msliz
Drama Llama
The Procrastinator
Posts: 6,419
Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
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Post by msliz on Nov 16, 2016 3:25:20 GMT
So, I started a thread about housekeeping, and some of us thought it might be nice to keep a weekly or monthly thread open where we could post our challenges and successes (and high 5 our fellow Peas as we tackle the mess!) If you're having a marathon cleaning day, post your progress. If you're stuck and need advice, ask your question. If you're purging your clutter, brag about how many bags you donated. And if the people you live with are slobs, or if your cat is an a-hole, and you need to vent, you can do that too. We still have half a month of November left, so have at it!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 2, 2024 11:11:27 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2016 3:37:30 GMT
I would like to know what the fellow peas use to clean the tile counter tops! The grout, in some areas, is gross.
I tries the toilet bowl cleaner method, the Tide/Chlorox Gel Pen cleaning method, 409, etc.
I am afraid to use a pumice stone but that may be the only option.
The grout may need to be resealed...I have no idea.
But in a few spots the grime wont clean off!
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msliz
Drama Llama
The Procrastinator
Posts: 6,419
Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
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Post by msliz on Nov 16, 2016 14:08:59 GMT
I have no idea about grout, but hopefully someone else will.
I'm working on a project in my finished attic today. There are no closets up there, so I've been struggling to figure out how to store my belongings that I don't want to risk in the basement. I finally decided to keep a wall of boxes behind my desk, under a sheet. I have 20 copier paper boxes ready to go now, half of them baby things and half of them fabric from when I was interested in quilting. They'll all be donated eventually, but I'm not there yet.
What is everyone else working on today?
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Post by bbkeef on Nov 16, 2016 14:35:08 GMT
The last two nights I worked on taming the paper tiger. I think I recycled over a 5" tall stack of mail and papers. I do still have a stack to shred.
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~Susan~
Pearl Clutcher
You need to check your boobs, mine tried to kill me!!!
Posts: 3,258
Jul 6, 2014 17:25:32 GMT
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Post by ~Susan~ on Nov 16, 2016 14:56:22 GMT
I would like to know what the fellow peas use to clean the tile counter tops! The grout, in some areas, is gross. I tries the toilet bowl cleaner method, the Tide/Chlorox Gel Pen cleaning method, 409, etc. I am afraid to use a pumice stone but that may be the only option. The grout may need to be resealed...I have no idea. But in a few spots the grime wont clean off! I read some where that peroxide and a good stiff brush cleans grout. I haven't tried it myself...yet, but it might be worth a shot?
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Gravity
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,229
Jun 27, 2014 0:29:55 GMT
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Post by Gravity on Nov 16, 2016 15:01:28 GMT
Yesterday I organized and purged my painting and home repair supplies in the garage. I also organized and purged my pantry. Today I plan to tackle the kitchen cabinets. @calimom2 something like this might work for your grout. Grout Renew
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Post by jennrs on Nov 16, 2016 15:03:01 GMT
I started the year purging and organizing our attic. I wish it were a finished attic, but it's not and climbing the ladder sitting up there for hours was no fun.
I got rid of so much stuff though! Bank boxes stuffed full of my kids' school papers. They are 29 and 21 now! I asked them if they wanted any of it and they both did not, of course. I did take pictures of some of their drawings before I pitched them. They were so heavy, I can't believe I kept them for so many years.
I also recycled all of the old greeting cards I had saved for years. Well, not all, I did save about 3-5 from the husband and kids. We had so many of those too, and I hate to think of all the wasted money. Now I rarely buy them.
I got rid of about 5 trash bags of my daughters stuffed animals she insisted on keeping over the years. She moved into her own place the end of last year so I gave her the option of taking them first. Of course, she didn't want them anymore.
It was so freeing to get rid of so much. Now our problem is the garage. My DH has so many tools and odds and ends that he just won't part with because "he might need it some day."
That's what I am working on this week is the garage. We got the outdoor Christmas decorations out of the attic and I need to organize it so the empty boxes have a place for the next month or two.
I am very good about getting rid of things we no longer need but it just never seems like it's enough. I still feel like we have too much.
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oh yvonne
Prolific Pea
Posts: 7,996
Jun 26, 2014 0:45:23 GMT
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Post by oh yvonne on Nov 16, 2016 15:15:00 GMT
Great thread! I love the idea of an ongoing monthly thread, I can't keep up with the other year-long de clutter thread at all. For the grout, what I've always done is use Clorox Cleaner Plus Bleach, I love that stuff and buy the large size at CostCo. I just spray down the counter, and let it set and every stain comes right out. If I had a really bad stain, I just use straight bleach, I lay down a paper towel and then soak it with bleach. Make sure you open a window though, the fumes are strong! I'd already posted that this past weekend I finally got in my scraproom/craft office and did a complete clean through. I put on Youtubes and moved furniture, cleaned, cleaned, cleaned. Now, even though it got deep cleaned, and lots of stuff moved out of there that didn't belong (the room becomes a dumping ground for bits and pieces of stuff no one else knows what to do with). I still need to get in there and start purging supplies, but at least everything is in its place and organized. Luckily, I was never one to hoard and over buy craft supplies, but I still have more than I'd like to store. However, I think I have other 'hot' zones in my house that I'd like to get a jump on cleaning through and re-organizing. Like my hallway linen cupboards. I've got sheet sets and old table settings I just need to get rid of. I think this will be my next project. So, I'm committing here. Linen closets by the end of this week will be done. And a Goodwill run. And, I need to call Waste Management to come do a oversize pick up. I haven't done my two free pick ups this year and the garage has a few things we can have them haul off. I'll go home tonight and decide what needs getting rid of, and then will schedule it tomorrow.
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Post by maryland on Nov 16, 2016 15:15:26 GMT
Thanks for starting this thread! My husband has been in New Zealand for 2 weeks and comes home in a couple days. I have gotten so much done! Every room (except 17 yr. olds, I decided to give up on her) is deep cleaned! Of course there is always more I could do. But the house is pretty clean. I get so frustrated with the kitchen, because it's impossible to keep it clean without a lot of work. If we were rich, I would eat out ever meal just to keep the kitchen clean. I am going to start making the kids come in through the garage so they will dump their shoes there instead of in the foyer. Because the house is now pretty clean, I am going to try to follow the morning and weekly cleaning routines from How Jen Does It. I have been following her videos since Feb., but it has taken until now to get the house ready to be able to follow her routines. Of course once my husband gets home and with all the traveling we have to do for Thanksgiving (three 10 hr. roundtrips), I bet all the work I have done for 2 weeks will be gone and I will have to start over! I love to get cleaning tips from the peas!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 2, 2024 11:11:27 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2016 15:21:07 GMT
The living room paper stacks are gone It was hard for the husband to sort them and shred the stuff that was really pointless but bless his little cotton socks he got it all done. I went through all my clothes and finally decided I'm never going to be a size 6 (UK) again so all that could go, I have four bags for charity. I'm really loving not feeling weighed down by so much stuff.
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Post by mommaho on Nov 16, 2016 15:38:35 GMT
Company coming next week is my big motivation but I just don't have the umphf to do much in the evenings after work. This Saturday is my getting ready for Thanksgiving cleaning day - DH has been warned - lol!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 2, 2024 11:11:27 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2016 15:44:31 GMT
Thanks for all the suggestions for the grout!
Yesterday I put away all of Toby's adoption, vet, shot, and microchip records in the 3 ring folder I have for the dogs. Oh and put his license paper in the front pocket with Sadies. Animal control goes out every so often to neighborhoods to verify licenses.
I also did a ton of laundry and made a list for Thanksgiving. I have bought the non perishable items and marked those off.
Today will be a deep clean of the kitchen and entry way.
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Post by scrappyoutlaw on Nov 16, 2016 15:50:32 GMT
I managed to clean out two closets last weekend! I am feeling a bit frustrated though because DH and I decided to just put two cheap bookshelves in the nursery room closet instead of buying an expensive closet system. I opened the box and tried to start building the shelves but I just couldn't manage. Now I have to wait for DH and that could be weeks...
I would like to make progress on our basement over the next few months, it's a dumping ground for anything and everything. Here's to hoping I can find the gusto to make that happen.
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msliz
Drama Llama
The Procrastinator
Posts: 6,419
Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
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Post by msliz on Nov 16, 2016 15:52:04 GMT
I didn't get too far, but the desk top is cleaned off. Now I have to take it apart (it's just a door in filing cabinets) and then I can start stacking boxes.
I'm really excited about all the traffic on this thread already! I may have to change it to a weekly! You guys rock. So inspiring!
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Post by mikklynn on Nov 16, 2016 16:06:19 GMT
I hate paper...no matter how I try to control, I still have it everywhere.
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Post by Linda on Nov 16, 2016 16:12:01 GMT
yesterday I went through my cookbook shelves and donated a big stack of cooking magazines and a dozen or more cookbooks. There are more that COULD go but that I'm not ready to let go of yet.
Brought two BIG bags of clothes with me last night to the church we have the GS meetings at - they collect kids clothes all year for a back-to-school event
Today? all I've accomplished so far is laundry and sweeping the bathrooms. Not feeling very motivated at all
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Post by anxiousmom on Nov 16, 2016 16:28:49 GMT
I would like to know what the fellow peas use to clean the tile counter tops! The grout, in some areas, is gross. I tries the toilet bowl cleaner method, the Tide/Chlorox Gel Pen cleaning method, 409, etc. I am afraid to use a pumice stone but that may be the only option. The grout may need to be resealed...I have no idea. But in a few spots the grime wont clean off! I am a complete loser who missed tile cleaning day in housekeeping school. I would clean the. Athroom floor and the grout would look worse afterwards than before I started. In my attempt to have a sparkling clean house to show, I bought foam tilex and sprayed it directly onto the grout and on my hands and knees with a very stiff brush, scrubbed every single grout line. That has been the only thing that has worked. I told my mom, she rolled her eyes and said something to the effect of too many new fangled gizmos and that the only way to really clean any floor was good old fashioned elbow grease while down on your hands and knees. I guess she might be right. lol
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msliz
Drama Llama
The Procrastinator
Posts: 6,419
Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
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Post by msliz on Nov 16, 2016 16:32:05 GMT
yesterday I went through my cookbook shelves and donated a big stack of cooking magazines and a dozen or more cookbooks. There are more that COULD go but that I'm not ready to let go of yet. Brought two BIG bags of clothes with me last night to the church we have the GS meetings at - they collect kids clothes all year for a back-to-school event Today? all I've accomplished so far is laundry and sweeping the bathrooms. Not feeling very motivated at all You did enough yesterday. Take some time off
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Post by Linda on Nov 16, 2016 16:45:37 GMT
You did enough yesterday. Take some time off You're my new best friend - I think I love you!
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Post by jennrs on Nov 16, 2016 18:29:54 GMT
Speaking of husbands and paper clutter...my DH is usually the one that brings in the mail. He will go through and take his important stuff and leave his junk mail sitting on counter. Then when I go through it I can pretty much tell it's mail he doesn't want but I always ask him before I throw it away. Why he won't take one step to trash and throw it out himself, I. DON'T KNOW. The trash is right there! It annoys me though!
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Post by scrapmaven on Nov 16, 2016 18:41:35 GMT
My big project is in my bedroom. It's time to clean out 2 closets and a built in cabinet. Dh installed a wire rack system a few years ago and I need to make better use of it. My only regret about this house is lack of storage. 2 closets seems like a lot, but they're smaller closets. 4 people in a house w/o a lot of storage makes it difficult to clear the clutter. Wish me luck. I'm going in. Dive. Dive. Dive.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
May 2, 2024 11:11:27 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Nov 16, 2016 20:25:12 GMT
Motivation! DH is going to visit the monster-in-law next Friday with DD. I will not have a vehicle and after my Gilmore Girls binge recovery (Coffee coffee coffee!) I will attack DD's old closet. She switched rooms and left the clothes that don't fit behind.
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Sarah*H
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,973
Jun 25, 2014 20:07:06 GMT
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Post by Sarah*H on Nov 16, 2016 20:45:53 GMT
This is timely as I'm deep cleaning the house to celebrate Thanksgiving on Sunday. DD walked in after school and said "what happened in here?" because it's still in the bomb went off stage from moving all of the furniture and kitchen items around.
Today I washed all the windows, vacuumed behind furniture, cleaned off and scrubbed down all the kitchen counters, cleaned out the oven and toaster over, dusted and wiped down all of the dining room furniture, demucked DD's room (seriously OMG), scrubbed out the master bath and did about 14 million loads of laundry. Still have a few things on today's list but the mom taxi part of the day is about to start so that will probably be it for today.
I would use a magic eraser on the grout.
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oh yvonne
Prolific Pea
Posts: 7,996
Jun 26, 2014 0:45:23 GMT
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Post by oh yvonne on Nov 17, 2016 0:10:44 GMT
This is timely as I'm deep cleaning the house to celebrate Thanksgiving on Sunday. DD walked in after school and said "what happened in here?" because it's still in the bomb went off stage from moving all of the furniture and kitchen items around. Today I washed all the windows, vacuumed behind furniture, cleaned off and scrubbed down all the kitchen counters, cleaned out the oven and toaster over, dusted and wiped down all of the dining room furniture, demucked DD's room (seriously OMG), scrubbed out the master bath and did about 14 million loads of laundry. Still have a few things on today's list but the mom taxi part of the day is about to start so that will probably be it for today. I would use a magic eraser on the grout. I love it! Did you go back and make a list just so you can cross everything off as "done!"? 😁 I live for that!
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msliz
Drama Llama
The Procrastinator
Posts: 6,419
Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
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Post by msliz on Nov 17, 2016 2:50:24 GMT
I finished my desk project. I want to keep working in my attic but tomorrow is supposed to have fairly decent weather so I'll be out doing yard work.
I'm going to start out the day by chopping up veggies for chicken and rice soup. I'll check in with y'all around noon. Keep at it! Lots to do!
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msliz
Drama Llama
The Procrastinator
Posts: 6,419
Jun 26, 2014 21:32:34 GMT
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Post by msliz on Nov 17, 2016 2:51:06 GMT
I finished my desk project. I want to keep working in my attic but tomorrow is supposed to have fairly decent weather so I'll be out doing yard work.
I'm going to start out the day by chopping up veggies for chicken and rice soup. I'll check in with y'all around noon. Keep at it! Lots to do!
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Post by Scrappyhappy on Nov 17, 2016 3:12:45 GMT
I cleaned the ceiling fans and vacuumed along the baseboards and ceilings. We also put the leaves in the dining room table. We are hosting Thanksgiving so I have my lists ready. Tomorrow I'm going to straighten the pantry and go grocery shopping. I need to hem a pair of drapes too. Hopefully I'll be done by noon then I'll have the rest of the day to goof off.
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Nanner
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,962
Jun 25, 2014 23:13:23 GMT
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Post by Nanner on Nov 17, 2016 3:37:11 GMT
Is there any way possible to get cooked on crud off the glass cooktop? It got cooked on over and over and over again. I've started to use a glass scraper, but it scrapes the rings right off, so one won't know where to put the pot anymore.
I've tried the commercial glass cooktop cleaners. I've tried the baking soda and hot wet towels for 30 minutes method, but nothing gets it all off?
Am I out of luck? Or does anybody have the secret?
Thanks!!!
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Post by 950nancy on Nov 17, 2016 3:43:52 GMT
Speaking of husbands and paper clutter...my DH is usually the one that brings in the mail. He will go through and take his important stuff and leave his junk mail sitting on counter. Then when I go through it I can pretty much tell it's mail he doesn't want but I always ask him before I throw it away. Why he won't take one step to trash and throw it out himself, I. DON'T KNOW. The trash is right there! It annoys me though! We have a small recycle can in the garage right by the door. If it isn't a bill, it (generally) doesn't make it into the house. I always put anything I think my husband should have thrown away on his desk. I don't ask. He'll ask why I do that and I always say sweetly that it wasn't mine to throw away.
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Post by Linda on Nov 17, 2016 12:42:54 GMT
UGH - there were bugs on the counter under the microwave this morning - they appear to have come out of the outlet. Deep cleaning the microwave and that counter is FIRST on my agenda now DH has kindly gotten rid of the bugs- UGH
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