Cleaning tips from a Homemaker

Over the past few years I have picked up some very awesome cleaning tips that make my life lots easier.
I would like to share them with you in hopes that they help.

• I always have a laundry basket with me when I clean. It makes cleaning easier because I can put things that are in one room but belong in another in it with out having to leave the area I'm working on to put something back. This is an especially helpful tip if you have small children who like to have their toys in every room.
• When cleaning the bathroom I straighten everything up and then spray the cleaner on all the surfaces that need to wiped down and then leave to do something else while it soaks. When I come back it's easy to wipe off. I usually use scrubbing bubbles or some other kind of foam cleaner. I have noticed that this works best especially if you have tile.
• Disinfecting wipes and window wipes are some of my favorite cleaning supplies to have. It's easy to grab one after dinner and wipe down the tables and chairs. I also baby-sit my niece and nephew every other week and three kids can mean 3 times the fun and 6 times the messes. These wipes come in handy then as well. After they are done playing with markers, crayons, clay and play dough it's easy to use the wipes to clean up. I also use the plastic containers that they come in to make my own wipes when I run out. I know that this isn't as environmentally friendly thing but it defiantly makes my life a little bit easier.
• Before each of my daughters birthdays and Christmas' I go through her toys. I make four piles. Keep, donate, yard/internet sale & trash. I typically don't do this while she's around, though.
• A lot of people do spring cleaning. Well I like to do 'winter' cleaning as well. I like to dust, rearrange and shampoo the carpets at the end of summer or beginning of fall. Since the house is going to be closed up for 4 or 5 months I think it's a good idea to give it a good cleaning before the plastic goes up.
• I have an electric stove that requires drip pans and metal rings. To keep them cleaner and unstained i wrap them in foil. This keeps me from having to spend $20 every three months on drip pans.

When I run out of my normal cleaners I sometimes use things from around my house. Vinegar and water make a good surface cleaner. Just use equal parts of both. I also use a little bit of dish soap, some lemon juice and water for a floor cleaner. I mix baking soda & lemon juice into a paste to use a a scrub for sinks and the tub.