MomsBudget

Squeaky Clean Challenge Day #18 - Pantry

Ah yes, the pantry.

• Remove everything.
• Toss outdated items… and don’t forget, stuff that didn’t have a date before might carry one now (did you know Jello now has an expiry date?)
• Toss long ago opened boxes of crackers etc that have gone stale.
• If you have non-perishables that you will not use, that are not outdated, put them in a box for the food bank. 
• Wipe down shelving with disinfectant and replace lining if necessary. 
• Check flour etc for weevils. 
• Restock shelves, keeping like things together.
• Drop off the non-perishables you don’t need at the food bank.

Brand new to the MomsBudget Squeaky Clean Challenge?  Click here for all the details, plus get the full list of all thirty days. Comment below when you are done with today’s task!

Squeaky Clean Challenge Day #17 - Freezer

Another one of those chores that seldom gets done except for the quick “throw out the expired milk and the funky looking veggies” cleanup.

• Check for any signs the freezer is not working at 100%
  • How to test your freezer to make sure it works correctly
• Sort freezer items. Rearrange items into logical groups (ie. all the ground beef together)
• Take note if you have too much of something, and make a mental note not to buy any for a while.
• Create an inventory list of items you use commonly, such as ground beef or chicken.
• Create an inventory list of completed meals you have ready
  • Freezer Inventory List Worksheet Printable
• Check dates on packages, and move oldest up front for next use.
• Throw out anything frozen that you won’t use.
• Spot-clean any spills.
• Decide a date for defrosting, if neccessary, if you do not have time to do it today.

Brand new to the MomsBudget Squeaky Clean Challenge?  Click here for all the details, plus get the full list of all thirty days.  Comment below when you are done with today’s task!

Squeaky Clean Challenge Day #16 - Refrigerator

Another one of those chores that seldom gets done except for the quick “throw out the expired milk and the funky looking veggies” cleanup.

• Check dates and toss all expired products, old leftovers, and any fruits or veggies that have gone bad.
• Remove everything from the fridge.
• Wipe down the fridge walls, shelving, bins, gasket, and bottom with a cloth sprayed with all-purpose cleaner to get rid of dirt and other ickies.
  • Make your own stainless steel polish
  • Make your own softscrub cleaner
• Remove shelving or bins with stubborn stains and soak in sink with soap and hot water.
• Return items to fridge, wiping down sides/bottoms of containers that may be sticky.
• Check the gasket to see if it needs replacing (the soft vinyl seal between the door and the fridge.) You can waste a lot of energy if it is no longer sealing properly.
  • How to check your refrigerator’s seal
  • How to clean your refrigerator’s gasket/seal

Brand new to the MomsBudget Squeaky Clean Challenge?  Click here for all the details, plus get the full list of all thirty days. Comment below when you are done with today’s task!

Squeaky Clean ChallengeDay #15 - Cookbooks!

Are you a cookbook collector? Or have you started bookmarking your favorite recipes online?  Or print off your faves so you have them at a glance?  Whichever your method, let’s get them all organized in record time!

• Collect all your recipe related books/boxes/papers. Sort into piles of those you use often and those you don’t. Keep the ones you use often in an easily accessible space in the kitchen. Put the ones you seldom use on another bookshelf, or even in another room. 
• Sort through your loose recipes. Toss the ones you no longer want to keep or that you didn’t like. Those that make the cut, put into a binder or recipe box.
• If you have time, go scouting for new recipes.
• Select recipes for the week, and make your grocery list.

Brand new to the MomsBudget Squeaky Clean Challenge? Click here for all the details, plus get the full list of all thirty days. Comment below when you are done with today’s task!

Squeaky Clean Challenge Day #13 & 14 - Closet Cleaning Time!

Tired of shutting the bedroom door when you have company over?Let’s get started on the master bedroom!

• Go through clothing and shoes
• donate what doesn’t fit or you don’t wear
• throw out garments with stains/holes that cannot be fixed or mended
• put unused hangers in one area so you can easily find one when needed
• gather items for drycleaners
• Dust shelving – including the top one!
• Vaccuum

Brand new to the MomsBudget Squeaky Clean Challenge? Click here for all the details, plus get the full list of all thirty days.  Comment below when you are done with today’s task!

Squeaky Clean Challenge Day #12 – Master Bedroom!

Tired of shutting the bedroom door when you have company over? Let’s get started on the master bedroom!

• Pick up all the clothes, and put them away, or into the laundry.
  • Laundry tips to save you money
• Vacuum or dry-mop floor.
• Clean under the bed (if you store stuff under the bed, take it out, sort through as needed, dust/vaccuum under the bed, then dust and return storage to under bed) 
• Wash windows and mirrors.
  • Make your own sparkle spray window cleaner
• Dust furniture, shelving and baseboards.
  • Make your own Swiffer Duster reusable dusters
• Clean window coverings if needed.
  • How to clean and wash curtains
  • How to clean drapes and curtains without unhanging them
  • How to clean wooden blinds
• Change bedding and fluff pillows.
• Replace pillows as needed (after two years, a pillow contains 10% dust mites and their droppings… EEEEK!!!)
  • How to wash a feather pillow
• Get a laundry hamper if you do not already have one or another laundry plan in place (if you have dirty laundry on the floor, make a place for it to go instead!)
  • Getting your family to use laundry hampers

Brand new to the MomsBudget Squeaky Clean Challenge?  Click here for all the details, plus get the full list of all thirty days. Comment below when you are done with today’s task!

Squeaky Clean Challenge Day #11 – Houseplants!

Don’t think you can skip this one just because you have no “real” plants!

• Check to see if any plants need repotting into larger pots
  • Where to find cheap containers for container gardening
  • Tips for using terracotta pots
  • Make your own potting soil mix
  • How to sterilize potting soil
• Check for any pests or other bugs on your live plants
  • Make your own natural insecticide recipe
  • Natural insect repellant recipe
• Give plant food or fertilizer if needed
  • When to fertilize potted plants
• Trim plants and remove any dead leaves
• Dust and decobweb fake plants (using the vacuum brush makes this job go pretty fast!)
  • Make your own Swiffer Duster reusable duster
• Water 
  • Choosing the perfect watering can

Brand new to the MomsBudget Squeaky Clean Challenge? Click here for all the details, plus get the full list of all thirty days.  Comment below when you are done with today’s task!

Squeaky Clean Challenge Day #10 – Bathroom Time!

You knew this one would be coming!  But it is actually quite painless when you look at it.  And we have many recipes for the budget conscious mom that will help get this done without having to buy any expensive products or cleaners (yea!)

• Throw out any items that are used, such as Q-tips, face pads, wrappers, etc. 
• Tidy items and disinfect countertops 
  • Antibacterial bathroom cleaner recipe
  • Pine oil disinfectant recipe
• Refill soap & hand sanitizer containers
  • Make your own hand sanitizer
  • Make your own liquid soap
• Clean and disinfect tub/shower, sink.
  • Scented Aromatherapy all purpose cleaner recipe
  • Antibacterial bathroom cleaner recipe
  • Tile cleaner recipe
  • Non-toxic grout cleaner
  • Ceramic Tile Cleaner recipe
  • Ceramic tile stain remover
  • Pine oil disinfectant recipe
• Set up for regular cleaning with a daily shower cleaner to keep in the bathroom
  • Make your own daily shower spray
• Check to see if you are low on staples (shampoo, gel, toothpaste, etc) 
  • Make your own Peppermint toothpaste (or cinnamon toothpaste recipe too!)
  • Waterproof makeup remover recipe
  • Many more recipes (too many to list!) of various toiletries and beauty products in our Beauty & Bath Recipes section!
• Wash towels, hand towels, washcloths.  Don’t use fabric softener on towels so they absorb more water!
  • Make your own laundry detergent
• Wash toilet seat covers / toppers (the fuzzy fabric ones)
• Sanitize toilet
  • Jiffy toilet bowl cleaner recipe (go to love anything that says jiffy combined with toilet cleaner!)
• Disinfect toothbrushes
  • we know this gets done seldom, here’s how to disenfect toothbrushes!

 

Brand new to the MomsBudget Squeaky Clean Challenge?  Click here for all the details, plus get the full list of all thirty days.   Comment below when you are done with today’s task!

Squeaky Clean Challenge Day #9 – The Dining Room

• Clear the dining room table and any side tables/cabinets/counters of clutter
• Dust
  • Make your own Swiffer Reusable Dusters
• Wash table cloth if it has gotten dusty 
• Polish silverware etc
  • Make your own Silver Polishing Cloths
• Check the fabric chair-covers for stains, and clean if neccessary 
• Wash windows and mirrors 
  • Make your own sparkle spray window cleaner
• Mop or vaccuum the floor

Brand new to the MomsBudget Squeaky Clean Challenge?  Click here for all the details, plus get the full list of all thirty days.   Comment below when you are done with today’s task!

Squeaky Clean Challenge Day #8 – The Living Room

Do a ten second tidy, gathering up items that really belong elsewhere in the house.
Dust and straighten items on mantel, coffee and end tables, clearing out anything that belongs elsewhere.
Remove old TV Guides, magazines, newspapers etc that can go into Recycling.
Clean the floors.
Clean the TV screen – you can be astounded at how much clearer the picture will be without the layer of dust! (How to prevent dust build up on glass & televisions)
Check sofa cushions. Spot clean or flip if needed. Straighten if neccessary.
Dust blinds, lampshades, bookshelves and all other places that accumulate dust. (Make your own Swiffer Duster reusable dusters)
Clean curtains (How to clean & wash curtains)

Brand new to the MomsBudget Squeaky Clean Challenge?  Click here for all the details, plus get the full list of all thirty days.   Comment below when you are done with today’s task!