Cleaning Tips
(for those of us who don't have maids)
Check out some amazing Home Help Web Pages that will have cleaning tips too! Our Simplify Your Life section has a lot of tips too!
Dishes
Dishes are the worst and I can't give a whole lot of tips on how to do it faster. BUT this will help. Try to organize your silverware in the dishwasher as you place them in there. A friend told me to do this and then you can just take them out and put them in the drawer so fast! And believe it or not, they still get really clean - they don't stick together. I LOVE IT!
Toys/Toy Room
I have loved having baskets in various forms to throw the toys in - it is quick clean up that anyone can do and it looks neat in the end. Another tip in this area is to hide the baskets or just keep them put up and pull a new one out each month. Your kids will think they have new toys and play with them longer! You know kids - out of site out of mind.
Set A Cleaning Day
I love having one day that I clean every week. Deep cleaning. Monday is my day to do laundry and deep clean the bathrooms, dust and mop (if needed). I love it - if it doesn't happen it is no big deal - but it is nice to have a day set aside to just get it done for the week. Normal maintenance will need to be done of course, but choose a day to get the yucky stuff done and then enjoy the rest of your week without that hanging over your head.
OR... Do a little each Day
If a cleaning "day" overwhelms you - check out FlyLady.com and she will guide you in to managing your home day by day. It is great for moms of big families or moms that work or even non-moms that work. Laura has started this and loves it. You can also DIVDE AND CONQUER your cleaning. Checkout Laura's Simplifying Your LIfe section.
Quick Cleaning Solution
I have cut my cleaning time in half because of this amazing discovery. I bought a book called the How the Queen Cleans Everything. In it she gives tons of tips on how to get stains out, clean things and the like. Well she references these microfiber cloths that are amazing. She says you get what you pay for when you buy microfibers. So, I went to www.euronetusa.com and ordered these cloths as well as a mop. It has changed my life! The cloths are amazing, they use only water and actually are so strong that they pick up bacteria instead of killing it. So, it saves a ton of money on cleaning supplies and cuts the cleaning time in half because you just use the cloths and nothing else. They are expensive but you wash them and then use them again. I have 2 for the bathroom (one wet and one to dry off), one for dry dusting (works great!) and one for the kitchen. It cleans the stainless steel appliances great - just wipe and let dry and then see it shine. I have never felt like my house was cleaner! Give it a try.
Laundry Tips
Like we said above it helps to set a laundry day. I have a small family so I can do it all on one day. If you have a bigger family like Laura does then you can try her idea. She takes 3 bins and has them in her laundry room. She puts whites, darks, and other (towels etc.) As she cleans each day she places dirty clothes in those bins. You can, if you have older kids, have them put their dirty clothes in the bins. Then on MWF she does some laundry - only that which is in the bins. If you want it washed in Laura's house it has to be in one of those bins on one of those days.
Bounce Tips!
All this time you've just been putting Bounce in the dryer! YOu would be surprised what you can do with Bounce Dryer sheets! Check out the list that was sent to us! I am amazed that someone took the time to test this out. Wow! Thanks Janette for sending them to us - everyone needs to give them a try!
1. Keeps yellow-jackets away when you place them in your pockets - great for when you are outside playing soccer or baseball or anything!
2. It will chase ants away when you lay a sheet near them. It also repels mice.
3. Spread Bounce sheets around foundation areas, or in trailers, or cars that are sitting and it keeps mice from entering your vehicle.
4. It takes the odor out of books and photo albums that don't get opened too often.
5. It repels mosquitoes. Tie a sheet of Bounce through a belt loop when outdoors during mosquito season.
6. Eliminate static electricity from your television (or computer) screen.
7. Since Bounce is designed to help eliminate static cling, wipe your television screen with a used sheet of Bounce to keep dust from resettling.
8. Dissolve soap scum from shower doors. Clean with a sheet of Bounce.
9. To freshen the air in your home - Place an individual sheet of Bounce in a drawer or hang in the closet.
10. Put Bounce sheet in vacuum cleaner.
11. Prevent thread from tangling. Run a threaded needle through a sheet of Bounce before beginning to sew.
12. Prevent musty suitcases. Place an individual sheet of Bounce inside empty luggage before storing.
13. To freshen the air in your car - Place a sheet of Bounce under the front seat.
14. Clean baked-on foods from a cooking pan. Put a sheet in a pan, fill with water, let sit overnight, and sponge clean. The anti-static agent apparently weakens the bond between the food and the pan.
15. Eliminate odors in wastebaskets. Place a sheet of Bounce at the bottom of the wastebasket.
16. Collect cat hair. Rubbing the area with a sheet of Bounce will magnetically attract all the loose hairs.
17. Eliminate static electricity from Venetian blinds. Wipe the blinds with a sheet of Bounce to prevent dust from resettling.
18. Wipe up sawdust from drilling or sand papering. A used sheet of Bounce will collect sawdust like a tack cloth.
19. Eliminate odors in dirty laundry. Place an individual sheet of Bounce at the bottom of a laundry bag or hamper.
20. Deodorize shoes or sneakers. Place a sheet of Bounce in your shoes or sneakers overnight.
21. Golfers put a Bounce sheet in their back pocket to keep the bees away.
22. Put a Bounce sheet in your sleeping bag and tent before folding and storing them. It will keep them smelling fresh.
23. Another surprising use for Bounce Sheets…a damp one takes the love bugs off the front of your car…who knew!?! (This last one was added by Sydney, a reader of our web page)
24. Put one or two on the filter of the A/C. It will fill the home with a nice aroma for days. Just replace it when the smell runs out! Cheaper than plug ins and the scent will reach every room. (This one was added by Vanessa a reader of our web page)
If you have great tips just contact us and we will try it! We are never afraid to try new ideas.
Home Page, Resources, Polished Moms, Professional Moms, Competent Moms, Recipes, Top Five, Simplifying Your Life, Daily Prayer Guide, News at a Glance