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I love the holidays but if you are anything like me, by January 1st, I'm ready for decorations to come down, clutter to be put away and the clean frenzy to begin.
My husband and I tiff about this every year and every year he wins. January 6th is our true “tear down” day however I am antsy WELL before New Years Day. I like organization and clean surfaces. And even if there is a bit of chaos in a closet or under a sink, it's organized chaos. I can tell you exactly where to find that white truffle spice jar among the 50 other spice jars in the cabinet. Every. Single. Time. I realize no one enjoys cleaning. Of course I would rather be watching Hallmark, or at brunch with my friends, or telling my husband for the 6th time where the white truffle seasoning is (typically RIGHT IN FRONT OF HIM). However, for your sanity, the sanity of others and the big one, your health, the cleaning must be done. I am here to help with some cleaning tips to hopefully keep you smiling throughout the scrubbing. |
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Ideas for a “cleaner” 2024 |
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I get it. No one wants to spend an entire day cleaning. Here's a super easy fix for that. Schedule it! Pick a room, pick a day and do a little at a time. If you break your cleaning routine out over the week, you will need a max of 15 -20 min keeping the “dirty” at bay. |
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Here are some experts secrets - |
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GET RID OF MOISTURE! It's the number one cause of household odors. if you discover a room with humidity above 60 percent, you may want to use a dehumidifier. If needed, you can run more than one dehumidifier, but note that they can use a lot of energy: Start with one and see how it goes. If you live in a humid climate, avoid wall-to-wall carpeting or rugs (which can trap moisture), especially in areas like the kitchen and bathroom. Consider keeping moisture-absorbing products in smaller areas that get damp, such as bathrooms and closets. And keep an eye on micro sources of moisture, such as sponges and towels: Replace sponges at least every one to two weeks, ensure clean towels are fully dry before folding and putting them away, and hang bath mats over the shower rod to help them dry. OPEN THE FRIDGE! The first course of action for a funky fridge should be pretty obvious: Toss anything that is past its prime. Some of the worst offenders are condiments—which people tend to think last forever—and leftovers. They get pushed to the back and forgotten. Do an inventory of your fridge at least every month to ensure the contents are fresh. Then, give the interior of your fridge a thorough scrubbing. If you have removable shelves and drawers, pull them out and soak them in hot, soapy water. Wipe down the inside of the structure with a one-to-one mixture of hot water and white vinegar plus a tiny drop of dish soap. Use a damp cloth to rinse. Remember to only use cleaners that are food-safe inside your fridge. TRY A NEUTRALIZER! If you love the idea of a home that smells perfectly like nothing, then look for odor neutralizers that don't add a scent. Experts are fans of activated charcoal filters that come in small bags you can hang in stink-prone rooms or stash in a gym bag. They're good, especially in areas with diaper pails, garbage's, and litter boxes. In a pinch, fill your sink with hot water and a few drops of bleach, and drain it before company arrives. Just the smell of cleaner will make people think your home is clean. USE ESSENTIAL OILS! Diffusers are just one way to use essential oils. Try a few of these DIY ideas. First, consider a fabric refresher spray: Mix 1/2 cup of white vinegar, 1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol, 1 teaspoon of cornstarch, and 20 drops of your favorite oil in a small spray bottle. Shake well before each use and mist it over clothing or upholstery, ensuring that clothes completely dry before folding them. Or try baking soda sachets, which absorb bad smells and add in good ones: Fill a coffee filter with baking soda, add about five drops of essential oil, and tie it off—then toss it in a drawer or anywhere that needs a refresh. Another pro tip: Next time you replace your furnace filter, add 10 to 20 drops of essential oil. The air will help disperse the scent throughout the space. I even ad oils to my vacuum filter. HEAT UP A SIMMER POT! This natural deodorizer takes a lot of good smelling things, puts them in a pot with water, and simmers them on the stove to create a subtle, but welcoming, scent. This is a great one for when company is over. Some things you could toss in a simmer pot: Cinnamon sticks Cloves Citrus rinds or slices Vanilla beans or extract Fresh herbs (rosemary or mint are great!) FREASHEN UP YOUR GARBAGE DISPOSAL! Running lemons (or even just the rinds) through your garbage disposal will not only help keep the blades clean, it'll disperse that lemony scent throughout your kitchen. INVEST IN AN AIR PURIFIER! My most important tip! If you or your household have allergies, I can tell you this has been a game changer for us. Air purifiers can help remove contaminants in the air to keep your home smelling fresher (no scent required!). Look for HEPA air purifiers that'll help deal with microscopic contaminants, including pet dander and even viruses. And just wait until you see what the filter looks like when it's time to clean. Eek! |
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If you really want to up your game, you can search the internet for January De-Clutter challenges. Yes! They are a thing and they are very popular. Be mindful, these are not for slackers. They are game plans to help master the mayhem to achieve the ultimate clean and healthy home in 2024. |
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Kicking off 2024 squeaky clean, Candice |
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