Tip Tuesday: House Cleaning Strategies

How to get your house sparkling quickly and efficiently. Time honored ways to get the jobs done that need to be done in as fast and as well as you can do it. 

The following are some ideas to jumpstart your cleaning efforts. Sometimes you can get in a rut or even get complacent in your household chores. When this happens you need to ramp up your ability and your desire to get the job done. 

Here are some effective ways to help you get back into the swing of things:

1) If you invite someone over you will likely look at your house with fresh eyes and see things that might stick out to a guest. Just give yourself ample time to get the things cleaned that need to be cleaned or you might find your self in an embarrassing situation!

2) Pick one area to clean/dejunk. If you focus on one smaller area then you will feel that "accomplished" feeling when it is completed. This will inspire you to move on and tackle another problem area/room.

3) Reward yourself. When you complete cleaning tasks - reward yourself. This can be as simple as getting a 1/2 hour to do something you feel like is a luxury or buying a new cd you have wanted. Keep your rewards realistic and simple and don't ever use it as an excuse to go out of your designated budget.

4) New candles or scents. New smells can entice your senses. Just be careful not to try too many at a time or you can get sensory overload. If this happens you are more likely to irritate your guests or family members. Be mindful if you have family/friends that have allergies or are sensitive to smells. Honestly, I can't really abide candles and scents. It absolutely drives my allergies crazy. No candles or smellies in my house. BUT I can take homemade febreeze. I just melt the fabric softener crystals (sold by Gain or other companies) in some boiling water. I let it cool then add it to a squirt bottle. Only do about 1/3 of a cup to a medium sized squirt bottle or else you might leave spots on fabric or furniture. But this is a great way to make your home smell clean and inviting right before a guest walks in, easy and cheap!

5) Turn on some dancing, loud tunes and get everyone moving and cleaning and you will breeze through the jobs. 

6) Try out a new cleaning something. Nothing inspires me more than trying out a new product that I haven't used before. This lets me compare it to my 'old' ways and see how it stacks up to my tried and true methods. Just make sure you clear out OLD, unused products so that your cleaning pantry doesn't become crazy crowded.

7) Try rearranging a room. This will get your ideas flowing and might inspire you to move on to the next area.

Whatever your cleaning needs - changing things up a bit can give you the boost you need to be reinspired.

Good luck!

BellaOnline Cleaning

Make it a great one!

Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife - in our 18th year of wedded bliss, Stepmother to 2 adult children, Mother - (G16, G15, B12, G10, B9, B5, G4, & B1), StepMother-In-Law to 2, StepGrandmother to 4 precociously precious little boys! Blessed, Happy & Satisfied!

Tip Tuesday: Deep Cleaning a Food Pantry/Storage Area

This is a GREAT time of year to get your pantry closet or food storing room cleaned up and back in tip top shape. One of the first things you need to do is go through your pantry items and discard the items that have expired. The general rule for spices is they only have a shelf life of a year. However, I have found many spices (like cinnamon, red pepper flakes, etc) can last beyond that time. If you can't use it up within a year then you need to invest in smaller quantities. It is always a good idea to store bulk or excess in the freezer. This will allow the spice to not lose its potency. Sample test your spices to see if they are still effective!

After checking the expiration dates, you should make sure you make a note of the things you have so that you know what you need. I like to keep a clipboard with all of my pantry items listed (including cleaning supplies) and then I can pencil in what I have. If you know a certain baking/cooking type season is coming up then you can make a note of the items you will need. Also, the same goes for cleaning cycles. When you are aware of what you have on hand, you will know what you need coming up. This will absolutely save you money in the long run.

Another tip is to make a note of any items that have spilled or are otherwise not in pristine condition - discard them. Wipe up the residual mess. Vacuum or mop the floor after a thorough sweeping. This will insure that you aren't a bug zone waiting to happen. This is a good time to move refrigerators/freezers and clean up under them. A quick cleaning every quarter to 6 months will keep the bugs away, for sure.

Find ways to organize your pantry that works for you. You can use baskets, do it alphabetically, or even organize by type of cooking. You can organize the things the children use/need the most on lower shelves and things that aren't used as frequently up higher. Grouping things together that are used in 'like' ways is best for me.

Make the time to clean out your food storage/pantry area today!

Good luck!

BellaOnline Cleaning

Make it a great one!

Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife - in our 18th year of wedded bliss, Stepmother to 2 adult children, Mother - (G16, G15, B12, G10, B9, B5, G4, & B1), StepMother-In-Law to 2, StepGrandmother to 4 precociously precious little boys! Blessed, Happy & Satisfied!

TIp Tuesday: Cleaning and Organizing Clothing for Storage

Getting your closets cleaned up and out is the best thing to do in between seasons. You can move winter things into storage for Spring/Summer or you can move Spring/Summer things into storage for Fall/Winter.

Some things to keep in mind: 

1) Keep boxes, bags, etc. all labeled
      Whether you want to label by size, color, season or whatever you choose - it needs to be labeled. Otherwise it will stay in storage and you will be guessing what is in the box/bag.

2) Keep like things grouped together
      You can choose how to group them - this one goes along with the previous one. However you choose to group things. You can group your entire families seasonal clothing together - if your family is small enough. OR you can separate by size or color, etc.

3) Make sure things are clean when you box them.
      Nothing is worse than pulling out things and needing to launder them before you can put them to use. You will always need to air them out and perhaps iron but you should need to launder them if you put them away clean.

4) Make sure to add some baking soda (in a mesh bag) to the box or bag of clothes.
      NEVER STORE CLOTHING IN PLASTIC GARBAGE BAGS! These are too smelly when the clothes come out. Especially if they are closed up for long periods of time or stored outside.

5) The neater you fold and place your clothing into the container the neater it will come out.
      Find the best and easiest way to fold your laundry so that it fits better and comes out more neatly after sitting in storage.

Some things to remember when REMOVING clothing from storage:

1) Give the clothing time to air out.
      Hang them up so they can completely air out. You could even hang them on an outside clothesline. Once they have aired out for a day or two, you can decide if it needs ironing or a quick tumble in the dryer.

2) Take a second look at what you stored.
      You might find that it isn't what you want any longer or it won't fit or it won't work any longer for whatever reason.

3) Make sure you get it put away correctly as soon as possible.
      Don't waste space with things you no longer have use for. (see #2 above)

Taking time to clear out closets of clothing that you don't need during the current season, frees up space as well as neatens up everything up!



Good luck!

BellaOnline Cleaning

Make it a great one!

Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife - in our 18th year of wedded bliss, Stepmother to 2 adult children, Mother - (G16, G15, B12, G10, B9, B5, G4, & B1), StepMother-In-Law to 2, StepGrandmother to 4 precociously precious little boys! Blessed, Happy & Satisfied!

Tip Tuesday: RePurposing the Rooms in Your Home

When you are merely changing spaces or trading out the actual "purpose" of a room it can help to have a list of things to keep in mind.


 #1 - Label

       Everything that you are moving out needs to be placed in properly labeled containers. This makes it soooo much easier to find its proper home in its new residence.

 #2 - Pack

        When you are packing, make sure you don't pack up trash or junk. Take the time to sort through it - sift out the stuff that you don't need or use anymore

 #3 - Furniture

        Plan out where you are placing the furniture in the room ahead of time. This alleviates the need to keep fiddling with the furniture trying to get it 'just right'. Ultimately, you will probably make a few adjustments to get it the way you really need it. However, having it mapped out ahead of time can help you see how it will look in the long run and save you some steps.

 #4 - Designate

         Make sure you have designated spots for EVERYTHING that will be living in the space. If it doesn't have a designated home then you probably don't need it anymore. From big stuff down to tiny things - it all needs a home. This is a great time to get space saving baskets, files, etc. 

 #5 - Simple

        Nothing makes a space cleaner than keeping it simple. Simple storage. Simple filing. Simple and clean. The more you purge, the easier a space is to keep clean. Your rubbish 'piles' don't get out of control.

 #6 - Organize

         This is so much more than filing and trashing. This has to do with keeping things simple (above) and also easy to locate and find. Labeling (above) is key to keeping the space organized, especially if it is an office or craft space. If its a toy room: keep bins for each type of toy or item. Every thing has a place and everything in its place.

 #7 - Clean

         Washing the walls, floorboards, tops of door frames, tops of blinds/rods, etc. will help your room be fresh. If you have time and are able, shampoo the carpets. If it is wood/laminate floor - then you can mop before bringing the furniture in and then again, if it needs it, a quick spot clean when it is all in. 

 #8 - Freshen

         An awesome air freshener (homemade) that you can spritz in ANY room is:
            Ingredients:
                  1/4 c Downy Unstoppables (your favorite scent)
                    4 tbsp Baking Soda
                    1 c HOT water
             Directions:                  In a mixing bowl, mix all ingredients. Let sit, to dissolve, for roughly 3 minutes. Stir and add immediately to a spray bottle. 

                   Spray.
                   Unlike fresheners that use fabric softener, this will leave no residue. 

Good luck!

BellaOnline Cleaning

Make it a great one!

Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife - in our 18th year of wedded bliss, Stepmother to 2 adult children, Mother - (G16, G15, B12, G10, B9, B5, G4, & B1), StepMother-In-Law to 2, StepGrandmother to 4 precociously precious little boys! Blessed, Happy & Satisfied!

Tip Tuesday: Cleaning Marble Countertops

Marble counter tops can be tricky to keep clean. Never fear, I have some tips and tricks for you. Because Marble counter tops are softer than some of their counterparts, you will need to take special care in taking care of them. One of the most important rules of thumb for marble is: NO ACIDIC or VINEGAR Cleaning Products can be used. If you do use them, you risk etching the surface of your counters. This doesn't mean you need to go out and buy marble specific cleaning products. All you need is a little distilled water, blue Dawn dishwashing soap, baking soda and lots of soft cloths for wiping up and for drying the surface of your counters.

Every time water is splashed on to the surface, it needs to be wiped up right away. If you leave it there to dry in the air, it will result in unsightly spotting. The best cleaner you can use is a mild dish soap (I prefer the blue Dawn). Soap and water mixed in about a 1 tbsp to 2 cups water ratio. You will want to blot up any soda, juice, wine, broth, etc. with a paper towel immediately! Make sure you blot (press down on them and not wipe so you don't spread the stain.) You can't let liquid just sit on your counter - ever! You must get it taken care of right away. Old t-shirts that you cut down, can be used as great washcloths. Just make sure the fabric isn't an abrasive type. Marble is beautiful but it can be so hard to take care of - especially if you have children.

Distilled water is great for wiping up daily messes because it won't leave spots. However, you still will want to dry your counter top with a soft cloth. Never let your marble counter tops air dry. If you do, then your water spots could be permanent or you may have to opt for a professional to come and buff it out.

For more difficult stains you will want to use a paste of water and  baking soda. Add enough water to the baking soda (maybe start with 2 tablespoons of baking soda). You just rub the paste into the stain with your fingers or with a soft cloth. You can cover it with plastic wrap for a day (24 hours) and then rinse it away with clear water. Always dry with your favorite soft cloth.



Good luck!

BellaOnline Cleaning

Make it a great one!

Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife - in our 18th year of wedded bliss, Stepmother to 2 adult children, Mother - (G16, G15, B12, G10, B9, B5, G4, & B1), StepMother-In-Law to 2, StepGrandmother to 4 precociously precious little boys! Blessed, Happy & Satisfied!

Tip Tuesday:

Deep cleaning your bathroom is more that just having it company ready. It is getting it to the deepest level of clean. It's the type of clean that just makes you feel so accomplished!

First, gather your cleaning supplies. Microfiber clothes are good and so are just plain old rags. Use what you have. Don't feel obliged to go out and try every new and improved thing that hits the stores. Toilet brush and cleaner (I like the Lysol Toilet Bowl cleaner). I also like using vinegar/water mixed at an equal ratio. I LOVE using this. I find the vinegar wipes out any lingering smell (especially if you have big or little boys). If you are lucky enough to have a window you can open in your bathroom - this is a great time to open it wide! Let the fresh air in. That in itself will help inspire you to clean!

There are many ways to clean - top to bottom, side to side, etc. I like to clean like things first. I start with the floor and remove anything that needs to find its real home. I sweep but I do wait to mop/steam clean until completely finished with everything else.I do all sinks, tubs showers, counters, at the same time. I just like using the same cleaner and getting al of those jobs done - especially if I have something sit to soak. It can all sit at the same time.

You can throw all of your dirty towels, shower curtains, window curtains and bath mats into the wash. Add a cup of vinegar to the cycle and run it on the warm cycle as opposed to the hot - since your vinyl shower curtain is in there. Make sure you hang dry your shower curtain and avoid the dryer for it.

Remove all of your items from the shelves and counter tops. Wipe down. I also wipe down the light fixtures. You can set it right outside the bathroom or out of the way until you get everything clean. Then bring it back in and arrange it.

Wipe down your blinds (vinegar/water). You can use your steam cleaner on the window sills or use a toothbrush to get into the tracks and into the tiny corners and crevices.

Clean the shower and bathtub. You can use your steam cleaner or use the vinegar water mixture (with a few drops of blue Dawn Dishwashing Liquid). You can also use your Lysol toilet bowl cleaner and water in about a 2 to 3 (water) mixture. This is great stuff - just don't allow it to sit on your metal faucets and fixtures. (it can turn the color)

Clean the toilet - clean under the outside first then lift up your seat and wipe that down. (Lysol mixture or vinegar mixture or your favorite). Wipe down at the screws on the basin of the toilet and also at the base. Use your cleaner (adding some baking soda) around the outside of the toilet  and use your toothbrush or steam cleaner to get those areas clean. Set your brush between the seat and the base so that it can drip dry over your toilet bowl.

Wash the walls, floors and baseboards. The very last thing I do is mop/vacuum the area out. Then I leave and know my bathroom is in the best shape it can be in, again.


Good luck!

BellaOnline Cleaning

Make it a great one!

Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife - in our 18th year of wedded bliss, Stepmother to 2 adult children, Mother - (G16, G15, B12, G10, B9, B5, G4, & B1), StepMother-In-Law to 2, StepGrandmother to 4 precociously precious little boys! Blessed, Happy & Satisfied!

Tip Tuesday: Organizational Tips for Cleaning Efficiently

If you can't find your supplies or don't know what you have on hand, it will be hard to clean efficiently. The following are some tips and guidelines to being more organized so you can clean more efficiently.

 Tip #1:
  Keep a list of the cleaning supplies you have on hand. If you prefer to make your own - keep a separate list with the recipes and what you have on hand to be able to make your cleaning recipes. This can ultimately save you time and money.

 Tip #2: 
  Place a shower curtain rod in your bathroom/kitchen under sink cupboards. This will give you room to "hang" your cleaning bottles up and keep them off the floor of your cupboard. You can also use tension rods in your kitchen cupboards to make "dividers" for platters, plates, pans, lids, etc.
 

 Tip #3: 
  Use a magnetic strip in your kitchen for knives and in the bathroom for bobby pins, tweezers, nail clippers, etc.

 Tip #4:
  Store your boxes (like foil, saran wrap, wax paper, parchment paper, baggies, etc.) in magazine holders. Then store in your cupboard or drawer.

 Tip #5:
  Use a hanging magazine rack to store your lids to pots and pans. (Genius!)

 Tip #6:
  In your fridge, use wire shelves and/or lazy susans. Use bins to store like items - use various sizes: large ones can hold fruits, smaller ones can group "sandwich making" items together or "sauce making" etc.

 Tip #7:
  In your closets: hang all of your hangers backwards. As you wear clothes hang them in correctly. At the end of the season (or year) whatever hangers are still hanging backwards you know you can donate that item of clothing because you know you haven't worn it.

 Tip #8:
  Store your boots with pants hangers in your closet. You can also make "shoe storage" for your walls using crown molding.

 Tip #9: 
  Store your matching sheet sets inside the matching pillowcases. Stores so flat and looks pretty sitting on the shelf.

Tip #10:
  Put a shelf over your bathroom door for things that you don't need regular access to. 

Whatever organizational needs you are looking for - I hope you found something here to help you.


Good luck!

BellaOnline Cleaning

Make it a great one!

Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife - in our 18th year of wedded bliss, Stepmother to 2 adult children, Mother - (G16, G15, B12, G10, B9, B5, G4, & B1), StepMother-In-Law to 2, StepGrandmother to 4 precociously precious little boys! Blessed, Happy & Satisfied!

Tip Tuesday: Cleaning Hacks for your Bathroom

Here are some cleaning tricks to help you get your bathroom clean and also to help you maintain that level of clean that you wish for.

In the Bathroom:

-- Spray the inside of the shower tracks with your preferred multipurpose cleaning solution. Use a toothbrush that you have covered with your cleaning rag and wipe it all down. If you need to clean more you can cut off fairly small parts of your Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and use your toothbrush to get it into the edges and crevices that need cleaning. 

-- You can also use your toothbrushes to clean other small and not easy to get to places like the tops and bottoms of baseboards, heater/ac vents and the fan covers in the ceiling.

-- Dental floss is a great tool to get the nasties out of tricky spaces like faucets and toilet handles. 

-- For an overnight solution to cleaning your shower head: pour white vinegar into a storage bag - enough that you can fully immerse your shower head into it. Tie it off and allow it to soak completely overnight OR all day while you work. All you will need to do is rinse it off. IF you have some harder to clean areas then you can use your old toothbrush and scrub away.

-- Toilet cleaning can be easily done by using a mixture of 1 cup washing soda, 1/2 cup peroxide, and a 1/2 cup of white vinegar in to the toilet bowl. Add your brush and let it all sit there for several hours. Not only are you cleaning your brush but your toilet will wipe down easily. This can be done over night or during the day. Just make sure you don't allow someone to use it. 

-- Add a 1/2 cup of pine-sol or your favorite deep cleaner into your Toilet bowl brush holder (make sure animals and children can't get to it). This will keep your brush fresh and will discourage germs and things to grow there.

-- Refresh plastic shower curtains and liners by placing them in the washing machine with a few old towels, which act as scrubbers to help get rid of soap scum and mildew. Wash on warm with a normal amount of detergent. Rehang to dry.

-- Use 1 part isopropyl alcohol, 1 part white vinegar and 2 parts distilled water. I add in a drop or two of blue Dawn. This works fantastic for a streak free window/mirror cleaner.

-- A loofah sponge will clean away soap scum and bathtub rings with your favorite soft cleaner. 

-- To clear scum and residue out of your drains: spoon a cup of baking soda into the drain (go as far down as you can) then pour a cup of white vinegar and let it fizz for 5-10 minutes. Pour a half gallon of boiling water over the top to rinse.

Good luck!

BellaOnline Cleaning

Make it a great one!

Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife - in our 18th year of wedded bliss, Stepmother to 2 adult children, Mother - (G16, G15, B12, G10, B9, B5, G4, & B1), StepMother-In-Law to 2, StepGrandmother to 4 precociously precious little boys! Blessed, Happy & Satisfied!

Tip Tuesday: Green Cleaning 101

Green cleaning can be confusing. This article will expose some of my favorite green cleaning tools and products to make cleaning efficient, economical and Easy. The best E's of cleaning!

If you maximize the ingredients you use for cleaning then you will safe your self space as well as time and money. As long as you try to keep it simple and try to use as small amount as you can, you will always have good results! Just remember, you can always add more - you can't take it away.

Here are some Favorite Green Cleaning Products and Materials:

Microfiber Cloths:

Good microfiber cloths stand up well over time and have a much better anti-bacterial cleaning effect compared to regular microfiber cloths. Combined with water, they work much better at cleaning windows and mirrors than any of the chemical window cleaners you can purchase and are even great for cleaning walls and oven tops. 

Water Bottle:

If you plan on doing any amount of homemade cleaning products then you need to invest in quality water bottles. If you buy dollar store bottles, expect to replace them more frequently. However, by purchasing a quality water bottle (or two or three) you will actually save yourself money in the long run. Make sure you clearly label them!

Vinegar:

White distilled vinegar is as cheap to purchase as it is effective to use.  It will loosen dirt, disinfect, deodorize, and help to remove mineral deposits and stains.  Although some people do not love the smell, it does dissipate quickly and will leave your home fresh.  Vinegar can be used in a myriad of ways. The best mixture that I find that works is a 50:50 with water.  Just remember that the acidic properties of vinegar can eat away at stone and should be used sparingly (& rinsed extremely well) from granite and marble.

Hydrogen Peroxide:

Like vinegar, hydrogen peroxide is a great non-toxic disinfectant and is also helpful for stain removal. You can attach a spray bottle to the top of your bottle and spray it. Be careful because it can have 'bleaching' tendencies so you will want to test it out on a small, out of the way place prior to using it on large areas.

Baking Soda:

This is a great tool for deodorizing. You can use it in a shaker bottle (think cheese shaker from a pizza place) and sprinkle it directly on areas that need a little extra scrubbing. It is great in the bathroom as well as the kitchen!

Washing Soda:

Washing soda is basically baking soda’s father or grandfather. It is stronger and more powerful. Because the ph balance is higher than regular baking soda it can be a skin irritant. Be careful to wash/rinse well after using it. It is great for laundry, removing stains, and other hard cleaning jobs.

Fresh Lemons or Lemon Juice:

Lemon juice is good for bleaching and disinfecting and leaves a nice fresh scent behind.  Bottled lemon juice can be a cheaper alternative and will work as well. You will just lose out on the fresh smell. Be careful of using it on stone as it is acidic. They do make water bottles that have citrus juicers right on top - this would work out best if you chose fresh lemons for your cleaning needs. It only lasts about 4 days after squeezing so you will want to make it up as you go.

Castille Soap:

Castille soap is made from 100% plant oils, is non-toxic, and completely biodegradable.  You can use it in liquid or bar form. It is a great all-purpose cleaner that works great for washing dishes and even in your laundry. You can purchase it scented or unscented and add your own essential oil to it. My favorite cleaning scent is lemon. 

Essential Oils:

Essential oils can not only be used to add a more pleasing smell to your green cleaners, but they can also be helpful in many other areas such as removing mold and mildew,  killing viruses, bacteria, dust mites, and cutting through grease. I am currently researching the best types of essential oils to use for cleaning. 

Good luck!

BellaOnline Cleaning

Make it a great one!

Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife - in our 18th year of wedded bliss, Stepmother to 2 adult children, Mother - (G16, G15, B12, G10, B9, B5, G4, & B1), StepMother-In-Law to 2, StepGrandmother to 4 precociously precious little boys! Blessed, Happy & Satisfied!

Tip Tuesday: Cleaning Before Vacation

There is nothing like taking a vacation! You get re-energized, recharged, and rejuvenated to do the things that are important to YOU - no matter what they are. If you leave your living space untidy in the crazy "get out of town" hassle then returning home can be a double edged sword. Not only will you need to catch up on the laundry, but you will need to clear out the mess that was left behind. Nothing sucks the fun out of vacation like cleaning up pre-vacation mess. 

Here are some things to think about before planning your vacation. Make sure to leave yourself enough time to make coming home more enjoyable. Your living space should reflect the calm and peace you felt on your vacation. This will help you to come home and remember and enjoy the good feelings of your vacation. 

There are three main areas to conquer. 

KITCHEN:

You will want to leave your kitchen completely clean. This means: sweeping & mopping - as needed, counters completely cleared and wiped down, refrigerators emptied and wiped out (if longer than 2 days), garbages emptied and baking soda sprinkled in the bottom of the empty bag (1 tbsp), and 1/2 a lemon ground in the garbage disposal. 

BATHROOM:

Counters and toiled need to be wiped down and the garbage emptied. You can sweep if it needs it. If you have time, wipe down the mirrors and faucets. You can close your drains (keep bugs at bay) as one of the last things to do before locking the house. Set out fresh towels so everything is ready for your return. Sprinkle with lavender essential oil or powder. 

COMMON AREAS:

These rooms should be picked up and vacuumed. You can dust if you have time but it isn't necessary. Just make sure the trashes are emptied and relined. Make your bed - if you have time launder you lines so everything is fresh for your return. 

If you leave your house fresh and neat when you leave - once you come home the hardest part will be putting everything away and catching up on the leftover laundry. 

Good luck!

BellaOnline Cleaning

Make it a great one!

Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife - in our 18th year of wedded bliss, Stepmother to 2 adult children, Mother - (G16, G15, B12, G10, B9, B5, G4, & B1), StepMother-In-Law to 2, StepGrandmother to 4 precociously precious little boys! Blessed, Happy & Satisfied!

Tip Tuesday: Habits of Keeping a Clean Home

Here are 15 of the most important habits to get into in order to keep your house clean.

#1: As soon as you finish using something - put it away, correctly. The MOST important tip!!

#2: Put clothes away, don't lay them down randomly. Put in laundry bin or hang up. This makes "pick up" easier because you won't have to pick up clothes!

#3: As soon as you finish an working in the kitchen, clean that area up. (If you use the cutting board/counter: wipe it down, if you use the stove, wipe it down as soon as you are done).

#4: Don't own extra's of ANYTHING. This will elliminate clutter and you will save space and money too!

#5: Keeping all of your mail, bills, papers, etc. organized. Have a place for everything. Bills, coupons, mailers. As soon as you pay a bill - file it. As soon as the week is over for coupon/mailers, throw it out. Having a filing system will greatly help your paper problem!

#6: Only use your bed (& dare I say, Bedroom) for sleeping. Not for storage. 

#7: Make your bed, daily. This makes your room look 1000 times cleaner. 

#8: Get rid of extra blankets and pillows - only have what you need. 

#9: Always hang up coats and put away shoes.

#10: Clean the dishes (place in dishwasher or wash) as soon as you use them. Clean up the kitchen after EVERY meal/snack. 

#11: Dust regularly. Depending on your pet and dust situation you can probably get away with dusting once a week. If your area is a farm area or rural then you might need to do it more if the dust accumulates faster.

#12: Vacuum regularly. We vacuum twice a day. There are 10 of us in the home - trust me it needs it. You may only need to do it once a day or even every other day if you don't have pets. If you vacuum regularly your home will look cleaner.

#13: Keep Windows washed - inside and out monthly (or more as needed). This gives the appearance of your home clarity - inside and out!

#14: Don't let trash sit over night. This lets old food odors linger. By removing your trash every evening you are allowing your house to regenerate freshness!

#15: No matter your living arrangements it is important to respect the ones you live with. By keeping a clean home you are showing respect to all that live there.With everyone pitching in and everyone doing their part, they are showing respect to each other. This is key!

Good luck!

BellaOnline Cleaning

Make it a great one!

Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife - in our 18th year of wedded bliss, Stepmother to 2 adult children, Mother - (G16, G15, B12, G10, B9, B5, G4, & B1), StepMother-In-Law to 2, StepGrandmother to 4 precociously precious little boys! Blessed, Happy & Satisfied!

Tip Tuesday: How To Get and Stay Motivated to Clean

Sometimes you have routines in place for cleaning, but you lose your resolve or your excitement to follow through. Don't despair! All you need to do is find some quiet time in your day and follow these steps:

 1) Write down what IS working for you. Whether it is the tools, products or what you are doing that works - write it down. Don't second guess yourself. 

 2) Write down what IS NOT working for you. Be just as honest here. If you have doubts about it - write it down. Don't over think this.

 Once you figure out what is NOT working for you, it is time to do some tweaking. IF it has something to do with the routine of it - that is a pretty easy fix. Change it up! Whether it is the time of day or the actual job itself on that day, you can change things to better suit your current schedule.

 I make chore charts for every room in our home. I have children assigned to tasks as well as their Father and I. Sometimes they grow up and can do more or perhaps I find that the task I assigned them is to hard. I have to be flexible so that they can feel accomplished and not stressed out by their assigned tasks. If they feel like they can do it then there is less trauma about it. That doesn't mean that it can't be challenging to them. Challenging is good - completely impossibly difficult is not. I try to keep their chores age/maturity appropriate.

 If your routine needs work you might try some of these different ways to have a better routine:

 A) One room per day (plus daily tasks in kitchen & bathroom)
 B) Specific Daily Tasks (all dusting or all vacuuming per day)
 C) Minute by Minute Assigned Tasks (Jobs you will get done at certain times of day)

 Perhaps it isn't your routine. Perhaps you are getting bogged down because most cleaning tasks don't ever seem to be "completely" done. Tomorrow the same jobs will be done again. Sometimes you can feel frustrated. Take time to reward yourself. Whether you give yourself "TIME" daily to do what you want to do (ie: hobby, read, tv, exercise, etc.) or you reward your self with sometime (chocolate, a new book or shopping). Whatever will help get you motivated, do it!

 Sometimes you just need to feel accountable for the cleaning. If this is you, you can either choose to be accountable to your family members (ie: husband, children, etc.) or you can use your best friend, mom's group, etc. Figure out how often (daily, weekly, monthly) you will check in with each other. Make sure you are specific and you follow through.

 Having realistic expectations on what you can and will accomplish is a great motivator in and of itself. Challenge yourself (just like the children) but don't overwhelm yourself.

Good luck!

BellaOnline Cleaning

Make it a great one!

Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife - in our 18th year of wedded bliss, Stepmother to 2 adult children, Mother - (G16, G15, B12, G10, B9, B5, G4, & B1), StepMother-In-Law to 2, StepGrandmother to 4 precociously precious little boys! Blessed, Happy & Satisfied!

Tip Tuesday: Simplifying Chores in a Crisis

There may be times in our family life that crisis sets in. Whatever that crisis may be it is a great idea to have a gameplan on what chores NEED to get done and what chores can be done away with - temporarily. Obviously if you have a big family the more you can spread around the chores getting done. You just have to get creative (especially with children that might be under stress) and everything will go more smoothly.

One of the first things that still need to be done is the kitchen. Basic cleaning in the kitchen. This isn't the time for deep cleaning. Keep it basic. Keep up with dishes, sweeping and floor clearing. If you have time (& energy) then you might try clearing out the fridge at least once a week, especially if you have had meals brought in. You don't want to lose track of the delicious food that you do have available.

Another area to not forget is the bathroom. Again, keeping it basic. You will want to keep everything tidy - especially if there is a sick person that needs things sanitized or if you have visitors coming in (like for a funeral). A quick daily swish of the toilet and making sure the trash has been taken out, clean towels are out and the floor stays tidy. Just keeping up with this little bit will make a huge difference.

The only other areas to be concerened about are entrance ways - making sure they are clear and walkable. Dusting and sweeping optional, but will make your living space feel cleaner. Another space is the visitor area. If you have a separate living area, this room should stay tidy and kept picked up. This will make those unexpected visitors feel less troublesome and more welcome.

If you have children that you are managing as well, it will be imperative to keep things light and fun for them. They need to keep to a routine. Having chores and responsibilities will greatly aid in their comfort because it gives them that routine. Making a game out of it or making everyone feel special and encouraged will aid in the atmosphere of your home. If you can keep them feeling positive and happy then everyone will feel better.

No matter the crisis you may be facing (now or in the future) having a plan for the cleaning aspect can help things run more smoothly.

Good luck!

BellaOnline Cleaning

Make it a great one!

Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife - in our 18th year of wedded bliss, Stepmother to 2 adult children, Mother - (G16, G15, B12, G10, B9, B5, G4, & B1), StepMother-In-Law to 2, StepGrandmother to 4 precociously precious little boys! Blessed, Happy & Satisfied!

Tip Tuesday: Clean Indoor Air

There are known plants for cleaning our indoor air. Why is this important? Well, if you suffer from allergies (or a family member does) there are some beneficial plants to keep around your home that can help filter out some of the bad "air" that can collect in homes over time. Whether you live in a hot climate or a cooler climate, if your house stays closed up for any length of time it is a great idea to have a couple interior plants - easy upkeep and manageability - in your home to help give it the fresh, clean feeling.

One of the first plants to talk about is the Gerbera Daisy: 

  There have been studies done that show that it absorbs the carbon dioxide out of the air and can even put out oxygen over night! If you have better oxygen at night then you are almost guaranteed to have sweet dreams! Nasa has even done research that shows that it can remove benzene from the air. This is a cancer causing chemical.

Another great plant is the Aloe Vera:

  You probably already know this one for its great ability to help heal burns topically. It also has the properties to collect and remove formaldahyde from the air. 

The Ficus Alii:

  This plant is said to work wonderfully as an air purifier. This is a great one for allergens in your home. This plant can help remove those for you!

One of the the other top performing plants is the Areca Palm:

  Another great plant for purifying the air. This plant can get fairly large and as it grows so does its capacity to purify more. The Areca Palm is one of the most widely known as the best air purifiers.

The Pygmy Date Palm:

  This is another great plant for the removal of formadehyde in the air. It is also great at removing xylene which is a chemical that is found in many plastics and cleaners.

The Baby Rubber Plant:

  This plant is an air cleaner. How it effectively does this is it releases high oxygen content into the air. This will in turn clean the air and pull out the toxins left behind by chemicals and other house hold air impurities.

The Mass Cane, The Boston Fern and the Chinese Evergreen:

  These plants are much like some of the others as they are great at the  removal of formaldehyde from the air. They are really good at cleaning the air indoors and purifying it.

No matter your personal taste in plants, you are sure to find one that will work for you!

Good luck!

BellaOnline Cleaning

Make it a great one!

Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife - in our 18th year of wedded bliss, Stepmother to 2 adult children, Mother - (G16, G15, B12, G10, B9, B5, G4, & B1), StepMother-In-Law to 2, StepGrandmother to 4 precociously precious little boys! Blessed, Happy & Satisfied!

Tip Tuesday: More Simple Cleaning Tips and Tricks

There are few things that make you feel more accomplished than having a clean home. Following some simple tips and ideas you can get more done in less time and with minimal effort! What more can you ask?

1) Cleaning between the glass on your oven door. 

 This one can be tricky. You will need a wire hanger or another long thing with a hook on the end. On the end of the hanger that you have straightened - you will want to attach a Windex Wipey or your own homemade windex rag. It needs to be fairly thin. You will want to make sure it stays on by using a rubberband or a hair band. If you lay on your kitchen floor and look up under your oven door you will see a space between the glass. This is where you will poke your 'cleaning tool' up and in. Wipe all around and you will be amazed at how much grime can come off onto your rag!

2) Removing Nail Polish from a tile/laminate/linoleum floor - 

 The sooner you can get the stain removed the better job you will be able to do. First use your fingernail polish liberally all over the spillage. Next you will wipe it up. If that hasn't removed all of the stain, use Mr. Clean Magic Eraser to pull up the rest. You can also use hairspray. Once the polish is removed, clean the area with warm, soapy water. This will remove any lingering residue.

3) Getting streak free, clean windows - 

 You will want to use equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Next just add 2-3 drops of Blue Dawn Dish Soap. (I like to add about 1/8 cup of Isopropyl Alcohol to mine. It helps the windows dry really fast! Then just use like you would Windex!

4) Removing Permanent Marker from wood floors -

 If you use a dab of white toothpaste onto the marker and wipe it off with a damp rag. The marker should be completely gone!

5) Removing labels (& the sticky residue) - 

 Fill your sink with hot water and add a scoopful of Oxiclean. Dump your bottles or items into the sink and let the sit for about 30 - 45 minutes. All of the labels will be floating in your sink! Just wipe the items down really quick and let them dry. 

Good luck!

BellaOnline Cleaning

Make it a great one!

Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife - in our 18th year of wedded bliss, Stepmother to 2 adult children, Mother - (G16, G15, B12, G10, B9, B5, G4, & B1), StepMother-In-Law to 2, StepGrandmother to 4 precociously precious little boys! Blessed, Happy & Satisfied!

Tip Tuesday: Simple Cleaning Tricks

Looking for some simple but useful cleaning tricks to help motivate you and help you get your cleaning done faster? Look no further!

1) Restoring Scratched Wood Furniture - 
       Mix 1/2 cup vinegar with a 1/2 cup of olive oil (don't use extra virgin for this). Just dip a cleaning rag into your mixed solution and rub it in to the surface of the wood furniture you are trying to restore. You should see the results immediately.

2) Cleaning Childrens Toys - 
       The best solution for cleaning childrens toys, that I have found, is a mixture of Vinegar and water. I use about 1/2 and 1/2 of vinegar and water and just an 1/8 of bleach (if I think the toys need EXTRA HEAVY DUTY CLEANING. The smaller toys I run through the hottest cycle (air dry though) on the dishwasher -  about 1 cup of VINEGAR ONLY. For larger toys I place them in the kitchen sink and wash them with a rag dipped in the solution (Vinegar AND Water). I let these air dry on the counter and table - depending how many I am doing at a time.

3) Refresh towels and remove the mildew smell -
      Just add a 1/2 cup vinegar to your towel load - do not add any detergent. Run the cycle on hot water. If you still smell the mildew odor, use 1/2 cup of baking soda (no detergent) in the next wash cycle. Again, using hot water. I have only used the vinegar trick and have never had to use the baking soda in a 2nd wash. 

4) Cleaning up your cookie sheets - 
       Place 1/4 cup of baking soda in a glass bowl and add hydrogen peroxide until you get a paste. This concoction will clean most everything in your kitchen that needs to be cleaned. Just rub it in and wipe it off (or you can use a scrubbie). For your cookie sheets you want to sprinkle the pans with the baking soda and then spritz the peroxide over the top. Then sprinkle an added layer of baking soda over the top of that. Then let it sit for about 2 hours (or more). You should be able to just wipe it off with minimal scrubbing or effort. AWESOME!

Good luck!

BellaOnline Cleaning

Make it a great one!

Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife - in our 18th year of wedded bliss, Stepmother to 2 adult children, Mother - (G16, G15, B12, G10, B9, B5, G4, & B1), StepMother-In-Law to 2, StepGrandmother to 4 precociously precious little boys! Blessed, Happy & Satisfied!

Tip Tuesday: Children & Chores

When trying to have a home/living space that is happy and cooperative it is best to include all members of the household with the cleaning tasks that need to be done. The reason you want your children involved in the cleaning is so that when they are adults they will be able to function at their best - they will already know how to keep and maintain their homes properly. They won't have to learn on the fly, as it were.

How we involve our children is through chore charts - they know what job they are responsible for each day of the week. They also have a chart that can be referred to so they know what the exact cleaning expectations are for that particular task.

This is another idea for getting your children involved with the household tasks that need to be done at your home. These are chore baskets. You place everything that will be needed to complete one particular chore inside the basket. When they child grabs the basket they know exactly what to use and how to use it and where to use it. Everything is clearly marked and labeled. You can do it by room OR by job. For example, you can do a basket that is for DUSTING or a basket for the living room. If you do it by job, then you won't have to double or triple up on your cleaning products. BUT, if it is easier for your family to clean by room, then you will want to spend the extra time getting each room's basket perfectly organized.

Today we will talk about baskets by Job.

Dusting:

 Inside this basket, you will need the dusting rag/tool - multiple ones for different types of jobs, your dusting spray, directions for what it is used for and how much. 

Bathroom:

 Inside this basket: rubber gloves (for cleaning the toilet, if needed), scouring pads for sinks, cleanser (whatever cleaners you want used in your bathroom), garbage bags (to place bathroom trash in), pumice stone for the toilet, directions for how to use each of the cleaners and tools and where to use the basket.

Kitchen:

  Inside this basket you will include the tools and cleaners that you need to have and maintain a clean kitchen. Make sure everything is clearly labeled and directions are simple and precise.

Make sure that you aren't giving baskets to children that aren't mature enough for that job. A buddy system is a great idea until younger children get the hang of what is expected of them.

However you choose to help train your children, may you always have success!

Good luck!

BellaOnline Cleaning

Make it a great one!

Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife - in our 18th year of wedded bliss, Stepmother to 2 adult children, Mother - (G16, G15, B12, G10, B9, B5, G4, & B1), StepMother-In-Law to 2, StepGrandmother to 4 precociously precious little boys! Blessed, Happy & Satisfied!

Tip Tuesday: Deep Cleaning Your Home

Here is a list of things that need to be cleaned on a regular basis - but not everyday. They are things that, when you clean them, make a huge difference in how your home feels and looks. It is always a great idea to walk into your home, as a guest would, once in a while. When you use 'fresh eyes' you will notice things that need to be touched up or repaired that you have just grown used to as time has passed. It is a good idea to try to do this type of walk through once a month or every other month, keeping a list as you go. This way, you always know what needs to be taken care of!

 1) Cleaning blades of ceiling and floor fans
 2) Sweeping porches, entryways and walkways (outdoors)
 3) Wash interior and exterior thresholds - including doors!
 4) Clean welcome mat
 5) Wash sides of house - noting anything that needs repair or touch up
 6) Wash all doors (exterior and interior) making sure to get border and knobs
 7) Wash all vent covers (ceiling, floor, etc.)
 8) Reseal grout
 9) Wash walls & trim (touch up paint too!)
10) Wash all windows, screens and sills (interior and exterior)
11) Wash all cabinets - inside and out
12) Wash inside/outside of washer and dryer
13) Wash all switch plates
14) Wash children's toys
15) Sort all Cd's, DVDs, books and magazines - tidy bookshelves, purging what isn't used/needed
16) Clean off electronics
17) Vacuum/clean all furniture - spot clean as needed
18) Wash bed linens, pillows, duvets, curtains, throw pillows and blankets
19) Dust all shelves, furniture and wall hangings/decorations
20) Clean lamps and shades
21) Polish tables and wood furniture
22) Wash table lines
23) Clean/dust all light fixtures/chandeliers
24) Clean under kitchen appliances
25) Clean all kitchen (large & small) appliances - interior and exterior
26) Clean back splash and walls above counters in Kitchen
27) Clean and organize refrigerator and freezers, pantries and cupboards
28) Clean all mirrors and frames
29) Clean/clean all cupboards and vanities - purge what you don't use/need
30) Clean mattress - turn and flip. Freshen by sprinkling with baking soda, letting it sit and then vacuuming it up.
31) Air out your mattress pad(s)
32) Move bed - clean out from underneath.
33) Clean out all dressers/drawers/closets - linen, bedroom, storage, etc. Purge what isn't needed/necessary (donate, toss, etc)

No matter how long it has been since you did any of these jobs, your house will thank you for taking the time. You can break up the jobs by room or by 'type', conquering a little bit every day.

Good luck!

BellaOnline Cleaning

Make it a great one!

Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife - in our 18th year of wedded bliss, Stepmother to 2 adult children, Mother - (G16, G15, B12, G10, B9, B5, G4, & B1), StepMother-In-Law to 2, StepGrandmother to 4 precociously precious little boys! Blessed, Happy & Satisfied!

Tip Tuesday: Cleaning your Washing Machine

Cleaning your washing machine really takes no time, but the payoff of doing so is huge! Just think, no more stinky washing machine! The bonus is it looks great, it smells great and it works great!!

I suggest you start with completely wiping down the exterior of your washing machine. You might need to get a q-tip to get inside the small nooks and crannies. This will just take a few minutes, usually. If your machine is outside, it might take longer. As you clean the exterior, fill the washer with hot water and 2 cups of white vinegar. You can use the water to help you wash down the fabric softener cup, etc. You will want the vinegar to sit in the washer for a couple of hours. You could let it sit while you go to work. After your allotted 'wait' time, go ahead and let it finish the cycle.

Once you have completed the cycle you will need to run it again - let it go through a complete cycle. If you notice residue on the interior, this is a great time to wipe off. I suggest Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (before your washer gets full of water). You can always use straight vinegar and wipe the debris away with that.

The next step is to start another cycle - I like to use hot water for the cleaning cycles - even if I use cold water on most of my laundry. You will add 2 cups of bleach. Let it sit for an hour and then run it again. If you let it sit longer - that is fine, too!

No matter how long it has been since your machine was last washed down you will appreciate the clean, fresh scent of your laundry room and of your washing machine after spending a day (off and on) getting your machine in tip top clean condition. It won't take very much "elbow grease" and adding it to your Spring Cleaning repertoire will be a great addition for your whole family, especially if you have family members that suffer from allergies. You never know where mold spores will grow and cleaning your washing machine is a great way to take a proactive stand against mold/allergens in your washing machine!

Good luck!

BellaOnline Cleaning

Make it a great one!

Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife - in our 18th year of wedded bliss, Stepmother to 2 adult children, Mother - (G16, G15, B12, G10, B9, B5, G4, & B1), StepMother-In-Law to 2, StepGrandmother to 4 precociously precious little boys! Blessed, Happy & Satisfied!

Tip Tuesday: More Cleaning Tips and Tricks

Some tips an tricks to help you make the most of your cleaning time!

Kitchen:

Cleaning residue off of appliances -  Mix 1 tbsp Cream of Tartar with a few drops of water. Rub it into your appliance. Scrub with a sponge/cloth and then wipe clean with a damp paper towel. 

Outside:

Cleaning your Front Door - Mix 1 cup of vinegar with 1 tbsp of Dawn Dishsoap and 3 cups of water. I regularly clean my front door so I never need to 'scrub' it. If yours has a build up you might spray it with your hose first, then clean it. If you still have some tough stains, feel free to boil the water with baking soda!

Bathroom:

Toilet Bombs - Wear a medical mask to protect yourself from the fumes.  Mix 1 1/3 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup of citric acid. Put 30 drops each of Lavendar Essential Oil, Peppermint Essential Oil and Lemon Essential Oil into a spray bottle. (if you think your mixture needs to be more wet add just a few drops of water into the spray bottle.) You will spray a little at a time into your mixture. You don't want it too wet or else all your fizz will leave. Put mixture into your silicone molds and let dry for 4-6 hours. The dryer the better. Store them in a container (this batch makes 24) with a lid. 

LEATHER:

Leather Cleaner/Conditioner - (do not use on suede or unfinished leather! Make sure you do a SAMPLE test on a small, inconspicuous area). Mix 1/4 cup of olive oil, 1/2 cup of white vinegar and 10 drops essential oil (lemon is great!) together. You can just mix it in a jar. Dampen a cloth with the mixture and clean the entire piece of furniture. Use a different cloth to dry off the remaining oil. Don't saturate the leather - just use it to clean.

Leather Spot Cleaner - Protein based spot or stain cleaner just mix 1/4 cup lemon juice and 1/4 cup of cream of tartar. This will remove blood, mud, food and much more. (again use in a discreet spot first!!)

Leather ink/pen stains - Mix rubbing alcohol, hairspray, non acetone nail polish remover or cuticle remover together. A tbsp of each. Equal parts. Dab it on the stain and let soak in for a few minutes. Wipe it off with a clean cloth. Rinse with soapy water and then dry.

Good luck!

BellaOnline Cleaning

Make it a great one!

Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife - in our 18th year of wedded bliss, Stepmother to 2 adult children, Mother - (G16, G15, B12, G10, B9, B5, G4, & B1), StepMother-In-Law to 2, StepGrandmother to 4 precociously precious little boys! Blessed, Happy & Satisfied!

Tip Tuesday: Emergency Cleaning

If you have children, chances are you in a constant of flux with different scenario's being thrown at you pretty regularly. Whether it is urine on mattresses, scrapes that bleed or things that need stitches - I have some tips to help you see things clean again.


For mattresses:

If you have a child (or pet) that urinates on mattresses, the easiest way to clean up it and freshen your/their mattress again is by using a spray solution of baking soda and peroxide. Not only will this mixture remove the stain, it will leave your mattress smelling fresh and clean - not chemically. Just use a quarter cup of baking soda and a cup of peroxide. Stir until dissolved. Add water to fill spray bottle or leave in its more powerful state. Adding water for a larger area will be cost efficient for you, but you can leave it more concentrated.
You can use this mixture on a carpeted area - but it will remove ALL stains and dirt from that area leaving you a 'whiter' area then you may desire. Carefully choose an area in a location that no one can see before you try it out on the middle of the floor.

Blood Stains:

For ANY removal of blood stains with out fear of damage to fabric - use Hydrogen Peroxide. Just that. No need to rinse - unless you want to just dab at it. This is great for removing blood stains from clothing, mattresses, any fabric - in your vehicles, couches, etc. This will remove blood stains without damaging fabrics. I have used it when we take our dog to the vet and he had to have some work on his paw. He ended up bleeding all over my brand new car. Peroxide was actually recommended by our veterinarian, and amazingly, it works perfectly! From bloody noses, split lips and medical emergencies peroxide is a wonderful arsenal to have in your cleaning repertoire! It is fairly inexpensive and a little bit goes a LONG way. 

What is YOUR secret cleaning weapon?

Good luck!

BellaOnline Cleaning

Make it a great one!

Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife - in our 18th year of wedded bliss, Stepmother to 2 adult children, Mother - (G16, G15, B12, G10, B9, B5, G4, & B1), StepMother-In-Law to 2, StepGrandmother to 4 precociously precious little boys! Blessed, Happy & Satisfied!

Tip Tuesday: Cleaning Tips & Tricks For Your Home

Here are some tried and true tips and tricks that will help you make the most of the time you need to devote to cleaning your home!

Kitchen:

Cleaning your stove top - Whether you have a glass cooktop, gas or electric oven, you have probably had troubles getting all of the greasy stains off of your stove top. This is a fast and super easy trick that I love to use. Just sprinkle some baking soda directly onto your cook top. All you have to do now is get a wet cloth and rub the baking soda into the surface. You will know if you have enough depending on how easy the residue comes up. Once you have it all rubbed in all you have to do is wipe it off. Your stove top should totally look spectacular! (repeat as needed)

Stainless Steel Cleaner - just use vinegar! No need to dilute. Just spray on and wipe off. Optional: essential oils

Bathroom:

Unclog a drain - Pour about a 1/2 box of baking Soda in the drain. Then pour in a cup of white vinegar. Let it sit for about 15 minutes. Then pour 4 quarts of boiling/hot water down the drain. (not to be used in a toilet!)

Laundry Room:

Stains - Use 1 part Dawn and 2 parts Hydrogen Peroxide. If it is a really stubborn stain or you need 'grit' to help remove it add some baking soda. Just let it set on your stains for 10 minutes (or more) then wash as usual. 

Fabric Softener - Just use plain old vinegar. About 1/2 a cup per load. Feel free to add essential oils or a conditioner but those are completely optional.

Homemade Oxi-Clean Detergent -1 part hydrogen peroxide, 1 part baking soda, 2 parts water. Mix and use as a spot cleaner or as a pre-soak. Shake before each use. This is great for whitening your whites!

Other Living Spaces:

Hardwood Floor Cleaner - 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1 gallon of warm water, and 2-3 drops of essential oils. Mix and use. Remember with Hardwood floors you don't want to over saturate the floor with water. 

Floor cleaner - 3 tsp white vinegar, 16 ounces warm water, 1-2 drops essential oils. Mix and use. Feel free to add baking soda but you will need to boil the baking soda in the water for it to not leave a film on your floor.

Good luck!

BellaOnline Cleaning

Make it a great one!

Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife - in our 18th year of wedded bliss, Stepmother to 2 adult children, Mother - (G16, G15, B12, G10, B9, B5, G4, & B1), StepMother-In-Law to 2, StepGrandmother to 4 precociously precious little boys! Blessed, Happy & Satisfied!

Tip Tuesday: Cleaning your Fans

Have you ever had your house completely clean, had guests over and then notice that your fans were not cleaned? Whether they are ceiling fans or stand alone fans, having them looking clean and fresh makes a huge difference in the 'feel' in your home.


For ceiling fans, if they are too high to reach just by standing on the floor, I definitely recommend purchasing one of the fan cleaning rods - you can pick them up fairly inexpensively (probably less than $10) and it will make the job so much easier. I like to use my vacuum wand end on our fans (& blinds). It pulls the dust off AND keeps it trapped inside the vacuum so it isn't floating around the room as badly. Even if you vacuum the blades of your fan, they really need to be wiped down to get of the remainder of the debris that is left. Small dust particles will magnetize other dust particles much faster if they aren't completely removed. Using a damp cloth is best for wiping of the remainder.


For stand alone fans - whether they be big or small - it is a good idea to take the cover off (maybe once a year) to really deep clean it. On in between jobs it is best to take it outside and use a blower on it (easy peasy) or you use one of the compressed air-spray canisters that you use on a keyboard of the computer to blow out the dust. You won't be able to wipe it down, necessarily, but at least your fan will be dust free!


Having your fans in tip top condition at the the change of each season is really best. Unfortunately they get dusty whether you use them or not. So, keeping them on your quarterly "Things to Do" list will serve you well. Make sure you really give them a good, deep clean at least once a year - even ceiling fans. Just vacuuming or wiping away the dust/debris won't always keep it away - but a good wipe down with a damp cloth will hep keep it debris free a bit longer.


No matter the season, take time to look at your fans and get them cleaned up. It will really make your room sparkle!

Good luck!

BellaOnline Cleaning

Make it a great one!

Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife - in our 18th year of wedded bliss, Stepmother to 2 adult children, Mother - (G16, G15, B12, G10, B9, B5, G4, & B1), StepMother-In-Law to 2, StepGrandmother to 4 precociously precious little boys! Blessed, Happy & Satisfied!

Tip Tuesday: Garage Cleaning

This is a great time of year to get your garage in tip top condition. I like to get it done right after the big Holiday rush. It helps the whole living space feel organize and clean!

One of the first things we decide is what we are keeping and what we are getting rid of. If we haven't used it in the last 6 months then it is time to get rid of it (unless it is a seasonal item). A lot of times the clothing the children have grown out of has been bagged and left in the garage. This is a great time to donate items to a NON-PROFIT organization. I like to make sure that our items are going for the benefit of others and not at a profit for a person or company. Once we have our piles we set aside time (either this same day or one VERY soon) that we can take the items and donate them.

For any of our larger trash items - we try to set up our cleaning close to the time when our city has it's neighborhood pick up. This way our items don't stay on the street for very long. We just make sure everything is bagged and sorted in an organized way so we don't get confused on the "keeping" and "trash" and "donating" piles.

Having lots of shelves in your garage will greatly benefit your being able to keep it organized. Training your family to put things away from WHERE THEY GOT IT will be even better. Label things and either have the children come out and help get everything organize (our choice) or else make sure you have an 'orientation' with them so everyone knows where everything goes. One of the biggest problems for organization that most people struggle with is putting things back correctly. If you can get in the habit of using it and then putting it right back you will stay organized! Training young children to follow this simple rule will make their lives simpler, too.

Once we have like items with other like items and labeled accordingly, we generally use the blower and just blow out all of the dirt. We make sure that there isn't trash or debris floating around - we sweep that stuff up first. Be mindful when you use your blower that you don't get your trash and debris in your neighbors yards or in the road.

Good luck!

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Make it a great one!

Daughter, Sister, Friend, Wife - in our 18th year of wedded bliss, Stepmother to 2 adult children, Mother - (G16, G15, B12, G10, B9, B5, G4, & B1), StepMother-In-Law to 2, StepGrandmother to 4 precociously precious little boys! Blessed, Happy & Satisfied!