My friend Kim was talking today on Facebook how she was doing her spring cleaning, and that gave me the inspiration to tackle two projects today — and both took less than 30 minutes. Tonight it was under the kitchen sink.
Now I keep a neat cabinet there, but I was still amazed at the dirt, gunk and nearly empty products I had when I cleared the cabinet. That was the first step. Next was to spray the cabinet bottom with everyday cleaner and just let it soak for about 10 minutes. Let the product work for you is my motto.

While the cabinet soaked, I consolidated nearly empty Windex with another one, and cleared out some cleaning products that were all gone or no longer useful (I had a bottle of furniture spray under there with no sprayer — what the heck was I thinking?!?)

Fifteen minutes later, the cupboard was sparkling. Before returning the items (in an orderly fashion) I sprayed the back of the cabinet with ant spray ’cause you know those buggers are coming.

A couple tips:

Like I said, I was surprised how dirty it was under there. I had probably cleaned it last about 6 months ago, but there were still rings on the base, as well as miscellaneous items that missed the trash can. But 15 minutes later, it was clean as a whistle — an easy 15 minute spring cleaning task.

To wind up the task (and while the cabinet spray was soaking), I gave the kitchen sink and faucet a good scrubbing, including running an old toothbrush along the edge of the sink and around the faucet to get any old gunk. A quick rinse and it was clean, too. … But, from the photo, I now see I need to touch up the window.

For more spring cleaning tips, just search “spring cleaning” on the Home page.

I think people set them up for failure in hoping, wishing or even praying for a clean home. That’s because they believe it’s all or nothing. “I either spend all afternoon cleaning, or it’s a mess.” Not true!

And here is my confession — I have no “cleaning day.” I never spend hours scrubbing, dusting, etc., but I perpetually get compliments on how neat and clean our home appears.

Now I am not talking that you can eat off the floor or won’t find a speck of dust on my blinds, but I never feel like I need to apologize how the house appears when someone stops by (or to myself when I wake up).

My secrets? Glad you asked.

Hope these suggestions help. You can do it. Just remember a little every day adds up to a lot in a week and beyond!

Sometimes a spring cleaning idea comes out of the blue, and that was the case late this afternoon. My partner Art had used the kitchen sponge to clean the sink after washing a chicken — cut to blood curdling, “Noooo” from me, keeping in mind this post.

It went into the trash (but thankfully, it was time to replace it anyway). I knew I had a new one under the sink, but I knew it was also in the back of the cabinet. So, I figured, “I’ve got to take everything out to get to that sponge, so I might as well clean under the kitchen cabinet at the same time.” Fifteen minutes later, the cupboard was sparkling.

I removed all the items — cleaners, trash can, etc. Wiped down the bottom of the cabinet with an all purpose cleaner (and I was surprised how dirty it was!) I sprayed some Raid at the rear of the cabinet, anticipating ants as the weather grew warmer. Then just replaced all the items.

A couple tips:

Like I said, I was surprised how dirty it was under there. I had probably cleaned it last about 6 months ago, but there were still rings on the base, as well as miscellaneous items that missed the trash can. But 15 minutes later, it was clean as a whistle — an easy 15 minute Spring cleaning task.

Re-visiting a post from a year ago, but it fits so well with our spring cleaning theme (plus I am pooped from work today). But I am gonna squeeze this in tomorrow. By the way, I was true ProHo this evening — still managed to whip up some of this great chili recipe and it was all the quicker ’cause I had froze pre-cooked ground beef with onions two weeks ago for just such a dinner emergency, as noted in this post. So, yes, I may be lazy tonight, but I gave you links to four great tips!)

We’ve all heard that guests like to look in the medicine cabinet. But even if not, today we have a 10-15-minute clutter control/cleaning tips in this staple of the bath as part of our
“One week to a cleaner bathroom” theme.

Let it be know, I preach what I say, and just did ours in the master bath (pictured at left). I hadn’t done it in a year, so it was time — and I’ve got houseguests coming!

This is an easy-peasy task that you can do in 10-15 minutes tops. Grab a grocery bag for trash, roll of paper towels, glass cleaner, and a general purpose cleaner. You’re ready to roll!

Here’s the order to a clean medicine cabinet:

That’s it!

If you’re storing daily toiletrie items here, it’s time to revisit “One Week to a Cleaner Bathroom” posts (just click the link for the first one). At any rate, at least you now have a clean and orderly medicine cabinet.

I know conventional wisdom is that spring cleaning is when you strip a room and clean from top to bottom, but I really think it comes down to a little bit at a time and re-organizing for another year.
Sure, it’s important to do some neglected chores (I need to wash the tile on the hearth, dust cobwebs, clean the blinds, etc.), but with 15 minutes to spare, I can accomplish one task — and that’s a drawer.

The other day I did our junk drawer, which actually is the drawer we live out of. You know it, the drawer that has the pens, the notepads, the car keys, the sunglasses (it is California, after all) and basic items for my business (my lock box key, my MLS code fob and business cards). About four years ago, I invested in these modular organizers at Lowes, and they are wonderful, but still the drawer gets overloaded.

So a few days ago, I took 15 minutes and cleared out the kaka that accumulated over a year. It was amazing, and now here is the result! Ta-da!

So, the suggestion today is instead of tackling those projects that seem overwhelming, take 15 minutes and do a drawer. That’s all.

You will enjoy such a sense of accomplishment that it will make the bigger tasks so much easier. I think everyone needs to look behind them and say, “Yeah, I did that, and now I can get this done.” We all need a sense of encouragement and accomplishment.

So, in 15 minutes what can you do today? I am going to do the drawer packed with printed out recipes — and I might just get to that fireplace hearth today!

Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, but with just one stone at a time.

I finished cleaning the house today, and started overwhelming myself with all the tasks I want to accomplish with spring cleaning. Then, I reminded myself, “It didn’t get that way overnight, and it’s not going to get cleaned overnight.”

So I changed my thinking, and asked myself, “What can I do in 15 minutes?” So, today, I went through my sock drawer, and tossed a bunch of stretched out socks that I had kept for years (15 minutes). I went in my closet and arranged the clothes I wear all the time, and tossed out a shirt I have no intention of ever wearing again (15 minutes). I then went to my partner’s closet, re-folded the clothes that had been messed up, and straightened everything (15 minutes).

Instead of being exhausted by taking on too big a job, I got a sense of accomplishment by completing three simple tasks in less than an hour.

You’re soon going to see all kinds of online and newspaper articles about spring cleaning, but break it down to manageable steps, and you will be so much happier — and have a sense of accomplishment (like I do) at the end of the day.

Do you know what’s for dinner?

What time is it?

If you are trying to decide at 4 or 5 p.m., you are setting yourself up for insanity — or at least, calling on an expensive prepared frozen dinner ($8), a pricey ordered-in meal (read a $15 pizza), or the worst, going out for dinner ($25+).

But by just taking 5 minutes in the a.m. before you go to work, or 5 minutes midday if you work at home, your dinnertime can be so much more enjoyable — and cheaper!

People ask me the easiest way to save money, and the answer is simple — eat at home!

But, yes, it does take time — 5-15 minutes to decide on a menu, and then 30-60 minutes to make a multi-course dinner. The secret is the prep is everything.

Deciding early in the day will allow you to defrost any food needed, as well as plan what you may need to buy to make dinner.

Add in using excellent prep skills done days in advance, and you will have dinner prepared in 30-60 minutes, these include roasting chicken in advance, mincing onions ahead of time, slicing bell peppers in advance, washing produce when it comes in the house, having cheese ready for you, and know what you have in the pantry.

Use these skills, and you have saved nearly an hour off making dinner — and saved between $6 and $20 each night! I hope you see how all these tips add onto each other to make your life easier.

Want some recipes? Click this link for the ones previously posted. I gave them to our married receptionist today, and she was so happy to give her some basic dishes she could use.

So, I will end like I started — what’s for dinner? Tonight, we are having kielbasa (defrosted at noon) with onions and bell pepper (bought on the way home), smashed potatoes (pre-cleaned) and peas. Not bad, huh? … and less than 60 minutes in the kitchen! (Hey, I even had time to post this 30 minutes before dinnertime!)

Try these tips and see how much time you’ll save - and how much money!

I received a wonderful compliment last week, when a business associate walked in our house, and said, “Your house is clean every time I come over.” (And, yes, this is our living area downstairs.)
I have heard all the reasons why people think they can’t have the same:

So those are the three secrets! You can find cleaning tips with this multitude of posts, but just take things in small steps. And these are the basics.

Watch TV between 6 and 7:30 p.m. and you will be amazed at the number of quick, “call in” or “go out” to dinner ads. You know why — because most people fail to plan what they are going to eat for supper. By the time the hunger pangs start, they fall back on an expensive delivered pizza or a dinner out (for a lot more). If not that, they reach for a pricey frozen entree.

You can save a lot of money — and time — by making it a habit to figure out what you will make for dinner either the night before, or before you leave for work in the morning. You’ll be able to defrost anything or stop by the store for those one or two items missing that otherwise would mean a call to Domino’s.

After you have an idea what you want to make, take a quick stock of the ingredients needed, and note anything you may need to pick up. It’s that easy! Less than 15 minutes, and you will have a stress-free mealtime tomorrow or this evening!

Try this week to plan what’s for dinner before you go to bed, or before starting your day in the morning. Then, just see how much you can save in one week, and how much better you and yours will eat. Oh, and the time-savings! I served homemade foccacia bread with dinner tonight for which I made the dough last night in the breadmaker. Now that was a treat that came from planning and smart use of the machine, as noted in this post.

Tomorrow, I already have planned a simple stir-fry meal of kielbasa, onions and bell peppers, served with mashed potatoes that I got free using the tips from this post) and a vegetable. I do need to stop by the produce market while running errands for the onions, but by planning ahead, I am just adding it to my “to do” list when I am out tomorrow.

Let me know how a little pre-planning works for you, or if you are already using this strategy.

And enjoy your dinner!

It’s amazing how 15 minutes will net you a cleaner home. That little bit of extra effort, perhaps once a week, will result in your home being one that your friends and neighbors will covet, but only you will know that it took less than a quarter of an hour.

These 15-minute tasks are ones I categorize as bonus cleaning points, meaning you wouldn’t do ‘em every day, or even every week, but maybe once every month or two in a variety of rooms. The reason they stand out is because most people don’t do them at all, or until it’s a monumental chore.

This post we are in the kitchen, and we’re aiming high — to the top of the fridge. It’s so easy to ignore this vast area, because most people can’t see up there. But everyone sure knows how to use it as a dumping ground, and I’m just as guilty.

But in addition to clutter control, this area is often covered in a thick coat of dust and dirt, because: A) Most people can’t see it; and B) It’s a large flat surface.

So, when you have 15 minutes, let’s tackle this chore! I timed it, and it’s amazing how much I got done in five easy steps:

This really didn’t take 15 minutes — it was actually less. I also had time to clean the front of the fridge, because there’s nothing on it, as I posted about here. You can read more kitchen cleaning tips in these posts.

A side note: People often store cereal and other pantry items on top of the fridge. If it all possible, move them to another area. The heat from the refrigerator is not good for food, and it so adds to a cluttered look to your kitchen.

Let me know when you clean the top of the fridge — you’ll be happy with the results, and I will be happy to hear!