One of the frustrating things about housekeeping and cleaning is that you need products that work and work well. You also want information that you can trust. This shop is filled with my personal favorites and recommendations. I won't make you spend your time reading product listings about products that I No.1) Don't use myself, No. 2) Don't personally recommend, or No. 3) Will be a waste of your money.
When it comes to housecleaning we don't have time -- or money -- to waste. I know you will enjoy these products and will get much use and pleasure from them.
Neuhomecare Products. These products are ones I use in my own home. Most people don't know that most dishwashing soaps contain bleach and other additives that are unnecessary and harsh. In fact, many cleaning products have additives that you don't need in order to clean your home. It's why I like neuhomecare products: they use mild cleaners that are every bit as effective as the traditional grocery store brands. My dishwasher story
I tried the dishwasher soap when I got tired of spots and haze on my glassware that were left behind by "grocery store" brands. After about one week of using the neuhomecare dishwaser soap, I couldn't believe how my glasses and silverware GLEAMED (no more wiping the silverware before putting it away). My only criticism is that some of the scents are so mild, it's almost not worth it. But, that's a small price to pay when I see how wonderful my dishes are. Plus, I only use about 2 tablespoons per full load. So, while the price might seem high, one bottle lasts for about 2 months.
Try the three pack. This is my favorite. It has dishwasher soap, dish soap, and a general cleaner (that doesn't take your breath away like most cleaning sprays). BUY HERE FROM NEUHOMECARE
HOW CLEAN IS YOUR HOUSEBrits Kim Woodburn and Aggie McKenzie spell out the good, the bad, and the ugly of household living. And, no, this book isn't for the light-hearted. It gets to the painful truth about the dirt and filth that most people live with on a daily basis. And they don't sugar coat the need for true work and elbow grease.
Loaded with tips and ideas to help you "clean up your act," the book is worth adding to your laundry room library. Some English cleaning terms seem stilted for American readers, but the tips are worth getting past the odd wording.
BUY HERE FROM AMAZON
DO I DUST OR VACUUM FIRST?Ok. I won't keep you guessing. You always dust first. I admit that I didn't want to like a book written by a man. I mean how often do you ever hear that a man is staying home on Saturday to clean the house? My money is on a woman's cleaning advice, but, Don's got it covered here.
Straightforward and full of common sense and good advice on housecleaning, not ramblings and laments about all his "feelings" about housecleaning, which some of the books written by women writers have a tendency to focus on. Nope, this is all good stuff and practical, too. A must for household library.
BUY HERE FROM AMAZON
THE DYSON BALL VACUUMAre you ready to really keep house? If you are then you need a vacuum that will support you -- not the other way around.Dyson's emphasis is on performance and the idea that a vacuum should work and continue to work at the same level of performance makes me want to shout "Hallelujah!."
Not only that, but you should not have to shell out $10 and $15 on maintenance fees (known as bags) when you can just empty a cannister. But, wait, it gets better.... This wonderful vacuum also has attachments that don't make you have to learn vacuum origami by assembling this wand to that attachement...blah, blah, blah. Touch a button and the wand and hose releases. Now THAT makes me want to vacuum the lampshades and window blinds!
Go ahead and vacuum with your old vacuum. Then, vacuum with the Dyson. It will "shock and awe" you how much dirt your old vacuum DOESN'T pick up and how much this one does AFTER you already vacuumed. I bought one and, like microfiber, I won't be going back to standard vacuums again. Ever.
">BUY THE DYSON "BALL" VACUUM FROM AMAZON
DYSON FOR PETS: THE ANIMAL
I have friends with pets who say that the amount of hair "The Animal" picks up is astounding. And, I would trust their judgement -- and the maker of this product.
BUY THE DYSON "ANIMAL" VACUUM FOR PETS FROM AMAZON
MICROFIBER MOPReaders of this site know that I bow before the microfiber god. Yes, it's that good. I keep asking my microfiber supplier if I can be their evangelist! If you have wood floors, or if you have indoor pets, you simply can't live without this mop. Wood floors can be tedious to keep. Sweeping and vacuuming isn't enough. They need to be cleaned.
But, you can't mop them with water because this will damage the floor. Well, you can clean them so that they shine like they were polished on your hands and knees when you use microfiber. The mop picks up pet hair, small particles, and wipes smudges and smears clean.
My promise if you have wood floors: The $15 you spend for a microfiber mop will be the best $15 you have spent in a long, long time. Isn't it worth the price of a pizza to make your wood floors look respectable? You'll fall in love with them all over again. The extra long handle is also a back-saver!
CLICK HERE TO BUY A MICROFIBER MOP
MICROFIBER CLOTHSI use paper towels for one thing now: to clean toilets. I like to wipe the outside and surfaces of the toilet with paper towels I can dispose of and that's the only disposable product I use in cleaning my home. For every other kind of cleaning, I am all-microfiber all the time.
Microfiber has revolutionized how I clean. I hated my granite and smooth top stove because sponges smeared them. Microfiber cleans them to a sparkle. A damp microfiber towel cleans virtually every surface up to 96% free of bacteria - with water alone. That means fewer chemicals to use in the house and less exposure to toxic substances, something very important if you have anyone with health or respiratory concerns living in your home.
Microfiber is also a dust magnet. Spray with some Endust and microfiber will pick up dust no musty-old T-shirt could ever hope to do. If there is one investment you can make in cleaning your home, this is THE ONE to make. Don't buy those dumb flush-away toilet cleaners. This is a waste of your money. Microfiber can be used over and over and over for dusting, cleaning, and polishing and for every surface -- especially those high-end specialty surfaces (ceramic and smooth cooktops, stainless steel, glass, granite) that are a real chore to keep looking good.
CLICK HERE TO BUY A 10 TOWEL MICROFIBER STARTER PACK
OxiClean CleanerThis is a product that is indispensable in our house. It cleans everything from tile grout to set-in clothing stains. When a friend came and poured a very full glass of red wine all over my sofa and oriental carpet, I didn't hold out much home and had expected to be furniture shopping the next day. But, when I mixed up a solution of OxiClean, I kept putting on the solution and dabbing with a white cloth. Every single bit of the wine came up and it did not damage either the carpet or my sofa. I will make a paste of the OxiClean and let it sit on set-in stains and they come out every single time. I know you will love it as much as I do.
CLICK HERE TO BUY OXICLEAN FROM AMAZON
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Kathryn Weber is the publisher of the Everydayclean.com Calender -- the calendar that helps you end the power struggle with your house. Keeping a clean home is about knowing what to clean when. Virtually everything that needs to be cleaned is on this calendar in a year-round cleaning schedule that helps you keep your house clean easier and faster. Click here for more information.
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