Ever since Emily has started school I feel like she has had a runny nose and our humidifier has been running non stop. So my Mommy Monday topic today is colds and cleaning. Every fall I seem to get cold after cold and now with Em in school I believe it's only going to get worse.
My go to items for colds are the humidifier, Vix Rub, Tylenol (if there are any high fevers), and nasal aspirator. I try really hard to keep the house really clean but when a cold comes thru I try extra hard. I have a steam mop that is to die for- Shark Lift Away Steam Pocket Mop. It steams the floors but also has attachments for countertops, clothes, and carpets. I steam the floors at a minimum once a week because it kills 99.9% of germs. Again when a cold hits the house I steam the floors but I also steam the counters and things we touch frequently like light switches. For years I used Lysol spray around the house when a cold comes around but I'm starting to get away from a lot of chemicals. The steamer is just water but it gets so hot that it sanitizes. I would say this is my number one cleaning tool especially during cold and flu season.
Even though these next few items have nothing to do with cleaning and colds I figured I'd talk about some of my cleaning tips and tricks since I'm on the cleaning topic. I also am in LOVE with my Hoover Linx Cordless stick vacuum. I got this as a gift last Christmas and I was thinking I really didn't need it since I have a fabulous vacuum but I decided to give it a try. Cordless is the next best thing since sliced bread!!!! It's amazing to quickly vacuum the house, especially the tile floors.
My favorite cleaning solution is white vinegar. It has amazing options and it naturally kills bacteria. I use it to clean my washing machine, dishwasher, remove soap scum, and just wipe things down. To clean the washing machine (which I do ever so often) you put one cup of white vinegar in the detergent spot and run a hot cycle. After that is complete you put 1/2 cup of baking powder in the detergent spot and run another hot cycle. I also wash my towels while I'm doing this. It works amazing. To clean my dishwasher I just fill the dispenser with white vinegar and run an extra hot cycle. I also put toys in the dishwasher and clean them with a vinegar cycle.
Another go-to item for me is the Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. However, I buy the dollar store version which work just as well for a fraction of the cost. These things are miracle workers. My favorite use is cleaning the baseboards and removing little hand prints on the walls.
I've read so many different ideas on cleaning stainless steel and I haven't found anything I love. I LIKE (not love) Weiman Stainless Steel cleaning wipes.
For cleaning the countertops and glass I made a homemade cleaning solution. The recipe is 1 tsp. blue Dawn, 1/2 tsp. baking soda, 2 tablespoons vinegar, and 2 cups water.
So what are your cleaning tips and tricks?
Also how do you survive colds with little ones?
Thanks for sharing your cleaning solution, Annie. They seem like a great alternative to most commercial cleaners. Using natural cleaning products like baking soda and vinegar is great. They are safer to use, especially when you have colds or any allergic reaction to certain chemicals. Not to mention that they are cheap, and you could easily find them in your kitchen.
ReplyDeleteNathan Riley @ Stanley Steemer