Fall is prime time for the flu and this year, the Enterovirus D68 is making people ill in more than 28 states nationwide according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Couple that with the start of school and it all adds up to germs and lots of them.

So, how can a busy mom help prevent her children from becoming ill?

As a working mother of three, I’ve developed my own common-sense cleaning tips and routines to stop seasonal viruses from lingering in my home. Here is a list of my fab five green cleaning tips for flu season, along with two of the best natural cleaning solutions to help combat nasty germs and the flu.

Green Cleaning Tips to Combat Fall Germs and the Flu

Below are two of my favorite natural cleaning solutions to help fight the flu.

All Purpose Cleaning Spray

Ingredients: 1 tablespoon borax, 1 tablespoon washing soda (sodium carbonate), 1 teaspoon liquid dishwashing soap, 1 cup vinegar, 4 cups hot water, 25-30 drops essential oil (optional)

Whisk all ingredients together well in a large bowl, then pour into a spray bottle. Spray on surface and let sit for at least 2-3 minutes before wiping the surface with a damp cloth.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Ingredients: 1 cup baking soda, 1 cup vinegar, 10 drops essential oil (optional)

Pour baking soda in toilet bowl, and then slowly pour in vinegar, being sure to get vinegar to cover as much of the bowl surface as possible.  Add essential oil.  Scrub surface to remove any rings or stains. Flush.

Some days just don’t go as planned.  I had one of those days yesterday.  I woke up to an overflowing toilet bowl and a stream of ants working their way from the garage to the bottom of my trash can.  Luckily I had the proper ingredients on hand to fix these unwanted problems and move on with my day.

To fix the clogged toilet bowl, I poured about one half cup of baking soda followed by one cup of white distilled vinegar down the toilet and watched it bubble up.  I let the vinegar and baking soda soak in the toilet for about twenty minutes.  After twenty minutes, I poured a mixture of two cups of boiling water and a tablespoon of salt down the toilet and flushed it.  The clogged drain was fixed.  To clean the water that overflowed onto the floor, I used a large microfiber cloth.

As far as the ants go, I sprayed a line of vinegar along the garage wall and around my trash can.  I then sprinkled some salt along the baseboards near the garage and trash can.  The ant problem cleared up right away.

Following a proper cleaning strategy is an important step towards cleaning in a timely fashion.  However, if you don’t have the right ingredients or the proper tools to clean with, your cleaning strategy might not go as planned.  What you choose to clean your home with is a very important step in the cleaning process.

I choose to use non-toxic homemade cleaners in my home.  Vinegar is my number one cleaner.  I use it to get rid of pet odors, to clean mirrors and windows, on my countertops and even on my tile floors.  Vinegar is an extremely effective household disinfectant when mixed with water.  Use two parts vinegar to one part water.

Baking Soda is used in my home as a mild scouring scrub.  It helps remove tough stains, it helps unclog drains, it absorbs odors, and removes soap scum from showers.

I always use hydrogen peroxide to clean the mold out of my showers and in my laundry to remove stains.  It is a great alternative to bleach and is inexpensive to buy.  Hydrogen peroxide is an anti-viral, anti-fungal and an anti-bacterial.  I also use it as a whitening rinse after I brush my teeth.

I use rubbing alcohol as a sanitizer.  Brushes, combs and other household items are cleaned by soaking them in alcohol.

A bucket of warm water and a few tablespoons of liquid soap like Castile soap or Dawn dish soap keep my home sparkling.  These liquid soaps are safe to use on anything.  When doing quick clean-ups or when wiping down the countertops, I always grab my water and dish soap solution.

As far as cleaning tools go, I swear by microfiber cloths.  I have them in a few different colors because I use different color cloths for different tasks.  Microfiber cloths are amazing.  I use them dry when I dust and wet when wiping down mirrors and windows.   They pick up spills, dirt, rocks, pet hair, and anything else lying around on the floor!  I also use these wonderful cloths to scrub my tubs.  My microfiber mop is just as useful as my microfiber cloths.  I use the dry mop as a broom and the damp one to steam my floors.

My home would not be as clean as it is without my HEPA vacuum.  It picks up dirt without releasing it back into the air.  My vacuum picks up everything, from pet hair, to pollen, to dust bunnies because it’s closed canister removes 99.9% of these respiratory irritants.  This is so important in my family because we all suffer from sinuses.

Corn Starch helps keep my living room carpet stain free.  I sprinkle it on, let it sit and vacuum away!  The corn starch also removes those musty odors deep down in the carpet.  I sprinkle corn starch on all my area rugs to keep them fresh.

Using the proper tools and cleaning my home with non-toxic cleaning solutions are two very important steps in keeping my family healthy and my home clean and chemical-free!

This month, we're going to be walking you through the best way to clean and organize each of those problem areas in your home. The 7-part series will include:

1. Closets,
2. Garage,
3. Kitchen,
4. Windows,
5. Surfaces,
6. Bathrooms, and
7. Appliances.

Part 7: Appliances!

I use my washer and dryer everyday which is why it is extremely important that I have a regular cleaning routine for these appliances.  I have a front loader washer which is more susceptible to mold and mildew because of the rubber gasket which lines the door to prevent leakage and the detergent residue build up. And of course, the refrigerator and oven/stove are used daily, but cleaning them seems like such a huge undertaking that it's daunting.

But fear the appliances no more! Here is a basic breakdown of how to deep-clean each of these machines that you rely on so much:

Cleaning the washer:

• All you need is two microfiber cloths and a spray bottle with a mix of equal parts of liquid dish soap and warm water.
• Start by spraying the rubber gasket and wiping it down with a damp microfiber cloth.  Be sure to pull back the rubber gasket to clean inside since this is where most of the grime piles up.  If you notice a little black mold, spritz it with a mix of vinegar, water, and hydrogen peroxide.
• Grab an old toothbrush and gently scrub along the inside of the gasket.  Rinse and wipe clean.
• Next, run the machine through a complete wash cycle at a hot setting adding two cups of vinegar.  Since the manual states never to run an empty load, I put a few towels in the washer.
• Remove the detergent dispenser and clean with a mixture of equal parts of vinegar and water.  Make sure you wipe down the inside of the washing machine as well where the detergent dispenser goes.
• Lastly, clean the inside of the door with your vinegar/water solution and a microfiber cloth.  Pay extra attention to the bottom part of the door where the water might pool.
• Quick tips to clean your washer every time you run a load of laundry:
• After each load of laundry, check the rubber gaskets for any small clothing items.  Wipe gaskets down quickly with a dry microfiber cloth to get rid of any excess water.
• Leave the washing machine door slightly open to prevent the growth of mold and mildew by allowing the air to circulate.
• Remove wet clothes as soon as you can.  Check inside the corners of the washer for clothes that may be hidden on the sides.
• Try to clean your washer once a month.  If there is no visible mold, wipe the washer down with a damp microfiber cloth and a spritz of your vinegar/water solution to keep the soap residue at bay.
• Don’t use a lot of detergent.   Adding more detergent can lead to more residue build-up and actually decrease your machine’s cleaning efficiency.
• Add some vinegar to your detergent.   Vinegar is great for removing odors from both your clothes and your washing machine and will also help to soften your clothes.  Use this in place of fabric softener.  It is cheaper, will not leave behind a residue, and does not have any added chemical ingredients.  Add about ½ to 1 cup of vinegar per load.

Cleaning the dryer:

Regular maintenance of your dryer will help to improve the drying speed of your clothing, reduce energy usage, and reduce the risk of dryer fires.

• Unplug dryer and pull the dryer out away from the wall.  Pull it our far enough so you can get into the vent on the back of the dryer.
• Remove and clean the lint trap.  Get into the habit of cleaning the lint trap after each load of laundry.  A more thorough cleaning of the lint trap should be done at least twice a year.  Clean the lint trap in your sink with liquid dish soap and warm water.  Clean the corners of the lint trap with an old toothbrush.  Make sure the lint trap is dried well.
• Next, remove the lint trap cover using a screw driver.  Using a HEPA filter vacuum hose attachment, vacuum up as much lint as possible from inside and around the vent, being careful not to force the nozzle down the vent.  Clean the remaining debris along the outside of the vent with a dry microfiber cloth and your vinegar/water solution.  Replace the cover and lint trap.
• Using a screw driver, remove the vent clamp in the back of the dryer and slide the dryer duct off the dryer.  Reach in the hole and remove any large clumps of lint.  Use the hose attachment and vacuum as much as you can.  Re-attach the vent securely with the clamp.
• Next, vacuum up any loose debris around the floor near the washer and dryer.  Mop the floor with your microfiber mop and a solution of liquid dish soap and warm water.  Quickly dry the floor with an old towel.  Plug your machine back in and slide it back into position.
• Using a damp microfiber cloth and your vinegar/water solution, wipe down the inside of the dryer.  Dry thoroughly.  Clean the inside of the door.  Take a cotton ball dipped in rubbing alcohol and clean the moisture sensor electrodes located inside the dryer below the door opening.
• Lastly, wipe down the outside of the machine with your vinegar/water solution and a damp microfiber cloth.

Cleaning the refrigerator:

Believe it or not, refrigerators can run inefficiently because of dust build-up on coils.  This same dust build-up mixes with moisture and causes a grimy film on your floor.

• To clean this dusty mess, pull out the refrigerator just enough so you can walk behind it.  If you have an ice maker, shut off the water supply.  Unplug appliance.
• Use a coil brush to loosen the dust around coils, and gently vacuum them using a HEPA filter brush attachment.
• Wipe down the walls, the back of the refrigerator and freezer, and the sides with a damp microfiber cloth and some liquid dish soap.
• Vacuum the floor thoroughly.  Mop the floor using your microfiber mop and a solution of liquid dish soap and warm water.
• After the floor is completely dry, plug in the refrigerator and freezer and slide it into place. Turn water supply back on.
• Try and clean behind your refrigerator and freezer twice a year.
• To clean the inside of the refrigerator and freezer, wipe the shelves with equal parts of vinegar and water in a spray bottle and a damp microfiber cloth.

Cleaning the stove:

• To clean the inside of the oven, coat the oven surfaces in a paste made of baking soda and water.  Let it sit overnight.  The next day, scrub off with a damp microfiber cloth.  Rinse well.
• For a quicker oven cleaning, combine two tablespoons liquid dish soap, two teaspoons borax, and warm water in a spray bottle.  Spray in oven.  Let solution soak in the oven for about one hour.  Wipe off with a damp microfiber cloth.
• For baked on messes, spray a few drops of citrus or tea tree essential oil, one cup vinegar, and one cup warm water on burnt food stains.  Let it sit for two hours and wipe off with warm water and a damp microfiber cloth.
• Clean stove top and handles with liquid dish soap, warm water and a damp microfiber cloth.
• Use covers when cooking and lower temperatures to prevent splatter.
• To help catch spills, place a couple of layers of aluminum foil shiny side up on the floor of the oven underneath but not touching the heating element.
• To slow down grease build-up, wipe out your oven with a spritz of vinegar and water and wipe with a damp microfiber cloth.

Cleaning your A/C vents:

To keep your indoor air clean, replace your filters every three months.  Vacuum the front of the vents using the nozzle attachment on your HEPA filter vacuum.  Wipe vents down with liquid dish soap, warm water and a damp microfiber cloth.

And that's it! That's all for Part 7 and for Marie's Guide to Spring Cleaning. Be sure to re-visit previous posts for problem areas you may have missed, and check back later this week to see the guide in a downloadable eBook form!

This month, we're going to be walking you through the best way to clean and organize each of those problem areas in your home. The 7-part series will include:

1. Closets,
2. Garage,
3. Kitchen,
4. Windows,
5. Surfaces,
6. Bathrooms, and
7. Appliances.

Part 6: Bathrooms!

For me, the bathroom is the least favorite room to clean, but it is the one room I make sure is always clean.  And when Spring Cleaning rolls around, it's even more important to give your bathroom some TLC. If you clean it well during Spring Cleaning, it will need less attention throughout the year. Here is a step by step guide to keeping your bathroom shining:

Supplies:

• Three microfiber cloths
• Microfiber mop
• Old toothbrush
• All-purpose cleaner made of equal parts vinegar, water, and rubbing alcohol
• Glass cleaner made of equal parts of vinegar and water
• Scouring Scrub made of baking soda, white toothpaste, and a few drops of tea tree essential oil

 Cleaning Steps:

1. Gather your supplies and head to the bathroom!  If you have a window in the bathroom, open the window and let that beautiful fresh spring air in.
2. Remove window curtains, shower curtains, towels, and area rugs.  Wash shower curtain in washing machine with a few towels.  Use vinegar or borax instead of detergent.  Hang area rugs outside.
3. Clear counter tops.  Put away loose items in their proper place.  Remove other items from shelves and shower stall.  Place outside of bathroom.
4. Using either your microfiber mop or a dry microfiber cloth, dust the ceilings and walls.  Clean from top to bottom and from one side of the room to the other, working your way towards the bathroom door.  Dust the top of the windowsill, blinds, top of the shower stall, vent, and light fixture.  To remove tough spots, spray some all-purpose cleaner on the spot and wipe with a damp microfiber cloth
5. Spray the mirror with your homemade glass cleaner and wipe with a dry microfiber cloth.  Do the same for wall décor.  Don’t forget to clean the window too!
6. Nozzle vacuum the baseboards with a HEPA filter vacuum.
7. Next, wipe down the walls of the shower using your all-purpose cleaner and a damp microfiber cloth.  Clean the bathtub with your homemade scouring scrub and a damp microfiber cloth.  Use an old toothbrush to get into corners of tub.  Rinse with warm water.
8. Clean toilet by pouring some baking soda followed by some white vinegar in the toilet.
9. Clean the towel rack, toilet paper holder and baseboards with a spritz of all-purpose cleaner.  Wipe with a damp microfiber cloth.
10. Clean countertops and sink by spraying some all-purpose cleaner on surfaces and wiping down with a damp microfiber cloth.  Clean faucets with a spritz of vinegar and rubbing alcohol.
11. Vacuum the floor and then mop by spritzing the floor with all-purpose cleaner and wiping dry with your microfiber mop.
12. Re-hang the window curtains and the shower curtains.  Hang up fresh towels on towel racks.  Return all items neatly back to counter top and shelves.  Place area rug on floor.

That's it for Part 6 of Marie Stegner's Guide to Spring Cleaning! Send us pictures of your clean and organized closets, and check back Monday for the final installment, Part 7: Appliances!

This month, we're going to be walking you through the best way to clean and organize each of those problem areas in your home. The 7-part series will include:

1. Closets,
2. Garage,
3. Kitchen,
4. Windows,
5. Surfaces,
6. Bathrooms, and
7. Appliances.

Part 5: Surfaces!

Spring time is the perfect time to wipe down all the surfaces in your home.  But you may be staring at the ceiling (literally) and thinking, "how in the world am I ever going to get all of these surfaces clean? The walls need wiping, the counters need scrubbing, and even my wooden furniture needs a once-over. Do I need to go buy some of those fancy eraser things?" But if you break it down into an achievable plan like this one and maybe even get your kids to pitch in, it will take less time than you might think, and you can probably do it all with ingredients you already have.

Starting with the ceiling, grab your microfiber mop and your spray bottle mixture of liquid dish soap and warm water, and begin cleaning the ceiling.  Start in the upper left hand corner, and work your way to the other end of the room.  Don’t forget the cobwebs hiding out in the corners and near the drapery rods!

Next, wipe down the walls using your microfiber mop.  Once again, start on the left and work your way across the room.  For handprints or dried food spills, spray the area with your dish soap and warm water solution first, then wipe with a damp microfiber cloth.

After cleaning the walls, concentrate on the baseboards.  Using the nozzle on your HEPA filter vacuum, clean all the baseboards and corners of the room.  Spray and wipe down baseboards with a damp microfiber cloth.

Next, clean the countertops.  To clean tile, granite, silestone, and formica countertops, use a mixture of liquid dish soap and warm water.  Wipe with a damp microfiber cloth.  For wood and stainless steel kitchen countertops, mix ½ cup baking soda in 1 quart warm water. Rub the paste into the wood using a microfiber cloth.  Rinse and wipe clean.  Clean concrete surfaces with a damp microfiber cloth and a mixture of vinegar and warm water.

When cleaning wood furniture, combine mayonnaise, olive oil and lemon juice in a bowl.  Mix ingredients together.  Dab some of the mixture onto a dry microfiber cloth and rub into furniture.  Polish with another dry microfiber cloth.

Next vacuum the floors.  To remove odors in carpets, sprinkle baking soda on carpet before vacuuming.  To remove tough carpet stains, blot the spot immediately and cover with baking soda, cornstarch, or borax.  When dry, blot the spot with club soda, then vacuum.

When mopping floors, save time and mop without a bucket by using your microfiber mop and a spray bottle filled with water.

And that's it! I bet you thought cleaning your surfaces would be harder than that 🙂 Depending on how big your house is, it may take a while, but it will go by more quickly if you follow a plan like this one, especially if you get the whole family involved!

That's it for Part 5 of Marie Stegner's Guide to Spring Cleaning! Send us pictures of your clean and organized closets, and check back tomorrow for Part 6: Bathrooms!

This month, we're going to be walking you through the best way to clean and organize each of those problem areas in your home. The 7-part series will include:

1. Closets,
2. Garage,
3. Kitchen,
4. Windows,
5. Surfaces,
6. Bathrooms, and
7. Appliances.

Click here to read Part 1 on closets, here for Part 2 about the garage, or here for Part 3 on the kitchen. Or, keep reading to learn how to make those windows shine!

Part 4: Windows!

It’s been a long winter, and, unfortunately, it shows on the exterior windows of my home.  The snow, wind and rain have created a grimy film on my beautiful windows, making it hard for the natural light to shine through.  And what about those window screens?  Those lovely spring breezes are blowing through my dusty screens, polluting the air in my home and covering my windows in dirt. Chances are, the same is true for your home as well.

The good news is that winter is over and it is time to clean!  Spring cleaning would not be complete without sparkling windows!  To get your windows looking gorgeous and shiny on the outside, follow these quick and easy green tips:

• Pick a cloudy day to wash your windows.  Try not to clean your windows in direct sunlight, because the heat dries the glass too quickly, which can leave streaks, smears and water spots.
• Gather your supplies, which consist of a measuring cup, liquid dish detergent, distilled white vinegar, club soda, cornstarch, rubbing alcohol, a squeegee, an extension pole (if needed for squeegee), old towels, two microfiber cloths (No microfiber cloths?  Use coffee filters instead!), an empty spray bottle and bucket.
• Remove screens and place them on old towels.
• Wipe all reachable cobwebs off of windows.   If your windows are very dirty, you may want to pre-wash them first by adding two tablespoons liquid dish soap to a gallon of warm water.  Apply to windows and wipe clean.  The dish detergent is effective at cutting grease and residue.
• Prepare your window cleaner by combining ¼ cup white vinegar, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 2 cups club soda (or warm water or a mixture of both), and  ¼ cup rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle. Shake well to mix.  Vinegar removes films from glass surfaces and leaves the windows free of streaks and smudges. Cornstarch absorbs dirt and oils and lifts them away without leaving a trace.  Club soda is plain water into which carbon dioxide gas has been dissolved and is great for removing stains.   Rubbing alcohol makes a good glass cleaner because it evaporates quickly without streaking.
• Spray the solution on your window.  Be sure to get the corners where dirt and grime collect.  Wash windows in an alternating up and down, and right to left motion. Do not use a circular motion because it can cause streaks.   Wipe the surface clean with a microfiber cloth OR a squeegee, whichever you prefer.
• Use undiluted vinegar directly on hard-to-remove water spots.  Apply the vinegar to a microfiber cloth and rub the area clean. Polish with a dry microfiber cloth.
• If you are using a squeegee to wipe your windows, start at the top left of the window and move left to right, right to left, and back, wiping the blade often.  Keep your squeegee clean between strokes by wiping it off with a dry microfiber cloth.
• Next, wipe the window frame down with a spritz of cleaning solution and a damp microfiber cloth.
• Hose off your window screens on both sides and let them air-dry in the sun.  After they are dry, put the screens back on the windows.

Keep your windows clean between washes by spot cleaning and dusting them regularly.  Use microfiber cloths to polish windows and remove light dust by slightly dampening them and rubbing down the windows.

Tips for using a squeegee:

Do not squeegee a window in direct sunlight or it will leave streaks.

If there are little drops left around the edges after squeegeeing, dry them gently with a dry microfiber cloth.

Replace squeegee blade regularly.  Worn rubber tends to streak.

Remember that there is a wet and a dry side to a squeegee. Also, if water is streaking from the top of the squeegee, simply apply a little pressure to the side of the squeegee that is streaking. It helps to wipe the squeegee off from time to time.

Safety Tips:

Abrasive materials on some sponges may scratch windows.

Whenever possible, use an extension handle to reach high windows with your feet on the ground. Also, find out if the window panels lift out or fold in for cleaning. If you must use a ladder, use it safely and take care not to overreach.

That's it for Part 4 of Marie Stegner's Guide to Spring Cleaning! Send us pictures of your clean and organized closets, and check back tomorrow for Part 5: Surfaces!

This month, we're going to be walking you through the best way to clean and organize each of those problem areas in your home. The 7-part series will include:

1. Closets,
2. Garage,
3. Kitchen,
4. Windows,
5. Surfaces,
6. Bathrooms, and
7. Appliances.

Click here to read the post on closets, here to learn about cleaning out the garage, or keep reading to learn how to knock the kitchen off your spring cleaning list!

Part 3: Kitchen!

The kitchen is the busiest room in my home which is why keeping it clean is important.  Every spring, I gather up my homemade cleaning solutions, my microfiber cloths and mop and give my kitchen a good deep cleaning.  Here is my step by step guide to making my kitchen sparkle:

• Begin by de-cluttering.  Remove clutter off countertops.  Throw away all junk mail and recycle old newspapers.  Sort through the mail and file all bills and important school papers.
• Grab your microfiber mop and a spray bottle filled with a mixture of liquid dish soap and hot water.  Wipe down ceilings and then walls.  Wipe cobwebs out of corners.  Spritz old food spots on walls and wipe with a microfiber cloth.  Wipe down baseboards.
• Gently clean the light fixtures with liquid dish soap, warm water and a damp microfiber cloth.  Clean hard to reach corners with a dry paint brush.  Dust off light bulbs and replace old bulbs.
• Clean tops of cabinets.  To cut through tough grease and grime on tops of cabinets near the stove, make a paste of baking soda, white toothpaste and tea tree oil.  Rub onto tough stains.  Wipe off with a damp microfiber cloth.
• Wipe down wall décor with liquid soap and water.  To clean glass and mirrors, spray on a mixture of vinegar and water and wipe with a microfiber cloth.  Clean windows with vinegar and water solution.
• Clean inside of cabinets.  Take everything out of cabinet.  Wipe down shelves with liquid dish soap, warm water and a microfiber cloth.  Put items back in cabinet neatly.  Do the same for drawers and pantry.  Don’t forget to throw away all expired items.
• Wipe down counters and all appliances; we'll learn how to clean surfaces and appliances next week!
• Clean sink and drain with a mixture of baking soda and vinegar.  Scrub, rinse and wipe clean with a microfiber cloth.  Wipe down faucet and handles with a damp microfiber cloth.
• Clean garbage disposal by throwing vinegar cubes down the disposal and turning it on.  To remove odors, throw lemon or orange peels in disposal.  Clean trash cans with soap, water and vinegar.  To remove odors, sprinkle baking soda in bottom of trash bags or place lemon or orange peels in bottom of bag.
• Vacuum kitchen floor with a HEPA vacuum cleaner.  Nozzle vacuum all baseboards and corners.  Mop floor using a microfiber mop, soap and water. If possible, pull out refrigerator and freezer and vacuum behind it.

And that's it! That wasn't so hard, was it? Next week we'll tackle those appliances and surfaces, but you should notice a visible difference in your kitchen now.

Send us pictures of your sparkling clean kitchen, and check back Monday for Part 4: Windows!

This month, we're going to be walking you through the best way to clean and organize each of those problem areas in your home. The 7-part series will include:

1. Closets,
2. Garage,
3. Kitchen,
4. Windows,
5. Surfaces,
6. Bathrooms, and
7. Appliances.

Click here to read yesterday's post on closets, or keep reading to learn how to master the garage!

Part 2: The Garage!

The garage.  A place where stuff goes in but never seems to come out.  It’s a burial ground for mismatched dishes, empty fish tanks, beat up cardboard boxes, half used paint cans and expired motor oil.  For many people, the garage is no longer a place to keep your cars.  Instead, it has become a storage area, hosting a variety of items from fishing equipment, gardening tools, holiday decorations, old books and DVD’s.  It’s time to roll up your sleeves and regain control of your garage!

My garage is very organized.  It has to be because my husband and I keep our cars in there.  This way, when it snows, I never have to wipe the snow off my car!  The perk of keeping my car in the garage is worth the de-cluttering I do in there twice a year.  Man

Hi there, Maid Brigade readers! It's that time again; the time when flowers start blooming, the sun starts shining (in between those April showers), and pedicures start to become a MUST yet again. It's SPRINGTIME! And for us, that means one thing: spring cleaning. But don't let that scare you! Maid Brigade is here to help.

This month, we're going to be walking you through the best way to clean and organize each of those problem areas in your home. The 7-part series will include:

1. Closets,
2. Garage,
3. Kitchen,
4. Windows,
5. Surfaces,
6. Bathrooms, and
7. Appliances.

Part 1: Closets!

Cleaning your closets is a very important step in spring cleaning.  It is not one of my favorite things to do, but when all of my closets are de-cluttered and organized, it really makes a difference in how clean my home looks.

Begin by choosing a closet to clean.  I usually clean my bedroom closet first.  Take everything out of the closet and place it on the bed.  Group “like” items together so that you can find what you’re looking for more quickly. Focus on putting all the items in the proper categories on the bed.  Don’t worry about whether something is too small or outdated for now; we%

These days, life seems to be filled with never-ending to-do lists, especially when it comes to cleaning and keeping your home de-cluttered.  “If only I had more time,” seems to be the theme that plays over and over in my head.

Learning to clean as you go is a great time saver.  It helps free up some time by making things run a little more smoothly.  For instance, after taking a shower I always wipe the walls down with a microfiber cloth.  This way the shower looks clean, and I am preventing mold and mildew buildup.

In the evening hours before bedtime, since I am always the last one to brush my teeth, I wipe down the countertop and around the sink after brushing my teeth.  I make sure to keep a spray bottle of equal parts of vinegar and water and a microfiber cloth under the bathroom sink so it is easily accessible.

Another quick clean-as-you-go tip is to wash a load of laundry in the morning before breakfast.  I do this every day.  With five people in the house and three kids on a total of six sports teams, we have quite a bit of laundry to do.  Starting the laundry early in the morning helps me stay on top of it so the laundry never gets piled up.  Since the buzzer on my washer automatically goes off, I transfer the laundry right into the dryer.  Once the dryer time is completed, I hang the clothes right away to prevent wrinkling. It may seem like it's taking a lot of time, but it actually saves all the back-and-forth, and doing it each day makes the individual loads smaller and less laborious.

Emptying the dishwasher before you cook or eat is another great tip.  I actually run my dishwasher at night and empty it in the morning before work.  It doesn’t take long to empty it, and in the evening, while I am cooking, I rinse off the dishes and put them directly in the dishwasher instead of letting them pile up in the sink.  I also soak my pots immediately after cooking, so the food comes off more quickly and there is less scrubbing.

Quick tips like these can make your morning and evening routines run more smoothly.  They also free up some time and help keep your home a little cleaner.

Now that you have a few minutes here and there to devote to other tasks that need to get done around your home, here are a few things that you can do in five minutes or less each that will help keep your home clean and clutter-free:

• While watching your favorite TV show, take a few minutes and sort through that junk drawer that is starting to overflow.
• Stuck at one of the kid’s activities?  Catch up on your sewing.  Sew that button back on your shirt or fix the hem on your pants. Keep a small sewing kit in your console and a basket or bag of to-be-mended clothes in the trunk wherever you go.
• Relaxing on the couch?  Purge through those old magazines, newspapers and catalogs, and throw away the old ones.
• Clean out your medicine cabinet while you're brushing your teeth.  Throw away expired items.
• Vacuum one room, or sweep off the porch.  Either one you choose shouldn’t take that long.
• Sort through one of your kids' drawers. Pull out anything they have grown out of and either hand it down or donate it.
• Remove the clutter off the dining room table and wipe with a dry microfiber cloth.
• Take a moment for yourself and so some sit-ups or push-ups to keep you looking lean and mean!  Or how about some leg lifts instead?
• Clean the old frozen items out of the freezer and make room for new ones. (And take the trash out immediately — that stuff can smell pretty bad once thawed!)
• Finish one “thank you” note you have been meaning to write.
• Break out the checkbook and pay some bills so you can clear them off the counter.
• Give yourself a homemade facial with ingredients you have in your kitchen.
• Change the batteries in your smoke detectors, or change the A/C filter.
• Check the oil in your car, or check the air pressure in your tires.
• Water those beautiful plants you have around your home.
• Using a damp microfiber cloth, wipe fingerprints off doorknobs and light switches.
• Take your vitamins, or make yourself a protein shake!
• Practice deep breathing or meditating to decrease stress and increase energy.

Which ones did you choose to accomplish? Did it make a difference? Tell us in the comments below.

Did you ever schedule a day to clean your home and half way through you didn’t get as far as you wanted to?  This happens to me so much I don’t even plan cleaning days anymore.  I decided to change my strategy of cleaning and it has worked for me ever since.

One of my biggest mistakes that I do is to clean room by room.  This way of cleaning becomes too slow for me because I wind up spending more time in each room that I had planned to.  I begin to lose focus on time.  I don’t mind cleaning, but if I had the choice to clean just my kitchen in four hours or my entire home top to bottom in the same amount of time, I would choose the latter.  My new cleaning strategy consists of giving things a once-over quickly and efficiently and then moving on.

I was at my sister’s house one afternoon, and her cleaning crew was there working.  I watched how they clean.  They were efficient and quick.  They prefer task cleaning instead of cleaning room by room.  Task cleaning is completing one chore throughout the entire house before starting the next chore.  This way, they stay moving and focused on cleaning.  Their first task was to dust, and before you knew it, the entire house was dust-free in no time!

Watching the cleaning crew clean my sister’s entire house in a few hours motivated me enough to want to change my cleaning strategy to theirs.  What I learned was to clean task by task.  Begin at the highest point in the room and clean left to right across the room.  This keeps you from missing anything or spending time re-cleaning an area you already cleaned.

It may seem like it's wasting time, but making a strategy and writing it down beforehand will keep you focused and motivated and will result in a quicker clean overall. Here is my strategy for quicker cleaning:

• Begin by dusting.  Dust each room.  Make sure you dust shelves, picture frames, TV screens, furniture and décor.  Dry dust using a microfiber cloth.  No cleaning solution is needed.  This is the easiest and most efficient way to dust.  However, most of our homes contain little smudges or fingerprints here and there so keep an extra microfiber cloth on hand and dampen that one with warm water to remove them.
• Go back through the house and either make the beds or strip them if you plan on cleaning the bed linens.  If needed, grab your vacuum brush extension and brush the surfaces of the furniture.  Fold extra blankets and fluff up pillows on each bed.
• Next, tackle the mirrors and windows.  Take one wet microfiber cloth and one dry one and wipe down all the windows and mirrors throughout your home.  Microfiber cloths don’t streak so they are great to use.
• Next, surface clean!  Grab a new microfiber cloth and a spray bottle of equal parts of warm water and liquid castile soap and wipe all counter tops and surfaces in your home.  Next wipe down phones, tv remotes, computer keyboards, light switches and door handles.
• In the bathroom, spray your favorite non-toxic homemade cleaner on the sink, in the tub and in the toilet.  Scrub and wipe.
• Back to the kitchen to wipe down cabinets, inside and outside of microwave, and appliances.  Using a nylon bristle broom, sweep kitchen floor and bathroom floor.  Then grab your microfiber mop and mop the kitchen and bathroom floors.
• Bathroom floors are next. I am old school when it comes to cleaning the bathroom floors in my home.  I have three bathrooms and I like to clean each bathroom floor on my hands and knees with warm water, liquid castile soap, a few squirts of white vinegar and a damp microfiber cloth.  This way I know that every corner of the bathroom floors are cleaned.
• Vacuum everywhere.  Start upstairs and work your way downstairs.  The flow of vacuuming room by room becomes so easy since you don’t have to stop and clean everything along the way.
• For an extra touch, grab your favorite smelling essential oils and dab a few drops on some cotton balls and leave them around your home to freshen up the air.

And there you have it!  An entire clean home in less time overall.

Did you try it? How did it go? Let us know in the comments section!

Cleaning. As much as we hate it, we hate even more when it doesn't get done. For me, there is nothing better than coming home to a clean house. But with such a hectic schedule these days, it’s hard to set aside a large block of time to clean.  Devoting half my day to cleaning always feels like a monumental task too, but I know that stress and scattered thoughts always come with a messy house.

Just last month my goal was to thoroughly clean the main floor bathroom, living room and kitchen.  I set up my cleaning supplies and started cleaning the living room.  After my third interruption and my third attempt at trying to get back into my cleaning routine, I ran out of time.  I had no choice but to move the cleaning task on to the following week’s list instead — no big deal. What a surprise I had when my oldest son walked through the front door after swimming practice with six of his friends, each one of them needing to use my messy bathroom!  I was mortified!

From that point on I told myself that I have to find time to clean, even if it is only a few minutes a day.  My goal was to keep my home looking tidy so that, when unexpected guests arrived, I wouldn’t be embarrassed.

I accomplished this goal by creating my Five Task Tidy-Up plan.  I realized that if I can keep up with a basic routine of five tasks, five minutes each a day, things won’t get so out of control and my home will look good all of the time.  Plus, I don’t have to worry about devoting half my day towards cleaning.  This basic routine has changed my life!

The most important thing was to get myself in a simple rhythm of daily upkeep in my home.  Once this was accomplished, the other tasks didn’t seem so overwhelming.  Setting a shorter time for the job at hand also kept me focused on moving quickly through the process and completing the task rather than getting lost by distraction.

Of course, keeping my supplies stocked up and easily accessible always helps.  I keep my all-purpose cleaner, my glass cleaner, and a few microfiber cloths under my kitchen sink cabinet, and my microfiber mop and HEPA vacuum in the kitchen closet.

The basics of of my Five Task Tidy-Up are as follows:

1. Clear the clutter on countertops and off the floor.

   Make a home for bills, paperwork and mail on a desk or countertop so it is not spread all over the counter or table.  Clear the sink of breakfast dishes. (This won't take long if you load the dirty dishes from each meal shortly after). Have a box in the dining room for donations, a basket in the hall or kids' rooms for toys and belongings, a laundry basket in the laundry room for dirty clothes, and a box in the garage for sports equipment and outdoor toys. It shouldn't take longer than a couple of minutes to walk around and put clutter into these designated baskets. Then, throughout the day, as you enter one of these rooms, you'll have everything that needs to be put away in one convenient place.

2. Dust off tops of wood furniture with a microfiber cloth.

   Dust off hanging lights and knick knacks.  Use a dry paintbrush to help dust off hard to reach areas.  Clean pet hair off upholstered furniture by placing a rubber glove on your hand and wiping up the hair. This sounds like it would take a while, and your first go might. But if you do it regularly, it won't take nearly as long.

3. Wipe all noticeable fingerprints off doors, walls, glass tables and mirrors.

   Use a pre-prepared mix of vinegar and water to clean areas with a microfiber cloth, and then wipe dry with a separate cloth. Again, I know that's a lot of surfaces, but just walk around and wipe where you see something.

4. Sanitize your surfaces.

   Throw some vinegar in the toilet bowl for a quick sanitizing clean of all your kitchen and bathroom countertops.

5. Vacuum floors and area rugs with a HEPA vacuum cleaner.

   This one will come the closest to busting your five-minute-per-task limit, but if you keep it up, it will get easier and easier. No time to vacuum your hard floors?  Grab your dry microfiber mop and quickly brush over your floor, making sure you pick up all noticeable crumbs and dust.

The best part about my Five Task Tidy-Up is that, once you make it a habit, it will feel like you hardly ever clean, but your house always looks great. Share your experiences with the Five Task Tidy-Up in the comments below, or tell us how you keep your home neat and tidy!