OCD Calendar 4/27 - 5/2

This is a long post...but well worth reading to the very end.

The 'spring cleaning bug' has kicked in to the max and I'm itchin' to clean and organize! Last week I cleaned behind and underneath, and on top of my fridge. I have one word to say...Frightening.

Items found: many, many magnets, legos, 1 fruit snack and dust. There was so much dust I could stuff a pillow with the amount of dust that had accumulated behind, under, and on top of my fridge.

Um, ick.

I also cleaned my light fixtures in my kitchen. They now sparkle. And I'm no longer annoyed every time I look up, at them.

Spring time is a time of new growth. Re-newed energy! It's also window washing time. After a long, hard winter, my windows are sad. They are gloomy, grungy, and filthy. This week I plan on washing all of the front and East side windows on my house. Normally I would prefer to use my expandable window washer/squeegee and keep my feet securely on the ground. But I'm never satisfied with the 'cleaning results'. Too many streaks and I always miss some spots. And that is highly annoying for me. So in order for me to have sparkling, streak free windows, I will risk life and limb to climb up a ladder and clean to my liking.

I like to use a solution of water, dish detergent, and ammonia to clean the outside of my windows. *use 1/2 cup of ammonia per gallon of water.

I keep a razor at hand to scrape any dried up bug guts, stickers, etc.

Another suggestion to make your window washing endeavors easier....HIRE A PROFESSIONAL! If I had the funds and a husband who didn't care so much about how I spend our funds (sheesh), I would hire a professional.

This week, I will also be 'deep cleaning' our hallway bathroom. This includes washing the walls and baseboard, cleaning the light fixtures, cleaning the drawers and cupboards (inside and out) and I usually get on my hands and knees and scrub every nook and cranny of the bathroom floor (mainly the corners, edges and area behind the toilet). I mop all of my floors once a week and at least once a month I scrub the floor on my hands and knees. (I know. I believe I just heard an ,"Oh my word!" come out of all of my reader's mouths) It's a sickness, I tell ya!

I will also be cleaning and sanitizing all of our combs and hair brushes. With as much hair spray, gels, and shellac that we use, it doesn't take too much time for our brushes and combs to build up with gunk. It's disgusting.

To do this, I first pull all of the hair out and make a big yarn ball-like hair ball and knit my husband a sweater. Oh, I'm kidding! I actually end up only knitting some pot holders. I plan on giving my knitted hair-ball pot holders to my neighbors for Christmas this year.

Then I fill my sink full of warm water, 1 teaspoon of dish soap and I swish my brushes and combs in the solution. Swish! Swish! Then I let them soak for about 10 minutes. (Do not let your wood handled brushes soak in the water. This will ruin them. Just swish them around). Then I empty the water, rinse the brushes and combs under running water, then fill the sink with warm water again and add 1 Tablespoon of chlorine bleach (1 Tablespoon to 1 gallon of water). Soak the brushes and combs for 20 minutes (unless they are made of wood). Rinse under running water and set out to dry thoroughly on a towel. Awesome. Now your family stands less chance of inheriting lice or the swine flu.

When I had my "Spring giveaway" in march, I was amazed with every one's comments! So many cleaning tips! So many ideas! My heart is all a flutter!

My sister in law, Maran suggested making your own laundry soap to save money, and to use a tooth brush to clean those icky crevices on your toilet. In my case, my youngest fruit of my loins likes to suck on them. Duel purposes! My other sister in law, Kate, (private blog) always keeps a container of Clorox Wipes around. You're singing to the choir, sister! Harmony suggested hiring a maid. Good advice, friend. But she also suggested to pick up as you go. Don't let the messes build up and get out of hand!

Such wonderful tips! Thanks a bunch!