Last Updated on September 23, 2020 by Ellen Christian
I was part of the Every day, care™ project with Whirlpool® as part of a sponsored post for Socialstars. #EveryDayCare
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Finally the summer is here and I can throw open the windows and do a good deep cleaning. While many of you are probably more familiar with spring cleaning, here in Vermont spring is mud season. It’s really hard to do a good deep cleaning when the temperatures are still freezing outside and every trip in and out of the house means more snow and mud on the floors.
9 Summer Cleaning Tips and Tricks
By the time June arrives, the snow is generally gone and most days have warmer afternoon temperatures that allow me to open the windows and enjoy the breeze. Summer also has one other things that spring doesn’t have – kids home from school. When the kids were little, it was hard for me to clean with them around.
Now that they are 17 and 22, I can delegate – one of my favorite words. When I moved out at 18, I knew nothing about cleaning. My Mom had done it all and I was very much unprepared. I don’t plan on making that same mistake. With the kids home for the summer, I can include them in my home care routines so they have an idea of what needs to be done when they’re on their own.
- Washing machine care. The washing machine can start to smell like mildew in the summer because of the added heat. After teaching my son to run the washer/dryer, I talked to him about how well a vinegar rinse in the washing machine works to kill mildew.
- Removing allergens. Summer also means pollen and both Sarah and I have allergies. We pay special attention to dusting several times a week to be certain we keep the indoor pollen count to a minimum. A microfiber cloth will catch and hold more dust than a feather duster will.
- Remove fingerprints on glass doors. With all the extra trips in and out, the glass in our front door seems to accumulate more fingerprints than ever. Use a mixture of vinegar and water to clean your glass and wipe them dry with crumpled newspaper. It’s better for the environment and leaves the glass streak free.
- Take shoes off at the door & keep them dry. Nothing tracks more dirt into the house than wearing your shoes inside. Take them off at the door and if they are wet from the grass or the beach, put a piece of crumpled up newspaper inside to absorb the wetness.
- Polish the silver. OK we don’t have silver but we do polish the showerhead and fixtures in our bathroom to keep it spiffy for company. If you have hard water, just fill a bag with vinegar and tie it around the showerhead. Let it soak for an hour and then wipe it off.
- Freshen the lamp shades. We have cats so dust and cat hair can often be found on our lampshades. The best way to remove it is to use a lint brush.
- Clean your cutting boards. Get ready for summer barbecues and picnics. Plastic cutting boards can be bleached to remove stains. Wooden and bamboo cutting boards can be rubbed with half a lemon and sea salt.
- Line your refrigerator shelves with plastic wrap. The kids are not known for wiping up spills when they make them. When the shelves get stained, just remove the plastic wrap and start over.
- Freshen your bathroom. Extra summer guests may leave your bathroom slightly less than fresh. Put a cotton ball soaked with a fewd rops of lavender essential oil inside the toilet paper tube for a natural bathroom freshener.
Doing a really good deep clean may not be the most glamorous way to spend part of your summer but it’s one of the ways I take care of my family. I like knowing that the kids are a little bit more prepared to take care of themselves than I was when I left home
Whirlpool has launched the Every day, care™ Project to highlight how simple acts of care can change the world. Little acts like cleaning the dishes after a meal or folding the laundry can make a big difference in the lives of those we love. Click here to check out the Every day, care™ website and see how the little things can add up to big changes. #EveryDayCare
Ellen is a busy mom of a 24-year-old son and 29-year-old daughter. She owns six blogs and is addicted to social media. She believes that it doesn’t have to be difficult to lead a healthy life. She shares simple healthy living tips to show busy women how to lead fulfilling lives. If you’d like to work together, email info@confessionsofanover-workedmom.com to chat.
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