How to declutter your kitchen countertops

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When you know the simple solutions to reducing clutter, can make it more simplified and reach that goal of organization. The closest is the number #1 place to find clutter as it can become an easy place to stuff things out of sight quickly. With continued stashing, it can quickly become out of control and an inconvenience when you are trying to find your coat and shoes!

A way to reduce closet clutter is to find appropriate storage solutions. If you closest doesn’t contain a shelf, install one. By placing labeled stack-able bins helps organize and makes it easy to see what is there.
Especially if you use clear bins.

Keep in mind, one goal of reducing clutter is to get rid of what is not in use or what you don’t use.

Are you really going to get around to reading those old magazines or are they just piling up? A good solution might be to go through the magazines and cut out the articles that you would like to keep and use plastic sleeves and place them in a binder. This can become a clever way to keep your do it yourself project instructions organized.

Under the bed is another clutter nightmare. Shoes, memory boxes, bedding, it all seems like there is no where else to keep this stuff. Well, if you have done your job right in the closet, you may have just gained a place. But, you can also find simple solutions to your storage problem here too. Purchase bed lifts to maximize the space you have under your bed for storage. You can also try using space bags to hold your seasonal bedding. Space bags allow you to suck all of the air out of the bag so that the bag and bedding within it becomes smaller and easier to store. Bins that have wheels on them and easily slide out from under your bed is also an easy way to store items but still keep them close at hand.

To tackle and reduce clutter is about assessing the items value and is it worth keeping? Keep asking yourself these questions:
Have you used in in the last year?
Do you have a duplicate of this one, which one is the better one?
Is it working?
What is the reason your are keeping it? Guilt?
Does it fit you?

Addressing questions like those can be difficult to answer however keeping focused on obtaining the end goal you started out with -the organized living environment. Be honest with yourself and stay focused until you have achieved your goal.

With A little down time and a job to do, the Military demonstrate room cleaning procedures in action… In, clean and out! Enjoy

As headstones can be made of different materials and require special consideration in cleaning and maintenance, it’s perhaps best left up to the professionals that specialize in the cleaning and maintenance.  For further reading:

The website Memorials.com has an interesting article on the dos and don’t of cleaning.

Also the website Everlife Memorials has cleaning information and preservation.

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Wash in the early morning or late evening

The professionals advise that your car be washed early in the morning or late in the evenings to keep from having water spots.  These spots happen when you wash your car during the heat of the day when the sun it so strong.  If you have to wash during the hot hours of mid day try and find a shady place to do this.

Start at the top and work your way down

I recommend starting at the roof and working your way down to the tires.  Naturally the lower half of your car is what captures the most dirt, rocks and other road grime.  Also by starting at the top of your car and working down you will avoid getting scratches on your car from the debris picked up from the roads.

Step by Step Car Cleaning Tips

• Use a garden hose when washing at home.
• Rinse your car from top to bottom, setting the hose on the highest pressure level to help remove the dirt and grit.
• While your car is soaking with the water on it now would be a good time to start on the inside of your car.
• Remove any soda cans or bottles, papers and any big items in the floor board or interior. Remove the floor mats so that these can be vacuumed and then start vacuuming the interior of the car.

• Use a wet or damp cloth to wipe down the dashboard, console and other plastic areas inside the car.
• Wash the carpets and any upholstery stains with products designed for this from your local car care dealership or store.

Now it’s time to go back to washing the outside of your car.  Rinse the car one more time, then with a soft cloth or sponge gently wipe the car (starting with the cleanest part first) removing all particles of dirt and grime.

• Using a bucket of clean water pre-wash your car with a mild detergent or car shampoo.
• Now for the main wash you need a slightly bit of a deeper scrub.  Not enough to cause any damage to your cars paint, going in a back and forth motion instead of swirls.

• After you have washed the entire painted part of your car let’s move on to the tires and wheels.  For this I recommend using a brush.
• After scrubbing the tires and wheels then move to the front of your cars grill.  Here you may want to use a sponge that is covered with netting so as not to scratch your paint.
• You can also try a making a paste of baking soda and water, on a damped net sponge to gently clean those mags!

After your completely done washing the car as well as tires and wheels then you need to give your car a final rinse with clean water.

For cleaning the glass I would use mild liquid soap and water.  A recipe given to me from High Class auto cleaning uses a mixture of:

• half rubbing alcohol
• half pine sol
• Squirt on clean cotton rag and clean windows.
• They also recommended never using any ammonia or vinegar based products on window as it will damage the tinting

Once washed, dry quickly to avoid any streaks, leaving clean shiny glass behind.

Once your car is completely dry.  Dry in a back and forth motion as opposued to swirling and it won’t show up as much in the sun!

It’s time now to polish.  You can pick up a jar or can of car polish from your local car care store for this as well.  Rub the car polish on  in back and forth rubbing motion, once again instead of swirls and buff off.

You will now have a shiny glossy finish and your car will look new once again.  Your now well on your way to cleaning your car like a pro!

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The grout that lines your tiles is there to protect the sides of the tiles and keep it from becoming damaged in any way. Grout is the plaster used to fill in the cracks in between your tiles to hold them in place. Tile grouts normally located in the kitchen and baths are usually the hardest to keep clean. It’s because they gather dirt, mold, mildew, soap scum, grease, etc. By having a regular scheduled time for cleaning tile will help you to avoid the more difficult work.

If you know how to clean the tile effectively this will help you greatly. There are some general rules for cleaning grout:

• First off, simply wash the grout with water to remove any surface dirt and then let dry. I do not recommend using a bleach cleaner on colored grout as it will cause discoloration. It’s best to use simple bleach on any colored tile to avoid fading and discoloration.
• To scrub the grout use a stiff bristled brush. A toothbrush would really be to soft and a wire brush would cause damage.
• Remember safety first and make sure the room you are working in is well ventilated. Especially with chemicals such as bleach to avoid becoming sick from the fumes.
• As well, wear protective eye wear and even some gloves. Sample on a small area first to see how well it will work and whether it will cause damage.
• Remember NOT to mix contents of chemicals with other type chemicals.

Eco friendly grout cleaning

When learning how to clean your grout you may already have some cleaners in your cabinets at home. A simple solution of baking soda and water mixed together to make a paste often works well. This cleaning solution would need to be left on the surface for awhile to work. After leaving it a bit then scrub the grout with your brush and it should easily be removed.

Method for white grout only

Another application you can use is that of equal parts water and bleach. Remember, this is only for white grouting. Mix your solution together, spray directly onto grout and watch the mold and mildew disappear. If you do this at regular times about once a week this will help to keep the grout clean.

Hydrogen peroxide or white vinegar

• Many people prefer using hydrogen peroxide to clean their tile grout. Just spray this one the area then scrub it and the molds and dirt will be dissolved.
• By using the hydrogen peroxide your not only cleaning but disinfecting as well.
• You can also get the same results from using white vinegar.
• Pour or spray this onto your grout, scrub and rinse away.
• Always remember that however you decide to clean or what cleaner your going to be using, that once your finished rinsing always rub the grout dry.
• Vinegar is a economical and safe cleanser to use.

If you do insist on some sort of commercial cleaner that would also work well too.  However do remember to read the directions carefully as working with anything other than what I have listed could contain harsh chemicals and you want to avoid any dangers. Especially if you have young children or babies.

Now that you know how to properly clean your grout you no longer have to hire professionals to do the job for you. Just remember scheduled routine cleaning is best to avoid a build up of any kind and keeps you from having to do many hours of extra cleaning on your hands and knees.

Seal your grout!

This is something often you might not think about, but sealing your grout yearly is a great way to protect it.  For types of sealers to use, best to check with your local hardware store,  and seek knowledgeable help.

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Baking Soda is one Green cleaning product that can be used many different ways to get your home clean! In the video is 16 tips to clean using baking soda.

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Bathroom

• keep a container of wipes (disinfectant) in every bathroom, each night wipe down your counters, toilet and sink. This way your bathroom will be disinfected and the surfaces clean.

• Use your cleaning products to spray down the tub, shower, counter and toilet, while as you are emptying the garbage container and hanging fresh towels. Then return and wipe everything down.

• Use a dirty bath towel as your bath floor mat while you clean the shower, keeping the floor from getting slick, after wards place it in the laundry room.

• Keep a squeegee in your shower(s) and use this to wipe down the shower doors and shower walls after each shower.

• Kill two birds with one stone! If you have younger children that require your presence while they bathe then take advantage of this. Use this time to clean the toilet, mirrors and sink.

• Keep any of your combs, hair accessories and brushes in pretty little baskets or in drawers.

• To keep your counter tops uncluttered try storing your curling irons, hair accessories and blow dryer in the cabinet drawers or baskets uncluttering the counter.

Kitchen

• To keep your kitchen sparkling clean then try using baking soda or peroxide. This will also keep your counters sanitary.

• Before going to bed each night take a few minutes to use your soapy dish cloth to quickly wipe up the floor in your kitchen. After wards place the cloth into the laundry.

• Try not to let your dishes stack up during the day. Wash them after each meal and put them away. If you have a dishwasher then load it after every meal, even if you are not running it then.

• If you have pets in your house then I suggest vacuuming up the pet hair. Sweeping will only scatter it in other places.

• To avoid a “foul smelling” kitchen then be sure and rinse your dish cloth out each time you use it. Also hang it up to dry somewhere. It is also a very good idea to change it to a clean one at least every day.

• If you have a dishwasher it is a good idea to wash your sponges or pot scrubbers in it each time you run it.

Nightly Clean Up

• To make your mornings much nicer to wake up to then before going to bed at night make sure all of your dishes are washed and put away, counter tops are wiped down and free from stacks of clutter.

• Also before going to bed make sure the bathroom has everything put away. Wipe the counter tops, sink and toilet down with your disinfectant wipes and hang up clean towels.

• While locking up your doors at night take a laundry basket and do a walk through. Pick up anything that is scattered around the house and place back where it belongs. Things such as: clothes, toys and shoes.

Quick Tips

• Would you like to surprise yourself? Set your kitchen timer for 15 minutes and see just how much cleaning you can get done during this time.

• I’ve learned that cleaning for shorter lengths of time makes the task seem that much shorter. If you are wanting to clean longer then to make yourself in a better mood about it put on a headset and listen to a book or CD of your favourite music.

• Keep a container or bucket in each room stocked with your cleaning supplies. This works especially well for bathrooms and kitchens.

• Tackle one room at a time. Start at the top and work your way to the bottom. This way you will be sure not to miss anything.

• Keep plastic grocery bags close to your litter boxes if you have pets. As well as the scooper for picking up the litter. By having them handy it won’t take as much time to clean.

• When emptying out your garbage cans place new bags in the bottom of each. Then the next time you are changing out there is a new bag waiting.

• To get into those little nooks and crannies that requires cleaning then keep a supply of cotton swabs in with your cleaning supplies.

• During the day as you are walking from room to room put things away. This saves you a lot of time later. Better yet teach your family to put things away they have gotten out.

• Do two tasks at once. While running your laundry also run your dishwasher.

• As your cooking a meal put each item when you are finished with them away. Such items as any ingredients you are using. As well wash down your pans and put those away when finished with them. It will make cleaning up after everyone has eaten so much faster.

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Always start with the exterior of your car. There is simply no need to go out and purchase any fancy car shampoos as plain liquid soap diluted with water will give you the same amount of clean. It removes the dirt and road grime just as well as the more expensive cleaners will. One thing you do need to keep in mind is that you should always wash your car (if possible) in a shaded area so that the when rinsed it doesn’t dry so fast that it makes water stains.

• First off, give your car a good pre-rinse with your water hose to remove the loose dirt and grime.
• Mix your soap and water in a bucket and using a sponge or car wash mitt then start washing the car from the top of the roof to the bottom down and including the tires.
• This keeps you from washing the dirtiest part of your car first (the tires and wheels) and then going up, so as to prevent any scratching caused from debris such as pebbles.
• It is also a really good idea to use one mitt for the tires and wheels and even the bugs on the grill and then using a different car wash mitt for the remainder of your car.
• As well as changing and using clean soapy water as you go.

• It’s also a good idea to wash in lines versus going in a circular motion.
• Take one section of your car at a time.
• Start with the roof, wash and scrub and then rinse.

• Then take the hood of your car and do the same working towards the back.
• Save the tires, wheels and grill for last.

After you have washed the entire car and rinsed it in sections then after you are done give it one final rinse from top to bottom once more. Next dry your car as quickly as possible to prevent any water stains from appearing.

• Use a shamois for this and again, remember to dry in lines not circular motions. Lines will be less likely to show in the sunlight than circular motions will.

Next let’s talk about car cleaning tips for the inside of your car’s interior. As you know this is as important as the exterior so be aware of what you are doing.

• Always check your owners manual for any type of restrictions for cleaning specific parts. You had rather be sure now about what is safe to clean as find you made an awful mistake later on.

After getting your vacuum ready also get together a few things for cleaning the interior such as:

• toothbrush or small paint brush or even Q-tips for those hard to reach places.

• It is a good idea to clean more on the sections or parts of the car that you use or touch the most.
• Places such as the seat belt, driver’s door and handle, steering wheel and your shifter.

In order to protect the car’s fabric you can use a little bit of mild laundry soap mixed with water. A wonderful way to eliminate any car odors is to use vinegar, it’s much more economical and works great.

For the other parts of the interior here are a few cleaning tips that you should pay attention to. There are several types of cleaners for making your dashboard clean and shiny. The choice on this is strictly up to you. For cleaning your cars interior upholstery I highly recommend using shampoo. This shampoo can also be used for vinyl coverings, and soft tops as well. It works on any standard type seating covering.

• If you car has a leather interior I would use the better leather sprays to prolong the life of the car’s leather.

Using your household vacuum cleaner works just as well as those that are made specifically for cars. The only difference would be the car vacs are much more light weight and portable. However, if you house vacuum comes with attachments that should make it easier to get to those hard to reach places in your car’s interior.

In order to keep your car looking good inside as well as out this can be a very tiresome job, but if done regularly this will keep it from taking so long. It will make this chore to be more efficient and less time consuming a chore, With the help of these simple car cleaning tips.

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