10 More Random Cleaning Tips

I know, I know! It's been a while since my last post, but I've been a little preoccupied. After a relatively short but so far successful battle with cancer, I'm working on my come back! Just one more treatment!!!! I am hoping to have business back up and running by July. With all the time I've taken off know I will be looking to take on new clients (hint,hint)! But in the mean time....

Here are some more tricks of the trade to make your life just a little easier!

1. Rubbing wax paper on sink faucets will prevent water spots. Check out the website below for more wax paper uses.  http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20526059_21050727,00.html
2. Soaking knifes in lemon juice will remove the rust spots.  
3. Use WD-40 to remove scuff marks from the floor.
4.  Get more uses out of your dish sponge. Microwave on high for 30 seconds to kill bacteria and viruses. Let the sponge cool before removing it from the microwave.
5. Use a dryer sheet to cut through soap scum.
6. Soak your shower head in vinegar to remove calcium build up. Fill a plastic sandwich bag with vinegar. Place the bag over your shower head and secure with a rubber band. Check this site out for more great uses for vinegar.                                            http://www.vinegartips.com/scripts/pageViewSec.asp?id=7
7. Clean baked on grime off your non-stick baking pans with peroxide and baking soda.  Make a paste with the peroxide and baking soda and rub it directly on the pan. Continue to scrub until clean.
8. Coffee filters are a great alternative to paper towels when washing windows. You will use less window cleaner. Plus, the filters reduce streaking and provide lint-free windows. 
9. Unclog a drain naturally. Simply pour some baking soda into the drain followed by vinegar. Allow this reaction to take place and sit for 5-10 minutes. While your waiting, bring a 2 quart pan filled with water to a boil. Pour the boiling water into the drain to help push the clog through. Repeat this process if needed until the drain is clear. Clog free and no chemicals! 
10. Remove stickers and sticker residue with oil. Olive, veggie, canola, ect. Any oil I've tried works! Simply saturate the problem area with oil. Allow the oil to prenatrate the sticker by letting it sit for a few minutes. Wipe with a clean cloth and voila! Use a plastic knife to scrap away stubborn residue if needed. 

Which of these excellent tips are you going try first? Do you have any cleaning/organizational secrets you'd like to share? Happy cleaning! 

Spring is in the air... Let's get cleanin'!

The weather is changing. Time to open the windows, let in the fresh air, and clean... UGH!

            

Come on now, it doesn't have to be that bad! There are just a few extra cleaning tasks that need to do perform, trust me, you'll be so happy and proud of your beautiful home!

Before you get started, Here are a few spring cleaning tips:

1. Spring cleaning will take more than a day.  Set aside at least a week for a thorough spring cleaning. Work from one end of your house to the other. Also, work from top to bottom in each room.  Don't stress!  Take it room by room, day by day. 
2. As you clean, keep a list of any extra chores that need to be done: little paint or grout touch-ups or a pillow that needs to be mended.  Save these little chores for later.
3. Keep another list of things you notice you need.  Such as pantry supplies, cleaning supplies, or health and beauty supplies you are running low on.
4. Clean your trash cans.  This is an often neglected task, but very important for a clean, sanitary home!

Are you ready?  Here we go....

FOYER

1. Dust lighting fixtures.
2. Wash walls and trim
3. Wash doors, knobs and switch plates.
4. Wash bench or other furnishings. 
5. Empty out coat closet.  Vacuum floors.  Sort items as you return them to the closet.  Store out of season items, donate unneeded items. 
6. Clean entry mat.
7. Sweep and scrub floors.  

BEDROOMS

1. Open windows
2. Dust furniture.
3. For each drawer: remove items and place items back neatly.  Donate Items you no longer need. 
4.  Vacuum closet floor. Arrange everything neatly.  Donate items you no longer need. 
5. Move Bed.  Sort and put away anything that was under bed.  Sweep or vacuum under bed.  
6. Put bed back.  Freshen mattress by sprinkling with baking soda, letting sit briefly, and the vacuuming it up.
7. Launder bedding and curtains.  Wash pillows and duvet in hot water.  Air out mattress pad, if you have one.
8. Dust lights. Clean lamp shades.
9. Wash windows and window sills.  Take out and wash window screens.
10. Wash switch plates.  Wash walls and trim as needed.
11. Wash mirrors or dust art.
12. Wash doors and doorknobs.
13. Wash vent covers.
14. Sweep and wash floor or vacuum.
15. Dust ceiling fans, if applicable.

BATHROOMS

1. Open windows
2. Empty all cabinets and vanity.  Wipe out and replace items neatly.  Discard expired medications and cosmetics.
3. Wash outside of cabinets and vanities
4. Clean tub and drain.
5. Clean toilet, inside and out. 
6. Clean sink and drain.
7. Shine faucets.
8. Clean mirror and frame .
9. Dust light fixtures. 
10. Wash windows and window sills. Take out and wash window screens.
11. Wash switch plates.  wash walls and trim.  Wash doors and door knobs.
12. Wash vent covers.
13.  Sweep and wash floors.  .

KITCHEN

1. Open windows.
2. Remove and clean window coverings. 
3. For each cabinet or drawer: Remove items, wipe out drawer, place items back neatly.  Donate unneeded items. 
4. Wash cabinet doors and knobs
5. Clean and organize pantry.  Check food expiry dates.
6. Clean oven.
7. Clean stove top.  Remove elements and drip bowls, if applicable, wash and put back.
8. Clean and organize fridge and freezer.  Defrost freezer, if necessary.  Check food expiry dates.
9. Clean under fridge and stove.
10. Clean microwave.
11. Clean crumbs out of toaster..
12. Wipe down any other counter appliances
13. wash counters and back splash.
14. Wash and shine sink.  Shine faucet. Clean drain.
15. Clean Dishwasher.
16. Dust light fixtures.
17. Wash windows and window sills.  Remove window screens and wash.
18. Wash switch plates.  
19. Wash walls and trim as needed.
20. Wash doors and door knobs.
21. Wash floor vent covers
22. Sweep and wash floor.  

DINING ROOM

1. Open windows.
2. Wash curtains.
3. Wipe down table and chairs.
4. Wipe down or dust other furnishing.
5. Clean chair pads, if applicable.
6. Launder table linens.
7. Shine silverware.
8. Dust art.
9. Wash windows and window sills.  Take out and wash window screens.
10. Wash switch plates
11. Wash walls and trim.
12. Wash doors and door knobs
13. Wash vent covers.
14. Clean floors.
15. Dust ceiling fan, if applicable

 LIVING ROOM/ FAMILY ROOM/ PLAYROOM

1. Open windows.
2. Vacuum sofas.
3. Spot clean sofas, if applicable.
4. Launder throw pillows and blankets.
5. Dust shelves, furniture and decor.
6. Clean lamps and lampshades.
7. Wash windows and window sills.
8. Take out and wash window screens.
9. Clean television screen.
10. Carefully dust electronics.
11.   Dust and  tuck electrical wires nicely out of sight.  Label if needed
12. Organize DVD/ video collection in an attractive manner.  Donate items that no longer interest you and your family
13. Organize books and magazines.  Donate items as needed
14. Wash hard plastic children's toys with warm soapy water. Rinse and dry  Donate or store toys that no longer interest your child or they have out grown. (This works best when your child is not home, trust me!)
15. Wash switch plates.
16. Wash walls and trim as needed.
17. Wash doors and knobs.
18. Wash vent covers.
19. Clean floors.

LAUNDRY ROOM

1. Open windows.
2. Wash windows and window sills.
3. Take out and wash window screens.
4. Wipe cabinet doors.
5. Wipe inside cabinets
6. Wash outside of washer and dryer.
7. Vacuum the inside of the dryer vent. (This prevents fire hazards and allows clothes to dry faster)
8. Wash inside of washing machine.
9. Wash lint trap with soap and water to remove filmy build-up from laundry soaps and dryer sheets. Let air dry thoroughly before putting back in place.
10. Wash switch plates.
11. Wash walls and trim.
12. Wash doors and door knobs.
13. Wash vent covers.
14. sweep and wash floors. 

STAIRWELLS

1. sweep/vacuum stairs
2. Spot clean walls.
3. Wipe down handrail.
4. Dust art and light fixtures.

OUTSIDE

1. Sweep porches and walk ways.
2. Wash the outside of the windows.
3. Use fresh flowers and/or wreathe to brighten things up for spring. 

REMEMBER

This is just a guide, there may be things you need to add or subtract from this list according to your households needs. Also, donate those donation items! Don't let them sit around the house any longer than they have to (I am guilty of doing this!) Don't forget to take your time, this is not a one day project!! In the end, enjoy all your hard work, you deserve it!