Showing posts with label home. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home. Show all posts

Sunday, March 17, 2024

Spring Cleaning Checklist


Spring is the perfect time to refresh and revitalize your home after a long winter. As the weather warms up and the days get longer, it's the ideal time to tackle all those cleaning tasks that have been piling up. With a comprehensive Spring Cleaning Checklist, you can ensure that your home is in tip-top shape and ready for the new season. Follow these steps to make your spring cleaning process efficient and effective.


1. Declutter and Organize - Before you can start deep cleaning, you need to declutter and organize your home. Go through each room and get rid of any items that you no longer need or use. Donate or sell items that are in good condition, and throw away anything that is broken or unusable. Once you have decluttered, organize the remaining items in a way that makes sense for each room. This will not only make your space look tidier, but it will also make cleaning easier.

2. Dust and Wipe Down Surfaces - Dust can accumulate quickly, especially during the winter months when we spend more time indoors. Start your spring cleaning by dusting all surfaces in each room, including shelves, tables, and countertops. Use a microfiber cloth or a duster to remove dust from hard-to-reach areas. Once you have dusted, wipe down all surfaces with a multi-purpose cleaner to remove any remaining grime and germs.

3. Clean Windows and Mirrors - Spring is the perfect time to let in the natural light by cleaning your windows and mirrors. Use a glass cleaner and a lint-free cloth to remove any dirt, smudges, and streaks from your windows and mirrors. Don't forget to clean the window sills and tracks as well, as they can collect dust and debris.

4. Deep Clean the Kitchen - The kitchen is one of the most used rooms in the house, so it's essential to give it a thorough deep clean during your spring cleaning. Start by cleaning out your fridge and pantry, and getting rid of any expired or unused items. Then, wipe down all surfaces, including countertops, cabinets, and appliances. Don't forget to clean the inside of your oven and microwave, and scrub the sink and faucets to remove any buildup. Finish by mopping the floors to leave your kitchen sparkling clean.

5. Refresh the Bathroom - Bathrooms can be a breeding ground for germs, so it's crucial to give them a deep clean during your spring cleaning. Start by scrubbing the bathtub, shower, and toilet with a disinfectant cleaner. Then, clean the sink and countertops, and wipe down the mirrors. Remember to wash the shower curtain and bath mats, and replace any old or expired toiletries.

6. Clean and Rotate Bedding - During the winter, we tend to use heavier bedding to keep warm. Spring is the perfect time to switch to lighter bedding and give your current bedding a thorough cleaning. Wash all sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers, and rotate your mattresses. This will not only freshen up your bedroom but will also help to improve your sleep.

7. Freshen up Carpets and Rugs - Carpets and rugs can accumulate dirt, dust, and allergens over time, so it's essential to freshen them up during your spring cleaning. If you have a carpet cleaner, use it to deep clean your carpets. If not, you can rent one or hire a professional. For smaller rugs, shake them outside and then vacuum them thoroughly.

8. Don't Forget the Small Details - In addition to the major cleaning tasks, there are also smaller details that you shouldn't overlook. These include dusting ceiling fans and light fixtures, wiping down baseboards, and cleaning air vents. Also, don't forget to replace any burnt-out light bulbs and batteries in smoke detectors.

9. Tackle Outdoor Cleaning - Spring cleaning isn't just limited to the inside of your home. It's also essential to give your outdoor spaces some attention. Sweep and pressure wash your deck or patio, clean your outdoor furniture, and trim any overgrown bushes or trees. This will not only make your outdoor space look more inviting but will also help to prevent any potential hazards.

10. Create a Cleaning Schedule - To maintain the cleanliness of your home, it's essential to create a cleaning schedule that works for you. This could include daily, weekly, or monthly tasks, depending on your preferences and lifestyle. By spreading out the cleaning tasks, you can avoid feeling overwhelmed and keep your home in tip-top shape all year round.

Spring cleaning may seem daunting, but with the comprehensive checklist below, you can tackle it efficiently and effectively. By following these steps, you can give your home the attention it deserves and start the new season with a clean and refreshed space.

You're welcome to down the PDF file if you'd like to print it out and have it for future reference. 

 ⮜ Spring Cleaning Checklist 



Check out some of our past blog posts all about organizing and cleaning.


Do you have a Spring cleaning agenda that you go by? What helpful hints could you share with us? We'd love to hear from you in the comments below.

Keep it sassy,
Kelly

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Monday, September 21, 2020

De-skunking Our Dog and Home

***UPDATED 9/2/23***



Recently my dog had an encounter with a skunk. YES, a skunk. He went out for his 5 a.m. morning pee break and came back in before we knew he was sprayed by a skunk and headed directly to our grandson's room, luckily our grandson wasn't in there and rubbed his face all over his bed. Not knowing that my husband was dealing with this, he decided to wake me up after he had already given him his first bath. We bathed him 3 times that morning and took him to the groomers mid-afternoon. 

For the second bath, I did a little research on what to bathe him in and found a homemade solution from The Prairie Homestead, which worked a bit but didn't do the trick that I would have liked.

Here's the recipe if you are interested in DIY:

  • 1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide (this is the kind you find in the first aid section of your average grocery store. It’s very cheap.)
  • 1/4 cup baking soda
  • 1-2 drops of liquid dish soap (optional)
  • 2-3 drops of lemon essential oil (optional–but adds extra deodorizing power)
  • Rubber Gloves (optional, but highly recommended…)
  • Bucket

Make sure you wear gloves! Mix together the peroxide, baking soda, and dish soap. Stir well and then quickly apply to the dry dog, being careful not to splash any in his eyes. Thoroughly work the solution in his coat. It should cover and permeate as much of the hair as possible.

Allow the dog to “soak” for around 5 minutes.

A chemical reaction is occurring which actually neutralizes the odor. This is why you must use it before the peroxide and soda are finished with their reaction. It can not be made ahead of time and stored.

After the waiting period, thoroughly rinse the dog with water.


For the third bath, I took a trip to PetSmart and found this product Nature's Miracle® Skunk Odor Remover. It did take more of the smell away from the dog and it worked rather well on clothing and our carpets. This particular bottle has a lavender scent. Follow the instructions on the bottle.

I put this in a spray bottle and sprayed the house with it and it did help temporarily. I added it to my shampooer and shampooed my rugs. I do believe that helps a lot.

I also found a DIY to try and neutralize the smell in the house from Simply Earth using essential oils and a diffuser. It makes the home smell wonderful. I didn't have the Lemon Eucalyptus or the Blood Orange essential oil so I substituted it with Lemon, Eucalyptus, and a Citrus blend.


Defeat the Reek Diffuser Blend Recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Add essential oils to the diffuser and diffuse in an open room.
  • To make a masterblend of this recipe use a 5 mL bottle from your Big Bonus Box and add 25 drops of Clove Essential Oil, 25 drops of Lemon Eucalyptus Essential Oil, and 50 Blood Orange Essential Oil. Shake to mix and label. 

We can still smell the skunk on his face after a week but the house smells so much better now. 
Another thing to consider when opening windows, make sure you don't open the windows that are near the spray spot. We found out the hard way and we couldn't figure out why it kept smelling like a skunk in our bedroom and determined the skunk sprayed our dog near our bedroom window. Live and learn! :)

I hope and pray you never encounter a skunk but if you or your pet get sprayed just maybe these tips will help you on your journey to de-skunking :)

If you have helpful tips on this subject, we would be glad to hear from you. Please comment!

Stay safe and healthy,
     Kelly
The Sassy Silver Sisters
Cathy, Rhonda & Kelly

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FTC DISCLAIMER:  This page informs you of our disclosure statement regarding the advertisements we use and disclosure of our Service and the choices we have associated with it. The compensation received will never influence the content, topics, or posts made in this blog. All advertising is in the form of advertisements generated by a third-party ad network or affiliates. Those advertisements will be identified as paid advertisements. The owner(s) of this website is not compensated to provide opinions on products, services, websites, and various other topics. The views and opinions expressed on this website are purely the owners. If we claim or appear to be experts on a certain topic or product or service area, we will only endorse products or services that we believe, based on our expertise, are worthy of such endorsement. Any product claim, statistic, quote, or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. This website does not contain any content which might present a conflict of interest.

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