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!

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: Tools for Effective Cleaning

Depending on the job you have to do, there are certain tools that you need in order to be the most effective at it. One of the worst mistakes people make is not having their supplies on hand for cleaning and back up supplies as necessary.

One of the main tools that you need is your vacuum. Depending on the type of flooring your home has and if you have pets will determine the type of vacuum you should use. You need something that will get the job done without making it more difficult on you (ie: too heavy, too awkward, etc.)Finding one that doesn't take multiple replacement parts can be an added bonus.

Another tool that is important is a mop. There are lots of different kinds of mops out there. Finding one that suits your needs/ability is key to having a mopping success. If you are just starting out, it might be a good idea to trial run different kinds. Usually friends are a great resource both for using their equipment and for asking questions. You need to take in account the type of flooring you have and the solutions you need to keep it looking its best.

Next on our list is the actual cleaning solutions. There are so  many on the market. You can find "GREEN" ones, all natural ones, store bought of all kinds of ingredients. The choice is endless. My best suggestion: Don't get caught up on all of the new 'stuff' on the market. When you find what works for you - keep it. Some items to consider: Kitchen - degreaser, cleaner; Bathroom - heavy duty, disinfectant, toilet cleaner, shower/tub cleaner; Most other areas - furniture polish, window cleaner, spot remover, etc. The cleaning 'rag' you use can be a complicated store bought one with specific duties and tasks or it can be a used towel or wash cloth that has seen its best days in the past.

Some other things to consider - make sure you read what your manufacturer suggests for ALL appliances, flooring, wall coverings, draperies, etc. Just because the commercial says it will work for you isn't a guarantee that it will do the job that it says on YOUR problem area.

No matter that jobs you have to do at your home/living space, you can improve the quality of your cleaning time by using common sense and having the products on hand that you need the most at the right time.

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 for a Trip

Here is the scenario: you just found out you have to leave to the Bermuda Triangle in 4 days. Just you. Your family is staying behind. What can you do to get things clean before you leave. Another scenario is you are leaving and you have to get a house sitter.

One important thing to remember is everybody needs to pitch in and do their part. It is completely acceptable to assign tasks that will *need* to be completed while you are gone. It is not beyond reason to expect them to be done, either.

The biggest areas that need to be addressed are the bathrooms, kitchen, and sleeping areas. All of your other spaces (hallways, living room and family common areas) should be picked up.

I would suggest picking 1 room to do each day. If you only have 3 days then pick one room 'area' (ie the bathrooms, or the bedrooms) to be completed each day. You are wanting to get these spaces company ready in as little possible time.

First, obviously in the bedrooms you need to pick up the floor and get all laundry where it needs to be. If you need to do some extra loads of laundry prior to leaving - this is a good time to do it. Otherwise, you need to clear and dust the tops of all of your surfaces, wipe down the blinds and wash the windows (if they are due). Making sure the beds are made ALWAYS makes the rooms look cleaner and more organized. It is like magic!

In the bathrooms, if you don't have time for a deep, scouring clean then a company ready wipe down is all you need. I like to start with the vanity basin and then move to the tub/shower. I will then wash down the outside of the toilet and swish out the inside. After that I will make sure that I  wipe down (or mop) the floor (depending on what it needs. You will want to wash the windows quickly and snap! You are done!

Next up you have the kitchen. Hopefully you keep up on the kitchen so it won't be any kind of crazy hard task to complete. If your sink and dining room table are clean and your floor mopped - you are good to go. If you are leaving the house for a house sitter - I would definitely make sure what they are going to be using is left out for them (ie toaster, food, etc.)

Whatever your trip may be, you can now go and enjoy it and know that your home has been prettied up for those left behind. Now the trick is to have them keep up on it while you are gone!

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 Windows & Sills

Once a year I like to work on our windows, sills and curtains. I don't do every room in my house at the same time but break it up throughout the entire year. This makes it completely doable and easier. This doesn't mean that I don't do window washing the rest of the year, but this is the deep cleaning that needs to get done. Once I figure out which rooms for what month (write it down!!) I set to work. A good schedule for me is downstairs windows in the warmer months and upstairs windows in the cooler months. I have also done it where the rooms that will be used around the Holidays are the ones that I want to do closer to that Holiday time.


If I have fabric curtains or sheers, this is when I pull them down and wash them, dry clean them or beat them with a stick outside - depending on the fabric and it's care. My blinds are wide and I like to get those completely cleaned. Each slat gets a wipe down (or a vacuum) and the strings as well. The tops of the blinds or the crown molding get washed down. Usually I just dust with a damp cloth. A microfiber towel would work well, too.


Once I get the blinds and curtains washed and cleaned I work on the sills. I like to vacuum them out fairly regularly (especially if they are in a common area and can be seen). I wash the outside of the sill (or the window ledge) and make sure I get the sill vacuumed out. Use the attachment on your vacuum to get all the bits that like to hide in there. Also, feel free to do any nearby cobwebs that might be hanging out by your windows.


After vacuuming, I like to wash the windows inside and out. This is a great time to wash off the edges of the windows and get them clean. You can take off the screen (downstairs windows) and really get those windows clean. I like to use a mixture of rubbing alcohol, drop of blue dish detergent, and water to wash my windows. It works fabulously!!


Once everything is ridiculously clean, just start putting it back together: curtains in place, blinds open, windows sparkling in the sun. It always makes me feel like the whole room is more vibrant and clean!

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 up after the Holidays

If you have children cleaning up after the Christmas Holidays can really be daunting. Here are some tips and tricks to help you break it down into manageable pieces.

Pre-Holidays - 

It is a good idea to go through your childrens (& your own)toys and belongings. You know that the Holidays brings more 'stuff', so making room ahead of time can be a real life saver!

Trash -

Christmas creates a lot of trash. Making sure you keep things separated for recycling can be helpful. All the wrapping paper and boxes and bags  need to be gathered together and bagged. Keep it all together in a certain place. Don't wait to collect paper cups and plates, etc. Make sure you are vigilantly keeping things garbaged without making yourself crazy!

Decorations - 

It is a great idea to go through your decorations and get rid of broken or unused items. This will save you space and time next year. If you didn't use it this year, chances are you aren't going to use it next year. Unless it is a Keepsake - get rid of it! Outside decorations are no exception. Make sure it is going to be used if you are keeping it. If some lights on the strand don't work then it is time to either fix it or use it for something else or donate it.

Miscellaneous - 

For all of your other Holiday paraphernalia making sure you keep things labeled will help you keep things put away in a clutter free way. Labeling is a sure way of finding it next year so that it can be used. Keeping your storage space organized will help you in future Holidays because you will easily be able to locate the things you need. Make it a goal this year to label your things as you pull them out to use. You don't have to make a huge fussy job about it. Just get it done as you use the items in your storage. Once you have your storage space (for us it is our garage) organized you will feel better and it will make your life so much easier! You won't have to dig through everything to find that one thing that you can find. Everything will have its place and its own home and you will know exactly where to find it!

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!

December Odd Holidays

DECEMBER

2nd - Eat a Red Apple Day

2nd - National Pie Day

7th - National Cotton Candy Day

8th - National Brownie Day

12th - Poinsettia Day

13th - Ice Cream Day

16th - National Chocolate Covered Anything Day

18th - Bake Cookies Day

20th - Go Caroling Day

25th - National Pumpkin Pie Day

28th - Card Playing Day

28th - National Chocolate Day

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!