Happy Labor Day folks!

Due to rain on our last official weekend of summer, our Labor Day holiday consisted of just that. Labor!

We decided to do some fall cleaning to get a jump start on a new season. First and most important part of cleaning your home – a good soundtrack. Find a Pandora station that will pump you up and make cleaning “fun.”

We may have had to pause the vacuuming a few times when we really wanted to rock out, but we got the job done in the end.

Those who have a shedding dog will understand that trying to keep up with the fur balls on top of the normal dust bunnies is no easy task. We are constantly chasing mini versions of our dog around the house with our dust buster, but today we brought out the big guns. You can run and you can hide fur balls, but this Hepa beast will find you and suck you up.

Our dog Zoe can sleep soundly next to a running table saw or the blender, but she cowers when the dust buster comes out so you can imagine her reaction when this R2-D2 looking machine emerged. It was not pretty, but either is the floating mini Zoe’s on the floor so R2-D2 it is.

Cleaning Strategy:

I am not sure about you, but I have a cleaning routine. Luckily I have a husband who likes to pitch in and he does the stuff I really don’t like to do (like sweep or vacuum) so it is a perfect cleaning match. He moves everything around to get ready for the Hepa beast while I clear and clean off all surfaces. Best to do this first so anything that falls to the ground will get cleaned up with the vacuum or broom. I like to do the hard cleaning first (stovetop and bathrooms) so it is out of the way. I also take this opportunity to wash bath towels,  bedding, and floor mats so everything is sparkly fresh and clean.

Someone once told me that after a renovation it takes years for the dust to settle. I of course thought they were exaggerating. I am here to tell you they were not so we do a lot of dusting with this little guy.

Since we have bookshelves, built-ins, and lots of things I have collected along the way, this duster has come in quite handy. It is great for fan blades, light fixtures, picture frames, blinds and even plants!

If you have stainless appliances, I recommend this cleaner by Weiman. I use it on our stainless sink and the water beads up as if it were brand new. Ahhhh goodbye coffee stains. Hello sparkling beauty.

Look at that baby shine!

 Sign posted reads: “I am sorry, the sink is currently off limits.”

Trick of the Cleaning Trade:

We don’t use the microwave very often, but I do have a slight addiction to popcorn, so it can get a bit greasy (aka buttery) in there. I learned a quick and easy trick to clean your microwave with ease:

1. Fill a microwave safe bowl with water

2. Add a tablespoon or so of white vinegar and a couple of splashes of lemon juice (I throw a slice of lemon in too for a fresh smell)

3. Heat for about 4-5 minutes.

Carefully remove the bowl and start wiping down the inside of the microwave. The water has created a steamy solution that helps wipe away food stains with ease. You can dip a cloth in the vinegar water to tackle tougher splats.

Now your home is nice and clean. And like a good parking space (if you are a city dweller you will understand) you know, that spot right in front of your house that you keep your car parked in because it is a good space, but defeats the purpose of being a good space if you don’t use it? It is the same with a clean house. What is the point of having it clean if you can’t enjoy it or show it off? So have people over, dirty it up and take that front row parked car to the store. I promise you’ll get to do it allllll over again 😉

Hope you had a Labor-Free Day !