Spring Cleaning Done in 8 Hours!

Spring is in the air, or at least it is in St. George, and with that comes 2 words that I have feared most of my life: Spring Cleaning. Well thanks to Oprah.com and Lynn Andriani we have been given a way to get it all done in 8 hours! So suck it up, block out a Saturday and JUST DO IT!

image via

9 A.M.–10 A.M.: Bathroom

Vacuum and wipe the walls and ceilings. If you clear them annually of the almost imperceptible grime that builds up, then you won't have to deal with the impossible-to-remove kind that can accumulate if they're left untouched for a few years. Vacuum first, using the brush attachment. Then, wipe them with all-purpose cleaner, which is fine for painted walls. Don't forget the wall that's behind you every morning when you do your hair and makeup; it could be coated in hairspray, perfume or other beauty products.

Toss any throw rugs into the washing machine.

Wash mirrors and the insides of windows. Use microfiber cloths (they won't leave lint).

Spray and soak. Steve Mulloy, director of housekeeping at Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, recommends rubbing strong cleaning agents into shower walls, tubs, floors and sinks and then leaving to handle a task in another room. Fifteen or 20 minutes later (you can go move the rugs from the washer to the dryer), come back and rinse everything from the top down, starting with the showerhead. Take the same tack with the toilet, moving from the top of the tank to the rim, bowl and base. And don't use the cloths you used in the bathroom anywhere else before laundering them in very hot water.

Rinse the floor. After you've let the cleanser soak, as mentioned above, wipe the floor with a water-soaked mop on your way out.

10 A.M.–12:30 P.M.: Bedrooms

Vacuum and wipe walls and ceilings, and dust all surfaces. Pay special attention to switch plates and the outside edges of doors, where people tend to grab.

Let it breathe. A good airing will reduce the allergens and germs in mattresses, even if you can't lug them outside. Follow the advice of the Victorian era's go-to guide, Mrs. Beeton's Book of Household Management: "Throw the bed open, by taking off the clothes; open the windows (except in rainy weather), and leave the room to air." In Mrs. Beeton's day, housemaids left the windows open for a half hour, but if it isn't too cold, a few hours is even better.

Head to the washing machine. Once all the linens—sheets, pillowcases, quilts, duvet covers, mattress pads, dust ruffles, shams—are off the beds, wash them in order of what goes on the bed first (i.e., start with dust ruffles and mattress pads; end with shams) so you can put them back on the beds as they come out of the dryer and not have to worry about them sitting in a heap and getting wrinkled. If you're switching over to lighter quilts, wash the winter bedding before putting it away, because moths and other insects are attracted to body oil, perspiration and perfume.

Clean window treatments. For heavy drapes, use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum, or have them dry-cleaned; light drapes can go in the dryer on the fluff cycle with a dryer sheet.

Wash mirrors and the insides of windows.

Shampoo or steam-clean wall-to-wall carpets and area rugs. Some manufacturers will void the warranty if you can't prove that you've had your carpets professionally cleaned every year. Either buy a professional-grade carpet cleaner (which costs around $400) or rent one (many supermarkets now offer this service).

12:30 P.M.–2 P.M.: Kitchen

Clean the refrigerator and freezer. Empty the contents, store them in a cooler, turn off the fridge, and let the shelves and drawers come to room temperature before you wash them, since glass and ceramic parts could crack if they come into contact with hot water when they are cold. (You can move to the next task while you're waiting.) Once they've warmed up, wipe with a mixture of 2 tablespoons baking soda and a quart of hot water. Rinse and dry. Go over the door seals with hot water and mild dishwashing liquid, and pluck out crumbs and other debris. Dry them well.

Degrease cooking appliances. Take off stove grates and other removable parts, and scrub them with soapy steel wool pads (if the grease just won't come off, try letting them sit overnight in an airtight bag with a quarter cup of ammonia; the next day, wipe them with a clean cloth). Clean the oven. To get stuck-on food particles off the inside of the microwave, put a microwave-safe bowl of water with some lemon juice inside and heat it to boiling for 2 or 3 minutes. The steam will loosen gunk, and the lemon's acid will help lift grease.

Clean window treatments and wash the insides of windows.

Wash surfaces and cabinets. The tops of cabinets and the fridge may be sticky from grease, so a solution of warm water and dishwashing liquid will work best. You can also use the mixture in drawers and on shelves (and spray antibacterial cleanser inside the cabinet where you store trash). Pay attention to the utensils drawer and the pantry, since they collect the most crumbs.

Sweep, vacuum and mop floors.

2 P.M.–5 P.M.: Living Room, Family Room and Dining Room

Dust ceiling fans. Donna Smallin, author of The One-Minute Cleaner, prefers an extendable duster with a microfiber head that bends to a 90-degree angle so she doesn't have to get on a ladder. It's also useful for the tops of bookcases and shelves.

Vacuum and wipe walls and ceilings.

Care for your couch. Sofas and upholstered chairs get tons of use. Yet, says Sim Fern, co-founder of Mod Restoration, a furniture-repair shop in Brooklyn, some people never clean them. Just because you don't see stains doesn't mean there aren't dust mites present (they feed on skin flakes shed by humans and animal dander). Many Lowe's and Home Depot stores rent upholstery-cleaning machines or carpet-cleaning machines with upholstery wands, which will give your sofa and chairs a deep clean.

Wash your lightbulbs. Give them a wipe with a damp microfiber cloth, since a dirty bulb emits 20 percent less light.

Clean window treatments and wash the insides of windows.

Clean and dust electronics. Spray compressed air into crevices. Then, moving from top to bottom, use microfiber or electrostatic cloths. Clean underneath speakers, stereos, computers, DVD players and TVs too. Wipe away from ventilation areas so you don't push dust back in.

Sweep out your fireplace, storing unused logs.

Clean the carpets.

Order pizza for dinner.

Good luck!

7 Weird Ways To Not Get Sick (...Including Kissing And Hot Drinks)

So Tad came down with the Flu last night and I find myself hoping that it'll stop with him. So I looked up some ways to stop a virus in it's tracks on Planet Green. These aren't the usual answers you'd think you'd get. They even like some fun!

Don't stop dosing yourself with Vitamin C, but don't overlook some of the other more fun ways to stay healthy this sick season.

• 
  

You know about antioxidants and you've been religious about your daily dose of Vitamin C, but what else can you do to keep that tickle from creeping up the back of your throat or waking up in sweat-wet sheets and a chill shivering along your spine? Here are some of the weirder, but equally efficient ways to keep those sick bugs at bay:

1. Kiss

Couple exchanging helpful bacteria.
©Stockbyte/Getty Images

Yes, kissing can help you fight off colds and flu! By exchanging bacteria back and forth, you are actually enhancing your body's natural defenses and boosting your immune system. But that's not to say you should go out and give a big smooch to any sicky around you... Up the ante and have sex! Performed once a week, sex has been shown to increase immunoglobulin A (IgA) production, an immune-boosting protein that helps keep pathogens at bay. Get our sustainable sex tips.

2. Listen to Music

George Doyle/Getty Images

Research has shown that those same sex-boosted IgA proteins also rise when listening to music like jazz, bluegrass or soft rock for 30 minutes, particularly during some of the most elevated sick-inducing moments: stress. Even after the beat is turned off, the IgA production goes on for another 30 minutes. Looking for new musical inspiration? We have some free music downloads.

3. Walk Really Fast, But Don't Run!

Stockbyte/Getty Images

Research has revealed that a brisk walk 45 minute walk, four or more days a week can improve your immune system and minimize sick days. But don't run! Overexerting yourself (particularly if you're already feeling slightly under the weather) can do you in and send you straight to bed.

4. Don't Blow Your Nose

Stockbyte/Getty Images

When you're sick you nose tends to get stuffed up with mucus. Instant of fulfilling your urge to do a big hearty blow, take a decongestant or gently blow each nostril individually. Why? Blowing hard can actually push the mucus up into your sinuses, risking getting even more sick!

5. Get Hot

Photodisc/Getty Images

Studies show that, similar to drinking lots of water when you're sick, sitting in a hot sauna can detox a cold right out of your system.

6. Avoid the Desert (or any hot and dry climate)

Digital Vision/Getty Images

Dry desert air is a breeding ground for colds and flu. The reason? Viruses then to survive longer in moisture-sapped air, making airborne illnesses more readily present. Have a sicky in your house? Get a humidifier.

7. Drink Coffee

George Doyle/Getty Images

Viruses, in particular that gross Swine that's going around, take about 3 days to incubate (in your body) before you know you've come down with the dreaded flu. Drinking hot liquids, including coffee can help wash the virus out of your mouth and down into your stomach where it can't grow due to the acids. Chicken soup, tea, or just hot water have the same effect. Not a coffee drinker, gargling with very salty warm water can also derail a virus. The other place a flu likes to incubate is your nose. Doing a nasal flush or even just swabbing your nostrils with rubbing alcohol can kill the virus before it takes you down.

Good luck with your battle against sickness!

Halloween Proof Your House

Want to get your home ready for the big scary day? Well here are a few tips to help you get started! I found them on DIYLife

Halloween Trick or Treat-ers Safety

1. Make the outside of your house a safe place for trick or treaters to roam. Pick up branches, rocks and other debris from your front yard, walkway, and steps. Remove flowerpots, yard ornaments, hoses, and any other outdoor accessories that can easily tip or cause people to trip.

2. Use strings of Christmas lights to illuminate the walkway and front door. Afraid the bulbs will be broken or removed in fits of Halloween mischief ? Try rope lights instead. Just make sure the ropes are secured in place so they don't fall and become a tripping hazard.

3. Decorate the front of house with harmlessly hair-raising props. Refrain from using real household items like shovels, pitchforks, or heavy buckets for authenticity's sake. Obviously fake, rubber-tipped items are the safest way to go. What you lose in authenticity you can make up for in creativity!

4. Put pets in the basement of bedroom before trick or treaters begin to arrive. Even friendly pets can become agitated with all those new visitors.

Getty Images

Halloween Fire Safety

1. Keep your carved pumpkin from being a fire hazard. Jack o'Lanterns are a Halloween favorite, but an illuminated gourd can cause a house fire if the candle inside tips over. Rather than placing a votive directly inside your pumpkin, place it in a tuna fish can first. The can is short so the light will still radiate, but if the candle tips over, it will fall into the heavy tuna can; the tin will smother the flame before it has a chance to spread.

2. Keep Jack O'Lanterns away from high-traffic areas, dark corners, and flammable materials like curtains and couches. You want to reduce the chances that pets or costumed (and masked) kids will tip or trip over a lit pumpkin. The best, safest spot for Jack to reside? Inside the fireplace, where he can be the focal point of the room.

3. Try skipping real candles altogether and using a string of Christmas lights to illuminate your carved pumpkin. Lay the lights on some tin foil at the bottom of the pumpkin, then make a hole in the back of the gourd, string them lights through, and plug them into a nearby outlet. Another fire-free option: LED votives.

So all you need now is a bowl full of candy and some really cute costumes!

5 ALMOST Free Ways To Decorate

As a mom on a budget I'm always looking for ways to make my home feel like new without opening my wallet. And of course, Oprah gives me a great answer!

Just because you don't have a lot of extra cash doesn't mean you can't invest in your home. Artist and author Sandra Magsamen offers some artful, low-charge and no-charge ways to create a home that stimulates, captivates and motivates.

Color Outside of the Lines

Color is a wonderful gift, and paint is low cost. Repaint a room or all the rooms in your home. Dream about what feeling you want a room or rooms to share, and think through possible color choices. Journey down to the local paint store for an adventure, and gather tons of paint chips for your consideration and reflection (they are free).

Rummage and explore magazines, pulling out pages of rooms that you want to live in. Look for inspiration everywhere, including friends' homes, museums, movie sets and nature.

When you are ready to paint, make it fun. Host a paint party and invite some friends over. Make a plan for the evening and give everyone a job. Before you know it, you'll have splashed some new life into those old walls.

Remember when thinking about color that white brings in light and is the perfect canvas for hanging colorful art. Red is bold, primary and dramatic. Blue is reflective and peaceful. Green is all about nature and calm, and yellow activates and brightens any room.

I wish I was brave enough to use more color!

Putter the Clutter

In my home, clutter seems to multiply magically. Piles of books form here and there, baskets of unrelated items seem to pile up throughout my house and stacks of papers simply grow bigger in size without any human intervention.

For some of us, clutter can be daunting and can make our homes feel messy and unorganized. For others, clutter feels comfortable and fine. If you are one of those folks who love clutter, skip right past this section, but if clutter annoys you, my advice is to "putter the clutter."

It is really hard to declutter a house in one day because it is such a daunting task, so putter around in each room. Break down the job and pick a room to declutter, then move on to the next room another day. Remember, all this clutter didn't gather in one day and it doesn't have to go away in one day either.

If you break this job into small puttering steps, you'll have a better chance of getting it all done and not be overwhelmed by doing it. Make this job as fun as you can by putting on some great favorite music and dancing your way through the job. Ask yourself as you start this job, "What do I really need and want?" Today is the day to recycle old magazines and donate clothes, furniture and items that could help someone else. Pare down to what feels comfortable and nurturing for you.

We all know from a recent post that I'm no stranger to clutter. However today I de-cluttered my kitchen counters. Yes, we're all proud of me, and my kitchen feels 10 times bigger!

Rearrange for Change

If you have grown tired of the same old furniture in your living room and don't have the finances right now to go out and buy all new pieces, I suggest you do a little rearranging and you'll be delighted by the change. This tip costs nothing—the only thing you will need is the willingness to play!

Play around with what you already own and see how you could reuse or rearrange in your home. You could go wild with this idea, like moving the living room into the dining room and the dining room into the old living room, or simply rearrange the bedroom by m oving the bed under the window so you can feel the spring and summer breezes.

By simply playing around and moving around what you already own, you can change the whole look and feel of your home.

My husband will be the first person to tell you that I have an addiction for re-arranging my furniture. I blame my mother. :) I've never lived in a house for longer than 4 years, and I just get fidgety. I love how it feels like a new house every time I move the furniture around!

Get Creative

There are so many fun projects to explore and create as you invest in your home. Instead of running to the store to buy an accessory or home decorating item, think about how you might recycle, reuse or create a work of art instead.

• Make new pillows for the sofa by recycling and reusing fabrics.
• Sew a quilt from clothing that you no longer want to wear but that would be beautiful as a patchwork quilt.
• Paint a whole wall in chalkboard paint and enjoy writing, doodling, drawing, leaving messages, sharing famous quotes, creating or simply jotting down the grocery list.
• Need some lighting? Instead of purchasing a new lamp, why not decorate a lamp shade to match the room? Hot gluing colorful ribbons, buttons or fabric to a shade can look beautiful and artful. Using ceramic tile adhesive on a lamp base and gluing in shards of pottery or stones can create a beautiful mosaic feel to any lamp.
• Need a new rug in the foyer? Try painting a large piece of canvas and make a durable canvas rug. Using acrylic paint, paint the canvas with a design, paint splatter, words or any art that you love. Once dry, varnish with water base polyurethane four or five times, and you'll have a canvas rug that will be a work of art.
• Make a wreath out of vines you find on a walk in the woods. Gather vines and roll them up in a circle, then tie them together with string. You can decorate the wreath with anything or nothing.

I LOVE the chalkboard paint idea!

Grow Beauty

Create a garden in a window, a window box, a terra-cotta pot or the whole front yard. Growing flowers and vegetables is fun, satisfying and always makes a home more beautiful.

Enjoy planting and nurturing your garden, no matter its size. There is great joy and accomplishment that comes from helping anything grow. Make a lettuce garden and enjoy wonderful salads, plant herbs to use all year round, grow flowers you can cut and make a beautiful bouquet from and share your garden with others. You'll grow great friendships.

You don't have to spend big money to create the home of your dreams—you only need to spend some time and energy putting your imagination to work.

I've never been one for gardening, but I love how beautiful these window sill boxes look. Maybe i could handle one of these mini-gardens!

Are you a hoarder?

Ok, sorry mom if you read this, but I grew up with the Queen of Clutter! My mom believes that she can find a purpose for anything, and therefore she KEEPS everything. The kicker is she usually does figure out a way to use most things. She takes the foam packaging from computer parts she gets at work and makes swords, robots, and even play kitchens!

Sadly I seem to have inherited a little of my mom's pack-ratty-ness, and it's starting to drive Tad crazy. Although HE'S the one who hoards clothes. He's got almost every item of clothing he's ever bought from high school to now still in his closet. He needs twice the room that I do!

Anyways, back on track. Clutter, I need help, and Da-da-da-DAH, I found an awesome blog to help me out. Tsh at SimpleMom has a great blog that's all about keeping things simple. Which you probably could have figured out yourself, but there you go. She covers a lot of different things, but right now she's doing is doing Project Simplify. She's taking 5 weeks to tackle 5 'hot spots' of clutter. She's also attaching a giveaway to each week, it's pretty awesome. So if you need a kick in the butt like me to clear out your house, here it is!

Here’s how it works:

1. On Monday, She’ll announce that week’s “hot spot” project.

2. You’ll have the week to declutter, clean, and organize that area — don’t forget to take “before” and “after” photos (no straightening up ahead of time, either!).

3. On Friday, She’ll reveal her own “before” and “after” photos.

4a. You’ll also post your photos and write about your experience on your own blog, then link to it on Simple Mom.

4b. If you don’t have a blog, you can share your “before” and “after” photos in the Simple Living Flickr pool, describing your experience in the photos’ description. (You can also do this even if you have a blog.)

5. Rest from the week’s hard work by browsing everyone else’s photos (and find inspiration for the next project!).

6. Cross your fingers in hopes that you’ve won that week’s giveaway.