Daily Mom Life Archives - The Motherly Heap

Spring Clean Your Bedroom: Spring Clean Series

Jordan N. — Mon, 23 Jan 2023 17:37:42 +0000

Spread the Love16 16SharesDoes your bedroom needs love and spring clean action? Except for the kitchen, bedrooms become dirty faster than any other room in the house. However, we sometimes skip cleaning them because they are too demanding of our precious time (and let us be honest: Who has time?). So we’ve devised a way to get structured cleaning for your bedroom this spring—a step-by-step guide to getting your bedroom to shine again. Also, devoting your time to making a clear, clutter-free bedroom for you to enjoy helps your mental health. A double win for you, my friend. We know that creating a space for rest is a top priority in building solid relaxation and sleep habits. So what does spring clean have to do with all these goals anyway? It all depends on how you tackle and clean your bedroom this spring. Now, grab your cleaning gloves and get your A-game for spring cleaning! Your bedroom requires a thorough going over, and you’re the one who can do it. This spring, stop reorganizing that messy space beneath your canopy bed or hiding away those old clothes. Instead, get right down onto your hands and knees for some serious cleaning – YOU CAN DO IT! How to Spring Clean your Bedroom 1. Prepare your cleaning supplies and trash bags for a quick decluttering session. It’s easier to get going when you have the needed supplies. 2. Start from top to bottom when cleaning your bedroom. You become more organized when you plan the steps, to begin with, your cleaning. Then, you can focus on one area at a time systematically. 3. Tackle the ceiling, light fixtures, and ceiling fans. Take care of every little angle filled with dust. A microfiber cloth with a water/cleaning agent will help remove dusty surfaces. And while you’re at it, check if the light bulbs need changing if they haven’t been changed during your quarterly cleaning to-dos. 4. Change the air filters and clean the covers. Springtime is another best time to switch them out. Again, the more you care for your vent system, the healthier environment will be more beneficial. Remember, home air quality also depends on how clean your air filters are. 5. Take down all curtains and wash them. Curtains harbor dust, and they need to be cleaned often. 6. Wipe down and clean the windows and blinds. Blinds and window screens can easily collect dust and other allergens. Make sure you vacuum, wipe and dry the windows appropriately. 7. Dust away anything from the headboards and any flat surfaces. Nightstands, headboards, and other flat surfaces have more dust than other furniture. If you have a TV console and other speakers in your bedroom, you might want to check on them too. 8. Vacuum your lamps and drawers behind the side tables and under the bed. Investing in a good, practical vacuum will streamline cleaning the house, including your bedroom. Lamps and drawers need to be vacuumed frequently to prevent dust. 9. Remove bed linens and all sheets. Wash them. Washing your bedroom linens and duvet will remove accumulated shedding skin, dust, etc. 10. Sprinkle baking soda on the stripped mattress. Later on, vacuum all the powder off the bed. Next, freshen up your mattress by cleaning it properly – remove debris, etc. You can also steam and dry your entire mattress before putting back fresh linens. Quick note: Vacuuming with baking soda – please double-check first on your vacuum manuals. If you aren’t sure, skip this step. Vacuum the mattress without baking soda. Related Posts: Spring Clean Your Kitchen Spring Clean Your Bathroom Cleaning Routine for SAHM (Checklist) 11. Polish all fixtures and furniture. When it comes to cleaning, you not only remove the dust and gunks – it’s good to polish fixtures and furniture to prolong their life. 12. Give your bedroom and closet doors a good wipe-down. Use any cleaning products as appropriate because these areas can become dusty and dingy. However, here is a quick cleaning tip: you can easily use a magic eraser with squeezed-out water to clean the doors. 13. Vacuum the bedroom floor if you have carpet flooring; time for some carpet washing too. First, clean up your bedroom floor, whether it has carpet, wood floor, or other flooring. If you are washing the carpet, ensure it has good ventilation, so it can quickly dry. 14. Keep your cables uncluttered by securing them. Purchase or DIY a storage system to keep your lines/cords secured in one place. 15. Assign a charging station area for all electronic devices. To minimize clutter in the bedroom, designate a space for all electronic devices to charge. 16. Sanitize all controls, door knobs, and hardware. Frequently touched areas need to be cleaned and sanitized regularly, not just in the springtime. 17. Clean your air purifier, cool humidifiers, and essential oil diffusers. It’s helpful for your health to keep these devices and gadgets regularly cleaned out. 18. Sort out your clothes by season. Store away clothes that are off-season. Stay organized by keeping the clothes you’ll wear accessible and have the off-season tucked away. 19. Donate or throw away bedroom products and clothes that are not serving you anymore. Clutter will build up if you aren’t careful in acquiring stuff in the bedroom. Regularly purge your products to keep clutter to a minimum. 20. Organize the rest of your bedroom items and keep track of clutter spots. Then, when bedroom cleaning is completed, it’ll be easier to organize the bedroom spaces. Remember, do not feel pressured to finish it in a single day. We all know how good it feels to have a clutter-free and clean bedroom all year, not just in spring. So take the opportunity to freshen up your bedroom this season. After all, it’s where you should feel truly relaxed and at ease. So, once you’re done deep cleaning your bedroom, add a vase of fresh flowers or a new throw blanket, and voila! You’ll be surprised at how much better you sleep in a clean, tidy bedroom. So go ahead – spring clean your bedroom today! If you like this cleaning post, please share and PIN it. Thanks! Spread the Love16 16Shares

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6 Tips to Maintain a Clutter-Free Home

Jordan N. — Thu, 24 Nov 2022 17:05:04 +0000

Spread the Love6 6Shares You’ve decluttered your home. You’ve put in the work to get rid of unnecessary things and unused ones. Now, as weeks and months roll by, you are looking at cluttered spaces in the home with a huge question – why are the clutter piles back again? How do you maintain a clutter-free home? Here’s a secret, no one’s home is genuinely clutter-free. That includes mine too. On the contrary, somewhere in the house, stuffed boxes and overflowing storages prove that the clutter bug is at it again. Nothing makes a mom cringe more than looking at the clutter all over the house. And you know, it will be eating up your time and energy. So, now, here are six tips on how to maintain your home clutter-free. We can only try to find solutions to each situation, and recommendations may be hit or miss. So, stay with us on this – prevent bringing in more items and tackle clutter head-on. Practical Tips To Maintain and Keep a Clutter-Free Home Ask before you buy Purchasing things on a whim. Shopping spree with no plans. Shopping scenarios, here and there. Now, thinking of keeping the home clutter-free, you’ve got to stop impulse buying. Easy to say, hard to do. Then, let these questions be on your mind before swiping the card or handing in your cash – The list goes on… Asking yourself questions before buying an item can help you sort out what you need or want. Hopefully, it deters you from getting things you don’t need yet fills up your home with clutter. Be ruthless on clutter Yes, you’ve cleared out some from your stash. Yet you still have plenty of storage boxes to sort out—souvenirs and memorabilia, sometimes clothes from the early college years. Check and check. It’s time to part ways. Instead, become the ruthless declutter queen – starting today! Let it all go. You take a picture of something you choose to keep and not use anymore. Then, say goodbye. Adios. They said, “other people’s clutter can be another’s treasure.” So let it be a therapeutic step of letting go and giving away. Scan prints/art into digital items and save them on a hard drive. Or best, find them a new home. Contentment It is personal. How we feel and what we have and deserve are ours. When we feel content with the things around us, we are more relaxed and happier. As a result, we don’t seek out other material things to fill the void or be the answer to what we’re dealing with. It may be in our nature to want more, to keep – just in case. So even buying just for the sake of buying or item DEALS gives us a heightened feeling – only to realize we didn’t need it. Clutter in the home can be the aftermath of wanting more material things; the problem is some items don’t even get used or meet their purpose. Time to let go. Related Posts: Declutter First Before Organizing Your Home Organization Hacks for Your Laundry Room Family Affair Involvement in the maintenance of your home requires the entire family. YES, not just mom or dad. Everyone. Kids love to be involved. So the responsibilities of keeping their school backpack organized, taking out the clutter from their bedroom, tidying their personal space – let it be a family affair. Add decluttering to their chores. There may be some pushback from the kids, but having a clutter-free space shows them how peaceful it can be for them too. Be able to concentrate on homework or enjoy their personal space without the chaos. It also helps them reflect on how they feel around the home. Of course, it will never be perfectly clutter-free; it’s understandable. However, feeling responsible for the home environment can keep them from adding to the clutter. Make a habit It takes an average of 66 days to make a habit. Since you’ve done your part on the initial decluttering of your home, let it drive you to continue clearing things around. Creating a decluttering habit incorporates it within your daily routine. Motivation can become fickle, but a strong decluttering routine can keep you going. Time and Plan Dedicate time to decluttering the home. Would it be the early morning, midday, or late evening? You can also use the clutter timer – 5 minutes pick up for any area. You’d be surprised how many you can check off your list when you are determined to make your home clutter-free. Any area is a potential clutter place. But, as I’ve mentioned, planning your time and energy to declutter can help you in many ways. Clutter-Free Home and Maintenance Maintaining a home is complex, and adding clutter to the mix becomes complicated. Prevention is key to keeping clutter from piling back up again. Getting ahead of chaos can become another task in your homemaking, yet it can be a savior to your sanity. How you maintain a clutter-free home does do cleaning and organizing your home more accessible. As a result, it won’t be as time-consuming. Include these tips in your homemaking routine today, and let a clutter-free home bring peace and happiness. What are your hidden secrets in keeping clutter under control in your home? Please share your tips with us. Spread the Love6 6Shares

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Spring Clean Your Kitchen: Spring Clean Series

Jordan N. — Wed, 18 May 2022 23:15:11 +0000

Spread the Love5 5SharesThe warmer weather is the perfect time to do some much-needed spring cleaning. The days are getting longer, and the weather is finally warming up – it must be time for a kitchen spring clean! This year, don’t just focus on your house’s interior – give your kitchen a good scrubbing. Take this opportunity to purge all the old, unused items and give your space a fresh start. So get those cleaning supplies out, and let’s get on with it! Here are some tips to help make the process a little bit easier and to help get you started. This post may contain affiliate links; if you purchase from any links provided – I may earn a commission at no cost to you. In addition, as an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the complete disclosure here. 28 Ways To Deep Clean Your Kitchen This Spring: 1. Throw away broken kitchen appliances and expired items: spices, sauces, and other kitchen staples. It’s time to clear out expired things around your kitchen. You may think it’s still okay to use sauces beyond their date, but you don’t want to compromise your family’s health. Spices are one of the many everyday things not replaced as they should be. I mean, they’re dry. But spices aren’t going to last that long. After that, ground spices may lose their scent, and you’ll know when to say goodbye. Whole spices can last a bit longer as well as some dried herbs. So when you’re not getting the taste you expected in your cuisine, maybe it’s time to replenish the spice rack. 2. Keep sets of gadgets and things you use daily nearby. Then, store them around the area where you use them. When you know you’re going to be using the toaster every morning or blender every day, then have them on the counter if space is available—no need to put them back and forth from storage below or above where you use them. Unless you bake daily, you may want to store the stand mixer somewhere you can hide it when not being used. But, if you prefer to display any particular kitchen gadget, by all means, do what you need to. 3. Do vacuum any cobwebs from the ceiling. Let’s not forget our ceilings around the kitchen. It will need some tender loving cleaning if you have a space between the ceiling and the upper cabinets. 4. Wipe down any light fixtures and replace the bulbs. Having light fixtures in the kitchen can add to your cleaning checklist. Don’t neglect them, primarily if dust quickly collects on them. You’ll be preparing your food daily, and having dust above you won’t do any good. Buy new bulbs when lights are dimmed or dull, or replace bulbs that won’t turn on. 5. Dust and wipe clean all cabinets and drawers. The kitchen cabinets tend to get grease on the surface. The drawers are not an exemption either. If not taken care of quickly, handprints can even live there for a long time. Choose the cleaning agents to clean off your cabinets and drawers, paying attention to the type of paint and materials. As for my kitchen cabinets, I only use plain water with my microfiber cloth. Then I make sure I dry the surfaces immediately. Finally, wipe down any metal fixtures or styled handles with a dry cloth. I painted them last year with a Valspar cabinet and furniture paint (Enamel). That paint was a game-changer for me – it’s quick to clean my cabinets and drawers. I get my all-purpose cleaner if there’s a tough spot to take off using just the water. But I’ve never had to use any cleaner ever since I painted the cabinets. 6. Clear out items from the top of the refrigerator. If you have items over the top of your refrigerator, maybe it’s time to look at them to see if they need to stay there. It may not be an option for you if you’re saving space to store items, but as much as possible, it’s better not to put any perishable or edible items on the top of the fridge. 7. Tackle the inside of the refrigerator. So we are talking about what’s in the refrigerator. Is it time to purge? Before we can clean the fridge, it’s best to take everything out and discard items beyond consumption. You can take the shelves and wash them by the sink or grab a basin with your cleaning agent and a wipe cloth. Then, organize the items back in the fridge with bins as needed. 8. Deep clean the microwave. Reheating food in the microwave can create splatter that will last until they are cleaned out. You can easily deep clean your microwave with three kitchen items you can mix inside a measuring cup or even a mug. You can mix equal parts of water and vinegar and then add a tablespoon of dish soap into a clean measuring cup. Please place it in the middle of your microwave and heat it for 2 minutes. Then you can wipe down the entire microwave and clean including the filter below. 9. Deep clean your kitchen oven and stovetop. Like any other kitchen appliance, you have to be very careful about using any cleaning agents concerning the material of the appliance that you’re cleaning. Do follow the direction for cleaning your oven and your stove. If you have an oven like what we have in our house, you can also open up the glass door of your oven and clean it inside. Be very careful when putting it back together and ensure they are adequately secured. 10. Empty crumb trays from bread toasters or air fryers. When you have toasters and an air fryer in your kitchen, check if the crumb trays are removable, and they usually are, so make sure that you clear them as you go or clear them once a week; it’s really up to you. 11. Throw away used oil from the deep fryer. Deep frying in the kitchen can be grimy. Aside from the oil splatters that happen as you cook, cleaning is much more challenging. Replace your frying oil regularly. Check for any unstrained food items floating. 12. Wipe down all appliances displayed on the counters. Kitchen appliances on the counters can become dusty, and they might also have grease on them. So don’t forget to wipe them down as you clean your kitchen. Use water and a clean cloth to get rid of dust. But as for the grime, choose your cleaning solution. 13. Clear the clutter off your counters. Where do we start with kitchen clutter on all the counter spaces? I recommend getting a clutter bin for everything that doesn’t need to be in the kitchen. Don’t worry about sorting things out now; focus on corraling items and getting them out of the kitchen. For any kitchen items, you can place them on top of your table. Then, sort them as soon as you’re done cleaning. 14. Clean the kitchen walls, windows, and doors. The kitchen is the most used area in the house, if not the first, maybe the second. So it’s only typical for the kitchen walls, backsplash, windows, and doors to get dirty more than the rest of the house. Again, use a cleaning agent appropriate for the area you are cleaning. RELATED POSTS: Spring Clean Your Bedroom: Spring Clean Series Spring Clean Your Bathroom: Spring Clean Series Clean These 5 Kitchen Items: Don’t Skip Them Cleaning Routine for a Stay-At-Home Mom That You Actually Can Stick To 15. Tackle the sink and garbage disposal. Most homemakers clean the sink after using it or even at the end of the day. Having a clean sink makes me feel good. I feel accomplished when the sink is cleared and clean. Don’t forget about the garbage disposal – it can quickly smell bad when food and other stuff are not taken care of. Check out how to easily clean the garbage disposal and maintain it. 16. Clean out the kitchen trash can. Clear the trash as you go through your day. Now and then, use a cleaning and disinfectant spray to tackle the trash can. 17. Vacuum or sweep the whole kitchen floor. Do you prefer to sweep or vacuum the kitchen floor? I am both. When there’s a lot to clean up, I grab the vacuum, and on the other hand, if it’s just a tiny spot, I use my broom to clear it out. Do you know what helps me the most during my clean-up, and I need to do something else? My Roomba, yes! She’s my cleaning buddy – always ready to vacuum the kitchen floor. 18. Mop the floor or sanitize. Once you did the vacuuming and sweeping, mopped the floor next. There are a lot of mopping systems that you can buy in-store or online. But what matters most is what works for you and your house. So, grab the mop system to help you be an efficient cleaner. 19. Clean the baseboard, including under the lower kitchen cabinets. Now we’ve gone to the baseboard. First, check out the baseboard area under the lower kitchen cabinets. Those are the spots that easily get neglected during your daily cleaning. Spring cleaning can be the perfect time to give them the necessary attention. You can use a microfiber cloth to clean your baseboard or a duster with an extension to prevent back pain. Bonus tip: use a dryer sheet and run it across all kitchen baseboards. The sheet will help lessen the dust collected in the area, and it’ll be easy to clean up next time. 20. Deep clean dishwasher. How often do you deep clean your dishwasher? Every week? Every month? Quarterly? The answer will depend on your daily usage, manufacturer instruction, and other reasons requiring you to deep clean your dishwasher. Not only deep clean the inside but also wipe down the outside of the dishwasher. Springtime is easy to remember to do this task and frequently added to your spring clean your kitchen list afterward. 21. Clear out expired things and stock up the pantry. Scratch off your grocery list and update your inventory. When it comes to your pantry, it’s always helpful to have the ingredients and items you need to be available daily. Update your pantry list as you clear the things off the space. 22. Organize all kitchen drawers and cupboards. Now that the cleaning part is done, it’s time to organize everything in your kitchen. Check out this video on organizing kitchen cupboards and drawers. Organizing your kitchen can be part of your spring clean checklist too. 23. Tackle things under the kitchen sink cabinet. What’s going on under your kitchen sink cabinet? Why is it so hard to keep this area organized? Time to clear out necessary items that are stored under the sink cabinet. You can also vacuum the inside of the cabinet. Once that’s done, gather your bins, buckets, and organizers to place all kitchen cleaning agents, cloths, cleaning tools, etc. 24. Store away all kitchen items not being used daily. This particular step matches item number two above. It doesn’t need to be on the counters when you don’t use a specific kitchen gadget. Instead, give them a good home where it’s easy to take them out as you need them. 25. Double-check the smoke and carbon monoxide alarms. Fire can happen at any home at any time of the day. So every spring, let’s double-check our alarms: the smoke and carbon monoxide system. Use high-quality batteries, so you don’t have to change them frequently. Our changing seasons: we usually switch them during spring and fall. 26. Everyone must know where the fire extinguisher is and check the expiration date. It’s great for everyone to know where the fire extinguisher is stored. However, adults should only use portable fire extinguishers. However, an important reminder...

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Spring Clean Your Bathroom: Spring Clean Series

Jordan N. — Tue, 26 Apr 2022 19:42:20 +0000

Spread the Love8 8SharesAgain it’s that time of year to give your house a good spring cleaning! Horray for spring clean – start with your bathroom by getting rid of all the clutter and cobwebs. Are you feeling guilty every time you walk into your bathroom because it’s such a mess? Well, don’t worry, you’re not alone! A lot of people have trouble keeping their bathrooms clean. I’ve got you covered if you’re looking for some help getting started. Today we’ll be focusing on how to clean your bathroom quickly and easily. So grab your supplies and get ready to tackle this dreaded task! Spring is officially here, so it’s time for everyone’s least favorite chore: cleaning the bathroom from top to bottom. So read on for these steps to clean your bathroom like a champ. This post may contain affiliate links; if you purchase from any of the links provided – I may earn a commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read the complete disclosure here. How to spring clean your bathroom! Grab a big trash bag and bins Chunk everything that’s expired – hair, body, and bathroom products. If you like to keep spare or extras of each, save it to a minimum. Put bathroom products in a bin to coral them till you are done cleaning. Sort bathroom products out later when it’s time to organize. For now, they need a temporary home so you can clean without the clutter. Get your cleaning supply nearby where you are cleaning When it’s easy for you to grab what you need as you clean, the convenience of a cleaning caddy is a must—one basket for all your cleaning essentials in one place. You don’t want cleaning spray bottles lying around as you clean. Having a one-stop carry-all for what you need makes it more manageable to do the cleaning. Use proper protection and ventilation while cleaning Always protect yourself first when cleaning. You don’t want to feel dizzy when you’re in the middle of the cleaning spree. Take the time to keep yourself safe as you clean around. Vent out the air. Use a mask and even eye goggles. Use gloves for hand and skin protection. Take breaks when you’re cleaning. Sometimes, you’re in the clean deep zone and skip breaks. Clean your bathroom counters and sinks Counters get dirty quickly, and the sink may also suffer from toothpaste stains. Scrub those stains away with your cleaning products. Be very careful with what cleaning agent you use for your sink and counters because some cleaning products may ruin them if they aren’t for them. Always double-check the cleaning instructions and warnings printed on your cleaning products. We don’t want any ruined marbles, granites, quartz, etc. Too pricey to replace that. Deep clean the shower and tub Do you deep clean your shower right after you use them? Are you the type to deep clean it once a week? Whichever your stand in cleaning your shower, it’s always helpful when you give enough time to scrub down the soap scums around it. And it can be tough. It can be time-consuming. I’ve been there. But, if you’re wondering, I’m the latter type of cleaner when it comes to my shower. Use the shower spray solution for your shower walls and door. There are natural cleaning solutions, and commercial agents don’t need much scrubbing effort from you. Pick what you prefer. Remember, the shower floor is as important as the walls and doors. The grout – keep grout clean and prevent molding – grout cleaning method. But the tub is a different talk. Tackle the cleaning as soon as you’re done soaking or using it. You don’t want extra water stagnant inside the tub. Or, if you love bath oils, those oils need to be off the tub surface. It’s the same thing with tub; use the appropriate supply and products to clean your tub. If you have a shower curtain with a liner, drop them in the washer and get them air dry. RELATED POST: Cleaning Routine for a Stay-At-Home Mom That You Actually Can Stick To Dust the toilet, cabinets, and shelves Hello, dusting! Does your bathroom suffer a lot of collected dust? Grab your favorite duster or microfiber cloth to clean the dust off your cabinets and shelves. You may need some bottle sprays for accumulated dust or stains on the cabinets. It’s perfectly safe to use water and get rid of the dirtied space. However, some stains may need more potent products to get it off. So now, check the finish of your cabinets and shelves before using any chemicals on them. Polish all mirrors and chrome fixtures to get them looking brand new Mirrors with handprints? Yes! Toothpaste splatters? Yes, tell me about it. Time to clean your bathroom mirror Please take off the debris first; it easily peeled off. Then, use a cloth with alcohol to scrub the debris away from the mirror. If you have a high-quality mirror cleaning spray, use it. If you prefer to make your own, combine ½ cup water, ½ cup white vinegar, and one tablespoon cornstarch. Turn on the bathroom vents. Put on a mask. Spray cleaning solution on the mirror. Use a microfiber cloth on your mirror for a streak-free clean or a crumpled newspaper. I still remember cleaning my childhood house mirrors using crumpled newspapers. To this day, I know it works if other wipes aren’t available. Make the pattern: edge to edge and top to bottom. Doing this will cover every inch of the mirror and all sides for cleaning. Inspect the mirror for anything missed. For the bathroom fixtures Check the material of your bathroom fixtures. You DO NOT want to use a cleaning agent that will erode or ruin your fixtures. Only use the appropriate cleaner for your faucet, showerheads, cabinet handles, and other fixtures. When there are mineral deposits, it may be time to grab the cleaning staples to address the gunks. Always make sure you dry after cleaning. It will help decrease streaks, prevent molds and enhance the sparkle effect. Cleaning the bathroom floors Vacuum or Sweep the floors Before you do the floor – time to look up! Vacuum the corners of the ceiling. That’s right! Look up to the corners of the shower stall, above the mirror, and other hubs you see around your bathroom. I hope all the clutter and products to keep/throw away are contained or gone. It will be easier to take care of the floor when the areas are cleared first. So grab your vacuum and hit every nook and crannies of the entire bathroom. Don’t forget the space behind the toilet bowl, the trash can, and the back of a towel cabinet (not mounted or built-in). Mopping your bathroom floors You can use a cleaning solution on your mop system. You can also use a cleaning spray bottle with your DIY or commercial-made solutions as you mop the floor. Again, use the correct cleaning agents for the type of floor you have. Freshen up the toilet bowl Do you have a favorite cleaning tool for toilet bowls? Preference for toilet bowl cleaning depends on what type of cleaning you do. Some use a traditional toilet scrub with cleaning solutions. Some use the ready-made attach the cleaning pods to the toilet cleaning tool. The goal is to clean under the insides of a toilet bowl. To clean — the splatters, the dark stains, and all of the above. The steps in cleaning your toilet bowl will depend on your chosen solutions. Read the fine print of proper and safe handling of the cleaning solutions. P.S. if your toilet has a bidet attachment, CLEAN the sprayer! Don’t forget that dirt, grime, and poo splatters may also stick. Scrub and clean the toilet bidet Bathroom Baseboards Keeping up with the dust includes your baseboards. Time to give them some TLC. They haven’t been tended to for a while. Spring cleaning your bathroom will provide them with the deserving time your baseboards need. When you vacuum the floor early on, I hope you include your baseboards. If not, you can grab your microfiber cloth, wet and squeeze, then wipe the boards one way. Be careful with any chip paints or dried-out stains. You may need more scrubbing to get the stains off. When all is clean, use a dryer sheet (laundry dryer sheet) and run it across the baseboards. This method will prevent the dust from collecting more on the surface. It will be an easy clean-up next time. Keep the trash can smelling fresh till the subsequent cleanup How do you keep the bathroom trash can clean? Do a deep clean every week. Wash the trash can on your tub; if there is no tub – turn on the shower (bonus if you have a removable showerhead). Give your trash can a good shower and cleaning. For daily cleaning, use disinfecting wipes to clean the top and sides of the trash cans. You can pick up unscented trash bags to refill the can. However, if you aren’t sensitive or allergic to scents – you can use Scented Trash Bags! Thanks to the heavens for these. Life-saver for everyday use and contains any odors – poo or pee wipes! Organizing the bathroom Now, all bathroom corners, top to bottom, are clean. So it’s time to house back the things you put in those bins. Then, organize your items, so everything has its place. You’ve already decluttered first before you even started cleaning. It’ll be easier to put the items back to where they belong and not see clutter. Who likes organizing in chaos? Organizing when the space is clean is the next best thing! This last part is when you organize from top to bottom. So do the shelves, the shower products, etc. Then move on to the countertops and finally the bathroom sink. Easy Spring Cleaning Tips for Bathrooms Spring cleaning tops the number one to-do list in any household. And with the arrival of spring comes the annual tradition of cleaning your house from top to bottom. Let’s cut the overwhelm once and for all when it comes to cleaning your bathroom this spring. Be strategic with your cleaning, prepare what you need, keep track of your nook and crannies, and be cautious of the cleaning agents you use on each surface. But never fear – following the bathroom cleaning tips above will make this process quick and easy! Are you ready to tackle and deep clean your bathroom this spring? Leave a comment about your favorite products to use in the bathroom. Spread the Love8 8Shares

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Clean These 5 Kitchen Items: Don’t Skip Them.

Jordan N. — Sun, 06 Mar 2022 19:24:40 +0000

Spread the Love4 4SharesThe pace of life can pick up some days. My go-to mantra these past few weeks – “it is what it is.” These 5 particular items somehow stop me in my tracks as I clean my kitchen. Why? Because when I clean, I want to be able to do the cleaning without putting anything extra. I understand when I need to scrub the burnt grill or get the fridge purged once or twice a week. But some days, I want to clean and go. I don’t want to spend extra time making sure they’re super sparkling clean. Are you the same with cleaning? Hey, we don’t get to do what we want for easy cleaning. But, as homemakers, we make time for things that need attention. Additionally, the health of the family may depend on it as well. So, grab your gloves, and let’s do it. 5 Kitchen Items need extra cleaning and attention: 1. Cutting Board When’s the last time your meat cutting board had a good scrubbing and soak? Do you mean there are different cutting boards for food? I say yes; you may want to dedicate one cutting board for meat and one for produce. The reason is food safety and handling. It makes sense not to use the cutting board for meat and chopping potatoes together. Some bacteria from the uncooked meat get picked up by other food items you’re preparing on the same board. Keeping your cutting board clean after every use: Scrub your cutting board with salt and a lemon cut in half. Paying particular focus on crevices. Get hot soapy water in a small tub and clean your cutting board. You need to use a gallon of water + 1/3 cup of chlorine bleach to soak for 5 minutes. Then rinse with hot water – to remove the chemical solution. (Follow bleach safety guidelines for home use). Allow the cutting board to air dry and store in a clean place. If you have a wood cutting board, choose it for produce or other items rather than meat. There are NSF-certified plastic cutting boards available in the market. Another alternative is a glass cutting board. Whatever you use as your cutting board at home, be sure to clean and sanitize them properly. If the cutting boards are worn out – REPLACE them. 2. Under your microwave oven – grease filter Have you taken a good look under your over-the-range microwave? Do you see that screen mesh filter with gunk in it? Yes, that one underneath. If you have your microwave manual handy in the kitchen, check how to remove it for cleaning. You can carefully remove it for most microwave models by unhinging one corner. Remove the screen. Soak with a fourth cup of baking soda with 4 quarts ot water with a few drops of diah soap for 10 minutes. After soaking, you can get a cleaning brush to scrub and then rinse with warm water. Say no to oil splatters and dust. Instead, grab your favorite cleaner to wipe down the entire bottom of your microwave. 3. Refrigerator: Water spout and ice dispenser Hello, fridge! If you have a refrigerator with a water and ice dispenser, you’ll see that this area gets nasty pretty quick. Look closely at the water tip and make sure there isn’t any gunk-like white or, worse green stuff sticking around. The ice dispenser spout can get easily dirty as your family uses it daily. So for your safety, pay attention to this area as much you’d want to get fresh, safe, and clean water. Never use a commercial cleaning agent or chemical on them. Opt for the simple tried and true – vinegar and water (V+W) solution. Fill out a small ziplock with equal parts of V+W. Wrap it around the spouts. Leave it to soak longer. Then wipe down. If you don’t want to soak, grab a spray bottle filled with V+W and use a soft cloth to wipe it down after spraying the spouts. Related Post: Cleaning Routine for a Stay-At-Home Mom That You Actually Can Stick To 4. Sink Grinder (Garbage Disposal) Ever wonder what’s that smell when you’re by the sink? Yes, it’s your garbage disposal. It may be automatic for you to clean this weekly or more times during the week. But sometimes, life gets busy, and you forget. Let’s tackle it together to get those slimy, grimy goop around and in it. TURN OFF the power to your garbage disposal. Please do this FIRST. Grab a sponge and your dish soap. Scrub the spout chamber sometimes, it can be stuck with all the gunk around it. Rinse your sponge and repeat cleaning it thoroughly and rinse with hot water. Now take your ½ cup of vinegar and ½ cup of baking soda – pour down the drain. COVER with your sink stopper. Let it do its magic. Then, wait for the fizzy to slow down. Once done, remove the cover, then flush your sink disposal with hot water. For the scent part: either grab a few lemon peels, drop into the chamber or a few drops of lemon essential oil with ice cubes – turn on the disposal for 20 seconds. You can do the same for the other sink without the disposal. Clean as much as you can, then drop some lemon fragrance oil to freshen the smell. 5. Trash Cans Include your trash can on your cleaning to-do list this weekend. Unfortunately, this kitchen item can get overlooked. The trash can may not get cleaned until it’s overly yucky looking to your sight. A good scrubbing and rinsing will do the trick. For quick clean up: Empty the trash. Grab your all-purpose cleaning spray and sponge to clean. From cover to the sides, then the bottom and pedals. Replace a new trash bag and freshen up with a fragrance spray. For thorough cleaning of the trash bin with stuck food, liquid stains, etc. Empty the trash. Bring it to your bathroom and give it a good shower. Use dish soap and scrub those gunks off and rinse with hot water. Always dry out the trash can before using it again. Replace a new trash bag and spray it with your favorite essential oils. Now that we’ve tackled those 5 Kitchen Items in your home to clean. Let’s give these items the proper cleaning and never forget it again. Which one are you going to clean first? Anything you want to add to those kitchen items that get overlooked? Let me know in the comments. Spread the Love4 4Shares

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Gift Ideas for Homemakers for Kitchen Use

Jordan N. — Sat, 15 Jan 2022 00:06:09 +0000

Spread the Love2 2SharesHomemaking is a broad responsibility. Most homemakers will need tools and items to be efficient and save time in the kitchen. In addition, your kitchen needs to be functional. Check out these kitchen gift ideas for homemakers. Moms are constantly on the go in the household. However, moms spend the most time every day in the kitchen. Preparing meals, getting organized, cleaning up, and ensuring everyone is taken care of. Wouldn’t it be great to have the items you need at your disposal when you’re in a time crunch or simply enjoying the homemaking flow? Whether you’re looking to gift a homemaker you know or getting it for yourself, this gift guide can help you out. This post contains affiliate links; if you purchase from any of the links provided – I may earn a commission at no cost to you. Please read the complete disclosure here. Homemakers Gift Ideas for the Kitchen Instant Pot Any busy mom wants anything other than dinner ready anytime when using a practical kitchen appliance such as the Instant Pot. Cooking for the family as a stay-at-home mom or a working mom doesn’t have to be laborious and time-consuming. You can quickly get ingredients into the pot, call it a day, and it’ll be ready for later. So let it do its magic while cooking the meals you want for your family. There are huge lists of Instant Pot recipes on the internet. From vegan, keto, Mediterranean, or any diet conceivable. Small Food Processor I get it when you only need a small portion to make, like pesto, tahini sauce, or other condiments to prepare. Then, you can take advantage of the size of this food processor for quick cleaning and easy storage. I use mine to chop vegetables or grind nuts for any planned meals. You can quickly pour oils or liquid into the top opening while making something like vinaigrette or special sauce. Cast Iron Pans Have you skipped cast iron pans because of the dedication of their maintenance? Don’t be intimidated by its care instructions. Cast iron pans are versatile when it comes to cooking and even baking. You can make more value for your money when you have this in your kitchen. They last long and cook great! If you need inspiration for cast iron recipes – you should check this Taste of Home Cast Iron Recipes. Homemaking Kitchen Books Suppose you want to get more information and tips in managing the kitchen or getting into a homemaker mindset. Then, you can check out some of these books. The New Homemade Kitchen Homemade Vegan Pantry The Hands-On Home Planners Moms will want to keep track of all things related to homemaking – home management schedules, meal plans, school plans/events, doctor’s appointments, and other routines. It can be a specific planner or more of a record-keeping one. Find one that fits your personality, something functional and practical for use. Family Organizer Meal Planner Magnetic Meal Planner Wooden Spoons Most kitchens will have wooden spoons for cooking and mixing. In the market, there are numerous brands to choose from. Why wooden spoons? They’re practical, strong, non-reactive, and don’t conduct heat. This wooden set is a good one to try. Quick cleaning tip: Use mild dish soap with hot water after cooking. To sanitize them, soak with 3% hydrogen peroxide for a good 15 minutes, rinse, blot with a clean towel, and let it air dry completely. Be careful when breaks occur after extreme use – they must be thrown away. Apron You can sew your apron. I’ve sewn mine and have been using it every day. I have given sewn aprons to the family as well. I’ve used Lisa’s reversible apron project at Farmhouse on Boone. Easy to follow steps, and in an hour or two, you’ll have your apron. Having a reliable apron is a must for any homemaker if you’re in the kitchen from sunrise to sundown. Pick one that suits your kitchen needs if you want pockets or adjustable straps or a half-apron or jumper style apron. Air Fryer The possibilities of cooking food without the extra oils. YES! Baking, reheating, air frying, dehydrating, roasting, and broiling. What more can you ask for? You have many options with the food you can cook in this air fryer. What about a healthier way to prepare your food? Here’s a list of Air Fryer Recipes from Ahead of Thyme. Having this air fryer in our kitchen made my meal-making a lot healthier. Sourdough Starter in a Jar If you’re into sourdough, this gift is a gift that keeps on giving for years. Starting a sourdough can be intimidating for some moms, yet it’s as simple a process as it can be. You can find different methods of sourdough starter makes. In addition, you can find regular sourdough starters, gluten-free sourdough starters, and more. Here’s a simple way to start your sourdough starter from scratch. If you want to get ahead a little bit, you can order this Culture For Health Sourdough Starter. There are plenty of options under this brand and more categories you can think of. Bread Proofing Basket Kit On the topic of breadmaking, why not check out a basket kit to add to your kitchen staples. You can enjoy the art of breadmaking with this set and use it for a long time. I’ve enjoyed my set and an excellent buy for our household. It included two banneton baskets, a scoring lame (extra blades), a dough scraper, and a basket liner. Kitchen Knife We’ve all had those knives set when we first married or moved to your first house. Do you care for your knives as much as your pots and pans? Check out this Imarku Set you can upgrade to or get your first set. Handheld Mixer This handheld mixer answers simple food preparations and baking when you only mix or beat quickly. Easy to assemble, lightweight and good performance. You get accessories: dual beaters, hooks, and a storage case. Unfortunately, the one I have in our kitchen isn’t on sale anymore. So I listed something similar below. Slicer Buying a mandoline slicer for the kitchen will save you from slicing ingredients like vegetables and fruits. You get the whole set of cutting and slicing. Easily stored and durable. I love using what I got in my kitchen. Wide Mouth Mason Jars for Freezer Meals Mason jars with lids became our freezer meal storage at home. So it’s easier to stuff the cooked dish and portion. Plus safe heating/defrosting and easy to clean up. Make sure you don’t fill it up to the top. You can also get the plastic lids if you prefer those. Here’s a safe way to use mason jars for freezer meals. Stand Mixer Suppose you make food from scratch nothing like having a stand mixer to help you out. So splurge on your wish list to get one. It will help you streamline your cooking and baking. You’ll be able to get much done and equally efficient when you have a stand mixer in your kitchen. You can also purchase a meat grinder or pasta roller. Weighing Scale This kitchen gadget is a must for any kitchen, especially for baking moms. It is a valuable tool to help precise measurements of ingredients and perfect your baking craft. Give this weighing scale a chance to become a part of your kitchen, and you may be surprised that baking troubleshooting isn’t as bad as it comes anymore. Check out the one I’ve been using in my kitchen. What’s on your kitchen list? You may already have some of these kitchen gadgets and appliances in your home. Planning to gift these items to someone you know? Do consider some practical, time-saving kitchen tools they can use while homemaking. You can save these homemakers’ kitchen gift ideas for reference too. I am not sponsored by these brands to have them on my list. The products featured here are the ones I use in my kitchen on a regular basis. Let me know what kitchen item you can’t live without. Don’t forget to share this post and sign up for the Newsletter. Thank you. Spread the Love2 2Shares

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Organization Hacks for Your Laundry Room

Jordan N. — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 04:59:33 +0000

Spread the Love16 16SharesDoes your laundry room need a room lift? Organization tips and hacks from storing detergent, sorting the laundry supplies, and keeping a smooth flow in your laundry room. If your laundry room is a small space of four walls in your beautiful home, you may need to be strategic in getting organized. A functional room for all your laundry needs makes a whole lot of difference when everything is in its proper place. You do your laundry chore with ease, and every inch of laundry space is utilized for the function. This post may contain affiliate links; if you purchase from any of the links provided – I may earn a commission at no cost to you. Please read the complete disclosure here. Let’s check out how these hacks can help with your simple organization for your laundry room. Start with a blank slate. Go ahead takedown all your decors, all current storage units, laundry supplies, and other extra trinkets from your laundry room. Sort per category and immediately store away/rehome anything you aren’t planning to use. Get it done as you take items out of its spot. You see a visionary outline of what you like to do with each space and corner when you have an empty shelf, wall, or storage. Throw away expired items. Do you still keep those hardened laundry powder? Or maybe the hardened laundry liquid softener inside the container? Make a habit of checking the expiration dates and keeping your supplies updated. You can also get a laundry supply checklist (PDF download) from this cleaning post. Cut the clutter now. Clearing out of anything that doesn’t serve the room’s functional purpose needs to go. It can be challenging to organize when you have so much stuff and clutter around that you move multiple times and barely use it. Say goodbye to them. Minimize what you bring in, even in decors. Clear out your laundry closet. Keep only the items that your family needs to maximize storage space. You don’t need 15 bath towels for a family of four. Same as 20-bed linens or sheets for a three-bedroom house. RELATED POST: Declutter First Before Organizing Your Home Use bins and caddies for your laundry needs. Practical laundry room solutions for storage: Glass jars for your powder detergent will look excellent and minimal yet still serve as a storage unit. Please don’t throw away the laundry scooper and reuse it with your detergent jars. Caddies for your cleaning supplies that you use to clean the laundry room. Store them in one place for easy grab and clean time. Wire bins or fabric bins, whichever you prefer – opt for what helps keep clutter out of sight or display organized items correctly. Don’t forget the under shelf basket wire for small laundry items. Simple wooden basket for your small essentials such as clothespins, scissors, a basic sewing kit, and cedar sticks. Lint Bin, anyone? With a small laundry room, you may not have space to put a regular trash bin. You can purchase a designed lint bin (magnetic/hook on) to complement your laundry decor. Another option of reusing am empty laundry powder container for disposing of lint to save cost. Wrap an empty laundry box up with wrapping paper. Tuck away the iron and ironing board behind the door. Storing the ironing board can be a challenge for a small laundry room for those who iron their clothes. If you wish to keep the laundry and laundry-related items in one room, opt for a hanging wire over the door to store your ironing board away. When space is limited, you can opt for a small ironing board you can place on top of your washer or dryer. Then as you complete your ironing chores, you keep it inside the laundry closet. Do you sew? With this simple mini ironing board cover tutorial, you can easily make a cover for your small ironing board. It was a quick sewing project to do my blue mini ironing board cover shown below. Bins for whites, light and dark clothing items. Before it even hits the laundry washer, get your family’s dirty clothes sorted out already by placing bins in all bedrooms. Then, you can utilize an already split container for sorting your dirty laundry. There are plenty of options for laundry bins if you prefer fabric, plastic, or other laundry sorter bins. Shelvings that serve an organizing purpose. Shelving units come in different designs, materials, sizes, and sturdiness. For an airy-looking room but inexpensive laundry organization, wire shelves are your storage solutions. If your laundry room has built-in wire shelvings, you can cover them with liners or even thin wood planks. Or you can leave them as is. Open wood shelving in a laundry room can make the space stylish and functional using suitable quality materials. Using easily stored laundry items for minimizing used space. Foldable stool Collapsible laundry baskets for folding/sorting Foldable laundry hampers (mesh or fabric) Collapsible drying racks Slim rolling cart for laundry items Use Your Walls When floor space becomes a problem, check a wall where you can mount hooks or small cabinets. Hooks are great for storing items for dry clean, delicate bags, or even shoe bags. Mounted small cabinets such as bathroom cabinets can be another option for storing laundry supplies. Do it yourself wall cubbies; use small storage cube to be screwed on the walls as shelves. Then, you can paint them before installing them up to finish a coordinated laundry room look. However, be sure to measure the wall area and the cabinet dimensions for easy installation. You don’t want to be drilling holes and finding out it doesn’t work out in the intended wall space. Choose a laundry system that works for your family. Overwhelming laundry and the so-called tedious chore don’t have to be the worst homemaking task. The solution to that is streamlining your laundry process to fit your family’s needs and time. If you like to do laundry daily to cut the load, opt for this daily laundry task. If you want to reserve a day or two for laundry time, then do so. Whatever works and keeps you from getting stressed out whenever laundry time comes, do what makes it simpler and organized. You can check out our family’s laundry system here. Simple Laundry Room Organization Tips There you have my top 10 organization hacks for any laundry room, small or big it may be. You can work it out with these storage ideas and simple solutions for all your laundry needs. You have lowered your stress level by organizing your laundry space, no matter the room’s square feet area. Creating a functional work area for one of the most unloved chores in the household makes you want to do your laundry with a smile on your face. Streamlining your chores with a simplified process, whatever the tasks are, makes for a happy homemaker. Are you ready to tackle and put your laundry room in order today? Please drop me a comment below, how you keep your laundry room organized and functional. Pin for later. Spread the Love16 16Shares

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Declutter First Before Organizing Your Home

Jordan N. — Sun, 22 Aug 2021 22:39:06 +0000

Spread the Love38 38SharesManaging your home as a busy mom can become a headache, especially if house items are all over the place. The trick to keeping it all together even with chaos is to declutter first before organizing everything. Do you feel getting rid of things becomes exhausting and emotionally taxing? Is clutter stressing you out? How do you feel about addressing the home clutter before even dipping into the organizing part? When you set a goal to organize your home, your brain instantly zones in on every nook and crannies. You also envision a space with much purpose and calmness after every organization project. Have you ever done a home organization project and had to stop because unnecessary items are lying around? A pile of old notebooks, unworn clothes in your closet, or even double items in your kitchen? What happens then? You hit the breaks before you can even begin? That’s what I’m talking about here—the importance of decluttering your home before delving into any organizing effort. Next, you’ll find out why you even declutter beforehand as part of your homemaking. 6 Reasons to declutter before organizing your home: You’re only keeping what you need. This effort is the purging time to sort and choose helpful things around the house and what’s needed. Reducing the clutter will help you see what organizing you need to do around the house. If you tackle organizing first, you will end up with the same amount of things to manage and not take anything away that’s not being used or needed. Do these quick declutter compartments at home: FIVE CONTAINERS (Label the #2-5 boxes) TRASH – for items to throw away. Bye-bye things! DONATE – to give to charity, home shelter, etc. SELL – for what it’s labeled for sale (garage or thrift stores) KEEP – items that are currently being used on a daily basis or even weekly STORAGE – used for seasonal items (downsized items like Christmas or Easter decors) Your effort and time are cut down from home organizing or even cleaning too. You spend less time organizing when your home is decluttered first. Why is that? Fewer things, less organizing to do. Hence, more time for other homemaking aspects. The goal is not to use up all the time re-organizing or getting stuff around. When the home is decluttered, you acquire more time for what matters to you the most. You’ll be able to concentrate on the task at hand rather than being distracted by the clutter. You are adding more organizing containers where you don’t need them. Tackling decluttering ahead of time, you’ll be less likely to buy more containers to store more stuff. Likewise, cutting down on clutter in your home means no need to be shopping for more organizing storage and others. So now, no need to rehome extra unused items. How you’ll save money from buying unnecessary purchases to store clutter in your home. One thing is good, needing only the storage for valuable items and not just for hiding stuff. When the mess is taken care of, you may find plenty of empty bins from the recently decluttered storage. You may even get money from the stuff you plan to sell. Decluttering your home doesn’t cost you money, and make sure you have a concrete plan. You’ll open space when you declutter your home first before you can even begin organizing. Having just a few things – you can manage space around, and less cleaning is needed; more home for those important things. Also, organizing will become easier when you have the proper space to do your projects. You will appreciate the space that you’ll discover after your decluttering efforts. Then, when you have an empty room, you’ll have a clear vision of what you want that area to be. You’ll have fewer items to clean, and you’ll gain some organizational inspiration seeing a cleared space in your home. Pick a method that works for you. When you decide to declutter – you may put it on your to-do list as a weekend thing, one room at a time, or even as a month-long endeavor. It may be a 15 minute daily declutter or 1 hour declutter time for the whole family. You undoubtedly know what worked for you in the past, or you may jump into a new method you’d want to add to your decluttering routine. You’d be tweaking your decluttering process if a technique didn’t seem to work for you. What’s the takeaway for the first declutter before organizing method? Homemaking requires a system for your home – what works for you and your family. That includes your effort to declutter first at home. When you know what you need, you can quickly downsize your home items. You also cut down the time allotted for organizing and cleaning your home. Only having the necessary things; you’ll save money in the long run. With the space you’ve discovered after decluttering, you also find empty containers now that you can practically use for the important, valuable household items. Then last, when on a decluttering spree, you’ll apply the system that worked for you or start incorporating new ways to achieve your homemaking goals. It’s a win-win situation for you. Now, as a homemaker – decluttering first before organizing your home will be an ongoing process. The decluttering means you’ll have to deal with the amount of stuff in your home and readjust your organizing needs as time permits. It’ll take time to get used to, especially if you haven’t put in place routines that genuinely help you keep your home decluttered and organized. Don’t worry; everybody got to begin somewhere, right? So what’s left to do? Start scheduling your declutter time to get the ball rolling. If you’re looking for tips to succeed in Decluttering your Home, Cleaning Routine, and Managing your Home, check out these posts. Related Posts: Quick Declutter Tips You Need To Know Homemaking – The Ultimate Overview for Today’s New Homemakers Cleaning Routine for a Stay-At-Home Mom (That You Actually Can Stick To) Subscribe to my newsletter for other tips and updates from The Motherly Heap. Thanks for stopping by today! Spread the Love38 38Shares

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Laundry System for Family and Ways to Keep it Under Control

Jordan N. — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 15:02:24 +0000

Spread the Love33 33SharesLaundry isn’t that scary, you know. But, as a family of four, we do have days that those hampers get filled up pretty fast. Which family doesn’t? Finding the laundry system that works for your family can make or break this chore. We do our fair share of getting our clothes cleaned, washed, and put away. When my kids were little, I, of course, have a different laundry system for our family with babies and toddlers. However, that changed now that my kids are growing and getting more responsible. I’ve experimented with different systems and finally settled in our ONE DAY laundry system. What? A whole day of washing, drying, and sorting/folding? Am I crazy? It sounds scary, exhausting, and tedious? Now, let me tell you that even though it feels like it’s a whole day of laundry, it isn’t that bad, and it works for us. Saturday is our Laundry Day unless there are new clothes that need to be washed right away. Our family of Four ONE DAY Laundry System: A day of washing, folding, and organizing. I start in the morning with four loads. I usually do the kids’ laundry first. Next, I grab one hamper from my daughter’s bedroom then load the light clothes first, followed by the colored ones. While that is ongoing, I finish my morning daily cleaning tasks. After the first two batches of washing and drying her clothes, I load the 3rd and 4th batch: my son’s clothes. Again, the light followed by the colored garments. Next thing, I fold my daughter’s clothes with her help. She sorts out little socks, underwear, and I do the rest. Once done, we both quickly put away her clothes and remove the decluttered extra or grown-out clothes (if it’s purge time). By the time we finished, it’s time for my son’s clothes to be folded and organized. This part is getting me excited. Why? My son had been folding his clothes. Then, when he was around four years old, my husband made him a made-shift folding helper out of old cardboard. Then, he and my husband had a folding teaching moment one afternoon, and that was a game-changer. We still have the folding helper cardboard for my daughter to use now. So, while my son folds his clothes, I load our bedsheets, pillowcases, and blankets. Then, I make or reheat our lunch, and we enjoy a nice lunch together. Here’s another important part: My husband’s work schedule is set, so if he’s at work that weekend, he does his laundry the Monday after or Friday. Yes, you read that right! He does his laundry, plus our bath towels are washed weekly. He washes his work clothes separate from the rest and done last. This laundry routine just worked out that way for us. He has his laundry routine and system, and I’m okay with that. Less work for me, right? Back to my laundry system, after lunch clean-up, I resume the washing of my clothes and other hand towels, cleaning rags, etc., in the afternoon. I’ll finish my other chores between loads while the kids have their downtime, playtime, and whatever we assigned that day to do. It’s been an excellent working laundry system for our family for years. But, of course, there are exceptions to this system – in vacations, travels, weekend plans, and other events. We adjust laundry day accordingly. If one of us (me or husband) is ill, the other will assume the laundry task—teamwork for life. This system is flexible enough and doesn’t have to happen on the weekend. I think we chose Saturday because we were working full-time nurses when we started this out. So, we stuck to it till now, even as I transitioned into a stay-at-home mom last year. Related post: Cleaning Routine for a Stay-At-Home Mom That You Actually Can Stick To Is it doable to do it in ONE DAY? Depending on what’s going on with your home life, your kids’ age, and other responsibilities, it can be pretty doable for a family to do it this way. As I remind anyone who reads my blog, this is not something that you SHOULD do, and this is my account of what works for our family. If your family laundry method works excellent for you, that’s awesome, then stick to it. However, if you’re still looking for a laundry method to try and not get stressed out during the week/weekend, this system can be a game-changer for you and your family. Tips for Getting your Family Laundry System Organized: #1 Give your kids attainable laundry tasks. Let them start their wash load and drying with instructions (Download and Print this Laundry Cheatsheet for kids here). Have the kids sort out small items: socks, underwear. Also, let them fold their clothes. Let them help sort newly washed clothes and organized their closet. The bottom line, you can teach your kids how to do the laundry from start to finish at an early age. Supervisions for younger ones and detailed instructions for the older kids. #2 Place one hamper bin with a divider for every bedroom. This way can tremendously help when it’s time for laundry day. The bin is already split into two: LIGHT and COLORS. You can check out this trash container turned laundry bin we’re using in our home; I think we got it from Walmart. Before dirty laundry leaves each bedroom, they are already sorted – a big time-saver for me. On a different note, working in healthcare, we’ve set up another laundry bin out in the garage for removing work clothes before entering the house. #3 Set expectations for laundry organization. Kids need to understand that keeping their closets tidy is their responsibility too. Yes, keep everything tidy. This one is still a challenge for my daughter – she likes to change clothes multiple times a day, and we are working on that end. Do you have a mom tip for this? If there’s a stained clothing item, mom needs to know right away. Don’t hide or dump around. No clothes on the floor, please. #4 Make it fun for kids. We are sorting with colors. Sorting per category items. We are keeping the folding fun by listening to music or play a name something of the color game. Extra tickles for kids when grumpy faces emerge. It always works. #5 Keep laundry in check. Everyone can wear some clothing items twice like pajamas, jeans (unless soiled), and hoodies. Mommy Sniff Test? Anyone? I’m not kidding here. Next, towels get washed once a week. The bedsheets, bedcovers, pillowcases, and blankets also get cleaned weekly. #6 Declutter your closets: Keep or Donate. This method is a huge game-changer. When you haven’t worn clothing items in a year, it’s time to have a sit-down with those piles. Start a decluttering routine. Getting clothes into minimum number and not buying clothes out of whim helps keep organization more manageable and have clutter-free closets. Schedule a day or two in a month to do a PURGE ROUTINE from all closets in your home. Place them all in a box/clear bin labeled with what season wear, and the rest DONATE. So, thinning out everyone’s wardrobe can help laundry under control. #7 Stick to a system that works. When you know what works for your family in tackling laundry, it’s great to be consistent about it. Although, I said earlier that experimenting first with what works and finding an effective method – can take you to great lengths in cutting down hours or days of laundry tasks. There’s nothing wrong with switching laundry systems, especially when there are changes at home: family dynamics, kids growing up, work-related limitations, etc. Laundry Hacks I can share with you that are working for our family: Use color catcher sheets if you’re planning to wash all colors PLUS a red item. I’ve had my shares of blotches of red stain to other clothing items. Then, prevent it from ever happening again. If you don’t need a HOT wash cycle, you don’t have to use it. Cold cycles are an effective washing option for your family’s clothes. But for other seriously soiled items, check the recommendations first. Sweat and blood can get set in the fabric when washed with hot water. Sanitizing laundry goal: may use Hot water to help kill the bacteria/virus, especially if someone in the family is sick. That includes sheets, towels, and clothing items. Pre-treat stains before washing. For blood – apply hydrogen peroxide directly on the stained area, then run cold water afterward – then wash. For pee, poop and vomit – use baking soda, spray with a 1:4 ratio of water/hydrogen peroxide solution, then rinse with cold water – then wash. If it hasn’t entirely resolved in one try, repeat the process and check again. In order to get rid of any odors and residues left in clothes or washable items, you can add ½ cup of baking soda along with your chosen detergent and start the wash cycle usually. For little ones’ or baby socks, use a mesh bag during washing and drying. We know how these cute items can be – they can turn into endless mismatch socks and missing ones. Wool dryer balls are great for sensitive skin; use them instead of dryer sheets. This method also helps keep your towels fluffy. Laundry Stripping: for garments or items that can withstand HOT water temperature. But before you do this method, please check the labels of your clothing or items. Make sure you use protective gloves and ventilate your bathroom well. **This post may contain affiliate links. If you click on the product links and purchase through the links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See the Full Disclosure Here. Thank you for your continued support!** Laundry Essentials: Laundry Detergent Liquid, Powder Dryer Balls or Dryer Sheets Color Catcher Sheets Fabric Softener Baking Soda Vinegar Bleach Hydrogen Peroxide Laundry Stain Remover Spray Bottles Laundry Hampers (something similar) Folding Hampers Small Trash Bin Containers for Other Items Clothes Pin for Sun Drying Hangers Laundry Mesh Bag Friendly Reminder: Keep all products away from younger kids. Always have direct visual supervision when they’re doing laundry wash/dry. Related Post: Cleaning Supplies Checklist You’ll Need In Your Home Mastering your Family Laundry System is Key The good thing about a family laundry operation is flexibility. You can alter any method you find interesting and customize it according to your family’s needs. Find a laundry routine that’s effective and helps your time management. There’s no one-fix way to do laundry in any home, the best thing is for you to practice consistency, and it’ll become more manageable. As your kids grow with age, they will be able to help out, and your homemaking laundry routine doesn’t have to be complicated. If you are willing to try this ONE DAY Laundry System for your family, let me know how it goes for you. Do you have any laundry system tips to add? How frequently do you do laundry at home? What are your effective ways to tackle the laundry at home? Let me know in the comments. Was this post helpful? Would you mind pinning it or sharing it? Thank you! Spread the Love33 33Shares

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Cleaning Supplies Checklist You’ll Need In Your Home

Jordan N. — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 15:57:49 +0000

Spread the Love179 179Shares Are you taking inventory of the cleaning supplies in your home? Do you feel efficient in cleaning once all the necessary products and tools are available at your disposal? How about getting a Cleaning Supplies Checklist to get organized at home. Part of your homemaking is making sure you have all that you need to have a clean house. Your product choices that can help lessen the time of your cleaning are a bonus to any homemaker. Less time cleaning means more time with family. So, I’ve listed all the best Cleaning Supplies and Tools you’ll need to make your home spotless. Before we go further, print off the Cleaning Supplies Checklist Printable for your copy and reference later. FREE Download HERE. In preparation for getting organized with your cleaning supplies and tools: Make room for a cleaning area in your home to house all the cleaning supplies. The storage can be in a laundry room or another corner storage near the kitchen. Create a cleaning kit packed with all the tools and supplies you’ll need daily for your cleaning needs. If you want quick access, you can also store them under the sinks of the kitchen and bathrooms. Take a look at the list and note the quantity in your cleaning supply list inventory. Then, clip this cleaning supply checklist in a location where you can see the list for easy access before running to the grocery. Use this checklist to help you in your routine housework and stay on task with your cleaning approach. You can also use these household labels that you can customize for what you need at home. For you to shop, click on any product image or links to take a closer look. The great thing about this shopping time is to have Amazon Prime deliver straight to your door. If you don’t already have Amazon Prime, you can sign up and try it for a 30-day free trial. **This post is not a sponsored post. However, this post may contain affiliate links. If you click on the product links and purchase through the links, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. See the Full Disclosure Here. Thank you for your continued support!** What are the cleaning supplies needed at home? As a homemaker, you want to stock up in your cleaning supplies and make sure the tools are working. Efficiency and time management is a homemaker’s superpower. The supplies that you’ll need will be based upon what you truly need in order to manage your household well. Here are the CLEANING TOOLS you’ll need for your home: Rubber Gloves Cleaning Caddy Spray Bottles Kitchen Sponges MicroFiber Cloths Scrub Brush Toilet Wand Duster Dust Pan & Broom Mop & Bucket Steam Mop Dust Mop Vacuum Carpet Cleaner Roomba Vacuum Lint Roller Trash Bags Antimicrobial Wipes Paper Towels CLEANING PRODUCTS You’ll Need for Cleaning. Listing all the LAUNDRY PRODUCTS, You’ll Need Laundry Detergent Dryer Sheets Stain remover Fabric Softener Stain Catcher -> a homemaker’s hack -laundry saver! Bleach Oxiclean Lint Trap Dryer Balls -> great for people with sensitive skin and babies. Washing Machine Cleaner -> yes, you need to clean your washing machine too. These additional HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTS can help you get your home clean in no time. The list includes Distilled white vinegar, Isopropyl alcohol, Hydrogen peroxide, Borax, and Baking soda. So I don’t know about you, but I also use vinegar solutions for my cleaning needs. However, it stinks! So, I looked and found this infused vinegar shower mix that works and doesn’t smell deathly – thanks to helloglow.co. Even if the smell isn’t stinky anymore, make sure you ventilate the area well and use a protected mask, gloves, and eye goggles, especially if you’re cleaning a molded surface. Here’s a Baking Soda Cleaning Hack I do at my kitchen: When your oven has plenty of gunk and grime, you can use baking soda by sprinkling it around the inside bottom of the oven/range. Next, use a spray bottle filled with water and spray the water on top of it. Now, you wait for 2 hours. Afterward, you scrub the surface using a textured sponge in your cleaning supply. Then clean off the surface with a wet cloth removing all baking soda residue, and the oven cleaned. Caution for Baking Soda Use: Remember that baking soda is abrasive; if mixed with other solutions can be dangerous. Also, there are things you shouldn’t clean with baking soda. There are plenty of cleaning recipes you can follow for household solutions to help clean your home. You have to scour the internet for the best ones you like and work for your homemaking needs. Now that you have your complete checklist of the cleaning supplies. I have the Cleaning Schedule Kit for you down below. Download the Cleaning Routine Planner through this form. This Cleaning Routine will help you stay organized and easily manage your home cleaning. You can read my cleaning routine as a stay-at-home mom here. As a result, you’ll be on top of your homemaking schedule, and you can spend more time enjoying the family. Take these as your cleaning supplies guide; you can add or subtract any product that doesn’t apply to your homemaking. Before you go, GRAB the Cleaning Routine Planner and pair it with this House Cleaning Supplies Checklist. Your FREE Printable for the Checklist here. If I miss anything on this checklist that you regularly use in your home, share it in the comment. Every home is different, but knowing what’s out there and what works will help out any moms reading this post. What are your storage hacks in keeping all your cleaning tools and products at home? Do you have a bonus product or a favorite one that is a life-saver for you? Let me know in the comment. Pin this for later, and let’s stay connected at Pinterest and Instagram. If you like my homemaking posts, sign up for my newsletter, where you’ll have updates and exclusive news sent directly to your inbox. Get the Cleaning Routine! Signup for news and special offers! You can unsubscribe anytime. For more details, review our Privacy Policy. Subscribe Loading… Thank you! Download your Blank Cleaning Routine Checklist! You have successfully joined our subscriber list. Spread the Love179 179Shares

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