|
|
August 9th, 2007
 Ah, here we go! We’re diving into the myriad of ways and systems that have been developed to help us get organized, hide the various collections and menagerie we have accumulated, and create the illusion of control. Whew, try to say that three times fast!
First up, our friends over at realsimple.com have put up an article with 12 different items that reduce clutter. I have personal experience in using both the bucket boss tool organizer and a version of the memo holder. Also of note, the use of a laundry cart to clean up those yard toys that are scattered about.
Also, the photo above is a book that contains some great ideas to help you begin. The book lacks in specifcs to all situations but makes up for that with its broad overview of various rooms and techniques. It’s a terrific way to help you get started. Click on the picture to order it from amazon.
Finally, if you’re more of a visual learner, look into the “Get Organized with Cyndi Seidler” DVD.
Permalink
August 7th, 2007
 I’m going to start a series of blogs about getting organized in your cleaning. You know, organizing the garage, closets, even getting your kids’ rooms clean, and how to clear out some of that clutter. To start off though, I figured we could talk some basic scheduling.
One of the most common questions we get asked is “How often should [insert item needed to be cleaned here] be cleaned?” In a prefect world, here’s my recommendation to our clients:
weekly -Â Dust all furniture; wipe down appliances, furniture; scrub toilets, showers, and sinks; vacuum and mop floors; wash sheets
bi-weekly to monthly - Scrub stove; wipe down kitchen cabinets, microwave, ceiling fans, and baseboards; vacuum couches, recliners
3 to 6 months - Clean refrigerator and polish appliances; clean windows, blinds, and curtains; clean oven
Once a year - Professionally clean carpets, and rugs; wash the walls
Of course, these are guidelines and not strict rules. You should adapt the schedule as needed depending on various factors such as kids and pets.
Technorati Tags: clean, organization, clutter, schedule,
Permalink
August 6th, 2007
 Kids love feeling like they’re able to do the same things us grown ups do! Any and every task is an opportunity for them to show their growing independence. However, the road to independence can lead to messy disasters! If your child is convinced he or she should be allowed to pour their own drink, here’s a little tip:
When kidlets want to pour their own milk or juice at our house but cannot be trusted not to spill, we open up the dishwasher and let her use the flat door surface as a table to pour on.. If she spills, no big deal, it can just be closed and the next time I run the dishwasher, it is cleaned up for me.
A simple, yet effective solution, from the folks over at parenthacks. Let toddlers pour beverages over the dishwasher door. [via lifehacker]
cleaning, dishwasher, door, kids, parenting
Technorati Tags: cleaning, dishwasher, door, kids, parenting
Permalink
August 2nd, 2007
 Most of us have a bottle of vinegar somewhere in the house and find it quite the necessity for cooking. But did you know that it has several other uses around the house? Many of these benefits were completely unknown to me before: bacteria killer on meat, jellyfish sting reliever, removal of warts and corns, just to name a few. Check the full article out for more details.
[via lifehacker]
Technorati Tags: vinegar, home, cleaning
Permalink
July 31st, 2007
Ahh, summer! Here is Florida there is nothing quite like the heat and humidity we experience each year at this time. Despite this, school is out and (when it’s not raining) it’s a great opportunity to head to the beach, a park, a ballgame, etc. All of this fun and excitement, however, can lead to some serious stains for your fabrics. That’s why the terrific folks over at realsimple.com have written up an article for removing those pesky (and sometimes devastatingly permanent) signs from your clothing. Here’s my personal favorite and a necessity for me and my family:
Removing popsicle stains!
Soak in cold water. “You can follow with some ammonia on a Q-tip especially if it’s a reddish stain on a light-colored fabric.â€
Awesome. Check out the full article for this and nine other stain-fighting strategies.
Technorati Tags: cleaning, stain, removal, summer
Permalink
July 26th, 2007
If you’re looking for a direct comparison between one of your “old favorites” in the household cleaning supplies and a newer, more natural solution, look no further than Crunch Chiken’s recent blog post. The folks over there have each thrown in their 2 cents as to what products they’ve found work the best:
Looking at the list of replacements above, it’s amazing how toxic mainstream cleaners are. But, they work. How do your green replacements stack up? I’ve already switched out some cleaners but I’m not all impressed with some of them.
So, that’s it! Now get crackin’. I want answers, people!
Indeed. I love Ecover for bathrooms, toilets, and laundry. For almost everything else our company uses Aromalogics full line of awesome products.
Technorati Tags: natural, green, clean, cleaning, ecover, aromalogics
Permalink
July 25th, 2007
The folks over at realsimple have published a terrific article focusing on how to clean everything from the chopping block, the ceramic tile, to stainless steel:
Four tablespoons of baking soda dissolved in one quart of water.
Tools: A soft cloth.
Tips: Wipe dry with a clean cloth and polish with a dry cloth.
Pretty excellent stuff! check it all out with their nitty-gritty guide to cleaning.
Technorati Tags: cleaning, home, stainless steel, hardwood, ceramic, tile
Permalink
July 13th, 2007
Ahh, July in Florida! Goodness knows it’s hot outside, but it’s also a great time to get the grill going! I know at my house we love to grill just about anything. The problem comes in, however, when you come to the chore of cleaning your grill. That’s just no fun. Well, the folks over at pimp my grill [ReadyMade Blog] have come up with a simple, easy way to do this task: aluminum foil.
ReadyMaker Amy Silberman passed us a great tip for getting (and keeping) your cooking surface gristle-free: Simply ball up some aluminum foil and use it to “scrub†the surface of the grill. It gets right in there, easily scraping off any bits and pieces you (and your vegetarian friends) don’t want hanging around.
Works great for me! Give it a try next time.
Technorati Tags: grill, cleaning, aluminum foil
Permalink
July 7th, 2007
I, myself don’t use dryer sheets with my laundry, preferring instead to use a fabric softener during the wash phase, but many many people do and that leaves many many dryer sheets lying about.
realsimple.com has a terrific article containing various uses for these dryer sheets. My favorite? Cleaning up pet hair! I have found a damp latex glove to do the job, but I plan to give this one a shot while on the job soon. I also have one tip of my own uses to add to their list. This one is a use for dryer lint:
Dryer lint is great for cleaning up oil leaks in the garage. I change my own oil (with dedication every 3 months) and often times find I have made a mess. Dryer lint works wonders for cleaning this up.
Special thanks to the lifehacker blog for pointing me in this direction!
dryer, lint, sheets, laundry, clean, cleaning
Technorati Tags: dryer, lint, sheets, laundry, clean, cleaning
Permalink
June 25th, 2007
Having trouble deciding on a water filter? Apparently there are a few things you’ll want to consider as you make your choice. The Natural Resources Defense Council has a great resource to help you out in your decision. After finding out what’s in your water (via a request to your water company) you should be able to select a filter that will best suit your particular needs. Interesting stuff! Check out the full article with the filter comparison.
I first read about this on the lifehacker weblog. It’s a terrific blog dedicated to finding ways to help make you more productive on a daily basis. Check them out here.
Consumer Guide to Water Filters
Technorati Tags: natural, water, home, water filter, filter
Technorati Profile
Permalink
« Previous entries
Call or email and get a free quote today!
941-545-4592 * info@naturallycleanerhome.com
|
|
 |
