OLD HOUSE HOMESTEAD: Spring Cleaning Series: Week 2

How did ya'll do on your Week 1 of Spring cleaning? Last week's Spring cleaning chart break down is HERE. Honestly, I'm a bit behind. I had a sick little guy for part of the week and I've been working on my ebook so time was scarce. Plus in our neck of the woods it was so stinkin' hot outside that it warmed up the house, too, especially the upstairs (where all of last week's cleaning was to take place!). So this week will be a catch up week of sorts. Ah well...it's all good. Good to have a goal at least, right? Because if you aim for nothing you'll hit it every time! *wink*

Tackle the chores one step at a time...like doing all closets on the list at one time, all ceiling fans on the list at one time, etc. Break it up into doable lists. Go through and decide what you need to get done this week and divide it up into however many days this week you have time. A lot of the items on the list are done on a regular basis on the Motivated Mom's Planner. If you've been keeping up with that then you don't have to do as much. *wink* Go HERE to order the planner. It's only $8!

I have the entire five week Spring Cleaning Check-List over HERE for you to print out. But if you have issues with that please email me and I'd be happy to send it to you.

I'll go through the list and share ideas for this week's chores...

UPSTAIRS BATHROOM

declutter room

vacuum ceiling and corners -- work from top to bottom

vacuum valances (wash if needed)

wash lights

wash windows -- I use either the blue ammonia product or vinegar and water in a spray bottle. I like to spray the window, wipe the window with crumpled up newspaper to loosen the dirt then wipe with a sheet of paper towel, then spray again and use a squeegee as a final non-streak step. It really doesn't take as long as it seems and it has quite the nice result. (Don't forget to take the screens out and give them a good scrub. You may have to wait for a really nice day to take them outside or if they are small enough they can bathe in the tub. )

wash walls -- use either a Magic Eraser or some baking soda/water paste on a dampened rag to wipe away difficult marks. Be sure to follow after with a clean damp rag...both processes leave a residue.

wash rug and decorative towels

scrub tub -- sprinkle the tub with baking soda. Dampen a rag with vinegar and scrub the tub. Inexpensive and not a chemical that can harm you!

vacuum floor edges and baseboards

scrub floor -- Use a rag, an old toothbrush, a bowl of steaming hot water, and some elbow grease.

DINING ROOM

declutter room -- Use 3 trash bags to divide up clutter (trash, donate, keep) and work around the room clockwise from the door

clean lights

vacuum corners and ceiling -- Work from top to bottom

dust greenery -- Put greenery in a paper sack with a handful of table salt. Close up bag and shake well. Take greenery out, shake off extra salt. Voila! Dust-free greenery!

wash windows

clean china cabinet -- Take pieces out carefully and hand wash if necessary. Vacuum out the cabinet and dust shelves with a rag dampened with water (use a wood oil if necessary).

dust mantle, bakers rack and piano (or whatever pretties you have)

vacuum lamp shade

vacuum floor and baseboards

spot mop -- Use a damp warm rag.

OFFICE and FOYER

declutter room -- Use 3 trash bags to divide up clutter (trash, donate, keep) and work around the room clockwise from the door

clean light and ceiling fan

vacuum corners and ceiling -- Work from top to bottom

vacuum valances (wash if necessary)

dust hutches and desks

vacuum computer keyboards and the vents on the hard drive

wash windows -- see above

vacuum floor and baseboards