Search Results for: blog do you really need to deep clean

Supplies for Seasonal Cleaning

I kicked off 2013 with a determination to conquer what I call a lost art in society, housekeeping.  My way of defining housekeeping is cleaning, repairs, decorating and organizing. January’s focus is on cleaning, which I blogged about the three main types of cleaning:  seasonal, deep and maintenance.  Last week I introduced you to a seasonal cleaning plan and today we are going to talk about the supplies you need. As a reminder, seasonal cleaning targets those areas inside and outside the home that you are likely to get to once-a-year.  Examples include washing windows and cleaning out the garage. … Continue reading →

Last Minute Holiday Preparations

The countdown is on!  Are you feeling stressed, frazzled and worried that you won’t get everything done in the next few days? The holidays are just so much more enjoyable when we aren’t overwhelmed.  But sometimes we bring it on ourselves.  So to help avoid some of this, consider the following tips for last minute holiday preparations. First, plan to have more than enough food and drink if you are hosting.  This way you don’t have to be concerned about running out and you will have plenty of leftovers for the next couple of days. Second, keep things simple.  Don’t … Continue reading →

Keeping the Dust Away

Throughout the years I have oftentimes heard moms say that the upkeep of their home isn’t as important as spending time with their children. While I would certainly never argue against that, I do think there still needs to be some balance. After all, if you don’t want to create health problems for your children, you will at least do something about the dust. Those who are quick to pride themselves on quality time with the children, over the inch of dust covering their furniture don’t really impress me. Dust isn’t just unpleasant to look at. It is bad for … Continue reading →

My House Is Not Clean

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Do you have a method to your housekeeping or is it more hit or miss? I’m totally a hit or miss housekeeper. My house stays fairly neat but the cleaning is not on any type of schedule. If I walk into a room I might notice the baseboards need to be dusted and dust them. The furniture in that room will most likely not get dusted at the same time. Or maybe I notice fingerprints on the bathroom door. I’ll wipe those down but that doesn’t mean I will clean the bathroom. In the morning when I’m brushing my teeth … Continue reading →

Break Out the Toothbrush

How do you know when your bathroom is really clean? Your teenagers notice it. I’m not talking surface stuff here but deep down clean. And I have to admit, walking into my bathroom suddenly feels so much nicer knowing I have gotten down to every crevice there is. You don’t really know deep down cleaning in a bathroom until you break out the toothbrush. That is the tool which provided the thorough cleaning that was long overdue. What prompted me to spend nearly two hours in the bathroom, much of it with a toothbrush? How about hosting a graduation party … Continue reading →

When a Cut Needs a Doctor’s Attention

Let’s face it, cuts happen all of the time. Whether you get a paper cut, a cut from chopping up vegetables or a cut from falling down, these minor wounds are a fact of life. Usually, we can just treat these cuts or even ignore them and go on their merry way. That is why when my son complained that his finger really hurt one night, I didn’t give it a second thought, until I saw that the wound was puffy and infected. Fortunately for us all, I was able to treat the infection at home, but if it didn’t … Continue reading →

Taking the Plunge

I have decided to take the plunge…no, not into the toilet but into moving. The decision has been made to put our house up for sale. We are ready to move to another community. But honestly, all I can think about is how I will keep up my house so that it is always ready for a showing, especially with three teenagers. In fact, the idea of showing my home stirs up more stress than the task of packing and moving a family of five. So I have decided to put a plan into place. It really works out well, … Continue reading →

Patience is Key

Who knew you could become more virtuous by scrapbooking? I’ve learned a lot about exercising patience since becoming a scrapbooker. In fact, I would go as far as to say that crafting memory books has taught me how to stress less and focus on having fun. Also: If at first you don’t succeed try, try again. Clearly, some scrapbooking techniques yield more opportunities to exercise patience than others. After all, you don’t really need much patience to flock or add glitter to an item. However, when it comes to paper piercing or stacking foam stickers to create your own 3D … Continue reading →

Spring Cleaning – Part 1

It’s that time already…spring cleaning is on the minds of many. Although I am more about the fall cleaning, I have decided to make this a twice-a-year event. This means deep cleaning and organizing in preparation for the warmer months. This week we had one of those rare warm days we get in Wisconsin when it’s still March. It was in the lower 60’s and I was able to open my patio door. There is just nothing like fresh air when your house has been closed up all winter long. That’s what kind of kicked it off in my mind … Continue reading →

Cleaning For Company

It’s time for holiday guests. As much as I would like my house to be spotless when my guests arrive I know that working full time makes a spotless house something of a fantasy. Instead I’ve learned to make it good enough. If you are having company that will sit in the living room and visit, is it really necessary to wipe down the refrigerator shelves? I think not. Here is my quickie list to get ready for company when I don’t have time to deep clean. *Shut the doors to all rooms and closets your guests will not see. … Continue reading →