Cleaning Schedule

As fall approaches I am reminded of all the fall cleaning that needs to happen; take air conditioners out of windows, clean window screens, wash curtains, clean the rugs, and it goes on and on. In an attempt to be more productive and organized this year, I have compiled cleaning lists for fall, spring, monthly and weekly. Happy cleaning!

Weekly Cleaning Schedule

• Wash Bed Linens
• Dust Bedroom 1
• Dust Bedroom 2
• Dust Master Bedroom
• Dust Kitchen
• Clean Bathroom
• Dust Ceiling Fans
• Do Laundry
• Put away Laundry

Monthly Cleaning Schedule

• Wash air conditioner filters
• Wash air purifier
• Clean windows
• Dust/Vacuum under/behind furniture
• Clean Microwave
• Clean Washer/Dryer
• Scrub bath, shower, bathroom floor
• Clean trash cans
• Vacuum Baseboard heaters

Fall Cleaning Schedule

• Replace Hepa filters air purifiers
• Wash and/or change out curtains
• Change out kids clothes fall/winter
• Steam Clean carpets
• Remove air conditioners and clean them
• Wash window screens and put back
• Vacuum mattresses and flip them
• Clean out Fridge and Freezer
• Clean out pantry
• Clean kitchen cabinets inside/out
• Oil burner inspected and cleaned
• Winterize sprinkler system
• Turn off outdoor faucets and store hoses
• Clean and store patio furniture
• Clean cars inside/out
• Check and repair caulk around windows and doors inside and out
• Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors- replace batteries
• Rake and clean up yard
• Check and clean gutters
• Go through toys to donate
• Go through clothes to donate

Spring Cleaning Schedule

• Replace Hepa filters air purifiers
• Wash and/or change out curtains
• Change out kids clothes spring/summer
• Steam Clean carpets
• Clean air conditioners and put in windows
• Wash window screens
• Vacuum mattresses and flip them
• Clean out Fridge and Freezer
• Clean out pantry
• Clean kitchen cabinets inside/out
• Power wash house
• Turn on sprinkler system/ repairs
• Turn on outdoor faucets and hook up hoses
• Clean and put out patio furniture
• Clean cars inside/out
• Mulch garden
• Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors- replace batteries
• Go through toys to donate
• Go through clothes to donate

Use Baking Soda as a Beauty Product

I have been on a mission lately to "greenify" my beauty products. With so many chemicals in cosmetic products that are harmful, toxic and cancer-causing I have been transitioning slowly to greener options as I research and test different products.

I have been using baking soda as a beauty product for about a year now and I love it!! Here are some ideas:

Baking Soda Hair Detox
All of the products you use in your hair build up on the hair shaft. Shampooing reguarly removes some, but not all of the products. To give your hair a great deep cleanse try pouring some baking soda into the palm of your hand in the shower. Stick your palm under the water and make a paste with the baking soda. Apply to roots and gently massage in. (This doesn't foam up like shampoo, so it will feel different.) Then rinse it out. Your hair will be shiny, smooth and full of body! Usually I have to use a detangler product when I get done washing my hair so I can comb it through. On days when I use baking soda I don't have to- the comb goes right through! Do this every few weeks to remove product build up. Best of all it is NON-TOXIC!!!

Baking Soda Facial Scrub
Pour some baking soda into your palm and stick your hand under the faucet to wet the baking soda enough to make a paste. Apply to face and GENTLY massage into your skin in a circular motion. Then rise or wipe off with damp sponge. Your face will be as smooth as a babies bottom. Do this every few weeks or whenever your skin needs a boost! Also works well as a foot scrub.

Do you use baking soda as a beauty product? How do you use it?

Cheddar Potato Soup

Fall is in the air and I thought I'd share our family's favorite fall soup-

CHEDDAR POTATO SOUP

• 3-4 large baking potatoes
• 3 cans cheddar cheese soup
• 2 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup milk
• 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper

Start by cleaning the potatoes and drying them. Poke several hole in each with a fork and microwave on high for about 7 minutes or until tender to the touch. Then let cool for about 10 minutes. Once cooled take a knife and peel most of the skins off (it is ok if you leave some- it's a rustic soup). and cut into bite-size chunks.

In a large pot pour in the cheddar soups, chicken broth and milk. Add in the garlic, salt and pepper and heat on med/high strirring with a whisk until the cheddar soup dissolves into the other liquids. Bring to a boil. Then add in the potato chunks and turn down to a simmer. Let simmer for about 5 to 10 minutes to reheat the potatoes. Then remove from  heat and either mash the potatoes with a masher or use an immersion blender to break up the potatoes until you get the desired consistancy. BYOC (be your own chef) if you like it thicker- mash/blend less, if you like it creamier- mash/blend more. Taste the soup and add more salt, pepper, garlic as needed to taste.

Top with your favorite baked potato toppings; sour cream, bacon, fried onions, scallions, cheddar cheese, croutons, crackers, etc.

Commercial Air Freshner can be Toxic!

 

Many commercial brands of air freshners only mask smells, not elliminate them. Plus they may contain harmful chemicals that can pollute your indoor air and pose a health hazard. Try making your own NON-TOXIC versions with these recipes that are easy, inexpensive and use ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
SPRAY BOTTLE RECIPES:
(Note: these are meant to be sprayed into the center of the room- not directly at a wall or fabric)
Vanilla Air Freshner- Grab yourself a new, or at least clean spray bottle (do not recycle a used commercial one). Mix 1/4 cup baking soda with very warm/hot water and mix until the baking soda dissolves (baking soda absorbs odors). Add 1 tsp of vanilla extract and shake well. Spray away. (note- you can substitute vanilla for another extract like lemon, orange, etc.)
Lemon Air Freshner- Grab yourself a new, or at least clean spray bottle (do not recycle a used commercial one). Mix 1/4 cup baking soda with very warm/hot water and mix until the baking soda dissolves (baking soda absorbs odors). Add 1/4 cup lemon juice and shake. Spray away.
Vinegar Air Freshner- Grab yourself a new, or at least clean spray bottle (do not recycle a used commercial one). Fill with undiluted distilled white vinegar and spray. The vinegar smell evaporates quickly taking the odors with it.

Fighting Colds Naturally

 

It’s September and that means back to school which also means that our house will inevitably be hit with colds. Here are some natural ways to combat colds:
-Use a humidifier in the bedroom at night- this helps to keep the air moist, making it easier to breathe.
-Prop mattress up a little under your head- try sticking a pillow under your mattress directly under where your head lies. This help with keeping drainage going down, not up into your sinuses.
-Flush out stuffy noses with saline. I stock up on the little noses non-medicated saline drops. Since it is just saline you may do this as many times as needed. Helps thin out mucus, making it easier to breathe.
-Drink plenty of fluids and eat lots of healthy food like fruits. Try to get some chicken soup down too!
-To help soothe scratchy throats and coughs try some honey before bedtime. Honey has many antioxidants that can help you fight off the cold faster and because it is thick and sweet it helps coat and soothe the sore throat from coughs. It is best to let kids cough during the day to get the mucus up, but when coughing is keeping them up all night, when they need rest try some honey. For kids ages 2-5 try 1/2 tsp, ages 6-11 try 1 tsp, and ages 12-18 try 2tsp. DO NOT GIVE HONEY TO INFANTS UNDER 1 YEAR OLD- may cause a rare, but serious case of botulism. I usually give my kids honey mixed in with something they like, usually I mix it with a little applesauce and warm it for 3 seconds in the microwave so its goes down smoother, you could try to add the honey to some warm (not hot) water.
http://suite101.com/article/honey-may-be-best-cough-medicine-a169827

Non-Toxic Daily Shower Cleaner

 

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First of all using a towel on the floor to step onto when exiting the shower and then wiping all shower and tub sufraces down with a towel is always helpful and will definately eliminate ALOT of the mildew in the bathroom. But if you find yourself needing additional help with mildew accumulation try this-
Take a new spray bottle and fill halfway with DISTILLED WHITE VINEGAR and the rest of the way with good plain old WATER. Shake well and spray away! You may spray everything down first and then towel dry (which is what I do) or towel dry and then mist shower.
Mildew grows in damp and warm conditions so try using a vent fan, or grab a small table top fan to use during and after showers if you don’t have a vent fan or open the bathroom window. Try opening the bathroom door for a while after showering and leaving the lights on (mildew likes the dark).

Cleaning with a Lint Roller

 

Ever dust your fabric lamp shades with a swiffer duster or a cloth? What happens? You kick up the dust on them and end up sneezing! The best way I have found to clean fabric lamp shades is to use a lint roller. Simply tear off a sheet so you have a new, fresh surface on the roller and roll up and down then roll over the top and bottom-you’ll be amazed at the stuff you find on the roller.

TIP: This also works well for a “quick clean” when you need to clean the house fast for last minute visitors on couches, bedspreads and also doilies.