Refridgerator seals

Check that the seals on your fridge are in good working order by closing the door on a sheet of paper. If you can pull it out easily, either seal needs replacing or the hinges need adjusting.

Floor Cleaning Tips

Remove build up of solvent-based polish by using steel wool and paint thinner. Use an ordinary floor cleaner with a little ammonia (Handy Andy) added to remove emulsion polish then mop over. Always sweep or vacuum the floor before cleaning. Remove thick grime under the stove by first softening the patch using a sponge dipped in hot water. Leave for 5 minutess, then use a stripping blade wrapped in a cloth to remove the grime.

Daily Chores - The bathroom

At night, squirt a little toilet cleaner around the bowl so that a quick brush in the morning will keep it clean for the rest of the day. While your bath water is emptying add a few drops of liquid detergent to the water to remove any scum from the water as it drains away. Keep a clean cloth under the washbasin do do a once-over the taps and mirrors as they become dirty. Use on the washbasin after the morning rush ready for the evening.

Removing dents in your wood

Place a thick, damp cloth over the area, then place the tip of the hot iron immediately over the dent. The steam will penetrate and swell the effected area, which can then be re-polished afterwards.

Cleaning Essentials

Keep the following items at hand while performing your daily chores.
Dusting cloths made from discarded cotton T-shirts or clothes.
Cleaning and polishing cloths in thick, absorbent knitted cotton and lint-free fabrics.
Household gloves to protect your hands from chemicals, thin disposable gloves for delicate cleaning jobs and cotton gloves for dusting.
A dustpan and 2 brushes - a hard brush for carpets and a soft brush for sweeping dust off hard floors.
A mop and bucket.
A long handled broom.
Steel-wool and scouring pads, old toothbrushes and a nailbrush for reaching awkward areas.
Spray cleaners for bathroom and kitchen surfaces, heavy cleaning liquids to remove grease and burned - on foods, ammonia based cleaners and bleach.

Dealing with the daily chores

Attept to do the following chores everyday or call us to do the job!
Wash the dishes - when using a dishwashing machine don't run a load if it isn't full because water wastage equals high overheads.
Make your bed - it motivates you and besides do you really want come home to an untidy bedroom.
Pick up any misplaced items on the floor. They tend to pile up if neglected.
Laundry - Again, don't let it pile up. Do a load everyday or focus on the items that belong to each family member and do it separately. Or let it pile up all day and wash the load at night.

Predictability and efficiency

Once the Christmas clutter is gone, whatever is left needs to be reorganised. We make goals to get organised but without a plan we will fail to achieve those goals. A cleaning schedule allows for easier management of our daily, weekly and monthly chores. It adds predictability and effiency to your housekeeping - and don't forget to get all the household members to clean!

Getting organised in 2011

Nowadays, it seems like life has become too busy for us to worry about maintaining an orderly household. Between shuttling kids to school, working, preparing healthy meals, seeing friends and balancing all of the other things life throws at you, most families just don't have the time to clean a house. A household organizing notebook should be used to control vital information needed to run a home. Unlike personal planners and calendars that organise items for one person, household organizing notebooks organise all aspects of running a home and family and can be customised according to your family needs. The basic dividers of most household organising notebooks may include:
PLANNING AND ORGANISING
MEALS AND MENUS
HOME MAINTENANCE AND MANAGEMENT
PHONE/ADDRESS/EMAIL CONTACTS
SCHOOL/CHILDREN
MONEY AND FINANCIAL
HEALTH
ACTIVITIES AND APPOINTMENTS