Prevention is Key Against Mold Buildup

Cleaning the bathtub is usually a grueling task for me because it requires me to run the water, wet the entire surface, sometimes the shower head drips water down my arms and shirt or I have to splash water everywhere, I have to use the product to disinfect, and then rinse. Sometimes repetition is necessary. I don't look forward to it. It's so easy to neglect it which is tragic because that's the space we use to clean ourselves. If that's dirty, how clean are we really? The daily spray cleaner is such a God send! I hang the spray bottle on the shower curtain rack. I'll be honest. I don't use it everyday on a regular basis but because it's right there, I'm more likely to use it and I guard against forgetfulness.

Dish Sponge in Water

Here's a good way to save money and clean. Find a shallow enough of a bowl to fill enough water to hold your dish sponge. Squirt dish detergent directly into your bowl, then fill it up with hot water. Soak your dish sponge in there. This way when you rinse gunk off before you use dish soap, you're not using more than you have to. Just keep dipping the sponge into the dish liquid.

Small Bedroom Maintenance

Cleaning experts always recommend doing a bunch of small cleaning tasks on a daily basis to prevent a larger mess. As wise as that decision is and how, in reality, it could be realistically accomplished, it's unlikely that most people practice it. But there are some tasks that I believe is worth fulfilling such as making your bed.

What a big difference such a small change can make! If you find yourself too exhausted or unmotivated to do a little tug and pull, you might want to consider using different sheets and comforter types. I use fitted sheets and a duvet cover for the comforter. That's it. No fitted sheets or anything else. It requires me to be more diligent in keeping my comforter clean, but I find that I'm more likely to be keep my duvet cover and comforter cleaner than I am to commit to a regular a daily bed maintenance.

Such a small act has the ability to transform your room, and it's a good habit to develop. When cleaning and organizing becomes second-nature, you're more prone to incorporating other cleaning and organizing tasks. And when your space looks clean and attractive, you develop an appreciation for it. It gives you an incentive to maintain it. What usually happens is that you begin neglecting a small area until that small area of mess expands to greater proportions. So the key is to maintain good habits to ensure that the only thing that spreads is more cleaning and organizing.

3-in-1 Product: Baby Shampoo

This is every typical girl's best friend. It's shampoo, makeup brush cleaner, and lingerie washing detergent. Baby shampoo can be used as a basic shampoo, but I reach for it as a clarifying shampoo substitute because it has the least amount of chemicals pumped into it. Since I don't use it as a shampoo often and the other tasks I use it for doesn't require much of the product, either, this is a lasting investment.

I also use baby shampoo to wash my makeup brushes. It's important to keep them sanitary, but washing them properly with a gentle cleanser such as this one prolongs its lifespan, too. Since you have to clean them anyways, you might as well reach for the product that's a bargain and is gentlest. Some beauty companies manufacture their own makeup brush cleaner, but they're pricey and contain unnecessary ingredients that are harsh. The product may have been specifically developed to understand and sanitize your brushes. But which do you think is gentler, a product created for sensitive newborns or a beauty company focused purely on cleaning brushes that can't make complaints that already pump harmful ingredients into our beauty products? Your choice.

I dedicate one day out of the week, usually a Sunday for me, to do my cleaning. I start by filling my bathroom sink with lukewarm water and a small dollop of baby shampoo. You really don't need that much. I dip only the bristles, not the handle, in the water with my right hand. I immerse my left hand in a soapy liquid and brush the debris clean onto it in a swishing motion. I do this until no more color bleeds onto my hand. Then, I place the newly washed brush on the side of the sink with the wet brush off of the counter and toward the sink. I repeat this task with every brush. I, then, drain the water and add a little more soap on my hand, if necessary for a final rinse, but I don't bother to refill the sink. When I'm finished, I thoroughly clean the sink with a spray bottle of vinegar and microfiber cloth. (You may wonder why I go through the trouble of cleaning a surface that's just been soaking in soap. Well, the residue from the soap can be left behind, but the vinegar clears it right up).

I repeat the same process of filling the sink with warm water and a little baby shampoo. But this time it's to wash my delicates. I begin with panties. I like taking the extra measure and prewashing them before I put it through the gentle cycle in the washer with a lingerie mesh bag. Not all washers are equally effective. It's a disgusting thought and a disturbing reality. I sometimes repeat the procedure for security measures. I started developing that habit when the washer and dryer in my complex was being "serviced" for over a month! Self-service laundry is distanced in my neighborhood. I have outdoor allergies that reach life-threatening fevers. I don't have a car. The challenges are endless. So, I started handwashing my clothes. It was a necessity in th beginning because I was sick and couldn't go out, but I refused to be unsanitary. I kind of enjoy it now. It allows me to focus on only one task at hand. You'll learn that you really don't need that much shampoo. I begin with the panties (even though they aren't as, ahem, clean) because it's easier. I want them to start drying earlier since it takes longer. Once I'm finished with those, I proceed to the bras. Of course, as I've already stated, after each wash, I thoroughly disinfect the sink with vinegar and a microfiber cloth. You don't have to, but I like to keep a good habit. OCD consequence. I'm actually considering to purchase a lingerie drying rack and hanging it in the bathroom. That way I can finish rinsing the bras with the shower hose, which is easier because baby shampoo doesn't rinse off as easily on bras as it does panties. You may also wonder why I don't use the bathtub. Partly because I have a bad back but also because I came across a disturbing discovery: a bathtub is one of the top ten dirtiest places in the United States.

Bathtub startling fact: Let's face it, people. Do you really wash your bathtub daily or at least three times a week? It's unrealistic. Even if you are, you're probably not doing it correctly. You're supposed to use a bleach solution (which I don't even use because of the harmful contaminants). Then scrub thoroughly, and repeat the process. After you thoroughly rinse the tub with clean water, you have to dry it off completely. To maintain that cleanliness, you must thoroughly dry off the entire bath tub and wall surface each and every time it gets damp. Who does that? I put my bath mat in the washer every week. In the meantime, I use the Clorox bath wand to disinfect the walls, tubs, and doors. After a thoroughly rinse, I dry everything off completely. I also towel dry the bath mat before placing it down. But I don't remove the bath mat and thoroughly dry the walls, the tub, the doors, and the mat after each use. So, even my bathtub is considerably infested with germs. And I happen to put more diligent effort than others. It just seems futile and strenuous to "clean" my undergarments to further contaminate them.

Craft Organization

If you have an abundant amount of craft tools and the drawer space to store them, take advantage of the opportunity productively and neatly. Line your drawers with nonslip liners to prevent punches from moving around. The cohesively organized tools provide a visual aesthetics and convenience.

Daily Mini-Cleaning

Kitchen

When I first wake up, I sweep the kitchen floor. Then I wash my hands. I trust that my broom is clean, but whenever I expose myself to something that cleaned something, I feel like it's accepted part of the grime. This is perfect, though, because now with clean hands, I'm ready to put the dishes away. I feel like I reward myself with breakfast, but this forces me to go into the kitchen first before propping myself in front of the TV. The next thing you know hours go by on an empty stomach, and I'm starved. Knock two birds with one stone.

I thoroughly clean both sides of the sink after I wash the dishes.

As the dishes are soaking, I boil vinegar in a measuring cup in the microwave. Then I dunk my sponge in. I know that soaking the sponge before it gets grimy sounds self-defeating, as it'll get dirty and go unsanitized until the next day. Inevitably, someone will criticize the flaw in my plan. But those are the same people who put zero effort into cleaning their sponges. I'd rather put a little effort than no effort at all. I won't get around to cleaning my sponge after I do the dishes, so this works for me.

Bathroom

I clean the bathroom counters everyday with the method disinfecting wipes. It's simple and easy to do. Doing it everyday actually requires less work. And, surprisingly, you use less, so it's cheaper in the long run, too.

Bedroom

I make my bed every morning.

New Dishwashing Method

So I refined my dish washing technique, again. I use one tall glass to hold the flatware and small cutlery and fill that with glass. I use more than one glass if I need to. I set that aside. This is such a duh method, but I don't see too many people doing it, either. As far as my bowls and plates, I run over hot water over each layer. This is something I more or less do, but I want to be more diligent about it. I usually wash the dishes at the end of the day. Sometimes I wash a bowl or two halfway into the day, so I don't have to re-use anything. But I usually fill the big pots and pans with hot water and a little dish detergent until I'm ready to clean them. The dishes that are sitting on the rack dries by morning time and ready for use.

Disinfecting Your Dish Sponges

I’ve heard that you can disinfect your dish sponge by running it through the dishwasher. I’ve personally never tried it. It’s probably more sanitary than doing nothing, but because the sponge can absorb so much bacteria, I’m still hesitant. It’ll probably remove quite a bit, but what about the scum and buildup from the dishes? I like boiling vinegar in the microwave or on the stove and using that to disinfect sponges. But I don’t microwave the sponge, too. I’ve heard that it can start a fire. I’m not sure if that’s true or not, but I’m not in the mood to find out. I figure by the time the vinegar’s boiling in the microwave, it’s hot enough to do its job. It’s recommended that if you don’t wash your sponge everyday, which, let’s face it, few of us do, it’s best to replace it every month. I’ve also heard the same story with a different timeline, suggesting replacement every three months. I don’t know which one is true, so I prefer to be safer than sorry. Sponges pick up the most amount of dirt when you’re degreasing the lasagna dish, degunking the pasta and tomato sauce, etc. Rather than increase bacteria buildup on your sponge, consider using a dish brush. They’re initially a pricier investment, but it outlasts a dish sponge, making it worth the purchase, and it removes grease and gunk far more effectively than a dish sponge. Just be sure to not use it on stainless steel cookware or other easily aggravated surfaces.

Streak Free Windows

There are a number of ways to wash your windows from dishwashing liquid and a squeegee to Windex to vinegar with paper towels or newspapers or microfiber cloths. The choices are abundant, and in another blog entry, I promise to list off all the possible methods, but at the moment, I want to share a trick that guarantees streak free windows. Whatever cleaning agent or wiper you use, you can obtain streak free windows by removing cleaning solvent in one direction on each side, vertical on the inside and horizontal on the outside or vice versa. This way if you see any streaks, you'll know which side of the window it's coming from and easily correct it. It does take a little more focus to clean the windows in one direction that most people just use circular motions which are ideal for heavy duty window cleaning, but for basic cleaning on an average window, the one direction method is more productive in the long run. To remove streaks by going over it on both sides and using twice as much cleaner is such a waste of time and energy. I prefer going horizontally on the outside because I find that I'm more precise going in this direction, and the outside is at a higher risk of developing streaks due to the sun exposure.

Blind Ambition

I prefer the look of curtains more than blinds, but blinds are easier to maintain and keep clean. They rarely flatter a decor theme, but they also don't clash, either. I also have them because most apartments come with blinds. I've always wondered how many people actually disinfect them, as cleaning them can be an odd task. Plus whether you clean them regularly or not, they have a somewhat clean look . . .until you clean them and you see how much black was on it. Most of us have been socially conditioned to clean using paper towels and disinfectant from a spray bottle or a cloth soaked in disinfectant. After reading The Modern Girl's Guide to Life, I learned of a simpler approach. Simply find a pair of oversized, worn out socks and spray them with all purpose disinfectant cleaner such as vinegar, 409, Windex or Pledge all purpose cleaner and slip them on your hands like a pair of gloves. Go over the slats of the blinds with your "gloved" hands. It's a fast and effective way to clean your blinds. And just let the washer clean the socks.

Simplifying the Cleaning Process of Cookware

I don't know about everyone else, but I find myself losing interest when it comes to washing cookware such as skillets with long handles and oversized stockpots or Dutch ovens because of its enormous size. It makes maneuvering and cleaning them more of a challenge, and after washing all the smaller dishes, I'm less than enthusiastic about tackling the generously sized remainders. You can always wash the large cookware first before you tire yourself with smaller dishes, as the larger cookware are usually greasier and more imperative to clean in a timely manner. But it's just not realistic considering how dishes pile up in most homes. People usually put their dirty dishes in the sink, so you have to clear the sink to make space for the cookware. And it's at that time that my energy starts to drain. I can't imagine that others feel differently. So I incorporate double duty and simplified methods. While my smaller dishes are soaking, I add a squirt of dish detergent and fill the cookware with water and bring to a boil. This effectively and efficiently separates the grease and food residues from the surfaces, and the hot water aids in the process. Because the cookware degreases at a faster speed than the smaller dishes, I usually give the cookware a quick scrubbing with a long handled scrubbing brush once the water comes to a boil. I obviously still have to soak it and give it an official cleaning under the sink, but this method manages to reduce my efforts. I would also suggest considering to change your kitchen faucet size if your current one sits lower, making larger dishes harder to clean. It's an unnecessary investment but a simple change like that can significantly improve your cleaning habits. And isn't that worth the investment? Look for a new faucet during a sale to save even more money.

There is a possible drawback to my soap and boil method. If you're not paying attention, the soap bubbles will increase and the heat may cause the water to boil over, creating a bigger mess to clean and self-defeating outcome. Moral of the story? Keep an eye on the stove and make sure to time it properly. It's not enough to pay attention. You also have to know when to turn the heat off, giving it enough time to cool off so that it doesn't boil over. If you don't have the time or patience to supervise the heating process, I would suggest against this method.

How to Use Vinegar

~Buy a gallon of the generic 5% white distilled vinegar and put it in a spray bottle. Use it to clean windows and mirrors the way you normally would.

~Clean your cutting board by spraying it liberally with vinegar and let it sit overnight. Simply wash off the vinegar the next day, if you'd like. But it's unnecessary.

~Shine and polish stainless steel sink fixtures by spraying vinegar directly on it or dampen gentle cloth with vinegar and wipe clean.

~Clean stainless steel cookware with vinegar to remove any hard water stains.

~To remove calcium buildup on your shower head, pour some vinegar into a ziplock baggie and tape it in place overnight.

~Some people use vinegar to remove toilet ring stains, but I find it ineffective once the stain sets in. (I live in a place with very hard water). It's suggested that you pour a cup of vinegar and let it sit overnight before tackling the mess. I still like to use it to disinfect my toilet. I pour a cup and scrub thoroughly.

~Use vinegar to clean bathroom counters.

~I like making my own disinfect wipes because wipes are a lot easier to use than a spray bottle and paper towels. I simply use an empty baby wipe container by filling it up with paper towels and pouring enough vinegar to dampen the paper towels. I use it to clean my counters. It's easy to use, assemble, and maintain.

~To clear a clogged drain, pour 1/2 cup of baking soda, followed by 1/2 cup of vinegar down the drain. A white bubbly reaction will take place. That's totally natural. Let it hang for a few minutes, then pour boiling water down the drain to finish it off.

~To remove calcium buildup on your shower head, fill a ziplock baggie with vinegar and tape it in place to your shower head. Leave it on overnight. It works wonders!

Vinegar: Condiment, Household Cleaner, Environmentally Conscious Product, and a Natural Detoxifier

Yes, vinegar is a condiment and functions as an environmentally conscious household cleaner that also detoxifies the body. Who knew when most of us were passing up the white distilled 5% solution vinegar to go for the ketchup and mayo that such a simple and plain looking product that we ignored for so long was a versatile and indispensable staple? Vinegar is quickly becoming the popular choice of household cleaner, not just for the environmentally-conscious but for almost anyone who's interested in maintaining a clean home. Because vinegar isn't registered as a pesticide with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the legality details restricts it from claiming their miraculous results. Nonetheless, rigorous tests reveal that vinegar kills 99% of bacteria, 82% of mold, and 80% of viruses. It's a naturally acidic product that's known to break down grease, softens water and neutralize alkaline and caustic substances such as mineral buildup, whiten fabric, and reduce static. As you can see, there are clearly other cleaning products that can more effectively clean your home, but at what cost?

We have only one planet. It's unrealistic to expect everyone to do everything they can to make the world a cleaner, healthier place, but we can all contribute to make a small difference. And the incentive to use vinegar is really tempting unless you have mold, in which case I would encourage everyone to use a stronger cleaning product. Mold is very stubborn, very dangerous, and very harmful to your health, and the potential danger to exposure is greater than using commercial products with toxic chemicals. Back to the subject on hand, vinegar is so inexpensive. And according to The Vinegar Institute's Research studies, its shelf life lasts indefinitely due to its acidic properties. Unlike other cleaning products that are only a bargain when you're lucky enough to come across a sale and the products are still on the shelf, generic vinegar is regularly affordable and works just as well as the name brand stuff. You can buy a gallon for $3.49 at Safeway/VONS and use it as an all-purpose cleaner with some exceptions, which I'll specify soon.

Most all-purpose cleaners come in a spray bottle that holds less than a gallon and sell for half the price. I stock up on spray bottles at the Dollar Tree Store or 99 Cents store and fill them up with vinegar. Other people prefer diluting the vinegar with water to save money. From what I understand, that works quite well, too. I simply don't follow that method for a couple of reasons. As I run out of vinegar, I like to refill my spray bottle. I don't want to find any excuse to keep me from cleaning including, "I don't have anything to clean with. I'll fill the bottle up later." If I develop a habit of filling it up regularly, I'll feel compelled to clean so my efforts are paid off. Plus, if I poured in equal amounts of water and vinegar, it'd be hard for me to estimate how much water and vinegar I should add until I start to run out. And as I've mentioned previously, I want to maintain a good habit of keeping everything replenished and usable. I'm also hesitant to use my water as a cleaning agent because I have hard water. Vinegar is actually an ideal cleaning product in areas that have hard water. It softens the water and removes mineral buildup, but I don't like the idea of diluting vinegar with it because I use concentrated vinegar to clean mineral buildup by dampening a towel or pouring vinegar onto the surface directly. The last thing I want is to combat hard water with hard water.

Vinegar is a versatile product that can be used on most surfaces. Ceramic tiles is an exception to the rule, as vinegar can damage the glaze and harm grout. There may be other restrictions, but at the moment, I'm not aware of any. In fact, I recently learned about the rule with ceramic tiles on Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook. Before that, I used vinegar to clean my ceramic tiles in the kitchen with success. Then again, my tiles weren't very nice to begin with. There are many ways to use vinegar, and I'll list them off, but it'll have to be another time. This entry is simply meant to promote knowledge. I'll be sure to explain why vinegar is used to detoxify the body, too.

Make Washing Dishes by Hand Easier

I like the concept of those buckets that you soak dishes in, but why spend money on a bucket to soak dishes? It's unnecessary and takes up space. It's just another thing to clean up later. Plus I can't help but feel like after washing all of those dishes, people are going to get lazy about cleaning the bucket that held all those dirty dishes. Can you think of the mildew buildup if that bucket just stays there? Ewwwww!!!! And I personally only have one dish rack. It's not large enough to hold all of my pots, pans, plates, bowls, cups, utensils, AND a bucket. I can't imagine too many people having a larger dish rack than mine. I suppose different rules apply if you have a dishwasher, but I have a cheaper solution for soaking your dishes.

I do like the bucket concept. So I simply use a sink stopper. I basically turn my sink into a bucket, so to speak, something I already own. I stack my dishes into the sink, pour a little dishwashing liquid over it, and fill it up with the hottest water possible. That way it takes much longer for the water to get cold, so I buy myself a little more time before I have to tackle the dishes. I like to soak my accumulated dishes from the day and soak them overnight. I finish cleaning them first thing in the morning.

Bathroom Trash

In my bathroom, I put five to seven spare trash bags to make the cleaning and disposing process smoother and more efficient. This buys me some extra time. I just throw out my trash when it fills up, and I have a new bag already in place before I walk out of the door. It's common practice for a reason. It works especially well for me because most of my trash bags are stored in the kitchen, the room farthest away from the bathroom. On average, I throw out the trash once a week except during that time of the month, it becomes twice a week. So that's about five to six trash bags I use in a month. I try to leave about twelve spare trash bags. I replenish them every couple of weeks to keep up the habit. It works well for me.

Rachael Ray's Garbage Bowl

I know that Rachael Ray has a huge following, so many people are probably already aware of her system. She uses a large wooden salad bowl as her garbage bowl when she's cooking in the kitchen. What a great concept! Most trash bags are under the sink, and what a drag it is to constantly try to throw trash down there. That's just an accident waiting to happen, but a nearby trash bowl on the counter with a large opening is so convenient and practical. Throwing out plastic liners with meat juice always gets everywhere. But throwing out trash is so easy this way. You simply cover the bowl with the trash bag and flip it over. I know it's a bit of a waste, but I throw trash out everyday because the smell of rotting food is intolerable for me. So, this is a perfect way to keep things clean and easy.

Kitchen Trash

I actually don't use a trash can in the kitchen because I don't like the idea of carrot and potato peels rotting in my kitchen for too long. I simply hang a loose grocery bag on the corner of my drawers and throw it out daily. It's also much cleaner when I throw in liquids because I don't have to clean a trash can with liquid stains that set in. So I can comfortably throw out junk that collects in my sink catcher. But keep in mind that a lot of trash bags get used up. Some people may find it wasteful, but I find it worthwhile for my needs. What I do is grab a bunch of grocery bags (inches full of them) at the grocery stores and replace them as needed.

I'm aware that it isn't environmentally-conscious. So, if that's a concern, another alternative is in order. I've tried using odor absorbers without success. And every time I throw out more trash, I've found myself feeling unbearably nauseous. It was unfortunate that I bought a sleek, tall trash can. It generously holds trash, but the smell is too much for me to handle. So what's the point of disposing large plastic trash bags rapidly when they've been barely used? I want to make a difference and do what I can to make the environment cleaner, but I use plastic trash bags. I don't use paper bags. I'm ashamed to admit that I'm unwilling to use paper bags and clean up after wipes and messes up to three times a day. It's too time consuming. So then it'll probably sit there and stink up the place.

My method is far from full-proof, but it works for me. For people who want to keep trash out as much as possible and develop good habits, this works very well. The trash is taunting you until you clean it up. It also makes taking it out much easier.