T2 Housekeeping

A ton of great tips for managing the house and there's natural cleaning solutions, too!

Make Lists: Keep a list handy. Whenever you run out of something or see that you're getting low, add it to your list. Check the fridge and the cabinets before going to the store. This will save you money because you won't be grabbing a lot of things you don't need, and you won't have to go back for something you forgot. I make lists when I have a lot I have to accomplish that day, and it brings a lot of satisfaction as I cross it off as I get it done.

Music: Playing lively music helps you move a little faster and puts you in a better mood. It makes cleaning a little more fun rather than a dreaded chore.

A place for everything and everything in its place: Find a place for things. Establish a place for incoming mail, for bills, for newspapers, magazines, shoes, coats, Bibles, videos, games, toys, books, etc. Shelves and plastic bins work great and are fairly inexpensive at Wal-Mart and home fix-it stores. Once there is a place for things, develop a habit for putting things down in their place and it will be easier to keep the house clean. When the kids start playing, have them clean up before pulling out new things. We have shelves for the children's toys and the toys are kept in inexpensive plastic laundry baskets. Clean up is quick and simple.

How often to clean? I normally clean each room thoroughly once a week. Every day I make sure the tops of counters and tables are kept clear and wiped down, and I usually vacuum the most lived in places once a day. Then twice a year, I make sure that each area gets a thorough cleaning ... washing curtains and shower curtains, rotating mattresses, moving furniture to clean and vacuum behind it (including the fridge and oven), under the beds, in the closets, and the highest shelves. This is a great time to go through and find items to give away to charity.

Kitchen: The kitchen and bathrooms are my own personal priorities. Here is a list of things I make sure are done:
1) Wash cloths and sponges harbor germs. Brushes are more sanitary. Run the brush through the dishwasher each night.
2) I empty the dishwasher first thing in the morning. Throughout the day dirty dishes are put directly into the dishwasher, so that there is no sink or counter clutter. Then, I run the dishwasher last thing at night to start over again the next day.
3) Wipe down everything with a store cleaner or make your own solution of 2 tablespoons bleach mixed with 1 quart water. Wipe cleanest to dirtiest (fridge and sink first - chairs and trash can lid last)
4) For easy oven cleaning, spray it the night before to clean it the following day.
5) Empty the fridge and freezer of old and expired items.
6) For easy microwave cleaning, put 2 tablespoons of baking soda and a little water in a paper cup. Turn the microwave on and watch closely. When it explodes, turn the microwave off, unplug it, then wipe it clean.
7) Vacuum the floor, pay attention to corners and cracks, under the table, and any vents, including stove and heater/air conditioner.
8) Last thing is the floor. Use a foaming tile cleaner, wait a couple of minutes, and then mop the floor.

Laundry: if you have a washer/dryer, you may try at least one load per day. Some find it better to do it all once or twice a week. I usually do one or two loads a day. There is almost always clothes in the basket, the washer, and the dryer. In the morning I dry the clothes that are already in the dryer, then lay them out on my bed for everyone to take and put away on their own by the end of the day. Then I transfer the clothes that are in the washer into the drier, and start a new load. Don't forget sheets and towels!

Bathrooms: Wipe everything: mirrors, sinks, counter, shelves, toilets. Vacuum, empty trash, clean the inside of the toilet, and shake out any carpets. I clean out the bathtub right before or after I shower. Don't forget to wipe down light switches and doorknobs, and supply a clean towel and check supplies (toilet paper, soap, etc.). Mop the floor.

Toilet cleaner: sprinkle Tang or lemon kool aid on the sides of the toilet and in the water. Leave on for at least and hour, and brush out. Citric acid is an oxidizer. (a Flylady tip!)

Tub and tile cleaner: Mix 1/4 cup of baking soda, 4 T ammonia, 4 T vinegar, & 3 cups water in a labeled spray bottle. Warning - if you use this in conjunction bleach or where bleach has been used, it will create dangerous fumes! Just spray and wipe. No need to rinse.

Bathtub Cleaner: fill the bathtub with very hot water and put vinegar or bleach in it. (caution if you have small children, this would be a drowning hazard)

Other areas:
Clear clutter. Put away extra items.
Dust
Vacuum. Start with a clean vacuum - change the bag or empty the canister. Use the correct settings and vacuum up high first - like over door jams and curtains. Then lower, like pictures and lampshades as some dust will fall down. Then vacuum the floor. The best prevention of insects is a clean floor.

Colloidal oatmeal - soothes skin

Ledum may help with Lymes

Hypericum may help reduce nerve pain

Collidal silver may be natural antibiotic

Eucalyptus and honey is possible help for cataracts

Honey for healing burns and bruises. May have antibiotic effects.

Aloe-vera for healing skin. Keep an aloe vera plant in your house-it requires almost no care! Great for sunburns or infections-break off part of the leaf and rub.

Kava kava or passion flower may decrease anxiety

Used tea bags for burns, on canker sores, and to help stop the bleeding after a tooth is removed. Also helps soothe eyes.

Raw onions for insect bites

Cucumber slices for tired eyes.

Green tea might be helpful in preventing cancer as an antioxidant.

Arnica and arnica gel for bruising, swelling, and pain

Peppermint - supposedly, mice don't like peppermint. Place peppermint gum where mice are hiding.

Spearmint gum - supposedly mealybugs don't like the smell. Put some sticks in kitchen cabinets.

Juicy fruit - supposedly moles will eat this and then it will kill them because they can't digest it. Maybe it would work for mice, too?

Mothball alternatives - cedar chips, lavender, whole peppercorns, mint

Tea Tree Oil and Eucalyptus - tick repellents. Also put drops in the water of a vaporizer to deter bacteria.

Ginger snaps for diarrhea and motion sickness

Licorice (not candy) might work as alternative to cortisone

Cottage cheese & yogurt helps develop good bacteria, especially if you are on antibiotics

Milk thistle may help liver problems

Mustard may help burns

Red raspberries may help cancer

Echincea & garlic may help the immune system

*If someone in your home gets sick, remember to change the toothbrush - or you can boil it to kill germs and stop reinfection!

Olive oil may help prevent skin cancer

Sting nettle may help hayfever

Peppermint oil may help bee stings

Vinegar helps itch of bug bites

Apple cider vinegar soaking may relieve arthritis

Peppermint Tea may help diarrhea and stomach upset

Boiled rice helps with diarrhea

Black walnut improves gums and teeth

Headaches a towel wet with warm water and vinegar placed on your face may help.

Hair Cutting: if you cut your kid's or pet's hair, remember to use scissors with round tips!

Make up brushes: to save money, buy craft paint brushes instead.

For Pets:
Astragulus may help immune system
Black walnut may get rid of worms
Cottage cheese may help tummy problems
Mineral oil for cleaning ears
Flaxseed for decreasing shedding, for nicer hair, and for cancer and tumors
Vitamin C for tumors