Pages

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Cleaning Tips 101

I'm linking up today with kellyskornerblog.com and momfessionals.com

I love a sparkly, clean home. We have 6 kids and it isn't an impossibility to have kids and a clean house.

When my kids were very young, it was hard just getting a shower, much less cleaning the whole house.  I remember those days well. Now that they are older, they have helped me out a lot in keeping the house neat. (Those days with little ones won't last forever, even if it seems like it right now. Enjoy these days!)

Here are a few tips that I think will help young moms.

1. Every morning our dishwasher is unloaded and then reloaded throughout the day. I don't like a bunch of dishes in the sink.  After supper, the last few dishes are added and I turn it on before bedtime. It is the nicest feeling to walk into a clean, neat kitchen first thing in the morning.


This is our kitchen. My daughter was doing a little photography editing experiment if you are wondering about the bananas.


2. I use this $39 Shark steam mop from Walmart. It keeps my wood floors in the kitchen, living room, and dining room looking great. It is so easy to use and when the mop head gets dirty, just toss it in the next wash.




3. Have you used this?  Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. It is something I always have on hand. It works wonders on a dirty bathtub, shower, or walls - seriously, it is the best product.


4. A friend of mine often gives me clothing that her kids have outgrown. They always smell AMAZING! I asked her what she uses and this was her answer...Tide Mountain Spring detergent and Snuggle fabric softener. I don't know why that combo smells so good, but I notice it every time. Even when her son has spent the night in our basement, our whole basement smells fresh the next day. I'm not kidding! My littlest boy will say, "Our basement smells like Nathan."  That is a good thing, by the way!

Laundry is an ongoing process as you might guess. The kids know how to sort the laundry and I buy the biggest box or bottle of Tide that they sell (and Snuggle, don't forget). Laundry will always just be. Even younger kids can help sort or put away their laundry.

5. I vacuum and dust once or twice a week. I don't do it for anyone but me! I love the way the house feels when it is vacuumed and dusted. I enjoy this part of housekeeping.

6. Make your bed. Teach your kids to make theirs.

7. Clean the kitchen as you cook. When you're done with a pan that you've cooked with, fill it with water and let it soak while you finish cooking. I wipe the stove while it is still warm with Dawn dishwashing liquid and hot water and put things into the dishwasher. Then after we've eaten, it isn't as hard to clean up the rest.

8. I think one last piece of advice I would give is this. Teach your kids how to take care of furniture, clothing, and the house in general. If they don't learn how in your home, they won't know how in someone else's house. I'm all for making blanket tents on couches, but there is a difference between that and breaking furniture.




I love a day with a clean house, a candle burning on the counter, and a dessert in the oven. Those 3 things don't always happen at once. Life can be crazy and some days I don't feel like I've accomplished very much. But keeping the house clean and picked up makes it a more inviting place to come home to It makes it a more pleasant place for me, too. If you have one or two little ones and this seems like an impossible task,  just concentrate on keeping the kitchen and living areas neat for now. It will make a difference for your whole family. Less clutter and things in their places makes everything feel fresh. I have had a little and a lot as far as housing. But keeping the house neat makes anyplace more inviting and a place your family wants to be.

P.S. The temperatures here reached 102 degrees the other day. I thought of something my grandma used to say during those hot Oklahoma summers. She would say that a clean house felt cooler and I believe she was right!

Linking up to:  kellyskornerblog.com   impartinggrace.com
frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com  shabbynest.blogspot.com  homestoriesatoz.com  savvysouthernstyle.net
momfessionals.com

20 comments:

  1. Love'd you article Kathy. I have wood floors. Does that mop thingy really work?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It certainly works very well. I have been using it for some months and I am really happy with the results.

      Delete
  2. Great tips! I love exchanging favorite household ideas..... Definitely gonna check out the mop. I'm with you.... keeping things clean as you go makes the house just feel good. PS ~ I'm too LOVE having good smelling laundry. My favorite combo: Tide detergent, Gain liquid softener & dryer sheets -- Clorox also has a nice smelling laundry bleach for use with towels. :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Kim! I'll have to check those things out. I'm always on the lookout!

      Delete
  3. I'm from Oklahoma (Tulsa) and I am a Virgo and I agree with everything you just said. I too have taught my kids how to keep a clean house and take care of the stuff in it. However, my daughter...now on her own has a very messy house. She says that she has to clean it before I come or I will not be able to relax. She is right.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That made me laugh. I would be the same way. Thanks, Terry!

      Delete
  4. Great tips! Are your wood floors sealed? I bought a steamer and have been afraid to use it.......lol I just noticed your sidebar and I have to share that I had a surprise blessing at 42 also. My oldest is now 29 with 2 sweeties of her own, my middle daughter is almost 20, and then my baby is 5. What an adventure!!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would have to ask my husband that question.
      Those surprise blessings are the sweetest, aren't they? I thank God everyday that we have him.

      Delete
  5. Great tips! I follow many myself, bu my floors have always been an issue. I appreciate your recommendation of the mop. I'll look for it next time I'm out.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for writing, Patty. It has worked great for me :)

      Delete
  6. thanks for the tips! I'm going to have to look into that mop!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jamie! It works really great for me. Thanks so much for writing:)

      Delete
  7. I think cleaning the kitchen as you cook is a MUST! It makes the whole food experience that much more enjoyable, knowing that you don't have a mountain of dirty dishes to tackle after a delicious meal. I'm currently trying to teach the kids all about laundry and cleaning as we go throughout the week. It is one thing that my parents taught me that has been such an valuable skill! Great post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Meredith! My mom was great at teaching me about cleaning house, too. It's so essential to show our kids how. I see where I haven't been showing them as much as doing it myself, though.

      Delete
  8. It's so funny how certain detergents/softeners just HAVE to be used together to get the best smell. My favorite is the Apple Mango Tango Gain, but it has to be with the matching softener to get the best smell. Times when I haven't been able to find it I have used the snuggle softener, but now I will grab the Tide too! Your blog is beautiful and I will definitely be following.--Brittney

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Brittney! It's so nice to meet you! I may have to try the Apple Gain. I've never even seen that one. Thank you so much for writing!

      Delete
  9. Great post!!
    I'm a clean freak and neat nic so I definitely relate. My husband (and kids) tease me that I have a "disorder". He's kidding of course and appreciates a nice clean home. My mother always kept a tight ship and taught us to respect things. She always said "if you do it everyday, it will never get out of hand". We had to make our beds and complete our chores before we could do anything else.
    I plug in a candle melt, turn on a good black and white movie...... and get busy. It makes me feel good when the house is clean.
    I love my steam mop!! I used to clean floors on my hand and knees. Those days are gone. My steam mop does a wonderful job on both the hardwood and the tile in the bathroom.
    Thanks again for the great tips!.... the best one being..... teach your children cleanliness and respect when they are little.
    I hope you will pop over for a visit..... I would love to have you.
    Have a wonderful weekend.
    Elizabeth
    The Porcelain Rose

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Elizabeth! Your blog is very pretty.
      I can relate to your family. If you've ever watched "Full House" with your kids, my daughter says I'm just like the clean freak dad on the show. We laugh about that still.
      Have a wonderful day and thanks so much for writing!

      Delete

Please leave me a comment. I would love to hear from you!

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.