S
pri
pring
n is here in Oklahoma! Which means it is time to open
all t the windows and get to deep cleaning! As a Mother
of t two
w children, I spend most of my time picking up after
t them,
hem along with my husband and father-in-law and 4 lovely
dogs
s who have a cat sidekick. Clearly, this means I am more
than quali
qualifi ed to write about cleaning as it seems a never-ending
journey.
ey “T
“The Kitchen Sink” is my way of sharing the tips and
tricks I am learning along the way.
tr
During
D ring m
my Spring cleaning I like to do a Deep clean of things
that get pu
th
put on the back-burner. Also, I go through my house
a
te clothes the kids have outgrown, toys, basically
nd dona
and
donate
e
everything
we do not need to our local non-profi t that supports
the local co
th
community.
My favorit
favorite home organization book, “A Bowl Full of Lemons”
b
m
y Toni Ha
by
Hammersly,
suggests making a checklist room by room.
I love a g
oo checklist. Using a list allows you to focus, organize
good
a
nd deep c
and
clean over a few weekends. This way you don’t get
o
verwhelm by taking on too much in one weekend. When
overwhelmed
m
he checklist, don’t forget the baseboards, ceiling fans,
aking t the
making
li light
ht fi xtures.
t
Schedule to clean behind your kitchen appliances,
especially the coils on the refrigerator where dust likes to collect
By Misty Crouse
and can shorten the life of the appliance. This is the perfect time
Contributing Columnist
to rearrange, repair or replace any furniture while cleaning under
all the furniture, too. I’ve created a checklist from some of the
best I’ve seen that you can use as a jump starter for your own.
My recommended cleaning products are usually easy to pick up locally and don’t need to be expensive. Microfi ber towels are
amazing for dusting books, wall art, and electronics. Microfi ber towels are a staple in my home not just for cleaning! They are super
absorbent and great to have on hand to quickly clean up behind my little cup spillers. When it comes to windows, white vinegar and
old newspapers can’t be beat for sparkling windows. Try a Mr. Clean Eraser for any stuck-on dirt or artwork the children have gifted me
with.
To me, bleach just makes everything smell clean and fresh. Not everyone would agree with me, and if you are one of those have
no fear, I have an excellent alternative for you! Pine-Glo Disinfectant comes in a few different fragrances and is about a dollar. I use it
for my wood fl oors, spray on my microfi ber towel for dusting, or just mix up a spray bottle for my kitchen counters and anywhere that
needs disinfecting.
For soft surfaces I recommend unfl avored Vodka!
Unfortunately, not for a cocktail while cleaning, but it
is excellent for getting those smells my children and
dogs drag in. Add to a spray bottle and a few sprays
later and that pesky fi do + kid smell is gone.
When deep cleaning there is one important Item
that is usually forgotten about. Your Mattress!! How to
clean it? Simply strip off sheets and mattress cover,
Mix 1
1:1
1 Bl
B
l ue D
lue
Da
a
aw
wn
w
Blue
Dawn
lightly sprinkle with a little bit of baking soda and wait
Dish
sh Soap With White
about an hour, then vacuum it away. After, I like to
Vinegar
negar To Clean Hard
lightly spray the mattress with a fabric refresher or with
Water Stains
a relaxing essential oil - just enough to give it a nice
fresh clean smell.
Living in Oklahoma means 0we must deal with hard
water. I have a “best kept secret” that will rescue you
from scrubbing the day a way. In a spray bottle, mix
1:1 of Blue Dawn Dish soap and white Vinegar. Shake
attres
tt res
resss, St
S
Stri
Str
t ip
i p The Bed Of
To Clean Your r M
Mattress,
Strip
and spray in the shower and bathtub, wait 10 mins,
nkle Mattress With Baking
Sheets, Sprinkle
scrub and rinse. Unless you have been gifted with
n Hour And Vacuum
Soda, Wait An
Vacuum. Spray
extremely hard water, once should do the trick. When
With Fabric Refresher Or Essential Oil.
it comes to hard water stains in the toilet, I recommend
disinfecting with your favorite toilet cleaner then
grabbing a Pumie Scouring stick for the remainder of
the hardwater stains. Works like a charm every time.
My best advice is to take your time, put on
ay
y Pe
P
Pes
esk
es
e ky
k y Od
Odo
d
dors
Away
Spray
Pesky
Odors
your favorite playlist and take it in spurts not to
On
Surfaces With
Su
n Soft S
get overwhelmed. Use my checklist to keep tasks
Unfl avored
U
Unflavore
red
e Vodka
manageable. Pick just one area and focus on tasks
that apply. Check in with me on our upcoming
quarterly editions in the Summer, Fall and Winter for
more seasonal tips and tricks to make your home a
usic
usi
i c P
Pl
l ay li lis
layl
lay
l i t Will
list
W
A M
Music
Playlist
haven.
Help With
W Spring
Sprin
n
ng
The
Kitchen
Sink
Pro Tip:
Pro Tip:
Pro Tip:
Pro Tip:
Happy Cleaning!
Cleaning.
Cle
eaning
Please remember to check all labels before mixing any cleaning products. Never mix bleach
with vinegar, ammonia, dish soap, hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol. If you are unsure do your
research. The off-label use of cleaning products is 100% at your own risk. Clean responsibly.
14 | Spring Scenes | March 2020