I don’t like cleaning my stove or refrigerator. But there is another appliance in my home that I dislike cleaning even more…the microwave. I guess that’s because I don’t have to clean the stove or fridge on a regular basis. However, the microwave gets a lot of use out of it so cleaning is much more frequent. What I especially don’t like is the awful smell of popcorn inside (even though I love popcorn). But what’s worse is when my children have warmed up cans of Spaghetti O’s. Not only do I want to gag at the smell but the … Continue reading →

I do a pretty good job keeping up with my schedule in which I deep clean the appliances in my kitchen. Most of us tend to think about the stove and refrigerator. But if you have a dishwasher, this should be added to your list of deep cleaning every three or six months. Think about it this way. It’s an appliance used every day. It cleans dirty dishes. Still not getting the picture? That’s probably because you assume since it is an appliance that cleans, it doesn’t require cleaning. Not true. You might compare it to your teeth. You can … Continue reading →

There is a big difference between cleaning and “deep” cleaning. While regular cleaning can cut down on how often you need to deep clean and make the work easier, it is still necessary every-so-often. Deep cleaning means getting into areas you don’t normally touch. It is those unseen, oftentimes overlooked areas of the home. How often you need to deep clean will depend not only on your maintenance of that area but what it is used for. Some rooms or areas of the home may need a deep cleaning every few weeks. But some can wait a few months. It … Continue reading →

In the middle of all this spring cleaning don’t forget your home office and all the paperwork that accumulates in there. I try to clean my files at tax time, save what I need and purge what I don’t. Even with the best of intentions the filing cabinet is still busting at the seams before I know it. To really clean things out and get a handle on the paper mess you should have a good shredder and a fireproof box. A bank safety deposit box is great for storing important documents but you can’t always get to them when … Continue reading →

It’s time to do some spring cleaning in the kitchen. Start off by removing as many items as you can, including those things you keep on your countertops. Take out the table, chairs, microwave and so on. The more you are able to remove from the room, the easier your cleaning will be. Dust the ceiling and corners of the walls. Spot wash walls, doorknobs, outside of cabinets, switch plates, vents, etc. If you are dealing with grease or grime—especially around your stove—you may need a special cleaner. Dust or use a slightly damp cloth to clean wall hangings. Dust … Continue reading →

On to more time savers. Yesterday I wrote about time saving laundry tips, now it’s time to tackle the cleaning itself. We all dread it but it has to be done. Why not find ways to do it faster and maybe even easier. Think about the chore you dread. Is it cleaning the kitchen after dinner. Vacuuming? Cleaning off your nightstand? Whatever it is that you dread and put off, time it. When I look at the kitchen after dinner all I can see if a huge amount of time spent cleaning, especially since I no longer use my dishwasher … Continue reading →

Today’s blog is going to address how I clean in 30 minutes or less on Mondays. By keeping a consistent schedule, my house is ready for guests at the drop of a hat most of the time. I start off each morning with a cup of coffee. That is my fuel to get me started. I begin my cleaning routine within minutes of waking up. Why? I have a couple of reasons for this. The first is that I want to get the cleaning out of the way, so I can move on to bigger and better things. The second … Continue reading →