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First things
first and Safety is first. Most likely you've got your little ones running
around while you are getting all of this cleaning and organization done. Accomplishing
some of these tasks requires household cleaners. Many household cleaners we use around the
house can not only be harmful but also expensive. Studies have been done and
they show that many of the cheaper brand cleaners work just as well as the name
brand and better yet, some of the homemade cleaners work even better. These homemade
cleaners are things that can be made with ingredients you probably already have
around the house. Here are a couple of my favorite that are a little less harsh
and a lot less expensive! *note these cleaners are still harmful for children,
but put off less fumes.
Disinfectant Spray: This spray can be
used on most surfaces (except wood) and works as a great disinfectant and glass
cleaner that won’t leave streaks or spots. . Mix the following ingredients and place in a
clearly labeled spray bottle (you can get these at the dollar store). You’ll
have an entire gallon of this cleaner for only a few dollars.
Ingredients:
1 gallon of
distilled water (pour about 3 cups off of the top)
2 Cups
Rubbing Alcohol
½ Cup
Ammonia
1 tsp. Dish
soap
Floor Cleaner: This is a tough cleaner
that can be used on tile or linoleum floors. This is also a good cleaner for
outdoor furniture.
Ingredients:
1 gallon
water
1 Cup
Ammonia
½ Cup
Vinegar
Child Toy Sanitizer: Using this as a
spray or soaking toys in a sink or bucket of this mixture will clean and sanitize
them. Make sure to rinse all toys with clean water and let air dry after sanitizing.
Ingredients:
1 tbsp. bleach
1 Gallon Water
* NEVER MIX AMMONIA AND
BLEACH! Mixing these chemicals creates a harmful gas that can be fatal and make
sure to clearly label homemade cleaners.
While cleaning, make sure to keep little ones away from
cleaners and water buckets by keeping them high and out of reach. Also, make
sure to open up doors and windows as not to get too many fumes in the air.
Be prepared! Having a
plan and be prepared for the work ahead can help things to go much smoother and
quicker. First make a list of everything you need to accomplish and a second
list of anything you need to purchase ahead of time such as cleaning products,
buckets, organization bins, etc. Here is an checklist template I've put together to save you a bit more time in your planning!

Keep a notebook with you as well to keep track of anything
you come across you may need to replace or fix. You can then focus on these
items at a later time and continue on with your spring cleaning list. Starting in the corner of a room and working
clockwise and from top to bottom can also be a time saver. Another good way
tackle a room is to clean yourself out of a room. This means that you work from
the furthest point from the door and work yourself out of the room. This way
you can move everything you want to remove from the room out of the door and
you aren’t continuously moving around it as you try to clean. You are also not creating a larger mess where
you have just cleaned.
Create a relaxed timeline to accomplish your spring
cleaning. If don’t have the time to commit to an entire day of cleaning, spread
it out over a week. Create time for 20 to 30 minutes a day to accomplish
smaller tasks. This will help you to feel less overwhelmed about the HUGE chore
of a Spring Clean. Also, having smaller goals to accomplish daily will keep you
motivated and you are more likely to finish the entire project. I use this method to stay on top of our weekly
housekeeping. Twenty minutes before bed is dedicated to just one or two chores
that is designated to a specific day of the week. Here is an example schedule I
use to stay on top of our housekeeping without having to carve out an entire
day on my weekend to clean house.
What are your Spring Cleaning must do items?
Check back next week for ideas on how to turn Spring
cleaning into a family activity and get your kids involved in the Spring
cleaning fun!
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