Tuesday, February 27, 2018

A Clean Slate

Well kiddos, it's that time of the year again.  Time to spring clean!!!
Time to freshen up, clean, toss,, donate, etc..

Years ago, spring cleaning was a big event - it involved pretty much the whole family and it was done in quick time.  Everyone, including children, had a job to do.  Rugs and carpets were taken outside and beaten within an inch of their lives!!!  LOL  Bedding was fluffed and aired out.  Everything was scrubbed squeaky clean and many times paint was added anew.  Clothes were mended and  what couldn't be salvaged was put in the quilt or rag pile.
A clean house in spring was a major accomplishment and when it was all done - there was often a small celebration.

I say keep it simple.  There isn't much that soap and water, vinegar and baking soda can't clean.  Basically we all have what we need right now, to clean, sparkle and refresh just about every service.
  •  Plan to go room by room.  I have always found it much easier to get one room done, before going on to the next.  Start at the top and work your way down.
  • Disinfect along the way.  Good old white vinegar is great for that.  Clean everything!!!  Door knobs, phones, cabinet handles, remotes, sinks, tub, counters, and toilet.  Put a cup of vinegar in the toilet and let it set for several minutes then scrub!  Don't forget to clean the flapper handle on the toilet as well.
  • It may be time for new toothbrushes and changing the batteries in smoke detectors.
  • Shine windows, mirrors, and glass on pictures.  1 part vinegar to 1 part water - spray and clean with a soft cloth or newspaper
  • Open some windows and get some fresh air in the house (especially in the bathroom and bedrooms).  I like to open the windows in bedroom with the bedding off the bed and let the actual bed breathe for a few hours.  Fresh air in - stale air out!
  • Clean kids toys with hot soapy water with a dash of vinegar added.    Those go in their mouths, so they need to be fresh and clean.
  • Sprinkle baking soda on rugs and carpets.  Let it set a while - then vacuum.  The baking soda absorbs odors.
  • Take down and launder curtains, valances or blinds.  They collect dust and need a freshening up too.
  • Remember to clean the refrigerator thoroughly.  Put an open box of baking soda or a cup of coffee grounds in the frig (and freezer) to absorb any new odors.
  • Scrub the stove down and the oven.  I use vinegar and baking soda on the top and I spray down oven with water and sprinkle with either baking soda or salt  and scrub.  I have a self cleaning oven - but I don't use that feature any more -(I almost affixiated myself and the cat once).
  • Clean all the counter surfaces with vinegar and water.  Keeps insects away as well.  Ants don't like vinegar.
  • Get you blankets and comforters, quilts and spreads outside and hang the on the line if possible to air our.  If you can't hang them outside in your neighborhood - hang them in the garage - or hang them over a fence for a while.  Do you have a quilt rack?  Use that and place them outside for a while.  They need fresh air too!!!!!
  • Take the grates off the grill and place in hot soapy water over night.  Sprinkle with baking soda the next day and scour clean.
  • Mix 1/4 cup baking soda to a quart of hot water and wash down the patio furniture with a soft cloth.  After clean - use a clean damp cloth to wipe down again - so there is no residue
  • Mildew or moss on the siding of the house - often on the north.  I use a bucket of hot water and a scrub brush - cover brush with baking soda and scrub.  Rinse with a hose.  A power washer works as well, but I am trying to keep this post about simple and natural ways.
  • Don't forget the pets.  If you have no time for a pet bath - sprinkle them with a bit of baking soda and brush it through and out of fur.  Use baking soda in their beds and in litter as well.
  • The outside of the house also needs a good cleaning in the spring.  If nothing else, spray it (and porch or patio) down with the hose.    A pretty clean house always looks inviting and homey from the street.  It helps the whole neighborhood look good.
  • Don't forget about going out and taking a walk about the neighborhood and pick up trash or debris that is laying around.  It may not be your trash - but it improves your living area.
As you clean think about de-cluttering as well.  If you haven't used something in ages, odds are you don't need it.  It really is true that the less clutter we have in our lives, the better we feel.  I am constantly working on that!!!!  It isn't easy I know.  I am trying to look at de-cluttering differently now.  It's not so much as I "don't need it" as "I can BLESS someone else" with it.  That makes it a bit easier.

Let's all get our clean on!  If we all work on at least one room a day - we will be done and ready to enjoy all the lovely adventures out of doors has to offer.

Keep it simple - use natural ingredients you have on hand and clean, clean, clean!

19 comments:

  1. I would love to deep clean everything within my reach right now, but I think I will wait until I feel better.:)

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    1. I hope you get to feeling better quickly!
      Take care.

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  2. Spring cleaning and decluttering is the best thing ever, it’s so satisfying.

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    1. Howdy Franny and Danny. It sure is. Last week I took down the valances and laundered and just that one thing made me feel better, as I thought the rooms looked lighter.
      Spring has always been my favorite time and maybe spring cleaning has something to do with that.

      Fresh and clean = satisfied!

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  3. I agree with the one room at a time approach. I tried FlyLady but it was just too confusing. I like doing one room and getting it completed. Of course, we all know housework is never "done" but the one room at a time way makes you feel so accomplished and you don't get distracted and lose focus.

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    1. Hello there. You are so right. That is how I feel too. I have accomplished something major in my eyes, when ones room is clean top to bottom.
      I sometimes jump from thing to thing and I just feel frustrated.

      Stay focused and clean on!!!!
      PS - (No kidding it's never done!!!!!)

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  4. Cheryl after such a cold winter I bet you're actually looking forward to your Spring cleaning. I am looking forward to cooler days and nights. I will be doing an autumn cleaning here. The inside of the house isnt too bad. It's the windows and the veranda that need a good scrub. We're 150m to the beach so we get a bit of salt build up on the windows. It has been so hot that cleaning the exterior of the windows has been left. They need a good vinegar and dish soap scrub. The veranda now has a lovely growth of slipper algea that I will scrub off with the pressure washer. I will wait until around April to do this as any hot humid weather, to grow more green slime, should be over by then. When these two areas are done I can sit back and enjoy winter.

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    1. Jane I am so glad that your cooler times are coming!! It always looks so nice when the outside looks fresh and clean.
      I am sure you will thoroughly enjoy the cooler temps and just set back and enjoy. I can't imagine being that close to the beach. HEAVEN!

      I am ready for the cleaning. I have slowly been working on it already. It hasn't been horrible this winter at all (not here), but I am ready for the rebirth of everything.

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  5. A clean home is so wonderful to enjoy. I cleaned my oven last week and I love to open it and just look inside. LOL

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    1. LOL Belinda you sound like me. I hate to use the oven or stove right after I clean.
      If they only STAYED clean!!!!

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  6. I'm ready for spring, but we are getting rain and snow showers this week. I sooo need to clean my windows; I'm tired of looking at dirty windows and my curtains need a good washing.
    Thanks for the tips!

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    1. I hear ya. My windows need it too.
      Stay safe and warm

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  7. We've got buckets of rain coming down right now so cleaning must be delayed. I'll give you an A for your plan though. Seems you've got everything covered.

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    1. Thanks. You could still do some things - wash walls, dust, etc. But rainy days make it hard to motivate for me!
      have a good one.

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  8. Thank you for the wonderful listing Cheryl! I have it printed out and will remember it, but instead of doing it all at once, I will pick away at the tasks as the work week progresses, a little on the mirror here and bit on the doorknobs there, and lastly, the windows!

    Thanks for the tips on the siding, will be stocking up on baking soda very soon.

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    1. Ellen, I don't do it all at once either. My house isn't big, but too much work for one week!
      I buy huge bags of baking soda at Sam's. Very economical.
      Take your time and enjoy your labors!!!
      have a great day

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  9. Great list and you reminded me of a few things that I had forgotten will need to be deep cleaned once the weather is better. Thank you!

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    1. well thank you and you are welcome.
      It's always something!

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  10. I am Autumn cleaning, Inreally have the bug! It feels good. Some days I only get a bit done but each day I have organised an area. I am mkaing progress! xxx

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