SUMMER ORGANIZING/CLEANING HOMEMADE CLEANERS

NAUGHTY, BUSY MEGS~
OK. I turned spring cleaning to summer cleaning because of personal things that kept me away...family "issues." But #1 at least the kids can help clean and #2 who likes to be traditional? If we spring clean in the summer, we can clean, removing things we don't need. Our OLD treasures have you, that we "forgot," didn't use after all, wish there was somewhere to put it cause it takes up too much space and no one uses it, all the "old" things of the kids, and turn our clutter into MONEY. PLUS #3 I downloaded BLOGGEROID on my phone. So, when I'm not home, I can still keep up with our plans.

Since I turned Spring Cleaning to Summer Cleaning, we don't have to be in the house due to the RAIN! I'm not sure where you live but we get rained in sometimes. Sometimes, the opposite. I let the kids get rained "OUT." No lightning, yes you can "Jump up and down in muddy puddles" Like Pepa Pig. Like they say, "EVERYONE LOVES JUMPING UP AND DOWN IN MUDDY PUDDLES." So, even if it don't rain where you are spray a yard and jump in mud with the kids. If you haven't seen this cartoon, not just the pigs do it. Danny Dog, Rebecca Rabbit, Suzy Sheep, Pedro Pony, Zoe Zebra, Emily Elephant and whomever I forgot, they love it and so do their parents. Off Subject. ADHD again, but I work thru it. I don't take medications for that so work with me.

Next on our cleaning agenda was that I was going to list the SAFE cleaners you can make from your own household items, some that are staples you buy and wouldn't think of, some you may know about like I did, but I was unaware of the possibilities that each one possessed. So, I'll list the items we can clean with, and you make sure you have them.

SAFE, CHEAP AND MOSTLY CHEMICAL FREE HOMEMADE CLEANER SUPPLIES:

• BAKING SODA (I use 2 small a month one for in fridge and in freezer as a neutralizer,2 large ones, a box for laundry, and a second large box for actual cleaning tips or cleaning"paste")
• SALT (I rarely use a whole container of salt, its mainly used for scrubbing, so if you are like me and don't cook with salt, what's on hand should be fine. If your family uses salt for food a lot, or play doh, then I'd grab one for cleaning.
• LEMON JUICE (Though you can buy small lemon shaped containers, I get the big jug. I never use it all before it expires, BUT if you're not eating it and just cleaning, it still works and the fact it's expired a little won't matter)
• A LEMON OR LIME (I buy one every month to two months. They get rid of stubborn stains that need scrubbed, by pouring salt on a lemon half, it works better than a scouring rag, and even SOS pads)
• PEROXIDE( this is great to have an extra bottle or two in the laundry area. Just a few things it usually always will work on, getting blood out of clothes, it helps get rid of grass stains, and even got permanent marker out of my daughters new white shirt, red juice out of grandma's $700 rug and more, also a great disinfectant)
• WHITENING TOOTH PASTE-must be whitening and paste NOT gel (I buy the cheap brand for cleaning, they do the same. So, one example we'll use it for: whitening porcelain sinks and toilets if stained or just want them show room white, and whitening any white shoes...and more)
• VINEGAR(Again I have one for cooking and food, and a gallon every month to three months for cleaning. This gets rid of black mold-which causes brain damage, and that black GUNK behind the bathroom and/or kitchen faucet. Also a great disinfectant)
• RUBBING ALCOHOL (As with peroxide I keep an extra on hand. Rubbing alcohol amazingly, an obvious germ and bacteria cleaner, it cleans the mold, bacteria, and disease off your garden tools so your new garden don't catch a cold, cleans your combs, and not to mention chrome.)

Okay so, go get you this stuff, I already have cleaners to be made for spray bottles, and the other things these household items can amaze you with ALREADY to be posted. But, I want to research tomorrow to see if there are other common household items I missed that can help, or other grossness that these current ones can clean. SO NEXT STOP, MAKING YOUR CLEANERS. I will then woo you with foods and food garbage can ward off bugs like ants, beetles, spiders and whatever else so you can do the perimeter of the rooms you're cleaning. NOBODY likes getting in the mood to clean, or having to MAKE themselves do it, and then picture it: You get into sorting, throwing away, wiping down and BUGS! So, lets combat that next.

I promise I'll be around more. I will be on the computer more because: YAY I finally went and got myself enrolled to get a degree in Psychology concentrating in Human Services and Substance Abuse Counseling. So, in between assignments, I'll post more often. 

Happy Summer,

Happy Puddle Jumping and Swimming,

Happy Organizing and Cleaning,

Most important~Work to be a happy YOU,

XOXOXO 

MEGS

SPRING CLEANING~STEP 1 GETTING READY

READY TO CLEAN: CLEANING YOUR CLEANING SUPPLIES:

When I said spring cleaning, did you think you'd be cleaning and organizing your cleaning supplies? Well this makes the most sense because you're going to need these things in order to clean and organize the rest of your soon to be humble home.

Things to do before each session is to grab a box, I get mine free from this link> The United States Postal Service Free Shipping Supplies you can throw all items in one box that you don't want or need, and sort later, or get a garbage bag for throw away, box for donate, box for yard sale(yes another GREAT step in this spring cleaning), and box for storage.

First step is making sure you have what you need. You can buy or make your own cleaning supplies. I'll eventually~shortly~be giving you access to making your own cleaning supplies to save money.

****ITS IMPORTANT THAT YOU REMEMBER YOU ARE CLEANING AND ORGANIZING. FEEL FREE TO DONATE, GET RID OF, THROW AWAY THINGS YOU HAVE NOT USED IN MONTHS. DO NOT FEEL GUILTY BUT FEEL EMPOWERED. YOU WILL LOVE IT WHEN WE ARE THRU ALL THE STEPS.*****

First, you should get out all cleaning supplies and put them into one pile, place, bucket, whatever. What do you NOT use, and why? Example: I do NOT use my store bought stainless steel cleaner because I have my own remedy. So I place that in the get rid of pile. I do NOT use "Goo be Gone" often because it's not something made to clean everyday items. I do use it when I need Goo to be Gone and nothing else works. So, keep.  Do this until you have gone thru all your cleaning supplies old and new. Don't keep something because you forgot you had it. There is a reason you forgot about it. Donating cleaning supplies to your local animal, homeless, or women's shelter is a great way to get rid of things without wasting them. Here is a list of MUST HAVES for Spring Cleaning.

You need very few store bought or homemade cleaners. You need:

• All purpose Cleaner
• Cleaner with bleach/disinfectant
• Sanitizer for air/surface like OUST, or LYSOL DISINFECTANT SPRAY
• Window Cleaner
• Stain Remover for Carpet/Furniture 
• Fabreeze or room deodorizer

You'd be surprised at how much stuff you can clean with things you find in your cupboard in the kitchen. These are the household staples that you should have on hand that clean almost ANYTHING and almost EVERYTHING:

• Baking Soda
• Vinegar
• Rubbing Alcohol
• White Paste Toothpaste
• Salt
• lemon, or lemon juice. Always good to have a lemon on hand

You need these extra supplies that you can get cheap on Amazon, Walmart, or anywhere you shop. I have placed some ads for products I order and use, so look to the right, click on picture of the supply you need and buy, or grab at the store:

• Broom and Dust pan
• Mop
• Caddy to keep the next items in. Caddys can make cleaning so easy since you put what you need and onward to chore after chore, as well as provide a place for you to keep supplies). On the side of this blog is a link to the caddy that I bought and have had for 3 years now. It's blue and carries all I need to do a simple chore. I load it up pending which chore I have to do.
• Cleaning rags (you can buy your own, or use old clothes/towels)
• Napkins (You can be budget friendly and get the store brand, or for heavy cleaning, you can get the nice blue cloth like ones that are great for cleaning, either is fine)
• Small 13 gallon garbage bags, for quick room, cupboard, dresser, craft-room, toy room, anything you clean out.
• Spray bottles for homemade cleaners if you'll be going that route.
• Old newspaper for cleaning glass(optional)
• Scrub brush
• Colored Sponges-I color code, example: green=kitchen, blue=bathroom, yellow=toilets, pink=bedrooms, etc. Or you can use permanent marker and mark them. I use the pretty ones that I have listed next to the posts, looks like an amazon advertisement. ~I also use, promote, and swear by the Mr.Clean Magic eraser sponges. Name brand or store brand I live by them.
• Reusable or Throw away gloves. I have two pair of reusable gloves and I just disinfect them often.

This is a quick list of what you need to start your cleaning. I will be listing the homemade cleaning supplies in the next day or four. Don't forget to try the ones I use because if I advertise it I swear by it. This list should get you ready for what you'll need to do. Organizing your cleaning supplies is the first step to cleaning.

Check it out, and let me know what you like to have in your caddy, on hand for cleaning, and your amazing ideas for cleaning supplies made at home. 

Happy Organizing

Xoxo,

Megs

P.S.

with young kids try to either keep things locked up or refrain from using under the sink as your cleaning supply spot. Don't forget to put them up and teach your kids they are poison.

Cleaning tips and 11 awesome DIY outfits for summer

Cleaning tips that will blow your mind, DIY outfits for summer

 I found this site, it has cool DIY cleaning products like how to clean glass and mirrors with shave cream, remove stains with bread, neutralize odors with Vodka,
They also show you so many cool ways to make AWESOME HOT clothing from T Shirts.
I recommenced it.
xoxox
Megs

The Honest Company KEEP KIDS SAFE & EARN $

The Honest Company 
This is a MOTHERS dream. The Honest Company is a Company which has many eco-safe, and affordable company which has made products for customers such as diapers, wipes, soaps, shampoos and cleaning items. They let you try it for FREE-your choice of products, either diaper essentials, cleaning essentials or health and wellness essentials just for becoming a member, and you can cancel at anytime.
SO not only will your family-babies, kids, pets-all be exposed to safe and unharmful affordable products but for each person YOU refer that becomes a member, you earn $20!!!
I'm saying....they care about the average American. It's not like big brand companies that just want the dollar (Johnson & Johnson's bed time bath was found to contain levels of THC and other harmful chemicals), but they make it safe. Click the above link to try it out.

Homemade Furniture Polish -CLEAN THAT WOOD RIGHT AND SHINY

Homemade Furniture Polish - iDreamOfClean I thought that this May or may not work....GIRLS AND BOYS its AWESOME. Really, all those times I've spent buying furniture cleaner, NEVER again. EVER. Trust me this is the trick.