Read these tips below to learn how to clean your home and
stay organized.
1. Clean Before You Leave
Make beds and wash dishes before you leave the house for the day (and ESPECIALLY
before you leave on vacation). This keeps you from being overwhelmed when you
return.
2. Cleaning a Mattress
Vacuum your mattresses every two weeks when you change the sheets. Flip a
mattress while making the bed(s) at least once a year.
3. Cleaning Glass
Use newspapers to clean glass, mirrors and windows rather than paper towels.
They do not leave ink on these surfaces, and they do a better job.
4. Cleaning your house...
"Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the
walk before it stops snowing." -- Phyllis Diller
5. Clutter Prevention
Put things away immediately. Avoid the stress of looking at the clutter and the
stress of frantically searching for things later.
6. Crayon Marks on the Walls?
The one and only thing I´ve ever found that will successfully remove crayon
marks from a wall is a nifty little product called Goo Gone. I think you can get
it at home improvement stores (Home Depot, Lowe´s, etc.). It´s also great for
removing stubborn price tag and sticker adhesive.
7. Crusty Microwave?
When food debris gets "cooked" onto the inside surfaces of your microwave, it
can be difficult to clean. To make the job easier, boil a cup of water in your
microwave and let it sit inside the oven steaming for 5-10 minutes. This will
soften the debris, making it easy to wipe clean.
8. Dirty Dishes
Load your dirty dishes in the kitchen washer so they are not in the sink. A clear
counter and sink always makes a kitchen look clean and orderly.
9. Do Kids Need a Clean Bedroom?
A clean room, but not perfect room encourages a child´s creativity. Allow
children to work constructively in a neat environment.
10. Enviromentally friendly cleaners
Five basic nontoxic ingredients that can be used as cleansing agents: These
ingredients, supplemented with vegetable-oil- based soaps, lemon juice, herbs or
toothpaste, can be mixed together and used to bring a natural, economical and
safe shine to your home: baking soda, washing soda, borax, salt, and white
vinegar.
11. Everyone Chipping In Saves Time
Make everyone (who is big enough) responsible for picking up their own mess. For
example, putting dishes in the sink or dishwasher, picking up toys, wiping the bathroom counter, magazines,
and newspapers, etc. are tasks that can easily become a family habit.
12. Fingerprint Prevention
Apply spray starch to doors and to painted walls along hallways and stairways
where fingerprints accumulate. The coating will resist marks better.
13. Getting Crazy Straws Clean
How to Clean Crazy Straws: Flush the straws with hot water then let them soak in
a solution of bleach and water. The "official" disinfecting solution is 2
tablespoons of bleach to 1/2 gallon of water.
14. Getting Kids to Help Clean Up
Be very specific about what you want your child to do. "Clean your room" is
vague to most children as well as overwhelming. I usually gather all of the
things that I want my son to put away on his bed so that he doesn´t miss
anything. It also makes it easier for me to dust and vacuum because his toys are
out of the way.
15. Getting Rid of Dust Mites
To get rid of dust mites, wash bedsheets weekly, blankets and mattress pads
monthly, and pillows four times a year. (Wash pillows on the gentle cycle and
remove several times while drying to fluff.)
