housekeeping

How To Clean A Freezer Quickly

07/16/2019 By Jenn 1 Comment

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Cleaning your freezer should not be a daunting task, in fact it should only take under 30 minutes.

How often should you clean the freezer?

Cleaning your freezer should not be a daunting task! Save yourself time and money with these 10 simple steps on how to clean your freezer quickly.

Personally, I like to give my freezer a good clean about once a month. That way when I make my meal plans this makes it so much easier to see exactly wheat I have on hand.

Plus cleaning out the freezer can save you money!

Maybe you have freezer meals that you forget about. So the less food you need to purchase that week.

So let’s get into how to clean your freezer!

How To Clean A Freezer Quickly in 10 Easy Steps

1 – Remove All The Food

Start by removing all the food you have in your freezer.

If you are cleaning your deep freezer move all those items into your kitchen freezer.

Or you can store the items in a cooler with ice to keep them from defrosting while you are cleaning.

My best tip is to clean out your freezer when you do not have much in it. That way storing food really is not a problem.

I like to wait until I have very little food left in my freezer before I give it a good clean out.

While you are taking out all the food, look at the items for freezer burn or expired food or food you know you will not eat. Throw away any items that you need to now.

There is no sense in storing anything you will not put back.

2 – Possibly Defrost

If you have ice building up in your freezer you should defrost it before moving any further.

Do not start chipping away at the ice, this will ruin your freezer.

The best way to defrost a freezer is to simply let it melt if you can.

Unplug your freezer before you start.

Surround your freezer with towels to prevent leaks.

Then place a pot of boiling water inside the freezer, shut the door and check back in 20 mins or so.

Repeat this until everything has melted.

Or you can just let it melt naturally. For my deep freezer that is kept in my garage, I simply unplug and let it sit overnight with the door open.

By the morning it is all defrosted.

Check with your manual on the best way to do this before you start, all freezers are different.

3 – Remove Any Shelves and Baskets

Now that your freezer is completely empty and/or defrosted take out any shelves or baskets inside.

If it is removable remove it.

4 – Soak

If there is a spill or gunk on something you removed start soaking it in hot soapy water.

5 – Wipe Down The Inside

With a multi purpose spray completely wipe down the inside of the freezer.

Do not forget any tracks the shelves sit on or the rubber casing around the freezer. Those grooves in the rubber part can get nasty over time.

If you have an ice maker make sure to get that area too!

If you have any mold build up use a little bleach to get rid of the mold.

6 – Dry It Completely

Next take a microfiber cloth and dry everything completely.

This will prevent anything from freezing quicker.

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7 – Wash the Shelves and Baskets

Now that you have a clean and dry inside move onto the items you took out.

Give all that a good wipe or scrub with your multi surface cleaner.

Make sure you dry these items very well before you place them back into your freezer.

8 – Vacuum Coils

Next vacuum out any coils behind or under the freezer.

These can get so dirty and dusty and help your freezer run better when they are clean.

9 – Place All The Items Back

Now the fun part is organizing your freezer.

Group things that are alike together when organizing your freezer.

Keep breakfast items together, meats together and so on.

10 – Take Inventory

Now is a good time to write down the things you have on hand in your freezer, now that everything is nice and neat.

This comes in handy when meal planning or making a grocery list so you know exactly what you have for the upcoming weeks.

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How To Clean Your Refrigerator

07/09/2019 By Jenn 2 Comments

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Ugh the dreaded fridge clean out! But I have 9 simple steps on how to clean your refrigerator that will take you no time at all!

I don’t know about you, but there is something about cleaning out my refrigerator. It is one of my least favorite chores besides folding laundry.

But, cleaning your fridge is actually a very important area when you are cleaning your kitchen.

I like to clean out my fridge once a week. It takes me less than 20 minutes to go through food, wipe it down and organize it.

By keeping this into your weekly cleaning routine, you really will never have to “deep” clean the fridge.

So are you ready to see how to clean your refrigerator quickly?

Let’s get started!

Cleaning your fridge is actually a very important area when you are cleaning your kitchen. So here is how to clean your refrigerator in just 9 simple steps!

How to clean your refrigerator in just 9 simple steps!

1 – Empty All Your Food Out

The best way to clean a fridge is to start with a clean slate.

Start by emptying all of the food you have.

While you are going through check the expiration of items.

Really look at your items, if you know your family will not eat something, now is a good time to toss it.

Check all your fruit and veggies to make sure they are still good to place back when you are done.

Getting this out of the way first is easier that way you know exactly what you are working with when it is time to organize your fridge.

2 – Remove Shelves and Drawers

Next remove everything that can come out of the fridge like shelves and drawers.

Place the ones that just need a quick wipe down aside.

3 – Soak

If you have a shelf or drawer that really needs some work place it in a sink with hot soapy water to soak.

4 – Wipe Down The Inside

Now it is time to really make your fridge sparkle.

Grab your multi purpose spray and go to town.

Wiping the inside of the walls, all the tracks, top and bottom and even the inside of the door.

If you have a side by side like mine, make sure you are getting around the water hose for the ice maker.

I find a ton of gunk builds up back there over time.

5 – Dry It Well

Next take a microfiber cloth or paper towel and wipe everything dry.

When it comes to clean your refrigerator, you do not want any moisture left behind in your fridge.

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6 – Wash and Dry The Shelves

Give the drawers and shelves you placed aside a good wipe down. Lift up any glass pieces to get the tracks very well.

Make sure they are completely dry and replace back into the fridge.

If you had items soaking clean and dry those as well and place back.

7 – Vacuum The Coils and Kickplate

Pull out your fridge and get all the dust and dirt that has been gathering undernieth it. I am always shocked at what I find back here!

Vacuum out the dust on the coils in the back of the fridge.

Carefully place your fridge back into place against the wall.

Next carefully remove the kickplate in the front and vacuum in there too.

I like to take a microfiber cloth to use inside the actual grate to get those smaller dirt pieces as well.

8 – Place All The Items Back

Now the fun part, organizing the fridge.

Group like things together as you put them back.

Keep all your fruits together, the condiments in one area, drinks and so on.

I like to keep the meats on the bottom to avoid spreading bacteria if something leaks.

As you place your items back, give each container a wipe in case something was sticky and make sure the lids are closed properly.

The last step is to add a fresh baking soda to absorb oders.

9 – Wipe Down The Outside

If you have a stainless steel refrigerator like I do, I love wiping it down with Pledge multi surface spray.

This does the job quickly and really shines it up nicely.

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How To Clean Your Kitchen Fast

07/02/2019 By Jenn 2 Comments

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The kitchen is the heart of your home where we all spend a lot of our time, therefore it probably gets dirty and messy pretty quickly.

With three meals a day, snacks and busy schedules sometimes our kitchens can look like it blew up – am I right?

Today I am going to walk you through how to clean your kitchen fast.

If you follow a regular weekly cleaning routine this can make cleaning your kitchen even faster since you are pretty much just maintaining it from that point on.

Weekly Cleaning Schedule Printable

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In my weekly cleaning routine this is exactly how I clean my kitchen. Every night I focus on keeping it clean as well.

By getting into the habit of just wiping down surfaces and maintaining clutter in any area of your home keeps your home clean longer and it takes less time each time you do it.

Since I maintain things cleaning my kitchen from top to bottom only takes me about 15 – 30 minutes.

Want to know the secret on how to keep your kitchen clean all the time? Here is my step by step weekly kitchen cleaning routine that takes 30 mins or less!

So let’s get started on how to clean your kitchen quickly step by step:

1 – Start With A Clean Slate

The fastest way to clean your kitchen is to start with a clean slate and declutter.

Clear every single thing that does not belong off the counters and kitchen table and put those items back where they belong.

This includes any clean dishes you may have drying on a drying rack or emptying the dishwasher.

Toss any garbage as you are going through this first sweep.

Your goal here is to prepare your kitchen so you can zip through cleaning it.

2 – Clear The Dishes

Now that you have a clean slate start with the dirty dishes.

Either load them in the dishwasher or hand wash the items that need to be washed.

If you have items to soak like pots and pans start those up now and let them sit.

3 – Empty, Clean and Reorganize The Fridge

Next is tacking the refigerator.

Throw out all of the expired food or leftovers.

As you are organizing the items to put black work from the top to the bottom cleaning each shelf before you place the items back in their right spot.

4 – Start With The Top Cabinets

Ya’ll know I love my Swiffer!

Give those tops of your cabinets a good dusting.

When you are cleaning any space in your home it is always a good idea to start from top to bottom. That way dust will fall to the lext level that you have not cleaned yet.

If you prefer to wipe your cabinets I love to use the Method almond wood cleaner.

Only focus on the upper cabinets and while you are at it any light fixtures that may be hanging down.

5 – Clean Out The Microwave

Next is the microwave.

Grab a microwave safe bowl filled with water.

Place it in the microwave for about 2 minutes.

This will soften up anything that may have spilled, making it easier to clean.

Wipe it out using your favorite multi purpose spray.

Don’t forget the inside part of the door and the top ledge on the outside.

6 – Clean All The Counters

Next is the counters.

I quickly wipe down my table and chairs first.

Then spray all the counters including your stove with your favorite cleaner.

Let the areas that need some extra cleaning sit for a few minutes with the cleaner and wipe clean.

Before I start wiping the counters down I will take a quick wipe to the back splash as well. Especially around the stove area!

Do not forget to wipe all the items you have on the counters that belong there such as canisters or your coffeemaker.

7 – Wipe The Lower Cabinets

Grab your Swiffer or spray and work on the lower cabinets and drawers.

Do not forget to run along the under part of the cabinets.

Those can get really dirty from time to time.

8 – Shine Your Appliances

My favorite part is making all my appliances shine.

For this I like to use the Pledge multi spray on my stainless steel.

Wipe down all the fronts, knobs and handles to all the appliances you have.

9 – Shine Your Sink

If you had dishes soaking now is the time to clean those and give your sink a good old scrub and shine.

If you have a garbage disposal you can clean that here as well.

Don’t forget near the faucet and the faucet itself!

10 – Empty The Garbage

Now you are almost done!

Take out the kitchen garbage.

11 – Sweep and Mop Your Floor

Last thing is to sweep and mop your kitchen floor.

I have dark hardwoods in my kitchen and I love to use the Method Almond Squirt and Mop with a simple microfiber mop!

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How To Fake A Clean Home

03/26/2019 By Jenn Leave a Comment

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How do I fake a clean home when unexpected guests say they are coming over?

Although you might want to panic since your home might looked trashed at the moment.

There is no need to panic at all, you got this.

I have 10 tips to make your house look clean in 20 minutes or less.

The goal is not to think perfection, after all you have kids and maybe pets that live here.

People do not expect your home to look perfect all the time. There are going to be messes.

You home does not need to be perfect just look semi clean and mostly uncluttered.

Cluttered spaces scream messy space. The less “stuff” or less clutter the better, especially when it comes to how to fake a clean home.

So let’s dive in..

I have 10 tips to fake a clean home in 20 minutes or less you can use when you get that call that someone is stopping by.

Need to make your house look clean in 20 minutes or less? No need to panic. Here are 10 tips to fake a clean home so it is ready for unexpected guests.

1 – Catch The Clutter

Grab your catch all bin aka empty laundry basket and get to it.

Pick up all the toys, papers and little odds and ends laying around and toss it into your basket.

Only focus on the main areas of your home that your guests would see.

2 – Straighten The Furniture

As you are picking up all the clutter straighten out your furniture.

Fix the couch cushions and rearrange your throw pillows neatly.

If you have books pile them into a neat stack. That way it looks put together.

Check your kitchen and dining room for chairs. Make sure to push them in against the table nicely.

Fix any table runners or decorative pieces you may have on any surface.

3 – Empty The Kitchen Sink

A very quick way to make your house look clean is to make sure there are no dirty dishes piled up in your kitchen sink.

A clean sink screams clean home to anyone that walks in to it.

If you have a dishwasher load your dishes from the sink into it.

Even if there are items you hand wash just place them into your dishwasher for now. You can take care of it later.

If you do not have a dishwasher, quickly rinse anything and lay them out on your drying rack.

No one will ever know they are not actually cleaned.

4 – Clear The Crumbs

If you have children there are bound to be crumbs on the counters or table.

To a quick check of the areas you know collect crumbs and clear those away into a towel.

5 – Wipe Down The Main Bathroom

Take a few minutes to tidy and clean up the main bathroom.

Swish the toilet with a brush and wipe it down.

Wipe out the sink and counter top. Also change the hand towel for a freshened up look.

Spot clean the mirror if it is bad as well.

This makes your bathroom look clean even though you faked it.

6 – Straighten The Entry Way

Since this is the first area anyone will see take a few seconds to tend to it.

Straighten up the shoes, your purse or jackets you may have laying around.

If you have an indoor mat give that a shake outside your door to quickly clean up the space.

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7 – Close Bedroom or Office Doors

How to fake a clean home within seconds, close all the doors.

Since guests that are just coming over for a quick visit they do not need to be in certain rooms like bedrooms or your office.

You can fake a clean home to guests by simply closing these doors.

My last house was one level and all the bedrooms were open to the living room.

Any time I had guests over I just closed all the doors and no one knew what a hot mess the bedroom might have looked like.

8 – Vacuum High Traffic Areas

If you have time grab your vacuum and hit the high traffic areas of your home.

Make sure you get the front hallway and any area rugs you have in your space.

9 – Light A Candle

Another key to fake a clean home is to make sure it smells nice.

Light a candle, use a scented oil diffuser or my favorite wax melts.

Wax melts have become my new favorite way to make sure my house smells amazing.

I have one in my kitchen that makes my whole downstairs smell good.

When I had little kids I was so afraid to keep candles burning, even though I loved them. So I turned to an electric wax melt. They are a little safer and I can keep them out of arms reach without the fear of an open flame.

10- Fix Yourself

Related : 14 Habits Of An Organized Mom

Lastly, to fake a clean home is to fix yourself.

I know it sounds silly since we are focusing on cleaning our home but your guests are here to see you.

When you look more put together not only will you feel great it will show to your guests.

Throw on a new shirt or outfit. Fix your mom bun hair and or make up for a quick freshened up look.

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Speed Cleaning Tips From The Pros

03/05/2019 By Jenn 2 Comments

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Speed cleaning can be different for everyone.

It could be that 15 minutes you have before dinner or maybe it is a 2 hour let’s really clean up clean.

Maybe you have a guest heading over that gave you short notice.

You could even use these speed cleaning tips when it comes to your regular cleaning schedule.

Housekeeping should mean being a slave to keeping your home clean. Speed cleaning your house could be what you need. Here are speed cleaning tips to help.

The goal is to get it done and get it done fast.

When you do any cleaning task in your home work smarter not harder.

This is where speed cleaning can come in handy!

9 Speed Cleaning Tips From The Pros

1 – Start With Your Dirtiest Area First

One of my biggest speed cleaning tips are to start with the area of your home that needs the most attention.

This will do a few things for you.

First, by tackling that area you have put off for longer than you wanted you will feel so accomplished by getting it clean.

Second, it will give you the motivation to look at your clean space to want to clean other areas in your home.

I always start with my hardest job first when it comes to speed cleaning.

If I don’t, I lose focus and feel like that bigger area is still hanging over my head.

By getting the worst job done first I have plenty of energy to tackle the rest.

I find if I start with all the smaller tasks, I wind up not completing the main area that needs to get done.

2 – Have A Plan

The whole point of speed cleaning is to get it done fast.

Usually its under an hour but depending on the day you may only have 15 minutes.

Come up with a plan.

Take a look at the time you have to speed clean and make a quick to do list.

Try to really think about what you can get done in the time-frame you have.

Focus on the areas or things you really need to get done and prioritize them in your to do list.

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You probably do not have time to vacuum your entire home so only pick the areas that really need it.

If you are realistic here you will be able to get everything done and feel so accomplished.

3 – Pick Up Clutter

Speed cleaning does not mean actually cleaning a surface area with product. It can also be as simple as just picking up all the clutter from around your home.

Clear off your kitchen counters, pick up the toys or go tidy up your drop zone.

Put everything back where it belongs.

By just clearing all the clutter makes a home look cleaner and more put together.

Related: 14 Habits Of An Organized Mom

4 – If It Is Not Dirty Do Not Clean It

Just as I said about your to do list. Be realistic here.

Do you need to vacuum your whole house, no. There are rooms that are just fine the way they are.

Only focus on the area’s of your home that need to be picked up or cleaned.

If you are speed cleaning because you only have 30 minutes, spend that time on areas that actually need it the most.

If a bathroom in your home is basically clean, then leave it alone and move on to another area that needs your attnetion.

5 – Follow A Weekly Cleaning Routine

By following a regular weekly cleaning routine you will see all the difference in your home.

You will spend so much less time cleaning when you get into the habit of making sure things get cleaned when they need to.

Weekly Cleaning Schedule Printable

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6 – Set A Timer

They call it speed cleaning for a reason, we need to be speedy here.

Set that timer on your phone and only use the time you have set.

Try to beat the clock.

When the timer goes off, call it done.

Once you get into speed cleaning regularly you will get faster once you develop a routine with it.

This will allow you to add other tasks to your to do list eventually.

7 – Spot Clean

There is no need to clean every area in your home when you are speed cleaning.

Spot clean places like mirrors and counters. Only focus on the toothpaste your child squirted all over the place.

Or, that whatever it is on the kitchen counter.

Vacuum or mop the areas that really need it.

Your goal here is just to freshen up the space not actually deep clean it.

Save the deeper clean for your weekly cleaning schedule.

8 – Clean Out The Kitchen Sink and Make It Shine

There is something about a shiny sink. One that is not full of dirty dishes, it will instantly make your kitchen look clean.

This task should only take a few minutes and it makes a world of difference.

Load up your dishwasher or hand wash all those dirty dishes.

Then give your sink a quick wipe down to make it shiny.

A simple swish of dish soap and a microfiber cloth will do.

9 – Use A Multi-surface Cleaner

Using a multi-surface cleaner is your best bet, especially when speed cleaning.

I recommend having a caddy with all my cleaning supplies when I clean normally, but here there is no time for that.

Grab yourself a microfiber cloth and a good multi-surface cleaner to spot clean any area you need.

I am loving the Method brand for my cleaners!

So what does my speed cleaning routine look like?

Since my weekly cleaning routine is done mainly on the weekdays, speed cleaning is left for the weekend.

The time I have really varies depending on what we have going on. But I usually have a solid hour to speed clean.

Kitchen – 10 minutes

Load the dishwasher
Clean my sink
Spot clean the counters
Wipe off the refrigerator door handles
Vacuum up the cat food area

Living Rooms & Front Hall Way – 10 minutes

Pick up any kids items
Fix the couch cushions
Straighten the shoes
Vacuum the front door rug

Bedroom – 5 minutes

Make the bed
Pick up anything that does not belong and return it to where it goes

Bathroom – 10 minutes

Pick up dirty towels – usually found in my kids bathrooms
Spot clean sinks and mirrors
Fix hand towels

My Office – 15 – 20 minutes

My office seems to be the dumping grounds for everyone in my house.

Since I like to start of Monday’s with a clean slate in my office most of my speed cleaning is focused in my office.

Go through paperwork
Clear off desks
File anything that needs to be filed
Clean up crafting items or anything that does not belong

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