HEALTHY BACK TO SCHOOL TIPS

It’s that time again!  There are hundreds of missed school days every year because of germs and sicknesses that could’ve been avoided. Here are some simple tips to help keep your kids a little bit cleaner and healthier every day.

  • Use a disinfectant wipe on high-touch points every day when your child comes home from school. You can do this right when they’re taking everything out of their backpack to do their homework. Wipe down zipper and straps of their backpack, binders, pencils and other items they are using all day.
  • Give your child hand sanitizer for their backpack and also have extra bottles of it everywhere you can. Encourage the use at all times possible.
  • Teach your child to cough or sneeze into the crook of their arm if they don’t have a tissue available. This way the germs are not “caught” in their hands and spread to surfaces and other children by their hands. Make sure you explain to them how important it is not to spread germs and diseases.
  • Teach your child to keep their hands away from their face and mouth. Hands are too often carrying germs. Eyes, nose, and mouth are the entry points for germs to get into our body and make us sick.
  • Remind your child not to share water bottles or chapstick with other children. Anything that goes in your mouth shouldn’t be shared.

Above all else, just remember the most important way to keep your child healthy is a balanced diet, exercise and sleep. These are by far the most important things in a child’s life. Also, a daily multivitamin! ?

STINKY GARBAGE DISPOSAL SOLUTIONS

Does your Garbage Disposal Stink?

Cleaning the kitchen is one thing but how many of us forget about the disposal? I’ll admit, I sometimes forget until I get some phantom smell in the kitchen that isn’t coming from the garbage can.

The garbage disposal is a powerhouse when it comes to grinding up particles of food and when you think about it, some of the things that go in may cause some funky odors to come out.

Disposal Odors and How to Rid of Them

Below are some things you can do to remove and prevent odors in your garbage disposal.

  1. Run cold water when using the garbage disposal. After rinsing pots, pans and dishes, grease and oils can run off into the disposal area. Using cold water will help solidify any grease and oil so it can be chopped up before reaching the trap where it could otherwise sit and accumulate.
  2. Freeze white vinegar in ice cube trays. I use the silicone trays because popping them out is so easy and it really doesn’t matter if you use large or small square trays. Vinegar is a natural deodorizer that can help eliminate odor causing bacteria. This will also help keep the blades of the garbage disposal sharp.
  3. I always have a box of Borax sitting on my shelf. There are so many things you can use Borax for around the house. For a stinky drain, pour 3 or 4 tablespoons in the drain. Let sit 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on the smell, turn on the hot water and disposal to flush away. Borax is an effective odor eliminator and sanitizer.
  4. When you’ve finished washing dishes, pour in 1 cup baking soda and let this sit for 3 hours or overnight. Rinse completely.
  5. Many people don’t run the disposal long enough and turn it off when it sounds like everything has finished grinding. Instead, let it run a little bit longer (5 to 10 seconds) to ensure all particles of food have been flushed through the drain. Be sure to leave the water running as well.

After using one of the methods above I will periodically toss in the garbage disposal (when I have them on hand) citrus peels and some of the fruit as well. This will naturally clean the inside of the garbage disposal and leave a long lasting scent.

In order to keep your disposal clean and help prevent odors:

  • Run your disposal on a regular basis and remember to run it a few seconds longer after you think food has finished grinding.
  • Keep your disposal clean by pouring in a squirt or two of dish soap. Run the cold water and turn the disposal on for a minute or two.
  • Don’t pour grease or fatty stuffs down the disposal.

It’s important to remember that only biodegradable food stuffs be put in the disposal. A garbage disposal is not your trash can.

Cleaning Bathroom Rugs

Cleaning Bathroom Rugs

It’s so easy for us to forget about things that are under our feet on a daily basis, sometimes life is too busy to worry about those things..

But—we all need to stop and realize how many germs are hiding in our bathrooms.

Learn how often you should be cleaning bathroom rugs, as well as how to clean bathmats of varying types.

How Often Should You Wash Bathroom Rugs?

The rugs in your bathroom are the #1 go-to place for mildew, bacteria and even fungi. This is because of the warmth and moisture. Because of this you should wash your bathroom rugs regularly.

The frequency with which you launder your rugs really depends on your household. If you have kids who play a lot of sports or a bathmat that sees so much use it never dries, you’ll want to wash it on a weekly basis. On the other hand, if your home consists of one or two people who shower once a day, you can space out cleanings every two to three weeks.

The basics of washing the rugs

Before washing your bathroom rugs, always check the care tags to make sure you’re not supposed to use any specific cleaning products or washer and dryer settings.

First things, first—take them outside and shake them out! Additionally, if your bathroom rugs have plastic or rubber backing, wipe that off with a dry microfiber cloth first.

Cleaning Microfiber and Chenille Bathmats

–Place your mats in the washer with a gentle laundry detergent. Make sure you don’t overload your washing machine.

–Wash on the cold setting.

–Tumble dry on the lowest heat setting. Alternatively, you can hang your mats outside to dry.
Note: If you’re using the dryer, be certain not to mix your microfiber or chenille bathroom rugs with other fabrics, especially towels. If these bathroom rugs pick up lint, they won’t dry as quickly.

Cleaning Plastic- or Rubber-Backed Bathmats

Plastic and rubber-backed bathmats are standard in many homes and they’re made of a wide array of materials, from cotton to nylon, so remember to check care tags!

–Check the undersides of your mats to see if the backing is cracked or peeling. If so, it may be time to get a new mat as these little pieces can come off in the washer or dryer, causing clogs in or damage to your appliances.

–Place mats in the washer, taking care not to overload your machine. Wash your bathroom rugs on the cold setting with a gentle laundry detergent.

–Hang your mats outside to dry or tumble dry on the lowest setting. You should never use heat when drying plastic- or rubber-backed bathmats because it can cause the backing to crack or even melt.
That’s all there is to it when it comes to learning how to clean bathroom rugs. Your feet will thank you for taking the time to wash bathmats regularly.

Benefits of a Clean Home

THE BENEFITS OF A CLEAN HOME!

We all know how great it feels to come home to a clean house!

Here are some of the surprising benefits of having a clean home that you may never have thought of!

–NOT WASTING TIME

Taking just a few minutes to put items away right after you’re done using them has an amazing effect. This provides less of a mess and it’s easier to find the items next time you need them!

–MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO BE HOSPITABLE

I’m sure we’ve all been there—a friend calls you (or doesn’t even call first!) and tells you they’re coming over and they’re right around the corner!

Don’t get me wrong, your house doesn’t have to be spotless to impress a guest, but we don’t want to miss a shared moment over a messy house!  A standard pick-up is easy to do each day, and makes your home look so much better. If you spend 15 minutes every day to clear off counters and put things back where they belong, it can make a huge difference!

–A QUICK BURST OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

A good cleaning session can get your heart pumping, especially if it’s a task like scrubbing down the shower or vacuuming the floors. Sometimes a vacuum can be so heavy, it’s like lifting weights, right?

If you hate to exercise, but want to stay active and healthy, just put on your rubber gloves and tackle a few cleaning jobs for 20-30 minutes. You’ll quickly break a sweat without paying for an expensive gym membership. Vacuuming can be your workout for the day!

–LESS MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS

Keeping your appliances in good condition, will allow you to spend less money to repair or replace them. Cleaning your appliances regularly is the number one way to ensure that you get all the uses you can out of it.

–SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT

When you cross something major off your to-do list, it will give you a huge boost of energy. It generally puts you in a better mood and makes you happier.

One quick glance over your clean and tidy house, and I promise you too will get warm and fuzzy whenever you think about all the hard work you’ve done. It will also encourage you to continue the habit in the weeks, months, and years to come.

 

Remove Pet Stains

Aren’t we all dog lovers at heart?

Well, if you’ve got a dog at home, most likely you have an accident or two happen around the house.

Staff here at Tri Maids agree that this solution is one of the most simple, eco-friendly and inexpensive ways to treat those accidental stains.

Vinegar-Baking Soda Mixture

White vinegar is a miraculous substance that will get rid of even old accident stains that might have been missed.

Baking soda is a natural odor remover, and combining it with vinegar does a great job at getting rid of odors!

You can do this combination two different ways–I’ll explain both!

You will need…
-2 cups white distilled vinegar
-2 cups of lukewarm water
-4 generous tablespoons of baking soda
-Spray bottle (optional)

 

Directions #1
It’s very important that you thoroughly blot up everything possible.

-Mix 2 cups of white distilled vinegar with 2 cups of lukewarm water in a large bowl.

-Add in 4 heaping tablespoons of baking soda. Add this in small increments because it will start to fizz up.  Pour into a spray bottle and thoroughly spray the area. Let sit for 5 minutes, then gently rub and blot up with a soft cloth. You can also simply pour some straight from the bowl over the stain if you don’t have a spray bottle.

Directions #2
Either way you do this, remember to blot or clean up as much as possible!

-Mix 2 cups of lukewarm water with 2 cups of white distilled vinegar.

-Sprinkle baking soda liberally over the area where the accident occurred. Let it break down and deodorize for about 5 minutes.

-Then pour the water and vinegar solution directly onto the baking soda to create a mini cleaning volcano that will actively eat away at the stain. Blot and gently rub dry with a soft cloth after letting it sit for 5 minutes.

The Various Uses of Vinegar

Most households have some form of vinegar in the kitchen: whether it is the standard white or the popular Braggs apple cider vinegar, to the salad dressing and bed dipping favorite, balsamic vinegar. Vinegar contains 5-20% acetic acid and water. The acetic acid is made by a fermentation process from the acetic acid. Although we may think of using vinegar for food only, there are many uses for vinegar around your home. The next time you have household chores; use white vinegar to help you do everything from cleaning your home, laundry and perking up fresh cut flowers.

Vinegar has many household uses that can benefit even your wardrobe. Did you know vinegar can be used to remove wrinkles from your clothes? Imagine not having to use your iron again! Well, maybe not forever, but a great alternative is to use vinegar. Take a spray bottle and put 1 part vinegar to 3 parts of water. Put your clothing item on a hanger and spritz it with the solution. The vinegar smell will go away as your clothes dry.

One of the best home uses for vinegar is for fresh cut flowers. Vinegar helps to prolong the life of flowers and perks them up for you to extend their beauty in your home. Mix 2 tablespoons of vinegar along with 1 tablespoon of sugar in a vase for your fresh flowers. This mixture is safer and non-toxic compared to the packets that may come with your flowers.

A hot cup of tea helps to melt the stress away and makes you relax. Unless the inside of the beloved tea kettle is stained and dirty with minerals from tap water that can leave hard water stains on the inside and outside of the shiny stainless steel. To remove those stains, mix ½ cup of vinegar and pour into the kettle and fill the kettle with water. Do the same by filling a bucket with water to the top of the kettle with 1 cup of vinegar in the bucket. Leave this solution overnight.

The next time you’re looking for a natural cleaning solution, think of using vinegar. Vinegar has many household uses from salad dressings, removing wrinkles in clothes, prolonging the life of fresh cut flowers, and cleaning tea kettles. The wonderful various uses of vinegar is a low cost way of making your home chores cheap and easy!

The Miracle of Hydrogen Peroxide

A clean home has a way of invigorating your senses to make you feel more productive, comfortable and even safe, knowing your own little universe is looking its best. A clean home sets the tone for a productive work week or a fun filled, carefree weekend. Part of the comfort of a clean home is being aware of what is in your cleaning products and if it is safe for you, your family, and pets.

When making your own multi-use cleaning solution at home, use products that don’t emit toxic fumes or leave a residue behind. One of the best cleaning solutions you can make at home is with something that probably exists in your home – hydrogen peroxide! It can be used in more ways than just for scrapes and cuts.

Hydrogen peroxide is colorless and has oxidizing properties and works as a natural bleaching agent. The oxidizing properties react to viruses, spores, yeasts, and bacteria. All of this makes for a natural cleaning agent since it can also be found in small amounts in snow and rain.

It is important to note that although hydrogen peroxide has natural properties, it is a strong oxidant as should be used with the knowledge that at high concentrates, it can be extremely corrosive. To make your own disinfectant household spray, use 35% food grade hydrogen peroxide. Always dilute the solution by mixing 1 ounce of the hydrogen peroxide and mix with 11 ounces of water. It is excellent to use this homemade house-cleaner for surface areas in the kitchen, bathroom and other areas widely used areas in your home.

There are many ways other ways that you can benefit from the use of hydrogen peroxide in your home. Many homes today have wood flooring; did you know hydrogen peroxide can be used to clean wood floors? It is important to use the right amount of hydrogen peroxide along with hot water so that your treasured flooring will not get damaged by high amounts of hydrogen peroxide. Use one cup of hydrogen peroxide 35% solution to one gallon of hot water.

The next time you’re cleaning your valued home, look in your medicine cabinet to create your own household cleaner/disinfectant today. You will save money and rest assured in knowing where your cleaning solution is made from. You’ll be pleasantly surprised by the many uses of hydrogen peroxide.