Cleaning: Wrapping it Up

For roughly a month and some change I have writing cleaning posts and sharing them each Monday.  We've discussed cleaners, cleaning fads, decluttering, basics to the annual big cleaning events (i.e. spring/fall), and cleaning floors, walls, and windows.

Today I'm going to work on wrapping up the cleaning posts.  I'm sharing a few more tips for those of you who are deep cleaning challenged.  Hey, its cool you guys exist!  That lets people like me have a good side hustle!

Blinds & Curtains
These are both hideous dist collectors.  Once a year, at the bare minimum you should clean your curtains.  Some of you can just toss them in the wash on gentle and others will need to cart them to your local dry cleaners.  If you have allergy issues make sure you get your curtains and drapes cleaned.  They are fabric and fabric has a big nasty love affair with dust and dust mites.

Blinds are such a task.  If you have plantation style blinds, vertical blinds, or any other large blind then you need to clean them now.  My secret is a Swiffer Duster - dust horizontally and vertically then a damp (not wet) cloth.  Go from one blind to the next.  You may have to do this several times if you have failed to clean your blinds before reading this.

Mini blinds are hell.  If you have mini blinds in your house I suggest you just tear them down and burn them.  Oops a little slip there.  You can dust them and clean them but if they are a certain age they will probably break.  If they aren't that old they may still break.  If they do not break they will bend and look horrible.  Evaluate the mini blinds - if they are discolored and have a large amount of build up on them you decide if you want to clean them or replace them.  The good news is they are cheap so you can replace them for a very minimal expense.

I have tried to clean mini blinds in the bath tub - that was a disaster.

I have did the outside cleaning with soapy water and a water hose - yuck.

I'm very anti mini blind.

Moving on..

Light fixtures & Shades
Listen closely - you do not have to take all the light fixtures apart and wash them.  Today, you will notice most light fixtures are very open and basic.  The style of the times is simplistic so we should all celebrate.  Get a step stool or two step ladder, some non ammonia glass cleaner, and paper towels and go at it.

If you have a lamp globes that have harvested dead bugs then yeah - you better take them down and clean them the old fashioned way.

Lamp Shades are the forgotten piece of the puzzle.  These things hold so much dust.  Hit them up with a dry rag.

Cabinet & Drawer Interiors
We cleaned the exteriors weeks ago and I realize I failed you on the interior.  Over the course of the winter I'm sure you got a little crumby inside those spaces in your kitchen. Your underwear drawer may have some tags or those obnoxious plastic strings that keep tags on clothing.  Make sure you take time to vacuum the inside of cabinets and drawers in your home.

Misc. Cleaning Helpers
Disinfect your trash cans.  A bit of bleach water and sunshine can take care of the bottom of the bins.
Clean your air exchanges.  These are dust city for most of us.  Remember to clean the filters or replace them.  Also wipe down the grates!
Appliances need cleaning too! Clean your dishwasher and make sure you get around the seals.  This is a breeding ground for bacteria - warmth plus water plus food residue is the recipe for germs.  Get your coffee pot all nice and clean with a mix of vinegar and water.  Hand wash the carafe to remove build up.  Be sure to get the baskets clean too!  You'll have the best cup of coffee ever after you do this simple cleaning.  Remember the microwave!  If you use a toaster be sure to clean the tray and shake excess crumbs out.
Use the hose of your vacuum to clean out the dryer lent vent.  This is important!  Keep it clean or you run the risk of a fire.
Clean your washing machine.  This is simple - you can buy an overpriced product to do it or you can run an empty washer with bleach or vinegar.
Vacuum your mattresses!

Happy cleaning!  Oh and happy Monday!!!

4 Cleaners You Need

Last week I brought you my tips to keeping your house nice and tidy.  If you missed it then click here to check out that short and sweet post.  I wrote it keeping in mind how busy so many of us are with work, kids, practices, meetings, etc.

This week I want to share another brief post about cleaning products.  As consumers we have to be very leery of all the products out there to clean our homes with.  Some items cost a lot of money and are not worth the that cost while others are minimally priced and often looked over.

Here are some of my picks for cleaning your home!

The Gold Standard of Green and Simple Cleaning



Is vinegar.

White vinegar or you can purchase the cleaning grade for the same price as the cooking grade vinegar.  This liquid that serves a billion or so uses is a fabulous total cleaner for your home.  For your floors - wood floors and tile floors - 1/2 cup of vinegar for a half gallon of warm water.  Your floors will be shiny and fresh and disinfected thanks to the properties of the vinegar.

Use it to sanitize your counter tops (same dilution) and you can even use it to clean your windows (though I will share my favorite products for that shortly.)

Also, I use straight vinegar to scrub toilet bowls, drains, and mix it with some baking soda to scrub soap scum.

I feel like I should write an entire post on cleaning with vinegar - so maybe I will do that for another Monday!

Say no to ammonia!



When it comes to cleaning glass and mirrors stay away from Windex.  Look, I love it too but not for glass.  Ammonia streaks glass very easily and it is also the active ingredient in most glass cleaners.  Instead opt for Spray Way Glass Cleaner.  It is ammonia free and cleans glass and mirrors the best of anything I have ever used.

Nothing beats a little bleach.



There are some areas that need bleach (Clorox).  Toilets and mildewed areas really need a good bleach treatment to remove the bacteria/fungus and be sanitized.  I know there are many people who are anti bleach but guys sometimes it is just necessary to get the job done.  If the smell bothers you just remember that a little bit will go a long way!  You don't need to drown the gallon.  Also it should be diluted with plenty of water.  To cover the smell use a Mr. Clean with a nice scent to wipe down the area after cleaning with the bleach.


Wooden surfaces need love too.



My go to for wood (cabinets, furniture, etc) is Orange Glo.  I have used a lot of products but this one just makes me smile because it really leaves a gorgeous shine on furniture.  This isn't your typical dusting polish as this helps keep the wood oiled and gorgeous to the eye.  The active ingredient of orange oil also leaves a great aroma throughout the home.

There ya go, friends!  This week's cleaning post is all finished up.  Tomorrow I hope you'll come back for some kitchen and cooking time with my Tasty Tuesday post!

xo

It was on the blog this week!

Hey there, beautiful!  I hope this weekend is treating you nicely.  

I started my day with a trip to the gym and a lot of sweat.  

We are celebrating the whole Valentine's thing tonight by using a gift card from Christmas for dinner and then going to see Hail, Caesar!  

I'm so excited because I just love some George Clooney and Cohen Bros films.

Here's a look back at this week on the blog and all the fun we got into together!

Sunday - I brought you my weekly menu.  I've limited it to just sharing three meals due to the fact I rarely cook over three meals each week.  How about you?  Do you cook every single night?

Monday - I started my weekly cleaning posts (per some requests) this week!  We are all very busy individuals so I thought why not kick things off with some tips on easy and quick ways to keep your home tidy and a little less germy.  These shouldn't take any extra time out of your schedule and can be completed before you go to sleep for the night!  I also like that you can do a lot of them during commercial breaks while watching your favorite shows.

Tasty Tuesday - In honor of Fat Tuesday I decided to engross you in my favorite "fat" foods that I could so easily stuff my face full of in honor of a day that you actually stuff your face.

Wednesday started the Lenten Season for many of us.  This year I wanted to switch things up a little with Lent and wrote a post on a new way to celebrate this crucial season in the Christian community.

Thursday - I got a bit random.  My take on Peyton, elections, and Drake.

High Five for Friday!!!  This week's five was a snapshot of what has been cracking in my regular life this week.  If you have time watch the video I put in from the creators of Five Hour Energy.  It is really worth your time.  

Here's a few other notes from this week I wanted to share on my recap post....

On Thursday I was Netflixing while I did laundry and I found a sweet little film called "The Year Dolly Parton Was My Mom."  It is very short (90 minutes) and caught my attention for the shear fact I'm a Dolly lover.  This Canadian film focuses on a coming of age story but also plays into accepting change.  I don't want to give too much away.  If you have a free hour or so this weekend check it out.

Also on Thursday I totally enjoyed my first High Five For Friday Hangout!  When we link up with other bloggers we make fun connections but to actually be able to converse (for me via messaging during the hang out) and laugh was so much fun.  You should check it out next time!

Friday I had some mommy free time!  (Thanks mom!) I turned Netflix on and watched Cake (Jennifer Aniston Indie Film) - it was a totally different type of film for one of my most favorite actresses.  It is a bit dark but I enjoyed it with a glass of Cabernet.

Happy Valentine's weekend, friends!  I hope you are filled with happiness and love!