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 :)

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!

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!

Forget Spring Cleaning, Start Now!

Does this picture make you want to go outside? Me too! I feel like I'm stuck inside in January, February, March we may be able to get outside a couple of days, but by April I hope to be out in the sunshine and flowers. Meanwhile, I'm going to start "Spring Cleaning" so when the sun does come out I'm not inside. I'm starting a series of posts labeled Deep Cleaning, today was the first post, The Fridge. Look for more coming up and tackle them as you can. I will be cleaning right along side of you. If you'd like to email me before and after pictures, I will post them so everyone can give you a nice pat on the back for your accomplishments. Here we go...

Deep Cleaning Part 1: The Fridge

In 2002 my Mom was helping a lady move and cleaned out her fridge. There she found cream cheese from 1996, scarier than that is this lady had moved once in between! I clean out the fridge before I go grocery shopping so I know what I have when I plan my meals. About twice a month I take everything out and scrub the shelves, sides, walls, in between the plastic seals on the door, etc. I use hot water and dish soap, and rinse well. I don't want to mix cleaning chemicals with food.

My darling four year old loves to help! In her jammies of course,

the bottom half of the fridge is always very, very clean!