It's Spring Cleaning Time!

 

Well, it's March. Time for Spring cleaning 'round these parts. This year, I've made myself a schedule. I've assigned days to do different tasks, but not specific days. That way I can do any "day" whenever I feel like it. It might even take two days. I have 10 "days", and the whole month of March to get it done. So, in case anyone else would like to jump on the Spring cleaning bandwagon and to keep me on track, here's my schedule!

 

Day 1:

"Dusting"

Dust fans

Dust Light Fixtures

Dust Furniture

Dust Blinds

Dust Doors (My doors have a design on them that collects dust.)

Dust Stuff on Walls (Pictures, Clocks, etc.)

Dust Baseboards

 

Day 2:

"Wiping"

Clean Mirrors

Clean Windows

Clean Glass Doors

Use Magic Eraser on Smudges (Door Knobs, Light Switches)

 

Day 3:

"Washing"

Wash/Fluff Pillows in Dryer

Wash Bedding

Wash Blankets

Wash Rugs

Wash Dog Beds/Blankets

Flip Mattresses

Vacuum Mattresses (Sprinkle with baking soda mixed with essential oil, let sit 1 hour.)

Clean Washer/Dryer

 

Day 4:

"Seating"

Vacuum Chairs/Recliners

Wipe Off Couch (It's Leather.)

Clean Seat Cushions (Kitchen Table)

Febreze Fabrics

 

Day 5:

"Trash"

Take Out Trash

Wipe Out/Bleach Trash Cans

Change Blown Lightbulbs

Change Air Filters

 

Day 6:

"Kitchen"

Clean Kitchen like Normal

Wipe Cabinets/Drawers In and Out

Wipe Off/Out Appliances

Clean Out Fridge/Freezer

Vacuum Behind/Under Fridge

Clean Drains (1/2 c Baking Soda, 1/2 c Vinegar, let sit, Rinse with Warm Water.)

 

Day 7:

"Bathrooms"

Clean Bathroom like Normal

Wipe Cabinets/Drawers

Clean Jacuzzi (Pour Vinegar in Water while Jets are on)

Replace Shower Organizers (Mine get Rusty, so Aggravating!)

 

 

Day 8:

"Hardwood/Tile"

Sweep

Mop

 

Day 9:

"Carpet"

Vacuum

Shampoo Heaviest Traveled Areas

Air Out Area Rugs

 

Day 10:

"Odds/Ends"

Wash Jackets/Scarves/Gloves

Go through Clothes/Shoes

Toss Old Taxes

Clean Out Pantry

 

 

That's it, now your house should be clean until next Spring...right?

 

Miracle Carpet Stain Cleaner!

 

 Here is my offending stain. Not sure what it is or how it got there. It was nearly impossible to get a good picture of it due to my carpet color/lighting/flash/whatever, but I promise it's right there in the center! Now, on to how to remove offending stain!

 Make a mixture of 1 cup ammonia, 1 cup hot water, and put in a spray bottle. Spray the stain until wet.

 Place a light colored towel/handkerchief/pillowcase on top of the stain and iron it. Yes, iron it.

 Why a light colored cloth? So you can see the stain come off your carpet and be absorbed into the towel!

Tada! Amazing!! I haven't found anything it wouldn't remove yet. It works wonders on pet stains. Now, go clean your carpets!

A Cleaning Miracle

I was going through some of my baby stuff and I ran across this quilt that my mom had made.

 Complete with a big ugly stain.

Who knew what it was or where it came from. It's been packed away for about 25 years. I wanted to be able to use it with Reed, so I wanted that stain gone! After searching on the best invention since the internet itself, pinterest, I found a miracle!

Tada! Check that out! How'd that happen?

Miracle Stain Remover

1 cup hydrogen peroxide

1 cup washing soda

This mixture whitens whites and removes stains! It works better if you can let your clothes soak in it, but my washing machine doesn't have that ability (front loader). For this stain I laid the quilt across my washer, poured the peroxide on, rubbed the washing soda in and let it soak for about 8 hours. I used this on some of Lance's undershirts in the mop sink, and ewww the dirt that came off of them. I'm too embarrased to post that picture, lol.

I've also discovered a miracle carpet stain remover, but I have to find someone's stains to take a picture of it in action. I got too excited and cleaned all my stains and forgot to take a picture!  Anyways, happy stain removal!

Homemade Cleaners

So, a few months ago, I started making my own laundry soap. Yeah, I know it's supposed to be better for the environment, but I did it to save money! It costs less than $1 to make 2 gallons of this laundry soap. What would 2 gallons of Gain cost you? Anyways, I've also started making some other household cleaners too, and I thought I'd share the recipes!



Homemade Laundry Soap

1/3 bar Zote or Fels Naptha Laundry Soap
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup borax powder

Grate the soap into a sauce pan.

Add 6 cups of water and heat until the soap melts.

Add the washing soda and borax.

Stir until dissolved. It will start to thicken.

Get at least a 2 gallon bucket, and pour in 4 cups hot water. Add the soap mixture and stir. Then add 1 gallon plus 6 more cups of water and stir again. Let soap sit for 24 hours. It will gel.

If you want the soap to have a scent, add a capful or two of essential oils. I have used Lavendar and Fresh Rain.

I'm not sure where my final product picture disappeared to, but I just pour my soap mixture into 2-1 gallon empty milk jugs. Works great! Just make sure that you shake well before use because it will gel again!

***Want to make your own fabric softener? Just replace it with vinegar! Works the same, and no your clothes will not smell like a pickle.***

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Homemade Dishwashing Detergent

1 cup Washing Soda
1 cup Borax

Just mix 1 cup washing soda with 1 cup borax and use 2 tablespoons for each load.

I mixed mine in an empty Gatorade tin. It has a handy dandy scooper inside. (Good for the environment, and I'm recycling too, yay me!)

***Remember the vinegar hint above? Use vinegar in place of rinse aid in your dishwasher! I think it works better!***

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All Purpose Cleaner

1 tsp. borax
1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. vinegar
1/4 tsp. dish soap
2 cups hot water

 

Mix all ingredients together and put in a spray bottle!

 

I bought this pack at Dollar General. 2 recipes of this cleaner will fit in 1 bottle. I will be filling those other bottles with other cleaners such as Homemade Windex and Homemade Febreze, as soon as I run out of the real stuff!

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Last, but not least, here's how I clean the toilets!

Homemade Toilet Bowl Cleaner

1/2 cup vinegar

1/2 cup baking soda

Remember those 3rd Grade Science project volcanoes? This is the same principal. Pour in baking soda, pour vinegar on top, let foam for 10 minutes, then scrub. I put my vinegar in a half gallon milk jug and my baking soda is in a Lay's potato chip tube. Works great!