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  Housework

makes you UGLY!

I hate housework!!  Unfortunately it is something we all have to do.

I thought I would share a few of the "tips," "products" and "methods" I use to keep me sane.

Below is a method of cleaning house that I try to stick to

I use a method I read about in a book several years ago.  It made sense to me and I must admit it has made my life easier and allowed me more "free" time to do other things.  Of course there are always the "daily" chores like the dishes, but~~

I use the room a day/or week  method.  I will pick one room in the house to begin my cleaning.  I do one room or area of a room at a time.   (I do my Spring cleaning this way also).  Say I begin with the bathroom, the most dreaded of rooms--I recommend that you always do the hardest first and get it out of the way, then move on to the other rooms.   If you are blessed with a home that has many rooms, stretch the method out to two weeks, or hire a house cleaner LoL  You can do any room on any day, just rotate evenly.  You'll be amazed at how many days you really don't have much to do in that room because it is still fairly clean.  Just don't SKIP the daily chores.  I think I spend maybe 15 minutes to 1/2 hour for each room on any given day.  If I have a few minutes, I will sometimes apply the same method for weeding my yard.  I must admit that does not get done as often as it should however.  You just need to consciously make an effort to do a little bit each day, but do it every day.  If you work all day, do a little in the morning or evening (carry laundry to the washer or clean a mirror).  When I pick the room I am going to clean, I look at and ask myself, "what can I do to make this room look better/cleaner today" then I do it.

1. WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY:  I do my Laundry usually twice a week, usually Wednesday's and Sunday's.  If it's a busy week, I will wash in the evening, toss into the dryer--if I forget, I dry it the next morning LoL.  Depending on my mood, I will put  the clothes that need to be hung up on to hangers as they come out of the dryer.  (I have an over the door hanger for just such a thing).  I may even leave it there until I find time to finish folding the entire load.  Sometimes it is the next day, but it does get done. It doesn't go anywhere. (My favorite aunt taught me that--that the chores would still be there tomorrow--Loved that lady)   Once in a while I will wash/dry and fold/hang up/put away all on the same day which always makes me feel good because it's behind me, but if I can't, I don't worry about it.  While I am at the machine, I take a minute and wipe down the washer and/or the dryer. Many times, as the machine fills with water, I take a washrag, wet it and use that to clean.

2. MONDAY:   Beds and Bedrooms:  I was raised hearing "when you get out of bed -- MAKE IT  I have to admit that this does work for me because if I leave it to come back to later, I won't.  Now if I could just get my "husby" to do this, the bed would get made before I get busy.  He was raised to let it air out a while so it wouldn't stink.  I don't know about you, but I don't stink LOL.  Just use "Fabreeze." and change and wash the sheets every week or two.  A little "Martha Stewart" hint here:  After the sheets  are washed and folded, I place the top and bottom sheet as well as one pillowcase INTO the other pillowcase.  Fold the excess under and place on a shelf in your linen cupboard.  You will always have a "set" ready to use this way, without having to hunt for all the pieces.

  I'd rather have the bed made and do other things with the rest of my day.

On the day I clean the bedroom, I do everything I see that needs to be done.  Maybe dusting, straightening whatever needs to be straightened and vacuum if time permits.  If time does not permit, pick one day of the week and vacuum the entire house.  My preference is to do everything to one room at a time.  Then when I walk out, I know it's "clean and picked up".  I also like to give the room a shot of room freshener.  That's all I do that day with housework.  If needed I will add the chore of washing the windows inside and/or curtains but this is usually only a couple times a year.

3. TUESDAY:   Livingroom:   This room seems to pick up the most dust/dirt (we get ash dirt here because we live in the high desert of Central Oregon where volcano's are).  Also, the tv attracts a lot of dust.  I pick up the room first, and carry what does not belong there, to where it does belong.  I will then dust and vacuum, straighten books/magazines and dust picture frames, etc.  It really does not take that long once you begin.

4.  THURSDAY:  Kitchen:  Since my hubby  loads the diswasher, I can close my eyes until his job is done.  The next morning I put  way the clean dishes and the cycle repeats.  I take a few minutes to wipe the counters, dirty smudges on the fridge, wipe down and inside the microwave, etc.  I sweep the floor once a week and mop maybe every other week.  Again, In there and out in less than 1/2 an hour.

5.  FRIDAY:  Dining room:  I dust the table and change the placemats as needed, dust pictures, vacuum if needed (or wait and do the entire house at once, but I DO IT once a week)

6.  SATURDAY: Grocery Shop:   I used to buy groceries every saturday.  Now we live so far out in the boonies that we only shop once a month, usually on the first of the month.

 I do have a few cleaning products that I think are wonderful:

For Windows:  (including the microwave window on the outside)  "Sprayway" Glass Cleaner.  It comes in a blue and green can with a blue cap.  I have seen it in grocery stores, but I prefer to buy the three pack at Cost Co. I have used every cleaner on the market, including making my own  out of ammonia, water, white vinegar and cornstarch, which was excellent, but now that I have found Sprayway, I refuse to use anything else. Just spray and wipe with a paper towel or soft cloth.

For tubs and sinks:   I still love "Comet"   but it can cause havoc if you use a septic system like we do, but I still use it now and then.  Our septic is shot anyway due to our diabetic meds. LoL  

"Scrubbing Bubbles"   is my second choice.

For everyday dusting: I have discovered two things, First is the  "Swiffer Duster".  Get the one with the extended handle.  I can reach my ceiling fans without having to stand on a stool or ladder. Just don't let the dog get it.  Our Boxer Tony just loves to sneak into the trash and pull out the used duster cloth.  He thinks it's a fuzzy toy.

 Second, I discovered a dusting cloth at QVC that is fantastic.  You can also find them at Cost Co and probably at the grocery store.  It is called a "Microfiber Dusting Cloth"  At QVC they have a set of different cloths that I swear by.    It is Item #V24057 - Fuller Brush Set of 12 Multi-Purpose Cleaning Cloths.  The thing to remember about the microfiber cloths and all of the items shown here, is that you can use "Pledge" or other cleaners on them if you want to, but when you wash them, Do NOT use fabric softener.  I have a few of them, so I can let them sit dirty until I have 5 or 6 to wash at once.  Also, do NOT put them in the dryer.  Just let them air dry.  This was the instruction I received with purchase.  This will keep them in great working condition.  If you use fabric softener, it won't hold the dust/dirt as easily.

For Shower areas:  I have found a new discovery.   It is the  "Scrubbing Bubbles Automatic Shower Cleaner".    It comes with a hanger and bottle that hooks onto your shower nozzle pipe.  I get this at Cost Co also.  I swear by this product.  If you use a shower curtain rather than having an enclosed shower, make sure the shower liner is inside the tub or else it will drip on to your floor and you don't want that.  We had built up scum/water drops on our shower doors when we moved in here 3 yrs ago.  I tried every cleaner on the market that made claims of removing soap scum and water spots.  NOTHING worked until I found this.  When you get out of the shower, you press the button on the holder.  It will beep 15 times, so don't do it until you are ready to get out of the shower or else you will get a face full of cleaner LoL.  Close the door or curtain and let it do it's thing.  It sprays cleaner in a circle, hitting the door/curtain, and walls.  That's it, just let it do its thing.  No rinsing or wiping.  Just like the commercial, after a week or two you will see the scum and spots removed.  IT WORKS.  If the shower floor needs cleaning, I use regular Scrubbing Bubbles now and then.

For Toilets:  UCH!, the worst job in the entire world.  I prefer to use "Pine-Sol".  for the outside of the toilet and the lid/seat, etc.  I pour a little Pinesol into the bowl and let it set for a few minutes while I clean  and wipe down the outside of the bowl.  If A ring forms around the water line, which it does here, often because of our well water, just get an inexpensive pumace stone.  You can get these at Wal-Mart in the cosmetics section, or even better you can also find them at the "Dollar Store".  They really work well to scrub that uchy dirty unsanitary line away.  Yup, ya gotta get your hands in the toilet water a little, or wear gloves (I never do, I just do it).  The pumace stone works great on the little holes around the ring of the toilet too.  Regular bathroom cleaner can also be used if you prefer, but I like good ol' Pinesol.

To wash hands:   I have discovered "Dial Complete"  liquid foaming cleanser/sanitizer. This stuff is fantastic, and you only need a single squirt from the dispenser.  I am anxious to try the one for the kitchen/dishes, but have not found it yet.

 Floors:   I hate doing floors because it is hard on my back as I get older (yes, 62 is getting there, but 70 is definitely looking up).  I prefer good ol' time proven "Pine-Sol"  I will either sweep, vacuum, or use my "Swiffer" floor duster to remove the dog and cat hair. It works great for a quick pick up and only takes a minute.  We have a LOT of that with a Boxer dog and a RagDoll cat. (we won't even talk about the furry furniture) For chunks I have to sweep or vacuum first, then  I use a standard sponge mop, but intend to buy one I saw online.  It has rubber micro-beads like my favorite dish washing cloth.  They reeeeally scrub well.  It's on my buy list, and I think QVC sells them.  I've never seen one in a store. At QVC:  Item #V23211 - Micro Fiber Wet or Dry Swivel Mop with three cloths.

Dishes:  For dishes, get a husband haha.  My hubby does the dishes.  He rinses them and puts them in the dish washer which is a Godsend even if he always forgets to clean the counter tops or empty left drops of Pepsi left in the cans and placed on the counters. Grrrrr! but I do NOT complain to him because I hate doing dishes too.  He uses "Dawn" dish washing detergent for hand washing and  "Electrosol" tabs for the dishwasher. My hubby is definitely a keeper.

Counter Tops:  After wiping down with my clean, soapy, wet rag, or micro beaded cloth (not the dusting cloth). I prefer to use "Lysol" Sanitizing wipes. they smell good and disinfect the counter tops.

Oven:  Mine is self cleaning. When it wasn't I used "Easy Off,"  now I self clean and wipe out with one of the aforementioned micro dish cloths with scrubbing dots beaded dot cleaning cloths. Just remember, NO fabric softener when you wash them, and let them air dry. 

Laundry:  I've tried them all but absolutely swear by good ol' liquid  "Tide  Detergent" and "Downey Fabric Softener". I use Tides he-Energy Efficient because that's what my washing machine calls for.

 I no longer use bleach (it also kills a septic tank, and eats clothes quickly).  I use only "Oxi-Clean" now, instead of bleach and love the results.  I'll never use bleach again.  You use such a little amount of the Oxi-Clean that it lasts forever.

Degreaser:  I have found none better than "Fuller Brush De-Greaser'   It is great for both the laundry (I just toss a capful into my liquid soap dispenser along with my laundry soap), as well as any job where you need a degreaser. 

 

To clean the lint trap in the dryer: I use a handy little brush made for the job:  A dryer/vent brush from Fuller Brush Item #V20721  at QVC.  This is great for getting under the refrigerator and stove or in-between spaces.

For Wall webs:  I use a fabulous wall brush I discovered back many years ago when I sold Fuller Brush products.  It is called a "Big Wally Wall Brush"  you can purchase it at the Fuller Brush web site, or QVC, Item #V21030

We have some 10 ft. ceilings, and I can reach it while standing on the floor (and stretching LoL).

If you have a cat, I highly recommend the electric "Litter Maid".      We have one for our cat and I love it.  I empty the plastic container once a week, and change it every two weeks.  I need only add fresh litter when it gets low.  It's GREAT not to have to shovel poop several times each day.

You may have a different method and use different products, but this is what I do and use.  If you follow the day/week plan, your house will remain at least clean enough that you are not overwhelmed by doing it all at once.  I followed this method for many years when I was a single working mother.  It kept me sane and left me with time for my family and hobbies. 

Well, it's time for me to clean or straighten something so I can get busy with what I really want to do today, like sew, paint, talk on the telephone, read, watch soap operas or a movie........Happy housecleaning.