Stuck indoors because of bad weather? Take advantage of that time to tackle the clutter in your kitchen cabinets and pantry! With these helpful tips, we’ll help you not only tame the clutter now, but also make it easier to keep everything clean in the future.

Behind every cabinet is a sure way to organize that room in a meaningful way. Typically when we move into our homes we make quick decisions where everything should go just to get things unpacked. As we begin to live in our home we see that some things don’t work but we don’t take the time to make any changes. My top question when I speak about organizing is always about the kitchen and the pantry. Where do you start? I suggest taking on one area at a time over a few weeks and work from there.

First, open all your cabinets at once and look at them. Are the glasses by the refrigerator where you get drinks? Are the plates and silverware by the dishwasher or kitchen table? Move the items that no longer work for your family first. Then start putting the items you rarely use in the cabinets that are difficult to reach. You know the ones I’m talking about.

Then you can organize the rest of your kitchen into “centers.” I’m a strong believer in “centers” to keep things organized and to make the flow easier to follow. By “centers” I mean putting like items together. For instance these are the “centers” in my kitchen:

Baking Center: All the baking items; flour, sugar, powdered sugar, spices etc. Above that shelf are baking dishes, items I only use while baking. Below the cabinet in the drawer are the baking tools; measuring cups, measuring spoons, cake slicer, beaters, etc.

Breakfast Center: Bowls, cereal, oatmeal, pop tarts, coffee, creamer etc. (When my kids were little it was located in the bottom cabinets for easy access.)

The Infamous Plastic Center: Try putting your lids in a basket. I sold Tupperware years ago so you can imagine how much we have.   I have mine divided by microwave, storage and everything else. This has helped my kids to store leftovers in the proper containers.

Snack Center: All the snacks located in one place. It sure makes grocery shopping easier when you can see what you need at a glance.

Pantry: Every pantry is different so you have to organize to the space and shelving provided. I love to add storage to the door or even add a pull out plastic drawer to a shelf. I have a small pantry so we keep most of our food items in there and leave the kitchen cabinets for working items. One shelf has box items, one has cans and bottles, one has the snacks, one has the pasta and a drawer that contains the on-the-go stuff; paper bags, snack bags, sandwich bags, spoons, etc. for making school lunches. The door has paper plates, foil, gallon bags, etc.

When your family knows where things go they are more apt to put them back there as well as find them! When you make these little changes it makes a huge impact to your home and family. As your family grows and changes, so do the centers. I am always available to answer any questions and offer help when it come to organization or keeping your home clean. We would love for you to post your “center” ideas or questions and even comments on our Facebook page.

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Let’s talk about a task no one truly likes, but the results of which can be great: Cleaning the Closets.

My rule of thumb is Trash, Donate, or Keep: T.D.K..  Trash the items that are filled with holes, stained, or just plain old.  Donate items you haven’t worn in the last year, that you no longer like, which do not make you feel good while wearing or no longer fit.  By the time you lose those unwanted pounds, you will not like the outfit anyway. Then you get to Keep what’s left. Easy!

If you are unsure about an item, hang it in your closet by turning your hangar around so that the hook is facing “out” instead of in. As you wear the items in your closet, hang them back up the correct way. At some designated point you’ve decided on, maybe six months, the end of the season, or even one year, you’ll easily see which items you still wear. Then you can gather up all the items on hangers facing the wrong way and donate them to your favorite charity.

Don’t forget your shoes! If you’re not sure if you still use a pair, you can try the same trick. Place them facing the opposite direction as your other shoes. When you wear them, put them back facing the correct way.

Follow those three easy initials and you’ll see how amazing your closet will look. And not only will you have a clean, organized closet, you might find a little extra room in there. If you find yourself in that situation, then let’s go shopping!

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Here at Rag Mops, Spring is one of our favorite times of the year. We finally leave the snow and cold temperatures behind and say “hello” to sprouting plants, blooming flowers and wonderful weekends to enjoy outside. It’s a short time before the blistering heat of the Summer arrives, so we like to make the most of it. Over the years, we’ve developed a list of things we do to get our homes ready for all the promise of the season ahead.

Rag Mops 10 Ways to Get Ready for Spring

1. Wash the front door. It may sound a little strange, but it’ll make a huge difference.
2. Replace your front door mat with a new one. Recycle the old one to the back door or the garage.
3. Pump up the tires on your bikes and outdoor balls. Throw away any broken items and see what needs to be replaced for outside play.
4. Get your lawn mower serviced. Check lawn supplies; weed eater cord, gas, oil, etc. Or set up a lawn service. Book now for summer vacations.
5. Turn or flip mattresses on all beds.
6. Wash all bed linens like dust ruffles, mattress pads, and comforters. Let them dry outside for an even fresher smell.
7. Pull out refrigerator and clean behind and underneath it. Wipe off coils for more efficient cooling and replace your water filter. Clean the inside by disposing of old food items or make new menus for the items leftover in your freezer. Wipe off all shelves and drawers or have Rag Mops do it on your next cleaning. Finally, replace the baking soda box with a fresh one.
8. Look at the décor around your house. Do you still love it? If not, take it down. Surrounding yourself with items you enjoy will make your home relaxing. I recently took everything down and had a friend come help me rearrange. Makes for a fresh start and a new love of your home.
9. Clear out your medicine cabinet. Throw away any old or expired items. Remember to not put old medicine down the toilet. Pack it up in a Ziploc bag for later disposal. The area high schools have a medicine drop twice a year. Replace basic items like Band-Aids, antibiotic ointment, pain reliever, and basic meds for allergies, congestion and cough symptoms.
10. Clean out your old toiletries and make up. Keep only the items you actually use! Throw away old toiletries and replace items needed. Make-up only lasts a short time. Remember:
    • Foundation-1 year
    • Eye Shadow and blush – 2 to 3 years
    • Eye and Lip Pencils – 3 years
    • Mascara-3-6 months
    • Lip Stick-2-3 years
    • Nail Polish-2 years

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Many people woke Christmas morning to find a new e-reader under the tree. Although I think these are pretty cool gadgets, I prefer a good old-fashioned book. The crack of the spine. The smell of the pages. That’s the way I like to experience the written word. If you, like me, have books around the house, here are a few tips on taking care of your treasured tomes.

While there’s no doubt that e-readers are gaining in popularity, traditional books are still an important part of many households. Some are one-time reads; some are treasured resources. Some are merely decorative, while others are there for the enjoyment of turning the physical page.

During routine cleaning, bookshelves are usually subject to a cursory dusting – a pass with a dust rag, a flick of a duster and you’re done. But if there are books you want to hold onto for a long time, proper cleaning will extend their life. Dust and dirt can abrade pages and bindings and attract insects. In addition, a dusty, dirty environment supports mold growth, which isn’t good for the books or healthy for the humans around them, particularly if those humans suffer from asthma or allergies.

January is National Book Month – the perfect time to sort, donate, properly clean and store your books suggests Nancy Bock, Vice President of Consumer Education at the American Cleaning Institute®.

Have any additional tips? Please leave them in the comments.

The tips above come from the American Cleaning Institute and are used with permission.

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Whew, December 1!   Someone posted on their Facebook today “Where did 2010 go?”  I agree.  It seems like yesterday we were dealing with snow here in North Texas!  As you prepare for the upcoming holidays here are some simple tips to help you get through the next 30 days.

1. Calendar – Take a few minutes and update your family calendar.  Don’t forget to include travel plans, school events, projects due, parties, baking times, holiday shows, end of the year doctor appointments, and your house cleaning days!  Personally, we have multiple sporting events; cross country, basketball and wrestling tournaments on top of an orchestra concert and a trip before Christmas to Houston!
2. Money – Ugh!  No one seems to have enough but we always find a way to make things work.  Start with a holiday budget.  Cash or credit?  How much are you going to spend on gifts?  Travel costs?  Food?  By planning ahead you’ll know what you can and can’t do.
3. Shopping – Make your list and check it twice.  Don’t forget family, kids, teachers, friends, neighbors, gift exchanges, and the special people that help you throughout the year like the newspaper carrier, hairdresser, nail gal, postal carrier, even your maid.  Utilize the internet whenever you can to make purchases; shopping from home is always less stressful. And have some generic gift cards on hand for the unexpected. 
4. Food – Do you bake?  Are you the one hosting the party?  The holiday meal?  Be prepared.  Start making your menu and your grocery list now.  It’s easier to start purchasing your non-perishable goods early then not finding what you need at the last minute.  When are you going to do your baking?  Mark it on the calendar. Are you ordering a ham?  Call now and mark the pickup time on your calendar.  Do you need cookie tins, party favors, school party items?  A little planning now will save a bunch of time later.
5. Mail – Do you send Christmas cards?  Photos?  Are you sending gifts to out of town relatives?  Do you use mail order?  The USPS now offers some great prices for shipping.  Buy your stamps at the grocery store or the kiosk to save time.
6. Decorations – When you get out your holiday decor put the items that you no longer like or use in a box and give it to charity.  Make a list of what you need or would like and add it to the calendar for a special shopping day.  This year we bought a new tree and some decorations for outside.

That’s it. Definitely not everything you need to know to enjoy the holidays to the fullest, but, hopefully, these tips will help you enjoy more and stress less this month. Have more tips? Add them to the comments below!

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With so many other good things to do during the holiday season, who wants to spend precious time being sick? Nancy Bock, Vice President of Consumer Education at the American Cleaning Institute®, shares some of her favorite tips for staying healthy during the holidays.

Get the clean hands habit. Frequent handwashing is the number-one way to prevent the spread of germs that cause colds and flu. In the latest observational study sponsored by the American Society for Microbiology and the American Cleaning Institute, 85% of adults washed their hands in public restrooms, compared with 77% in 2007. The 85% total was actually the highest observed since these studies began in 1996. It shows that we’re getting better, but there’s still a long way to go. To learn more, visit the cleaning institute website.

Be handshake savvy. The holiday meet-and-greets offer lots of opportunities for hugs and handshakes. The downside of all this seasonal camaraderie is the opportunity to transmit germs from one person to another. Be very aware of keeping your hands away from your eyes, nose or mouth.

Control your social calendar. Answering every invitation that comes your way may leave you overscheduled, overtired and vulnerable to the germs that cause colds and flu. Be judicious in your acceptances so that you have time to do the things you really enjoy.

Get plenty of rest. According to the National Sleep Foundation, adults need seven to nine hours of sleep per night to stay healthy. If you find yourself running around like one of Santa’s overworked elves, even 15-20 minutes of shut-eye will recharge your batteries. But don’t overdo it. Sleeping more than 30 minutes can lead to sleep inertia, which makes you feel sluggish and more tired than ever.

Reduce the possibility of food-borne illness. If you’re the host, keep hot foods hot and cold foods cold. If you’re the guest and you think that buffet food may have been sitting out too long, give the food a pass.

Join the weight control patrol. Here are a few helpful strategies:

• Eat a small, healthy meal before party time. It will be easier to resist the high calorie foods.
• At a party, don’t stand next to the buffet table. It leads to the temptation to overeat. Instead, mingle with the guests.
• Carry an apple or a bag of baby carrots with you, particularly when shopping, so you always have a healthy snack available. Tuck some hand wipes or a hand sanitizer in with your snack so it’s easy to have clean hands no matter where you eat.
• Drink plenty of water.

Don’t give exercise a holiday. If there’s no time to follow your usual routine, be creative. While watching sports on television, ride an exercise bike, treadmill or do some other type of exercise. If you don’t have any exercise equipment, you can do crunches, pushups or jog in place during the commercials. When shopping, park your car a little farther from the door than usual so you can add a bit of walking to your routine. Forego the elevator or the escalator for the stairs.

Clean Your Paws for Santa Claus! Keep Germs Away During the Holiday Season! Download and share our holiday coloring sheet with your children as you talk to them about good hand hygiene. Color, scan and send your finished coloring sheet to nbock@cleaninginstitute.org so that we can add your artwork to the gallery on the cleaning institute website!

Email Us Cleaning Matters® is compiled by the American Cleaning Institute and is not copyrighted. Such information is offered solely to aid the reader. The American Cleaning Institute and its member companies do not make any guarantees or warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to the information contained in Cleaning Matters® and assume no responsibility for the use of this information.

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As much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. So making smart decisions about your home’s heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a big effect on your utility bills — and your comfort. Take these steps to increase the efficiency of your heating and cooling system.

Change Your Air Filter Regularly

Check your filter every month, especially during heavy use months (winter and summer). If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it. At a minimum, change the filter every 3 months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool — wasting energy. A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system — leading to expensive maintenance and/or early system failure.

Tune Up Your HVAC Equipment Yearly

Just as a tune-up for your car can improve your gas mileage, a yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system can improve efficiency and comfort. You can find the Energy Star checklist here.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat is ideal for people who are away from home during set periods of time throughout the week. Through proper use of pre-programmed settings, a programmable thermostat can save you about $180 every year in energy costs.

Seal Your Heating and Cooling Ducts

Ducts that move air to-and-from a forced air furnace, central air conditioner, or heat pump are often big energy wasters. Sealing and insulating ducts can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20 percent — and sometimes much more.

Focus first on sealing ducts that run through the attic, crawlspace, unheated basement, or garage. Use duct sealant (mastic) or metal-backed (foil) tape to seal the seams and connections of ducts. After sealing the ducts in those spaces, wrap them in insulation to keep them from getting hot in the summer or cold in the winter. Next, look to seal any other ducts that you can access in the heated or cooled part of the house.

These four tips will go a long way to keeping your home comfortable while lowering your heating bills this winter. If you’d like to find out more, visit the Energy Star website.

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Developing a great defense against those germs

The great vacation migration is over … school is back in session … and summer is a fading memory. The fall schedule changes make it the perfect time to re-evaluate your health habits and explore measures that will help prepare your family for winter’s inevitable cold and flu season. But getting the family on board with germ-preventing practices can be challenging, says Nancy Bock, Vice President of Consumer Education at the American Cleaning Institute® (ACI SM). As in football, the best defense is a good offense!

First Line of Defense: Clean Hands

Frequent handwashing is the number-one way to prevent the spread of germs that cause colds and flu. Hands should be washed before:

• Eating or preparing food
• Treating wounds or giving medicine
• Touching a sick or injured person

Hands should be washed after:

• Preparing food, especially raw meat or poultry
• Using the bathroom
• Changing a diaper
• Touching an animal
• Blowing your nose
• Coughing or sneezing into your hands
• Treating wounds
• Touching a sick or injured person
• Handling garbage

The key to getting into good handwashing habits is to have the necessary supplies conveniently at hand. Whether you choose to use bar soap or liquid hand soap – just be sure there’s one or the other at every sink in the house. And don’t assume everyone knows how to do it properly. Posting instructions near every sink might just get their attention. Here’s the play-by-play:

• Wet hands with warm, running water.
• Apply soap, rub hands together vigorously to make a lather and scrub all surfaces.
• Continue scrubbing for 20 seconds or about as long as it takes to sing one verse of “Old MacDonald Had a Farm.”
• Rinse well under warm, running water.
• Dry hands thoroughly.

In strategic spots where there’s no running water, such as the playroom, the back deck, the garage and the car, stock up on hand sanitizer or hand wipes. Remember, too, that kids learn by example. So make sure all the grown-ups in the house follow the team rules.

Second Line of Defense: Good Cleaning Practices

Use a disinfectant cleaning product to keep germs under control on countertops, cutting boards, dishes and utensils. Don’t neglect the turf under your feet. Kitchen floors are a good breeding ground for germs.

Third Line of Defense: Pay Attention to the Sidelines

Light switches, doorknobs, faucet handles, drawer pulls, remote controls and other surfaces that everybody touches are great places for germs to linger and breed. For quick, frequent cleaning, keep pop-up disinfectant wipes within easy reach, particularly in the kitchen and bathroom. Be sure to choose a location that is accessible to adults but not children.

Fourth Line of Defense: Level the Playing Field with a Flu Vaccination

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend getting an annual flu shot to help protect yourself and others from the flu.

The above information comes from Cleaning Matters® and is compiled by the American Cleaning Institute and is not copyrighted. Such information is offered solely to aid the reader. The American Cleaning Institute and its member companies do not make any guarantees or warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to the information contained in Cleaning Matters® and assume no responsibility for the use of this information.

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• As we get ready to head back to school here are some tips we use at our house.  I hope they help you to stay organized and ahead of the game!

• Have a set place for school stuff:  Backpack, duffle bag, lunches.  If it stays in one place it will not be forgotten.  We have a place in the dining room.

• Establish where and when homework will be done.  Bedroom, kitchen table, TV on or off, music? I have kids who sit down immediately after school and ones that need to relax before tackling anything.  It’s okay to have different time for each child as long as you both know what is expected.  Stick to your plan and then it becomes routine.

• What time is bedtime?  It is hard to explain to a 13 year old why he has to go to bed at 9:30.  What he doesn’t understand is how soon 6:00 am will come.  A teenager needs as much sleep as a toddler.  When do cell phones turn off? Games? Computer? TV?  If you stimulate your kids before bed, do not be surprised that they cannot fall asleep.  Their brain needs time to wind down.  Once a time is established, start!  It takes an average of two weeks for your body to adjust to time changes.

• Establish how you are going to do lunches.  Buy? Make your own? Make the night before?  Whichever you choose be prepared.  I purchase prepackaged items for convenience; however, I might wash and cut up fruit and veggies on Sunday so they can be easily bagged during the week.  Make sure you know what your child likes and does not like.  One year I found out in April that my son did not like the peanut butter crackers I was packing all year.  Apparently if no one at the lunch table wanted them, they were thrown away.  Ugh!

• I love labels!
  You can get iron on cloth labels from several vendors including Current Catalog.  I have our last name put on them.  You simply cut a strip and iron it on.  We use it on workout gear, uniforms, etc.  This helps when the whole team is wearing the same shirt!  Also, you can use them for summer camp, mission trips, or anything that needs a name.

  I also like to get fun labels or even basic white folder labels and put their name on them.  Then they can peel and stick the labels on everything from binders and markers to large items.  Who doesn’t like to see their name and you can choose from hundreds of fonts.

• Purchase cheap towels (3 per child) from your favorite discount store or warehouse in a color that does not match your bathroom.  It helps kids to “see” that they are different.  Have your last name embroidered on each towel by a friend or local store, we use EmbroidMe.  Instruct your kids to only use these towels for school, camping, church activities etc.  If it gets lost, oh well, it was inexpensive.  My boys use these for athletics since they have to shower each day.

• Speaking of school showers, we purchase the all in one shampoo and body wash. I use the travel containers and refill each weekend.  When they take the large bottle it seems to become community soap and we go through it too fast.  Make sure to pack deodorant and a towel.

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How do you remove the stubborn hair spray residue on your bathroom counter tops and behind the door? I suggest a simple solution of borax and water. You can use the borax like comet but it is non abrasive and will not damage your counter tops. Plus with the natural bleaching agent it is wonderful for doors and all your woodwork. You can find borax in the laundry aisle of your favorite store.

Have you tried this tip or found anything else that works? Leave a comment below and let us know!

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