If you’re ready to make a change and get rid of all of that unwanted clutter in your home, start the year off with this January decluttering challenge!  This home decluttering “detox diet” will help to jumpstart all of your decluttering and organization habits and set the tone for an ongoing organization plan!

The Household Organization Diet 2024 officially kicks off on January 1 with my January decluttering challenge – The 31 Day Home Detox Diet!  Whether you just have a few trouble spots in your home or are completely feeling overwhelmed with all of  the clutter, this challenge is for you.  Who’s ready to make 2024 the best organized year yet?

What is The Household Organization Diet?

The Household Organization Diet is basically a year-long, systematic plan to get every room in your home decluttered, cleaned, and organized.  You’ll receive monthly to do lists, tutorials and tips to get it all done, and tons of cleaning and organization inspiration!  It’s designed to help you learn strategies and systems to create your ideal home and {most importantly!} how to keep it up on an ongoing basis.  You can read more about it HERE.

What is The 31 Day Home Detox January Decluttering Challenge?

The 31 day detox decluttering challenge is designed to jumpstart your decluttering and organization habits and will help you clear out all of that obvious unwanted and unused “stuff” that is clogging up your home. For the next month we will be doing a quick rundown of our homes and getting rid of at least 10 items per day {feel free to do as many as you would like!}. The idea is to keep it simple and easy to keep up with. We will be going more thoroughly through each room during the year, so this is not the time  to be taking on any time consuming projects or major re-organizing.  Just 15 minutes per day – anywhere you would like.

Inevitably, I always get at least a few comments from readers laughing that they would never be able to do this in 15 minutes per day.  While it’s true that you may not be able to completely declutter and organize the space – we’ll actually be doing that later in the year – this will hopefully give you a good head start and inspire you to keep going.  It feels SO good to start clearing that extra weight out of your home and the benefits you see should encourage you in the year to follow.

What do I need to get started on this decluttering challenge?

All you really need are some garbage bags for trash and recycling and some bins or boxes for items that you will be donating.  If you’re going to be following the full Household Organization Diet, I also recommend that you get a binder to keep all of the printables in.  You can find the title page OVER HERE and the January printables below.  This year I will be releasing the WHOLE YEAR of printable calendars and monthly tasks so you’ll have even more flexibility in designing what works best for you.  They should be out mid-January so be sure to follow along!

Let’s Get Started!

Free Decluttering Challenge Printables

Before you get started, print out the organization printables below. You can use my pre-done challenge or use the blank plan to create your own areas to declutter. If the daily plan doesn’t work for you, spend a little longer once or twice per week and work on a few tasks at a time. Whatever works best for you!

JANUARY TASKS DOWNLOAD
DOWNLOAD A BLANK JANUARY TASK SHEET HERE

GET THE JANUARY NOTES SHEET HERE

Tips for a successful home decluttering challenge.

Remember that this is just a quick decluttering – NOT an organization project!

We have a whole year of organization ahead of us so don’t get burned out now!  Remember that it has likely taken you years to accumulate all of your stuff so don’t feel bad if it takes you some time to get rid of it!

Get rid of any possible distractions.

Put away your phone, turn off notifications, and keep your kiddos busy with something else for 15 minutes {or better yet, get them involved if they’re old enough!}.

Work quickly.

Put on a timer and work as quickly as you can for the full time.  Don’t spend time debating about things that you’re not sure about.  Instead, target all of those obvious items that you know need to go.  There will be more time for other items when we work on the individual rooms.

Stay focused.

If you have a lot of decluttering to do, it can be easy to get overwhelmed.  Just remember – it’s only 15 minutes and it is only one small space.  Pull out only what you have time for.  You don’t want a bigger mess in the end than what you started with!

Have a donate bin {or two!} handy.

Trust me.  You will probably be making multiple trips down to The Salvation Army this month. Have a bin or tote {and garbage bag!} nearby when you are decluttering to sort out all of your items that you will be getting rid of as you come to them.

Don’t let perfection get in the way.

Again, this is a quick decluttering.  Spend all of your time getting rid of things and we will be coming back to make things look pretty later.  Don’t think about it too much – just get started!! If you come across items that belong elsewhere when you are decluttering, put them away where they belong!

If you need a little extra motivation to get your going, read this post on tackling procrastination and this post on conquering your decluttering paralysis to help get your started on your way.

The Home Decluttering Diet Book

For those of you that really want to get your home decluttered and organized, my book, The Home Decluttering Diet, is the perfect companion to the plan!   You can find it on Amazon, {plus it’s currently on SALE!} as well as Barnes and Nobles and many other online retailers.  While the blog is a great place to get inspiration, I really wanted to create a book that had all of my thoughts and organization ideas in one place and would allow my readers to easily keep referring back to the information that they needed to keep them motivated and encouraged.  The book is based on the basic idea of The Household Organization, but is filled with additional organization inspiration, strategies, and simple DIY projects.  Think of the book as your ultimate organization text book and the blog as your workbook.

What’s the plan for the decluttering challenge?

Day 1: Paperwork.

Do you have a pile of paperwork {or two?} collecting on your kitchen counter or in your home office? Go through bills, receipts, and any other paperwork, tossing {or shredding} what you don’t need and sorting whatever is left over into its proper location.

Day 2: Front entry way and coat closet/mudroom.

Donate any coats, shoes, or accessories that you no longer use. If you are short on space, put items that are out of season into storage somewhere else in your home.

Day 3: Purse.

Empty out all garbage and items that you do not use regularly. Sort through any receipts and either put them into paper recycling or file away. Use a small pouch to hold make-up and other essentials that can easily be transferred from purse to purse. Donate any purses that you no longer use or love.

Day 4: Cleaning supplies.

Go through your cleaning supplies {wherever they may be!} and get rid of all of those products that you don’t use. Try to use multipurpose cleaners or green cleaning products whenever possible. If you have multiple partially filled bottles of the same product, combine them into one bottle. Toss any old rags or cloths that are at the end of their use. You can see our organized cleaning cabinet HERE.

Day 5: Fridge and Freezer.

Remove all items from that are expired or you know you will not use. Minimize packaging when possible to save space. Find other organization ideas HERE. Does your fridge need a deep cleaning? You can check out my fridge cleaning tips HERE.

Day 6: Pantry and other dry food storage.

Toss all items that are expired and get rid of anything that you know you will not use. Don’t forget to go through all of those spices too! Place items that will be expiring soon towards the front of the cupboard.

Day 7: Free for All.

This is your catch up day if you didn’t finish any of the above areas. If you’re all caught up, pick the most cluttered area in your home and spend a little extra time there.

Day 8: Kitchen Cabinets.

Look for any kitchen items that you do not use or have room for. Ensure that all Tupperware has matching lids and eliminate as many unnecessary kitchen gadgets, cookbooks, and duplicate utensils as you can.  You can see how ours are organized HERE.

Day 9: Medicine Cabinet/First Aid Supplies.

Medicine is actually best stored outside of the bathroom in a cool, dry place out of the reach of children. Go through all medications and look for items that are expired or that you no longer need. Return expired medications to your local pharmacy for proper disposal. Find more ideas HERE.

Day 10: Dining Area.

Commit to keeping your table clutter free.  Find storage solutions for all items that frequently find their way to the table. Donate any dishes, serving ware, or other items that you do not use.

Day 11: Entertainment Area.

Make sure all CDs, DVDs etc are in their proper cases and evaluate what you really will use. Music and videos are so easily accessible through our computers and mobile devices, that your CDs and DVDs may be a thing of the past.

Day 12: Magazines and Books.

Let go of your magazine hoarding and get rid of any outdated editions.  Cut out pages that you would like to keep and sort into a filing system.  Recycle or donate old books that you will no longer read and sort the rest in a logical order.

Day 13: Junk drawer.

Get rid of everything that is not needed. If you have time, use inexpensive plastic containers to store similar items together. Put items that belong elsewhere away.

Day 14: Free for All.

This is your catch up day if you didn’t finish any of the above areas.  If you are all caught up, pick the most cluttered area in your home to go through.

Day 15: Desk.

File away any needed paperwork and shred remaining papers. Sort smaller office supplies and only keep products that you use.  Get rid of those 2014 calendars!

Day 16: Bathroom cabinets.

Go through all beauty products and keep only what you really use. Do you really need all of those hotel shampoo bottles?

Day 17: Linen closet.

Donate any linens that you no longer use that are still in good condition.  Toss any items that are really dingy or have holes.

Day 18: Make-up.

Toss anything that is expired, cracked or no longer your style.  Pick your favorites and get rid of those other 10 lipstick tubes that you never wear!  To find out more about the recommended shelf-life for various make-up, check out this post on how to organize your makeup.

Day 19: Jewellery.

Sort through all of your jewellery and decide what items you still wear. Donate or toss the rest!  If anything you would like to keep needs cleaning or repairs, put them aside to take care of as soon as you can.

Day 20: Bedroom closet.

Sort through all clothing and ask yourself if you would still buy it today. If not, it is time for it to go!

Day 21: Free for All.

This is your catch up day if you didn’t finish any of the above areas.  If you are all caught up, pick the most cluttered area in your home to go through.

Day 22:  Sock and underwear drawer.

Go through all of those socks and underwear.  Make sure you have matching socks with no holes and only keep what you still wear.

Day 23: Nightstand.

Clear off table top and sort through drawers keeping only what you would need before bed or during the night.

Day 24: Kids’ Toys.

This is always a fun one. Sort through toys to see what your kids still use {and have your kids help out on this one if they are old enough}. Check to see that toys have all parts and are in working order before donating or selling.  Toss the rest!

Day 25: Kids’ Closets

Check to see what clothes still fit and donate the old ones or sort them into a labeled storage bin if you are saving them for younger children. You can find more kids closet organization tips HERE.

Day 26: Craft space.

Be ruthless and really evaluate what items you still need and use. Schools will often take extra supplies that you are looking to get rid of.

Day 27: Laundry Room.

Sort through cupboards for any laundry products that are old or not used.  Toss any unpaired socks that are hanging around.

Day 28: Free for All.

This is your catch up day if you didn’t finish any of the above areas. If you’re all caught up, pick the most cluttered area in your home to go through.

Day 29: Basement.

Chances are this is one of the biggest source of clutter.  Set a timer and try to get rid of as many items as possible.  Use large storage totes to store seasonal items together.

Day 30: Garage.

This one is also a big clutter offender.  Again, set a timer and collect as many items as you can that you no longer use or need.

Day 31: Car.

Grab two bags – one for garbage and one for anything that needs to go back in the house.  Put everything away in its proper place that you bring back into the house.

Get a support team.

The best way to stick with any new plan or habit is to find a support team.  Try doing this challenge with all of the members of your household, a friend, or an extended family member. And for even more support and inspiration, follow along with Instagram or Facebook  and subscribe to my emails {the sign up is right on the side bar!} so you won’t miss a post!  There is definitely strength in numbers and I love to hear how things are going for you all!  Please email me with any questions you may have or tag me in your social media posts.

Happy Organizing!!

For more information on The Household Organization Diet and to see last year’s spaces, check out this post HERE.

The post January Decluttering Challenge – The Home Detox Diet appeared first on Clean and Scentsible.

If you’re looking to improve your kitchen organization, this post has it all!  Here’s everything you need to get your kitchen deep cleaned, decluttered, and organized – tips, tricks, tutorial, and free printables included.

Kitchen Cleaning and Organization

Are you ready to get your kitchen cleaned and organized? This post will help to guide you through all of the steps you need to completely declutter, deep clean and organize your kitchen. It was originally designed to be used as part of The Household Organization Diet but it can definitely just be done on its own.

You can take as long as you need to get the checklist done – just keep moving forwards! Intentionally scheduling in some organization time – and actually sticking to it – can really help you to tackle your goals. It’s all about progress over perfection.

The Household Organization Diet – Kitchen Organization

The kitchen is the heart of the home – the place where friends and family gather and delicious meals are enjoyed together. Having an organized and decluttered kitchen will make it easier to find what you’re looking for, cut down on your meal prep time, and create a more relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for your whole family to relax.  Don’t invite clutter to the dinner table! 

The Household Organization Diet Plan

The Household Organization is basically a year-long plan to work on decluttering, deep cleaning, and organizing every space in your home. Each month we work on a different room. Some spaces may need a lot of time and others will be easier. Just work at your own pace, do what you can, and feel free to adapt the plan to make it work for you.  The key is to just get started!

For each month, there is a free set of printables including a task list, a blank task list for you to add your own tasks, and a notes sheet. I recommend that you print these out and put them in a binder for frequent reference.  You might even want to print two copies of the task sheet so you can hang one up on the fridge or other visible area of your home. If you’d like to move through the tasks quicker {or need a little longer!}, you can definitely adjust the speed to whatever fits your particular schedule. It’s totally up to you!

I also always post some helpful tutorials and tips to help you complete each of your tasks. Be sure to pin or bookmark these posts so you can read these over before you get started. Please leave me a comment or email me if you have specific questions or ideas that you would find helpful to complete the tasks and keep you on track. I always love to hear from you!

The Kitchen To Do List

Here are the tasks to work on in the kitchen this month.  You can print out the list as shown below or print out a blank one and customize your own to do list.

DOWNLOAD THE KITHCN TO DO LIST HERE
DOWNLOAD THE BLANK KITCHEN TO DO LIST HERE

Kitchen Notes

Keep a notes sheet {or two!} handy to jot down any kitchen projects, home improvement ideas, extra tasks, products, etc. that you would like to do or purchase.  You might want to use one for tasks that you would like to do this month and a second sheet for future projects that you would like to do.

DOWNLOAD THE KITHCHEN NOTES SHEET HERE

Kitchen Cleaning Tips

The kitchen is probably the hardest working room in the house so it definitely deserves a little TLC. When you’re working on your deep cleaning tasks, start with items that are higher up and work down to the floor for the most efficient cleaning plan. Many of these cleaning tasks will also need to be done periodically throughout the year, so this is a good time to come up with a regular cleaning plan. I’ve put together all of my favorite kitchen cleaning posts for you below to help get you started.  If you need anything else, just let me know!

• How to Clean the Microwave
• Clean the Garbage Disposal
• How to Clean the Fridge
• How to Clean the Dishwasher
• The Best Ways to Clean the Oven
• How to Clean Wood Floors (and laminate too!}
• Power Cleaning the Kitchen with Steam
• How to Remove Burned Food from Pots and Bakeware
• How to Clean a Glass Top Stove
• The Best Way to Clean Stainless Steel
• How to Speed Clean the Kitchen
• How to Deep Clean the Kitchen
• Free Printable Cleaning Labels
• Seasonal Kitchen Cleaning Checklist

Kitchen Cleaning Tasks to Remember

In addition to the tasks above, don’t forget about these little “forgotten areas” to clean during the month:

• The tops of kitchen cupboards. If you’re cupboards don’t extend all the way to the ceiling, be sure to give the tops of the cabinets a good cleaning. Do this task first, so all of the dust and dirt that may fall doesn’t mess up anything you’ve already cleaned.
• Light fixtures and light switches. If you can remove the light fixtures, wash them in mild dish soap and water.  Otherwise, just dust and wipe them down.
• Behind your appliances. If possible move your appliances out so you can clean behind and underneath them.  Not only does this remove dust, dirt, and debris but it can also make your appliances run more efficiently {especially the fridge!}.
• The inside of cupboards and drawers.To do a really good organizing and decluttering, you should remove all of your items from the drawers and cupboards {You don’t have to do this all at once!}.  While the items are out, take some time to give the inside of your cupboards and drawers a good cleaning.
• Kitchen cabinet doors. Even if you regular spot clean spills and drips, these can use a good deep cleaning to get rid of any oil and grime build up.
• Blinds or curtains. If you have blinds or curtains in your kitchen, be sure to give them an extra good cleaning.  Curtains can be laundered and I recommend using the highest temperature setting you can based on the material. If you can take down your blinds, I find it easiest to just throw them in the bathtub to wash.  Otherwise, be sure to use a good degreaser when spraying them down.

Kitchen Organization Ideas

Having an organized kitchen not only looks better, but it can also save you time, energy, and money.  An organized space will cut down on food costs and waste and speed up meal planning and cooking time.  Plus, it just makes your time in the kitchen more enjoyable and less frustrating!  i recommend starting with this post  –  8 Steps to Organize the Kitchen – and then go from there.  I’ve listed all of my kitchen organization posts below, so it should have you covered!

• How to Organize the Medicine Cabinet
• How to Organize Kitchen Cabinets
• Keep Your Kitchen Counters Clutter-Free
• How to Organize Under the Kitchen Sink
• How to Organize the Fridge
• Free Printable Fridge Labels
• Under the Sink Organizers and Organizing Ideas
• Kitchen Command Center
• How to Organize the Pantry
• Pantry Organization Ideas
• How to Organize Cleaning Supplies
• Kitchen Organization Tips and Tricks

Whew!  You made it!  I know there’s lots of information, but I wanted to have all of the information in one place for you. Don’t let it overwhelm you – just work your way through one task at a time. You can totally do it!  If you have any areas that you need help with, let me know!

The post Kitchen Cleaning and Organization – The Household Organization Diet appeared first on Clean and Scentsible.

Follow these simple bathroom cleaning tips to save you time and worry – easy enough for everyone to do!

Bathroom Cleaning

Bathroom cleaning may not be the most exciting topic to discuss, but it’s something that many of us often find ourselves worrying about. With 5 people in our household and 4 bathrooms, there always seems to be something that needs cleaning! Today I wanted to share simple ways to create an easy-to-clean bathroom space that will help cut down on your cleaning time, while in turn providing you with extra time to enjoy doing what you love.

This post was written in partnership with American Standard. As always, all opinions are 100% my own. 

Bathroom Cleaning Tips

Once upon a time, I used to try to have a “bathroom cleaning day” once a week to clean the bathrooms from top to bottom. Between work, family responsibilities, and trying to get to all four bathrooms, it was pretty much impossible to keep up with. To be honest, I was really lucky if I even made it through half of them. So, I decided to make some changes to my bathroom cleaning routine, while trying to simplify the process as much as possible. Although our bathrooms may still not be perfect, this plan is much less overwhelming and a lot easier to keep up with. Here are my top bathroom cleaning tips to help you cut down on cleaning time:

Simplify cleaning products.

Many years ago, I revamped our cleaning supply cupboard. I couldn’t believe how many different cleaning products I had, so I decided to get rid of as many products as I could (especially those with harsher chemicals). Now, I have it paired down to the following basic supplies:

• microfiber cloths
• polishing cloth {for windows and any other shiny surfaces}
• spray bottle of water
• spray bottle of all purpose cleaner
• toilet bowl cleaner
• sponges

I do occasionally require a few extra cleaning supplies if I’m doing a really deep clean, but if you’re keeping up with the regular cleaning, those products are rarely needed.

Organize your cleaning supplies.

Keeping each bathroom stocked with their own basic cleaning supplies makes it so much easier to keep up with those cleaning tasks. If something needs a quick clean-up, you’ll have everything right there to clean it up in minutes. In our powder room, all of the cleaning supplies {along with some extra bathroom essentials} are kept under the sink in pull-out acrylic bins. This makes everything easy to access and I can always see when I need to restock.

Clean as you go.

Getting into the habit of cleaning a little bit as you go makes a huge impact on cutting down bathroom cleaning time. If your cleaning products are organized and close at hand, it’s super easy to wipe down the sink or toothpaste splashes on the mirror as soon as you notice them. The toilet can also get a quick swipe of the cleaning cloth or swish of the toilet bowl brush as needed. Tackling those little messes as soon as you see them prevents grime build up and will really cut down on the amount of bathroom deep cleaning that you’ll need to do. Cleaning for just a few minutes per day seems so much more manageable than dedicating one whole day to cleaning!

Choose easy to clean bathroom fixtures.

If you’re looking to update your bathroom with new fixtures such as a toilet or vanity, make sure you consider how much time and effort is needed to maintain them. I have made the mistake of choosing aesthetic over function a few times {I’m talking to you white grout in our shower that’s impossible to keep clean and the pretty marble penny tiles in our powder room!}, so choosing easy-to-clean bathroom fixtures and accessories is now always a top priority. For countertops, quartz is a great option that still has a beautiful, high-end look. Quartz is water and stain resistant, resistant to cuts and scratches, can withstand the heat from hair appliances, and super easy to maintain and clean. Smoother porcelain, ceramic tiles or high quality vinyl flooring tend to be the best flooring options when it comes to easy maintenance floor options.

If you’re looking for an easy-to-clean toilet that is also both sleek and beautiful, I have the perfect one for you! When we did our powder room makeover 6 years ago, we pretty much replaced everything BUT the toilet, so I was super excited for this much-needed upgrade. This Studio® Touchless Right Height Elongated Toilet from American Standard is definitely the most high-end toilet that we’ve ever had in our home!

Not only is this toilet extremely stylish, but there are also a number of great features that make it so much easier to keep clean…

Touchless Technology

The touchless feature allows you to flush the toilet with just a wave of your hand. It’s so fancy! The flush sensor can be placed on top of the toilet tank or anywhere on the wall within 3 feet of the toilet. We used the adhesive backing to wall-mount ours just a little above the tank. The hands-free operation makes it much more hygienic and I don’t have to worry about wiping down the handle all the time.

Concealed Trapway

We’ve never had a toilet with a concealed trapway before, but it’s definitely a cleaning game-changer! The smooth sides are so much quicker and easier to wipe down than trying to get into all of those little nooks and crannies. One quick wipe and you’re done! I also love the sleeker, simpler design that the concealed trapway provides compared to the standard exposed trapways.

EverClean® Technology

American Standard’s EverClean® Technology is a double-coated glaze that’s built right into the surface of the Studio® Touchless toilet and many other American Standard fixtures. Not only does it inhibit the growth of stain and odor-causing bacteria, mold and mildew, it also helps the surface stay cleaner longer after cleaning. It basically does most of the cleaning for you! If you have a house full of boys, you will understand how amazing this is. lol!

Easy-to-Remove Toilet Seat

You want to know my very least favorite place to clean? It’s those little knobs that usually cover where the toilet seat attaches. They always get disgustingly dirty and are so hard to clean. The Studio® Touchless toilet doesn’t have those pesky knobs and, if you need to do a deep cleaning underneath the toilet seat, the toilet seat just pops off with a click of a button (well, actually two buttons!} It’s super easy and you can actually reach where you need to clean. Genius!

Keep the clutter on the counters to a minimum.

I do like to add a few pretty accessories to our bathroom spaces, but keeping the counter clutter to a minimum gives you less to dust and makes it so much simpler to wipe down the counters. For the easiest cleaning experience, try to just keep the bare necessities {like hand soap} out on the counter along with 1 or 2 simple decor items.

Use bins and trays to corral items.

For those items that you want to keep out on display or on your vanity, using bins and trays to corral similar items together is a pretty and practical way to keep everything organized. Not only does this cut down on the visual clutter, but it also makes cleaning a breeze. Since everything is already on the tray, you just need to move the tray to clean the counters rather than removing everything individually.

I hope that you find these bathroom cleaning tips as helpful as I do. It may take a little time to initially get things set up and running, but once you do, it will be well worth it. There are so many better things to do with your time than clean the bathroom!

For more information on American Standard’s clean technology, click HERE. If you have any more time-saving bathroom cleaning tips, let me know in the comments below!

The post Bathroom Cleaning Tips To Save Time and Worry appeared first on Clean and Scentsible.

Learn how to clean the fridge with this simple step by step plan. Easy tips to get your fridge deep cleaned, fresh, and organized.

Fridge Deep Cleaning

If your fridge has seen better days {or better smells!}, it’s time for a good deep cleaning!  Even if you try to keep up with regular maintenance, the fridge should really be deep cleaned about once every three months. No matter how clean I think it is, there always seems to be at least one “surprise” that pops up!

In addition to the obvious benefit of having a clean fridge, cleaning your fridge regularly will help you to cut down on food waste and save money on those food bills.  It will also help your fridge run more efficiently and save you time looking for items that you need. Let’s get cleaning!

This post contains affiliate links. This means that I may make a small commission from items purchased directly through the links at no cost to you. Thanks so much for your support!

Fridge Cleaning Supplies

You’ll want to gather up all of your cleaning supplies before you get started. This allows you to clean the fridge quicker and will minimize the amount of time that food products need to stay out of the fridge.

• fridge cleaner. If you do not have a steam machine dissolve 1 tbsp of baking soda {this will help to absorb odors} in approximately 2 cups of water to use as your cleaner or use some non-scented dish soap.  You do not want to use any chemical cleaning products inside the fridge itself as the residue can lead to food contamination or the scents of the cleaners can be absorbed by your food.
• steam cleaner {optional but works really well!}
• microfiber cloths
• microfiber polishing cloth {I use Norwex}
• spray bottle with 50:50 water/vinegar mixture
• essential oils {optional}
• cleaning toothbrush
• garbage bags

A steam cleaner is one of the quickest and easiest ways to clean the fridge. The high temperature, high pressurized steam easily loosens and dissolves spills, grime and food particles that settle in the fridge. It also kills 99.9% of all germs and bacteria without the use of any chemicals. While this is important in any cleaning, chemical-free cleaning is especially important when you’re cleaning the fridge due to the close contact with food and confined space of the fridge.

How to Clean the Fridge

Empty everything out.

Before you get started with the cleaning, it’s best to remove all of the contents out of the fridge. It’s really the only way to examine everything that’s in there and do a thorough deep cleaning. If you’re concerned about perishables being out on the counter, you can place them in a cooler {especially if you’re in warmer climates}. As a rough rule of thumb, avoid leaving food out for more than an hour.

If your fridge requires a lot of scrubbing and you’ll need to leave the door open for a while, it’s best to unplug the fridge or turn off the circuit breaker to save energy.

Fill your sink with warm, soapy water and remove any drawers, compartments, and shelving from the fridge. Soak the bins while you’re cleaning the rest of the fridge.

TIP: Make sure you check any inserts where spills can get trapped underneath.  Here’s the section of the fridge underneath the glass insert on the bottom shelf. With the glass in, it looked fairly clean, but when I removed it…

Yuck!  Obviously something had spilled {maybe BBQ sauce?} and someone hadn’t cleaned it up properly. The glass has an opaque section that goes over that cross bar, so until that glass was actually removed, the mess could not be seen. There always seem to be surprises when it comes to cleaning the fridge!

Clean the inside of the fridge {steamer method}.

Using a slightly damp microfiber cloth {I just spritz mine with the 50:50 water/vinegar spray}, quickly wipe down the fridge to remove any loose debris and food particles. When you’re cleaning, always work from top to bottom, so you don’t have to go back over areas that you have already cleaned if messes drip down from the top.

Once the loose debris is removed, you’re ready to get steaming! Starting at the top of the fridge, use your steamer to clean the sides of the fridge and any remaining shelving. Use a small scrub brush attachment or a narrow nozzle to get into all of the little corners and grooves. The sticky messes generally come off without any scrubbing and it leaves a nice, clean finish. Follow with a polishing cloth {or dry microfiber cloth} to make everything shine and soak up any remaining water.

Clean the inside of the fridge {no steam cleaner}.

If you don’t have a steam machine, you can use some unscented dish soap and a couple of microfiber cloths to clean. For extra scrubbing power on stains or extra grimy spots, make a paste with baking soda and water. You may also want to use a toothbrush to get into the smaller spaces and corners.  Dip the cloth into your cleaning solution and scrub as needed. Be sure to rinse thoroughly with clean water to remove any residue. Again, always work from top to bottom and one side of the fridge to the other.

Clean the bins and shelving.

Clean the bins and shelving in the sink as you would clean your dishes. Use dish soap and a dish cloth or sponge to clean off any messes. Rinse thoroughly with clean water and dry completely. If you have a steamer, you can use this to clean the shelves instead or use the steamer to give them a final rinse.

One of the places that grime can often hide is on the underside of the shelving where the glass and the plastic meet. This has always driven me crazy with this fridge as there is no way to remove the glass from the plastic to clean under that little lip and it was pretty much impossible to get all of that yuckiness out.

Using a steam machine is really the only way I have found that cleans this. Gently pull the plastic away from the glass so there’s a slight gap and then blast with the steam cleaner. It took a few minutes and a few repetitions to get it all out but it was worth the extra time!

Consider using fridge liners.

Fridge liners can be used on bins or shelving to help protect against spills and stains and will help to reduce the frequency of deep cleanings. When any spills occur, the liners can easily be removed and washed down rather than having to take out the entire bin or shelf. Look for waterproof liners with an antibacterial finish. The fridge liners can be cut down to fit any shelf size or bin space. You can find clear liners or add some personality to your fridge with colored or patterned liners.

Put items back.

Before placing items back in the fridge, take an inventory of what you have and check expiry dates. Throw out any old leftovers, expired foods, and items that you won’t use. Compost any old produce and recycle containers whenever possible.

Spray a microfiber cloth with a 50/50 mixture of water and vinegar and wipe down the outside of all bottles and small bins as you put them back into the fridge. Organize your food items by categories so it will be easier to find what you are looking for.

Create a fridge organization system.

Use bins, baskets, and/or a lazy susan in the fridge to make it easier to reach those items in the back of the fridge. You can find lots of fridge organization tips and products here to help get you started. The bins also help to contain any little messes that may spill out of containers to the bin itself rather than getting all over the fridge. Bins can be labeled wit a vinyl cutter, paint pens, or these free printable fridge labels.

Clean the outside of the fridge.

If possible, pull out the fridge from the wall, and clean underneath. Wipe down all sides of the fridge and clean with an appropriate cleaner for the finish of your fridge. For the best way to clean stainless steel, check out this post.

How often should I clean the fridge?

The fridge should get a good deep cleaning at least once every three months. To keep it looking its best on a regular basis, be sure to clean up any spills immediately and get in the habit of doing a regular light cleaning. I find it easiest to clean right before I go grocery shopping when there’s less in the fridge.

How do I remove odors from the fridge?

If you still have concerns with smell despite thoroughly cleaning the fridge, you can try using a deodorizer. A box or jar of baking soda tends to be the most common natural deodorizer but you could also use a tray of fresh coffee rounds or some deactivated charcoal.

If these still don’t seem to help after a couple of days, you may need to empty your fridge {storing items in a cooler or other cold environment} and leave the door open overnight. You can then make a paste of baking soda and water to scrub down the fridge and then rinse thoroughly with water. Mixing in some lemon essential oils or lemon juice into the paste can also help leave a nice, light scent.

Fridge Maintenance and Cleaning Hacks

To help keep your fridge running efficiently, make your food last longer, and keep your fridge looking fresh and clean, give some of these tips a go…

• Try not to overfill your fridge. Air will not circulate as well through the space making your fridge less efficient at keeping the cooler temperatures. Plus, it makes it harder to find what you’re looking for and see any messes that might happen.
• Get in the habit of quickly going through items in your fridge before grocery shopping. This will keep spoiled food to a minimum and help you avoid buying items you don’t need.
• Keep your fridge organized. In addition to actually looking better, an organized fridge with allow for better temperature control, avoid food waste, and let you easily find what you’re looking for.
• Wipe down bottles before they go back into the fridge. Ketchup, salad dressings, and other sauce and condiment jars often have little drips and sticky residue that can be transferred to your fridge.
• This is probably pretty obvious, but clean up spills and stains as soon as possible. The longer they sit, the harder they’ll be to clean!
• Use an odor absorber such as an open box of baking soda or a package of deactivated charcoal to get rid of any smells that may be lingering in your fridge. Change every 30-60 days or according to package directions.
• Place a crumpled piece of brown paper in the crisper compartments to help absorb odors.
• Line your crisper drawers with a paper towel to absorb any excess moisture and keep your fruits and vegetables fresh for longer.
• Try these blu apple produce savers in your crisper drawers to help absorb the ethylene gas emitted by fruits and vegetables. It just needs to be changed every few months and will make your fruits and veggies last longer.
• When thawing items {especially meat!}, place them on a rimmed plate or baking sheet to contain any spills or leaks.

Now enjoy your clean fridge!

More Cleaning Tips

For more cleaning tips and tricks, check out these posts…

Cleaning Closet Organization

Seasonal Kitchen Deep Cleaning Checklist

Free Printable Cleaning Labels

The post How to Clean the Fridge appeared first on Clean and Scentsible.

Get your kitchen deep cleaned and ready for a new season with these simple kitchen cleaning tips and free printable kitchen cleaning checklist.

This post is sponsored by Rejuvenate and does contain affiliate links. This means that I may make a small commission off products purchased directly though the links provided at no cost to you. As always, all opinions are 100% my own.

Kitchen Deep Cleaning

One of the things I try to do when I switch out my seasonal decor, is complete a good deep cleaning of the space I’m working on. I’m generally pretty good at keeping things tidy on a daily basis and doing a light cleaning, but all of those other more involved cleaning tasks tend to fall through the cracks. You can’t do everything, right?

Today I’m going to take you behind the scenes of our fall kitchen tour, and give you the run-down on my seasonal kitchen cleaning checklist. I must admit, I don’t always do everything with each seasonal change. Depending on how much time I have {and how badly the task needs to be done!}, I’ll prioritize what tasks to do first and what tasks can wait.

Kitchen Cleaning Tips

Before we get going, here are a few general cleaning tips to consider when doing a thorough deep cleaning of any space. Taking a little bit of time to prep and think about your cleaning plan, will end up saving you a ton of time in the end and provide a much better clean. I promise!

Remove all decor items.

To give a space a really good deep cleaning, you need to remove all of the decor items and other kitchen gadgets that are out on your counters, above your cabinets, or on the floor. This is a really good time to re-evaluate everything you have and declutter any items that you no longer love or use. Store away any seasonal items, and wipe down any items that you’re keeping as you return them to the space.

Start high and work low.

Whenever you’re cleaning a room, you always want to start at the ceilings and work your way down to the floor. This ensures that you don’t drop dust or other debris on spaces that you’ve already cleaned. You also want to work in a systematic pattern around the room {going clockwise or counter-clockwise} for the same reason.

Gather your cleaning supplies.

It’s always helpful to get your cleaning supplies ready before you start so you can stay focused on the job and not have to go hunt down cleaning supplies. As soon as I leave a room, I always seem to get distracted with other things and end up wasting time. {When you give a mouse a cookie, right?} Here’s my basic cleaning supply list that I use in the kitchen…

• microfiber cloths
• Norwex polishing cloth
• spray bottle of water
• Rejuvenate Cabinet and Furniture Cleaner
• all purpose spray
• Rejuvenate Click N Clean Spray Mop
• Rejuvenate Wood Floor Cleaner {for other flooring types click here for other options}
• soft cleaning toothbrush
• vacuum {with a hand held attachment}
• hand held steam cleaner {optional}

Rejuvenate Click n Clean Floor Cleaning System

The Rejuvenate Click n Clean Mop is my new cleaning best friend and a quick and easy way to keep your floors looking clean and shiny. The microfiber cleaning and dusting pads are reusable and machine washable up to 400 times. {That’s a lot of cleaning!} I love that there are a variety of compatible cleaning products that can be used with it so you can clean all of your floor surfaces {wood, vinyl, tile, stone} with just the one mop. It also comes with a handy built in scrubber for any of tough, ground-in messes that need a little extra elbow grease!

The mop is really easy to use with a flexible swivel head to maneuver into all of those little spaces. There’s a directional mist nozzle that evenly spreads cleaner over the floor surface. A little cleaner can go a long way, so you don’t have to completely saturate your floors {especially if cleaning wood floors}. If you have tile and grout in your home, the mop system also comes with a grout brush attachment that attaches with just a simple click. This mop pretty much does everything!

The Rejuvenate bottles are refillable so you can buy in bulk to save money and reduce waste. The other feature  that I love with the bottles is that they can be used on their own with a spray nozzle {for more quick spot cleaning} or with an adapter for use in the mop. The more ways you can use one product, the more it cuts down on the number of products you have to buy!

Seasonal Kitchen Cleaning Checklist

Are you ready to refresh your kitchen for fall? Here’s the kitchen cleaning checklist that I go through each season. Some things on the list should probably be done every season, while others might only need to be done a couple of times per year. Prioritize what’s needed the most and fill in the other tasks as time allows. You can also find a printable version of this kitchen cleaning checklist at the end of the post.

• Wipe down all light fixtures with water and all-purpose spray.
• Replace any bulbs that need changing.
• If your light covers are extra greasy, you can remove and wash in sink with warm water and dish soap.

Tops of cabinets.

• If your cabinets do not go all the way up to the ceiling, the tops can get really dusty and  greasy, so they’ll definitely need a good cleaning. Using a hand held vacuum or duster, dry-dust the tops of the cabinets to remove all dust and other loose particles. Wipe down with Rejuvenate cabinet cleaner and a microfiber cloth to clean.
• To help make cleaning quicker and easier, I leave a layer of wax paper over the top of the cabinets. You can’t see it from below and it catches almost all of the dust and debris and prevents any grease build-up on the cabinet tops. When I switch out my seasonal decor, I crumple up the old wax paper, do a really quick wipe down with a microfiber cloth and the Rejuvenate cabinet cleaner, and then put down a fresh layer of wax paper. Easy-peasy!
• Dust/wipe down all objects as you put them back up.
• While you’re up there, check into corners and along ceiling edges for any cobwebs.

Windows.

• Take down and launder any window treatments.
• Dust the blinds and wipe down any splatters that may be on them.
• For very dirty or greasy blinds, I find it much easier to take them completely down and give them a good wash in the bathtub with some warm water and dish soap.
• Clean your windows {this is even better if done on a sunny day so you can see all of the streaks and grime}.
• Don’t forget about opening the window as well and cleaning the window tracks.

Cabinets.

While I will often do a quick wipe down of our kitchen cabinets when I see marks or grime, a good cleaning from top to bottom is definitely needed seasonally. Sometimes I don’t even really realize that there’s build-up on them until after I clean!

• Use a microfiber cloth and Rejuvenate cabinet cleaner to completely wipe down cabinets from top to bottom. I prefer to spray the cleaner onto the cloth to wipe rather than directly on the cabinets.
• The Rejuvenate cabinet cleaner can be used on wood, painted, Formica and laminate cabinets. It works to safely remove any oil, grease or dirt build-up, and is residue and streak-free!
• If you have detail work on your cabinet doors, be sure to get into all of the little grooves with your cloth. You can always use a soft toothbrush in there if you’re still having trouble.
• Don’t forget to check and clean the inside of the cabinet doors too! It’s amazing how many grimy little fingerprints can be found!

Walls, backsplash, and other surfaces.

• Working from the top down, wipe down walls, backsplash, light switches, counters, faucets etc. with your all purpose cleaner and a microfiber cloth. Use a microfiber polishing cloth and water to polish all shiny surfaces.
• Once the counters are cleaned, wipe down and place items back onto the counter.

Sink.

• Rinse out the sink to get rid of any loose debris. Sprinkle with baking soda and add a little warm water with a drop of dish soap to a microfiber cloth or sponge to scrub. Start at the top of the sink and work your way down the sides to the basin, pushing any grime down into the drain as you go. Add more water and dish soap as needed.
• Use a toothbrush to clean drain and the rim around the garbage disposal. If you have a square sink, use the toothbrush to get into all of the little corners.
• Polish with your polishing cloth. There’s nothing like a shiny sink!

Appliances.

• If able, move out appliances and vacuum or sweep in behind them. It’s amazing what collects back there!
• Clean the dishwasher, microwave, garbage disposal, fridge, and oven as needed. Just click on the links for more detailed cleaning tips.  If you have a steam cleaner, you can check out this post to see how to easily use your steam cleaner for cleaning kitchen appliances.

Flooring.

Last, but not least is the flooring!

• Remove any area rugs. Shake them out or wash as needed. Our carpet runner goes easily in the washing machine which is a definite must for me!
• Sweep or vacuum the floor to remove any loose dust and debris.
• Use the Rejuvenate Click n Clean mop to wash the floor with whatever cleaner works best for your flooring type. Since we have hardwood flooring, I used the wood floor cleaner, but I also have the tile cleaner for our bathroom. Mop along the grain of the wood working from one side of the room to the other.

Whew! You’re done! I know it might seem like a lot of work, but you don’t have to do everything and it’s only once per season. I can generally get most of what I want to get completed in a couple of hours. And it sure feels good when it’s done! For more details on our fall kitchen decor click here

Printable Kitchen Cleaning Checklist

Download your own kitchen cleaning checklist to help keep you on track! It’s also a good way to keep track of what you’ve cleaned, so you can make sure you prioritize those tasks that you missed next season. Just download and print!

DOWNLOAD THE KITCHEN CLEANING CHECKLIST

For more information on the Rejuvenate products, you can check out their website or find them on Facebook or Instagram. You can also head over to my Instagram feed and enter to win one of three $50 Rejuvenate cleaning packages! Happy cleaning!

More Cleaning Tips

For more cleaning tips and tricks, check out these posts…

Cleaning Closet Organization

How to Clean the Garbage Disposal

How to Remove Burnt on Food

The post Seasonal Kitchen Cleaning Checklist appeared first on Clean and Scentsible.

Refresh your foyer for fall with these simple fall foyer ideas. Cleaning, decluttering, and decorating tips to create a warm and cozy welcome!

Fall Foyer

A change of seasons is the perfect time to refresh your foyer! A quick decluttering, a good deep cleaning, and a few organization tweaks can make a big difference in the look and functioning of your space. Add a few seasonal touches when you’re done, and you’ll have a nice, cozy front entry to welcome you home every day.

This post contains affiliate links. This means that I may receive a small commission from items purchased directly through the links provided at no cost to you. Thank-you for your support!

Fall Foyer Ideas

If you’re looking to refresh your own front entry or foyer, I’ve put together some tips and tricks to give your space a fresh start. Get in the habit of doing this with each seasonal change, and it will become quicker and easier each time you do it.

Do a deep cleaning.

I like to start off with a thorough deep cleaning of all our rooms at the beginning of each season. There are always little cleaning tasks and areas that I just don’t get to clean on a regular basis. Since I’m usually switching things around anyways at the start of each season, it’s the perfect time to deep clean!

Always work from top to bottom to cut down on cleaning time and avoid having to clean the same spot more than once. Here’s what I do in the front entry…

• Check corners for any cobwebs that may be hanging from the ceiling.
• Wash windows.
• Wipe down walls, door, and door frame.
• Dust.
• Clean out shoe cabinet and wipe down outside.
• Clean baseboards.
• Wash front entry mat.
• Vacuum and wash floors. Pay extra attention to corners and in behind furniture that you don’t always clean on a regular basis.

Declutter Shoes

Go through all of your shoes and get rid of those that no longer fit or are not worn. Swap warm weather footwear such as sandals and flip flops for closed-toed shoes and boots. This will help to keep your entry way less cluttered and make it easier to find what you’re looking for.

Keep shoe storage as simple as possible to make it easy for family members to put them away. We’ve had this Ikea Stall shoe cabinet for years and I love it. It holds 18 pairs of adult sized shoes out of sight {more if you have lots of kids’ sizes} and has a pretty narrow footprint to fit into even smaller spaces.

Before you store away summer shoes, make sure they’re clean and free of any loose debris. Stain removal will be much easier if you clean it sooner rather than later!

Switch out seasonal accessories.

One of my favorite things about fall is bringing out all of the cozy scarves! Store away summer accessories and bring out your fall and winter gear. If you have pretty items, hang them out on display to add some fall color to your decor.

Sort through jackets and other outerwear.

We store all of our jackets in a closet just down the hallway from our front entry, but I always sort through this area as well when I do our foyer.  Before storing summer jackets away, make sure that you still love them and will wear them again next year. There’s no point storing items that won’t use! Bring out your fall and winter outerwear and try everything on. Donate items that don’t fit or you won’t really wear so someone else can use them.

Add some seasonal touches.

Once your space is cleaned and decluttered, it’s time for the fun part!  Adding a few seasonal touches to your space will help to cozy it up and create a warm and inviting welcome.

There are lots of ways that you can easily add that fall feel to your foyer. Here are a few ideas…

• add a candle or diffuser with seasonal scents
• display colorful fall stems
• hang twinkle lights. Look for ones on a timer so you don’t have to worry about turning them on and off.
• cozy up the space with seasonal pillows or throws. The perfect way to add texture and color!
• put out a few little treats to grab as you run out the door. I’ve always loved these caramels!

This owl is actually an umbrella holder which is definitely needed here in the Pacific Northwest! Adding some fall stems to it, however, turns it more into a decor piece so it’s both functional and pretty!

I hope this inspires you to do a little fall refresh in your own foyer!  There’s nothing like coming home to a warm and cozy welcome!

And I can always count on these guys to be waiting too!

More Fall Decor Ideas

If you’re looking for more beautiful fall decor ideas, check out these posts…

Fall Centerpiece

Fall Beverage Bar

Cozy Fall Living Room Decor

The post Fall Foyer Ideas appeared first on Clean and Scentsible.

Lots of easy cleaning closet organization ideas that you can apply to any space. Includes the best organizing products and favorite green cleaning products.

Cleaning Closet

You may have caught a peek of our cleaning closet when I was sharing our kitchen cabinet organization ideas. This little cleaning closet started as a useless cabinet in our kitchen. I have no idea what the cupboard was initially meant for – it was tall and skinny like a broom closet but wasn’t actually wide or deep enough to hold a broom. At some point we added a few shelves and tried to use it for some food storage, but it just didn’t function well. Eventually, I turned it into a cleaning closet and it has been very well used ever since. It was just a matter of finding the right purpose!

It’s always a good idea to have a central storage place in your home for basic cleaning supplies. Having everything in one spot makes it easy to see what you already have and what you might be running low on. It’s also helpful so everyone in the household can grab what they want when it’s needed. No excuses for not cleaning up their mess!

This post contains affiliate links. This means that I may make a small commission off items purchased directly through these links at no cost to you.

What to Keep in a Cleaning Closet

I know everyone has their preferences for what cleaning supplies they use, but I thought I would show you some of my favorite cleaning products and how I store them. Maybe you’ll discover something new that you love!

Microfiber cloths.

I think a good microfiber cloth is the backbone for any cleaning project. The Norwex microfiber cloths are probably my favorite, but I also really like the ones from Grove Collaborative. I prefer cloths that have built in hangers so they can easily be hung on a hook between uses. Since we have a lot of cloths, they store best when they are just rolled up and stacked on each other. I try to roughly color coordinate our cloths so the blue ones are only used in the bathrooms {I think of ‘b’ for blue and bathroom} but I’m sure the kids probably don’t stick with this. lol!

Polishing cloths.

The polishing cloths are probably my favorite cleaning supply {if you can really have a favorite cleaning supply!} These are the purple cloths that I get from Norwex and they have a smooth, soft finish to them. As the name says, they’re used to clean and polish any shiny surface – windows, mirrors, facets, counters, etc. Really anything. They’re also great for removing streaks on kitchen appliances, walls, and other other surface that gets streaky after cleaning. I have a hook on the door that I use to store my current polishing cloth so it’s quick and easy to grab whenever I need it.

Hydrogen peroxide.

If you don’t have hydrogen peroxide in your cleaning supplies, you’re missing out! It probably deserves its own post since it has so many uses, but hydrogen peroxide is probably best known for its non-toxic disinfecting power. I also love it for stain removal and laundry whitening. You do need to keep it in a dark container as the active ingredients will breakdown if exposed to light. I like to attach a spray top to ours to make it easier to use.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is another green cleaning supply staple. I keep a box in our laundry room and a shaker bottle in our cleaning cupboard. {This is just an inexpensive salt shaker that I picked up at The Dollar Store.} My favorite way to use it is to make a paste with water for a gentle abrasive cleaner. It’s also a great deodorizer, so you can sprinkle it on carpets, upholstery, etc. to absorb odors and then vacuum it up.

Sponges and scrub brushes.

There’s not really a lot of space to hold organizers in this cupboard, so I was happy to find these acrylic organizers from The Home Edit. They fit perfectly and worked great for holding sponges, scrub brushes, essential oils for cleaning, and our cleaning concentrates.

Multi-purpose cleaner.

Whether you make your own, or you buy store-bought, everyone needs a good multi-purpose cleaner. I love using the cleaning concentrates from Grove Collaborative. They come in the little colored tubes that I have stored above and the packaging is all recyclable. All you need to do is mix it with water and store in a spray bottle. Make sure you label all cleaning products clearly when you’re storing them in your own containers. You can find these free printable DIY cleaning labels HERE and they come in a couple of different designs.

Toothbrushes

There’s nothing better for getting into all of those little corners and crevices like toothbushes! Just pick up some inexpensive toothbrushes {or use the free ones that you get from the dentist!} and put them in an organizer. I used a small stick on bin to hold ours so I could use some of the empty vertical space in the cupboard.

Brooms and mops.

Ideally I would love to have everything all stored together, but since our broom and mop doesn’t fit in the closet, we have them stored in our entryway closet with our coats. They just hang from hooks on the side of the closet so they take up hardly any room. For those little messes, I found this cute mini broom and dustbin that fit on the side of the cupboard.

My Favorite Green Cleaning Products

Here’s a quick list of my favorite green cleaning products. I’ve been using these for years and would highly recommend them for their quality, efficacy, and durability.

• Norwex microfiber Enviro cloths
• small stick on bin
• Norwex polishing cloths
• Grove cleaning concentrates
• sponges
• Norwex dusting mitt

What I Used for Organizing

It’s amazing what just a few good organizing products can do. These items can be all be used for so many different organization projects so don’t just think about organizing your cleaning supplies.

• clear acrylic bins. The ones I used are the tall ones but there are a few different sizes. These are great for keeping smaller items together and can even be used in larger storage bins.
• Command hooks {clear and white} – perfect when you want to hang anything. You can get these in SO many different sizes and styles to fit almost anything
• vinyl chalkboard
• small stick on bin
• glass spray bottles

Other Ideas for Cleaning Closet Organization

Everyone has a different layout and space for organizing their cleaning supplies, so play around with things until you find what works for you.

• use an over the door pocket shoe organizer to hold cleaning products
• if you don’t have a dedicated cleaning closet, use a rolling cart for your cleaning “closet”. It can be rolled away into another closet or tucked into a corner when not in use. Just add some divider bins to store similar items together.
• utilize all of the vertical space by hanging brooms or mops on hooks or attaching acrylic adhesive bins to the sides of a closet for extra storage. {You can see the adhesive acrylic bins that I use in our kitchen cabinets.}

I hope you found these cleaning closet organization ideas helpful! Do you have any other favorite products that I didn’t include? I always like finding new items, so let me know!

More Organization Ideas

For more organization ideas for your home, check out these posts…

Kitchen Cabinet Organization Ideas

Bathroom Cabinet Organization Ideas

The Household Organization Diet

The post Cleaning Closet Organization appeared first on Clean and Scentsible.

Learn how to get rid of fruit flies quickly and easily with these easy tips and tricks. Plus, a DIY fruit fly trap that actually looks pretty to display!

Fruit flies drive me nuts! The kitchen can be pest-free in one moment, and then suddenly filled with a mini-swarm of fruit flies just a few hours later. Thankfully, I’ve learned how to take control over these annoying little pests and want to share my tips and tricks with you!

This post contains affiliate links. This means that I may make a small commission on items that you purchase directly through the links at no cost to you. Thank-you for your support!

How to Get Rid of Fruit Flies

We all know how quickly fruit flies can take over your kitchen, so follow these steps at the first sign of fruit flies for best results.

Address the Cause

Determine where the fruit flies are coming from and address whatever needs to be cleaned. Here are the most common areas to check..

• overripe or rotting fruit or vegetables
• cleaning supplies such as damp dish cloths, mops, sponges, etc.
• sludge or fermented food deposited in the bottom of trash cans or along the seams of appliances
• sink drains
• garbage disposals
• food or wine spills on carpets that were not properly cleaned

Set up a trap

Even if you think you’ve gotten rid of the food source, fruit flies are extremely resourceful and can still stick around for a long time. So get out those fruit fly traps {or make your own!} to get rid of any remaining fruit flies and eliminate fruther breeding. My two favorite store bought traps are the Aunt Fannie’s Fly Punch and Zevo flying insect traps and sprays. It’s also very easy to make your own DIY fruit fly trap!

DIY Fruit Fly Trap

If you’re wanting to get rid of those pesky fruit flies quickly, give this easy DIY fruit fly trap a go. All you need are two main ingredients that you probably already have on hand – apple cider vinegar and dish soap. The apple cider vinegar works to attract the fruit flies, while the dish soap works to break the surface tension of the vinegar causing the fruit flies to be drawn to the bottom and drown.

Materials

• apple cider vinegar
• dish soap
• glass jar {such as a mason jar or glass pop bottle} or bowl
• plastic wrap {optional}
• for a more visually appealing version, try this fruit fly trap instead of the jar and wrap

Instructions

• Pour the apple cider vinegar into your jar or bowl. It doesn’t need to be completely filled – just a couple of inches should do.
• Add a couple of drops of dish soap to the jar.
• Cover tightly with plastic wrap and punch some small holes in it with a toothpick. The plastic wrap is probably not really needed as the fruit flies don’t stand much chance of avoiding drowning, but I like the extra barrier and feel like it lessens the scent of the vinegar {but still draws in the fruit flies}.
• If you have the fruit fly trap jar, all you need to do is complete the first two steps and place the metal lid on top.
• Place your container in an area that the fruit flies tend to accumulate.

It’s definitely not necessary to buy the fruit fly trap, but it looks so much nicer on your kitchen counter than an open mason jar or bowl. Did you catch it in our summer kitchen home tour? I actually keep mine out all the time throughout the warmer months to help prevent fruit flies from getting out of hand. Even when I don’t notice any fruit flies around, there are still fruit flies that still get trapped in the jar. Better safe than sorry!

Where do fruit flies come from?

Fruit flies are tricky little pests that can seem to appear out of nowhere. They’re generally attracted to the scent of ripened or rotting fruits and vegetables in your home and can find their way into your home through cracks, plumbing, open windows can be brought in from produce purchased at the store. They also enjoy alcohol and other sugary drinks, and can even feed on the residue from damp dish cloths, sponges, or trash bins. Although fruit flies tend to be most common in the kitchen, they can also appear in bathrooms, basements, or any other space that has some kind of food source.

Why are fruit flies so hard to get rid of?

Once in your home, fruit flies can be hard to control due to their quick breeding time and development. Females are able to lay about 500 eggs that can hatch within as little as 24-30 hours. They develop into adults in just two days and their lifespan is between 40-50 days. That’s a lot of fruit flies in a very short period of time!

Where do fruit flies breed?

Fruit flies typically lay their eggs directly on rotting produce but can lay eggs on even the smallest of food particles.  They also breed in drains, garbage disposals, trash cans and mop buckets. Kitchen cleanliness is essential to eliminate them as fruit flies only need a very thin layer of fermenting material to thrive and lay eggs on.

How to Prevent Fruit Flies

The easiest way to not be bothered by fruit flies, of course, is to not get them in the first place!  Here are a few tips to decrease the likelihood of a fruit fly infestation…

• toss or compost any overripe or rotting fruit daily. If you know you’re not going to be able to eat it all before it gets too ripe, cut it up and freeze it for smoothies or juicing, or do some baking!
• keep fruit in the fridge when possible
• empty the trash bin regularly and wipe off any food deposits
• wash fruit bowls at least once per week
• inspect all in-coming produce for any signs of decay and rinse fruits with water
• wipe down sinks to keep dry when not in use
• rinse and clean mops, cleaning rags, and sponges after use. Sponges can be placed in the dishwasher for extra sanitizing.
• flush out sinks and drains with a cleaning fluid
• clean your garbage disposal regularly
• clean grime off of appliances and cabinets

For more general tips on how to safely get rid of bugs indoors {and keep them away!}, check out this post.

More Kitchen Cleaning Tips

For more kitchen cleaning and organization tips, check out these posts…

Free Printable Cleaning Labels

20 Items to Declutter from the Kitchen

Fridge Organization Ideas

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Learn how to declutter the kitchen with this kitchen decluttering checklist and decluttering tips. Free organization printable included!

The Kitchen Decluttering Challenge

Is your kitchen starting to feel cluttered and filled with items you don’t use? If so, I have a challenge for you to help you declutter the kitchen in no time! I find that doing a timed decluttering really helps me get things going when I am working on a room.  This is all about getting rid of as much stuff as you can in a dedicated amount of time {30 minutes works well for me}.  You are not emptying everything out of the cupboards, you are not taking a stroll down memory lane looking at all of your items, and you are NOT re-organizing during this time.  All you are focused on is looking at what you have and deciding what you can either donate, sell {be careful of this one as it can end up costing you more time and stress than it is worth!}, or throw out.

Declutter the Kitchen – How to Get Started

To get started, all you need is a couple of boxes to hold items that you will be getting rid of and a large trash bag or two. You may also want to have a bin for items that you come across that belong elsewhere in your home, but that’s not really the focus of this particular challenge.  Once you’re ready to go, just set the timer and work in a systematic pattern around the room going quickly through all of your cupboards, drawers, and surfaces to see what you can get rid of.  I like working in one direction around the room but you could also work top to bottom if that works better for you. Pretend you are on a gameshow with the timer ticking and the audience cheering you on to gather as much stuff as possible!

This may not get rid of everything that you need to declutter, but it will be a good start and will save you time when it comes to actually cleaning out and organizing your cupboards and drawers.  I find that putting a timer on, gives it a little bit of urgency and helps me to make a gut decision rather than going back and forth about whether or not I really need the item.  Honestly, if you don’t immediately say “I use this” or “I love this”, it can probably go.  Spending time thinking about that “someday” situation that you may or may not need it, is not going to help anyone.

Questions to Ask Yourself When Decluttering

As you’re sorting through your items, try to work quickly and not put off making decisions about what you want to keep and what you will donate. If you’re feeling a bit stuck, try asking yourself these questions…

• Do I use this?  You shouldn’t really have to think long about this.  You either use it or you don’t.  Take note that the question is NOT “Will I possibly use this one day?”.
• Is this item extra?  How many wooden spoons do you really need?  Do you really use all four cookie sheets?  Evaluate what you need and use on a regular basis.  Remember that you can always borrow items from friends or family for those “one time” events.  Choose your favorite and donate the extras!
• Would I buy this today?  I find that this is a really helpful questions when looking at decorative items.  Ask yourself if you still love it and if it is still your style.  Is it adding beauty or function to the space or is it just adding to the clutter?
• Does this help to make my life easier?  There may be some items that you don’t really need, but you do use regularly and they help to simplify things.  For example, we have a rice maker that we use at least a couple of times per week.  Yes, I could make rice on the stove and get rid of the rice maker, but it really does help to make things run smoother.  You can definitely splurge on some items – just make sure they are useful to you!

20 Items to Declutter from the Kitchen

The following list is just a starting point to get you going. Remember that items that are important to you might not be important to others, so do what works for you!

1. Cookbooks. Donate cookbooks that you no longer use.  For books that you only use one or two recipes, consider writing them out and storing them in a recipe box or binder rather than keeping the whole book.  If you keep recipe magazines, tear out the pages that you would like and store them in a binder.
2. Wooden spoons or other cooking utensils.
3. Dish towels. Go through all dish towels and discard those that are past their prime.  Evaluate your remaining towels to see if you actually need and use them all.  If not, donate them or use them for rags if they are not in good enough condition to donate.  Animal shelters are often happy to take larger dish towels.
4. Baking Ware.  Look for extra, old, or unused cookie sheets, pie pans, muffin tins, etc.
5. Cleaning Supplies. Take stock of your cleaning supplies and toss those that you no longer use.  If you have multiple bottles with the same product, combine them.  Place those bottles that are close to empty towards the front of your stash so you will use them up first.
6. Mixing Bowls.  
7. Countertops. Nothing makes your kitchen look messier than a cluttered countertop, and the clutter makes counters much more difficult to wipe down and keep clean.  Get rid of unneeded papers, small appliances that are not used on a regular basis {you could just store these away if you still use them periodically}, and decorative accessories that you do not love.
8. Oven Mitts/Hot Pads.
9. Spices. Chances are you have at least a few spices that you never use that are still lurking in your cupboards.  Toss any spices that you don’t use or have lost their flavor.  Try just stocking the basic spices that you use.  You can always look to buy a small amount of bulk spices if you need something for a particular recipe down the line.
10. Corning ware.
11. Pantry Items.  Toss anything that is opened that you won’t be using or items that are expired.  If you have other items stocked that you don’t think you will use, donate them to a food bank.
12. Fridge/Freezer. Quickly toss items that are expired or look freezer burned. Check bottles for expiry dates – you may be surprised at what you find!
13. Tupperware or other food storage. Match up lids and bottoms and toss anything that does not have a pair.  Donate any remaining items that you no longer need or use.
14. Cutlery.
15. Glasses and Coffee Mugs. Take stock of what you really need.  Recycle any chipped or broken glasses.  If you have extra, mis-matched pieces, let them go.  If you are a coffee mug collector, keep your favorites to put on display and donate the rest.
16. Dishware.
17. Kitchen Gadgets. Kitchen gadgets always sound so amazing, but are often seldom used.  Donate any items that you no longer use OR if the function can be done with another item that you already have.  Don’t save items for “someday” – keep only what you use.
18. Small Kitchen Appliances.  If you don’t use it {or the task can really be done by another appliance}, donate or sell it.  You will get a big bang for your buck with these as they are often huge space suckers!
19. Medicine/Vitamins. If you don’t already store your medicine here, the kitchen is a great spot for it as long as it is kept in a cooler spot away from the steam of the stove or other appliances.  Be sure all medications are up to date, you know what everything is for, and it is stored safely away from little hands.
20. Junk Drawer. I think most of us have a “junk drawer” with miscellaneous items – just make sure you actually need what you keep!  Look for old batteries, extra office supplies, candles, tools, phone chargers or extra cords that you no longer use, etc.

Free Printable Kitchen Decluttering Checklist

If you’d like to print out your own kitchen decluttering checklist, just click on the link below, save it to your computer, and print it out. This printable coordinates with my Household Organization Diet printables, so you can just add them to your binder with your kitchen tasks.

DOWNLOAD YOUR PRINTABLE HERE

I hope this helps you to finally declutter the kitchen once and for all! If 30 minutes seems too short for this, remember that it is just a quick discard of all of those items that you are going to toss or donate. If you stick to the task at hand and work quickly, you will be surprised at what you can come up with!

More Kitchen Organization Ideas

For more kitchen organization ideas, check out these posts…

Under Kitchen Sink Organization

How to Organize the Kitchen

Fridge Organization

The Household Organization Diet

This post is part of The Household Organization Diet. If you need some organization inspiration, check out THIS POST  to learn more about the plan and grab your FREE room by room organization printables.  You CAN get that house cleaned and organized once and for all!  To see all of the previous posts click the Get Organized tab at the top of the blog and go to The Household Organization Diet.  I also have all of the posts pinned to my Household Organization Diet pinterest board.  Start at any time and make sure you are following along so you don’t miss out…

FIND THE PLAN HERE
INSTAGRAM / FACEBOOK / PINTEREST / NEWSLETTER / BOOK

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Use this free printable spring cleaning checklist and simple spring cleaning tips to help keep on track with your spring cleaning!

Spring Cleaning Challenge

Who wants to join me in a little spring cleaning challenge? It might be a little later than typical, but time seems to be all over the place these days. I’ve put together 30 common spring cleaning tasks to help give you a basic guideline for your spring cleaning tasks. You can complete the tasks in anyway that works for you – one per day, a few each weekend, whatever works!  For tasks that involve working in multiple rooms {such as doing the blinds or cleaning the light fixtures}, you may want to split this over multiple days.

This post contains affiliate links. This simply means that I may receive a small commission {at no cost to you} for any items purchased directly through the links provided. Thank-you so much for your support!

How to Spring Clean

There are many different methods and time frames that you can use for spring cleaning. It really just comes down to your personal preference and what works better for your schedule and home size. Spring cleaning can seem very overwhelming when you first start – especially if you have a larger home or haven’t cleaned for a while. The key is to just get started on something. Focusing on one task at a time or one smaller space at a time, makes it much more manageable. Here are a few things to think about before getting started…

Room by room or whole house tasks.

There are basically two main ways that you can go about spring cleaning: working room by room or going through set tasks throughout the whole house. If you like to work room by room, you would complete all tasks pertaining to that one room before moving on to the next room. Alternatively, you can do set tasks throughout all rooms of the house. For example, you would clean all of the light fixtures throughout the house or launder all of the curtains.

In reality, I feel like I do a little bit of both. I do generally prefer to work room by room, but some tasks like cleaning the floor vents and wiping down the light switches seem to be quicker to do if I do the whole house at one time. Whatever works for you!

Work in a methodical manor.

While you don’t necessarily need to do all of your spring cleaning tasks in a specific order, there should be some method to your cleaning pattern. Ideally you want to clean all of the higher items first {cobwebs in ceiling corners, walls, etc.} before moving to lower items such as carpets or floor vents. This ensures that you’re not spreading more dirt and dust on areas that you’ve already cleaned. Similarly, if you’re breaking down tasks within a specific room, try to work from one end of the room to the other rather than randomly moving about the space.

Pick your time frame.

While I would love to be able to check off all of my spring cleaning tasks over a long weekend, in reality, it usually takes me a couple of months to get through everything. I just don’t have a long attention span for cleaning tasks and can fit it into my schedule better if I just do a little bit at a time. If you like to work faster, however, that’s great too! Whatever time frame you choose, schedule it on your planner.

Gather all cleaning supplies.

To save time and keep yourself focused, gather all of your spring cleaning supplies before getting started. My basic kit consists of:

• microfiber cloths {I use Norwex or Grove Collaborative brands}
• Norwex polishing cloths {for windows, walls, and shiny surfaces}
• multi-purpose spray
• dish soap
• cleaning bucket
• toothbrush
• scrub brush or sponge
• spray bottle of water
• steam cleaner
• vacuum and various attachments
• microfiber duster

Spring Cleaning Checklist

I always find that having tasks written down helps me to stay on track, so I put this spring cleaning checklist together for you. All you need to do is download it and print it out. I’ve even created a blank task list in case you’d prefer to design your own spring cleaning tasks. I’ve tried to group the tasks together by room {or tasks that involve multiple rooms}, but feel free to do them in any order you would like.

Spring Cleaning Tasks

Are you ready to get started on your spring cleaning? I’ve put together 30 common spring cleaning tasks along with some helpful cleaning tips for each task.  Some tasks can be done quite quickly while others will take a little more time.  You can even divide some of the larger tasks {like cleaning the blinds or windows} up into multiple days. If you’re busier during the week, you might want to just clean on the weekends and do a few tasks at at a time. It’s also very helpful if you can delegate some of the tasks to other members of your family {or at least have them help you out!}.

For some of the tasks, I’ve added links to more detailed tutorials and tips. Just click on the link to go directly to the post. I’m working on updating some of the older posts, so bear with me! If you have any questions about anything else, just let me know!

Blinds.

Dust blinds and then wipe down with a microfiber cloth and warm water with a little bit of dish soap. For really dirty blinds that can be soaked, I find it easier to just take them down and soak them in the bathtub. Blinds with soft materials can be vacuumed with the upholstery attachment.

Windows and Window Tracks.

This is one of my least favorite tasks and I usually just do this on a room by room basis.  Always start at I like to use my hand held steamer to quickly clean the window tracks.

Curtains.

Take down curtains and wipe down the curtain rods with a damp microfiber cloth. Launder the curtains according to the fabric’s care instructions. Generally, you want to wash your curtains on a cold setting using the delicate cycle to avoid shrinkage. Depending on the material, either hang to dry or put in the dryer on a cooler setting. If you need to iron, iron on the back side of the fabric while it is still slightly damp. If you’re unable to launder your curtains, but still want to clean them, you can shake them out outside or use an upholstery attachment on your vacuum to remove any dust or loose debris. Be sure you’ve washed the windows and tracks before hanging curtians back up.

Light Fixtures and Ceiling Fans.

Grab your ladder! Dust light fixtures and ceiling fans to remove any loose debris, then wipe down with some multi-purpose spray and a microfiber cloth. If your lights have removeable glass covers, you may want to completely take them down and clean them in a sink of warm water and dish soap. Finish by wiping any shiny surfaces with a polishing cloth. While you’re up there, be sure to change any light bulbs that have burnt out.

Walls.

Wipe down any grimy spots or handprints on walls with warm, soapy water and a microfiber cloth. To remove any streaks, buff with a polishing cloth when you’re finished.  If you’re just spot cleaning, this also helps blend in areas that you have washed with areas that you haven’t.

Floor Vents.

Before cleaning your floor vents, turn off your heating/cooling system so it doesn’t blow any loose dirt and dust around your home. Remove the vent covers and vacuum up loose dust and dirt from the vent. If your vent covers are really dirty, wash them in the sink with some warm water and dish soap. You can even place metal vent covers into the dishwasher to make it even easier.

Baseboards.

Stair Railings/Banisters.

If you haven’t cleaned your railings for a while, you’ll be amazed at how much grime can accumulate! If you have a wood finish, use a wood cleaner {I use this Method wood cleaner and love the smell!} and a microfiber cloth to completely wipe down the railings and banisters. For non-wood finishings, you can use a multi-purpsoe spray or a 50:50 water-vinegar mix.

Light Switch Plates.

Doors and Door Knobs.

Carpets/Area Rugs.

Spot clean any stains on carpets and shampoo {you can rent a carpet shampooer or get them professionally cleaned if needed}. This post on how to remove pet stains should work for most carpet stains. Area rugs can be taken outside to be shaken and then left out in the sun for deodorizing. Many smaller area rugs can be washed in the washing machine – just check the care instructions. For further deodorizing or carpets and rugs, use this easy DIY carpet and upholstery freshener.

Sofa/Upholstery.

Learn how to easily clean your sofa and other upholstery with this tutorial.

Dishwasher.

Read this post to learn how to clean a dishwasher.

Stove/Oven.

If possible, move your oven away from the wall so you can clean underneath it and down the sides. I find that the easiest way to clean the oven is with my steam cleaner, but you can run the self cleaning cycle or use this method with baking soda. You can also find my tips for cleaning a glass top stove and stainless steel.

Microwave

Using a food cover can help to keep your microwave cleaner on a daily basis. For more of a deep cleaning, check out this post.

Toaster Oven.

Kitchen Sink.

Next time you go to clean your kitchen sink, take a little longer to make sure you clean all of the sides and into the corners. Use a toothbrush and a paste of water and baking soda to clean in and around the drain and garbage disposal {if you have one}. If you need a little more organization around your kitchen sink area, check out this post to organize under your kitchen sink. For more information on how to clean a garbage disposal, check out this post.

Fridge/Freezer.

Get your fridge and freezer ready for BBQ season with a good deep cleaning! You can find all of my tips for how to clean the fridge/freezer here as well as some fridge organization tricks here.

Kitchen Cabinets.

Wipe down all kitchen cabinet doors. For dirtier cabinets, empty out contents to wipe down the walls and floors.

Under Furniture.

It’s time to clean under all of those large furniture pieces that you don’t usually touch. If you can, move the furniture so you can completely vacuum and/or wash underneath. If you’re unable to move it, just do the best you can with a broom or vacuum attachment underneath. A Swiffer or Swiffer duster with extender works great for reaching those hard to reach places if you have a hard surface.

Washing Machine.

Detergent residue and other debris can clog up your washing machine leading to decreased washing power and nasty odors. Keep your washing machine running efficiently {and remove any mold that you may have!} with this tutorial on how to clean your washing machine.

Dryer.

The dryer should be cleaned at least once per year to improve efficiency and reduce the risk of dryer fires. Even if you’re diligent about emptying the lint trap with every load, you’ll be amazed at how much lint accumulates! Get the full tutorial on how to clean the dryer here.

Trash Cans.

I always find this task easiest to do outside. Spray trash cans down {inside and out} with a multi-purpose spray. If your cans are stinky, you can then sprinkle some baking soda on. Let it sit for 10 minutes and then rinse with a garden hose. If you have set on grime or stains that don’t come out with this, use a microfiber cloth and some warm soapy water to spot scrub. Rinse and allow to completely dry out in the sunshine. The sunshine will further deodorize it.

Mattresses.

Strip your bedding and give your mattress a little love. Check out this post to learn how to clean a mattress and remove any stains.

Bedding/Pillows.

Wash all bedding and mattress covers in hot water (above 130F) to kill dust mites.  Add 1/2 cup white vinegar to remove any odors and soften the sheets. Before washing pillows, check the care instructions to make sure they can be laundered. Place in the washing machine {two pillows at a time to balance out the drum} with some oxygen whitener and laundry detergent. The pillows will likely seem really lumpy when they’re removed from the wash but they will fluff up as they dry. Depending on the filling, they may need a couple of cycles in the dryer or do one dryer cycle and place out in the sunshine to complete the drying. If your pillows are really stained, pre-soak in the hottest water possible with some oxygen bleach.

Shower and Shower Head.

Bathmats and Shower Curtains.

Take down the shower curtains and wipe down the curtain rod. Launder the curtains according to the wash instructions. I like to add some oxygen whitener {check to make sure it’s color safe if washing colored fabrics} to the wash and 1/2 cup of vinegar to the rinse cycle. If you’re washing a plastic shower curtain, wash at a cooler temperature and remove it immediately to hang to dry.  It’s also a good idea to throw a towel or two into the laundry with the shower curtain if you do not have anything else in there.

Bathroom Vents.

This is definitely one of those tasks that I neglect throughout the year, so I make sure I at least do it with our spring cleaning. To be safe, turn off the power through the circuit breaker before touching the exhaust fan. You can find a good tutorial on how to clean the exhaust fan here and a tip on waxing your vent covers to prevent dust build up.

Toilets.

Obviously we need to clean the toilets on a regular basis, but giving them an extra deep cleaning can make those weekly cleanings much quicker and easier. Check out this tutorial on how to deep clean your toilets.

Linen Closet.

Wipe down shelving and floors and get rid of any old linens. You can keep old towels for cleaning rags if needed. Animal shelters and vet clinics are also often happy to take old linens off of your hands.

Spring Cleaning Checklist

I always find that having tasks written down helps me to stay on track, so I put this spring cleaning checklist together for you. All you need to do is download it and print it out. I’ve even created a blank task list in case you’d prefer to design your own spring cleaning tasks. I’ve tried to group the tasks together by room {or tasks that involve multiple rooms}, but feel free to do them in any order you would like.

DOWNLOAD THE SPRING CLEANING CHECKLIST HERE
DOWNLOAD A BLANK SPRING CLEANING CHECKLIST HERE

I hope this helps you to tackle your spring cleaning tasks this year! Don’t worry if it takes you a long time to complete it. It’s all about progress over perfection! If you have pets, you might want to add in these spring cleaning tips for pet owners. For room by room spring cleaning checklists, check out these posts…

• Spring Cleaning the Bedroom
• Bathroom Spring Cleaning Checklist
• Spring Cleaning the Kitchen

Happy Spring Cleaning!

The post Spring Cleaning Checklist – 30 Items to Spring Clean appeared first on Clean and Scentsible.