Dusting 1-0-1

Here it is dusting 101. My favorite ideas for getting dusting done in less time with better results

1. Put together a little dusting kit. First, the tools, include a dust mop that you won't use for floors, dust cloths, good choices are cotton socks, gloves, diapers or cheesecloth, paintbrushes for getting dust out of crevices and used dryer sheets for quick cleaning and cutting static

2. Then the cleaners, your favorite polish, some lemon oil, toothpaste for removing white moisture rings from wood before dusting, various shades of waxy shoe polish for covering scratches

3. Off to work. Start from the top! Use your dust mop to clean dust and cobwebs from ceiling moldings, and the tops of doors.

4. Use a paintbrush for ceiling fixtures. Once all of the high areas have been hit, pull on the socks or gloves, or grab two cloths. Spray each with some polish and clean doors, casings, and furniture, working with both hands at once will get the job done quickly and you're less likely to miss a spot!

5. Dust electronics with used dryer sheets, the static cutters will help repel dust and keep those items cleaner, longer.

6. Pay attention to areas that are often missed while you're cleaning, like light bulbs, lampshades, baseboards, and pictures.

Dusting 1-0-1!

Refrigerator Maintennance

If you have dust bunnies residing under your refrigerator, and mystery smells lurking inside, here are a few quick ideas to keep that refrigerator in tip-top condition and smelling great!

1. To clean underneath the fridge, try covering a yardstick with the leg of an old pair of stockings, and run the yardstick under the appliance. The dust bunnies will grab a hold of the stockings for an easy clean-up.

2. To keep your fridge running efficiently, you should check the seal every so often. Do this by closing a dollar bill in the door, and then try to pull it out. If you feel a little tug then you have a good seal. Or, if the bill slides easily, it's time to get a new seal.

3. To keep the fridge smelling good, you can put a box of baking soda inside. Or keep it smelling sweet, just soak a paper towel with vanilla extract and wipe down the walls of the fridge.

Time & Money Savers

If you feel like you spend half your time and half your paycheck cleaning your house, I have some time and money saving tips for you!

1. If you buy commercial cleansers don't buy them in a spray bottle, buy them in a large bottle you'll get twice as much for half the price, then fill your own spray bottle!

2. If you never use a whole steel wool pad when you do the dishes and it just ends up rusting before you need it again. Cut them in half they'll go twice as far, plus you won't have to clean up that rusty mess.

3. Use baby oil instead of furniture polish, it's inexpensive and it will leave a beautiful shine.

4. Speaking of dusting, buy an inexpensive car washing mitt to use as a dust rag. You'll find you clean much faster, it cleans easily around corners and legs and you'll use less polish because the mitt will hold it and become a pre-treated duster!

5. Dingy toilet? Put a scoop of powdered lemonade mix in there and let it sit for a while you clean the rest of the bathroom, the citric acid in the juice will leave a beautiful shine on the bowl!