What To Do When Everything Needs Done

If you don't know the reason I'm Mrs. Undomestic, let me give you a little background. I never figured out the whole "keep a house" thing (despite my mother's many attempts). I wasn't interested for various reasons. Which is very odd since one of my life long goals has been to be a Stay At Home Mom. I always figured I'd learn later.

Well, later has finally come and I'm learning, although it's slower than I (and sometimes Dave) would like. Which leads me to today's post. Ever had a list that has at least 20 things (and probably more) and covers every room of your house? Ever feel like EVERYTHING needs done and it needs done yesterday?

I know. I've been there. More than once. So here are some suggestions that I'm finding work for me (and may help you!)

1. Focus on One Room a Day/Week (pick which works for you. I have the time to focus on one room a day. Most people who work outside the home don't have this option, which I totally get too!). For this example, we're going to use the kitchen

2. List what needs done in that room only. This may seem like an exhaustive list if you haven't tackled that area in awhile. That's OK! You should include what needs done, no matter how small it may seem. So include "load the dishwasher" and "wipe down the counters" along with "Clean out the Fridge" and "Organize the cupboards"

3. Figure out which are "5 minutes or less" projects. For me, since I have a dishwasher, loading and unloading the dishwasher are both 5 minutes or less. So is wiping down the counters and sweeping the floor. At this stage, if you're a one room a week person, split the big projects over the course of the week, so you'll know what you're doing.

4. Start on the list! I usually start with a 5 minutes or less project, it makes me feel like I'm getting something done right away.

5. Keep going. Pick a "big thing" on your list and tackle it next, like clean out the fridge. For me, this can take anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how messy we've been and how long it's been since I did it last time.

6. Alternate "Big" and "Little" projects. This will help break up what you're doing so that you don't feel quite so overwhelmed.

7. Take Breaks. Part of the reason you alternate big and little projects is to help you keep from getting burned out, but take a short break if needed.

8. Break Down the REALLY BIG PROJECTS. Organize the cupboards is a MASSIVE job (or at least in my house). I break down the big jobs into smaller ones, like working on just one cupboard. I can organize the cupboard next to fridge now and work on the ones next to the stove later today.

9. Don't Worry if it doesn't All Get Done. You will be back to that room either next week or month. If it doesn't get done today, you can always do it then. Make sure it becomes a big star project for next time, so it will get done next time.

Clorox Clean Up Spray only $0.50!

Cheap cleaning supplies!!!

Right now, you can go to the Clorox Facebook Page and get a $1/1 Clorox Clean Up Spray (to get it you will have to "Like" them PLUS vote for your favorite kid cooks).

You can combine this with the $1/1 coupon in the Walgreens April booklet AND the Walgreens sale this week, making it only $0.50 each! Yeah for cheap cleaning!!!

Thanks Frugal Coupon Living!

RecycleBank: Green Your Home

RecycleBank is an awesome program that promotes recycling and green living. Their way is simple. Give people stuff they want in return for recycling. This includes healthy coupons!!!

Since April is Green Month (who knew?!), RecycleBank is celebrating by hosting Green Your Home. It's a program where you can learn more about making your home more environmentally friendly. As you learn, you can get points which you can turn into stuff! I've personally gotten lots of coupons from them and recommend the program highly.

Check it out HERE

Frugal Tip of the Week-Vinegar

With Easter around the corner, vinegar is on sale. This week Walgreens has it and I'm sure that many other stores will have it next week. Which makes this the perfect week to talk about why you should stock up on vinegar.

Unless you manage to get your cleaning products completely free (which isn't unheard of, but not the easiest thing to do), then vinegar is ounce for ounce, the cheapest way to clean your home. It's one of the safest too, since there are no caustic chemicals in it (so if you kid drinks your pretty cleaning solution, it doesn't require a trip to the emergency room!).

According to one site, there are over 1,000 ways to use vinegar. This includes cleaning your home, laundry and automobile!

Personally, I use vinegar to clean all sorts of things. Grab a reusable spray bottle (if you don't have one, check your local big box store, either in the hair department or cleaning. I've found them in both.). Fill the bottle with half water (warm to hot water works best when you first mix it) and half with vinegar. If the smell of vinegar bothers you (it does Dave and my mom) add about 10 to 15 drops of an essential oil (I found mine at a health food store). I used orange but whatever scent you like. Shake the bottle well so everything mixes. Then spray and clean! It works just like your normal all purpose cleaners.

If your drain or garbage disposal starts having a bad smell, add 1/2 cup baking soda to the disposal, followed by a 1/2 cup vinegar. Let it sit for 5 minutes and flush out with warm water.

Trash stink no matter what you do? Add a little vinegar to the bottom of the can before you put the trash bag in. It will help absorb the odors.

Almost every surface in your house can be cleaned with vinegar (I wouldn't try it on your nice couch though!). It deodorizes and kills germs. It's safe for your family and it's incredibly cheap to buy white distilled vinegar (which is the most common form of it and the stuff we use to dye Easter eggs!). Next time you're short on cleaning supplies, try vinegar first, you'll be amazed at the results!

Sometimes I get Domestic

And today was one of those rare days.

This morning I went to 5 different stores and the bank (and only spent $85 between all 5). While I rarely hit that many at a time, I had small purchases to make at all the drugstores and there is an intersection near Beautiful G's school with all 3 AND my bank, so we literally hit every corner of the intersection, driving in what was essentially a circle. I followed it up with a trip to Stater Bros and Albertsons. The best part, in my mind anyway, was that my biggest expense was Stater Bros (at $42) and my lowest was $1 (Rite Aid.)

Once I got home, I got bit by the random (and for me, it's truly random) urge to clean my room. Technically it had been brewing in my head for awhile, since I told Dave a couple weeks ago I wanted the plastic bins he wasn't using so I could organize my closet.

And clean I did! I now have 3 empty drawers under my bed (stockpile, anyone?). I also don't have anything on my headboard and only a few things (that belong there) on my dresser. It's a miracle and I am happy.

I also cleaned the kitchen, including my dumping ground. You know the spot where you put everything that you'll "get to later"? Yeah, that's the end of my kitchen counter. It gets filled with papers, weekly ads for stores, letters, and schoolwork. I finally did a massive overhaul there today and it looks like a regular place instead of Mt. Paper Explosion.

The best part? I did it all while Beautiful G was in school. What I didn't do was work on any posts for you guys, so this is probably it for today. Don't worry, we'll have more tomorrow!

Frugal Tip of the Week-Baby Powder

Baby powder is one of those things that new mothers seem to get quite a lot of and have no idea how to use. Officially, it's to help with diaper rash, but I never actually used the stuff on my kids.

So what can you do with these bottles of baby powder?

1. Prevent Ants and other insects. Sprinkle a little baby powder along the door and window cracks and they won't enter. They don't like crossing the stuff.

2.  Sand remover. As someone living close to the beach, this is important to me. To get sand off you (and your family/friends), sprinkle baby powder over the wet sandy areas. Let it sit for a minute (so the baby powder absorbs the moisture) then brush off the sand!

3. Freshen your clothes. In your closet, place a small bowl of baby powder on the shelf or floor. It will help keep your clothes fresh. For clothes in your dresser, make a small sachet and stick it in a corner of your drawer (check out this one, which uses baby socks! Simply substitute baby powder for the dried flowers.). Sprinkle it in your shoes to keep the odors away from them too!

4. Dry Shampoo. This works well on both people and your dog. If you've ever been in such a hurry that you missed a day or two of washing your hair, baby powder can help your locks. Sprinkle some into your hair brush and brush your hair well, starting at the root. The brush will help spread out the excess oil and the baby powder (which absorbs it). Starting at the root helps to absorb the most oil, since it comes from your scalp.

As for the family dog? Sprinkle the baby powder onto your dog and rub it through with your hands. Just like with your hair, the baby powder will absorb the oil on your dog. Then brush your dog thoroughly. He will look and smell better!

5. Grease Remover. I'm a messy cook, so another tip that can really help. If you ever spill grease (or lipstick or anything else grease based) on your clothes, sprinkle some baby powder onto the stain and rub it in. Wipe off the excess. Repeat until the stain is gone. Make sure to do this before the stain sets (AKA before you wash it) or this won't work!

6. Cool Down during the Summer. During the hot summer nights (especially if you live in a humid area), put some baby powder on your sheets before bed. As you sleep, the baby powder will absorb the sweat from your body, helping you to cool down.

7. Playing Card Separator. Take your worn, greasy playing cards and put them in a resealable plastic bag. Add a small amount of baby powder. Close the bag and shake well. The baby powder will take the grease and fingerprints off the playing cards, making them smooth and fresh again.

8. Mildew Remover. Ok, this one is for books and something I wish I had known years ago when I lost a couple books to mildew. If you get a book with mildew, sprinkle the pages with baby powder and let it sit for a day or two. Simply brush out the baby powder and the mildew should be gone (may not work on very badly damaged books!)

Oh and one thing often suggested but I will tell you right now DON'T DO IT! A lot of times people suggest using baby powder on your carpet. It works like the commercial carpet fresheners. I have done it myself, using baking powder. Fortunately, I had a friend who corrected me. He repairs vacuum cleaners and the biggest thing that damages the vacuum? Baby powder, baking powder and the commercial powders. The stuff will kill your vacuum. Just say NO!!! Instead, vacuum weekly (at minimum, although high traffic areas should get done two or three times a week).

Do you have any suggestions for baby powder?

Zone of the Week-The Bathrooms

I am a big fan of FlyLady. If you haven't heard of FlyLady, check out her site here. She's an expert on cleaning your house, especially if, like me, the house can seem overwhelming on a regular basis. One thing FlyLady does is have a "Zone" of the house to deep clean each week (instead of trying to do it all at once). It helps keep the little things in order so they don't take over 6 hours before your in-laws (or other important company) show up!

With that, I thought I'd post the Zone of the Week and show you my progress. This week is The Main Bathroom and Home Office (since we don't have a home office, except a desk in the corner of the living room, I'm going to substitute the second bathroom instead).

If you are interested in joining me, you can sign up for FlyLady's email list. Fair warning, you will get A LOT of email (she sends out tons of motivational emails daily). FlyLady always says to toss anything you won't use (because it's clutter) and that includes the emails. So I delete 95% of her emails without reading them.

A Different Kind of Day

Today, for the first time ever, Beautiful G went to school all day long. She had spent the entire weekend telling us (and everyone else) that she had to be there at 8 o'clock in the morning.

And she was, along with the hundreds of other kids at her school.

Which meant that at 8:05, Sunshine and I were ready to take on a whole day. This is very unusual for us, since prior to this we were still eating breakfast in our pjs at 8:05.

So how have we spent our first full day without Beautiful G? First, we didn't watch any tv this morning. Instead I turned on music. Sunshine spent the morning playing with her Barbies and I cleaned the disaster I had been calling our apartment. I scrubbed a kitchen that had been largely ignored for the past two days and a living room that managed to go from reasonable to hurricane in one.

Lunch was a peaceful affair instead of the usual "hurry up it's naptime" theme we've had going. Sunshine did take her nap today without a fight. And while she napped I finished cleaning. I tackled the floor sticky from the multiple juice spills from the weekend (how one child can spill that much is beyond me, especially in the same place!) and the master bathroom.

Now I relax while Sunshine finishes her nap and we go get Beautiful G. I wonder how exciting her day was.

Feeling overwhelmed

Ever look around and feel overwhelmed? That's me today. The house isn't in the most terrible shape but I certainly don't want company today either. I know what needs done but the sheer volume and my lack of time is putting me in this paralysis.

It's easy for me to hide and that would have been my first reaction before. Instead I'm off to clean a part of my apartment even if I can't get it all done. It's a huge step for me and a small step at the same time. What big yet small step will you take today?

The 5 Minute Plan

I've mentioned here a couple times lately that I'm part of a MomWriters group for goals. It's honestly helping me keep on track and I'm loving the inspiration it gives me to get stuff done.

Today, the leader posted a challenge for us that involved finding where our spare time is and using it effectively. She said to fill it in with "quickie goals". It really got me to thinking. I have a ton of stuff around my apartment that seems to never get done, but to be honest, it would only take me about 5 to 10 minutes to do (if that). The biggest reason they never get done is because either:

A. I can't think of something to do when I find myself with spare minutes; or
B. I remember at a time when I simply can't do it (like vacuuming at 10:30 at night).

To counteract this, I'm making a list of goals I can get done in 10 minutes or less. This includes wiping down the front of cabinets, vacuuming the living room, cleaning the windows and cleaning out the "corner o'stuff" I have building up in my room. It's amazing the number of things I can think of that truly take less than 10 minutes, especially around the house. I always feel domestically challenged (thus my name) because it all seems to need done right then. If I break it into manageable chunks of "I have 5 minutes, let's do one thing" instead of "This will take me hours to do" then I think I can handle it.

I get that this isn't rocket science (Thank goodness, I could never handle the math!) but for me, this is a different way of thinking. Dave will tell you that I'm very book smart (true) but I lack common sense (also true) so for me to put it in this context, I might actually get things done instead of floundering hopelessly in the sea of "everything needs done right now and I don't have time!" Instead, I can pick one thing on the list, do it and check it off. At the end of the day or week (depending on the task) I can look back and see how much I've done and restart again the next day/week. Maybe its simple to you, but for me this seems like a godsend, as long as I put it into practice.

My question to you: What is on your daily/weekly "10 minutes or less" type list?