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5 Things You Need To Clean ASAP!

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So much grime, so little time. We all know to make our bed, wash the floor, put the laundry away.  But there are small things, things you don’t think of that need cleaning.  Sometimes they are dirty, sometimes they are icky (germs) but all need to be done.  In this quick and hectic world we lose track of these things.  So here is a monthly list of five quick things to clean.  They take no time, but add so much to your overall household being sparkly and neat.

  1. Dust the top of all your tall bookcases, grandfather clock, curio cabinets etc.  If its high up and you can’t see it, you need to do it.  Prevent all that dust and gunk from floating down onto other surfaces.  This can be done quickly.  It also doesn’t have to be perfect.
  2. Light switches.  Do one level.  So if you have a two story home due the main level, then do the second level at another time.
  3. Dust the lights.  Again, this is only a quick dust.  I especially get the standing lamps as they always get missed.
  4. Clean your dining room’s lazy susans and trivets.  I use mine at every meal.  So sometimes they need a good scrub.
  5. Last but certainly no least, wipe all your remotes.

Check in next month for another quick list of five things to clean.

 

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5 things to Clean

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Love this photo from the Unsplash website.  So beautiful.  A few days ago, I had posted 5 things to declutter.  It’s time for it’s sister list: 5 things you need to clean.  Here are 5 things that need a quick clean.  Happy cleaning!

1. Window Coverings.  When was the last time you laundered or dry cleaned your drapes?  Have you wiped down your blinds? Get going!

2. Clean under large furniture items like sofas etc.

3. Vacuum your air vents.  Get that dust out of the grates!

4. Wipe off you light switches.

5. Clean your coffee maker and toaster.  We use them everyday, but how often do we clean them?

There you go, your 5 for July!

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5 Things to Declutter

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I’m not a minimalist by any stretch of the imagination.  I like stuff.  I don’t like a ton of stuff, but just enough.  This is why I love to declutter and organize.  I do it year round.  There is something relaxing about seeing a clean and organized pantry.  That’s why I do monthly lists in both cleaning and decluttering.  It’s 5 quick things you can do over the month to keep tabs and value your possessions.  Here is this months 5 for you.

1. Clean your hall or front door closet.  The one with all the shoes and coats.  Donate, toss or move stuff from this high traffic area.

2. Check all your condiments in the fridge.  Make sure nothing is past use by date!

3. Do the same with your freezer.

4. Do under the kitchen sink.

5. Clear off your dining room table.

Happy organizing and decluttering.

 

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5 Things to Clean

nschristineLeave a comment

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Every month I post a short list of five things to clean.  I’m not writing about washing your floor or making your bed.  I’m talking about those little things, that you almost never clean.  Things like your remote control, you phone and so on.  I hope my list will make you say “Oh, that’s gross.  I need to clean that!” Yeah, I know.  I’m the sole blogger on this planet that wants you to exclaim “gross” over a suggestion from them.  What can I say? I’m an odd duck.  So here it is, happy cleaning!

1. lamp shades and bases: Rarely cleaned, cobwebs and dust abound.  Give it a quick swish.  Depending on the material what you use can be different.  Choose the best cleaning option for you.

2. Windowsills:  All that goop from rain and winter snow has accumulated in the sash.  Clean it! I use bleach wipes.  Quick and easy!

3. Filters in your air purifier:  It’s allergy season.  Anyone else suffering?  I am.  I rely on several air purifiers. When was the last time you cleaned them.  Some can be simply wiped out, others need a new filter.  Do it now!  Give that machine a once over so it can work optimally.

4. Water Bottles:  We all have those reusable mugs and bottles. You can run some of them through the dishwasher.  You can also use an infant bottle brush to scrub the inside if you prefer to hand wash.

5. Banister and Slats:  Ever washed your banister and the slats? You will be surprised at the amount of dirt and grime that comes up.  If you have real wood don’t forget to treat it with special cleaning products.

How is this list?  Do you have something you would like me to include in the next month’s post? Let me know in the comments below.

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Five Things To Clean

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It’s a new month and I have five more things for you to clean as part of Spring Cleaning.  Here they are:

  1. Cabinets in kitchen.  Wipe them inside and out.  This is a great opportunity to add shelf liners, rid yourself of extra plastic bins and other extras or one offs.  Be sure to wash the silverware organizer.
  2. Clean the backsplash, walls, and light fixtures in the kitchen.
  3. The floor and baseboards in the kitchen.
  4. The counters, and any additional small appliances or furniture in the kitchen.
  5. The linen closet.

Keep in mind this is a great time to downsize and declutter too.

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5 Things To Clean

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Spring is here.  So that means Spring Cleaning.  You always have to stay on top the dirt and grime.  Here are five things to give a really good deep clean to.  Take some time and get that grime!

  1. Clean the microwave and oven.  Give the inside a good clean for each.  Make sure to cover the outsides, range, and all the buttons, knobs, and filters.
  2. The dishwasher.  Wipe down the outside and sides of the door.  You can use vinegar to clean the dishwasher on a hot cycle.  The dishwasher is made to handle the acid of vinegar.  DO NOT use vinegar in the clothes washer.  It is all over blogging and some women’s magazines.  It will ruin your clothes washer.  It will rust out the drum.  The previous owner had done them and the result was the drum looked like Swiss cheese and collapsed.  I had to buy a new washer!
  3. Clean out your pantry.  Wipe it out and throw away all expired food.
  4. The Fridge.  Just like the pantry, wipe it out, remove the drawers to clean.  Toss out unused and expired food.
  5. Finally clean the sink, soap dish, sponges and underneath the sink.

Nest month I’ll add 5 more items to the deep clean Spring clean.

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10 Things to Declutter

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One of my monthly features is about the concept of decluttering.  I usually give 10 things to look at.  You don’t have to do all of the 10, but they are things to think about.  Life for me gets overwhelming.  These give me a reminder that I should check certain things.  I am trying to live a more minimal lifestyle. However, I am not a minimalist.  Far from it.  It’s a daily struggle.  While I’m not a pack rat, I do keep things.  I constantly am refining what I keep and what I donate or trash.  Here is my list for this month:

  1. Back to school clothes.  Try them on, donate what is too small or used.
  2. Summer clothes.  Get rid or donate what is worn out.  Don’t store stuff that is not going to be used.
  3. Summer toys or items.  Those empty bottle of sunblock can go.  Is your plastic pail missing it’s handle?  Recycle it.
  4. DVR.  Clean out your DVR shows.  Too many Law and Order reruns?  Can you get rid of them? What are you going to watch?  Clean up your shows.
  5. School Supplies.  Most of us have gone shopping for supplies already.  Check to see if your home or school needs a little extra.  Nothing is worse than trying to find a certain type of marker in the middle of winter because yours dried out.
  6. Fall Decor.  Getting out your Autumn decor in preparation for the leaves changing?  What can you toss.  What do you need?  Get rid of those old, dirty gel clings. Have your kids outgrown the Snoopy Halloween decorations?
  7. Chips/Pantry Items.  School is starting or has started for some of us.  Now is a great time to toss all your expired food, or unused and stale food.  Many stores will have sales to get rid of their excess back to school food packs.  Look for those deals.
  8. Plastic Bags.  I keep my plastic bags.  I use them when I scoop out the litter box.  Do you have a stash of these bags?  Do you use them?  If not, you may have to do a little clearing of this stash.  Many big box retailers now allow you to bring in your unused plastic bags to get them recycled.  Call your local Target or Walmart to see if they have these recycle bins in their store.
  9. Paper Bags.  This could have gone in number 8.   I keep it separate because I think of my paper bag stash as separate from the plastic one.  I keep those paper bags to use for garbage.  I keep the ones with the good handles for carrying things.  Sometimes you just have too many.  Let them go, or at least cull the herd.
  10. Pet Supplies.  We recently got kittens.  Yup, they are cute and they know it. They can also be a bit destructive.  I get rid of those things that they destroyed.  Are there toys that your dog or cat doesn’t like? Maybe a carrier that you no longer use?  Many rescue organizations are willing to take gently used or like new donations.  Check with your vets office too.  Mine always needs towels.  If your pet doesn’t like the stuffed alligator you got them let it go.  It’s not personal, although it is a cute alligator.

Well that’s it.  The ten for this month.  What have you decluttered?  Let me know in the comments.