My Clean Home
for my decluttering, organizing, rearranging and other things going on around this crazy place.
Showing posts with label cleaning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label cleaning. Show all posts
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Saturday, November 29, 2008
'Tis the Season....
Well, Thanksgiving is over. Yesterday I went Black Friday shopping and picked up a few things. Today I am getting the house deep cleaned (again), so I can start decorating/baking for Christmas. Today's list is probably (most likely) so long that it won't get finished today, but here it is:
Saturday 11/29/08:
o Burn tarts
o Pick up changing table & high chair
o Put away ALL fall decorations
o Put away ALL Thanksgiving decorations
o Put away ALL year round decorations
o Wash ALL dishes
o Deep Clean Kitchen
o Deep Clean Entrance
o Deep Clean Living Room
o Straighten Bathroom
o Straighten Laundry Room
o Straighten Master Bedroom
o Straighten Kids’ room
o Rearrange Kitchen
o Move out all boxes
o Move J’s bed to MBR
o Move Chey’s bed & dresser to girls’ room
o Move nursing chair
o Set up DR table
o Set up gift wrap center
o Set up tree (24 hours)
o Decorate Entrance
o Decorate Kitchen
o Decorate Buffets
o Wrap gifts
o Daily chores
o Weekly chores
o Monthly chores
o November chores
o Bake/Make:
o Cookies
o Sausage balls
o Pumpkin squares
o Thanksgiving Casserole
o Candies
o Teacher gifts
o Cool & package cookies, candies, teacher gifts
Saturday 11/29/08:
o Burn tarts
o Pick up changing table & high chair
o Put away ALL fall decorations
o Put away ALL Thanksgiving decorations
o Put away ALL year round decorations
o Wash ALL dishes
o Deep Clean Kitchen
o Deep Clean Entrance
o Deep Clean Living Room
o Straighten Bathroom
o Straighten Laundry Room
o Straighten Master Bedroom
o Straighten Kids’ room
o Rearrange Kitchen
o Move out all boxes
o Move J’s bed to MBR
o Move Chey’s bed & dresser to girls’ room
o Move nursing chair
o Set up DR table
o Set up gift wrap center
o Set up tree (24 hours)
o Decorate Entrance
o Decorate Kitchen
o Decorate Buffets
o Wrap gifts
o Daily chores
o Weekly chores
o Monthly chores
o November chores
o Bake/Make:
o Cookies
o Sausage balls
o Pumpkin squares
o Thanksgiving Casserole
o Candies
o Teacher gifts
o Cool & package cookies, candies, teacher gifts
Monday, July 7, 2008
Yesterday's decluttering (7/6)
Round 3:
have gotten rid of 1 bag of kids' clothes
tossed another bag full of trash
tossed a folding table and a cracked laundry basket
Round 2:
the chest has been picked up, and so I went through the videos............
Got rid of 62 videos!!!! They are going to my mom's for the kids to watch there.......now I don't have to pack dvd's anymore when they stay over there.
have been tossing like crazy today, much to my kids' chagrin:) I love it:)
Round 1:
I have emptied a box (mostly tossed stuff) and a bin (1/2 toys, 1/2 tossed). The bin was also tossed.
I took all the videos off the armoire, all the dvd's out of the chest & cabinet.
Moved the armoire across the LR, put the kids' confiscated tv on it (from their room)....plan to hook the dvd/vcr to this tv & use the other tv just for satellite. Since the kids lost the remote, the dvd/vcr won't work on the main tv, b/c we can't change the tv to the right channel (you have to enter the actual # instead of just pushing up & down).
Put the dvd's & vids with boxes back on the armoire. All the vids w/o boxes are in a bin to be sorted through. Tossed any empty boxes that are cracked or smushed.
Took out 3 bags of trash (so far).
going to use the small cabinet for an end table:).......inside I will have 2 shelves for my stuff:)
Dusted the armoire & tv.
listed the chest on freecycle.....must be picked up today!!
have gotten rid of 1 bag of kids' clothes
tossed another bag full of trash
tossed a folding table and a cracked laundry basket
Round 2:
the chest has been picked up, and so I went through the videos............
Got rid of 62 videos!!!! They are going to my mom's for the kids to watch there.......now I don't have to pack dvd's anymore when they stay over there.
have been tossing like crazy today, much to my kids' chagrin:) I love it:)
Round 1:
I have emptied a box (mostly tossed stuff) and a bin (1/2 toys, 1/2 tossed). The bin was also tossed.
I took all the videos off the armoire, all the dvd's out of the chest & cabinet.
Moved the armoire across the LR, put the kids' confiscated tv on it (from their room)....plan to hook the dvd/vcr to this tv & use the other tv just for satellite. Since the kids lost the remote, the dvd/vcr won't work on the main tv, b/c we can't change the tv to the right channel (you have to enter the actual # instead of just pushing up & down).
Put the dvd's & vids with boxes back on the armoire. All the vids w/o boxes are in a bin to be sorted through. Tossed any empty boxes that are cracked or smushed.
Took out 3 bags of trash (so far).
going to use the small cabinet for an end table:).......inside I will have 2 shelves for my stuff:)
Dusted the armoire & tv.
listed the chest on freecycle.....must be picked up today!!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Living Room Tips
CLEANING TIPS
Create a list of things you need to do. Start with the big things & work your way to the smaller things (you get a sense of accomplishment every time you check off a big thing).
Dust before you wash windows & vacuum or sweep.
Clean your TV screen with vinegar. Cuts dust more than Windex.
Clean crayon marks off walls with WD-40. No elbow grease required Then wipe with damp sponge & dish detergent to get rid of greasy stain.
Remove stains from carpet with club soda or ginger ale. If it is a grease stain, use WD-40 like the crayon marks.
Use your vacuum attachments to remove dust/dirt from ceiling fan, curtains, blinds, cushions, knick-knacks, etc.
Get rid of excess clutter (ex. Knick-knacks you don’t truly love). It will be less to clean next time. Those that you do keep spray with pledge to repel dust. (Don’t due this to porcelain dolls & other things that might get ruined by it).
USE COASTERS.
DECORATING TIPS
Put up pictures of your kids & other family members. Buy decorative frames to put them in, buy wall & shelf frames.
Put pretty, scented candles out.
Wrap a swag of silk ivy around the top of your curtain rod.
Rearrange your furniture to have living areas. Ex. Figure out what activities the living room is mainly used for. Ex. Listening to music, watching TV, reading, office. Make a corner for listening to music--cd player, cd’s in cd tower, headphones, room to “shake your tail feathers”. Watching TV--corner for entertainment center, tv, DVD, vicar, videos/DVDs, remotes, etc. & likewise for the reading & office areas.
Have a focal point.
Put furniture closer to the center of the room & utilize the space behind it.
Decorate with soft, soothing colors.
Use mirrors to look like your room is more spacious.
Place magazines/books, etc. in whicker baskets to look less cluttered.
Use a theme for your decorating. Ex. Country, floral, birdhouses, oriental, lodge, deco, etc.
Use quilts, decorative lamps, rugs to decorate.
Create a list of things you need to do. Start with the big things & work your way to the smaller things (you get a sense of accomplishment every time you check off a big thing).
Dust before you wash windows & vacuum or sweep.
Clean your TV screen with vinegar. Cuts dust more than Windex.
Clean crayon marks off walls with WD-40. No elbow grease required Then wipe with damp sponge & dish detergent to get rid of greasy stain.
Remove stains from carpet with club soda or ginger ale. If it is a grease stain, use WD-40 like the crayon marks.
Use your vacuum attachments to remove dust/dirt from ceiling fan, curtains, blinds, cushions, knick-knacks, etc.
Get rid of excess clutter (ex. Knick-knacks you don’t truly love). It will be less to clean next time. Those that you do keep spray with pledge to repel dust. (Don’t due this to porcelain dolls & other things that might get ruined by it).
USE COASTERS.
DECORATING TIPS
Put up pictures of your kids & other family members. Buy decorative frames to put them in, buy wall & shelf frames.
Put pretty, scented candles out.
Wrap a swag of silk ivy around the top of your curtain rod.
Rearrange your furniture to have living areas. Ex. Figure out what activities the living room is mainly used for. Ex. Listening to music, watching TV, reading, office. Make a corner for listening to music--cd player, cd’s in cd tower, headphones, room to “shake your tail feathers”. Watching TV--corner for entertainment center, tv, DVD, vicar, videos/DVDs, remotes, etc. & likewise for the reading & office areas.
Have a focal point.
Put furniture closer to the center of the room & utilize the space behind it.
Decorate with soft, soothing colors.
Use mirrors to look like your room is more spacious.
Place magazines/books, etc. in whicker baskets to look less cluttered.
Use a theme for your decorating. Ex. Country, floral, birdhouses, oriental, lodge, deco, etc.
Use quilts, decorative lamps, rugs to decorate.
Bathroom Tips
Rubbing alcohol--put in a spray bottle & armed with a coffee filter, you can get your windows, mirrors & stainless steel streak free and disinfected. Also, use on phones, knobs/handles/faucets/drawer pulls, etc and TV’s.
Bleach water can be used for disinfecting floors, counters, sinks. Also, if you have a particularly bad odor in your drains, pour a little down to freshen up.
Shower curtain: I just wash mine in washing machine. I take the liner, curtain & rings down as one & just toss it in. Wash by itself (maybe add a little bleach or vinegar to prevent/treat mildew. Then toss in dryer. (it takes too long to line dry).
Bathtub stains: make a paste of peroxide & cream of tartar. Mix well & use old toothbrush, rub into stains & rinse thoroughly.
For lime or rust spots: CLR & steel wool.
Tile: ¾ c bleach & 3 c water. Mix together in spray bottle. Spray & wipe off with damp sponge.
For bad stains/spills on the counters/tub, spray with cleaner & go to something else. Let the cleaner do most of the work while you do something else. Come back later & simply wipe up. Eliminates elbow grease. Also, when you do this, go ahead & put the cleaner in/on the toilet. Come back later, swish, wipe, flush, take off your gloves, wash your hands & you’re done. No more scrubbing toilets.
Use a daily spray on the shower. Tilex makes a daily spray. Just spray it on everyday after your shower. I use the automatic shower sprayer. It keeps mildew & soap scum from forming.
Keep all bathroom supplies in a caddy w/a handle. They sell small ones at the $ Tree and larger ones are at Wal-Mart for about $4. Keep the cleaning supplies locked up if you have little ones, but if everything you need (gloves, sponges, cleaners, old toothbrushes, etc.) is in the caddy, you won’t have to search for anything. Just grab your caddy & go.
You can also use a pumice stone for hard water stains. Or, put ¼ c white distilled vinegar in spray bottle with 1 c water. Mix well, spray hard water/lime spots. Let sit. Go back, rinse w/water.
Ceramic tile: (also in kitchen on backsplashes) ¼ c vinegar, 1/3 c ammonia, ½ c baking soda, 7 c warm water. Mix well. Store in spray bottles. Spray, let sit, wipe with wet sponge.
MISCELLANEOUS
For bathrooms without a lot of cabinet space, get of those over-the-toilet spacesavers & a locking pantry (basically a bookshelf w/doors). Also you can use caddies (w/handles) & clear plastic shoeboxes to organize the things on the shelves. Small boxes w/tops (can be decorative, or the small clear ones 2 to a pack at dollar tree) are great for organizing make-up, hair thingy-ma-bobs, hair barrettes & other small items that don’t need a whole plastic shoebox.
Hang up poufs that you use for bathing, so they dont mildew. I replace mine on the first day of every month.
Bleach water can be used for disinfecting floors, counters, sinks. Also, if you have a particularly bad odor in your drains, pour a little down to freshen up.
Shower curtain: I just wash mine in washing machine. I take the liner, curtain & rings down as one & just toss it in. Wash by itself (maybe add a little bleach or vinegar to prevent/treat mildew. Then toss in dryer. (it takes too long to line dry).
Bathtub stains: make a paste of peroxide & cream of tartar. Mix well & use old toothbrush, rub into stains & rinse thoroughly.
For lime or rust spots: CLR & steel wool.
Tile: ¾ c bleach & 3 c water. Mix together in spray bottle. Spray & wipe off with damp sponge.
For bad stains/spills on the counters/tub, spray with cleaner & go to something else. Let the cleaner do most of the work while you do something else. Come back later & simply wipe up. Eliminates elbow grease. Also, when you do this, go ahead & put the cleaner in/on the toilet. Come back later, swish, wipe, flush, take off your gloves, wash your hands & you’re done. No more scrubbing toilets.
Use a daily spray on the shower. Tilex makes a daily spray. Just spray it on everyday after your shower. I use the automatic shower sprayer. It keeps mildew & soap scum from forming.
Keep all bathroom supplies in a caddy w/a handle. They sell small ones at the $ Tree and larger ones are at Wal-Mart for about $4. Keep the cleaning supplies locked up if you have little ones, but if everything you need (gloves, sponges, cleaners, old toothbrushes, etc.) is in the caddy, you won’t have to search for anything. Just grab your caddy & go.
You can also use a pumice stone for hard water stains. Or, put ¼ c white distilled vinegar in spray bottle with 1 c water. Mix well, spray hard water/lime spots. Let sit. Go back, rinse w/water.
Ceramic tile: (also in kitchen on backsplashes) ¼ c vinegar, 1/3 c ammonia, ½ c baking soda, 7 c warm water. Mix well. Store in spray bottles. Spray, let sit, wipe with wet sponge.
MISCELLANEOUS
For bathrooms without a lot of cabinet space, get of those over-the-toilet spacesavers & a locking pantry (basically a bookshelf w/doors). Also you can use caddies (w/handles) & clear plastic shoeboxes to organize the things on the shelves. Small boxes w/tops (can be decorative, or the small clear ones 2 to a pack at dollar tree) are great for organizing make-up, hair thingy-ma-bobs, hair barrettes & other small items that don’t need a whole plastic shoebox.
Hang up poufs that you use for bathing, so they dont mildew. I replace mine on the first day of every month.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Homemade Cleaners
Microwave--mix 4 T of baking soda to 1 qt. warm water, wipe out microwave. Don’t forget under the rotating dish & ceiling. It also freshens the microwave.
Ovens--create a mixture of 50% ammonia, 50% water. Store in a spray bottle. For stuck on foods/burnt spots, apply a mixture of baking soda & water directly to the spots. Let stand, for 30 minutes (longer, if really stuck-on). Wipe the surface clean.
Rubbing alcohol--put in a spray bottle & armed with a coffee filter, you can get your windows, mirrors & stainless steel streak free and disinfected. Also, use on phones, knobs/handles/faucets/drawer pulls, etc and TV’s.
Bleach water can be used for disinfecting floors, counters, sinks. Also, if you have a particularly bad odor in your drains, pour a little down to freshen up.
Ovens--create a mixture of 50% ammonia, 50% water. Store in a spray bottle. For stuck on foods/burnt spots, apply a mixture of baking soda & water directly to the spots. Let stand, for 30 minutes (longer, if really stuck-on). Wipe the surface clean.
Rubbing alcohol--put in a spray bottle & armed with a coffee filter, you can get your windows, mirrors & stainless steel streak free and disinfected. Also, use on phones, knobs/handles/faucets/drawer pulls, etc and TV’s.
Bleach water can be used for disinfecting floors, counters, sinks. Also, if you have a particularly bad odor in your drains, pour a little down to freshen up.
Kitchen Tips
CLEANING
Cutting boards/utensils that smell like onions, garlic or other strong odors, rub with have a lemon or lime. (also your hands after cutting the onion).
Coffee/tea/rust stains--use good old baking soda. On your sink, you can also use steel wool.
Stainless steel--wipe down with plain seltzer or white vinegar for sparkling shine.
ODORS/FRAGRANCES
Disposal/drain odors--pour 2 T in every week.
Cheap air fresheners: put clove studded oranges in a decorative bowl; put cinnamon in a pie pan, put in oven & heat oven to 250 for about 30 minutes. (make sure that it doesn’t burn).
Liquid potpourri: there are 2 kinds of burners that I know of: 1st--has a little pot/bowl that you put the fragrance in & put a tea candle underneath (disadvantages: kind of messy, tea candles don’t last long & pot can turn black underneath where flame heats up bottom of pot), 2nd--electric, like a little mini crockpot (advantage--no fire). You really have to watch it though, to keep an eye on the level of potpourri you have. Don’t run it with little or no liquid in it, you could crack the pot.
Light a scented candle (keep away from children).
Put a wreath inside with eucalyptus, cinnamon sticks or spritz with liquid oil scents.
Clean with scented cleaners.
Use glade plug-ins, or other such plug in air fresheners.
Bake bread or cookies, brew coffee, make anything that fills your whole house with a yummy fragrance.
Fill with fresh flowers.
Baking soda in the freezer/fridge help eliminate smells. They even sell little boxes especially for this now.
PESTS
Ants--mix 8 oz. vinegar & 8 oz. water in a spray bottle (available at dollar tree or Wal-Mart). Spray on ants, will kill them instantly.
Roaches--set out a dish containing equal parts sugar & baking soda. The sugar attracts and the baking soda eliminates.
Slugs--put out dishes of salt or beer. Salt dries them out, beer gets them drunk & they drown.
MISCELLANEOUS
Unclog drain--pour ½ cup baking soda mixed with ½ cup vinegar into the drain and cover tightly. After a few minutes, rinse the drain with 2 qts. Boiling water. Also, using this as a preventative measure, can keep drains from becoming clogged. If drain is clogged with grease, use 1 cup of salt & 1 cup of baking soda, rather than the baking soda/vinegar mixture, follow the remaining step.
Cutting boards/utensils that smell like onions, garlic or other strong odors, rub with have a lemon or lime. (also your hands after cutting the onion).
Coffee/tea/rust stains--use good old baking soda. On your sink, you can also use steel wool.
Stainless steel--wipe down with plain seltzer or white vinegar for sparkling shine.
ODORS/FRAGRANCES
Disposal/drain odors--pour 2 T in every week.
Cheap air fresheners: put clove studded oranges in a decorative bowl; put cinnamon in a pie pan, put in oven & heat oven to 250 for about 30 minutes. (make sure that it doesn’t burn).
Liquid potpourri: there are 2 kinds of burners that I know of: 1st--has a little pot/bowl that you put the fragrance in & put a tea candle underneath (disadvantages: kind of messy, tea candles don’t last long & pot can turn black underneath where flame heats up bottom of pot), 2nd--electric, like a little mini crockpot (advantage--no fire). You really have to watch it though, to keep an eye on the level of potpourri you have. Don’t run it with little or no liquid in it, you could crack the pot.
Light a scented candle (keep away from children).
Put a wreath inside with eucalyptus, cinnamon sticks or spritz with liquid oil scents.
Clean with scented cleaners.
Use glade plug-ins, or other such plug in air fresheners.
Bake bread or cookies, brew coffee, make anything that fills your whole house with a yummy fragrance.
Fill with fresh flowers.
Baking soda in the freezer/fridge help eliminate smells. They even sell little boxes especially for this now.
PESTS
Ants--mix 8 oz. vinegar & 8 oz. water in a spray bottle (available at dollar tree or Wal-Mart). Spray on ants, will kill them instantly.
Roaches--set out a dish containing equal parts sugar & baking soda. The sugar attracts and the baking soda eliminates.
Slugs--put out dishes of salt or beer. Salt dries them out, beer gets them drunk & they drown.
MISCELLANEOUS
Unclog drain--pour ½ cup baking soda mixed with ½ cup vinegar into the drain and cover tightly. After a few minutes, rinse the drain with 2 qts. Boiling water. Also, using this as a preventative measure, can keep drains from becoming clogged. If drain is clogged with grease, use 1 cup of salt & 1 cup of baking soda, rather than the baking soda/vinegar mixture, follow the remaining step.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Decluttering tips 6/26
Once you've decided to get rid of items, get rid of them right away. Go ahead and post on freecycle or go ahead and take to the goodwill or whatever, just get them out of your house.......less likely you will take something back out of the box.
Don't put away your box of keeps until you've cleaned up any mess remaining from your declutter and sorting.
Don't put away your box of keeps until you've cleaned up any mess remaining from your declutter and sorting.
3rd round decluttering 6/26
got a "hit" off freecycle, so went around trying to find more stuff to go
got rid of several plant pots, toys, gift bags and a pack of unopened sponges
lady came and got the stuff from freecycle, so now I need to get another load to list tomorrow.
got rid of several plant pots, toys, gift bags and a pack of unopened sponges
lady came and got the stuff from freecycle, so now I need to get another load to list tomorrow.
Decluttering 6/26, 2nd round:
went through 2 bins, and went around house to find things laying around
tossed:
1/2 trash bag
1 bin
freecycled:
1 1/2 bins full of stuff
big black trash bag full of stuff
2 more pr. kids' shoes
tossed:
1/2 trash bag
1 bin
freecycled:
1 1/2 bins full of stuff
big black trash bag full of stuff
2 more pr. kids' shoes
6/26 Today's Decluttering, So Far...
went through 3 bins.........
tossed 2 trash bags, tossed the 2 bins (so they won't get filled back up, lol)
freecycled 2 bins of books & other stuff and 1/2 a trash bag of kids' shoes
kept 1/2 bin of important documents/office supplies/notebooks
tossed 2 trash bags, tossed the 2 bins (so they won't get filled back up, lol)
freecycled 2 bins of books & other stuff and 1/2 a trash bag of kids' shoes
kept 1/2 bin of important documents/office supplies/notebooks
Yesterday's decluttering
Tossed a whole bin of shoes (bin and all).
Also, tossed 3 trash bags.
freecycled 3 trash bags of kids' clothes
It's a start, hopefully I will do more today:)
Also, tossed 3 trash bags.
freecycled 3 trash bags of kids' clothes
It's a start, hopefully I will do more today:)
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Today's Decluttering Tips 6/25
Start with a clean working space. You can't get rid of clutter if you are doing it admist clutter. If your work space is cluttered, make that your 1st project. Put things you need to keep away, toss trash, put still usable things to giveaway in your donate box.
Have all your supplies handy. If you have to keep going back and forth, you may get sidetracked and not accomplish anything.
Do not stop to clean while you are decluttering. Make sure you have time to devote just to decluttering.
Don't take out more than you can do in a half an hour. Some people say an hour, but with 5 little ones, I don't get more than 30 minutes at a time to work on anything, even if they are helping. If I pull out more than that, it usually ends up creating more mess than was originally there.
Have your kids help you, even if all they can do is run from here to there putting things away for you.......hey, that's less running that you have to do and you may have energy to do more decluttering:)
Let your kids go with you if you are donating things to a shelter or other non-profit, especially if they can actually see the people they will be helping. Let them see that their unused stuff will make some other little girl or boy very happy.
Have all your supplies handy. If you have to keep going back and forth, you may get sidetracked and not accomplish anything.
Do not stop to clean while you are decluttering. Make sure you have time to devote just to decluttering.
Don't take out more than you can do in a half an hour. Some people say an hour, but with 5 little ones, I don't get more than 30 minutes at a time to work on anything, even if they are helping. If I pull out more than that, it usually ends up creating more mess than was originally there.
Have your kids help you, even if all they can do is run from here to there putting things away for you.......hey, that's less running that you have to do and you may have energy to do more decluttering:)
Let your kids go with you if you are donating things to a shelter or other non-profit, especially if they can actually see the people they will be helping. Let them see that their unused stuff will make some other little girl or boy very happy.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Decluttering tips 6/24
Have the following items handy when decluttering:
1. Trash can.........key to getting rid of trash right away
2. to put away bin
3. give away bin
In my case, of possibly moving within the next 6 months, I will also need:
1. storage bins (hopefully not too many, want to get rid of as much as possible)
2. permanent marker (to label bins)
3. spiral notebook and pen(to inventory bins)
I will also keep a list of these bins on my computer for quick searches.
I will label my storage bins by room & #. Ex. MBR-1; MBR-2 Or MBA-1; MBA-2
Anything not used within the past 6 months can most likely go.
1. Trash can.........key to getting rid of trash right away
2. to put away bin
3. give away bin
In my case, of possibly moving within the next 6 months, I will also need:
1. storage bins (hopefully not too many, want to get rid of as much as possible)
2. permanent marker (to label bins)
3. spiral notebook and pen(to inventory bins)
I will also keep a list of these bins on my computer for quick searches.
I will label my storage bins by room & #. Ex. MBR-1; MBR-2 Or MBA-1; MBA-2
Anything not used within the past 6 months can most likely go.
Time to Get Rid of the Clutter
We are working hard to start looking at a house to buy by the end of the year. So, I do not want to be moving anything that I don't have to.
I have already got a box and 3 black trash bags of stuff from the kitchen ready to freecycle. That's just the beginning. I want to get rid of tons of stuff. Plus, the shed is loaded with bins that need to be gone through. I really need to be tough with that stuff, most of it can go.
My goal (starting tomorrow...too wet outside right now), is to go through at least one bin a day until they are all done. I want to get rid of at least 3/4 of the stuff in there.
Does anyone want to join me? I will try to post some decluttering tips along the way. Let the decluttering begin..................
I have already got a box and 3 black trash bags of stuff from the kitchen ready to freecycle. That's just the beginning. I want to get rid of tons of stuff. Plus, the shed is loaded with bins that need to be gone through. I really need to be tough with that stuff, most of it can go.
My goal (starting tomorrow...too wet outside right now), is to go through at least one bin a day until they are all done. I want to get rid of at least 3/4 of the stuff in there.
Does anyone want to join me? I will try to post some decluttering tips along the way. Let the decluttering begin..................
Friday, June 13, 2008
Swiffer Pad Refills
I cut some leftover fleece into swiffer sized pads. I just toss them into the washer when I am done..........I have several, so I can do the whole house at one time.
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Spring Fever
Yesterday we cleaned up outside, I tossed a whole long bed pickup truck full of stuff. Stuff like a gas grill, large toys that were broken, other stuff that we didn't need anymore that wasn't worth passing along.
Today, I tackled the playhouse, you couldn't even open the door there were so many toys.
I tossed 4 black trash bags and a large trash can full of toys. I freecycled 4 black trash bags of toys, a sit and spin, a keyboard w/stand, a tea cart, a play kitchen, a Dora fort (almost brand new), and a large car taht you push with your feet.
Today, I tackled the playhouse, you couldn't even open the door there were so many toys.
I tossed 4 black trash bags and a large trash can full of toys. I freecycled 4 black trash bags of toys, a sit and spin, a keyboard w/stand, a tea cart, a play kitchen, a Dora fort (almost brand new), and a large car taht you push with your feet.
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Getting There........
Lately, as I've been getting things done and doing these little decluttering projects, the house has been getting way easier to manage (and just in time) :)
The kids are actually doing their share, too. They are straightening their rooms & making their beds before school, they are doing their routines without (too much) fuss, they are even doing their chores and making their chore jars get fat.
They actually look forward to getting their daily chore lists now. They also don't fuss too much when they pull a job they don't like, b/c #1 it's usually not that bad (since everythign is being kept up with), so it only takes a few minutes, and #2, they know it's only for a day.
DH has even been helping out more without even being asked:) Last night, he washed dishes, twice, and gave the kids their baths.
Everyone has been a great help the past few days, and our home is showing it (not just in cleanliness, but attitudes/spirits, too).
The kids are actually doing their share, too. They are straightening their rooms & making their beds before school, they are doing their routines without (too much) fuss, they are even doing their chores and making their chore jars get fat.
They actually look forward to getting their daily chore lists now. They also don't fuss too much when they pull a job they don't like, b/c #1 it's usually not that bad (since everythign is being kept up with), so it only takes a few minutes, and #2, they know it's only for a day.
DH has even been helping out more without even being asked:) Last night, he washed dishes, twice, and gave the kids their baths.
Everyone has been a great help the past few days, and our home is showing it (not just in cleanliness, but attitudes/spirits, too).
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Pantry Update
Have tossed 3 bags full of stuff, so far (opened or expired). I have organized the cubes and the top. I actually have 2 baskets free for the baby's stuff to go in that I've bought so far (diapers & bottles) until I get the bedroom ready for her.
I will set aside things for donation, as I do the inventory:)
It looks really good....now I just have to figure out what to do with the stuff that was in the bin on the floor.
I had several character/decorative cake pans (wilton's) that I think I will wash off & hang on the wall. I will need to find a place for my food processor & blender:)
I will set aside things for donation, as I do the inventory:)
It looks really good....now I just have to figure out what to do with the stuff that was in the bin on the floor.
I had several character/decorative cake pans (wilton's) that I think I will wash off & hang on the wall. I will need to find a place for my food processor & blender:)
Decluttering the Pantry
I'd worked on it Thursday night, but just gave it a quick once over. Today is a deep clean:)
My pantry is a 9-cube organizer with the cloth drawers (Target).
With dh's help, I took everything off the pantry, & took out the baskets. I even took off our small microwave (we also have a full-sized one). I wiped down the top & all the shelves. I even took out everything in between the pantry & the fridge that was keeping me from opening most of the drawers.
So far, I have tossed a trash bag of expired foods. I have also put aside the microwave to send to dh's work. They already have 2, but with 15 or so men all trying to heat their meals at the same time, and only an hour lunch break (they all break at the same time), it gets backlogged. So, maybe one more will help them out a bit....just need to clean it up a bit.
I am going back in there to write down my categories of what I have (the shelves were labeled, but everything has gotten a bit jumbled up in there since labeling. So, I've already typed up a diagram to fill in the blanks, to make it easy on me to see what can go where. (I just did a 3X3 table & enlarged the squares).
I will probably be tossing more food as I go. There's lots of opened stuff that I don't know how long it's been in there:) I have already reserved the top for my "canisters" not really canisters, they are those leak-proof containers that have 4little "pop" tops to open (when I think of the name, I'll give you the website). They are great....they are square or rectangular, so they fit nicely together, rather than the round ones, that don't get close to one another.
I can't tell you how many duplicates I have of things, so the extras, plus any food we will not use will go to our local food pantry. All damaged, expired and opened foods will go to the trash.
I will also inventory what we have:)
I will report back later to let you know how I did:)
My pantry is a 9-cube organizer with the cloth drawers (Target).
With dh's help, I took everything off the pantry, & took out the baskets. I even took off our small microwave (we also have a full-sized one). I wiped down the top & all the shelves. I even took out everything in between the pantry & the fridge that was keeping me from opening most of the drawers.
So far, I have tossed a trash bag of expired foods. I have also put aside the microwave to send to dh's work. They already have 2, but with 15 or so men all trying to heat their meals at the same time, and only an hour lunch break (they all break at the same time), it gets backlogged. So, maybe one more will help them out a bit....just need to clean it up a bit.
I am going back in there to write down my categories of what I have (the shelves were labeled, but everything has gotten a bit jumbled up in there since labeling. So, I've already typed up a diagram to fill in the blanks, to make it easy on me to see what can go where. (I just did a 3X3 table & enlarged the squares).
I will probably be tossing more food as I go. There's lots of opened stuff that I don't know how long it's been in there:) I have already reserved the top for my "canisters" not really canisters, they are those leak-proof containers that have 4little "pop" tops to open (when I think of the name, I'll give you the website). They are great....they are square or rectangular, so they fit nicely together, rather than the round ones, that don't get close to one another.
I can't tell you how many duplicates I have of things, so the extras, plus any food we will not use will go to our local food pantry. All damaged, expired and opened foods will go to the trash.
I will also inventory what we have:)
I will report back later to let you know how I did:)
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