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?
Do you love hosting parties but hate the mess left behind by guests?
In a short 15 seconds, I will show you a quick and easy way to remove lipstick stains from cloth napkins and clothing using a few items you likely have on hand (or should!)
#happycleaning, Amy Bates
With sports season comes a whole new level of stinky shoes around my house! Every tennis practice provides a new battle to keep my son's shoes fresh! -- Try these easy tips to get fresh sneakers for the next practice:
#happycleaning, Amy Bates!
Are you a coffee lover?
Do you hate having a dirty coffee or tea pot but don't want to wash the carafe in the dishwasher (who can part without it for so long!)?
Try this quick and easy tip and say goodbye to using a coffee-stained pot... without using vinegar!
#happycleaning, Amy Bates
Sports season is upon us and so is the constant battle to keep sports uniforms clean! Whether you have soccer, football, or baseball pants, grass stains and dirt leave their mark. I'll share the best types of cleaning products to use, and a pre-game method to help prevent stains from sticking!
VIDEO BONUS: Watch the video through to the end to learn about a surprising location to clean uniforms and dirt-stained pants!
#happycleaning, Amy Bates
Jillian Ihloff from Ihloff Homes-McGraw Realtors in Tulsa, OK shared a quick checklist me for keeping your kitchen neat and clean when trying to sell your home! From decluttering to quick staging tips, this is your task list for last minute home showings:
#happycleaning, Amy Bates
Do you find foul smelling towels hidden behind bathroom doors or closet floors in your house? Or wet, musty swim clothing items when your kids return from camp?
Try this tip to get those smelly things fresh in a jiffy:
#happycleaning, Amy Bates
