Clean that Showerhead

I’m typically very picky when it comes to cleaning the bathroom. There are just so many places for those pesky little germs to hide. I’ve always had issues though when it came to the showerhead. Sure I can bleach the surface, wipe it down, but how do I get to the gunk I can see in the little holes? Thanks to the folks over at WikiHow.com we have this little tip:

Simmer the shower head in vinegar and then wipe off the mineral deposits.

How To Form A Mommy Co-op

Imagine how wonderful it would be if a group of trustworthy Mommies got together and decided to help each other. One could watch the others’ kids while the rest did some shopping. They would return the favor by picking up her groceries while they were out. Or they could come up with a carpool schedule so everyone wouldn’t have to drive to school every single day. Sound good to you? Here’s how to set up a Mommy co-op:

1. Bounce the idea off of some of your closest friends or neighbors. Have those interested commit to the co-op and set up an e-mail account or group chat room to communicate with each other.

2. Come up with a list of chores or favors you’d like your co-op to help each other with. Choose a leader and use a voting system to make decisions.

3. Have a common calendar with everyone’s availability each month. Have each person express how they would like to contribute to the group. (Example: I’ll take the kids to school every day if someone runs errands for me, etc.)

4. Try to have a monthly meeting to make sure everyone is getting what she wants out of the co-op. Adjust accordingly.

5. Keep the co-op rather small so it can be managed successfully. Consider charging a small monthly due to cover gas expenses for Moms who contribute car-related favors.

No need to go it alone…let a Mommy co-op make your life easier!

Saving Money And Energy On Laundry

In these tough economic times, every penny you can save is a penny earned. Laundry can be a huge drain on your bank account so follow these tips to conserve funds and energy. Unless your laundry is absolutely filthy and covered in stains, wash it in cold water. Also, most of the time the short cycle is enough to refresh your clothing. Use half the amount of detergent you normally would. As for drying the laundry, you can always do it the old-fashioned way and dry it on the line. If you don’t have the time or desire to whip out the clothes pins and hope for good weather, here’s a modified version of line-drying. Neatly hang heavier fabrics like denim that usually take longer in the dryer on a hanger. Make sure all surfaces are exposed so mildew doesn’t form on the clothing. Also sweaters can be laid neatly on a clean towel to dry. Don’t leave the sweater on the towel for more than a few hours or you’ll have the aforementioned mildew problem to contend with. The dryer usually runs longer than necessary so set it for thirty minutes then check the contents for dryness. Add ten more minutes if clothing is still damp. Dryer sheets are nice to add a lovely scent to clothing, but are unnecessary. If you feel you need them, buy generic and use one sheet for multiple loads. Try to space out the days between doing laundry or consider establishing a weekly laundry day to save time, money, and energy!

Saving Time On Laundry

Many Moms complain about laundry being their least favorite chore. What makes doing laundry so annoying is not how much of it there is to do but how often it needs to be done. Stop doing laundry every day. Instead, wear as much of your wardrobe as possible and when you’ve run out of something to wear, have a laundry day. Make sure you put it all away on the same day you wash it or you’ll end up with mountains of clean laundry in every corner of your house. Another time-saving tip? Keep each family member’s dirty clothes separated in bins in or near the laundry room. That way you don’t have to sort it when you take it out of the dryer. Do each person’s load separately and voila, you can transport it to their room while it’s still toasty and warm. One more tip is to not fold the laundry. What?!? Yes, that’s right, don’t fold the laundry. De-wrinkle the clothes you want to wear on a given day by throwing them in the dryer with a wet washcloth for about ten minutes. Put everyone’s in at the beginning of the day to be more efficient and you’ll all have smooth threads!

Reduce Diaper Pail Smell

Ok… the folks over at Parent Hacks have a great tip. I can’t wait to run home and give this one a try. Though… convincing my husband to part with his beloved beans will be difficult.

When our son started eating solids, the poop — and therefore the diaper pail — got a lot stinkier. A friend suggested that I dump a bag of whole bean coffee in the bottom of the pail before I put the bag in. In order to contain the beans, I put them in a zip-up mesh laundry bag. I couldn’t believe that it worked! At first it smelled a little bit like Starbucks in my son’s room, but after about a week, we really couldn’t smell the coffee, and even better, we couldn’t smell the poop either.

Staying Home with Your Children

I always knew I wanted to be home with my children. I knew it would be a lot of work, but I had no idea. I hear this sentiment echoed amongst many other stay at home moms I know. So what should you expecte if you plan to stay home with your children? I’ve heard it said before and it’s so true that being a stay at home mom is the most challenging job you will ever love. It’s the greatest thing I’ve ever done in my life, but it’s also important to keep a few things in mind.

*Balance is key. You can’t possibly get it all done and you shouldn’t put that expectation on yourself. It’s been said a million times but making a list and prioritizing everything on it can work wonders. The baby may not nap as long as you need her to, feeding may take longer than anticipated–there will be unexpected circumstances that can put a damper in your most well meaning plans.

*Keep the baby interested and stimulated. Whether you join a mom’s group, have playdates, or take a class with baby, ensuring that the baby has social interaction is key. This is not only an essential part of baby’s development, but will help you to get out a bit too. It’s a great thing for everyone, so start slow and pick an activity that sounds like a good  match for both of you.

*Try to break your day into blocks. There’s the morning feeding and then (hopefully) nap, think of what you want to accomplish during that ahead of time. Then there’s lunch and the afternoon block, and then the evening routine. Determining when you will fit in meals, naps, bath, reading, and playtime can make the day run smoothly. This schedule will certainly not always run the way you want it to, but it gives you a guideline to work towards. Structure is good for both of you, but just don’t get carried away because you can box yourself in if you’re not careful. It’s a fine line and you will find the best patterns for you and baby.

*Do whatever prep work you can the night before or on a chosen day of the week. If you find yourself struggling to get everything done, then designate the evening to do certain activities. Washing bottles, taking a shower, and even throwing in a load of laundry can easily be done while the baby sleeps at night. it also helps to designate a day of week to cook up some meals to freeze or do your grocery shopping so that it doesn’t build up and weigh you down each and every day.

Being a stay at home mom is the greatest gift and most wonderful job in the world! With some preparation, planning, and a lot of patience you can enjoy being with that little baby each and every day.

Tips for Keeping Your Walls Clean

It’s happened to all moms… something has ended up on the walls that wasn’t supposed to. I think in our house we’ve had crayon, several types of food, paint, playdough, and mypersonal favorite - permanent marker all over the door. Though we may not be able to stop it from happening, Moms’ Buzz has put together a list of tips on how you can best clean up the mess:

Remove the evidence. “Light switches, door frames, and stairways are all magnets” for fingerprints and hand smudges. “Your favorite all-purpose cleaner” should be fine to remove them. But to assure that washed areas blend with the unwashed, “go over the once-dirty spot again with a water-dampened sponge.”

Tackle trouble spots. A soft cloth and “citrus-based cleaner like Goo Gone” are what you need if your child has been inspired by Harold and the Purple Crayon and left a trail along your walls. Once the “waxy artwork” has dissolved, rinse the spot with soap and water.

Peel away the memories. Has your kid stuck decals all over his bedroom walls? Soften the adhesives with “heat from a blow-dryer (for 10 seconds or so), then peel.” Gently loosen any remaining gunk with a cotton swab and laundry-stain remover. Then “carefully scrape it off with a credit card or spatula.”

How to Swaddle Your Wine Bottle

Have you ever been to one of those fancy restaurants where they wrap the bottle of wine up in a napkin? This is something you can do at home as well - for the simple reason that it will save your dryclean only table cloth from those pesky wine stains. Thanks to Lifehacker.com you can follow this visual tutorial on how to wrap your bottle of wine.

Unexpected Company…What Do I Serve?

It happens to all of us, especially at this time of year. Either you have the company that drops over unexpectedly or you get a call from your husband to let you know that he’s invited people over. You have been taking care of the kids all day, aren’t exactly looking entertaining worthy, and have nothing prepared to eat. What now? Well here are a few tried and true methods to throwing together a last minute spread of food without ever having to panic.

*Always keep cream cheese and some sort of spread in the house. A good example is a chipotle jam (easy to find in a jar) that can easily be thrown over a block of softened cream cheese, served warm with crakers. Presto! You’ve got an instant appetizer that’s super easy and delicious.

*Keep a jar of sundried tomato pesto in the house, along with some sliced appetizer sized baguettes in the freezer. When you’re in a pinch you can spread the pesto on these breads pop them in the over to broil and you’ve got a delicious appetizer sure to please. It’s made even better if you have garlic and parmesan cheese to mix in, but just the pesto works great as well.

*As it should be part of your kitchen basics anyhow, be sure to stock the kitchen with olive oil, parmesan cheese, and dried basil in the house. If you’re really in a pinch you can throw together crusty bread (have your hubby pick up a loaf on the way home) with this delicious olive oil mix for dipping. It’s sure to please and looks like you actually fussed!

*It helps to have some entertaining basics in the house such as hummus, crackers, a good cheese, and some amazing salsa and tortilla chips. If you’re really pressed for time and need to put some munchies out you can still supply a tasty spread with some of these party basics. The reality is that most people will munch on whatever you put out for company, and these are sure to go a long way.

No need to panic if you have the inevitable unexpected company. By keeping some basics in the house you can put out a spread that will look as if you cooked all day.

Turn Stiff Sheets Soft

Have you ever purchased brand new sheets, given them a good wash, and put them on the bed to find them scratchy? So have the folks over at SundryBuzz and they had these handy tips on what to do about it:

• Washed them on the hottest setting
• Used no detergent (the idea is that new sheets have chemicals on them and detergent just makes it worse)
• Added lots of fabric softener
• Dumped in a cup or so of baking soda during the wash cycle
• Took them out of the dryer as soon as they were dry, rather than leaving them to sit in there for a while

Save Time With a Mini Clean

I don’t look forward to cleaning day. I dread it and the messes I’ll find. But it’s not as bad as it used to be. I implemented some of these handy tips from Good Housekeeping on doing mini-cleaning tasks throughout the week to make cleaning day more tolerable. Be sure to check out the guides for each of the different rooms!

Kitchen Minitasks

1. Wipe up spills in the refrigerator as soon as you notice them, and if you have time, do the rest of the shelf or any gloppy jar bottoms.

2. Go through just one refrigerator or pantry shelf and toss anything that’s past the expiration date, that you’ll never use again or that’s less than a single serving.

3. Toss the jumble of unused takeout disposable containers, glass jars and condiment packages you’ve collected.

4. Wipe fingerprints off all the kitchen cabinets.

How to Clean Almost Any Stain

As a mom you’re bound to run into stains. They’re like calling cards for kids. Thankfully the folks over at 1001 Cleaning Tips has a list of tips for cleaning stains… any kind!

On-the-Go Stain Removal
It’s a good idea to carry one of the modern stain removal stick products with you when you’re on the go, particularly if you’re prone to experiencing spills and stains. Sometimes removing a garment and soaking it isn’t possible, and a stain removal stick can really be a great assistance in such situations.

Clean that Microwave with Ease

Get rid of the baked on food in your microwave with this great tip from LifeTips.com:

When food debris gets “cooked” onto the inside surfaces of your microwave, it can be difficult to clean. To make the job easier, boil a cup of water in your microwave and let it sit inside the oven steaming for 5-10 minutes. This will soften the debris, making it easy to wipe clean.

Working from Home with Baby

Many of us dream about what it will be like when our baby arrives and how we will find a work situation that is conducive to our wants and needs. Focusing on what you enjoy doing or what you are good at and then looking for something that allows you to either work reduced hours or from home is a popular choice. So you get a situation where you are lucky enough to work from home, it’s a dream come true! Then the reality sets in–how in the world will you get it all done with baby underfoot and tending to their every need? Here are some tried and true tips to help keep baby as your number one priority while allowing you to keep your sanity.

*Develop a more creative work schedule. The regular 9-5 schedule that you used to keep may no longer be a reality. Once the baby is mobile, your dreams of putting baby next to you and jumping on the laptop are short lived. It helps to be able to get up early to get some work done, or to focus on your job after you’ve put the baby down for a nap. Getting work done in the evening in front of the tv works well, and it’s worth noting that you are still doing all of this from the comfort of your own home.

*Learn to make the most of your time. This sounds obvious, but it really helps to make a list and prioritize every item on it. If the baby goes down for a nap or daddy is spending some quality time with her, then use that time to cross off the higher priority items. Just keep chipping away at it little by little and you will be amazed at what a multi tasker you’ve become. It happens to every mother, you learn to manage your time and multi task–both of these skills will help you in getting work done while still taking care of baby.

*Keep things in perspective as it helps you from getting stressed out. You are still home with that little darling and that’s the most important thing. You’d be amazed at what a couple of hours on the weekend or in the evenings can do for your workload. Even if the days get crazy or you don’t get as much done as you’d like, remember that you’ve still managed to find a situation that allows you to be home with your baby. A dream come true!

Working from home can be possible if you make some slight adjustments in your mindset and priority list. If you are lucky enough to find something allowing you to work from home, keep in mind how lucky you are and use that positive energy to help you get through the craziest of days.

Balancing Your Time with a Baby

Having a baby is one of life’s greatest joys, there’s no doubt about it. Most moms would agree though that once that baby arrives, their time is no longer their own. First you go through the huge adjustment of having a newborn and never knowing when you might be feeding or have a clue as to when they will sleep. Then you start to get a little more adjusted and then it’s time for the baby to be mobile, and the cycle goes on. It’s safe to say that every mom goes through a period of time wondering when they might get some “me time” back.  I’ve found that a few minor tweaks in the daily schedule can help a bit and hopefully these tips will help other moms out there that have struggled with the problem of how to get everything done in a day when you have a baby.

*Work while you can around the baby’s schedule. Once the baby goes down for a nap, use that time to get the necessities done that day. Recognizing that you will never get every little thing done, make a list and work through it in order of priority. There are many days that I have to let some tasks go as I have to be realistic about how to use any free moment that I have.

*Let some things go and know that it’s okay. There’s no such thing as a super mom and trying to be one will only stress you out. If you only threw in a load of laundry but couldn’t quite get to dusting, let it go. The chores will always be there, and you just have to know that you can’t get it all done like you used to.

*Remember your number one priority. Even though it’s tempting to try and breeze through a huge to do list like you used to, your new and most important focus is the baby. You are taking care of that little bundle of joy and that’s the most important way to spend your day. If you get nothing else done in a day but ensuring that the baby is well fed and taken care of, then that’s still a very good day.

Learning to focus on your high priorities and sometimes let the rest go can make your days with baby much more enjoyable. Every time you feel stressed out and as if you can’t get it all done, take a look at that sweet little face and remember what it’s all about.

How to Remove Coffee Stains

It’s inevitable. I’m rushing around trying to get the kids off to preschool, getting ready for work, grabbing the cup of coffee to help me start the day… and I spill it. After doing this for so long, you’d think I’d set the timer for my coffee so it’s ready before I get dressed, but that’s one hurdle I haven’t overcome yet. Thankfully, 1001cleaningtips.com has provided a great tip on how to get that pasky coffee stain out of my clothing:

Blot the excess liquid from the fabric.
Mix dishwashing liquid with slightly warm water and sponge over the affected area.
Blot the affected area to remove excess soap.
Combine 1 part of white vinegar to two parts of slightly warm water.
Use a sponge to apply the vinegar and water solution to the affected area.
Thoroughly rinse the affected area with tap water.
Wash the entire garment or other item per manufacturers’ instructions.

How to Care for Jeans

Jeans are great. Their versatile, rugged, and classic. I have to admit though, the only special treatment I usually give them is their own load in the laundry. The Moms Buzz has some extra tips for keeping those blue jeans lookin’ good:

To protect the color, always turn jeans inside out when washing. Never set the water higher than warm.

Dishwasher Magic

This is a great little product that really helps your dishes come out sparkling clean. It doesn’t do it by the traditional methods of soap and cleaners for your dishes… it cleans your dishwasher! Sometimes dishes can leave behind residue and bacteria in the dishwasher. Make sure to clean out your dishwasher with Dishwasher Magic every few months for a safer, more sanitizing clean.

Laundry Tip

This was a great idea posted over at Lifetips.com:

When you fold your sheets, fold the sheets and the pillow cases in one bundle, with the flat sheet covering them all. Keep your whole set together this way!

I think I’ll go reorganize my closet right now. (Not to mention I also have to figure out the queen size vrs. the full sized sets!)

4 Tips for Cleaning the Shower

1001cleaningtips.com has put together a list of four essential tips for getting the cleanest shower possible. The most important factor in your success and the longevity of the clean is listed below.

1. Use The Right Cleaning Solution
When cleaning your shower, it’s important to use a cleaning solution designed for use in the bathroom. The dirt and germs that tend to build up in bathrooms are very different from those found in kitchens and other areas of the home. Bathroom cleaning products are especially designed to combat mold, mildew, and other types of dirt and bacteria that build up in damp areas.

Clean the Tops of Kitchen Cabinets With Ease

Mom’s Solutions has an answer to cleaning the top of your kitchen cabinets. You know… that once or twice a year you actually look to see what has accumulated way up there on the tippy top. I used to think it was the worse task in cleaning the kitchen, until I read this tip:

When your cabinet top is finally clean roll out a long sheet of wax paper and lay it down on top of the cabinet, curl side down. It lays flat and it is the exact width of the cabinet. No one can see it!! Then when you clean the next time, you just carefully take it off…it will be very grungy…and throw it away. Lay down new wax paper and your good to go!

Crazy Straws

Kids love crazy straws. But have you ever tried cleaning all of those loops? Lifetips.com has a method that’s on my to try out list:

How to Clean Crazy Straws: Flush the straws with hot water then let them soak in a solution of bleach and water. The “official” disinfecting solution is 2 tablespoons of bleach to 1/2 gallon of water.

Hire a Maid?

I know at the back of my mind, the thought of hiring a maid is always there. I can only imagine how nice it would be to have someone else clean my house. But I’ve always thought it was too expensive. The gals over at 1001cleaningtips.com have some practical advice on deciding when the time is right to sign up for a professional cleaning service.

Hiring a professional cleaning service doesn’t have to be cost-prohibitive. One of the major factors impacting the fee for cleaning your house is how often you have a professional come in and work on your home. If you’re able to keep up with making sure your living space stays relatively tidy, you may only need to hire a professional to come in and take care of deep cleaning once each month.

Ring Around the Collar

When doing the laundry most of my attention is spent on food stains, grass stains and dirt on the knees. I often overlook that pesky little thing called “Ring Around the Collar.” Thankfully the folks over at lifetips.com have a tip for me:

Dirty neck rings around collars can be removed by putting shampoo on them. Rub the shampoo in like you were washing your hair. This works because shampoo is specifically made to remove body oils.

WD-40 Spot Shot

You’ve seen the commercial. The woman with the pristine white carpet who has a few footprints on her rug and when her friend comes over to visit she tells her to stay out on the rainy doorstep to talk because she’s too embarassed about her carpet. That’s a commercial which always makes me cringe. Who has white carpets anyway!? Well, to test out the truth behind such statements, the Naked Mommy has done an honest review of WD-40 Spot Shot. What did they find?

One caveat, it doesn’t work on red juice and Kool-Aid because of the dyes or on rust stains.

« Previous Page — Next Page »