Cleaning Tips/Products

[Ladybug]

I clean something each time I'm in a room. I can't schedule cleaning because I can't carve that time out. Granted, if I had to mop I would carve out a day for that on the weekends when DH could watch the kids. After a bath I take the washcloth and quickly wipe down the sink, faucets and outer toilet surfaces before tossing it into the wash. I use baby wipes to wipe down the kitchen ASAP, even the floors. When I change a diaper I grab an extra wipe and wipe down something in the room I happen to be in. Every room I enter I pick at least one thing up and relocate it to where it should be. We vacuum the kitchen floors each evening (DH does this mostly) and I'll run the vac through the rest of the house on the weekends. I try to reorganize one room/closet each week, but it probably works out to be more like once a month. I can live with that.

I like the rule that if a task takes one minute or less to do make yourself do it immediatey right then and there. Then run before you find another one minute task.

The time you do need to carve out for floors, etc. get your DH to spend time with the kids (reading, park, etc.) and listen to a book on tape while you clean. It's like work and reading all at the same time. Ta-da!

[alison]

For greasy, rock-hard splatters in your microwave, put a slice of lemon in it for 15 seconds on high. When the time is up, go in there with a paper towel and your microwave will be glistening and will also smell wonderful!

(did I get this tip here?)

[Ladybug]

For greasy, rock-hard splatters in your microwave, put a slice of lemon in it for 15 seconds on high. When the time is up, go in there with a paper towel and your microwave will be glistening and will also smell wonderful!

(did I get this tip here?)

nice!

[SoonerTexan]

So doing that....

[ides]

I'm working on changing my cleaners to be less toxic. I've been using baking soda on the stove, counter & sinks. I vacuum probably twice a week though I wish it were more. I'm always picking things up too. This week I'm going to try mopping with vinegar & water instead of Mr. Clean. Mr. Clean is some pretty amazing stuff though. I haven't used anything but Comet on the tub but I'll probably try baking soda there too. I try to mop once a week but often it goes a month before I get time for it.

This is the first time I've had a dish washer in about 20 years. I'm hesitant to use it since my parents one sucked & I don't want to be having to wash dishes twice or be wasting water but I'm going to take the plunge & give it a go. I picked up some ecover dishwasher tablets at the grocery to use. If anyone has an tips for using their dishwasher let me know.

[DCJenn]

and you know I'm an anti-gun tree-hugger so that'll tell you how annoyed I was!

J.

[DCJenn]

Don't be surprised if the ecover dishwashing detergents suck. That's the only place I'll use hard core products. Barkeepers Friend is non-toxic and Method makes a nice smelling eculyptus mint scrub.

J.

[Meenah]

After one week of flylady I was ready to buy an Uzi and track her down.

I'm also an anti-gun, tree hugger, but I did buy the Uzi but just couldn't find the biatch!

I thought it was just me that had no luck with Eco friendly dishwasher detergent!! We use cascade. For everything else I use method too. They sponsored my Meetup group in LA so I got to try most of the products for free. I was trying to use the vinegar, baking soda etc but find that I'm more motivated to clean when I have a nice smelling product!
I need to look into the systems you are talking about. Right now my system is just do as much as I can take of cleaning up after the kids go to bed but never seem to get beyond the basics - kitchen, picking up toys, etc.

I thought it was just me that had no luck with Eco friendly dishwasher detergent!! .

I used an eco-friendly one for awhile, and when I ran out and grabbed one of those cascade tabs from my neighbor I was shocked/freaked out at how much cleaner my stuff was. I've never gone back.

[DCJenn]

I use the cascade tablets w/ the jetdry liquid in them since our water is so hard.

J

[SuzySunshine]

I use the Finnish tabs but may switch back to the cascade when this box is done - I can't decide. I think the Finnish worked better with MN water but not so much with OR water.

[ides]

Since we are talking cleaning:
My garbage disposal stinks. It stinks REALLY bad. What to use? Do?

[MrsK]

Have you tried putting a lemon down the disposal?

[GreyhoundsRUs]

Ice down the disposal works really well too!