Tips for the House Slave

Sometimes I feel like the slave of our house.  When messes get made and everyone has to whirl off to their important business of the day I'm left here just staring at their messes.  After a few minutes of pouting I usually end up just picking it up myself.  Well, I don't want to be staring at it all day long.  Don't judge.

Here is a quick list of short cuts that I like to use around our house.

1.  I put a layers and layers of aluminum foil in the bottom of our oven.  When an explosion or bubble over occurs all I have to do is peel off the top layer and I am back to a nice fresh clean oven.

2.  Leave cleaners under every sink in the house.  I hate chasing around my cleaning supplies and toilet brushes.  Just leave the right supplies under every sink and when you need it, you've got it.  My personal favorite is Clorox wipes.  I've got a bottle under every sink for those little pee drops boys like to leave behind.

3.  My kids make a pond on the counter every time they wash their hands.  To stop this I've put a folded up wash cloth or paper towel under each soap dispenser to sop up the mess.  My countertops are now pond free.

4.  I have three methods to keeping my bathroom smelling freshly cleaned. 
     a.  I always leave the ceiling fan running during a shower and at least 10 minutes after.  That way your shower won't smell damp and moldy.

     b.  There is something to be said for the Febreeze plug-ins and air fresheners.  They work magic.

      c.  You cannot live without the scrubbing bubbles toilet gems.  Your toilet won't smell like pee anymore.

5.  Change your sheets once a week and wash them in HOT water.  This includes kids' blankies, stuffed animals and special pillows.  You can machine wash all of these and help prevent your child (and yourself) from so many potential germs like acne, bed bugs, lice, ring worms, and other nasty things.

6.  Change your hand towels every other day.  (It prevents so many germs and illnesses)  In fact yesterday when I was out shopping I discovered these disposable towels from Kleenex.  I'm already a huge fan.

7.  Toss some water and baking soda (or lemon juice) in a microwave safe bowl and microwave it for 3-5 minutes to steam off all the grime build up in your microwave.  (I know you have some.)  Wipe it clean and it smells so nice.

8.  Keep your sidewalks and garages swept clean.  Your inside floors are only as clean as their lead ins.  As much as you think everyone might wipe their feet or take of their shoes-- they don't always do it.

9.  If you don't want to clean because it's just too much of a hassle put a little money into short cuts.  It's better than living in filth.  My favorite short cuts are, paper towels, disposable toilet scrubbers, windex wipes, swiffer wet or dry, Clorox wipes, the Shark steam mop, the Swiffer vacuum, Purex laundry soap sheets and Electrasol dishwasher tabs.

10.  This is the best tip yet.  Have your kids and your husband help out.  Kids can pull their weight too.  My kids clean bathrooms, vacuum, mop, do laundry, dust, pick up toys, change sheets and other things.  They really can do it.  If Goob can do it, your kids can too.  If you think they are a little too young assign them something easy like giving them a Clorox wipe and having them wipe down the door knob and light switches.  It makes them feel important and it helps you get a clean house.


You don't have to be a domestic goddess to have a clean house.  Anyone can do it with the right motivation.  Happy cleaning!