How to Make Your House “Spring Clean” All Year

Clear Plastic Drawers

“The Little Black Dress of Organizing” – Use them in every room of the house!

• Take advantage of the space under the bathroom sink. Before I used these boxes, it was a lot of wasted space. Now, I maximize the space by storing infrequently used items (sunblock in the summer, travel sized cosmetics, and extra toothbrushes and toothpaste) in these boxes, which are stacked on either side of the pipes.
• Keep small toys together like plastic animals, flashcards and card games, miniature cars, and marbles.
• Organize work supplies, like post-it notes and small pads, ink cartridges for the printer, glue sticks and scotch tape, etc.
• Store belts, bathing suits, a lint brush, and a sewing kit (“clothing care”) in my closet.
• Group batteries, extension cords, and tools.

Brother P Touch Label Maker.  PT 1290

Your home is guaranteed to stay neat and organized, if EVERYTHING is labelled. Here’s what you can label:

• The inside of drawers to differentiate long sleeve and short sleeve t-shirts.
• The bins that contain sports’ equipment and everyone’s hats, scarves, and gloves.
• The spices in the kitchen.
• The shelves of the playroom, so whoever cleans up knows where the games and puzzles belong.
• The chargers that accompany every electronic that enters my house. I want to know what each charger is and to whom it belongs.
• Every box of sentimental items I put on a high shelf.

A Decorative Tray

A genius way to store unrelated items

• Corral small items like loose change, eyeglasses, remote controls, and your lip gloss on a tray.  Transforms what might otherwise look messy to a neat arrangement that’s sylish and chic.

Apothecary Jars

The stylish way to a cleaner/neater bathroom.

• I use them for Q-tips, cotton balls, tweezers and clippers, hair elastics, lip balms and glosses, make-up applicators and more.
• When grouped together, small items look pretty and purposeful. Also, the inside of the medicine cabinet looks spic and span.

Glass Jars, Assorted Sizes

Artfully display collections that would otherwise “just take up space.”

• Display collections that otherwise would languish in plastic ziplocs and clutter drawers and shelves.
• Use these to house a cork collection, a matchbox collection, shells, sea glass, rocks, and jellybeans!

Black & Decker CHV1510 Dustbuster 15.6-Volt Cordless Cyclonic Hand Vacuum

For all the times you just don’t feel like using the heavy vacuum cleaner.

• Who wants to drag out a heavy vacuum cleaner for every little spill or pile of dust bunnies? Just grab your dustbuster and watch the mess disappear!

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser

A must have in any household.

• This is the perfect fix for marks that appear on hard wood, tile floors, or walls. The Magic Eraser is safe to use on most surfaces, and also removes built up grease on stoves and soap scum in sinks. It also works wonders on leather sneakers.  When my children come home with dirt on the toe of their Converse sneakers or get their fingerprints on the wall, a quick rub with the Magic Erase, and everything looks brand new!

 Downy Wrinkle Releaser

A huge time saver when you don’t have time to iron.

• It can be used on clothing, or even wrinkled sheets and bedding. Just spray on the wrinkled area, tug, and smooth.  Not only does Downy  Wrinkle Releaser smooth wrinkles, but it has a great scent.

What is the first thing you are going to tackle with your spring cleaning?

Featured picture from flickr

*Barbara Reich is not paid to endorse or associated with any of the products mentioned above.  She personally uses these products in her own home and with her clients.

Barbara Reich is a professional organizer based in New York, NY. Her tough love approach turns organization and clutter from chore to lifestyle. To find more tips from Barbara, please visit www.facebook.com/ResourcefulConsultants or www.resourcefulconsultants.com

My aunt died when she was 18 months of age due to ingesting a toxic cleaning product my grandmother was using. To prevent something like this in your home, either keep the cleaner locked up or try some greener solutions. Remember, cleaners may leave a residue that can get in the body through the skin, which you may want to consider with children or pets in the house.

The solution? Commercially prepared non-toxic cleaners products are usually more expensive than their regular counterparts. So the solution is to make them yourself! I’m going to start your wheels in motion by giving you some recipes!

Green Cleaning Product Recipes

Here are homemade antibacterial cleaning products with essential oils:

Diaper Pail Deodorizer

Use a cup of baking soda. Add 1 teaspoon of your favorite essential oil and mix well. Sprinkle in the bottom of the pail before you place your liner. Change out periodically.

Mold and Mildew

Make a spray with equal parts white vinegar and water. Add drops of your favorite essential oil to leave a fresh smell!

Bathroom Air Freshener

Use a one pound box of baking soda and add 20 drops of your favorite essential oil. Place under or near your toilet. Refresh as needed with more essential oil drops. Change out every three months and use the old baking soda in other cleaning solutions.

Silver Cleaner

Super cheap idea: Use a non-gel toothpaste to clean (don’t add essential oils).

Wood Furniture Polish

3/4 cup olive oil, 1/4 cup vinegar, and 20 drops lemon essential oil.

All Purpose Cleaner

2 tablespoons vinegar, 2 cups hot water, 1 tsp. washing soda, 1/4 cup liquid soap, add 20 drops of your favorite essential oil, and mix in a spray bottle.

Window Cleaner

1/8 cup vinegar, 1 cup water, 10 drops lemon essential oil. Place in spray bottle.

Laundry Detergent

You can make your own laundry detergent very inexpensively. The internet is full of ideas for making your own green cleaning products. Many do not call for essential oils. I like to add essential oils for the clean smell and because I like the antibacterial disinfecting properties.

Experiment! See how you can make your home a safer place to be, help the environment by not throwing away all the empty cleaner containers, and shave dollars off your budget!

For information about all the hazards of some cleaning products, check out How Toxic Are Your Household Cleaning Supplies?

What are some of your favorite cleaning products?

Joyce Harrell, RN, OCN is a holistic nurse who provides natural solutions for health and home. Joyce utilizes the art of nursing by implementing essential oils, enzyme therapy, vision boards, wellness coaching, and nutritional therapy to help you create an environment for your body to best heal.

Joyce is a wife, mother, nana, author, holistic healer, and above all committed to her relationship with God. You can find Joyce at www.NurseCoachOnline or email her at joyce@nursecoachonline.com.

10 Ways To Say I Love You

Here are a few fresh ideas for showing your love this Valentine’s Day:

1.) Buy them a new coffee cup and coffee goodies such as a seasonal type of coffee, fancy syrups, and flavored biscotti. Every morning will be extra special and they can think about you with every sip. You can even take your gift giving one step further and purchase a coffee cup with a warmer for an extra special touch. Switch out the coffee goodies for tea if they aren’t into java.

2.) Make them homemade cookies instead of buying candy or sweets. No time for homemade? Buy pre-made dough at the store and bake them yourself. They will be just as tasty and enjoyable as homemade!

3.) Set up a date for a cooking class with your loved one. Better yet, try out a new recipe with your spouse at home and prepare it together. If cooking a full meal with your loved one isn’t an option, try a quick breakfast like these Saturday Morning German Pancakes.

4.) Clean the house, do laundry, and any other tedious household task that could give your loved one a boost for the day or week.

5.) Purchase a photo session gift certificate. Photos of your kids, family members, and loved ones are a timeless work of art that can be treasured for a lifetime and beyond. Many photographers offer gift certificates and seasonal specials for sessions.

6.) Buy a favorite book or magazine. Don’t know which one to buy? Get a gift card and stick it in a new pair of house shoes.

7.) Surprise your love with new pajamas. This could be added to number seven for a super Valentine’s Day gift.

8.) Have their car washed and detailed, or save a few bucks and do it yourself.

9.) Write them a love letter. With everything including books digitized now days, the handwritten letter has become more and more scarce. Taking time to pen a letter expressing your deepest love and why you are grateful for that love will send your loved one over the moon with appreciation and gratitude.

10.) Make homemade Valentine cards and/or decorations with your kids. Grab crayons, paints, pencils, and paper and let your kids create their own Valentine’s Day masterpieces for loved ones. Download a copy of this Love printable by clicking here.

 What are some creative ways you can say, “I love You”?

Tiffany is a mamma, photographer, blogger and writer. She has worked in the publishing industry and as a high school art and English teacher. She’s currently working on a Master’s degree in English in between playing Hot Wheels and craft time with her toddler son. Her blog Easie Peasie features crafts, photography tips and ideas, recipes and anything she likes, adores or finds interesting or inspiring.

To begin our mother-son chat, I asked him what he thought my goals were as a parent and why I would ask him to clean up. He scratched his head, probably thinking the only reason I’d do it was to torture him, just like I thought my mom was trying to torture me when I was a child and she “made me” do chores. I then took that moment to explain that my goals were for him to grow up with the skills and habits he needed to be a successful adult. We discussed a variety of things that contributed to possible definitions of “successful adult,” one of which was for him to be able to clean up after himself. We discussed the benefits of him learning how to clean and why having order and being clean was important.

We also discussed service and how important it is to not only think about ourselves, but to focus on the needs of others. We talked about how cleaning was not only a way to keep order, but an act of service for those around us. I asked him how serving others may help him both now in his role as a brother, friend, and neighbor and later in life as he becomes a father and husband and what other examples of service he could think of. He wasn’t sure and that made me think that we need to expose him to more opportunities so he has more experiences to draw on should I ask him that question in the future.

As a parent, finding regular opportunities to raise responsible children can require patience. The time I spend “encouraging” my kids to do their chores increases the amount of time it takes to clean the house. But, having that patience helps me not only to have a clean house (shout out to the Electrolux Nimble, the world’s best vacuum!), but also to raise responsible and service-oriented children.

Aside from cleaning and helping others in our own family through chores or other acts of service, finding opportunities to raise giving children can be challenging. I have found lots of ideas online. This list is a great way to get started. And here are some tips for helping young children to be more charitable. And, I especially love this list, which identifies 10 tips for raising given children of all ages.

But the best opportunities, it seems, are those that present themselves to us as we go throughout our daily lives. Here’s one that happened just this past week…

Our friend Jeanne is in an assisted living facility and she needed to go to the store. Unable to drive or walk without assistance, we decided to make the outing a family activity. We loaded up her wheelchair and took her to Wal-Mart, where thankfully, they had a Senior Citizen Parking spot with her name all over it. We took turns pushing her through the store, walking up and down the aisles, gathering the things she needed. After an hour, with both her and our shopping done, we took her back to her new home, walked her up to her room, helped her put her things away, and returned home.

On our drive home, we talked to our kids about Jeanne, sharing her limited abilities at this point in her life. We helped them see that something as fun and simple to them as pushing her wheelchair was a huge act of service and kindness to her. Their smiles in recognizing their contribution recommitted me to creating more opportunities for them to have action-oriented opportunities that teach them responsibility and service while they’re young.

 How do you model and give your children opportunities to be responsible as well as service-oriented? Tips for helping them do chores? Serve others?

Choosing stress-relieving actvities—those that help calm you down, give you time to think, help you gain perspective, get your endorphins up, and get your creative juices flowing—can actually increase your productivity.

10 Stress-Relieving Hobbies That Can Increase Your Productivity

Check out these 10 ideas for relieving stress and focusing on what matters most:

1. Clean. Having an organized house and office in and of itself can be calming. But, doing the actual cleaning can be a healthy distraction as well as boost your endorphins.

2. Cook. Personally, I like the creativity and the stress-relieving process of cooking. I love to make up recipes, combining different ingredients for awesome results. And my favorite? I love to chop vegetables. I find something very stress relieving about it. Veggie trays are my favorite to make!

3. Exercise. Working out has several benefits. I love the natural high I get as well as spending an hour listening to upbeat music.

4. Play calming music. Whether you put on a CD or play a musical instrument, making time to play some softer songs has a calming effect on any environment.

5. Spend time by yourself or with loved ones. I don’t know anything more welcoming than being around people who love you precisely because of who you are.

6. Travel. Exploring foreign places, even within your own city or state, can be exciting, fun, and at the same time, stress relieving.

7. Write. Writing comes in so many forms: blogging, journaling, scrapbooking, creative writing, writing a book, emailing, texting, writing thank you cards by hand, and more. For me, journaling helps me get perspective and make more well thought out decisions.

8. Spend time in nature. My happy spot is a local flower garden called Thanksgiving Point. I can be having the toughest day in the world and have it all wash away after a couple of hours in that place.

9. Get some sun. If I’m too busy, don’t have a lot of time, but need to lose the stress and a boost in productivity, I will often go lay on the trampoline and soak up the sun. Even 15 minutes can make all the difference in my day!

10. Ponder. Focusing on areas other than those that bring stress into your life is a quick way to reduce stress. Activities that allow you to ponder can include prayer, mediation, yoga, and others. Make time for this every day and watch your productivity increase.

Aside from adding stress reducing hobbies, one of the most important things you can do to relieve stress in your life and to be more productive is to remove stress-increasing relationships and activities when possible.

What are your favorite hobbies and activities that help you reduce stress? How does making time for yourself help you to be more productive?

Photo courtesy of  Flickr.

My wife called earlier than expected, and I could tell she was up to something. She said to hurry home because there was something that had smooth cornering, slick contours, and plenty of power waiting for me in the garage. A description like that is likely to catch the attention of most any man, and it definitely caught mine. But I’ve been married long enough to not be fooled by such things. It wasn’t that I rushed home expecting to find a sports car, but I was curious nonetheless.

What I found when I arrived was an Electrolux Nimble upright vacuum cleaner. And I was thrilled. I had always wanted an Electrolux—not in the same way I covet a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport, mind you—and now I had one. But it’s not even that I enjoy vacuuming. My theory is that if you’re going to do something you may as well look good doing it (please, no snide remarks about my wardrobe).

The engineers at Electrolux have managed to take the very thing that used to get Elvis Presley in trouble with parents and turned it into something that parents would not only approve of but actually desire. And that thing is swivel action.

The Test Drive

You know when someone builds your expectations so much about something that it’s almost always a disappointment? This was my concern. This was kind of like when everyone told me that The Bridges of Madison County would be both the longest and worst movie I had ever seen…no, wait, it really was the longest and worst movie I had ever seen. Let’s just skip the analogy.

The Nimble has everything and performed in every way I had hoped it would. The vacuum maneuvered around furniture and children with the greatest of ease. The wand and hose allowed me to reach even the highest of stairs without hauling up the entire unit.

But the best part was that it worked. The vacuum worked hard. Piles of sand left over from last week’s trip to Arches National Park? Sucked into oblivion. Cheerios and ramen noodles left over from the sleepover with the cousins? Not even a trace. Small Legos and loose change? They didn’t stand a chance.

But wait, there’s more. You also get:

• Powerful LED headlight (for vacuuming in the dark)
• Bagless (note to wife: this does not mean it doesn’t need to be emptied!)
• 5-year warranty (better than a 4-year, and way better than a 3-year warranty)
• Sealed HEPA filter (High Efficiency Particulate Air if you’re scoring at home)
• Telescopic Integrated Wand System (Enough said)
• 3-in-1 VersaTool and Dusting Brush (Mere words cannot describe)

The Verdict

Until there’s an app that will vacuum the floor for me, the Electrolux Nimble will be put to good use. And now, you have a chance to win one.

The Giveaway

Please do the following three things to be entered for a chance to win an Electrolux Nimble (ARV: $299):

• Like the Electrolux Vacuums and Small Appliances page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ElectroluxVacuumsandSmallAppliances
• Like the Mom It Forward Facebook page: http://facebook.com/MomItForward
• Tweet the following:   GIVEAWAY! Enter 4 chance 2 win @Electrolux Nimble Upright Vacuum Cleaner (ARV $299) from #momitforward http://bit.ly/nCVjIn

When it comes to chores, what is your favorite cleaning gadget? What product makes cleaning more enjoyable?

The Fine Print

Winners will be selected randomly through http://random.org. No purchase necessary to enter. Giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. ET Sunday, August 28. See all terms and conditions here. This giveaway is available to U.S. residents only. Winners will be notified via email and announced in the Mom It Forward forum within 1 week of the giveaway end date. I was provided one Electrolux Nimble to review in compensation for this post. Photo courtesy of Flickr. 

I am not an expert in home management. While I could use some help being more organized, planning well-balanced meals, and teaching my kids to be more responsible around the house, I have discovered a few tips during my 14 years as a mom that have helped me stay on top of the more important things.

And tips were meant to be shared.

5 Tips to Staying on Top of House Cleaning

1. Put things away. Every time you leave a room, carry one or two things with you that belong somewhere else. Don’t just move them. Put them away.
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2. Schedule your cleaning. Make a list of cleaning tasks that you need to do daily, weekly, and monthly. And then put them on the calendar. If you need to mop the floor once a week, pick a day and stick with a schedule. Similarly, if a task needs to be repeated every day, find a time that works and keep to a schedule.
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3. Assign “zones” to family members. This is one situation where having a big family pays big. Each person has an area or two of the house that they are responsible for. That doesn’t mean that one child is stuck cleaning the play room on their own, but it does mean that each family member is accountable. Everyone must take responsibility for keeping the house clean.
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4. Reduce the clutter. Minimize what you have out in each room. Even when clutter is “organized” it still makes a room look messy. “Hide” toys in bins and on shelves, pick only your favorite photos and trinkets to display on shelves, and maximize on empty floor and wall space.
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5. Organize! Keep the tools (cleaning supplies, brooms, rags, etc) where they are used. If you regularly need to clean the upstairs bathroom mirror it makes sense to store window cleaner in the bathroom. Buy another bottle for the kitchen, or anywhere else that window cleaner is used.

What are some of your tips for keeping your house in good shape?

Lolli is a mother of five who believes that kids can do more than they lead us to believe. So she puts her kids to work cleaning and cooking as much as possible, reassuring them the whole while that they will thank her for it someday. When the kids are at school, Lolli spends her time writing on her blog, Better in Bulk, tweeting, and editing pictures from her latest photo shoots.

With so many products out in the market today, it’s hard to keep straight what you’re supposed to use on wood, granite, marble and leather surfaces. What’s best to use when polishing wood? Can you use the same product to clean granite and marble surfaces? Are there certain products that should never be used on leather?

Party Topic

Join Pledge and our panel of experts as we discuss how traditions for holiday preparations have changed in your house and how Pledge® can help. The party will be held on Tuesday, November 30 from 9-11 ET (8CT, 7MT, 6PT). Click here to see details about the Pledge® To Love Your Kitchen Contest and enter for a chance to win.

Party Details

• What: Girls’ Night Out (#gno) Twitter party (Click here to learn about #gno!)
• When: Tuesday, November 30 from 9-11 p.m. EST (8CT, 7 MT, & 6 PT)
• Where: Party with us on our very own Custom Tweetgrid! (Use hashtags #gno and #Pledgeyellowcan)
• Topic: How traditions for holiday preparations have changed in your house and how Pledge® can help
• Who: Brand Panelists: @megmeldrum @skpagel @curlygirl3, Community Panelists: @todaysmama @DineandDish @TipJunkie @mommyniri @goodLifeEats @xiaolinmama @daniellesmithtv @crafteNVy @TCreativeBlogs, Moderator(s): @jylmomIF @Dadventurous @troypattee and @MomItForward
• Party Favors: Click here to see details about the Pledge® To Love Your Kitchen Contest and enter for a chance to win.
• RSVP: Use Mr. Linky below (enter the twitter URL and your twitter ID (e.g., http://twitter.com/jylmomIF).

RT @MomItForward – Join #Pledgeyellowcan #gno Twitter party Tue 11/30 (9-11pm ET) on holiday traditions/cleaning http://bit.ly/dUDkjz PLS RT

Note: Mom It Forward accepts paid sponsorships for most #gno Twitter parties. During the parties, brand sponsors provide tips, techniques, expert advice, and information on party topics. Mom It Forward is grateful for the giveaway prizes, coupons, and discounts that sponsors also provide to the Mom It Forward community in conjunction with #gno Twitter parties.

The Prizes

This week’s giveaway is all about using natural laundry and cleaning products that are safe for the home, your health and the environment. Seventh Generation’s prize pack includes:

• Free & Clean Starter Kit:
• Disinfecting Multi-Surface
• Disinfecting Bathroom
• Disinfecting Wipes – 35 ct.
• Laundry Detergent – F&C 32 oz
• Liquid Fabric Softener – F&C 40 0z
• Dish Liquid – F&C
• All-Purpose
• Auto-Dish Pacs – F&C
• Glass
• Natural Paper Towel
• Seventh Generation Recycled Bag

Entry Requirements

For a chance to enter and win, please complete the following requirements and leave a separate comment for each on this post, including links to your original tweets.

1. Follow @SeventhGen on Twitter.
2. Visit the website, check out the product line, and leave a comment on Mom It Forward sharing which product you’d most like to have.
3. Tweet the following:

• Join the @SeventhGen #gno Twitter party Mon 10/25 (9-11 pm ET) & chat about healthy homes http://bit.ly/98uALH PLS RT

• GIVEAWAY! Enter 4 chance 2 win Seventh Generation Prizes for a healthy home http://bit.ly/c5OLhY #gno #SeventhGen PLS RT

Optional Entries

The following extra entry is completely optional and will earn you one extra entry for this giveaway. Leave a separate comment on this post for the completed entry.

Like the Seventh Generation page on Facebook

Terms and Conditions

Winners will be selected randomly through http://random.org. No purchase necessary to enter. Giveaway ends at midnight ET Tuesday, October 26. See all terms and conditions here.

Since we have to get around to these chores sooner or later, why not use products that are safe for you and your family as well as the environment? Using laundry products that are tough on stains can also be tough on the environment and your well-being. The amazing folks at Seventh Generation have created countless laundry and cleaning products that  are effective and safe for the air, the surfaces, the fabrics, the pets and the people within your living home.

Party Topic

Join Seventh Generation and our panel of experts as we discuss laundry and cleaning products. The party will be held on Monday, October 25 from 9-11 ET (8CT, 7MT, 6PT). Click here to see details about Seventh Generation’s Prize Pack Giveaway and enter for a chance to win.

Party Details

• What: Girls’ Night Out (#gno) Twitter party (Click here to learn about #gno!)
• When: Monday, October 25 from 9-11 p.m. EST (8CT, 7 MT, & 6 PT)
• Where: Party with us on our very own Custom Tweetgrid! (Use hashtags #gno and #SeventhGen.)
• Topic: Healthy Homes and Green Laundry
• Who: Brand Panelist: Cara Bondi, Sr. Research Chemist, @SeventhGen, Community Panelists: @myfourmonkeys @greenmom @CourtneyDetroit @WildOrchids09 @LadyofPC @purenaturaldiva, Moderator(s): @jylmomIF @Dadventurous @troypattee and @MomItForward
• Party Favors: Click here to enter for a chance to win Seventh Generation’s Prize Pack.
• RSVP: Use Mr. Linky below (enter the twitter URL and your twitter ID (e.g., http://twitter.com/jylmomIF).

RT @momitforward Join @SeventhGen #gno Twitter party 10/25–9-11 ET 2 chat HEALTHY HOMES AND GREEN LAUNDRY http://bit.ly/98uALH PLS RT

Note: Mom It Forward accepts paid sponsorships for most #gno Twitter parties. During the parties, brand sponsors provide tips, techniques, expert advice, and information on party topics. Mom It Forward is grateful for the giveaway prizes, coupons, and discounts that sponsors also provide to the Mom It Forward community in conjunction with #gno Twitter parties.