Cleaning Hardwood Floors

I found this and did it. Use tea bags and water and go at it.

Original idea and picture:
http://www.diynetwork.com/floors/tips-for-cleaning-tile-wood-and-vinyl-floors/index.html

Menu Board with Apron Hook

I am a big meal planner...I plan every week.  They are not always complex meals but they feed the family.  I used to print a menu for the frig but I figured there was a way to save time and printing cost.  I also had nowhere to put my apron.  I would hang it on the coat rack but it was too far away for me to use consistently.

So this is what I came up with.

I bought a picture frame that could be drilled for a hole.
I drilled the whole for the my knob.  I just picked out a knob from Home Depot that I liked.
I took a picture of the piece of fabric that I liked one my apron.  I put it into IPhoto and then designed my sheet in Powerpoint.  Then I printed to make sure it was what I wanted.  I LOVE IT!
I put the menu in the frame and hung it on the wall.  Now I can use a dry erase marker and write my menu for the week and have my apron in arms reach!!!

It adds a cute touch to the kitchen too!

Spring Cleaning Week 3

This week was focused a lot on the basement and getting ready for the garage sale.

• Cleaned the upstairs windows
• Declutter Basement
• Got ready for our garage sale- sorted through clothes and toys
• Made a trip to Salvation Army
• Cleaned Refrigerator
• Planted Hostas on the side of the house
• Planted Garden
• Front of the house landscape

The landscape could not have happen with out the help of my husband and father in law - they pretty much did everything I helped with the mulch:)

Spring Cleaning Week 2

A little late on this post but here is what I accomplished last week...yes a little behind schedule but I will get it done.

• Wiped down the hallways walls and stairway.
• Cleaned the garage and reorganized- now I still need to get out there and throw away stuff but it looks SO much better.  I just have to keep my hubby out to keep it organized:)
• Threw away those miscellaneous toys in the garage.
• Washed and put away all the Winter Gear- GOODBYE! 
• Cleaned the downstairs windows

We were outside a lot this week so the sun took over my life.  Next week should be better.

Spring Cleaning Week 1

So I made some progress in my spring cleaning but not in the order I thought I would do them.

• I cleaned out the upstairs bathroom and the linen closet.  I threw away old meds, bath toys (my kids like showers now and those toys just get so nasty), scrubbed down the walls and floors, sink and toliet.
• Cleaned and reorganized Keelin's room and closet.  Got lots of stuff out of her room for our garage sale.
• Cleaned and reorganized Bryson's room and closet.  He wanted to keep SO much stuff but we managed to clean some stuff out for the garage sale plus put away clothes he has grown out of.
• Our room- rearranged and some what cleaned out our closet.  Washed ALL our bedding- Mattress Cover, Heated Mattress Cover, Duvet Cover...So refreshing!
• Hallway Closet- Reorganized and washed all our winter gear and put it away for the summer!  I still need to get a basket to complete this project for the workout DVDs I have in there.
• Cleaned and reorganized the kitchen and wiped down the cabinets and walls.
• Cleaned and wiped down the walls in the dining room.

It was a start to a great feeling of organization and cleanliness!!!!  HAPPY SPRING!!!

Spring Cleaning Begins in May

Spring is here!  Time to do my cleaning to declutter and make my house sparkle:)
Here is my plan of attack:

Week 1 of May- Declutter

• Bathrooom- Clean out drawers, throw away old stuff, organize drawers and linen closet
• Bedrooms- Clean out clothing from dressers and closets
• Living Room and Dining Room- get rid of things that I don't use or relocate them to the appropriate place
• Kitchen- clean out and organize cabinets, clean out food cabinets of expired food
• Closets- organize and get rid of extra belongings
• Bring out summer items and put away winter items

Week 2 of May- Clean

• All Rooms- Wipe down walls, ceiling, fixtures, floors
• Clean all windows
• Flip matresses
• Wash all bedding
• Clean Refrigerator

Week 3 of May- Organize Basement

• Declutter Basement
• Organize Belongings
• Containerize Belongings
• Clean Washer and Dryer
• Paint Basement Stairs

Week 4 of May- Get outside (this may happen earlier but if not it will be this week)

• Clean Windows
• Clean up yard
• Plant garden
• Remove bushes
• Lay grass seed and fertilizer 
• Organize/Clean garage
• Clean patio furniture
• Clean outdoor toys
• Get ready for garage sale (if I end up doing it June 4th is our neighborhood sale)

This is just the beginning so look back because I am sure I will add more to it

Cleaning: Green Solutions

I don't like cleaning with chemicals specifically because I don't want the kids to get into them.  Cleaning products is the last thing I want to have to worry about protecting from them so I clean mostly with Vinegar!  Doesn't smell the best but if the kids get into it, it won't hurt them please they won't like the taste either.  I picked up this book at the library the other and typed out the cleaning solutions that I am going to try.  It was a great book with LOTS of information.

From Book: Clean Home, Green Home (KNACK-Make it Easy- Kimberly Delaney)

Dishwashing Soap

• ¼ cup castile soap
• ½ cup water
• 5-10 drops lavender or rosemary essential oil
• Combine in a reusable glass bottle with pour spout for easy use

All-purpose Solution

• 1 cup vinegar
• 2 teaspoons borax
• ½ teaspoon castile soap
• 2 cups hot water
• Combine in large spray bottle and shake until borax dissolves.  Store and use indefinitely.

Antibacterial Spray

• 10-12 drops lavender oil or tea tree oil
• 1 cup water
• Store and use indefinitely in small spray bottles

Damp Dusting Spray

• ½ cup white distilled vinegar
• A few drops olive oil or jojoba oil
• 3-5 drops essential oil or choice (optional)

Polish Recipe

• ½ cup white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• Combine ingredients and shake well

To get rid of water or heat rings on your table

• Wipe the area with a damp sponge
• Mix mayo and fireplace ask to a paste.  The ash grit buffs the finish and the mayo lubricates the wood
• Dip soft cotton or flannel cloth in the mixture and rub onto area
• Wipe the paste off with cloth.  Polish the table to even out the look

Glass and Mirror Cleaner- Beginner

• 1 cup white distille vinegar
• ½ teaspoon castile soap
• 2 cups water
• Combine and store in spray bottle.  Keep the ratio of 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water and you can fill any size bottle.

Glass and Mirror Cleaner- Advanced

• 1 cup white distilled vinegar
• 2 cups water
• Combine and store in spray bottle

Easy Laundry Soap

• ⅛ cup castile soap
• ½ cup washing soda (to cut grease)
• ½ cup borax (to remove stains)
• Optional: Add ¼ cup vinegar to rinse cycle to soften fabrics and water
• Combine.  If your clothes don’t feel clean enough, increase the castile soap until you’re satisfied with the results.

DIY Fabric Softner

• Add ¼ cup vinegar to the rinse cycle to soften clothes and eliminate static

Leather Cleaner

• ½ cup jojoba oil
• ⅛ cup distilled white vinegar
• Rub into leather with a soft cloth for cleaning and conditioning.  Do no use on suede.

Sealed wood floor damp-mop solution

• ⅛ cup castile soap
• ½ cup vinegar
• 2 gallons warm water
• Optional addition: If you’re cleaning up a spill that may have bacteria in it, add 10-20 drops of lavender, rosemary, tea tree or eucalyptus oil to mixture

Cleaning: My Cleaning Schedule

Do you dislike spending so much time on your day off cleaning your house and trying to keep up with all the housework?  Well I did.  It seemed like my day off was spent cleaning the house and doing housework instead of being able to spend it with my family and having fun.

So I have split up my housework throughout the week and month.  When cleaning the whole house in one day especially after having kids, I would rush and not do certain things so I had to get organized.  Every Saturday the task changes so I can get them done once a month.  Sundays we do nothing besides basic things that are needed.

Here is what I have:

Week 1
Mondays- Dust Furniture
Tuesdays- Clean Bathrooms
Wednesdays- Clean Floors, Laundry
Thursdays- Change Sheets, Grocery List
Fridays- Laundry, Grocery Shop
Saturdays- Clean Cars, Clean Windows
**Everyday I clean the kitchen and usually sweep floors

Week 2
Mondays- Dust Furniture
Tuesdays- Clean Bathrooms
Wednesdays- Clean Floors, Laundry
Thursdays- Change Sheets, Grocery List
Fridays- Laundry, Grocery Shop
Saturdays- Clean Baseboards/Cobwebs, Clean Closets, Wash Rugs
**Everyday I clean the kitchen and usually sweep floors

Week 3
Mondays- Dust Furniture
Tuesdays- Clean Bathrooms
Wednesdays- Clean Floors, Laundry
Thursdays- Change Sheets, Grocery List
Fridays- Laundry, Grocery Shop
Saturdays- Clean Laundry Room, Bleach Whites
**Everyday I clean the kitchen and usually sweep floors

Week 4
Mondays- Dust Furniture
Tuesdays- Clean Bathrooms
Wednesdays- Clean Floors, Laundry
Thursdays- Change Sheets, Grocery List
Fridays- Laundry, Grocery Shop
Saturdays- Clean Frig & Oven, Clean Cabinet Fronts, Pay Bills, File Paperwork
**Everyday I clean the kitchen and usually sweep floors

My next task is going to be getting the spring deep cleaning list together:)