Cleaning

It can be challenging to keep your kitchen clean and smelling fresh. Follow these tips to help and you will notice a difference.

Let Air In

Air can get stale quickly, especially if the food smell is lingering. Make sure you keep fresh air coming in by opening the windows. Use some potpourri around the kitchen for a beautiful floral fragrance.

Counter Tops

Keep your countertops clean and crumb-free by cleaning after each use. Crumbs have a habit of getting behind appliances such as toasters and microwaves, so pull these out and clean behind them regularly. White vinegar will clean your countertops well, but an online cleaning and medical supply store can provide you with fresh smelling cleaning products too.

Bin

Empty your bin regularly to get rid of bad smells, but make sure you clean it out too. A spray of disinfectant and a wipe around the base and sides will neutralize any odors that have been left behind.

Fridge

Your fridge can smell bad and become unpleasant if you have left food to go off in there. Use airtight containers to keep your food fresh for longer and make sure you clear your fridge out regularly to stop food from going off and turning moldy. Remember to clean your fridge shelves and trays regularly too as this will prevent bad odors from lingering.

Dishwasher

Keep your dishwasher clean and odor-free by using a dishwasher cleaner and rinsing well. Check your dishwasher filter regularly too as food can become caught in the filter and make your dishwasher smell bad. This will also prolong the life of your appliance.

Washing Machine

Check the filter and around the rim of your washing machine regularly. Also, it can help to put on an empty cycle occasionally as this will keep your washing machine odor-free and running smoothly. Don’t forget to wipe down the front of your kitchen appliances regularly to keep them looking pristine.

Cooker

Use an oven cleaner to keep your cooker fresh and smelling lovely. Don’t forget to clean the filter on the chimney hood too as grease can collect here and create bad odors. Wipe the hob after each use to prevent spills and crumbs from building up.

Floor

Use a clean and sweet-smelling broom and mop on your floor regularly. Mops can start to smell if they are not changed regularly and cleaned, so don’t forget this important part of floor hygiene. Crumbs can collect underneath appliances too, so pull these out regularly and clean around and behind them to stop crumbs building up and creating odors.

Dish Cloths and Tea Towels

These are a breeding ground for bacteria as they are usually kept warm and damp. Make sure you wash them regularly or buy disposable ones so that they can be changed often. A lot of bad odours in the kitchen can be traced back to these items.

Use these tips for a pristine and sweet-smelling kitchen.

While the majority of cleaning gurus will lay claim to the idea that when it comes to cleaning, spring is the time when the vast majority of your household chores should be completed. The truth is wintertime, with all its environmental muck, the mud and dirt brought in from the outside, the soot of the fireplace, and less-than-ideal indoor air. All of which makes cleaning in winter just as important as any other season.

So with this in mind, here are 7 cleaning chores you should be doing this winter to keep your home in its healthiest and cleanest shape:

Protect your floors:

To keep as much dirt and mud outside of your house as possible, place mats at all entry points. This will encourage people to rub the mud off their shoes using your mat, and not your carpets! Placing mats inside the house can also help reduce indoor dampness.

Performing regular vacuuming sessions, twice weekly at a minimum, can help to get rid of dirt on the floor and things being trucked in as well. It’s also a good idea to have a different pair of house shoes or slippers for each member of your household to wear while indoors.

This will help keep your floors from marring and prevent foot oils from transferring to newly cleaned floors. A Tip: Placing a boot tray, filled with river rocks, by each entrance will encourage others to remove their soiled, stained, soaked boots before coming further into your home.

Cleaning your home more often:

During the winter season, people spend most of their time indoors, so it’s best to maintain the cleanliness of the home daily rather than weekly. Maintenance is especially important when you have children and pets at home as they love to play both outdoors and indoors, making it essential that you regularly sanitize countertops, wipe out bathroom sinks, and sweep and mop high-traffic areas with disinfectants such as white vinegar with a few drops of organic citrus essential oils each day.

Carpet cleaning even in winter:

Having your carpet thoroughly cleaned helps protect your health. While everyone wants clean and beautiful carpeting in their home, they also should want a carpet that is not saturated with the chemicals common in ice melt and from rubber boots. Helping to remove this dirt building up, by sprinkling your carpet with baking soda, and vacuuming up the debris, will help to refresh your home and health!

Perform a pantry audit:

Start by removing all the cans and boxes from your pantry and storage shelves, and then vacuum away any lingering dust or crumbs that may have accumulated since spring. Then, inspect each item before putting it back in its place, tossing anything that is expired in compost, and donating anything you will not use within the next two seasons to a local food bank. You may be surprised at all of the soup-building staples you may already have on hand at home.

Test and clean your smoke detectors:

You already know to put fresh batteries in your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors on the days you change the clocks for Daylight Saving Time, but you also need to clean your units as well. Since dust accumulates on each unit, it can cause them to underperform. Use your vacuum cleaner’s soft brush attachment to clean in and around the detectors’ openings, and if any are more than 10 years old, replace them.

Flip your mattress:

When you turn back your clocks, you should turn your mattress over, too. But I also recommend rotating pillowtop mattresses a full 180 degrees to prevent body impressions from causing certain spots to slump. Also, sprinkle your mattress with baking soda to neutralize odors, and then vacuum it up monthly.

Vacuum all upholstered surfaces:

You think your couch is clean until you plop on it, and a haze of dust appears around you. Give sofas and chairs a good vacuuming, making sure to hit both sides of the cushions, the back, sides, arms, and even the platform underneath the cushions.

Don’t forget the exterior of your home after your 7 chores:

While interior upgrades should take priority, it’s also important not to overlook exterior projects. Start by clearing out gutters to protect against water damage and ensure proper drainage. Your foundation should be clear of debris to reduce pest infestation and water damage. Power washing the siding, deck, and patio will remove mildew, grime, or accumulated dirt over the seasons. Additionally, inspect the exterior walls, windows, and doors for cracks that might allow drafts or moisture in. Furthermore, examine your roof to look for missing or damaged shingles that might require repair. Hire a roofer if needed to make necessary repairs. Trim any overgrown bushes or trees near your home that could provide access for pests, as they could provide entry points for them and cause exterior damage. Don’t neglect to give some attention to the exterior during winter cleaning.

So, friends, those are the 7 Must-Do Chores To Do This Winter. Chores that will help to keep your home in tip-top, healthy shape. So now I have to ask, do you have any chores that you perform at home to help keep your home healthiest each winter? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Hello again, savvy savers! Today finds us with a new Thrifty Thursday Post, and today it’s my recipe for DIY Wood Balm! This is my go-to recipe for cleaning, prepping, and conditioning my kitchen cabinets, cutting boards, salad bowls, and storage containers! I make my blend for under $3.00, which lasts for over a year at a stint.

Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients: 

• 2 Tablespoons of Olive Oil
• 2 Tablespoons Mineral Oil
• 20 Drops Essential Lemon Oil
• 8 Ounces Beeswax

How to make this Balm:

1. Meltdown 8 ounces of pure, natural unscented beeswax in a double boiler, lined crockpot or cleaned out wax warmer.
2. Pour your wax into small, clean glass jelly jars, or any small container with a wide brim jar mouth.
3. While the wax is warm add your olive oil and essential oils.
4. Stir the wax blend for ten seconds.
5. Allow the blend to sit, meld, and solidify for one hour.

So, that’s it! This blend is natural, economical, and with a small amount on a clean, white cloth you will be able to clean and condition all of your wooden kitchen items within minutes. I condition my kitchen cutting boards quarterly, and kitchen cabinets annually!

Here’s to saving,

Since being diagnosed with PCOS and with an MTHFR-gene mutation three years ago, one of my missions in life has been to rid my home of necessary chemicals and toxins. While this may seem like a relatively simple process, but as I’ve transitioned to fully working from my home office I’ve stopped seeing cleaning as a series of weekend cleaning marathons and now more a daily stream of necessitated chores and routine maintenance that requires cleaners, tools, and a litany of products to be kept on hand at home.

With having health issues I’ve been at odds over which cleaners to buy. Should one go with tried-and-true cleaners or making products that may or may not work for our family’s needs? I’ve truly anguished over whether or not what I believed to be the best way to clean my home was correct, as most of what I know about cleaning and home care came from my Grandmother. All of which makes buying cleaners, solvents, and detergents more and more difficult.

One of my most difficult quandaries? Chlorine bleach. Growing up I cannot tell you the number of times I remember my Grandmother pulled out her trusty jug of bleach. From cleaning counters to laundry to even adding a capful of bleach to hand washed dishes, bleach was a staple in our home. My issue? Bleach causes me skin allergies, induced asthma symptoms, and makes my eyes water horribly. As a result, I stopped buying bleach.

But while my bleach allergies stopped the need to not have dingy, grayish laundry did not cease to be a need or concern in our home. Which led me to rethink my ban on bleach. Except, this time I needed to find an affordable, lasting bleach alternative. Particularly a natural, homemade alternative that brightens your clothes, smells good and doesn’t irritate my skin. A tall order indeed.

So I began with a little research to find the right natural bleach. I started working  with the following commonly known brighteners to find a viable at-home solution:

• hydrogen peroxide
• lemon juice
• baking soda
• vinegar
• citric acid
• lemon essential oil

While all of the items above will whiten and brighten clothes, not all of these products can be used together. For example, mixing vinegar and hydrogen peroxide creates peracetic acid, an acid which can be incredibly irritating to the skin, eyes, and nasal passages. So to avoid allergic reactions while cleaning, I eliminated vinegar off my list.

So using the remaining ingredients and after numerous rounds of washing our reusable kitchen cleaning clothes, I’ve come up with a combination that gets the job done and is very affordable! Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup Hydrogen Peroxide
• 1/4 Cup Lemon Juice
• 15 Drops Lemon Essential Oil
• 3/4 Cup Baking Soda
• 7 Cups Water
• 1 Teaspoon Citric Acid
• 1/2 Gallon Mason Jar

Method:

1. Combine all ingredients in a container.
2. Shake blend well before each use.
3. Use 1 cup per load, washing with hottest water setting available.

A few final thoughts:

While some other DIY recipes for bleach alternatives call for equal parts hydrogen peroxide and lemon juice, I thought that it would be a tad expensive with so much lemon juice. The 3:1 ratio I went with, in conjunction with the jugs of lemon juice I can purchase from Sam’s Club for a song, is enough to get the job done and keeps costs affordable.

As well, as a rule, hydrogen peroxide should be kept in a cool place and preferably in a dark bottle, and as should this blend. The water you add can be plain tap water. No need to use filtered water when it’s only going to be combined with tap water in the washer anyway.

Also, the water you add can be plain tap water as there will not be a  need to use filtered water when it’s only going to be combined with tap water in the washer anyway.

Now if you have ultra dirty clothes you might want to soak dirty clothes and solution in the washer overnight and then add detergent and finish cleaning cycle in the morning. Another tip is to wash dirty clothes twice in a row before drying, and of course, to wash in hot water to help make your laundry it’s lightest and brightest.

Cost breakdown for this blend:

• Hydrogen Peroxide: $0.07
• Lemon Juice: $0.18
• Lemon Essential Oil: $0.18
• Baking soda: $0.11
• Citric Acid: $0.09
• Total cost for 1/2 gallon all-natural homemade bleach alternative: is just 63¢!
• This is an 89% savings over conventional bleach alternative products!

As the cost for store-bought bleach at Costco and Sam’s Club averages about 3 cents per ounce, but this homemade version costs just 0.5 cents per ounce, so you’re not only saving money but harmful chemicals from your home and laundry, too!

So, everyone, I have to ask, do you use bleach or are you more into the bleach alternative camp? I’d love to hear your opinions below!

With winter just around the corner, it’s time to conquer those end of season deep-cleaning outdoor chores that help you and your family enjoy a clean and comfortable home this season.

Personally, I love seasonal cleaning- it helps me prepare for the upcoming holiday season in a non-chaotic, orderly, and somewhat fun manner. And what better way to usher in the upcoming fall season than a clean, orderly home?

With this in mind, I want to share with you all how I break down my own season chores as part of my Fall Cleaning Chore Checklist. A list to help you get your home in its healthiest shape before the winter season ahead. Here’s how to get started:

Patio:

When it comes to outdoor cleaning, I always make sure to start with my patio areas. With cleaning the stone walkways and storing patio furniture, umbrellas, and summer toys.
If you own a pool: Drain the pool, if applicable. Close it up for the year.

Winter Maintenance:

I also like to perform a general outdoor maintenance checklist to include making sure the caulking around windows and doors is in proper order and inspect external doors and garage doors for gaps which can cause drafts. I also like to make sure the exterior windows are cleaned and, weather permitting, touching-up paint as needed. Another area of measure includes cleaning gutters and making sure to insulate and drain exterior spigots. Finally, make sure to clean out birdhouses and feeders. Then purchase new feed accordingly.

Roofs:

One of the lessons I learned first and foremost as a homeowner was to maintain the integrity and value of my home by valuing my home’s roof. Maintaining your roof allows you to maintain the beauty of your home’s exterior, maximize and protect your dwellings investment, help prevent health issues within your home, and save money over time preventing higher energy bills at home.

All of which start with a clean, properly maintained roof at home! And for homeowners who are seeking a more singular less weekend warrior approach to roof maintenance this season, then you should definitely look into seasonal roofing services before the official start to winter this season.

With professional roof servicing being typically quoted by the square foot and tile type. However, the size of the job, roof pitch, landscaping and overall severity of the stains are also factors that can influence the overall cost. Costs as necessary as they are affordable to most homeowners at home.

Let’s also not forget how slippery fall leaves can be. Why risk the potential hazards of slips and falls when you can trust the care of one of your homes best lines of defense with professionals? After all, the upfront costs of having your roof professionally cleared and cleaned, along with gutter cleaning services, can help maintain the value of your home, help prevent nasty repairs during the dead of winter, as well as being able to prevent costly repairs during the nastier parts of the year.

Friends, those are the three seasonal chores you should be attending to at home before the start of winter next month. Now I want to ask, what are seasonal chores you are currently undertaking at home to prep your home this fall? Share your thoughts below!