How to Keep Your House Clean When You Don't Have Time to Clean | Overstuffed Back in 2005 when I began this blog I thought I was pretty busy. I was the mother to two young daughters, I was Relief Society President in a large LDS ward, my husband was never home because he was working on his doctorate, I taught a handful of voice lessons, and I sometimes (very sometimes) performed. And I thought my life was completely overstuffed. I think I might have keeled over and died if I could have looked nearly ten years into the future and seen how busy I am now! I haven't made much of a secret of how "overstuffed" my life is on this blog, but it still surprises me sometimes. On the days I go into work (3x per week), I get ready and leave the house shortly after the girls get on the bus. I once thought that the two days I have off during the week would allow me to spend a lot of time cleaning. Cleaning my house comes in dead last. Everywhere I look there are great cleaning schedules posted. I have learned a few tricks these last couple years of being back to work, though.
Build a Shoe Dresser The boots are still there, but the shoes are gone. It was indeed odd, seeing our Alaska entryway free of shoes and outfitted with a green dresser. Mom, where are my Uggs? In the dresser, honey. Hey, that's not a dresser! That's a shoe bin! Yes, this is a shoe bin. Someone once asked me: Why do women love shoes? Modern Mod If your taste is more on the modern side, save yourself some knobs and cut handles out. This shoe dresser is designed to work with tight hallways and tons of shoes.
A LOOK INSIDE MY CUPBOARDS Obviously, I would never let you look inside my cupboards if I hadn't just organized them. Before I show you my newly organized pantry, I have to show you my good-as-new dishes. Almost 18 years ago, as a wedding gift, I got simple, plain white dishes. I was ready to buy new dishes. Just in case, I also picked up the more abrasive version. I ended up using both. The results speak for themselves. I guess Ace really is the place with the helpful hardware man. I can't say how well this would work on other dishes, but it worked wonders for mine. Now, onto my newly organized pantry. They're Flip-Tite Containers by Better Homes and Gardens. Just looking at it makes me happy. I guess it's time to pay a visit to that fourth Wal-Mart.
Safe Solution for Fabric Softeners By Dr. Mercola Most people do their cleaning with as little muss and fuss as possible, but in recent years it's begun to enter the mainstream consciousness that the "easy" way may also be the toxic way. Incredibly damaging chemical mixtures make up the active ingredients in a staggering number of products many people use on a daily basis. Fabric softener can be included in this category. Body creams, scented candles, air fresheners and bathroom cleaners are just a few additional items most Americans throw into their shopping carts as a matter of course, rarely thinking for a moment that it might as well be rat poison they're sprinkling onto their carpets, spraying onto their upholstery and massaging into their skin. Fabric softeners may top the list as one of the worst offenders, and may be one of the products environmentalists had in mind when the term "indoor pollutants" was coined. Fabric Softeners Contain Toxicities Such as Phthalates Additionally, the U.S. Ingredients: Directions:
10 Decorating Tips Pro's Live By By BISSELL|BISSELL Tips , Lifestyle Many people appreciate beautiful homes and thought out décor, but not many people know where to begin. Social media sites can leave optimistic amateurs overwhelmed and feeling slightly hopeless, so we’ve created a guideline to help you tackle any home and create a fabulous interior. Here are ten tips the décor professionals live by: Consider the bigger picture first. Create balance. Give your furniture space. Remember the science to place artwork. Layer your lighting. Spice up your seating. Get unexpectedly creative. Create a collection. Pick paint last. Remember: Functionality. References: Sump Pump Installation - How to Install a Sump Pump Advertisement - Continue Reading Below Diagnosing the problem The truth of the matter is that most basement water problems are not basement problems at all, but exterior drainage problems. So before you consider a sump-pump installation, take a good look (in the rain, if you must) at the drainage around your home. Make sure that gutters aren't clogged, that downspout extensions move roof runoff at least 4 ft. beyond the foundation and that the soil within 3 ft. of the foundation slopes away from the house. Even if these conditions have been met, water may still accumulate in your basement. Many new homes have a sump pit already in place, complete with a drainage-tile system under the basement floor that's designed to channel water to the pit. While this isn't an impossible DIY job, it's backbreaking work. A more manageable approach, in the right circumstances, is to install an isolated sump pit with several feet of gravel around it. Our installation Preparation
This Blessed Life: Getting Mold Out of the Shower–Before & After EDIT: This post, which started out with about 6 comments from my followers when first posted back in 2012, has now gone viral on Pinterest - as of 6/18/13 it has received over 2.5 million views! Insanity. Clearly I am NOT alone in my quest to get rid of the moldy grout. :) I simply shared my story of removing my nasty, embarrassing mold from my window-less bathroom. I am not a contractor, a plumber, or any kind of house expert. I'm just a stay-at-home-mom with a mold problem in her shower that wanted to get rid of it before her mother-in-law came to visit. :) I used to respond to comments on this post, but there are simply too many for me to keep up with. I’m lowering my pride today and showing you something only because I think it will help others in my predicament. Okay, are you with me? When we first moved into our new house last May, the shower was pristine. Anyway, over about 6 months, mold started to creep in on the grout along the shower. Here is the before shot (barf): A-mazing.
Homemade Laundry Detergent Recipe - Smart School House It’s no secret that we love making homemade cleaning products here at Smart School House. When my kids were babies, I realized how easy and important it was to be aware of products we use around our home. Today I’m sharing a beautiful, fun, and simple DIY homemade laundry detergent recipe. With just 3 ingredients, you can make lots of laundry soap and save a lot of money in the process! With this recipe, each load of laundry will cost about 20¢ or 15¢ if you don’t want to use fragrance beads. I love doing things the old school way sometimes! To make Homemade Laundry detergent, you will need: 1 cup of ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda1 cup of Borax2 cups of grated Zote laundry bar3/4 cups of laundry fragrance beads (optional)Hand graterMixing bowl and spoonContainer for storage and a scoop The ARM & HAMMER™ Super Washing Soda as well as the other ingredients can easily be found in the laundry isle. Watch how quick, easy, and fun it is to make: -Directions- Make it over and over again!
BISSELL UK BLOG » Prepare for Your Big Game Day Party - BISSELL UK BLOG By BISSELL|BISSELL Tips , Lifestyle “We want families to enjoy the family room during movie nights and for sports fans to be able to cheer as loud as they can for their favorite team, without dreading the inevitable cleanup that follows,” said Sean Regan, Category Director, BISSELL. With an action-packed month of World Cup Rugby already underway, the team here at BISSELL want to help you ensure that your home is geared up to make the most of the good times ahead. Here are some tips to scoring the winning try with your guests. Preparation Consider the number of quests you will be accommodating when planning seating arrangements. Clean Up Ahead of Time Stock Up Be sure to buy enough to food cater for the number of guests you’ll be hosting.Get all your grocery shopping done well ahead of time. Set Up the Room Chill Cool beer mugs in the freezer overnight.Print drink labels to help your guests keep track of their glass.Chill drinks ahead of time. Plan for the Kids Plan for unexpected mess
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