Housekeeping tips

[ddc101]

I got this article in an email.It is so funny I wanted
to share it.
Secret Shortcuts to Good Housekeeping that your mother never told you.



SECRET TIP 1: DOOR LOCKS
If a room clearly can't be whipped into shape in 30 days, much less 30
minutes, employ the Locked Door Method of cleaning. Tell anyone who
tries to
go in the room that you accidentally locked the door and can't find the
key.
Of course, the locksmith can't possibly come until tomorrow. CAUTION:
It is
not advisable to use this tip for the bathroom.
Time: 2 seconds

SECRET TIP 2: DUCT TAPE
No home should be without an ample supply. Not only is it handy for
plumbing
repairs, but it's a great way to hem drapes, tablecloths, clothes, just
about anything. No muss, no fuss.
Time: 2-3 minutes

SECRET TIP 3: OVENS
If you think ovens are just for baking, think again. Ovens represent at
least 9 cubic feet of hidden storage space, which means they're a great
place to shove dirty dishes, dirty clothes, or just about anything you
want
to get out of sight when company's coming.
Time: 2 minutes

SECRET TIP 4: CLOTHES DRYERS
Like Secret Tip 3, except bigger. CAUTION: Avoid hiding flammable
objects
here.
Time: 2.5 minutes

SECRET TIP 5: WASHING MACHINES & FREEZERS
Like Secret Tip 4, except even bigger.
Time: 3 minutes

SECRET TIP 6: DUST RUFFLES
No bed should be without one. Devotees of Martha Stewart believe dust
ruffles exist to keep dust out from under a bed or to help coordinate
the
colorful look of a bedroom. The rest of us know a dust ruffle's highest
and
best use is to hide whatever you've managed to shove under the bed.
(Refer
to Secret Tips 3, 4, 5.)
Time: 4 minutes

copyright Joan McCartney

SECRET TIP 7: DUSTING
The 30-Minutes-To-A-Clean-House method says: Never dust under what you
can
dust around.
Time: 3 minutes

SECRET TIP 8: DISHES
Don't use them. Use plastic or paper plates and you won't have to.
Time: 1 minute

SECRET TIP 9: CLOTHES WASHING (EEWWW)
This secret tip is brought to you by an inventive teenager. When this
teen's
mother went on a housekeeping strike for a month, the teen discovered
you
can extend the life of your underwear by two ...if you turn it wrong
side
out and, yes, rerun it. CAUTION: This tip is recommended only for teens
and
those who don't care if they get in a car wreck.
Time: 3 seconds

SECRET TIP 10: IRONING
If an article of clothing doesn't require a full press and your hair
does, a
curling iron is the answer. In between curling your hair, use the hot
wand
to iron minor wrinkles out of your clothes. Yes, it really does work,
or so
I'm told, by other disciples of the 30-Minutes-To-A-Clean-House
philosophy.
Time: 5 minutes (including curling your hair)

SECRET TIP 11: VACUUMING
Stick to the middle of the room, which is the only place people look.
Don't
bother vacuuming under furniture. It takes way too long and no one
looks
there anyway.
Time: 5 minutes, entire house; 2 minutes, living room only

SECRET TIP 12: LIGHTING
The key here is low, low, and lower. It's not only romantic, but bad
lighting can hide a multitude of dirt.
Time: 10 seconds

SECRET TIP 13: BED MAKING
Get an old-fashioned waterbed. No one can tell if those things are made
up
or not, saving you, oh, hundreds of seconds over the course of a
lifetime.
Time: 0

SECRET TIP 14: SHOWERS, TOILETS, AND SINKS
Forget one and two. Concentrate on three.
Time: 1 minute

SECRET TIP 15:
If you already knew at least 10 of these tips, don't even think about
inviting a Martha Stewart type to your home.

[foreverblessed]

lol Ddc,

All hope is gone for my house, it looks like a girls dormitory since it is just us girls. We are truly living the single life! :)

[tufluv]

RE: SECRET TIP 15:
If you already knew at least 10 of these tips, don't even think about inviting a Martha Stewart type to your home.

I'm suing!! Someone stole my tips!!
[I should at least be able to collect some royalties there]!!

Not to worry, I don't know any Martha Stewart types, outside of my mom, who never comes over-whew!! [she can't stand us Apostolix]!

[ddc101]

Hey I'm a martha Stewart type.I read the magazine but
I cannot seem to make my stuff repostion itself.hahaha

[tufluv]

Hey, I'm the original M.Stewart w/Betty Crocker combined!! I was such a fanatic! My sister, no longer with us, used to laugh at me for actually 'ironing' clothes, she was a slob! My mom taught me from a young age to be a good homemaker (she forgot to teach my sister though) and so I also took 3 years of HomeEc. and loved it! Thought about being a teacher in it, but did not do so after all. I gradually have 'lightened up' although I can't stand a dirty house...I dislike that more than doing the actual cleaning, good thing my sons also help out. My husband - forget it!
I plan to start paying more mind to this redecorating stuff soon, this place needs it! But in a christian theme, of course.
At this camp retreat I just went to, there was a gift shop there, and I bought this beautiful shower curtain (of all things) with the 'Footsteps' theme on it, really pretty with picture of the surf, beach, and the footsteps of course, now I'm inspired to decorate in a summer beach-y type style! (we are a beach town! LOL)
Just came from Walmart, they have such cute cute things for bath decor! All I need now is some spare $$...not today! Good thing my husband's handy making stuff, he's gonna make me a shelf towel hanger type thing with beaded plank boards, painted white, for above the toilet!! Yay! and at least one or two glass sandbox with shells type picture to hang! (or whatever its called, a 'shadowbox'?).
There's plenty else to do around here as well, we just got a piano so I have to remodel my computer room, first!

[Goodshepherd]

I guess we have alot in common because I love Martha Stewart...... She is so awesome around the home.

[tufluv]

Yeah, but she's like just way too perfect or something, although there was a time I was like her protegee'...I was seriously
domestic! Now, my concerns have shifted a bit-towards doing the LORD's bidding as a primary concern. The house and all those chores will always be there, souls are more important. Just got back from outreach, and we're having revival services this week, so its back to business as usual. PRAISE JESUS! HE's looking for a few good 'saints' to go fishing for souls'!

[BurningforJesus]

'scuse me but can you tell this Aussie/Kiwi gal who this Martha Stewart is? I agree with Sis Tuvluv, my home is tidy most of the time but sometimes I turn a blind eye and go visit some one who dosen't know my Jesus the way I do, and I think that is more important.
Though at the moment I am typing with one left hand as my other is out of action for a while. I have to leave most of the house cleaning to the girls as I have used my arm typing bible studies via the computor, and signing to the deaf people in our church and the two muscle families in my arm don't work well together, so I can't even do my signing. I wonder how the girls will go. They are usually pretty good with their chores they are assigned to each week. I believe they will do well.
Have any of you heard of the company called Enjo? They make cleaning clothes made with special fibres that stops the need of chemicals for cleaning most areas of you house and outside too. I went to a party the other day. They are quite expensive over here in Aussie. I have bought a few items to see how it works. They work with no hard work involved in cleaning. How you say over your way. "You don't need any "elbow grease" with your cleaning.

[tufluv]

WOW! Sounds like a dream come true, Sister BFJ!!
So you're as Aussie gal, Welcome, haven't had the pleasure myself of seeing you around here. (there's a place called KIWI?)
Those cloths I'VE never heard of let us know how they work-but with a high price tag as you've mentioned, I'll continue in the old but tried methods., although I have seen cloths for dusting furniture with the wax already in them., and even some for bathrooms., is that what you mean? They aren't cheap!
Yes, my bedroom is currently in a chaotic state! :laugh: That is my goal for today, to get it organized, I now do stuff in phases.
Yesterday I hung some really neat file type plastic paper organizers on my wall.
Today, I will fill them! and I just can't believe how much paperwork accumulates! Bills, junk mail, and lots of misc. stuff, I do have some file cabinets, but don't use them as I should, I prefer of all things 'shoe boxes'!! yeah, I'm a weird one!
You are lucky to have daughters to help you out, I myself have capral tunnel syndrome in both wrists, its not all that bad anymore, my LORD has helped it to abate at least.
I did have surgery on the left wrist, it did not do much help at all, so I decided against doing anything to the right wrist, as I am right-handed, I don't know HOW I could do w/o it even for a very short time! GOSH, we don't know how blessed we are! To have use of our members, whereas many do not! THANK YOU JESUS!
For many years, I used to clean for others, houses, apartments, even business offices! I was good, it can be good money, the building offices are best. I am an experienced cleaner to be sure!
OH! As for Martha Stewart, she is a television personality that specializes in all things 'home' related such as cleaning, cooking, decorating, even gardening. She has magazines, books, even now a 'designer' collection of assorted home items, such as linens, towels, bed sheets comforters, etc.etc., I don't keep up as much with all that, I can't afford her stuff!! lol

[ddc101]

The company K-Mart sells alot of Martha Stewart things.They
have a whole line of signature products.I was blessed to
go around the winter season and buy two whole sets of nice
french white dishes.Before my stuff was getting kind of mismatched.I had a pastors wife over for dinner and my old
mismatched stuff was embarrasing.I wanted something nice
to serve Gods Royalty on.And though some will not agree
Jesus honored that request though I never spoke it aloud.
I then saw the dishes on sale and a week or so received
a whole set of dishes from my husbands stepmom in Ca.
Also my cousin and sister in the Lord bought me another set as a gift.Then I received a whole set of the nicest dessert dishes from
a couple in the church.Then I was able to find a wholeset of glasses with cut bottoms at Bed Bath and Beyond for two dollars
each.Not to mention one of my florida friends sending me
a whole set of new utensils in a nice wooden chest.Hey God cares about the little things.While I am no Martha Stewart I want
to be diligent in hospitality especially those of the household of
God.lv sis.c

[Oldpreach]

There's a website: www.flylady.com that many ladies have found helpful.

The lips of the wise disperse knowledge; but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. Proverbs 15:7

oldpreach's devoted wife

[ddc101]

That is a really cool site.Thank you brother.lv sis.c

[ddc101]

here is another cool site
www.womansday.com
there are some really neat printable forms for grocery lists,
emergency numbers,children's chore scedules,household
budgets etc.amen.sis.c

[BurningforJesus]

Hi there, I am a New Zealander by birth, They call us Kiwis. I have been in Australia for nearly 18 years. I love it here as this is where I found a Church preaching the truth.
Cleaning products are acutally on line.. I will give you the website so you can go look too. it is >www.enjo.com.au< The 'au' at the end means Australia. I am sure they are in America. Have been in Aussie for about 3 years now. We have K-Mart over here so I will look out for Martha's line of things.
God is so good to us. I really enjoy hearing what the Lord does in other people's lives, and how He blesses each of us.

Thanks for welcoming me to this site, Sis Tufluv. I have been on for a while now but don't post as often as I want to.
Those two sites sound interesting, will have a look later.
Will keep you posted on the cleaning products. The lady who was the sales lady at the party, seemed a down to earth mother and was really enthusiastic about the products and showed us how each of the clothes work. I am looking forward to trying them.
I am sorry to hear that you have carpel tunnel in your hands. It can be painful. I just have to rest my arm completely or I will cause permenent damage. And as I aim to go do the interpreters course next year so I can minister to the deaf peole in their language, at our church, I need to do all I can to get it better. I am always claiming Jesus' healing on it, and go up each service, or nearly, to get prayer. I know He has everything in His hands, but I need to be wise.
It is good to do things around the home in stages. I write a list of what I want done this week and then break it into the days I am home and if I get 3/4 of it done I am happy. I always too much on the list!:):)
If I don't get all done, I put what I didn't get done, first on my next week's list.
Well, I have enjoyed posting but had better go. I have an appointment with the King of Kings that I love love, love to keep. Maybe I will come back afterwards. You will see the light shining if I do, as it is so great after the meeting. So much fresher, so much lighter in heart. Can't wait, so see you later. God Bless you heaps.
Burning.
Look up, as your Redeemer draws nigh.

[ddc101]

Hello,
I want to share that Martha Stewart has a site on line.lv sis.c

[tufluv]

Wow Sis Cooper, when it rains, it pours, huh? LOL
Regarding all that assorted dinnerware you received, think I'll start asking the LORD for a bit of this or that, I DO have some nice china, rarely used, my husband is also going to make me a nicer china 'keeper' I mean a smaller one, we don't have much room here. He's got one started, never finished that is so-o cute! I plan to get some china like my best friend got, antique floral, her dining room looks nice, her husband got her that antique china, its mainly for display, in an open hutch right now, that he also redid (stained, etc.)., during some of his lucid moments! LOL

[ddc101]

I actually did have some china but I don't use it.Its was given
to me by my grandmother who received it from my aunt in
New Orleans.My aunt died with no children.So I got most of her things.I have a really nice antique gold thick guilded mirror.It is so
heavy.But as far as daily use or for company my table looked like
the garage sale reject table. I just desired to set a nice table
for company.Now I can do it and invite alot of people over at once.
Its not real fancy but nice and the cook can serve without a red face......lv sis.c

[Marie]

Originally posted by Oldpreach
There's a website: www.flylady.com that many ladies have found helpful.

The lips of the wise disperse knowledge; but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. Proverbs 15:7

I know some women that have used that site. Although they didnt last long. lol

Re:SECRET TIP 3: OVENS
If you think ovens are just for baking, think again. Ovens represent at
least 9 cubic feet of hidden storage space, which means they're a great
place to shove dirty dishes, dirty clothes, or just about anything you
want
to get out of sight when company's coming.
Time: 2 minutes

:laugh: :laugh: You have to be careful with this one! My sister used to this method until one day when I was visiting and turned on the oven, not knowing she used it for for that purpose! You can imagin the smell :yeah: Whew!! She was :realmad: How was I supposed to know I should look inside first:shrug: Oh, well. I always look now. Even at home. lol

I used to be so picky about my house being clean that my husband told me that he felt like he was in a show home and was afraid to move! (This after being married for about 5 years) He never said anything to me until we had a houseful of guests at one time. When he said this all the kids said they felt the same way! I was shocked :realmad: <-- That was me after they left. lol
Anyway, I tried to back off some but my daughter told someone not longago that "If my mom lived alone there would be no speck of dust DARE get past her" :laugh: :laugh: Oh well I tried. :shrug:
Now I can't clean like that it because of my health and DRIVES ME CRAZY!:flame:

[ddc101]

When we first got married I used to wipe the walls down all the time with liquid lysol and bleach mixture.My husband came home one night and forbid me to drink that strong french coffee on outreach.I cleaned so much it made everyone miserable.I used to follow around behind them picking up and take sloppiness as a personal offense against me.I kid you not.Now i don't care.I clean and I work a job and do church stuff and try to remember my children will be gone someday.(Theres the revenge...when I am
old I'll go live with them and be really PIGGISH...hahahaha)

[Marie]

Hahaha! I can relate! My sister told us the other day about an article she read that said something about people poisoning their families with too many cleaning chemical. She then said LOUD AND CLEAR that people that clean the fronts of the cupboards and walls with cleaner all the time are poisoning their kids. She was lookin right at me. :p I have no idea why!:D ;)
My sister is the opposite of me. lol
:D

[justavessel4him]

This article reminded me of my husband's grandmother. When I was a newlywed, she was well into her eighties. Besides having a love for the word of God, there are two things I remember that she taught me. One was how to make great chicken and dumplings from canned biscuits, and the other was "If unexpected company is coming you can hide the dirty dishes under the sink. lol She was a great lady and I loved her very much. I still use her recipe for making dumplings, but praise the Lord I can just stick my dishes in the dishwasher now.
My daughter-in-law was on the Flylady plan for a while, but I think she quit because with five little ones to run after she didn't have time to log in to the site. lol
In housekeeping, I think moderation is the key. I like my house to be clean and neat, but I also want my family and friends to be comfortable. Besides, I have lots of antiques and I think dust gives antiques a nice touch. lol Just kidding, but I do really need to dust. sigh...

[foreverblessed]

My ex husband's aunt died of breathing a mixture of bleach and amonia sp* any way that was sad. She was a good Christian women. I miss her.

I used to keep an absolutely spotless house. I had playpens for each child, and I refused to let them mess outside of the playpen when they were small. I went through counseling because of other things, this ridgedness with housekeeping, came up during one of the sessions, by my kids and husband. I slowly learned to let go of my obsession to control the house this way.

Something terrible has happened over the last 5 years, I somehow managed to go too far the other way. I couldn't find a pair of black dress shoes for church the other night, out of 5 pair of black, that's pretty bad. I had to bribe one of my girls with money to find a pair.
The downstairs looks all nice and neat, just in case someone comes to visit, but the upstairs?? Whoa, look out... it is a maze of hose, shoes, clothes, hair products, curlers and anything remotely associated with women. :) My oldest daughter told a girlfriend the other day when she came to visit and brought her upstairs, that we were living the single life, we don't have a man to answer to right now. :laugh:

[Marie]

I'm trying very hard to ignor the "clutter" that is piling up around me. But I still can't stand wrinkles in my sheets!!!:D And I'm proud of myself, I didn't vacuum the bathroom and under the desk today! My daughter has finally convinced me that I don't have to keep my house spotless EVERY day. lol
:banana: Isn't Bro Banana cute:yeah:
Hey someone moved all the smilies around!

[foreverblessed]

Bro. Banana is just adorable.
If I got married again, I would cease to live the single life and become Mrs. neat nic again. I do have it in me. :D

[ddc101]

I need ideas for organizing my closet.Anyone have any.I have entirely too much clothes for my small closet but can't do without them.lv sis.c

[Deonna]

When we first got married I used to wipe the walls down all the time with liquid lysol and bleach mixture.My husband came home one night and forbid me to drink that strong french coffee on outreach.I cleaned so much it made everyone miserable.I used to follow around behind them picking up and take sloppiness as a personal offense against me.I kid you not.Now i don't care.I clean and I work a job and do church stuff and try to remember my children will be gone someday.(Theres the revenge...when I am
old I'll go live with them and be really PIGGISH...hahahaha)


LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!!! (I love the revenge part :laugh: )

I was the same way. I used to mop on my hands and knees nearly every day (and I was pregnant), cleaned the whole house daily, and washed the walls often but that was all B.C. (before children).

Now I don't have time nor can I keep up with them. I constantly remind my family that there's 4 of them and 1 of me but they don't listen. :realmad: :grumble:

It doesn't drive me as bonkers as it used to. For one thing I'm too tired to care. :bore:

[Deonna]

I need ideas for organizing my closet.Anyone have any.I have entirely too much clothes for my small closet but can't do without them.lv sis.c

Have you considered moving your closet bar higher then adding one underneath? We did that on my hubby's side. I don't know if that would be practical for dresses but it will work for skirts and shirts.

[dllong]

Always keep a spray bottle of pure white vinegar next to your work area or sink. After cooking, dishes or during prep, spray your area with vinegar. It instantly kills ALL known bacteria without a trace. It's a guarantee against food born illnesses.

[dllong]

Vegetables are better stored in brown paper bags in the crisper or simply wrap them in newspaper. Plastic bags make them sweat

[dllong]

Stand a tube of Superglue in the upright position and keep it in the fridge. It will last up to 10 times longer!