I’m down with the flu again so I’m happy to introduce you to Anna from Ask Anna who has come to my rescue today. Thanks Anna!
Hi! I’m Anna from Ask Anna. I am super excited to be guest posting here today on Org Junkie! I love this blog and I love her title because I’m totally an organizational/cleaning junkie myself.
My blog is all about teaching readers simple solutions to tackling things around the house, whether it be cleaning, organizing, decorating, etc. I’d love for you to come check me out but for now here’s a little something I whipped up for all of you!
It’s so easy to remember to clean all of the large things around our house: the toilets, kitchen, vacuum, mop, windows, etc. Those are all of the obvious things, but what about the small things? What about the tracks in our windows, the spot behind the doors that get dusty and grimy? Well that’s what I’m going to talk to you about today. It’s easy to have a TO DO list of all of the big things that need to get done but how often, and how, do you clean the small things. Here are my thoughts on easy cleaning solutions for the small stuff:
1. Window tracks
This is something that may seem daunting but it’s actually really fast and simple to clean. All you need is a few Q-Tips and a cup of white vinegar. Dip the Q-Tips in the vinegar and use them to clean out the window tracks. Super easy! I recommend cleaning this every 6 month, spring and fall.
2. The floor around the toilet
Have you ever thought about what’s down there? Well let’s just say that there’s a lot of over spray that lands on the floor and it’s pretty gross. If you have dark floors, like I do, then it’s easy to see but if you have light floors you’ll never even notice it… but that doesn’t mean it’s not there. 🙂 This is also a super fast and easy thing to clean. I leave a package of disinfectant wipes in, or near, the bathroom and wipe around the toilet every few days. I usually only need to mop every other week so keeping the wipes handy helps to clean up, and disinfect, the floors more often! This should make you feel much better about walking near your toilet. 🙂
3. Your microwave
We use our microwaves because we always in a hurry but it’s important to stop every once in a while and clean it too. Cleaning your microwave doesn’t have to be a chore, in fact it’s really simple. Fill a bowl with water and then squeeze the juice of 1/2 a lemon into it. Microwave the lemon water on high for 10 minutes and then wipe it out. The steam from the water will loosen the grime in your microwave and the lemon juice will leave it smelling nice and fresh! I recommend doing this every other week, unless you tend to keep your microwave pretty clean, then I would recommend doing it once a month.
4. Your plants
It’s important to clean, not just your artificial, but your real plants too. For artificial plants I put them in the kitchen sink and give them a good spray down. Make sure you let them dry before putting them back, you don’t want any water drips on any wood furniture! For live plants simply take a damp cloth and wipe down each of the leaves removing the dust and making it easier fro the plant to breathe.
5. The grime and your doors
How often do you look behind your doors? I hardly ever do, the only time I even move the doors is usually when I’m vacuuming! Well I’m not sure if you’ve noticed but it’s a great place for dust and grime to collect. I recommend using a disinfectant wipe to really get in there and tackle the dust and grime. I don’t know why but the dust behind my doors is always black (so strange) which is why I use a disinfectant wipe. The wipes seem to cut through the dust easier than a normal cloth would. And while you’re there don’t forget your doors! Dust collects on doors too! I know it’s not part of your normal dusting routine but I recommend wiping your doors down at least every 6 months. You can use disinfectant wipes or Pledge and a cloth, your choice. This is a little more of a tedious task but it’s so worth it.
These are just a few of the little things that are so often forgotten about. It’s important to have a cleaning routine for all of the big things in your house but don’t forget to give some of the not-so-obvious things some cleaning love too. 🙂
Thank your for letting me stop by and visit you all today on Org Junkie! I look forward to seeing you over at Ask Anna!
Kristie says
Thanks I am working today on just those jobs!! You were a BIG help!!!
Linda says
Thank you. I especially love the one about the window tracks. I always thought they were so hard to clean, and I usually forget about them. I like the lemon water in the microwave too. I usually keep the microwave pretty clean by wiping up any spatters right away,and by trying to keep things covered when microwaving. I love the smell of lemons, so I am trying this for sure! I am a germ freak, so I always think about the area around the toilet. Yuck! When I clean the toilet, I always spray cleaner all around the sides and bottom area of the toilet too. Thanks for the tips.
Twisted Cinderella says
These are great tips!
Norell says
I always clean around my toilet when I do my bathroom cleaning. It is so easy to just get down on the floor with some disinfectant wipes and clean the floor, baseboards & behind the doors. Same thing with window tracks – I use wipes on these too. After I clean the window, so easy to open them up and clean out the window track.
I know my microwave could use a good cleaning – putting it on today list. Thanks for the reminder. My biggest chore (which I am putting off) is all the doors in my house. Where does all that dirt come from? I use Soft Scrub Total on everything now – squirt and wipe and I am always amazed to see the dirt flow away.
Jenna @ SpitzerStories says
I love these tips. So much of the time I clean the big stuff so the house looks nice and neat but in some places it isn’t really *clean*. I will totally use these suggestions next time I get up the energy to do more than just dust. I am sure our house needs it. Great post!
rachel says
I saw a cleaning programme on tv that recommended cleaning plant leaves with a banana peel, it gets the dust and grime off, adds shine and feeds the plant too.
Brooke F. says
Great tips! I have a newer house and was told the black dust behind the doors is from the graphite that keeps the hinges moving well. It’s so hard to clean!
Mimi Moseley says
This is great! I had been wondering how to do my window tracks.
Erink says
I have the white six panel doors so I use a magic eraser on them. I wipe around my toilets once a week at a minimum, but I also have 3 boys in the house and am a total freak about my bathrooms! Thanks for the tips.
Martha (MM) says
Great guest post Anna – and hope you are feeling better quickly Laura!
Autumn says
Thank you for these great tips!
I put my soaked sponge in the microwave for 3 minutes to disinfect my sponge while cleaning the microwave. For my plants, I put them in the shower for a good wash down. My favorite part is how my girls crack up every time about the plants taking a shower!
Chris Wooten says
I just built 2 white wall units for my craft room..so now it is finally organized. I am an organize junkie too….
Love this site…so glad I fell onto it.
Rojae Braga says
These are really great tips Anna! And very helpful also, to mention. Indeed, you were right in mentioning that many of us tend to prioritize cleaning over the obvious things while overlooking the simple details. I particularly liked Tip #2, as seeing the floor around my toilet filled with spray often grosses me out. I am looking forward for more of your tips, maybe on the “obvious ones” this time. What do you think?
Courtney says
Thanks, Anna!! Great tips!
Alison says
I love these ideas. I am starting a new re-vamped “Cleaning Box.” So easy to set up and keeps you on top of your whole house.
Check it out “Cleaning Box” at http://[email protected]
Have a great day!
Alison