I am not a clean freak....

Although I could be. There is a part of me that would love to live in a dust free house that smells like bleach all the time. I would love vacuum lines to stay in the carpet and always have windows that sparkle. Really, that would make me happy on so many levels.

BUT, I live in a house with other people. Male people. A husband and three boys. So my idea of a clean house is not in any way a reality. So I am just doing what most everyone else is doing. Just trying to get by the best I can.

SO, here is my brilliant cleaning tip for the day.

Chill out.

This is obviously a reminder for yours truly, that my house can't stay clean all of the time. That is why we actually have to clean it. So, when I get overwhelmed (like I am right now) I just need to remember to relax. I'll get to it eventually. I always do! And the thing is, all of those cleaning and organizing projects always wait for you.

And you know, clean feels good!

Have you ever stepped on a Lego?

Well, I have. And it hurts.

So, why do I insist on having a collection of Legos around, just so they can make it to the floor? Just so I can step on one in the middle of the night?

Because they are sooooo worth it. I would venture to guess that they are one of the best toys ever to contribute to the creative minds of their owners everywhere. My cute nephew Caleb loves to bring one of his precious Lego creations over to show me each time he visits me house. And his creations really are incredible!

My sister, Jen, is likely to win Mom of the Year due to the collection of Lego's she has at her house. It really is phenomenal. And even better, she bought a TON of them on eBay. Especially since those little things can get oh so expensive! And knowing that someone else's kids had their possibly unwashed fingers all over the Lego's she turned to the internet for tips on Lego cleaning.

Place Legos in a pillowcase. Put pillowcase in washing machine. Wash on low setting.

Easy . . . and it works! 

Now if we could only just find an easy way to get our kids to clean them all up when they are done!   All of them.  That would sure be nice.

Because, of course, clean feels good!

The Wonderful Windshield Wonder - AS SEEN ON TV!

Confession. I love a good infomercial. And those "As Seen on TV" products? I can't resist. I don't even dare to admit to you how many exercise programs I've bought as I've been channel surfing during late night hours. Shopping channels? I absolutely love them. Even the cheesy hosts. I love them too.

Well, one day I just happened to catch a cleaning solutions segment on Home Shopping Network. And it was awesome. I wanted to grab my credit card, and just max that thing out. This particular little item was especially enticing. I don't know why! Imagine my surprise (and joy) when I saw it at my local Wal-Mart. For only $9.99. Bargain! I bought it, and my life is forever changed.

The beauty is, that this little gadget is not just for windows. Nosiree. This little baby can clean:

- flat screen tvs (that is why I wanted it)

- computer screens (another good reason)

- mirrors

- windows besides windshields (duh!)

- glass shower doors

- the top of the fridge (because it is oh so hard to reach!)

Just a quick misting with water, wipe with the green bonnet (that's what the HSN guy called it), and voila! Your window, or flat screen or mirror looks great! And it is CHEMICAL FREE CLEANING! fine print: I've read a few reviews on The Windshield Wonder, and a few people were not as impressed as I am. I did figure out that sometimes I have to clean whatever I am cleaning twice - if it is especially gross - like my windshield was - but now isn't because of this lovely little tool. But that is fine with me, since it is so easy to use!

BUT WAIT!

Look what I found! The very presentation I saw on HSN. It is right here. Click on the video, and you will be mesmerized. Ok, that might be an exaggeration. But it really is kind of fun to watch. And it will actually inspire you to get off your butt, and wash some windows! Because it is just so dang easy!

Ahhhh, my flat screen has never looked better.

(maybe I should point out that the Wal-Mart deal didn't include all that the HSN deal did - but it was a great bargain to try it out.)

And I know you'll agree, clean feels good!

Back to School Organizing . . . set up a homework station!

Ah, school supplies. I just love them! I have to admit, I have bought a few too many boxes of crayons this year (and my kids rarely even use them anymore) just because I can't pass them up at a mere $.20 a box. Seriously!

But Back to School can also mean Back to Clutter. You know what I'm talking about. And I am no expert in this department . . . so I turned to one of my favorite organizing experts on one of my favorite organizing blogs. Aby Garvey has a great website called Simplify 101, and her article on Getting Organized for Homework totally spoke to me. Aby suggests setting up a homework station. I took Aby's great advice, and it is working like a charm (ok, I know it is only week 2, but so far so good).

I purchased a simple basket and added the following items:

- pencils (sharpened) . . . and an electric sharpener nearby

- crayons

- highlighters

- extra notebooks and notebook paper

- erasers

- glue sticks

- scissors

- ruler

- markers

- stapler

- calculator

- file folders (with each family member labeled clearly)

No more wasted time looking for a glue stick! No more wasted time trying to find the stapler (although, I have a son that likes to use the stapler for everything . . . hopefully this one can stay put). And all of their schedules, class disclosures and even the lunch menu has a place for easy reference. I am sure we will add and subtract items (school lingo, get it?) as the year goes on until we have come up with the perfect solution to our homework needs. I am loving it so far! More organized equals a one happy mom!

We are off to a great start! And it feels great! Even my boys were a little excited about their homework station - and that is pretty dang hard to get them excited about anything homework related. Well, except for my stapler loving son. He shares my love for school supplies. Man, I love that kid.

So, set up a homework station! It might just take away a little bit of homework stress! And we can all use some of that!

And obviously, clean feels good!

C'mon, get those kids cleaning!

You are a busy mom (or dad).

You work. You clean. You pay bills. You do laundry (it is like a full time job - seriously!). You volunteer. You carpool. You are a built in kid's taxi service. So, why do you do ALL (or mostly all) of the jobs around the house too? It it time to get those kids involved!

I've tried a million different things to try to get my kids to clean. Chore charts, dry erase boards, checklists, stickers, point systems - and they just didn't work for our family. I finally decided to try what my mom used to do back in the day - when I was little. It worked beautifully when I was a youngster.

Mom's Method to Get the Kids Cleaning:


Write chores on a post-it note.

Change them up each day so they don't get boring or monotonous.

(this are my actual chore post-its notes. i know, impressive, right?)

And that is it! It works like a charm. I tried it this summer, and it honestly worked better than anything else I've tried. My kids actually did their jobs with very little complaining. Our system wasn't confusing or hard to stick to it. It worked! Victory!! And now that school is back in session, we are still sticking to it. Yay!!

Who knew? I should have just listened to my mom in the first place.

It definitely reminds of the KISS acronym - Keep it Simple, Stupid. Sometimes the simple plan is the plan you should go with.

Lesson learned. Thanks, Mom!

And, I feel I should mention, clean feels good!

P.S. If your chore system for kids works for you, by all means, stick with it! You are one of the lucky ones that has it all figured out. And please, feel free to share it with the class. Comment below. ;)

Vinegar is your friend!

Don't you just love a good household product that has many, many purposes? Vinegar just might be the Queen of Multipurpose around the house. There are just so many great things you can do with vinegar! Here are a few favorites, and maybe a few you haven't thought of.

DID YOU KNOW?

Vinegar is environmentally safe and very economical.
Vinegar is great at killing germs, bacteria and most mold.

AROUND THE KITCHEN

My vinegar lives in the kitchen pantry, so it truly makes it convenient to grab for these quick clean up solutions. I've tried all of these and they work like a charm!

Clean and deodorize a drain by pouring in 1 cup baking soda, then one cup hot white distilled vinegar. Let this sit for 5 minutes or so, then run hot water down the drain.

Deodorize and clean the garbage disposal with white distilled vinegar ice cubes. Make them by freezing full-strength white distilled vinegar in an ice cube tray. Run several cubes down the disposal while flushing with cold water.

Clean the microwave by mixing 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar and 1/2 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl. Bring it to a rolling boil inside the microwave. Baked-on food will be loosened, and odors will disappear. Wipe clean. This works like magic!!

Remove soap buildup and odors from the dishwasher by pouring a cup of white distilled vinegar inside the empty machine and running it through a whole cycle. Do monthly.

Cut the grime on the top of the refrigerator with a paper towel or cloth and full-strength white distilled vinegar.

To clean a grease splattered oven door window, saturate it with full-strength white distilled vinegar. Keep the door open for 10 to 15 minutes before wiping with a sponge.

So, grab your vinegar bottle next time you have a clean up job to do in the kitchen. And don't worry, that vinegary smell actually goes away and leaves your kitchen smelling great! Thanks, Vinegar. You've made my life a little easier.

And don't forget! Clean is good!

Source: http://www.vinegartips.com (for lots of other great tips for using vinegar, check it out!)

Do you refuse to do windows?

Well, I do. I have to admit, the outside windows in my house are just one project I used to never get too. Until now. Oh my gosh. This is life changing. I am not even kidding you. You know how DVR was life changing? And iPods? And cell phones? This is one of those things.

Introducing . . . The Windex Outdoor All-In-One Glass Cleaning Tool. If you haven't tried this yet, you really should. Your outside windows will look professionally cleaned in just 3 easy steps. You just need to buy the starter kit (which includes the pole and one pad). And after that, all you need to buy are the refills.

Here is how it works. I hope you can follow these detailed instructions. If not, there are pictures on the packaging to make it even easier.

1. SPRAY window and cleaning pad with garden hose

2. WIPE window with cleaning pad. Robb thinks I should elaborate, but no elaboration is needed (obviously, he hasn't cleaned the windows). It is really that easy. Just wash your window with the window washing pad.

3. RINSE window with garden hose. No need to hand dry!

And that is it! Really! It is amazing, I tell you. I did all the outside windows at my house in less than one hour. And they looked incredible!! As much as I loved having the cute window washing guys come and do it once in a while, I won't be calling them again. No need!

Try it, you'll like it. I promise.

There is even a video demonstration here and you can get a coupon here

And remember . . . clean feels good!

Welcome!

Do you love all things clean as much as I do? Then definitely check back often. I am planning to keep this updated with all my favorite cleaning tips and other interesting stuff.

This blog is brought to you by BrickHouse Cleaning (our family business!). We know a lot about cleaning carpet, tile, upholstery, garage floors and even mattresses. Call us for a free in house estimate on your cleaning needs. 801.572.1000