“In all of living have much fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.” President, Gordon B. Hinckley

* First Thing You See- The idea is simple; as you enter a room, you fix, clean or put away the first thing you spot. Just the first thing, nothing more. For instance, don’t do the entire sink of dirty dishes, just do the large pasta pot that’s balancing precariously atop a stack of dirty bowls. Once the pot is out of the way, you can see the bowls as the “First Thing” the next time you pass that way. Once the single task is finished, move on to the next room and do the same. * Beat The Clock- When you write out your list of chores, put down a time estimate next to each one. Set a timer, if you have one, or write down the time when you start the task. If you finish the task before your estimated time, use that time to do something fun, or just put your feet up for a bit. * Get Inspired- Turn your TV on and get to work! Watching a show on Hoarders, Organization or Remodeling can inspire you to work hard on your task at hand. * Shake your Body- Crank up the tunes! Put on your favorite happy dance music and scrub to the beat. It’s okay to take a minute off from dusting and bust a move, too. There is nothing wrong with getting a little cardio in with your housecleaning. * Take a Photo- You can take a before picture and an after picture. Try to make the after picture a lot better, and then when you are finished, you will be proud. If you have extra time, “stage” the room as if you are selling that space. * Snack Attack- Eat a little of your favorite food or leave little bowls of your favorite candy in each room you are going to clean. Make it a different type for each room and reward yourself when you are done with each task. * Game Show- Pretend you are on a game show. Set a timer and see how much you can accomplish in 10 minutes. Then move on to the next task and do the same. * Competition- If you are cleaning with the family, have a competition to see who can clean their room faster. Have someone be a judge and rate the rooms 1-10. The winner gets to choose the treat for after dinner. * Cleaning w/Friends- If you have a friend who is also doing the same task as you, for example the kitchen or laundry, set a time for both of you to start ad see who can accomplish it the fastest. Call each other or send texts as you go to motivate and inspire one another. * Make it a Sport- Get a laundry basket and play “Basketball” with everything that doesn’t belong in that room. See how far away you can make it or do “trick shots” etc.

by Hannah Keeley

Divide your home into four zones: Zone 1—Kitchen, Dining Room, Pantry, Laundry Room, Zone 2—Living Areas, Play Rooms, Zone 3—Bathrooms and Bedrooms, Zone 4—Outdoor Areas, Garage, Mud Room…feel free to add another zone, or change a zone up to fit your personal needs better.

Then, number your weeks on your calendar from 1-4. On each Sunday, beginning with the first Sunday on the calendar, write the number of the week, starting with number 1. When you get to Week 4 it all starts over again with Week 1, and continually cycles through.

Now when you are doing your morning homekeeping chores, add a few of the big tasks that you normally put off for spring cleaning that correspond to the zone you are currently working in. For example, if I am currently in Zone 3, then I may wash the shower curtain liners on Tuesday or vacuum under the beds on Friday. The important thing is to write down the tasks that you are planning to do on your calendar and then DO IT! When you space out the big tasks throughout the calendar year, you don’t need to worry about the break-your-back cleaning sessions that will, without a doubt, get interrupted. A mountain of cleaning is almost impossible with little ones underfoot. But biting off little chunks at a time is something all of us moms can sink our teeth into!

Tunes to help you "tidy up the place”

Love Today-Mika Footloose-Kenny Loggins

Beautiful Day-U2 Walking on Sunshine-Katrina and The Waves

Crazy Little Thing Called Love-Queen Daydream Believer-The Monkeys

Twist and Shout-The Beatles Hey Soul Sister-Train

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun-Cindy Lauper Respect-Aretha Franklin

Whip It-Devo Love Shack-The B-52S

Don’t Stop Believing-Journey The Twist-Chubby Checker

Hit Me With Your Best Shot-Pat Benatar Smooth-Santana & Rob Thomas

The Way You Make Me Feel-Michael Jackson Sweet Home Alabama-Lynard Skynard

Another One Bites The Dust-Queen Groove is in the Heart-Deelite

Dancing Queen-ABBA Can’t Get You Out of My Head-Kylie Minogue

Mr. Brightside-The Killers Firework-Katy Perry

It’s The End Of The World As We Know It-REM What I Like About You-The Romantics

Walk Like An Egyptian-The Bangles Mony Mony-Billy Idol

Electric Avenue-Eddie Grant Heart of Glass-Blondie

I Will Survive-Gloria Gaynor Stayin’ Alive-The Bee Gees

Rock With You- Michael Jackson

Baking Soda is a great naturally abrasive ingredient with mild alkaline properties, it’s also a natural deodorizer and stain remover, and it rinses easily, is completely non-toxic (no more dangers for kids and pets licking surfaces that you’ve cleaned) and it’s extremely affordable (you can grab a 12lb bag at Costco for next to nothing).

Vinegar is an all natural and mild acid, it’s also a known disinfectant that can remove stains, sanitize, and it’s also completely non-toxic and inexpensive (you can also grab a giant jug of it at Costco for an extremely reasonable price). It should be noted that it shouldn’t be used on stone surfaces or acetate fabrics but there are many other natural cleaning methods that work for those surfaces.

Hydrogen Peroxide is also non-toxic (learn more about it and it’s many uses here) and is known to be a natural bleaching agent with disinfectant and stain removing properties. It’s also extremely inexpensive (just $1 for three bottles at Walgreen’s).

All Natural Tea Tree Oil And Grapefruit Oil (which have known antibacterial properties) And Lemon Juice (which naturally cuts grease and leaves a totally fresh scent) are also extremely helpful to have in your all-natural cleaning arsenal.

Liquid Castile Soap (like Dr. Bronner’s, sold at Target, Trader Joe’s, etc) is a vegetable based soap as opposed to a petroleum based one, which makes it completely non-toxic so it can be used on your face and body but will also work well when it comes to cleaning your home. It’s not quite as inexpensive as baking soda or vinegar, but a large 32 oz containter is just $8.99 at Trader Joe’s.

Surface Spray:

16 oz spray bottle 2 tsp. borax ¼ tsp. liquid castile soap (like Dr. Bronner’s) hot water

All Purpose Liquid Cleaner:

1 gal. hot water 1 tbsp. baking soda 2 tbsp. liquid soap (like Dr. Bronner’s)

All Purpose Abrasive Cleaner:

liquid soap (like Dr. Bronner’s) 2 tbsp. baking soda

Mix to make a foamy paste.

Refrigerator Cleaner:

2 tbs. baking soda in 1 qt warm water

Wipe down inside and out and rinse with a clean wet cloth.

Oven Cleaner:

Dampen with water Sprinkle liberally with baking soda

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Leave 20 minutes, then scrub until clean.

Microwave Cleaner:

½ c. vinegar 2 c. water

Combine in microwave safe bowl, heat on high for 3-4 minutes, remove bowl and wipe down inside of microwave.

Dishwasher Detergent:

2 c. borax 2 c. baking soda 4 little packages of unsweetened lemon Kool-Aid (or generic)

Mix together and store. You can substitute ½ c. of citric acid for the Kool-Aid but it’s harder to find.

Gorgeously Green All-Purpose Spray:

32-ounce plastic spray bottle 2 cups water 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar 1 teaspoon pure castile soap (peppermint) 3/4 cup hydrogen peroxide 20 drops tea tree oil 20 drops of lavender essential oil

Fruit and Vegetable Wash:

1 cup water 1 cup white vinegar 1 tbsp. baking soda 20 drops grapefruit seed extract

Spray on produce, rinse after 5 minutes.

Fruit and Vegetable Wash #2:

1 cup water 1 tbsp. lemon juice 1 tbsp. baking soda

Spray on produce, wipe after 5 minutes.

Drain Cleaner:

1 c. baking soda first 1 c. white vinegar second 1 gallon boiling water

Allow to foam for 5 minutes before adding water.

Window, Glass and Chrome Cleaner:

5 parts water to 1 part white vinegar, OR 1 c. water, 1 c. vinegar, ½ tsp. castile soap (like Dr. Bronner’s)

Toilet Bowl Cleaners:

Liquid castile soap (like Dr. Bronner’s) Baking soda or borax

Scrub with a toilet brush.

Tub And Tile Cleaner:

Apply vinegar full-strength to a sponge and wipe Scour with baking soda

Soft Scrub for Fixtures:

½ c. baking soda Castile soap 10 drops of antibacterial essential oil (optional)

Add enough castile soap until you have a frosting like consistency. Scrub, then rinse with water.

Mildew/Germ Killer:

2 c. water 25 drops of tea tree oil 25 drops of lavender oil

Spray on tile and do not wipe off.

Mildew/Germ Killer 2:

16 oz spray bottle 1 part hydrogen peroxide 2 parts water

Spray, let sit. Rinse after 1 hour.

Wood Floor Cleaner:

¼ c. vinegar 1 gal. warm water

Mop or rag should be slightly damp for cleaning.

Linoleum Floor Cleaner:

1 c. vinegar 2 gal. warm water

Mop or rag can be fully wet for cleaning.

Carpet Stain Remover:

1 part borax 10 parts warm water

Combine in spray bottle. Spray on stain, wait 5 minutes, blot with clean rag.

Carpet Stain Remover:

vinegar baking soda

Mix vinegar and baking soda into a paste. Gently work into stain with a toothbrush. Let dry then vacuum completely.

Carpet Deodorizer:

Baking soda 10 drops of essential oil (optional)

Mix together then sprinkle generously on carpet, wait 15 minutes and vacuum.

All-Purpose Carpet Cleaner:

After vacuuming first,

1 c. white vinegar 3 c. boiling water

Blot mixture onto nap of rug with a wet rag, Dry and air thoroughly. Vacuum.

Air Freshener:

2 parts water 1 part rubbing alcohol Essential oil

Mix in spray bottle, don’t spray on silks or delicates. Experiment with how much oil to add, but start with 5 drops.

Air Freshener 2:

1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. vinegar or lemon juice 2 c. hot water

Mix in spray bottle, don’t spray on silks or delicates.

Dusting:

Slightly dampened microfiber cloth

Furniture Polish:

½ tsp. olive oil ¼ c. vinegar or lemon juice

Mix in a glass jar. Dab a soft rag into the solution and wipe onto wood surfaces.

Scratches:

1 part lemon juice 1 part vegetable oil

Rub into the scratches and polish.

Rust Remover:

Sprinkle area with salt Squeeze lime onto salt

Leave sit for 2-3 hours, then scrub w/ lime rind (or try Almost-Doctor Dan’s method).

Metal Polish (copper and brass):

2 tbsp. salt

Add vinegar until you make a paste. Rub on metal with a clean rag. Wipe clean.

Powdered Laundry Detergent:

1 c. grated Fels Naptha soap ½ c. washing soda ½ c. borax

For light load, use 1 tablespoon. For heavy or soiled load, use 2 tablespoons.

Liquid Laundry Detergent:

3 pints water 1/3 bar Fels Naptha soap, grated ½ c. washing soda ½ c. borax 2 gallon bucket 1 quart hot water

Mix soap in saucepan with 3 pints of water. Heat on low until dissolved. Stir in soda and borax until thickened. Remove from heat. Add 1 quart hot water to bucket, then soap mixture, mix well. Fill rest of bucket with hot water, mix and let sit for 24 hours. Use ½ c. per laundry load.

Laundry Pre-treatment:

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½ c. ammonia ½ c. white vinegar ¼ c. baking soda 2 tbsp. liquid soap or laundry detergent 2 quarts water

Mix in spray bottle. Spray spot.

Laundry Pre-treatment 2:

1 tsp. liquid laundry detergent 2 tbsp. ammonia 1 pt. warm water

Mix in spray bottle. Spray spot, let sit for 20 minutes.

Fabric Softener:

Add ½ – 1 c. vinegar to your softener dispenser

Bleach Alternative (Laundry):

¼ c. hydrogen peroxide

Window Cleaner-outside

½ Gal. warm water 2 Tbs. Jet Dry 3 Tbs. Dawn dish soap

Mix in bucket and wipe down window using a sponge mop. Rinse with hose and air dry. No streaks or water spots.

Window Cleaner-inside

1 pint rubbing alcohol 2 Tbs. ammonia

Put in gallon jug and fill the rest of the way with water. Add 1 Tbs. Dawn dish soap and put in squirt bottle.