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 | No 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 »
Toss It!
By Lara | October 21, 2009
If you can be honest with yourself, then this tip will help you keep the messies at bay in a major way! If you know you will not be using something within the next six months to a year. Toss it. Why let it take up space when there are plenty of things you do use on a daily basis that need a home?
If you notice that you have a lot of items that you know will never be used, have a yard sale. Your tash can be someone else’s treasure! Plus, you can make some extra cash to treat yourself with for all your hard work de-cluttering!
Copyright © Lara Velez, All Rights Reserved
Topics: Cleaning Tips | No Comments »
Whew! This bathroom is UNorganized!
By Lara | July 1, 2009
Well, my bathroom is a harder job than I expected it to be. I found more junk in my linen closet than should be allowed. LOL. I had things I did not even know I had…and more soap pars and pads then any woman should have under normal circumstances!
The cleaning part is complete. The emptying is complete….albeit all the stuff I am keeping is lingering on my dining room table and in two boxes.
Next step. Organize it all!
AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!
Copyright © Lara Velez, All Rights Reserved
Topics: Bathroom, Cleaning Challenge, Get Organized!, My Cleaning Diary | No Comments »
One Step at a Time Leads to an Organized Life
By Lara | June 30, 2009
Getting organized for those who are organizationally challenged is like trying to eat a soft serve ice cream cone in a furnace…messy and impossible! ROFLMBO! No worries though, there is a solution…
One Step at a Time Cleaning
Do not let the messies overwhelm you. Set small organizing goals. Make a list of everything you would like to accomplish as far as cleaning. Then set out to accomplish them. Do ONE task each day. Just one.
Before you know it, your list will become4 smaller and smaller until you are an organizing guru…(well at least fairly neat, lol)… Then it’s all maintenance baby!
Example of One Step at a Time Organizing
Let’s look at one example from “to do” list.
Clean Kitchen
Break it down in to one cleaning task at a time like this:
- Day One: counters
- Day Two: fridge
- Day Three: stove
- Day Four: pantry
- Day Five: appliances
- Day Six: floors
Success Tip: Remember, once you complete one task, you must maintain it if you want to keep the messies at bay. So, if you clean the counters on day one, make sure you wipe them down on days 2-6. Then when the whole kitchen is done, at the end of each day, your load will be much lighter. You will only be dealing with normal everyday messes…not major overhaul type cleaning.
As you may have already guessed, I am by no means an expert in the ways of organizing. I am an average Mother who is organizationally challenged trying to make life cleaner and less stressful. I am simply sharing what I am learning as I go and hope that there are people out there like me who need simple solutions for the average messy life!
Copyright © Lara Velez, All Rights Reserved
Topics: Cleaning Tips, Get Organized!, STAY Organized!, Tips and Tricks | 1 Comment »
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