Whirlwind's Housekeeping Tips
(insert fanfare here)
4. Squeeze toothpaste into nail-holes in the walls to hide them when your parents come to visit.
BWAHAHA .. never heard that one before.. Now when I visit my children in years to come I will be checking their bathrooms! LOL
I'll share this tip, as I just got finished doing it.
I keep one of those Mr. Clean Magic Erasers
Also, I give my kids a check-off list of their chores. They each have to keep thier own rooms clean, care for the cats and dogs and take on one household chore such as vacuuming or dusting. Every day they check off their lists as they do their chores. At the end of the week, if their lists are completly checked off, then we do something really fun together like make s'mores or have a pizza and DVD night. This really elimanted all the whiney "Do I HAVE to" whenever chore time came.
Love these Mr Clean Erasers! Work WONDERS!
I've never cleaned windows, but here's a tip that is told to be usefull...
some people tend to leave like lines when they wipe the dirty water of the windows, but when you get hot water and drop an onion in it, it should solve it.
I don't know if it works, but I heard it on tv (but they lie anyways, lol)
Speaking of glass...
I got water spots on the outsides of my windows at home. Tried everything. Vinegar, ammonia, bleach, soap, water, rags, scrub brushes, etc. It looks clean when I'm done, but when I got back inside and the sun shines on the glass...there they are. Spots.
I use newspaper after I use windex with a paper towel. I have also resulted to using the mr clean erasers first then windex, paper towels and newspaper. Works like a charm.
Wonderful advice and a timely thread! Being able to "throw it or give it" is often difficult for some though, so here is something I used to begin to be clutter free: Just put it in a box. You are not getting rid of it....just putting it away. You can get to it again whenever you want. In six months or less, when you haven't gotten back to it, it is very easy to give it up and it is already in boxes to do so. Love to all.
leia
agreed! I am in the midst of cleaning too because we have 5 months before lil jr gets here and I need my house to be organized so I can rest with recovery! I have put things in plastic bins that I know I want but don't have time to sort through and put them in my attic. So instead of boxes all over the attic and in closets I have nice organized LABELED plastic bins to keep things from dust and mice and spiders.
I also do a super clean in the kids room every 6 months. Usually Spring and Fall when I need to get their seasonal clothing out. We go through everything--clothes, toys, books etc.. If something wasn't worn in 6 months or no longer fits it goes in the donation bag. The season thing works for us to keep the extra clutter out that is not used regularly.
Also, my children have chore lists. They do not get "paid" to clean their rooms, do the dishes, vacuum, clean their bathroom or do their laundry. However, they do get paid to clean up dog droppings and mowing the lawn weekly.
My daughter came home recently and said that her and her friends were having a conversation about the chores each of them have. My daughter let me know that she is the only one with the most chores.
My hubby told her that it was that way for him as well. When he was younger his parents had him raking the yard, taking out the trash, cleaning out the garage etc.. while his friends made fun of him because he couldn't spend the day playing. He has recently caught up with alot of these old friends on facebook and have found that they are lazy and not real successful in thier work world.
We expressed to her that we aren't trying to punish her or make her not have any fun, but to teach her work ethic that she will appreciate in various ways later in life.
