Mommy Blog, Tips & Ideas
Spring Cleaning!
Tips for Cleaning Your Home’s Windows
May 4th
With spring just around the corner, most of you can’t wait to wash the windows in your home. Surprisingly, there have been many ideas afloat on how to wash windows properly. To this end, here are some tips for cleaning your home’s windows, which have been the subject of much debate.
In the old days, washing windows simply involved taking some soap and water and cleaning the windows, frames and sills; the top and bottom of the casing, and you were done. With the advent of glass cleaners, it certainly made cleaning windows much easier. Now that we have become environmentally aware of toxins and chemicals; we are returning back to the old days but with a slight twist.
Using vinegar and water is one way in which you can clean your windows. The process begins with removing window shades, blinds and curtains. Use a clean rag to wipe away any dirt or grime from the frame and sills. Use a wet rage to rid your windows of dirt and grime as well. Then using water and vinegar; clean your windows from top to bottom.
Go over the glass with a clean cloth; then proceed to wash the frames and sills with a damp cloth. Dry and you’re done!
Some people who have used this method claim that using vinegar left streaks on their windows. The remedy is to add a minute bit of dish soap to the vinegar and water. Voila! No more streaks!
Other tips for cleaning your home’s windows include purchasing a window washing kit. If you want to spend money on this you can. Or, you can simply purchase a squeegee.
Just like using a squeegee on your car windows, the same process applies. Using a few drops of liquid soap, water and vinegar; proceed by using a sponge to wash the windows. Then dip the squeegee into clean water, and beginning from the top of the window to the bottom, just run the squeegee down. Remove the wash from the squeegee with a paper towel, and repeat the process as you complete washing the entire window. To finish the window off, run the squeegee along the bottom of the window horizontally to remove excess water than has dripped down to the bottom surface.
Whatever method you choose, these tips for cleaning your home’s windows may help you decide how to do it; but no matter how you do it, unfortunately at some point you will have to take the plunge. Ah, cleaning windows; don’t you just love it!
Tips for Cleaning Your Carpets
May 3rd
Having just purchased a new carpet for the living room, there is always that feeling of what if…! A living room is meant to be lived in; just because a new carpet has been installed doesn’t mean the room should to be roped off and only used on certain occasions. There will be the occasional spills. In order to avoid any accumulation of dust or other foreign matters, here are tips for cleaning your carpet.
* Vacuum often
* If you spill anything on the carpet; take a paper towel and pat down on the spill until it is absorbed onto the paper towel.
* Whenever possible, use door mats to have your family wipe their shoes so nothing is tracked onto the carpet.
* Be careful when using certain cleaning supplies*
* If you choose to have your carpet shampooed; be sure to ask if the scotch guard will be removed in the process.
* Do not allow any family member to eat in the living room.
While these are just a few tips for cleaning your carpets, you may certainly have your own tried and tested methods to keep your carpet clean. Preventative measures are the best way to avoid soiling your new carpet.
*Cleaning supplies note: There are so many products which claim to remove stains from carpets. There is one thing you need to be aware of. Most of these carpet cleaners not only remove the scotch guard, but lighten the soiled area as well. Not only are these cleaners toxic; they include dangerous chemicals as well.
Buying a new carpet is an expensive undertaking. To ensure it is kept as pristine as possible, you can use these tips for cleaning your carpets. However, as mentioned earlier your home is meant to be lived in; so accidental spills will happen. Don’t stress over it. Just attend to the spillage as soon as possible and set some ground rules for the entire family.
Spring Cleaning: Clearing Your Flower Beds
May 2nd
With spring just around the corner; so is clearing your flower beds. Here are some tips on what to do.
While this has probably been the worst winter ever, you may have your work cut out for you as you prepare to clear your flower beds of debris.
What you’ll need:
* Rake
* Clippers
* Shovel
* Garden Gloves
* Mulch
Now you are ready to begin:
* Take away any debris such as branches or leaves.
* Get rid of all the dead foliage from your perennials by cutting them back just near ground level.
* Rake the flower bed clean.
* Pile up the debris in a compost pile.
* Remove the mulch off the bed and replace it with a fresh layer of compost.
* Toss the compost with a shovel.
* Rake the compost as you spread it over the flower bed.
* Replace a fresh layer of mulch.
Winter has not been kind to us, in fact, every forecast you listen to describes this winter as the worst in America. Therefore, you may not be able to clear your flower beds just yet, but in case you do – hopefully the spring cleaning of your garden will be a successful one. Clearing your flower beds is a relaxing and enjoyable task. Hopefully, the weather will be as enjoyable.
Getting Your Kids Involved in Outdoor Chores
Apr 27th
With spring soon approaching, you will be planning to tackle a number of chores in the backyard. Perhaps you are even thinking of cleaning out the garage. If so; here are some tips for getting your kids involved in outdoor chores.
With the very harsh weather our country has been experiencing, you may want to begin to clear out your flower beds; prepare a compost pile; and generally prepare your backyard for additional planting such as an herb garden. As soon as the weather gets a bit warmer, there are plenty of chores your entire family can participate in. Make a list of all of the tasks you have to accomplish, and make a list assigning each member of your family to handle one chore.
* Assign an older child to rake the leaves; and younger children to put them into a bag. Of course, they will want to stomp on the leaves before they put them in the bag.
* Have another child help you clear out the flower beds, or help you pull out weeds.
* Have each member of your family help you spread the mulch.
* Have the kids start a compost pile.
* Maybe dad and son may want to build a new birdhouse.
* You may decide to put a rock border around your flower bed.
* One of the children can accompany dad to buy fertilizer.
There are probably more chores you can think of to assign to each family member. Depending upon the weather, of course, working in the backyard or garden allows your kids to not only have fun, but become involved in every aspect of planting. Perhaps your daughter would like to plant some special flowers.
The more you involve your kids, the easier it will be getting your kids involved in outdoor chores. They will not only have the opportunity to see the backyard come to life, but will begin to appreciate nature as well.
Quick and Easy Family Organization Tips
Apr 3rd
Let’s face it; it isn’t always easy to juggle work and family activities. Whether you have a large family or a small one, it’s still possible to feel like you’re running around constantly from one end of town to the other. If your family’s activities are running you ragged, it’s time to put some time management skills to use.
Get a large calendar that allows you to write in the individual dates. There are a number of “family calendars” that are perfect for this activity. Assign each person a particular color – use their favorite color unless more than one person has the same favorite – and then create a centralized calendar for the whole family.
Here’s an example: Your family has five members – Dad, Mom, Mary, John, and Susan – and their favorite colors are green, pink, purple, blue, and yellow. Purchase some highlighters of those colors to make this organizational tip work. When you have your calendar and your markers, you’re ready.
Have all family members write down every regular activity that they are involved in each month – business meetings, doctor’s visits, sports practices, sports games, volunteer activities, religious activities, play dates, spouse date nights, known school vacation dates, birthdays, etc. Write each activity on the calendar and highlight it the color of the person who is involved.
When new activities are added, use the same color coding system so that everyone in the family can see at a glance if when they have activities they need to be prepared for. This will also allow you to know if your family’s schedule is too busy.
If your children each have activities on the same day, get someone to help you. Teach your children that there may be times that both parents won’t be able to attend an activity or important event. If Mary has a dance recital on the same day and time that John is graduating from Cub Scouts, there’s just no way both parents can be at both events. Get the kids’ grandparents or other special people in their lives to be there for them when you can’t.
You may want to consider limiting the amount of activities each family member is allowed to be involved in. If John plays all sports available at his school and wants to add guitar lessons, he may just be too busy. The same would go for Susan being in Brownies, playing soccer, and wanting to learn to horseback riding. Look at your already packed calendar and learn to say ‘no’ so your family has some time to spend together rather than running hither and yon.
Recent Comments