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Amy Bates
Here's What Happened When I Let My Family Clean ...

When GoodHousekeeping.com asked me to stop doing housework for two weeks, I was terrified. For starters, we're your typical, busy Midwestern family with two teenage sons and two dogs. My husband Alan is a tidy and fastidious civil engineer, and I am the proud owner of a Merry Maids office and the founder of the Don't Look Under the Rug blog. The two of us divide the chores (Alan washes dishes, cooks, and vacuums; while I handle laundry, grocery shopping, and monitoring general clutter) and the boys are expected to pick up after themselves. That said, I do feel I handle more than my fair share of housework after a day at the office.

I don't think my standards are unrealistic. I love things to be clean, but I also enjoy living in my home. We do have a mail pile and a "take it up the stairs" collection. So, eventually, I felt cautiously optimistic about taking a two-week hiatus from housework. My boys are well-behaved, helpful, and only slightly sloth-like when it comes to picking up after themselves — how bad could it be? 

Here's What Happened When I Let My Family Clean the House for Two Weeks

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Mother Bear's DIY Method for Cleaning Glasses

With Thanksgiving around the corner, it is time for family and friends. So in the spirit of things I am thankful for, I introduce you to my Mom, a.k.a. "The Mother Bear". She brings joy and laughter to everyone she meets, and I can't wait for you to meet her! She has taught me loads of life skills, but cleaning tips? Well, she may have briefly touched on the subject! Judge for yourself as I share one of her many useful hints using her favorite cleaning (ahem) substance!

Reminder: For more genuinely helpful cleaning tips, "like" my page and subscribe to my YouTube channel!

- #happycleaning - Amy