Search Results for: blog a tisket a tasket a green and yellow basket

Everything Has a Place

I think a lot of our housekeeping problems could be solved if we just learned to pick up after ourselves. Of course, that also means teaching your family to do the same. You have probably heard the phrase, “Everything has a place.” It really is true. The key is finding that place and then maintaining it. Maintenance in a home is done by the simple act of picking up and putting away. Think about the little ways this can be done, which could really add up. Or perhaps it would help to consider how not picking up the little things … Continue reading →

Do You Have a Command Center?

Fellow blogger Carol Paxman recently wrote about the refrigerator oftentimes being “Command Central.” This is the spot in the house where pictures and other information is oftentimes collected. I believe that everyone should have what I call a command center in their home. This is the main spot to go to if you need to know something. It is the central location for vital family information. Years ago the refrigerator used to be my main command center. It was filled with papers held in place by homemade and store-bought magnets. At times it was difficult to tell that there was … Continue reading →

Bargain Hunting for Your Home

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to make your home look nice. Bargains are everywhere; you just need to know where to look. I have one friend in particular who is great at this. She lives in a large, gorgeous house that they had built. So everything is very new. Her decorating skills are great. Every tine I would see something new, such as a wall hanging, I would ask where she got it and she would reply with something like, “K-Mart.” Yet everything looked so expensive. However she isn’t spending a lot of money, she knows … Continue reading →

Which Type of Housekeeper Are You?

I believe there are three different types of housekeepers. The first type’s house is in complete disarray. You walk in and you don’t know where to step. Nothing can ever be found and you don’t know if the clothing on the table is clean or dirty. The second type of housekeeper is the one whose house is neat as a pin. Everything looks pristine and clean. You can find exactly what you need. Even the spices in the kitchen cabinet are arranged alphabetically. Then there is the third type of housekeeper. When you walk into this person’s house it has … Continue reading →

Does Your Household Product Meet the Good Housekeeping Seal of Approval?

You are probably familiar with the magazine, “Good Housekeeping.” It has been in circulation for 100 years now. That is pretty amazing. One of the unique features is the “Good Housekeeping Seal.” This is a list of products that have been approved under their stringent judgments. The seal actually guarantees consumers that if they purchase a product with their seal and it is found to be defective within two years from the date it was purchased, they will receive a replacement, refund or repair kit. So needless to say, you pretty much can’t go wrong when you purchase a product … Continue reading →

Summer Is Perfect Time to Clean Out Garage

Summer is the perfect time to tackle outdoor areas that have long been neglected. One of the more overwhelming areas to work on is the garage. But since it is such a big job, I think this is one housekeeping area that should involve the entire family. Set aside an entire day where the family will be available to help pitch in. You will probably have to actually schedule this in and make sure that no other plans are made. There are three general rules for any big cleaning project like this. The first is to throw out anything considered … Continue reading →

When Your Refrigerator Has Become a Science Project

I don’t know if you can relate but the one area of my kitchen that is always sorely in need of cleaning is the refrigerator. I always tell myself that I am going to do a thorough cleaning out each week, which would make staying on top of it easier. Yet one week turns into two, turns into three and by the end of the month it is as if I have a science project going. I will never forget the one time I cleaned out my refrigerator and discovered I had eight, yes; count them, eight tubs of sour … Continue reading →

Care of Your Floors

We have tackled a couple of housekeeping tips in our living areas but will end with the care of floors. Some living areas are carpeted and some have hardwood floors. So the type of care you give to your floors will depend on this. I only have hardwood floors, with just a couple of rooms in my entire house being carpeted. So I don’t do much with vacuuming and when I do, I use a fairly common type of vacuum. From what I understand however, the dream machine to own if you have carpeting is a Dyson. All you Dyson … Continue reading →

Benefits of Using a Dust Mitt

In my last blog we talked about the living areas and keeping items like DVDs and magazines organized in baskets. Once you have decluttered your living area and organized everything, you need to think about the products you will use to keep this room clean. The number one cleaning job in any living area is dusting. One of my favorite products I have ever used is a dust mitt. I have only used one made by Norwex but I know there are other brands available. Good dust mitts are made of microfiber, so unlike a cloth that only scatters dust, … Continue reading →

A-Tisket A-Tasket , A Green and Yellow Basket

Housekeeping is not just about cleaning. It is about keeping your home in such a state that you can actually enjoy it. Yet it’s also not about perfection. So now we are going to tackle the living areas of your home, most times called your living room or family room. This is the part of your house where you gather with loved ones and hang out. Maybe you watch TV, play games or just talk. What makes a living room or a family room special is when it feels “lived in.” It shouldn’t feel like a museum, where you are … Continue reading →