30 Bags in 30 Days :: Update #2

Update #2: Over the past week, my husband and I have cleared yet another car load of items for Goodwill, a couple of boxes of donations to friends, items for family and more. All in all, we cleared 8 bags, 2 tubs, and a box of Lincoln Logs throughout last week.

I also did not realize how many items had been loaned to us with no specific return date and have simply been forgotten about. Those items will be making their way home this week. Friends, be on notice!

Jake's afraid the house is going to fly away with the next big storm since there is hardly any weight in it anymore! How are things going at your home?

January heralds the yearly purging of our home. During the next 30 days, our family goes through all the drawers, cabinets, closets and catch-all spaces to remove unwanted items for either donation, sale, or trash. While I don't commence my deep cleaning again until Spring, I do make it a habit to encourage my husband and boys to purge during the first month of the year.

I know a lot of people want to declutter or purge their homes; however, they often find themselves purging and deep cleaning which can become very overwhelming at times. I find that if you declutter first, you save yourself time later when you begin Spring cleaning.

If you want to join me, here is my month-long purging schedule. Feel free to substitute my items to better serve your needs. I'll post at the end of each week about my progress and any organizational tips or strategies I discover along the way. Let me know if you've got suggestions to share, too!

30 Bags in 30 Days

1. Junk drawer in laundry room
2. Cabinets in laundry room
3. School closet
4. Attic
5. Attic (holiday bins)
6. Under kitchen sink
7. Pantry
8. Filing Cabinet
9. Boy #1 desk
10. Boy #2 desk
11. Boys' closets
12. Closet (mine)
13. Dresser drawers
14. Jewelry cabinet
15. Magazine basket
16. Gardening cabinet
17. Bathroom drawers (mine)
18. Bathroom drawers (boys)
19. Toys
20. Craft bins
21. Garage (shelves)
22. Garage (tools)
23. My car
24. Cookbook drawer
25. Baking tools
26. Vase cupboard
27. Book shelves
28. Pet cabinet
29. Patio
30. Flower Bed

30 Bags in 30 Days :: Update

Update: Last week, our household began the 30 Bags in 30 Days challenge for January. We removed 11 bags from our house over the weekend. Prior to this, I did not believe we had a lot of clutter, but in reality, we did.

I had know idea how many bins of clothes (3) we had in the attic nor how many clothes my boys did not wear just hanging in their closets. We were able to find homes for the majority of the clothes and a few more pieces will leave later this week.

The worst realization came in the form of my youngest's desk. He had all these drawing and papers I always past over during our routine cleanings thinking he wanted to keep them; well, he didn't. I was responsible for adding clutter to his life - oops!

The house is already feeling lighter and we've got 3 more weeks to go. How are you holding up?

January heralds the yearly purging of our home. During the next 30 days, our family goes through all the drawers, cabinets, closets and catch-all spaces to remove unwanted items for either donation, sale, or trash. While I don't commence my deep cleaning again until Spring, I do make it a habit to encourage my husband and boys to purge during the first month of the year.

I know a lot of people want to declutter or purge their homes; however, they often find themselves purging and deep cleaning which can become very overwhelming at times. I find that if you declutter first, you save yourself time later when you begin Spring cleaning.

If you want to join me, here is my month-long purging schedule. Feel free to substitute my items to better serve your needs. I'll post at the end of each week about my progress and any organizational tips or strategies I discover along the way. Let me know if you've got suggestions to share, too!

30 Bags in 30 Days

1. Junk drawer in laundry room
2. Cabinets in laundry room
3. School closet
4. Attic
5. Attic (holiday bins)
6. Under kitchen sink
7. Pantry
8. Filing Cabinet
9. Boy #1 desk
10. Boy #2 desk
11. Boys' closets
12. Closet (mine)
13. Dresser drawers
14. Jewelry cabinet
15. Magazine basket
16. Gardening cabinet
17. Bathroom drawers (mine)
18. Bathroom drawers (boys)
19. Toys
20. Craft bins
21. Garage (shelves)
22. Garage (tools)
23. My car
24. Cookbook drawer
25. Baking tools
26. Vase cupboard
27. Book shelves
28. Pet cabinet
29. Patio
30. Flower Bed

Cleaning Tip #6 :: Dryer Freshness

Have you ever dried something in your dryer that didn't leave it quite smelling fresh? Well, I did. This afternoon, I washed our dog's favorite blanket and then proceeded to dry it. Upon removing the blanket, my nose noticed the "doggie" smell lingering behind...

When unpleasant smells linger in your dryer, place 5 to 6 drops of your favorite essential oil (mine is lemon) on a rag or hand towel. Place it in your dryer and set your dryer to air dry. After cycling for 10 to 15 minutes, remove the towel and enjoy your fresh smelling dryer.

Cleaning Tip #5 :: Cheap Shower Cleaner

I know I've posted several cleaning recipes or hints for the bathroom, but this tip happens to be my new favorite, so I'm sharing!

Tip #5 ~ Pick up a bottle of original Dawn dish detergent, a small bottle of vinegar, and a squirt bottle on sale or at a dollar store. You could even reuse a condiment bottle. Pour 1/2 cup of Dawn into the bottle and fill the rest of the bottle with the vinegar. Viola! Cleaning product created. I spray my shower down and let it sit for ten to fifteen minutes; then scrub with a good bristle brush. Then rinse; repeat if needed.

When I used it on the glass section of my shower, I didn't let it dry and lightly wiped it with a paper towel. I did have to scrub a little for shampoo or conditioner on the glass. Then I rinsed - clear as day!

Cleaning 101 :: Tip #4 : Color Coordination of Towels or Rags

When I clean, I prefer using greener products or at least repurposing things I have on hand. When I clean the bathrooms, I use terry cloth rags; I do the same with the kitchen and other areas of the house. I use micro fiber clothes when I dust. I also have adorable kitchen towels I use for the day to day spills as well as dish and hand drying. When those cute kitchen towels get old, they get repurposed into the cleaning towel supply.

You might be wondering how I keep all these towels and rags straight? While it is not hard for me, it can be challenging for the males in my household. Since I do the majority of the cleaning, I know the purposes and places specific towels and rags are used. So, how can you make this easier on everyone else? Easy!

Tip #4

When purchasing new rags or towels, keep in mind to choose certain colors for certain tasks or rooms. By creating a color scheme chart or just informing everyone, bathroom rags won't end up drying the dishes!

For example, white towels/rags in the bathrooms; green for outdoor use; blue for appliances; yellow for kitchen; and so forth. You don't have to create a rainbow; but pick colors you enjoy and will help you to remember their cleaning zones.

For those worn-out adorable kitchen towels, use a sharpie marker and write their cleaning zone or purpose onto them.

Cleaning 101 - Tip #3 :: Bathroom Mold

Every now and then, we all experience the unsightly bathroom mold or mildew; it lingers in our tile grout and sealant lines. Besides using brand name chemicals, how can you get rid of it? Here are several options.

Tip #3:

Make a solution of one part hydrogen peroxide to two parts water in a spray bottle. Spray onto areas with mold or mildew. Wait one hour before rinsing.

Another cleaning solution, involves equal parts vinegar and water sprayed onto the area.

Or, if you prefer, 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. Again, spray the area. Rinse thoroughly, followed by a light vinegar wash and a final rinse.

Cleaning 101 - Tip #2

It seems everyone can always use a little help with inexpensive cleaning ideas to keep our homes beautiful and refreshing. Martha Stewart's Homecleaning Solutions: Bathroom Cleaning Tips are useful and practical. The site offers recipes to make your own cleaning products for certain jobs, informs you how to wash your shower linens, and clean bathroom toys. There is also an advertisment spot for Martha's cleaning products. I've never used them, so I can't say how well they work, but I do know her time-tested, homemade recipes do.

Cleaning Tip #2 "Clean bacteria and mildew from bath toys by giving them a vinegar-water bath. Fill a bucket or large bowl with warm water, adding 1/2 cup white vinegar per gallon of water. Soak toys for 10 minutes, then rub gently with a sponge and allow to dry. The acetic acid in vinegar cuts through dirt buildup and works as a natural disinfectant."

Cleaning 101

During Park Day yesterday, a fellow Mom asked our little group a question regarding removal of black streaks from her dishware. One Mom mentioned Bar Keepers Friend as a great source of cleaning, and I seconded the thought.

It's great to offer advice on how to clean something, but what about the cause?
Black streaks on dishware are usually the result of inexpensive cutlery in the dishwasher. Simply stated - the metals from the cutlery will rub off onto the plates causing the marks, which are more like scuffs on a floor, than actual scratches.

Another thing to consider is to purchase matte finish silverware, as it will not scuff dishware quite as much as the more metallic finishes.

Cleaning Tip #1 - When you notice black or grey scuff marks on your dishware, take a dampened soft sponge or rag and apply a dab of Bar Keepers Friend, known as the Can Do Cleanser, to the dishware. Gently rub in a circular motion until the scuff mark is removed; then rinse and dry.