5 Cleaning Resolutions for The New Year

We know you’re tired of hearing about New Year’s resolutions but we can’t resist! We just have to share some tips to make 2018 the cleanliest year yet!

Did you know that if you do something for 21 days straight, it becomes a habit? Resolutions are hard to stick to but 21 days goes by quickly! You can make these cleaning resolutions stick and become a better you.

Here are 5 resolutions you should stick to this year that we think will not only make your home look nicer but make you feel better in the process.

  1. Organize

A well-organized life is well-lived one. Writing down tasks for the day seems trivial and not helpful, but it goes a long way.

Set a cleaning schedule for yourself: find time between work, leisure, and other commitments that you can dedicate to tidying up. For example: take out the trash after dinner on Monday, wipe down all the surfaces in your home on Tuesday, vacuum on Wednesday, tidy up your room on Thursday, and clean the bathrooms on Friday. A small task everyday adds up by the end of the week. When the weekend rolls around, you won’t have to spend half of your day meticulously cleaning every nook and cranny because most of your home will already be clean!

Stick to this schedule as best as you can and experience the results!

  1. Labels

Have trouble finding certain things in your house? Forgot where you put that one item you desperately need right now? We have a solution for that: labels!!

We suggest buying some bins and a label maker and getting to work! Group all the things you think you may need every day in one bin, label everything in that bin, and stick it on the bin. Do this for all similar items. If you don’t like the aesthetics of bins, try this with shelves!

Labelling will help you cut out the time you spend searching for products that you’ve misplaced or just can’t seem to find.

  1. Downsize

Reality check: you may have too much clutter in your house. It’s a new year and it’s time to get rid of all the stuff you no longer need. Do you really need 4 mops? Or 4 of the same bathrobes? Or even those 15 year old pots? No! Throw out those duplicates, discard your old things that you haven’t touched in years, and make more room for yourself!

You probably have some clothes in your closet that don’t fit or you no longer wear. Donate, donate, donate! There’s something valuable in your “trash” and someone out there will appreciate it.

We can promise you that you won’t miss those old things you haven’t used in years. You’ll be more satisfied with all the extra room you’ll have!

  1. Try new products

Sick of the same fragrances floating through your home? Are your old products just not working like they used to? Try something new!

Citrus-based cleaners are in style and they work very well! Use these products to diversify your cleaning techniques and bring new scents into your home! Lavender is overused and vanilla is too bland. Spice up your home with the wild scents of lemon and orange that will bring you olfactory pleasure!

  1. Make cleaning fun!

Cleaning can get really mundane and routine unless you make it fun for yourself. Put on that album everyone at work is talking about. Listen to some podcasts that you enjoy to make the best of your cleaning experience. Dance while you clean!

Challenge yourself to clean one thing during the commercial break of your favorite show. Challenge your partner or kids to a race to see who can clean the fastest while still cleaning well.

Cleaning doesn’t have to be a hassle. If you have fun while doing it, you won’t even notice you’re cleaning!

A clean home is important, but sometimes we can’t do it all on our own. If you hire Pure Productive Services we will ensure that your home is spotless so you don’t have to

Fall Cleaning Guide

Summer has just ended and the holidays are on their way. Fall is the calm before the storm, so take advantage of this time. Fall cleaning is extremely important. Putting away summer things and preparing your home for the cold winter weather. Preparing your home with these quick and easy tasks can make easing into winter that much easier!

Dispose of Those Dust Bunnies

You’ve enjoyed your summer but now it’s time to sweep up all that dusk build up! It’s time to deep clean your house, a multi-surface cleaning spray can take care of all your dust build up with ease. A light spraying onto a rag can clean everything from the top of your bookshelf to baseboards. Your house will be smelling clean and fresh when you’re finished!

 

Rotate Your Closet

Unfortunately, shorts can’t be worn all year round, unless you live in the tropics, but for everyone else, changing out your summer wardrobe for your winter one! For kids especially, this is a great time to put clothes away but get rid of any tight fitted clothing too. Your personal closet isn’t the only thing that needs to be sorted out. Pack up your linens and break out your winter bedding to get ready for those colder nights. If you’re not sure where to start, there are a few closet cleaning guides that can help you navigate the process!

Prepare your oven for baking season  

  As the holidays and cold weather approach so is the season for baking! But before you begin baking, take some time to clean out your oven! Whether you use oven cleaner or natural cleaners, this is the perfect time of year to clean your oven! It is best done when you can leave windows open. The cleaner an oven is the easier it will be to use!

 

Delicious Fall Diffuser 

After all that cleaning, you’ll want your house smelling like fall. Essential oil defusers are easy to customize, refill and have your home smelling like fall all the time!

Pumpkin Spice Latte

  • 5 Drops of Cinnamon
  • 1 Drop Clove
  • 1 Drop Nutmeg
  • 1 Drop Allspice

Autumn Afternoon

  • 5 Drops Orange
  • 1 Drop of Cinnamon
  • 1 Drop of Ginger
  • 1 Drop of Patchouli

Fireside

  • 4 Drops of Cypress
  • 2 Drops of Amber
  • 2 Drops of Clove

Walk in the Woods

  • 4 Drops of Cypress
  • 3 Drops of Sandalwood
  • 2 Drops of Fir
  • 1 Drop of Amber

4 Things To Do With Lemons That Doesn’t Involve Eating

Lemons are a great citrus for summer drinks! But lemons are for more than eating, the acidity makes them a very usable option for cleaning. Lemons are the magical cleaning fruit and can be used for antibacterial, stain removal & even neutralizing odors! Here are some easy and healthy ways to use lemons as a cleaning agent.

Naturally Clean and Sanitize Your Garbage Disposal 

 

1. Lemon and Vinegar Ice Cubes 

What You’ll need:

  • 1-2 Lemons
  • 3-4 Cups of White Vinegar
  • 1-2 Ice cube Trays
  1. Cut your lemons and put each piece into the ice cube mold.
  2. Fill each mold with vinegar
  3. Place Tray in freezer

Every few days throw a 1 or 2 Ice cubes into your garbage disposal and let the cubes do their magic! The Citrus and Vinegar will rid the disposal of any unsavory odors. If citrus peels are unavailable, orange or lemon extract will do the trick!

 

Clean, Deodorize and Condition Wood Cutting Boards 

 

2. Lemon & Salt Wood Cutting Board Cleaner

Wood cutting boards are great but cleaning them without using harsh chemicals and cleaners. Lemons are perfect for cleaning wood cutting boards. They disinfect and you never have to worry about contaminating food with dangerous chemicals.

What You’ll Need:

  • Coarse Salt
  • 1 Large Lemon
  • Warm Water
  1. Sprinkle the cutting board with coarse salt.
  2. With a lemon half scour the surface while squeezing slightly to release juice.
  3. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  4. Scrape off all residue left on the board.
  5. Then rinse with warm water.

Microwave Cleaner 

 

3. Lemon Fresh Microwave Steam

Cleaning a microwave is definitely on the list of things that we all dread doing. But with this easy Do It Yourself cleaner your microwave will be clean and fresh without the struggle or scrubbing with harsh chemicals.

What You’ll Need:

  • 1 Microwave Safe Bowl
  • 1 Slice of Lemon
  • White Vinegar
  • Water (Enough to fill the bowl)
  1. Slice one lemon and place them in a microwave safe bowl filled with water.
  2. Add a splash of vinegar.
  3. Place the bowl in the microwave on high for five minutes.
  4. After the five minutes are up let it sit for a few more minutes.
  5. Carefully remove the bowl then wipe down the inside with a damp cloth.
  6. Enjoy your clean and fresh-smelling microwave!

All-Purpose Natural Kitchen Cleaner

 

4. Lemon Herb All Purpose Cleaner

Finding a natural nontoxic kitchen cleansers can be difficult. Finding the right brand can be difficult, some may suggest using vinegar for cleaning kitchen surfaces, but vinegar isn’t always a pleasant smell. Citrus cleaners are definitely a better solution!

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Lemon peels
  • Rosemary
  • White vinegar
  • 1 large mason jar with lid
  • Fine Mesh Sieve Bowl
  • Spray Bottle
  1. Whenever you use a lemon, remember to save the peels in the mason jar.
  2. As you add peels and rosemary add vinegar to the peels and herbs and let them sit for 2 weeks. The longer the mixture sits, the more the mixture will be infused with citrus.
  3. After the 2 weeks are up, using the sieve, remove the liquid from the jar and discard the peels
  4. Pour the cleaner into the spray bottle and get ready to use!