Day 148: Favorite Scent

I love Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day products.  The natural, powerful, high-quality products make my house look great, and the bright, clean, wonderful scents make everything smell incredible. 

But I may be in a rut.  I love the lemon verbena -- in everything.  Admittedly, I think I have this aroma in just about every Mrs. Meyer's product.

So... I'm curious.  What scent is YOUR favorite?  Perhaps I need to branch out a bit and try something new this spring?  I'd love to hear your thoughts!

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 131: Oh yes... I did

I am somewhat of a sucker when it comes to fun, new cleaning/organizing products.... and as I was tootling around the other day on an online shopping website, I stumbled across something neat: the "Slipper Genie." 
These soft, colorful, fuzzy slippers are a neat freak's dream come true!  Whenever my feet are cold, or whenever the floor has that not-been-mopped-lately look, I can slip these on (with a pair of socks if it's REALLY cold) and zip across the hardwood floors (or tile) in my home (and get a little exercise, too)!  As you can see, the bottoms of these clever foot covers are fluffy cleaning "fingers" that can grab dog fur and swipe up dirt and dust bunnies... while I am busy cleaning or organizing other things.  Talk about multi-tasking! 

My daughter thinks these slippers are pretty fun, so I might have to buy her a pair, too.  (YES - dual cleaning action... or is that quadruple, since there are four feet involved?!?!!)  AND... since my little boy likes to copy just about everything his big sister does, I may end up with 3 of us, slip-sliding our way around the house.... all while banishing crumbs, hair and particles!  YES - there are kid versions... adn they are super cute! (Oh, and the good thing is, the bottoms of these "mop flops" can velcro off, so you can toss them in the wash when you've been too busy cleaning floors!)
















Now, THAT's neat!

Day 117: Shake up some freshness

If you've read this blog, you've probably noticed that I like things to LOOK neat and to SMELL neat! ;) Well... I recently received a free sample of Downy Unstopables, and I knew I HAD to get some for my wash... from now until eternity!

These in-wash scent boosters make everything smell absolutely AMAZING! I keep finding myself stopping to smell my toddlers PJs or breathing in a hand towel before walking out of the bathroom. This stuff really works... and I LOVE it! You just shake these things into the washing machine, and run your cycle as usual! I have been using the "fresh" scent (the blue beads), but there is a "lush" scent (purple) as well! Try them, and let me know what you think... or, uh... smell! :)

Now, THAT's neat!


NOTE: No one from Downy or any other company paid me to say any of the things in this post. These thoughts are all my honest opinions!

Day 91: Do You Roll?

I have several lint rollers. Big ones. "Mini" ones. One in the bathroom. One in my car. And I LOVE them all! They are so handy - a total "must have" for neat freaks! And you can use them on more than just that unsightly lint!

Here are a few more uses:

• craft bits, or "sniglets" as a friend of mine calls them... Ever have those random paper pieces, ribbon snips or fabric threads all over the place after some crafting? Well, a lint roller is a perfect solution for getting those up and out of the way!
• stray hairs... Just roll the back of your shirt, sweater or jacket and remove those "strays" that fall out or fly away after brushing or styling your hair! This is also a perfect tool for picking up those little ends after a bang trim... or after a gray hair annihilation!
  
• pet fur... I roll the couch and chairs, regularly, to remove Rowdy's fur clumps.
• dust bunnies... Hey, if you can't grab the vacuum, roll away those dust bunnies with a lint roller! It's a quick fix. Not a permanent solution!
• lampshades... Oh, yes, these decorative beauties LOVE dust and grime. So, roll over them with a lint roller to bring them back to their old glory! With that in mind, try one out on a curtain or a table cloth! I use mine on the table runner in our dining room when I don't feel like removing the heavy vase and candle holders to give it a good shake outside!
  
• crumbs... Again, this is a quick fix, but a lint roller can be a handy tool for crumb removal! I've used it on counter tops, highchairs and car seats MANY times! I also have used it on baking spills, to roll away some of the flour, sugar or baking mix splatter before attacking with a antibacterial wipe!
  

What do YOU use a lint roller on?


Now, THAT's neat!

Day 90: Oh, It Smells So GOOD!

I love cleaning products that smell good. It makes me want to use them even more! AND.... it makes me feel good when people come into the house and comment, "Oh, it smells so good in here!"

Of course, sometimes the odoriferous wonder in my home is due to some delicious, homemade goodness. I LOVE to bake (and eat baked goods!), so there is often a pound cake, some sweet bread or a batch of chocolate-chip cookies cooling on the counter. BUT, when I am on a clean streak, I love to use just about anything citrus or "fresh laundry" scented. (What about you? What scents make your nose happy?)

With that being said, I was quite interested in trying out a pretty well-known product that I had never tried: Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day. Their natural, plant-derived essential oils are "powerful against daily dirt and grime, but leave your home smelling like a garden, not harsh chemicals." And, oh..... it's SO true!


I tried out the lemon verbena scent. I was not so sure about the smell in the bottle, but throughout the house, it's absolutely wonderful! (Even my outdoor-working husband and his rough-and-tough co-worker commented on the delightful scent!) And, most importantly, the toilet bowl cleaner and the countertop spray worked VERY well! With just a swipe of a paper towel or swish of a bowl brush, dirt and grime were disappearing right before my eyes!

I assure you, I will be purchasing more! I even got the laundry detergent in the same scent! And since Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day also offers dish soap, all-purpose cleaner, dishwasher packs, wipes, hand soap, fabric softener, dryer sheets, candles, room fresheners and window spray, *WHEW!* I may be trying out some other things, too! ;) (They also have other scents. So, I may have to explore!)



Now, THAT's neat!

Day 78: Toothpaste... great for Tartar AND for Tarnish!

We had my sister-in-law and her fiance over for dinner the other night, and I was excited to actually have an opportunity to use my silver gravy boat. I've had that thing for, hmmm.... about forever, but I think I only used it one time, about 10 years ago. So, it's been neatly stored in my hutch ever since. I guess that explains why it was so tarnished. Ooops.


I REALLY wanted to use the gravy boat, but NOT in that condition. So... I remembered a little hint I learned a long while back to get rid of tarnish: toothpaste. Of course, I didn't have any regular, old, "plain" toothpaste. THIS is what I had!


I figured I'd give it a shot. So, I squirted a little toothpaste on the gravy boat and the tray and gently rubbed it in with a very soft paper towel.



Then I rinsed both pieces off in warm water. If I had spent a little more time (maybe with a toothbrush!), I could have removed all the tarnish in the smaller groves of the design. BUT, this was a great solution for the moment! A spiffy clean -- and MINTY fresh -- gravy boat!


Now, THAT's neat!

Day 63: Robots in da' house

We live in a world of advanced technology.

We have robot pool cleaners (hey -- watch out for that tail thingie whipping around!).


We even have robot vacuum cleaners (oops, there goes the dog's meaty treat again) AND floor cleaners (much like the circular vacuum just mentioned, but made for hardwoods and tile).


Of course, we don't have a pool at my house, and with all the stuff all over our floors these days (thanks, mostly, to our 10-month-old son), a robot vacuum or a robot floor cleaner might do a fantastic job... on a 3-foot radius!

What I need is a robot kitchen and bathroom cleaner... and a robot laundry folder... and a robot kids' rooms straightener....

Of course, there is THIS thing:



What is it?

It's ETRI's new ROMI bot, the cleaning robot (made in Korea). It's kind of a cute little guy, and, supposedly, it can clean floors with the best of 'em... all while taking commands via WiFi, recording video with its big camera eyes AND vocalizing via a speech synthesizer. Boop-bop-beep-boop-bop-bop-boop....

According to myth and legend (OK, not really "myth" or "legend," since we're talking about futuristic-type stuff, here!), this little robot basically allows you to sit on the couch all day telling it what to clean. (PLUS, the ROMI could pretty much beat up any average, antiquated, ole' robot vacuum, while hurling insults at it!) Wow. That sounds pretty good to me!

I'm not running out to purchase my own Jetson-esque little robot maid, however. I'm not falling for the hype. Just yet. I might need a little proof. And perhaps some robot insurance! (*SNL joke) I mean... you never know. Robots are taking over the world.




Now, THAT's neat!

Day 55: And the WINNER is?!?!?!?!?

First, let me say "welcome" to all my new followers! Thanks so much for finding this neat little blog! To those of you who need some tips and ideas, I hope that I - along with fellow neat freaks - can provide some helpful hints! And to those of you who are already obsessed with all things neat, you're not alone! ;)

Second, thanks as well to those who entered the very FIRST "Get Neat" giveaway for a super-handy SonicScrubber!

Third, as promised, we have a WINNER! I organized all the names yesterday and put them in random order (and yes, if you're a "follower," you got an extra entry!). I then randomly went to the "Truly random number generator" website and entered the details.
AND... the winner is: #6.... which happens to be "SalPal!"




CONGRATULATIONS, fellow neat freak! I hope you enjoy this cleaning gadget as much as I have thus far! Just e-mail me your address (bethiswriting@yahoo.com), and I'll ship your SonicScrubber to you ASAP so you can try it out in your home! And please feel free to send me photos or updates on your results! :)


Now, THAT's neat!

Day 54: The Shower Door... & More SonicScrubber Cleaning

"WARNING: You will get wet."

Ever been at an amusement park and seen those signs, posted ominously at the start of a line for a water ride? Well, I think we need those signs for the shower. And I don't mean for taking a shower. (That's a given.) I'm talking about for cleaning the shower! And I should know better by now, but it's really pointless to attempt to clean a shower if you are on the dry side. It's dumb, really. Because countless times I have sprayed the shower and gotten myself covered in cleaning products. And just about every time I've used any kind of product with bleach, of course I've splattered it all over my favorite pajama pants... and made polka-dotted pajama pants! ;)

Well, today was no exception. I decided to try out my new SonicScrubber again, this time on my gross shower door. I used the velcro attachment thing and selected a disposable, non-scratch pad (AKA: "the yellow one;" they're color coded!!!).


I literally threw some Comet on the shower door, splashed a little water on it... and went to town with the SonicScrubber.


Now, this door was pretty much covered up with soap scummy goop. It's supposed to be a privacy-glass door, with just a little touch of that can't-quite-see-through look. As you can see in this before shot, however, it's more like that haven't-really-cared-to-clean-in-a-while look!


Now, be warned... the SonicScrubber spins. I covered that in the last post, right?!?! (Think giant electric toothbrush.) So, of course, as I started to clean the shower door, I promptly sprayed Comet all over my hair, my arms, my knees, the floor, the rug... Oops! I am so bad at the prep work. I could have removed said items, and, as mentioned before, I could have done the smart thing and cleaned the shower from the wet side, while I was actually in the shower. (Pre-shower is usually a good time.) No harm done, though. And, as you can see: it was well worth it for this kind of clean!!!! Ta-da!


That little cleaning pad sure did its duty -- In fact, I may have overused it a bit! :) It looks pretty worn out here! Funny, though, I did not have to use much pressure or effort.


If you would like to clean without using much effort, don't forget to enter the contest to WIN a SonicScrubber of your very own! The giveaway ends tomorrow, and I will randomly draw for a winner! Just click HERE to add your comment to the SonicScrubber post from the other day for your chance to win!


Now, THAT's neat!

Day 53: The Beginnings of a SonicScrubber Super Fan (and a Get Neater GIVEAWAY!)

I was lucky enough to very recently receive a SonicScrubber to test out and review for my "Get Neater" blog... and I agreed -with elation- to try out this very handy little cleaning tool this weekend!


And now that a SonicScrubber is in my possession, I must ask: Where in the world was I that I did not know about this clever and amazing tool!?!?! (I suppose it could be that we haven't had cable TV in our home for 3 years, so I may have missed out on a commercial or two.) But, boy -- am I glad that I have access to one now!

Just to fill you in, the SonicScrubber is like a giant electric toothbrush... with WAY more power.... and way more options!


And I suppose you could clean your teeth with this rotating, power-cleaning wonder tool, but the manufacturers recommend using it for other items... like doors, walls, tile, grout, pots, pans, windows, counters, floors, appliances, furniture, fabric, carpet, toys, baseboards, ovens, grills, and YES... even (and especially) the kitchen sink! *whew!*

With just a twist of the wrist, you can switch the rotating tool or add special, disposable cleaning pads for just about whatever you can think of that needs cleaning! That means I am going to be a very busy (and very happy) cleaning whiz... for quite some time. (I can see this turning into a regular segment! Can't you?)


At any rate, to test out my new SonicScrubber tool, I decided to tackle the stove top. My hubby had recently used it, and that meant a dirty, crusty, splattered mess was left behind. See for yourself! (You can click on the photo to see it in more eeeewy detail!)
BEFORE:


Well, I squirted on some stove-top cleaner (the same Cerama Bryte cleaning product that I always use), twisted on the correct SonicScrubber accessory and non-scratch pad... and attacked that cooked-on, stove top gunk. Now, it took a few minutes to work through that cleaning paste, but with barely any effort at all, I had beautiful results. Check it out!
AFTER:


Typically, I spend about 15 minutes of hard, wrist-wrenching scrubbing to get a clean like that! But this suped-up toothbrush did all the work... with much better results! LOVE IT!

I am on a mission now to try the SonicScrubber on everything in my home! Ok, not everything! My 8-month-old son might be a messy eater, but I promise not to SonicScrub the greenbeans off his little chinny-chin-chin! So... just be sure to check back for more posts on this great cleaning tool as I work through my entire house!

*** GIVEAWAY ALERT!!!!!
Oh... and YOU can try the SonicScrubber in your home, too! I have an extra cleaning tool for this fun - and very first - Get Neater GIVEAWAY! To enter, just leave a comment on THIS post telling me how YOU would use the SonicScrubber to make YOUR home neater! (And get an extra entry if you follow this blog.) You can check out the SonicScrubber website by clicking HERE to get some more information and ideas! GOOD LUCK!
(The winner will be chosen by random drawing on August 31, 2010. Check back on September 1 to see if YOU won!!!)


* NOTE: Products were provided by the manufacturer, but all opinions are my own, and NO payment was received for this post! These are purely my own rantings and ravings, as always!


Now, THAT's neat!

Day 25:Another product fav -- carpet freshener

I forgot to mention the other day when I blogged about vacuuming that I LOVE Glade carpet and room deodorizer. No, the makers of Glade did not pay me to say that. I am offering FREE opinions on all the products I list on my blog! (Why? So maybe you, too, can enjoy some great cleaning products!)

At any rate, I love Glade because it smells SO clean and fresh. I am using the "Clean Linen" scent right now, and it's so amazing! Just sprinkle the powder on the carpet, and let it sit for a while as you tidy up something else. Then vacuum it all up!

Ta-da: a super-fresh-smelling house!

This is definitely a MUST when you have pets. Or, at least, it's a must when you have pets like mine - weirdo dogs who like to rub their food-covered faces and other "random stinky parts" on the floor! EEEW.

And what's also great about the carpet and room deodorizer: you don't have to use it every time you vacuum, and you still get the fresh-smelling benefits! The scent lingers a bit in the vacuum, so whenever you run it around the house, the scent is kind of "reactivated!" That is a great, quick tip (neat freak cheat sheet!) if you don't have time to sprinkle, wait and vacuum.... or if you just don't have any more carpet and room deodorizer on hand!

Now, THAT's neat!

Day 11 & 12: A few of my favorite cleaning things

I'm not getting paid by anyone to write this, nor do I get free products (which would be SO cool, by the way!); I just wanted to share two of my favorite cleaning products! (And I hope y'all will share some of your favorites, too! I am always looking for new things to try!)


One of my favorite products is the Swiffer Sweeper wet cloths.... we have hardwoods in most of the main rooms of our house and tile in the bathrooms, and this works really well sweeping up the dust bunnies, fur clumps and hair as well as the grass, leaves and gunk that the dogs drag in. It also shines up the floors and smells so great! This package (pictured) happens to be the Febreze "Lavender & Vanilla Comfort" scent, which is fabulous. But I also love anything citrus, and the "Citrus & light" is awesome.... so fresh and clean! As soon as I finish with the Swiffer, the house smells GREAT! Even my husband notices when he gets home. And I think a neat home should smell good, too, so I tend to gravitate toward products that have nice (not overbearing) smells!


I can't live without Lysol disinfecting wipes. They are SO handy -- for just about everything! It's also such a quick fix when you want to clean up in no time at all... since it's a thick paper-towel-kind of thing that has the cleaning product built-in it already! (It's nice to know that I'm killing germs, too.) I use Lysol wipes to clean toilet seats, bathroom sinks, counter tops, the shower door, the microwave, the toaster, the stove, garbage cans, door handles, light switches, remotes, the fridge (as you may have seen in the fridge refurb post).... the list goes on and on! And sometimes I grab a few wipes and clean off the bathroom floors when I see some hairspray build-up or some stray toothpaste. I've even cleaned the washing machine with a wipe or two before! (Contrary to popular belief, though, I do not use Lysol wipes on any living things in the house! While it would be rather convenient to disinfect germy dog paws and grimy hands and faces with a wipe, I have refrained! Ha-ha!)

Now, THAT's neat!