Over the years I have tried many different cleaning products.  However, recently I have converted over to the simple vinegar and bicarb remedy.  Together it is really effective, non toxic and low in price.  I still however use surface wipes for the loo.  Now all my cleaning supplies can fit into one bucket, making it easy to go from room to room. 

This is my new and improved cleaning kit!

In my cleaning kit I have:

• Bicarb
• Vinegar in spray bottle
• Sugar soap in spray bottle
• Gumption
• Toilet discs
• Surface cleaning wipes
• Shower wipes
• Mirror wipes
• Sponge
• Cleaning brush
• Microfibre cloth
• Sock
• Household bucket from Woolworths

Bicarb

Together bicarb and vinegar are a great combination for cleaning the shower, around the basin taps, the oven, almost everywhere.  I keep my bicarb in a powdered sugar shaker, from spotlight.  Shaking required amount then spray on vinegar. 

Vinegar

I purchase a big bottle of vinegar and empty as required into the spray bottle.  Spray bottles can be found at all hardware and discount shops.  Remember to label your bottles.  Vinegar is such a versatile product. Don’t be put off by the odour I promise you it will dissaear in 5 mintues.   I use vinegar and hot water to clean my floors, storing this solution in my Rubbermaid Reveal Mop, always ready to quickly clean up a mess. 

Sugar soap and sock

I use sugar soap and a spare sock to clean the walls.  Spray on the sugar soap with one hand and wipe over with a sock on the other hand.  Quickly and easily picking up all dirt on the walls. 

Gumption

Gumption is used for:

• Hard water stains around the bathroom sink and tub
• Stubborn marks on the walls
• Cleaning the ceramic stovetop
• Pots and pans

This tub will last you years.

Toilet Discs

After cleaning the toilet I like to put the discs in the bowl as it continually gives it a fresh smell.

Surface Cleaning Wipes

I use surface cleaning wipes to clean the toilet.  Prior to this I was using the toilet paper and a disinfectant, but I was using too much loo paper.  I prefer to use a disinfectant wipe that I can dispose of. 

Shower Wipes

These wipes have made cleaning the shower alot easier.  I sprinkle bi-carb and vinegar on the tiles, while that sits for 10 minutes I wipe down the screens.  They are designed to cut through soap scum with ease, it’s unique non-scratch dual textured fabric, has a ‘scrub side’ to lift and trap stubborn soap and a ‘smooth side’ to wipe away remaining grime and residue, as well as an anti-scum solution to reduce future build-up.  I then use my cleaning brush to scrub the tiles, rinse and finished.

Mirror Wipes

Viva Glass & Mirror wipes are strong reusable cloth type wipes, which leave your glass and mirrors sparkling.  There are 2 steps to this system dampen the blue wipe then clean your surface, use the white wipe to dry…sparkling clean, easy as that.  I love that I don’t need to use chemicals!!!

Sponge

For cleaning the bathroom and wiping down surfaces

Microfibre cloth

To remove dust.  I don’t like to use a duster as I prefer to pick up the dust and shake it off outside.

Cleaning Brush

This brush is from Tupperware, is so versatile, helps to clean window tracks, bathroom sink, shower…almost anywhere.  They come in a pack of 2, I use the other in the kitchen to clean kids drink bottles. 

Do you have a cleaning kit?

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From the archives

Before these chilli nights end and start to warm up, we need to remove all the dust built up on the blades over the winter season. This is beneficial to prevent skin allergies and hay-fever, dust build up can also cause squeaky fan noises (how annoying are they through the night).

How to dust ceiling fan:

1. Use a step-ladder to reach the fans, or stand on the bed if underneath. But be careful please!!
2. If you are a shorty like me more than likely you won’t be able to see the tops of the fans, perhaps where your sunglasses to prevent dust falling in your eyes.
3. Best idea is to use the vacuum cleaner first, use the brush attachment to pick up all clumps of dust.
4. Take off the brush attachment regularly and suck up the build up on the brushes with the vacuum.
5. If the vacuum hose isn’t long enough bring a chair beside you and place vacuum on chair giving it more height.
6. Not all dust will have been picked up. Use a damp cloth, damp paper towel or surface wipes to wipe the top and bottom of each blade. Using a damp cloth will collect the dust easier and prevent it from falling onto the floor below.

Maintenance:

• Each month use a dusters with a long handle to dust blades.
• Every 3 months wipe blades with a damp cloth.
• Every 6 months vacuum blades and wipe with damp cloth.

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The words Spring Cleaning can be daunting.  I don’t agree with the term ‘spring cleaning’ as I believe your house needs to have a really good clean at least 2 times a year, and if you have time seasonally is perfect.  Understandable, looking after kids and working makes it hard to find the time.  Over the next few day’s I would like to help those struggling and find it overwhelming to start this cleaning process.

Take it one day at a time, or one day per week at a time, but let’s get you started.

Motivation

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and finally you can do it, simple baby steps

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 Will you join in??

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It’s spring, a brand new season to enjoy.  Time to open windows, allow the fresh air to circulate through the house, dust off your outdoor furniture and clean the pool!

The Organised Housewife Cleaning Checklist will help you with your spring cleaning tasks, allowing you to check off accomplishments once finished.  However, over the next few day’s I’ll help motivate you to make a start.

You may also like this post – 5 Steps to clear your clutter.

Do you spring clean?

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• To remove the baked on food at the bottom of your oven sprinkle with bicarb soda.  Fill a spray bottle with vinegar, then spray this over the bicarb, allow to sit for an hour.  Then it should be easy to remove, if not, repeat the process.
• To clean the shelves, place a few old towel in your bathtub (enough to prevent scratches) then put in your shelves and sprinkle nappy-san over top.  Fill bath with HOT water enough to cover the shelves.  Leave for approx 1 1/2 hours.  Gently scrub grime, should easily come off.

See HERE for more general kitchen tips

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I give my microwave a wipe over each week.  My microwave manual it recommends not to use harsh chemicals or abrasives, so I usually fill my sink with warm soapy water and use this with my sponge to wipe down the microwave.

HOW TO CLEAN MICROWAVE

1. Half fill a glass jug, add 1 tablespoon of vinegar.  Place in microwave and turn on for 5 min. (this will loosen all the food)
2. Remove glass jug
3. Remove the glass turntable from microwave, clean and dry.
4. Remove the rotating element the plate sits on, clean and dry. This will give you easier access to the dirt in the microwave.
5. Wipe over inside of mircowave
6. Place element and turntable back into microwave
7. Wipe over outside of micowave, polish if stainless steel.

Once a month,

1. Remove microwave from shelf.
2. Wipe shelf to remove all dust.
3. Wipe the microwave electrical cord, removing all dust particals and give the outside a wipe down too. Place back on shelf.
4. If there are any sticky or grimy parts, wring sponge slighly for a small amount of water to sit ontop of grim for a minute.

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The mailbox

In the lastest issue of the The Organised Housewife newsletter I set this weeks cleaning tasks to clean the front entrance and the mailbox.  Birds sit on it and do their business, dust and dirt like to settle ontop, and ants like to start calling it home.  Grab a sponge and bucket of soapy water and give it a good wash, rinse and it will be like new again!  Or…wash it when you are washing the car next.  This is a perfect job the kids can help with!

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