget to take them with me. Is your garage door magnetic too? It was one of my greatest discoveries a couple of years ago when I discovered the door leading to the garage was magnetic! Weird I know, but true.
Back to bills:
I created a spreadsheet that has all my bills in monthly order. That way I know what is due when, it also has all the passwords, websites and account numbers associated with each account. All the information is in one place and I don't waste time searching. I prefer to set up automatic payments, or pay online and save a stamp if possible. To keep track of everything I use the program Microsoft Money. Then every month my husband balances Money with our bank account. I also like to plan it out months in advance so I can see when big expenses are coming up, like car registration, birthdays, holidays etc. so I can save.
Now, a clutter problem can occur if old bills are saved, and saved, and saved. I keep bills for two years, taxes forever, and shred everything else. So this January I went through all of our files and got rid of everything from 2008.
Figure out a system that works for you. Once a system is in place it will help to eliminate the pain-in-the-neck and stress of bill paying in your life!

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!

Windows...

My windows are filthy. As I was enjoying the sun shining through them the other day I noticed they are layered with grime. It's quite cold in my spot of the world so I think I will add windows to my list of things that must wait until Spring, it's on my sidebar. I will also add cold storage rooms for you Ashley!

How clean is your oven?

I need to clean mine, and I hate cleaning the oven! It is technically a self cleaning oven, but the last time I tried it the whole house filled up with smoke. It's cold outside, I can't open up all the windows, maybe I will put this one thing off until Spring... Yes, I think I will. Okay, storage room time! Mine is a disaster, you can barely walk into it. I will post before and after pictures. Now I'm committed...Do you want to commit to cleaning you storage room, leave a comment and I'll post your before and after pics too!

Kitchens

I've spent the last two days deep cleaning and purging my kitchen cupboards and the pantry. I still need to tackle the oven, my least favorite job in the whole world! I started with the pantry and baking cupboard. I threw away or recycled old stuff, are my kids the only ones who put back empty cereal boxes? Then organized the remaining food. Next the appliance cupboard where I took everything out, wiped out the cupboard then put everything I rarely use in the back and things we use the most in the front. Onto the tupperware/bowl/pots and pans. I pretty much just took everything out, wiped it out, then when I was putting things back I stacked them according to size. Once again I put everything I rarely use in the back. If you have those fabulous cupboard with drawers that roll out, count your lucky stars! From there I did the cups, dishes, and then I tackled the drawers. Have you ever noticed how gross the silverware container gets? I don't know how it happeneds, but the divider that holds my clean silverware gathers all sorts of crumbs. Gross. Everyone has different drawers and cupboards, but the idea is the same. Take everything out, wipe out, put back only the stuff you use and like stuff together so you know where it is. Don't forget to wipe down the outside of the drawers and cabinets too, especially around the handle. I also have containers to separate things within the cupboards or drawers, like a little basket for seasoning packets, a basket for cookie/cake decorations etc. In the drawers you can find awesome dividers in all sizes so you can put your spatulas in one, wooden spoon's in one, measuring spoons in another, etc. It isn't hard to find the right size for your needs and they can be pretty cheap. Have fun!

Catch Up Time

Since I haven't been well I'm way behind on my housekeeping, and well, life in general. There are emails to return, laundry, so MUCH laundry, non-house related projects to finish, bills to pay, bills to file and last years bills to shred! I could do without bills :) I will be taking the remainder of this week and weekend to catch up around here so I can continue my deep cleaning projects. In between the posts labeled "Deep Cleaning" I will also be starting a new thread labeled "Purging". A friend recently asked if I had completed all my deep cleaning projects yet, the answer is nope. I still need to tackle all the doorknobs and light switches. See you next Monday!

On Sick Leave...

Deep Cleaning Part 3: Door Knobs, Light Switches and Bannisters

Something gross happens at my house; I have a door that leads to the basement. A lot of tween aged boys play in my basement. Occasionally I'll put my hand on it and it is sticky, and textured, with what I really don't want to know. I really, really don't! I get out my trusty all purpose, disinfecting cleaner and rag and clean it off, both sides and around the knob on the sides of the door because I'll notice fingerprints. Then I see the bathroom door, it looks highly suspicious as well, so I clean that. Then I'll move from room to room inspecting door knobs and doors and cleaning them as needed. You know what is so close to most door knobs? A light switch, they get really gross too so I wipe those down as well and before you know it all my door knobs and light switches have been cleaned, then I see the banister... One day I was walking up the stairs and noticed my white banister had black streaks I thought the paint might be wearing off, but it wasn't, it was filth! What ever makes white banisters have black streaks, once again I really don't want to know the details. Is this reminding you of the book "If you Give a Mouse a Cookie?" That is what it feels like, one thing leads to another and some days if time permits I'll end up cleaning the baseboards and outlets too, but let's leave those out of this post. There has been so much talk of the importance of hand washing to prevent the spread if H1N1, the common cold, influenza and worse. So why not take the time to clean the things we all touch multiple times a day, door knobs, the area around it and light switches. They are such small areas and you know the places in your home that are used much more than others. You can get it done fast, or get the kids to pitch in! In college during "white glove" inspections we used to have to use a Q-tip to clean the edges, if they are that bad go for it, or take off the light switch and clean it and the part that sticks through the plate, just don't shock yourself! Once they are thoroughly cleaned it will be that much easier to maintain. Have fun...

Deep Cleaning Part 2: The Microwave

Does this picture gross you out? Sorry about that, this is a picture of a microwave that had never been cleaned. Would you believe me if I tell you I have seen worse, I have. I was invited to a luncheon this summer and as I walked by the microwave I noticed the glass was textured, cloudy and kind of a weird gray color.* I don't think it had been cleaned, ever. When I was first married I mentioned to someone I was cleaning the microwave, and she asked, "You clean the microwave, I've never thought of that before." She said she cleaned her microwave that night and I know she has kept it clean since!

Microwave's get really gross, food tends to explode, especially when children are involved in reheating there own food and don't use paper towels to cover it up! They are relatively easy to clean, if you keep up on it, say one or two times per month. It is best to clean up big spills quickly because it gets harder to clean the longer it stays in there. Start by filling up a microwavable bowl with water, I use my 4 cup Pyrex, then either squeeze the juice of one lemon, or put 1 TBSP of lemon juice in the water. Microwave until boiling, usually about 4 minutes. Don't heat it too long or the water explodes and your microwave door will burst open, it's happened to me! Then by using a wash cloth everything should wipe off pretty easy. Ta Da, a clean microwave on the inside and out!

*If you are my friend and you are reading this blog, please don't think I ever judge your homes. I really don't. After the microwave comment you might think I do, but that home was really bad, anyone would notice! Currently there are dishes in my sink where they will stay until tomorrow morning, there is dirty laundry in every hamper, my dining room table needs to be dusted, and I noticed huge cobwebs in the stairwell and the breakfast nook light. See? My house gets cluttered and messy too!