Chemical Free Cleaning - Window Blinds

Hey I keep a pretty clean house.  I sweep and mop almost weekly. I am pretty good at dusting, or at least assigning one of the kids to dust.  The kitchen is spotless every night before I go to bed, and toilets stay sanitized (necessity with boys, stinky) But please, please, please, don't peak at the fans( I just turn them on if someone is coming).. and don't even speak of between the couch cushions (there is no telling what you might find there), the top of the fridge (yikes), but you CAN inspect my window blinds all you want!  That's right, my window blinds are spotless, well almost spotless, thanks to a little tip from a friend. 

Want to know the secret?  Ok, I'll tell you but you have to promise to share it with EVERYONE you know... (just click the facebook or twitter button below and share away). 

Ok, so here it is... a dryer sheet!  Yep that's it, that is the big secret!  I know you are thinking "Really?" but I promise I have tried feather dusters, electro-static dusters, and every cleaner you can imagine... but none of them have done the job like a dryer sheet, not even my vacuum.

You don't even have to use a new dryer sheet.  in fact I think the used dryer sheets are easier to use because they are softer, and wrap around the slats better. The dirt is attracted to the dryer sheet and the softener helps to repel new dust. No stinky cleaners or expensive cleaning tools; it all free! Well, as long as you use dryer sheets.

I used one dryer sheet per window. Start by, turning the blinds down and rubbing side to side in short repetitive strokes(like and eraser) with the used dryer sheet. Then, turn the blinds up and repeat the process for the other side.  You will probably have to wipe up a gathering of dust from the window seal... or at least I did (my blinds were really dirty).  Give it a try!! I would love to see if you gals have as much luck as I have, so go on.. you know you have a few used dryer sheets floating around your laundry room, it really only takes a few minutes. Then, please come back and tell me what you thought.  Was this a helpful cleaning tip for you? 

PS.  I haven't tried yet, but I bet it works on those ceiling fans too!

Image Credit

Get Organized!!

With a new business, homeschool, general paperwork, coupons, and, and, and.... Sometimes I feel like I'm swimming in paperwork that I have no idea what to do with.  I find myself moving stacks from here to there and back again, never quite knowing how to organize/handle all the "stuff" that I had collected.

Well about a week ago a professional organizer came and spoke to our homeschool group and here is the method that she recommended for immediate organization for paperwork. She used a stack able drawer system much like the one found here...


Each drawer was labeled


Take Action (address in 2-3 days)
To Calendar
Bills to Pay
Hold for 30 days (can hold on to this for a month, then it must be taken care of or thrown away)
Business Stuff
To Be Filed


A few other tips that were shared where...

1. Make sure you are passing some age appropriate jobs to your children. This is not only a way to help yourself, but starts a legacy of put together/clean homes for your families future.
2. Start with baby steps. Don't overwhelm yourself with a master organization plan. Instead, start with one drawer, one shelf, one closet, one room... As you go, your will notice huge changes from the baby steps you are taking.
3. Stay in one area at a time.  While you are taking baby steps in one room, make sure to assure your success with three simple boxes.  Each labeled (Donate/Sale, Belongs Elsewhere, Trash). By implementing these simple boxes, you don't find yourself distracted and jumping from one room to another.
4. Remember to stick with it. Spend 5-10 minutes every evening placing things back in there forever home.  That way you don't have to go through the entire process again, next year!
5. Use products, like baskets, plastic boxes, or my favorite... Large Utility Totes from Thirty-One Gifts  to group like products and create "forever" homes for your belongings.

Start now and stick with it!! Your home, attitude, stress level and life will drastically change! I think we are all nicely surprised when we accomplish the task of organizing! I have to tell you I'm a bit of a self proclaimed organizer, so if you have any questions or need help brainstorming on any problem areas of your home, I would be happy to help, just shoot me a comment or email me at  m.a.caldwell@hotmail.com


Happy Homemaking Everybody!!

My Husband Rocks!!

It has been way too long since I have done a MHRF post, but  I have been inspired to remind my husband how much he means to me!! And since I air everything else out here on this lovely blog, it only makes sense to include posts such as these.

 One reason Michael rocks is his absolute dedication to hard work and his love and passion for being the protector of our family! Last Sunday we drove in the rain to church, praised and worshiped while listening to the rain pounding outside. Ran to the car in the rain, and got home in soaked clothes, to find a house full of rain.  Well a bedroom full of rain. Apparently we were having a drainage issue and the 9 inches of rain we had gotten that morning had started seeping in the weep holes of our home, right into the boys bedroom.  At this point I was ready to close the door and put our house on the market, but Michael didn't even hesitate, didn't ask for help, he calmly went to change and spent the rest of his day outside, in the rain, digging ditches, cleaning french drains and gutters, and with no complaining or grumbling! Then to top it off he finished outside, to come in and start sucking the water out of the carpet with a rental carpet cleaner for the rest of the night.  I was so overwhelmed with it all, and he could tell... he told me to take care of the kids and go on to small group that night... When I got home, the room was cleaned, there was a carpet fan going and I didn't even have to look at it. He never ceases to amaze me with his attention to detail (not my strong suit) and ability to spring into action and take care of a problem. My sweet husband worked all day in the rain and hunching over a small carpet cleaner (and at 6'7" anything short is a backache)... proving his love and commitment to our family and more so me... by doing it all without grumbling or complaining. 

 I'm sure he was thinking, "Yep, this is about to go on the blog" :) I love him so much!!

Michael, I am so blessed that you chose me! Thank you so much for making God and our family the highest priorites in your life. I love you!!

Cleaning Tips

Well, I know many of you that read the blog are wives & mothers, which also means you are CLEANERS!
I will admit that I enjoy cleaning! It helps relieve stress, gives me a sense of accomplishment, and is besides taking care of our children, one of the biggest day to day things I do to show love to my husband.
Anyways, I have been trying to cut down on the amount of cleaning products I use and go to more organic, efficient, and/or multi use products. So for this blog I am listing some of the things I use and love and a few that I use because I don't having any other ideas. Please share some of your tips with me, and I hope to share a few with you also. Here we go...

For a nasty microwave, put 1/2 c. of lemon juice in a microwave safe bowl and cook on high for 1.5 minutes. Afterwards, remove bowl and wipe off. Stuck on stuff usually comes of really easily! And smells great!

I love my Shark!!! I can do a quick once over after meals. Goes from Rugs to floors easily, and even picks up soft stuff, like noodles, greenbeans, and mud. I use it at least 3 times a day! The kids think it is fun to use too.

I absolutely will not budge! My toilets are getting cleaned with bleach!!! My dishes are getting washed with dawn(also good for greasy stains in laundry) and my laundry is getting washed with Tide! Case closed.

I would like any suggestions on the following:
Dusting: I dust with Pledge multi surface, and like it, but would be open for options.
Glass cleaner? Any tips? I am currently using clorox green works glass cleaner.
Surface cleaner?
Floor cleaner? I have lanolium and ceramic tile.
Bathroom cleaner? Something that cuts hard water!

I know vinegar is a good multi purpose cleaner, but i really hate the smell of it!!!

The Great Playroom SwapOut. (Part 2)

NOTE: Please read previous entry to get the full affect.

Well after breakfast this morning, the brothers and I got right to work, on the playroom. Here they are wiping down the toys. William cleaned all the "Rescue Heros and Super Heros" otherwise known as his favorite toys. While Cade worked on the Leapfrog ABC magnets. We worked for about 3 1/2 hours... well they gave up after about an hour, but still gave me some really good help. And here is the end result!

TA- DA!!

(Michael still has to carry the box to the Garage, but you get the idea)

I know the wall looks a little blank, but next week I have some special projects planned for the boys, and those will go up on our clothes line for display.

And here are the three hard working brothers, hanging out in their playroom together! Poor Brennan, I think he was getting a little squooshed.

The Great Playroom SwapOut.

Every 2-6 months I send my strong husband to the garage to retrieve a large box. A box that stays out of reach of anyone under the age of 10. A box filled with long lost toys.... Toys that the kids have never seen before, or at least not in the last several months.

My mom gave me this idea. I divide up the toys and put different toys away every time. And when the boys start getting bored, or are arguing a lot... we swap things out. They love the day the box comes out, b/c they get to dig out all the toys and play with anything and everything their little hearts desire. Not only is it fun for them, but it also helps keep the playroom clean. Less toys in the playroom means less toys on the floor, and less toys to try to shuffle through to find things, and less frustration for me and the kids. (I'm kinda picky about things being organized... and "kinda" is a big understatement) So this really helps me to keep the toys sorted, and for the kids to learn how to pick up. The down side to this is that every 2-6 months I end up with a playroom looking like this.......

So tomorrow William Cade and I will head to the playroom for a sorting session. We will clean out old broken toys, or toys that they never play with, and we will clean them all with Clorox wipes (even the boys can help with that). So for tomorrow this is my job....

as well as this....

But mostly this....... (playing with the brothers)

We Have a Winner!

We have a winner even though only two people guessed..... IT IS A MATRESS!!! Good Job Jess! They were so compact I was completly surprised when I opened them. We should be getting the bunk beds in today, and hopefully transition Cade into a big bed and William into a new room tomorrow! Yeah!! I'm finally getting some things done so we will be ready for the new baby.

Some pictures of our completed projects

Ok, so once again, the pictures are sideways. I promise one day I'm going to figure out how to turn them where they will stay turned, but for now just lay on your side and enjoy the change. The first two pics are of the master bath, previously ripped blue wall paper.

The playroom, previously brown siding, and baby blue mini blinds; is now a very cute green and has cream roman shades and unique art work(by Cade and Will)

The hall bath was indescribable, and unfortunately I don't have good before picture, it is now a very pretty cream with pink, and burgundy accents(the only totally girly place in the house.)

This is our new table, we found it second hand and will have to buy chairs for it, but I love the table. Michael also hung my light!!! I bought this at the flea market for around $15 and spray painted it from gold to black.... I love it too!

The Laundry room was cream with baby blue cabinet doors, now it has transformed with a green coat on the walls and completely cream cabinets. I still need to get knobs for the cabinets.

One more of the laundry room, and the boys new found glory... hooks that they can reach. I love it!

I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to my MOM for all her help the last couple of weeks!! Love you MOM!!!

And we are nesting:)

Our playroom/sun room. It was an addition to the house and for some reason the people decided to leave the storm window in place.... I thought it was awful and Michael has finally taken it out for me. We will finish painting and frame out the window seat this week.

This is the boys bathroom. It had Hideous wall paper and really dark wood cabinets, So it is all getting painted. YEAH

These two pictures are of the master bath. Bad wall paper, color blue (not my favorite) and some strange mirrors. It will soon be painted and decorated as well. :)




Now you can read and see what this is all about.

Well sorry it has taken me so long to blog, but I have to warn you that you may not get too much over the next couple of weeks. My mom is in town and is giving in to every "nesting" whim I am having. So we are painting, making curtains, organizing, and deep cleaning! I'm so blessed to have such a giving mother to come and put up with me for so long, especially when I am in project mode (sometimes I'm not the easiest to get along with). Anyways, here are a few before, or during pictures, to keep you updated on our projects.

Our Tree Fell!

Well, some pretty big rain clouds came through our town today. We got a total of 3 1/2 inches, however 2 1/2 of those came in about 30 minutes. I was able to watch it from inside the grocery store. All I needed was one loaf of bread, the boys and I ended up hanging out in HEB for 45 minutes. Anyways,when I got home a grapefruit tree in our backyard had blown over. We were planning on taking the tree out anyways, so it is a blessing. Now we just have to cut it up and haul it off. It also did us another favor, the only thing it hit was another tree which we we are also going to take out. The rain was much needed. Thank you, Lord.