I didn’t think that I had started the timer, because I was almost completely finished when the timer went off and I didn’t think that I would get half the room clean in ten minutes!

So, here’s your challenge for today:  Choose a room in your house that needs some tidying-up and set the timer for ten minutes and clean, clean, clean until the timer goes off.  You’ll be amazed at the results!

Topics: Cleaning Challenge, Ten Minute Clean Up | 4 Comments »

Cleaning Myths

By Shannon | March 26, 2010

If you’re a “wannabe neat freak”, chances are you are somewhat of a perfectionist.  Although it may seem contradictory, the more of a perfectionist you are, the bigger chance there is that your house is in desperate need of cleaning.   This “all or none” attitude can definitely be a hinderance to your goal of having a clean house because most of the time we don’t have time to do “all” of it, so “none” of it gets done.

For me it wasn’t a huge task to keep my house clean when I was first married, even though I worked out of the home because I didn’t have children-yet.  When I had my first son, I was fortunate to be able to stay home with him and house cleaning was still somewhat simple.  Fast forward 18 years and 5 more kids later and even though I still have the opportunity to be home with my children, it’s definitely more of a challenge keeping the house clean.

I’ve definitely had to change my cleaning habits since my first child was born.  My perfectionistic, “all-or-none” cleaning attitude just wasn’t cutting it.  So, I’m here to bust a few cleaning myths that will hopefully enlighten your cleaning attitude:

Cleaning Myth #1:  When it comes to cleaning, it’s “all-or-nothing’.

I used to do my cleaning by rooms-the bathroom one day, the bedrooms the next day, and so on.  Even if I noticed that my toilet was getting a bit icky, I wouldn’t take one minute to scrub it out and wash it clean because if I did that, I would have to clean the entire bathroom, right?  And I just didn’t have the time to clean the entire bathroom at that moment. Because of that I dealt with an icky toilet for days longer than I needed to.  What I’ve learned over the years is that I can just take a minute (or 39 seconds to be exact) to clean the toilet and leave the rest of the bathroom for later.  Same with the kitchen; I can scrub the kitchen sink without having to mop the floor, clean the appliances and wipe down the cabinets.

Cleaning Myth #2 Commercial cleaners are best and the stronger, the better.

Lateley, I’ve come to realize that harsh chemical cleaners aren’t necessarily the best.  In fact, they are probably creating toxins in our home that we don’t realize are there.  There are tons of homemade, chemical free cleaners that will work in place of the commercial cleaners that you are using.  Not only will they create a safer home environment, they’ll also be softer on your pocketbook.

Cleaning Myth #3: Cleaning takes a long time

I’ve asked my seven-year-old daugther several times this week to clean her room.  Although she did attempt it once or twice, it always seemed to get messy again by the next day.  I decide yesterday that I would just spend ten minutes tidying up in her room and she would complete the job when she got home from school. I set the timer and went to work.  I was beginning to think the timer wasn’t working because her room was almost completely clean and I still hadn’t heard the buzzer.  It did finally go off, however, and I was amazed at how much I had accomplished in only ten minutes.

So, if we spend just a little time here and there maintaining our homes, it will definitely be easier than waiting until you have time to get the entire job done.  Please let me know if you have busted any other cleaning myths )

Topics: General Cleaning | No Comments »

Homemade Fabric Softener

By Shannon | March 25, 2010

After doing a little bit of research, I have found a homemade fabric softener that can be used instead of the dryer sheets.  The comment I received by Rebecca from my last post states that she uses vinegar in her rinse cycle.  The homemade fabric softener recipe I found uses vinegar and baking soda.  Here’s what it is:

• 1/4 Cup baking soda
• 1/2 Cup white vinegar

First, you fill your washing machine with water and add your baking soda, laundry detergent and then your clothes.  During the final rinse cycle, add the vinegar (pour it into the softener dispenser of your washing machine has one).  It’s a lot gentler on your clothes than the commercial brands and you will surely save money by using the homemade version.  It will also eliminate the build-up on your lint screen that was mentioned in my previous post.

I would love to hear about any other alternatives for homemade fabric softeners if you’ve used them!

Topics: Eco-Friendly, Natural Cleaners, Vinegar | 1 Comment »

Clean Your Dryer Lint Screen

By Shannon | March 12, 2010

I received an email from a friend yesterday that shared a story about her dryer going out.  The heating unit went out on her dryer and she had to call a repairman to come and fix it.   The repairman showed her something very interesting.  He pulled out her dryer lint screen which was clean-she cleans it after every load (I would like to be able to say the same!).  The repairman took the lint screen and held it under the faucette.  I’m sure you all know what the dryer lint screen looks like and that it is made of mesh.  Well, the water just sat on top of the screen!  It did not run through like she would have thought.

The repairman explained that the fabric softener sheets she had been using in her dryer created a film over her lint screen and that had a part in her dryer’s heating unit going out.  If you’ve ever noticed when you pull a fabric softener sheet from the box, it does feel kind of “waxy”.  This is the invisible build-up that ends up on your lint screen, and even your clothes.

To get rid of the build-up, take your dryer lint screen and wash it with hot, soapy water every six months.  This will help lower your electric bill and, according to the repairman, double the life of your dryer!

I use dryer sheets all of the time so I had to try this.  When I held my dryer lint screen under water, a little bit ran through, but most of it puddled up on top and stayed there.  I quickly cleaned it with hot soapy water, and yes, that solved the problem!

Topics: General Cleaning, Tips and Tricks | 2 Comments »

Lists-an important part of being organized

By Shannon | March 10, 2010

I’m a list keeper.  I have a shopping list attached to my refrigerator that me or any one of my family members can add to so I can remember all of the necessities on shopping day.  I have a date book that I use to write my daily to-do list in.  Lists are in important part of being organized, and for me, a great way to show accomplishment throughout the day.

If you are not a list keeper-I suggest you try it to help you organize your day a little bit better.  I usually have more on my to-do list than I can accomplish in one day (is it wishful thinking or delusion?), but it’s nice to be able to cross things off as I get things done.  Here are some things to remember about starting a to-do list:

• Keep your list visible so you can refer to it often
• Put things that have to be accomplished that day at the top.   Things that you would like to get done, but can wait, can go at the bottom
• Cross things off as you finish the task so you can get that great feeling of accomplishment

I like to use a dry erase board for certain lists (like my kids’ chore assignments for the day), but my personal to-do list stays right by my computer so that I can check it often.   Keeping a list is a simple, yet effective way to stay organized!

Topics: Get Organized! | No Comments »

ThouShaltClean has a new owner!

By Shannon | March 5, 2010

I would like to introduce myself to you as the new owner of ThouShaltClean!  My name is Shannon and I am a work-at-home mother of six children.  Just typing that makes me exhausted, but I’m here to tell you that even though you have kids, even though you have pets, even though you have a husband and even though you have a job-your house can still be clean!  I’m living proof of that.

It’s all about baby steps, baby, and I’m here to inspire you, challenge you and inform you.  Let’s face it, no matter how the cookie crumbles (and it crumbles often at my house!) cleaning is not fun.  I’m not here to flower it up, make it seem easy, help you try to enjoy it, blah-blah-blah.  I’m here to help you get your house cleaning done as quickly and effectively as possible so that you can have more time to enjoy the finer and “funner” things in life.

Topics: Announcements | 2 Comments »

Keep it Simple

By Lara | October 22, 2009

Do not make things complicated when organizing. If you have to move 10 things out of place to get to the one you want, problems arise. Somehow the things you moved will not find their way back home…especially if you are in a hurry. Before you know it the messies have arrived.

Keep it Simple

• No over stacking
• put most used items up front
• use drawer organizers
• use space savers
• clean and crisp is the goal
• toss clutter makers

Make it easy to keep things clean! Keep it simple!

Copyright © Lara Velez, All Rights Reserved

Topics: Cleaning Tips | 3 Comments »