I don't usually review books.  Though I love to read, for the most part, anything on my bedside table is likely to be a mystery, something comedic or a biography.  Not exactly Entertaining Grace material.

Of late, however, I can barely open a web browser or read a news feed without hearing rave reviews about The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up - a book that's getting incredible amounts of attention for its "new" approach to decluttering and organizing.  As both of these topics are ones that I write about and research often, I felt I couldn't ignore the buzz and bought my own copy.

To begin with, I should say that I have a bit of a bias against books of this nature (hence, why you'll rarely catch me reading one).  In my opinion, anything that claims to be "life-changing" is, at best, egomaniacal and, at worst, snake oil.  I feel the same about trendy diet books - "cut out [select one] carbs/sugar/gluten/calories/fat/meat and you'll never have to diet again!!"   (Clearly they are completely unrealistic about my willingness to permanently give up Oreos).

To be fair, most of these books have SOME nuggets of truth in them - pieces of advice that are sound and based on longstanding proofs.  But anything that makes such grandiose claims (for example, this book claims in the introduction that, by following this method, you'll "never be messy again")  I tend to view with caution.

Aware of my prejudices, however, I did my best to go into reading the book with an open mind.  If the methods described were that revolutionary, perhaps a little bit of self-aggrandizing was warranted.

The Magic

Author Marie Kondo begins the book with an introduction that touts some pretty fantastic claims and even more enthusiastic reviews.  Multiple individuals credit the KonMari Method (please know how hard it is for me to not roll my eyes at the name - and the fact that she had to explain it) with not just improving their day to day lives and living situations but also being the impetus for following forgotten dreams, increasing business sales, improving marriages, encouraging a divorce (perhaps that's what improved the marriage...?), and losing significant amounts of weight.  By the end of the introduction, I felt fairly certain that spontaneous pregnancy or the gift of flight might be possible by the last chapter.  (Open mind, Emily-Grace, open mind...)

Once I got into the book however, I found myself agreeing with much of her methodology.  Kondo believes (as I do) that the best way to approach an organizing overhaul is to begin by addressing the contents of your entire space (rather than room by room), grouping like things, honestly evaluating every item and streamlining by paring down.  Although she doesn't describe it in these words, this process is essentially like hitting a reset button on your entire home.  Truly, I'm a fan of this idea.  If only there were a reset button with weight. (Hey look! I'm a size two again!  And my skin is completely firm!  I promise I'll always strive to appreciate and maintain this shape and... damn it, WHO BROUGHT OREOS?!)

One of the main tenets outlined in the book is that, when evaluating an object, it's important to quite literally touch every item and decide if that item truly brings you joy. If it doesn't, it's not worth keeping.  What I particularly appreciate about this idea was that Kondo stresses how important it is to view the process as determining what to keep as opposed to what to throw out.  This spin does seem to have some merit.  Anything with a more positive goal sustains hard work for longer than something with a negative one.

Keeping with the positivity, she also believes that the items you choose to discard should be thanked for their time and whatever purpose in your life they held (even if it's "Thank you for giving me joy when I bought you").  I have to say this new-agey act is a little out of the box for me, BUT, once again, I see the benefit.  The gesture allows the sorter to release any negative feelings about the process or themselves and move on without guilt.

Kondo uses a lot of anthropomorphism, which did, at times, annoy the crap out of me.  The idea of giving my socks "a holiday" or only hanging clothes that look like they would be "happier that way" is a bit too spacey for me.  That said, I was impressed at how well this manner of speaking underscored the notion of truly respecting our possessions.  While I'm not sure if I'll ever thank my purse for a job well done, it did cause me to evaluate ways in which I could treat my things a little better.

What I disliked about the book was there was a definite feeling of exclusivity to the TYPE of person that she was primarily addressing.  As though the various priorities and/or needs of the average person's lifestyle were incorrect if they didn't align with her own.  Yes, I would love to sit and sip tea and admire my possessions at the end of the day (I'm not being glib - she genuinely says she does this), but frankly, I consider a day a success if I have time to get a shower and put on clothes that lack baby spit up.  I'm one of the most organized and tidy people I've met and yet if you looked at the floor of my living room at the end of any given day there may be baby toys from when my daughter was playing there, my running shoes from when I took her for a long walk, a dropper I used to give her her medicine and, undoubtedly, my notebooks and laptop sitting hopefully in the middle of it all just in case I have a spare second to get some work done.  It's not that these things don't have a place (or "a home" as she refers to it).  It's that I place higher value on the people and experiences in my life than I do on living in an austere environment.  And yet, there's something in the tone of this book that makes me feel that thanking and putting away my shoes immediately should be more important than pulling my little girl out of her stroller, feeding her and giving her a good cuddle after we return home.  (I am, perhaps, overstating it, but hopefully you understand my point).

From a practical standpoint, I felt that there should have been more emphasis on donation.  Kondo refers to throwing out things on nearly every page but only mentions donating and recycling a handful of times.  Perhaps her concern is that this will slow down or impede the process, or perhaps she felt donation was implied, but I think it's important to remind readers of the value of taking care of our environment on a grander scale.  Besides, the items that we say goodbye to could still be appreciated by and useful to others.  And bags and boxes are just as easily dropped at a donation center or scheduled for charity pick up as they are put in trash cans. 


As a book I found it sometimes a little repetitive and disjointed.  Certain concepts didn't become clear until she visited them later on in other chapters.  The methodology is not necessarily revolutionary, but a mishmash of other ideas.  Then again, most "new" things aren't actually new, and it certainly doesn't negate the potential for great results. 

Despite all that, I feel it's most important to point out that Kondo is very good at recognizing the need to preclude things like guilt, embarrassment or any negative self image.  I honestly think this may be her greatest asset.  Her approach is factual, fast and to the point but full of gratitude and joyful expectation. These positive attributes make it an easy and likable read that instills confidence in those overwhelmed by the organization process.  Even for anal retentive,OCD types seasoned organizing veterans like myself, Ms. Kondo inspired me to take a harder look at some of the things I've been holding on to and pass them forward with gratitude (Do I really need or even like 20 different vases?  Not so much.).

While I still feel that calling it "life-changing" or "magic" may be overstating it, and the faux mystical qualities given to the process might make me roll my eyes, ultimately I think it's a book worth reading for anyone intent on making major changes in their surroundings.  So if you're looking for a little inspiration yourself, kick off your shoes (with thanks), curl up in a chair (that brings you joy) and settle in with some KonMari goodness.  And don't forget the Oreos. 



A Few Additional Concepts Worth Sharing:

- Sentimental Items: When sorting through pictures and cards and other sentimental items avoid the guilt for letting things go.  "The space in which we live should be for the person we are becoming now, not the person we were in the past."    (I really like this notion and am carving out some time to sort through pictures, letters and other things I tend to hang on to!)

- Folding: Kondo believes in storing everything vertically. This means folding clothes into small drawer-height "packages" and filing them.  I'm currently trying out this theory. I like that I can see what I have at a glance (which means I'm less likely to forget about something) and that it truly does utilize space well.  However it does have the tendency to create a bit more mess when you pull out a shirt or pair of pants if you aren't careful.  Still, as it's not really any more work to fold this way, I think I may keep it up for now. 

- Stockpiling: Stockpiling items (hotel shampoos, paper goods, gifts, canned food items, etc) is a fast way to clutter.  Donate and/or toss them.  "You may think this is a waste of money, but reducing your stock and relieving yourself of the burden of excess is the quickest and most effective way to put your things in order." "The fact that you possess a surplus of things that you can't bring yourself to discard doesn't mean you are taking good care of them." 

- Filing: Kondo is not a fan of paperwork and suggests throwing out as much as possible.  What she doesn't really mention is that most documents (instruction manuals, statements, etc.) are available online.  In addition, other important items (warranties, etc) can always be scanned and kept digitally if you're not a fan of filing. I, personally, LIKE having detailed files, but that's just me.

- Creating spaces: Designating a space for each thing reduces the chances that you will allow space to become cluttered again.  The repetition of consciously using that space for that item will make putting things away second nature and, ultimately, will cause your possessions to last longer.  "The reason every item must have a designated place is because the existence of an item without a home multiplies the chances that your space will become cluttered again." 


To read more from Marie Kondo, check out The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up at Amazon.com

If I'm allowed to toot my own horn for a minute, I'm pretty darn awesome at finding good stuff on Craigslist (toot toot!).  I know the places to look, I know how to negotiate, I know what things are truly worth and I know how to be safe about it.  Furthermore, I'm pretty darn awesome at knowing the right questions to get the best furniture... err, well, usually.  Alas, sometimes I miss something.

In the case of my gorgeous nursery dresser, I missed a pretty major question in the negotiation process.  "Does it come from a smoke free home?"  Yeah. Oops.

So, I found myself with a piece of wood furniture that I planned to put my baby on...that smelled like nicotine.  Not cool.

Luckily, there are ways to get smoke/pet/food odors out of furniture.  These handy tricks are good to know if, like me, you enjoy recycling and up-cycling old furnishings (and occasionally your brain goes on vacation during the discovery process...)

Bad Smell Killers


#1. Baking Soda
Yes, the does-it-all kitchen staple does this too.  Fill a small bowl or cup with baking soda and place in each drawer.  Close the drawers and leave it there for 1-2 weeks.

#2.  Furniture Cleaner with Orange Oil 
After using the baking soda, give the entire piece a good wipe down with citrus based furniture cleaner.  Orange oil is comprised almost entirely of limonene, which is not only highly scented, but also a very effective solvent.


#3.  Sunshine!  
If possible, set your furniture outside on a sunny, low humidity day (Amazingly, sticking it out in the rain will not do you any favors...).  Open all of the drawers and allow the sun to bake the piece for a few hours.  The sun will kill off any mold or mildew that may be adding to the problem and the air circulation will help air out the porous material. 


#4. Shellac That Puppy
If your furniture STILL has an odor, shellac can be used to seal the wood and squelch the smells.


#5.  Sachets & Scented Drawer Liners 
When the smell is gone (or all but), add sachets or scented drawer liners for a much prettier scent.  Cedar blocks also have a wonderfully woodsy smell and keep moths away.



For my dresser, I was amazed at how well the baking soda and orange oil worked (I may not have even needed the orange oil, but I figured a good cleaning couldn't hurt anyway).  I did wind up adding mildly scented drawer liners, but that was mostly because they were gorgeous!


I'm not likely to forget to ask that question again, but it's good to know there are solutions if I do!

Do you have any nifty tricks for getting rid of unwanted smells in furniture?

Hello All!

As I mentioned earlier, we're currently in the process of preparing for our first little munchkin.  This, of course, means finding room where there is none.  So currently we're attempting to combine an already-overflowing office and guest room, locate non-existent storage space in the basement and create a nursery out of the world's smallest and weirdest shaped room.  Just a few things on the plate, yeah?

You'd think that, with all of these big undertakings, I would have filled my quota of projects and would, in my spare time, relax.  After all, that's what normal people do.  I, on the other hand, have never been accused of being normal.  Instead, I relax by taking on smaller projects.  I think it has something to do with being able to FINISH something and see more immediate results.  Weird, I know.

So, this week, one of my smaller enterprises was to try to tame the pantry cupboards in the kitchen.

I don't know if you're like this, but there are certain areas of the house that I kind of tend to just let go.  They start out clean(ish) and then slowly deteriorate with use and eventually wind up looking like a very localized earthquake hit.  And once something reaches that state, my brain starts to spin and I go "Okay! Can't handle it!" and frighten my husband with my fevered compulsion to fix it.

This is where I found myself over the weekend, when I went to bake something and couldn't take anything off of the shelf without pulling down five other things.  Not okay.  So, off I went into my Tasmanian Devil-like cleaning mode.


Identifying the Issues
The first step was to figure out what the problems were.  Okay, yes, the cupboards were a mess, but why were they a mess?

In this case the two main problems were a super deep cabinet that made accessing the back difficult and products that didn't lend themselves easily to stacking.  These two issues led to other problems such as not being able to group like things ('cause you wind up stacking what you can - not necessarily what goes together) and not being able to see all available products ('cause everything else just gets shoved in wherever).

The more I looked, the more I realized that I also had a TON of outdated products in the cupboard. I mean WAY outdated.  But, because I couldn't see them or get to them, I and/or my husband had simply assumed we didn't have them and purchased new ones. So I also had duplicates.  Opened.  Go us!

Sorting and Purging

This is the part that causes some people heart attacks but I enjoy immensely.  I pulled absolutely everything out of the cupboard.  A clean slate is ALWAYS easier to work with.  (Speaking of clean, I also took the opportunity to give the area a good wipe down.)  Then I began to sort.

A bit awkward to store...

Anything seriously outdated got pitched.  My giant blue bin of holiday towels was gone through and anything that I rarely used got donated.  Everything else got sorted into piles: Basic Baking Supplies (flour, sugar, baking soda, etc.); Baking Mixes (Jiffy mix, cake and muffin mixes, Jello, etc.); Fancy Baking Supplies and additions (Sprinkles, cookie cutters, chocolate chips, nuts, coconut...).

Once I had my piles, I could see what needed to be accessible and visible (mainly the Basic Baking stuff and the Baking Mixes) and what was inconveniently packaged (bags, sacks, small bottles, tiny packages of birthday candles and toothpicks).
 
Finding a Solution

Enter, my dear friends, Plastic Storage Containers.  Clear, stackable, inexpensive and in a variety of sizes, storage containers were really all I needed to create a useable space.

A quick side note: I know some people think that storage container systems are incredibly expensive, and, frankly, I agree.  If you look for a storage system you're going to pay through the nose.  If, on the other hand, you hit up your local dollar store, you can find fabulous pieces in all shapes and sizes which usually come in a group of 3 or 4.  So instead of paying several dollars per piece, you spend 25 cents.  Woot!  (And, if you're hung up on name brands, I will also add that the majority of the ones that I buy from there are Betty Crocker or Tupperware.  So...)

After taking a quick stock of everything that I wanted to re-pot (so to speak), I went through my own supply of plasticware,  pulled what would work and then made a quick run to the Dollar Tree and purchased all of the supplemental pieces.  

When I got home, I gave everything a quick wash and a thorough dry and got to work with my
containers and my trusty label maker.  Sacks of sugar, boxes of baking supplies, bags of chocolate chips - EVERYTHING got re-located and labeled.  In addition, I also added Sell By dates to the bottoms of the tubs to make sure that everything stays current.

I found a lot of the fancy baking addition sets that I'd purchased or had been given came in pretty but inconvenient packaging.  Ditching the cutesy boxes or cheap plastic, I combined all of the series and gave them their own plastic bin.  Now I only have to locate ONE container when I'm preparing something for a party or event.

Some additional advantages I found to the Tubs-R-Us system: 
1.  Most containers have measurement markings (oz., cups, etc.) on the sides.  This allows me to easily see if I have enough of something for a recipe.
2.  The clear sides of the containers allow me to tell when I need to purchase more of something.  Much easier than pulling out a cardboard box and peering in hopefully.
3.  The seals of the containers are more air tight than the boxes and bags.  Fresher is a good thing.
4.  It is WAAAAAY easier to get to the product inside. 


Once I had the backing supplies all tubbed up, I went to work stacking everything back in the cupboard.  Anything that I didn't use often (the bin of holiday dish towels, Fancy Baking Supplies) went into the back of the cupboard.  The Basic Baking Supplies went onto the top half shelf - stacked neatly and easy to see.  The mixes went in the front on the bottom - perfectly accessible for last minute dinner additions.

 Voila!!  A million percent improved, don't you think?!


Because I was on such a roll, I went ahead and started re-doing several other cupboards.  I forgot to take before pictures in some cases, but below are some of the results and a few additional ideas on containment.  Enjoy!

Technically coffee should be in something opaque, but we drink it so quickly I don't really worry about it; Tiny bags of specialty coffee get grouped in a large tub making them easier to find; Umm... you ever get sucked into ordering something from TV? Yeah, me too.  The Spicey Shelf truly is kind of awesome, though.  It has made a huge difference in our cupboards. I can actually FIND spices without feeling like Olga the Blundering Giantess.  I can't lie - kinda love it.

Rice is SO much easier to deal with in a container; A nail on the door of the cupboard holds a bag of onions; Everything gets grouped by category - soups, pasta, quick meals, oils, etc.

Mostly pretty easy-peasy stuff.  But definitely one of those afternoons that made me feel accomplished.  And stuff that's neat just LOOKS prettier.  Now if we can only keep it that way...


Do you have cupboard issues? Send me your pics or some fab solutions you've found!!

Clean Pillows!

It's amazing how a little bit of sunshine motivates.  The second the days start to get longer and the sun starts to take on a rosier glow, people start thinking about polishing up the caves they've been hibernating in for the past three months.  It's a lovely time of hope, expectation and window cleaner.  

But all that cleaning CAN be overwhelming. Especially if you want to do a deep, deep clean (and if you have, you know, a life). 

So while we make plans for that all-inclusive spring cleaning spree, lighten the load by picking one overlooked item a day to knock off your list.   

Overlooked Item of the Day
Pillows

Not So Clean...

I actually AM one of those people who washes their sheets and pillow cases once a week (I'm mega-creeped out by the idea of sleeping in sweaty, dirty sheets), however when it comes to washing actual pillows? Yeah, not so much.

When I was doing research for this series, I came across this as an oft-forgotten item and thought,"Yep. That's me."  (And of course, by oft-forgot, I mean it's quite possible that I've NEVER washed them. Yikes.)

So, on to the work of turning those dingy, yellowed pillows into bright, clean, and fluffy noggin-nests.

Tools Needed: 
1 load's worth Laundry Detergent (generally 1/2 - 1 cup)
3/4 cup Powdered Dishwasher Detergent 
1/2 cup Borax
1 cup Bleach (Yes, I'm not normally a proponent of using bleach, but considering how dirty these could potentially be, I'm willing to make an exception)
2-3 Tennis Balls (Yep.) 

Okay, Let's Do This.


Washing:

1.  Screw Safety. I'm just kidding - Safety first. Double check the labels on your pillows to make sure they ARE in fact machine washable.  Most are.

2.  Start filling your empty machine (READ: NO PILLOWS) with SUPER Hot Water.  When the washer is 1/2 way full, stop the filling process and proceed to the next step (we'll finish filling in a second).

3. Add the Laundry Detergent, Dishwasher Detergent, Borax and Bleach.  Allow washer to sit for 1-2 minutes, until all of the powders are dissolved.

4.  Add your pillows.  Most sites recommend doing two pillows at a time to keep your washer bleachable items (think gym socks, rags, or even white pillow cases) to keep the load balanced.
My tiny apartment washer laughed at the idea, so I had to adjust.  One pillow, and several other items that could stand up to a bleaching (socks, sheets, etc).

5.  Allow your washer to fill the rest of the way up. 

6.  Soak for up to four hours, flipping pillows over halfway through. 

7.  Finish wash cycle. 

8. Run pillows through the rinse cycle at least twice.  

Drying: 

1. After the pillows have been soaked, washed and rinsed well, pop them in the dryer along with the tennis balls.  The tennis balls help fluff the pillows!  Although many sites say that synthetic pillows are okay on low-heat, I prefer to stay safe and use the No Heat setting.  (This may mean you'll have to run it several times to make sure it's completely dry. This is important for preventing mildew.)

If you are lucky enough to live somewhere where it's currently sunshine-y, set them outside for a shot of bleaching, freshening sunshine.
 

Want more? Check out the rest of the Forgotten to Clean Series and learn how to clean your Iron, Dishwasher, Knife Block and Coffee Maker

It's amazing how a little bit of sunshine motivates.  The second the days start to get longer and the sun starts to take on a rosier glow, people start thinking about polishing up the caves they've been hibernating in for the past three months.  It's a lovely time of hope, expectation and window cleaner.  

But all that cleaning CAN be overwhelming. Especially if you want to do a deep, deep clean (and if you have, you know, a life). 

So while we make plans for that all-inclusive spring cleaning spree, lighten the load by picking one overlooked item a day to knock off your list. 


Overlooked Item of the Day:

The Ceiling Fan

Any time you clean a room, the experts will say the same thing: Start from the top down.  But how often do we follow that to the letter?  To prevent a duck-and-cover air-raid from a legion of dust bunnies, give your fan a good scrub down pre-season.

As a quick once over with a duster is an asthma attack waiting to happen, a pillow case is a great way to trap the dust and keep it out of eyes and mouths (and off everything else that you don't feel like dusting today).

Tools Needed:

Ladder, Step Stool, or Sturdy Chair
Pillow Case
Dusting Spray
Dish Soap or Dishwasher Detergent
A small screwdriver (depending on the globes of your fan)

Okay, Let's Do This.

1. As per usual, safety first: Turn off the light and allow to cool. Lightbulbs and globes get pretty hot and burning yourself is not fun. Especially when you're balancing precariously above your cat who is not entirely sure what you're doing, but knows that whatever it is, it's not nearly as important as giving him kitty treats.  (Maybe that's just mine.)

And speaking of being up high,  make sure that whatever you plan to climb up on is stable enough to handle your weight.  I'm sure you have fabulous balance and/or that wicker chair you found in someone's trash is sturdier than it looks, but humor me and use something that is made to be stood on. 

2.  Give each blade a quick squirt with cleaner.  Slide the pillowcase over the blade and then grip the blade through the pillow case as you pull it off.  All of the dirt, dust and grime will be trapped in the pillowcase.  Turn the fan to the next blade and repeat.

3. Once the blades are clean, use your screwdriver to carefully remove the globes (make sure they're cool).  Soak them in a sink of hot water with grease-cutting dish soap for 5 minutes.  Some globes are dishwasher safe, but, if you choose to go this route, run a light cycle to prevent any damage.  Replacing a glass or a mug is one thing.  Replacing a light globe can be a real pain in the rear.

4.  Allow the globes to dry completely.  Replace carefully, making sure each is seated properly and tightened.

That's it!

**This is also a good opportunity to switch your fan blades to the "Summer" position.  
It is a widely held belief that fans should spin counter clockwise in the spring and summer and clockwise in the winter and fall.  This, however, is not accurate for all makes and models.  The easiest way to figure out which way it should be spinning is by standing under it and turning it on high.  If you turn it on and can't feel much breeze, it's probably in the winter position.  If, on the other hand, you turn it on and feel like the only thing missing is a photographer yelling "Work it girl! You're a Tiger! You're a Tiger!!", then it's probably in the summer position and you're good to go.  


Want more? Check out the rest of the Forgotten to Clean Series and learn how to clean your Iron, Dishwasher, Knife Block and Coffee Maker

It's amazing how a little bit of sunshine motivates.  The second the days start to get longer and the sun starts to take on a rosier glow, people start thinking about polishing up the caves they've been hibernating in for the past three months.  It's a lovely time of hope, expectation and window cleaner.  

But all that cleaning CAN be overwhelming. Especially if you want to do a deep, deep clean (and if you have, you know, a life). 

So while we make plans for that all-inclusive spring cleaning spree, lighten the load by picking one overlooked item a day to knock off your list. 



Overlooked Item of the Day:


The Washing Machine

Over the past few months of living in our townhome, I had begun to notice A Smell coming from somewhere in the basement.  Nothing horrible. Not like something crawled in there and died. Just a slightly mildewy aroma that wafts if you walk through quickly.  A brief investigation revealed (to my mild horror) that it was, in fact, the washing machine.

First thing was first: Like any normal crazy person, I required all of my friends to sniff me and tell me whether or not I, too, had started to smell like I'd been left out in the rain for a few days.  (I was assured that I did not, and that, if I had, they would have immediately forced me to shower, clothes and all.  Good friends are invaluable.)

My pride still intact (as much as it ever is), I turned my attention to the source of the problem. The machine.

As we rent, I have no idea how old the machine is.  And though the community takes very good care of most things, I somehow doubt that the washing machines get cleaned between tenants.  Needless to say: It's time.


Tools Needed:

1-1.5 quarts (4-6 c.) White Vinegar 
Dish soap
All Purpose Cleaner 
Rag
Toothbrush or cotton swabs
Magic Eraser



Okay, Let's Do This.

1.  Safety First: Unplug your washing machine.  You can't be too careful.

2.  Let's play Find the Filters!  Thought it was just your Dryer that had these? Nope!  You may need to look up online to see where it's located on your model. For mine, there are two filters located inside the drum.  A quick glance (or whiff) and it was easy enough to see that they had possibly NEVER been cleaned before.  Ever.  Amazingly disgusting.

So. Freaking. Gross.

Remove any gross build up in the filters (which is an IMMEDIATE improvement in the smell), and drop the filters themselves into a sink full of hot soapy water. Allow to soak for fifteen minutes. 

3.  Wipe down the inside.  Use a wet rag with a bit of white vinegar or cleaning solution with bleach to wipe down the place where the filters are seated, as well as the interior drum of the machine.  Clean any dispensers, making sure to get all crevices and cracks. An old toothbrush or a cotton swab dipped in cleaning solution helps.  Clean around all gaskets.  These rubber spots are a prime place for mildew build up. 

4. Replace the filters, after making sure that they're as clean as you can possibly get them.

5. Plug in your washing machine.   (It's much harder for things to get clean without power.)

6.  **Fill your washing machine to the max with hot water, and add 4-6 c. white vinegar.  Let water agitate for a minute or two after filling, and then stop machine and allow to soak for 45 minutes to an hour.  

7.  Meanwhile, use this time, to give the outside a good wipe down.  If you have any tough marks that you can't seem to scrub off, try using a Magic Eraser.

8. After the water and vinegar has stood for 45 minutes to an hour, run the washer on the longest, hottest wash and rinse cycle.

9.  Once the cycle is complete, and the washer is drained and empty,  run a hot cycle one more time to make sure everything is rinsed completely out.

There. Doesn't that smell better? 


Want more? Check out the rest of the Forgotten to Clean Series and learn how to clean your Iron, Dishwasher, Knife Block and Coffee Maker

Look how shiny and clean!

It's amazing how a little bit of sunshine motivates.  The second the days start to get longer and the sun starts to take on a rosier glow, people start thinking about polishing up the caves they've been hibernating in for the past three months.  It's a lovely time of hope, expectation and window cleaner.  

But all that cleaning CAN be overwhelming. Especially if you want to do a deep, deep clean (and if you have, you know, a life). 

So while we make plans for that all-inclusive spring cleaning spree, lighten the load by picking one overlooked item a day to knock off your list. 



Overlooked Item of the Day: 


The Iron 

Dirty and Old!

Let's be honest. Has it EVER crossed your mind to clean your iron? Yeah, me neither.  But the other day as I was pressing some clothes, I noticed how grungy the plate looked.  And by "I noticed" I mean, when the iron left some brown marks on my white shirt, I hopped around like a troll, said a few creative expletives and stopped short of chucking the thing out the window. It occurred to me that, perhaps the fact that the iron's plate is dingy is not, in actuality, the iron's fault.  And perhaps I should pay attention to cleaning it once in every, oh, ten years or so. 


Below, the easy-peasy way to polish up your iron and keep it in non-tantrum-inducing shape.

Tools Needed: 

2 Tbsp Baking Soda
1 Tbsp Water
Clean Cloth 
Q Tips
White Vinegar (I know; you're shocked. I'm considering subtitling my blog "an ode to white vinegar.")

Okay, Let's Do This. 

1.  Unplug your iron. (I'm hoping this would be obvious, but you never know...)

2.  In a small bowl, mix the baking soda and water til it forms a thick paste. 

3.  Slather that gorgeous paste onto the face plate of your iron.

4.  Go watch cat videos on Youtube for 45 minutes (Please. You've gone longer.)

5.  After 45 minutes, use a clean cloth to wipe the paste from the iron.  Any small marks that remain should come off with a little polishing.

6.  After the majority of the paste is gone (there will still be some in the steam vents on the plate), dip your cloth in white vinegar (you can also use a clean paper towel).  Lay flat, and then "iron" (WITHOUT PLUGGING IN OR TURNING ON!) the rag or papertowel.  Any remaining paste should dissolve. If any still remains in the holes, dip a small Q Tip in the vinegar and then into the remaining paste.

Now on to the inside...  (Upkeep will make it last longer...)

7.  Fill your reservoir with 50% water and 50% white vinegar.

8.  Plug iron in, and turn to "Steam" setting.  Iron a clean thick fabric (I recommend something that doesn't matter too much like an old towel) for 3-5 minutes.

9.  Turn iron back off, unplug, and allow to cool.  Once cool, dump remaining solution out and refill with water.

10.  Turn iron back on to steam fabric an additional 2 minutes or until any vinegar smell is gone.  Turn off.

11.  Give the outside a quick wipe down, and you're done!  Now back to ignoring it for the next decade! :-)

It's amazing how a little bit of sunshine motivates.  The second the days start to get longer and the sun starts to take on a rosier glow, people start thinking about polishing up the caves they've been hibernating in for the past three months.  It's a lovely time of hope, expectation and window cleaner.  

But all that cleaning CAN be overwhelming. Especially if you want to do a deep, deep clean (and if you have, you know, a life). 

So while we make plans for that all-inclusive spring cleaning spree, lighten the load by picking one overlooked item a day to knock off your list. 



Overlooked Item of the Day: 

The Dishwasher

I can hear you all now: "Ummmm... doesn't that kind of, ya know, wash itself?"  Believe it or not, No.  Many of our cleaners actually need a little cleaning to keep them in tip top shape. And the dishwasher is chief among that list, considering we EAT off of the things that it washes. If it's not clean... well, yuck. 

The dishwasher in particular has a tough job - and it can suffer for it.  The filters and bottom of the unit can gather food particles, bits of glass or plastic or various other goodies that will clog up and prevent proper cleaning and drainage.  (And really, I'd prefer my dishes not be washed in old food water.)  Ultimately, if the unit gets too clogged, it can cause the pump to say "Heck with this, I'm out." If your pump is from the Philly area, like mine, it may even throw in some expletives.  (And nobody likes a foul pump.)

Tools Needed: 

1 c. vinegar 
1 c. baking soda
dish soap   

Okay, Let's Do This. 

1. Nice Rack.  Remove the racks.  These will get cleaned when we run a cycle with vinegar, but currently, they're in the way. 

2a. Don't you have a filter? Well, it's time to remove it.  Many filters (typically located at the bottom of the dishwasher under the spray arm) simply lift out.  A few may require a screw driver to remove the screen over top.  Be prepared to potentially be grossed out. 

This is where the big chunks of grossness may come in (the good news, this is the yuckiest part of the process and it will be over shortly.).  Empty the filters and use a soapy paper towel to wipe down the  interior of the filter seat.  

Filters: The bottom right shows some flower particles that were gunking up the area	. Ew.

3. Soak 'em.  Hot water + Dish Soap + 10 Minutes = Clean Filters.  Okay, you might want to give them a light scrub after the ten minutes, but still, the time soaking should remove a good amount of dirt and grime.  Once they're all clean, reassemble.  This is a good time to replace those Rack 'Em Up. (Put the racks back in.  Just trying to have a little fun, folks...) 

See the difference between the before and after?!

4.  My good friend, White Vinegar.  Pour a cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher safe cup or glass.  Place on the top rack.  



5. BEFORE YOU START THE DW: Run the garbage disposal!!! (Didn't see that one coming did you?).  Most dishwashers share a drainage line with the garbage disposal and if the sink drain is all gunked up, it can cause clogs in your soon-to-be-good-as-new dishwasher.  So this is a good everyday practice as well!


6.  Fire her up.  Run your dishwasher on the hottest cycle. The white vinegar will work to clean the walls, roof and bottom of the unit (YAY for no scrubbing!).  


7.  But wait! There's more!! Okay, so you COULD leave it at this step..but we've come so far together... how can you just walk away?  Sprinkle a cup of baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher and run it again.  Yes, it's mildly annoying to have to run it this many times, but considering the time your dishwasher saves you, some upkeep attention is worth it!  The baking soda will work to deodorize any remaining unwanted scents.  





A Few Additional Tips: 

- *Stop rinsing your dishes. Yup. You heard me. Dish detergent is actually made to work WITH the grease and dirt that comes from dirty dishes.  If there isn't any for the detergent to utilize, it can foam up and make your glasses all cloudy.  So really, it's just a waste of water and effort.  (*The exception to this rule would be any products that could cause discoloration to your dishes if left on too long, for example, tomato sauce or egg yolk).  

- Run water in your sink until Hot before starting DW.  Why?  The heat of the water is what really works to cleanse your dishes.  But if the water in the pipes isn't hot when it first starts, it will start with cold water (until it warms up properly).  (Think about it. You don't jump in the shower immediately after turning on the water do you?)  Worried about wasting water? While you're heating the water, fill a watering can to use on flowers, or a drinking bottle that you can stick in the fridge to cool back down. 

- Load Properly. Don't overcrowd or the water won't be able to get all the goodies off.  On the other hand, running the DW with only a few things is a big waste of money and energy.  So make sure it's full but not crammed.

- Check your water heater's temperature settings.  Most DWs need to be between 120-130 degrees for proper washing.  More is a waste of energy. Less means you may not be getting the cleanest dishes. (Check your operating manual for exact temps.  Don't have your manual?  Most are available online.) 
Want more cleaning goodness?  Check out additional articles from my series The Things We've Forgotten [To Clean]: 
The Knife Block 
Coffee Maker

It's amazing how a little bit of sunshine motivates.  The second the days start to get longer and the sun starts to take on a rosier glow, people start thinking about polishing up the caves they've been hibernating in for the past three months.  It's a lovely time of hope, expectation and window cleaner.  

But all that cleaning CAN be overwhelming. Especially if you want to do a deep, deep clean (and if you have, you know, a life). 

So while we make plans for that all-inclusive spring cleaning spree, lighten the load by picking one overlooked item a day to knock off your list. 

Overlooked Item of the Day: 

The Knife Block


Our Knife Blocks keep all of our pointy objects safely stored and within arms reach, but rarely do we take much notice of it.  And those oh-so-convenient slots are susceptible to airborne dirt, dust, and other contaminates that can wind up on our clean knives and then transfer to our food.  

Once a year, it's a good idea to pay it a little mind and clean out the crud and dust that may have worked its way in.
(The good news is, it's super easy!)

Tools Needed: 

Compressed Air OR Vacuum OR Hair Dryer
Pipe Cleaners OR Bottle Brush OR Wooden Skewer
Dish Soap
Paper Towels
Sponge with Scouring Pad
Bleach
Spray Bottle
Food Grade Mineral Oil  

1. Let's not chop off any body parts: Remove all knives from block (Otherwise the next step gets VERY complicated and circus-like)

2a. Slot Dirt Removal:   Turn block upside down over sink and shake vigorously to remove loose dirt.  
2b. If your knife block has a solid bottom, dust removal will be a little more involved. If you have compressed air, you can aim the nozzle directly into the slots. If you don't, simply use a hair drier on a cool setting. 
2c.  Insert a pipe cleaner (if you happen to have one) or a bottle brush or a wooden skewer wrapped with a tiny piece of paper towel, into the slots and move around to loosen any additional dirt.  Shake upside down, or use the hose of your vacuum to suck out as much as possible. 

3.  Scrub A Dub Dub the Outside of the Tub... errr... Block.  Using a sponge covered in warm soapy water, wash the outside of the block. Do Not Immerse Block In Water (wood is porous and can dry out and crack if it soaks up too much H20).  Use the scouring side to lightly scrub in the same direction as the grain.  Follow with a damp paper towel and then a dry one.  *Some people recommend using a fine grain sandpaper. I do not.  Sand paper could potentially remove any finish on the block. A gentle scrub with a plastic scour should be fine however.

4.  Clean Those Slots! Fill a spray bottle with 1 tsp. bleach and the rest with water.  Spray a fine mist into the slots.  Use a paper towel wrapped skewer to rub the solution around and remove any excess.  Rinse the spray bottle and refill with clean water.  Spray into slots to rinse and use skewers (with clean paper towel bits) to remove any excess liquid.  (You can also wrap a paper towel around your knife and slip gently into the slot.)

5.  Dry as Dust. Allow that sucker to dry.  Completely.  Give it a good 2 hours for all of the water to evaporate. 

6. And a Dash of Oil.  Apply a tiny bit of mineral oil with a clean cloth to the outside of the block.  The oil keeps the wood healthy (so to speak) and also fills to prevent absorption of harmful bacteria in the future.  

7.  Insert clean, DRY knives into dry block and give it a pat to say thanks for being such a good little work horse. 

*Looking for more items to clean? Check out how to clean The All-Important Coffee Maker

It's amazing how a little bit of sunshine motivates.  The second the days start to get longer and the sun starts to take on a rosier glow, people start thinking about polishing up the caves they've been hibernating in for the past three months.  It's a lovely time of hope, expectation and window cleaner.  

But all that cleaning CAN be overwhelming. Especially if you want to do a deep, deep clean (and if you have, you know, a life). 

So while we make plans for that all-inclusive spring cleaning spree, lighten the load by picking one overlooked item a day to knock off your list. 

Overlooked Item of the Day: 

The All-Important Coffee Maker 

I heart my coffee maker.  I commune with it every morning, lamenting only the fact that it doesn't come with an IV drip.  Were it animate, it would probably get a restraining order.

My dirty, smudgy coffee maker

Despite my love, I certainly don't give it the thorough cleaning I should as often as I should to keep my coffee tasting pure.

Tools Needed:

Water
White Vinegar
Coffee Filter
Dish Soap (for Stainless Steel)
Clean Rag (for Stainless Steel)
Vegetable Oil (for Stainless Steel) 

1.  Use warm soapy water to wash the surface of the coffee maker (dish soap is just dandy).  The soap and water will dissolve any dirt, grease or finger prints.  It WILL look streaky after this step.
2.  With a clean rag (a cotton cloth will leave less residue than a paper towel) use a small amount of vegetable oil to polish to a shine.  Rub with the grain to give the best shine.

That's it!   Now doesn't your coffee taste better?

It's 6:00. You've barely had time to walk through the door, drop your keys on the counter and breathe a sigh of relief when your significant other casually mentions oh-and-by-the-way-I-told-my-boss-that-he-and-his-wife-could-come-over-after-work.  What?!  Your mind spins, automatically taking an inventory of the disaster zones in the house and counting the days (Yikes! Weeks?) since the last deep clean.  Okay... (breathe in and out and count to ten!)... how long before they're here?  WHAT DO YOU MEAN TWENTY MINUTES?!?!

Time to spring into action! (No, not throttling your significant other.  Blood stains will only complicate the cleaning job.)  Here's how to make the most out of your time and make (or fake) a good impression:

Minutes 20 - 19: Light a Candle (or two). "A Candle?!" you say.  "Who has time for a freaking candle, lady? I've got REAL cleaning to do!"  Indeed! But one of the quickest ways to make your house seem clean is to make your house SMELL clean.  Lighting a candle first thing allows the fragrance to disperse within your home and create a warm atmosphere to greet your guests.  Stick with scents people associate with "clean": lemon, orange, lavender or linen work wonders!

Minutes 19 - 15: De-clutter the Main Areas. Grab a basket, tub or bag and jog through the living room and kitchen grabbing anything that doesn't belong in those areas.  Try to drop them into your basket according to the area of the house they belong in.  Scoop up dishes that have wandered into the living room and deposit them in the kitchen on your way through (we'll come back to those).  Once you've filled your bin, take it into a bedroom and close the door on your way out.  DO NOT leave the basket there after company has left!   Make sure that any baskets of assorted stuff get put away before you go to bed.

Minutes 15 - 10:  Beautify the Bathroom.  Grab disinfectant wipes and head to the all-important restroom.  While your guests will (hopefully) not be spending a tremendous amount of time in there,  there are few places you need to be cleaner (save, maybe the kitchen).
- Wipe down the toilet first.  It's the one thing that no one wants to think of as dirty. (Remember under the seat!!)
- Use another wipe to do a quick once-over of the counter, faucets and light switches. Quick Tip: Drying a faucet after rinsing it will make it really shine!
- Close the shower curtain, straighten the towels (or remove them if they look bad) and hang a fresh hand towel.
- Light another candle in here if possible.

Minutes 10 - 7: Disposing of Dirty Dishes.  Okay, yes, everyone has them.  But, much like an unclean bathroom, there's a definite "ick" factor about seeing other peoples.  If you have a dishwasher, Load 'er Up, you lucky son-of-a-gun.  If you don't - well, er -  hide 'em.

Okay, okay, it's not ideal.  But desperate times call for desperate measures! And by desperate measures, I mean an oven, a cookie sheet to stack on, and a (deluded) self-promise that you'll absolutely never let your dirty dishes go this long again.  Reminder: After guests leave, remove them immediately so you don't run the risk of someone accidentally pre-heating the oven!

Minutes 7 - 3: Wipe Down The Counters (and other surfaces). Grab a paper towel and a rag. Go through the kitchen and living room and wipe all of the main surfaces: counters, stove, kitchen table, coffee table, TV and TV stand (one of the first things people look at. Particularly male-type people), and end tables.  Yes, without a good vacuum you're only moving the dirt around and this, under no circumstances, qualifies as "clean".  But when you have little time, "tidy" becomes serviceable.  Quick Tip: Unless you're one-percent of the population, your significant other most likely has arms and legs and is fully capable of trailing you with a vacuum. If he begins to amuse himself by trying to "vacuum you up" (translation: running the Dyson into your heels) remind him of two words: Justifiable Homicide.

Minutes 3 - 1: Dash and Trash. A clean bin makes a world of difference. Grab the kitchen trash, bathroom trash and any recycling and dispose of them in your outdoor bins.

Minute 1 - 0: Stash the Evidence.  Now's the time to throw your rags in the laundry, stick cleaning products under the sink and wash your hands.
Flip your head upside down to brush and fluff your hair, apply some lip gloss and plaster on a smile (unless of course you're a guy, in which case that will probably only confuse your friends). 

"What? Of COURSE it's no trouble that you're stopping by! We love guests..."


Other Random Nuggets of Guest-Prep Goodness:
- When asking kids or significant others to help, give specific tasks.  Brilliant as they may otherwise be, some *ahem* genders, tend to be a little less prone to figuring out exactly what needs done.  But give them specific jobs and goals, and they're brilliant.  

- I've found it useful to keep a spare bottle of wine on hand for unexpected guests (Coffee and Tea are clutch too.)

- Having an easy-to-whip-up meal or some snacks available can be useful too, if you can manage it space-wise.  Capellini pasta, and a pesto or vodka sauce are easy, fast and elegant (and who doesn't like Italian food?)

- Remember that no matter what, your guests are there to see YOU.  If they're good (real) people they won't care that your house is a little disorderly!