Day 147: Dirty Fans

Dirty fans creep me out - a lot.  I just don't get it!  In our household, the ceiling fans are on almost all the time... so, how is it that they get SO filthy?  What about that quote: a rolling stone gathers no moss?  Shouldn't that concept transfer to the fan?  You know, a circulating blade gathers no dust?  But, alas.  Instead, our fans always look like THIS!  Ewwwwwww!

My husband is usually the one who gets so grossed out y this that he tackles the cleaning task - with paper towels and Pledge.  The blades always look shiny and new, but then there's chunks of dust bunnies all over the couch or bed or floor (or on all of the above).

SO... here's a new plan: pillow cases.  That's right!  PILLOW CASES!  Put this one in your neat freak cheat sheet!  If you use a pillow case to clean your fan blades, those nasty, dirty bits will end up IN the case, and you can simply toss them in the washing machine afterward.
 

Now, THAT's neat!

Day 146: My Pro Mist Obsession

I love when I find a new cleaning product that absolutely WOWS me!  And the Pro Mist has done just that - on so many levels!

I have been using this microfiber spray mop from O-Cedar for the past two months... to REALLY test it out in our home.  I've used it on our hardwood floors and on the tile in the bathrooms, and it has done a superb job, all around!

Following the directions, I added water to the one-button, easy-to-fill-use-and-remove container and mixed in some all-purpose rosemary mint cleaning solution from Gold Canyon.  Then I sprayed and mopped, and sprayed and mopped, all over the house!  My kids immediately noticed the smile on my face and were anxious to get in on the fun.  Funny thing, they love it SO much, both my 12-year-old daughter and my 4-year-old son ASK if they can clean the floors with this handy -- and fun -- spray mop! (This added bonus, alone, is worth way more than words can express!)

The Pro Mist creates a wonderful mist/spray with great coverage at the squeeze of a handle, so there's no bending, fussing, fighting, or readjusting!  Our house immediately started to smell heavenly, like a luxury spa... and it was super easy and effective to clean up the dirt, dust, and grime with the durable, refillable, washable pad.  (It says the microfiber pad is machine washable over 100 times... and I've already sent two of ours through the cycle about 5 times, each!)

I used to think that nothing could be better than my Swiffer.  But I'm pretty convinced that this Pro Mist can take most other wet mops to the cleaners.... ha-ha!  Seriously, though, this spray mop has really come through for our family and has helped THIS neat freak retain some level of serenity as Rowdy, our four-footed family member, has aged and, recently, has lost some of his bladder control.  EEK!  Our poor, deaf little dog tends to dribble, unknowingly, as he trots around the house.  So, I've left our Pro Mist out, indefinitely, in the kitchen where it's super simple to grab and use to clean up the piddle spots.  (The disposable refills are GREAT for this very thing, by the way.)  The whole family is armed, trained, and ready at a moment's notice to spray/mist and clean.  We couldn't have done it without O-Cedar!  After all, there's also a 10-month-old baby around here who has just learn to crawl.  And we want to be sure she's got a clean path, wherever she chooses to go!

Want your own Pro Mist?  Snatch one on Amazon right HERE for less than $25!  It just may become your family's cleaning obsession, too.


Now, THAT's neat!

Day 145: Scarves + Tension Rods = Brilliant

Get your Neat Freak Cheat Sheet ready to go, because I spotted an incredible idea for scarves the other day from apartmenttherapy.com ...

Now, technically this a solution for people who live in apartments (or who have little storage space), but it can be easily adapted for a bathroom or closet, no matter where you live! 

I think the photos speak for themselves, but the idea is that you get several tension rods (which are usually inexpensive ... BONUS!) and hang them up in what may be a typically unused space, like behind a door or in a small nook in a closet or a bathroom.  Get out that colorful collection of scarves and hang them up by slipping them on the rods using an easy-to-remove knot. 

It looks amazing, it takes up very little room, it's all organized... AND it's so easy to get your scarf pick for your outfit that day!

Now, THAT's neat!

Day 144: The Mini Vac - My Salvation, My Sanity

I got a purple Shark Pet Perfect II Hand Vacuum this past Christmas.  Don't judge!  I received a full-size vacuum cleaner for Christmas several years ago! :)  (Hey - it's NOT a bad gift for a neat freak.)  It's such a handy "neat freak cheat sheet" item that every household should have, especially if you have pets... or kids!

I've decided that this little wonder is one thing that helps me keep my cool each and every day with three children... and a dog... and a husband with a dirty job!  I no longer have to break out the "big guns" when cereal gets all over the floor or when dirt clumps create a "welcome" mat on the hardwood floor, right in front of the door to the garage.  Better yet - even my 4-year old can use this lightweight mini vac!  The kids actually ENJOY cleaning with this machine!

The mini vac has truly been a lifesaver, even this morning when I had to vacuum eggs out of my son's hair.  Yes.  Eggs.  And, yes... I vacuumed them out!  I had just sucked up the mess he left on the couch, so I turned toward him and spotted the food he was wearing/storing... or whatever was going on there.  He thought it was pretty funny.  And... it worked!  Way to save the day - and my sanity - again, mini vac! 

Now, THAT's neat!

Day 143: Cleaning, scheduling and staying organized

I'm one of those people who has the exact same "cleaning day" set aside, each and every week.  I can't help it.  In some ways, I even get a little bit excited about it!  After all, I am a neat freak, and I just LOVE the look, smell and feel of a clean house! 
Some people, however, love to use lists and check off cleaning and organizing items throughout the week.  For instance, Monday may be the day you clean out the refrigerator.  Tuesdays may be laundry day.  And Saturdays may be set aside for disinfecting the bathrooms. 
See, I just can't bring myself to work this way.  If I do little bits and pieces, scattered through the week, I feel like things are left undone... and are never truly clean.  I know it can be quite a chore and quite a challenge, but I like EVERYTHING clean at ONE TIME! (I guess I have a little OCD mixed in with my neat freakishness!)
What about you?  Do you prefer to work on a little at a time... or do you, also, attack the whole shebang?  (Somebody tell me I'm not alone!  Ha-ha!)

Now, THAT's neat!

Day 142: A GIVEAWAY!

I love neat things... and a few neat things that make that neat list include: watches, calendars and clocks... neat things that I can wear or display or just use that help me keep my life in order.

SO, I just absolutely HAD to share this awesome "time spent with family" clock giveaway!  It's a beautiful kit with the hands/mechanism and the vinyl (in YOUR color choice to matchy matchy!)... all you add are the frames and photos - 4 of them... or all 12 for the whole clock!  What a beautiful and wonderful reminder of what really matters the most in life!!!

LOVE this... so, be sure to click here and visit Beth's Uppercase Living Facebook page for your chance to WIN!  OR... you could always get your own family clock kit by going directly to the website, here, to order!  There are LOTS of other neat things there, too!  (My favorite chalk labels, for one!  Check out more about those on my blog, here in the pantry and here for more ideas!)

Now, THAT's neat!