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?
So, I think we can all agree that stains under the rim of the toilet bowl are less than appealing, right? Well, this past week on KOTV - The News On 6 I demonstrated tricks on how to get rid of those unsightly mineral deposits and stains.
What your need:
Pumice Stone or Drywall Screen
#happycleaning, Amy Bates
I have been not-so-patiently waiting for it to feel like Autumn, and although the weather still isn't cooperating with me, I am pulling on my boots. Whether riding boots, motorcycle boots, or booties, I know they are an investment. So, I try to keep them looking fabulous and make them last by protecting them from mother nature. After all, your boots were made for walking, regardless of the weather!
The two products used: Obenhauf's Water Shield Spray and Huberd's Shoe Grease
#happycleaning - Amy Bates
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These areas of your home can collect pet hair like crazy, but many times they go overlooked during house cleaning! With holiday entertaining quickly approaching, make sure you hit the dinner chairs and lampshades (yes, they need de-fuzzing, too)!
What you need:
- #happycleaning from Amy:
Over time wear and tear takes a toll on your countertops. If you notice water is soaking into your countertops (instead of beading up) then you need to definitely reseal them. Generally, you need to reseal countertops every six to twelve months to keep them in good shape. It's not a complicated process but some may find it intimidating. As the holidays are coming up you want to make sure your countertops look great, so I checked in with my friends at News On 5 (KOTV) to show you how!
#happycleaning - Amy Bates
The fabulous season of fall is here, and where I live that means patio dinner, beautiful foliage, piñon wood fires in the chimenea, AND pollen and dust in outdoor cushions! Three out of four of those don't bother me. Let me cross the one negative (dust, pollen, allergens) off the list with a tip that won't leave your seat wet!
#happycleaning - Amy
P.S. While you are on YouTube, subscribe to my channel! That move means you will be the first to see my new tips. Everyone wants to be first, right?!
Showed News on 6 this week that club soda may not always do the trick for stubborn stains. Especially when it comes to permanent marker and ballpoint pins getting on your clothing (or children!), it doesn't have to be a lost cause. Grab a couple of items you have in your bathroom, find a clean cloth and get ready to be amazed!
#happycleaning - Amy
Did you forget to drop off the dry cleaning or need to freshen a suit or dress that picked up the smell of smoke after an evening out? What can you do? Using your home bar, or if traveling, the hotel mini-bar, D.I.Y. a quick odor eliminating fabric spray! The same mix works for removing pet odor on upholstery and more.
What you need:
#happycleaning - Amy
As I write this, I am finishing up a glorious cup of french press coffee. I admit, I make multiple batches of coffee throughout the day. With all that use, my coffee carafe can get stained and dirty from the coffee ground overload. However, if your coffee carafe is insulated, you can't simply put it in the dishwasher to get it clean. However, there is a natural way to get it clean safely! So I checked-in with my friends at News on 6 in Tulsa this week with a quick tip to help keep those overworked coffee pots ready for the next brew!
#happycleaning - Amy
I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Clarisonic brush - it keeps my skin looking beautiful and smooth - but after multiple uses, dirt can build up on the brush that you definitely don't want on your skin! Try this quick cleaning method to get more longevity from your Clarisonic brush and help provide great skincare results!
What you need:
#happycleaning - Amy
