Today’s post by no means has anything to do with home design or beautiful living, but I thought my idea could benefit all of you neat freaks like myself. Or if you aren’t a neat freak, then hopefully you won’t find it too weird. I’ll get to the great idea in a minute but first lets look at the dictionary’s definition of the word Clean . AHHH.. one of my favorite words in the dictionary. Can you smell my home-made lavender cleaner too? I know, I’m a bit wierd.
CLEAN |klēn|
adjective free from dirt, marks, or stains : the room was spotlessly clean | keep the wound clean.• having been washed since last worn or used : a clean blouse.• [ attrib. ] (of paper) not yet marked by writing or drawing : he copied the directions onto a clean sheet of paper.• (of a person) attentive to personal hygiene : by nature he was clean and neat.• free from pollutants or unpleasant substances : we will create a cleaner,safer environment.•
If you’ve read the “about” page on my site you by now know that I am a neat freak my nature and I strive to be in environments where things are organized. I have to say that when I was growing up I was a PIG, and I was soooo messy. I secretly blame “not having enough storage”. Although my brothers would tell you other wise. I could never keep my room clean, and my dirty little secret is that my Mom would always clean it up for me when I was at school. Such a great Mom I had, or did she do me a dis-service? Lucky for me (and her) when I left home I began to really take care of my belongings and put things back where they belonged. I guess it took having my own space to make me truly realize that our homes are a blessing and I feel I should do the best to take care of ours and teach my children to try to do the same. Do we mess up and get off track? OF COURSE…
I have learned over the last 10 years of our marriage that it’s okay for some things to be out-of-place. I give you this one example. When we were first married, I couldn’t even stand to see water marks around the kitchen sink after doing the dishes. I know this is crazy, but I couldn’t help it then. Since then I have relaxed so much. I have realized that I can’t do everything perfect all the time, and if I tried to go down this path any longer I would drive my self crazy. I guess that’s why I love things to be organized, because in the end it leaves less work for me.
So on to my great cleaning tip that will save you headache after headache. Don’t you hate all the finger prints and dirt that accumulates on your hallways and stairwells? I really do!! So what is the method that most of us lean towards? Washing them with a soapy cloth right? If you’ve noticed that this leaves streaks and more clean streaks. This is not an attractive look for the home if you ask me. Soooo …. years ago I started using my wet swiffer instead. Simply put the wet cloth on and with up and down even strokes I clean your hallways, staircases and walls this way. The bonus, is afterwards everything smells great! You could also use your regular mop with some light cleaner if you want a “greener” method. I just find the swiffer cloths give the best overall even clean that I am looking for. My walls are the only thing that I generally use them for.
Instead of having a dirty, finger-marked staircase, I choose to use this method. It has worked for me like a charm! I hope this is helpful to you to you as well.
So my motto for today: clean is best, but at the end of the day we all have to relax too and this I am working on.
How about you?
Well, fingerprints are also a problem in our home. Just recently I repainted the stairwell to remove the marks!! With a light colored paint on the walls, it is a forever battle to keep them looking good. I use a microfiber cloth with a mild detergent to wash with and it seems to do the trick. I would LOVE to know your recipe for the lavender cleaner though!!
For my cleaner I use a version of this recipe. Found on Homemade Household. With slight variations. For the kdish detergent I use either a “green” lavender one, or a odor free detergent as not to over power the lavender. I love lavender, don’t you?
Here is a cleaner you make right in your spray bottle:
All-Purpose Cleaner
2T vinegar
1 t Borax
Hot water
a few drops of a mild dish detergent
10 drops of essential oil, optional
In a 16 spray bottle put vinegar, borax and hot water. Swish around until borax has dissolved. Add the drops of dish detergent and fill the rest of the bottle with water. Add the essential oil (I like using orange or lavender).
Enjoy!