Cleaning Month - Wash Baseboards - Day 2

We've made it through the first week of Cleaning Month and from the sound of the comments, you are starting to see some clean and tidy results - yeah!  I'm so happy to see so many of you doing my little bit every day method - it really works - you'll see the full results if you stick it out until the end of the month. 

So today we're finishing up the baseboards - I'd love to hear how you're cleaning your baseboards in the comments - what method works best for you? 

I talked about my various baseboard cleaning methods yesterday, but here they are again in case you missed it...

•Magic Erasers and soapy water
•rag and soapy water or Basic H2 in warm water
•Basic H2 wipes (my favorite method - it's the quickest and easiest)

I start at the top of the baseboards and scrub until they are clean (this job is easier today because we vacuumed the baseboards on Wednesday) - if you are using a non-toxic cleaner, have your kiddos help out with this one - give them a wipe or wet rag to help out. This round of baseboard washing I will be using a piece of painter's tape to mark where I need to touch up the white trim with a little white paint - that way I can work on that over the weekend.

Friday is also my menu planning and grocery shopping day:

And here's more information than you ever wanted to know about how I simplify menu planning and shopping:

My favorite stores? Costco, Trader Joe's, Meijer. I can get the best deals at these three stores and they're close to my house.

 
•during the week I write down some meal plan ideas (in my menu planners)

•Friday morning I write out the menu on my weekly docket (the docket in the shop has the same daily tasks that we're doing for cleaning month if you are interested...)

I try to do as many recipes as possible that will be leftovers the next night, carryover proteins (roast chicken one night, chicken quesadillas the next), or make a double batch and freeze one pan.

•make shopping list

•sort coupons and print out coupons from online sites to match up with items needed or items on sale

•head out to the stores - I like to go out mid-morning so we're back by lunch time or sometimes I will wait and go out on Friday night

And don't forget to do the daily chores:


•SWEEP FLOORS - (hardwood in the kitchen, powder room, small hallway, and entryway - this is mostly crumbs and dog hair) the kids use their dustpan, I use a broom and dustpan, but for the dog hair I LOVE using a microfiber dusting pad that can be tossed in the wash over and over.

•WIPE COUNTERS - this means the kitchen counters get wiped down after each meal every day with Basic H2 and a cotton rag. Most days all the counters get wiped down 3 times a day, some days more, and some days less. I also wipe bathroom counters as needed - about 2 or 3 times a week.

•LAUNDRY - at least one load washed/dried/folded/put away. Here's a link to a post I did about mlaundry routine if you're interested.

•CLUTTER - open mail and toss junk mail, file or pay bills, etc., make sure kids have cleaned up their toys before rest time and bed - somedays I'll choose an area to de-clutter.

Every comment this week is entered to win a Busy Mama Homekeeping Kit - and will be announced this weekend!