most helpful cleaning/organizing tools?

**Adasmommy** · 11-03-2009, 07:35 PM

Christmas is coming, as is my baby, and if there are things that will make it easier to keep up with the house, I want to ask for them for Christmas! I'm already excited about the food processor I hope to get!

I try to be a minimalist (probably like lots of folks on this particular forum) but are there tools that will change my life that I should know about?

I have hardwood floors, and use a large dustmop--this works great. I've had a swifter type and like the dustmop better.

I don't have a mop--I spot clean.

I avoid disposables and use a lot of rags and do a lot of laundry (oh, that reminds me, I need a retractable clothesline).

My biggest problems are things accumulating on surfaces and paperwork. Oh, and mildew and dirty grout!

Any thoughts?

countrymom · 11-03-2009, 07:51 PM

I'm listening.....

sapphire_chan · 11-03-2009, 08:17 PM

The Organizing Sourcebook

It walks you through all aspects of your life, stuff, time, home. It has exercises to help you see the causes of your most aggravating messes and thereby determine a solution. Like piles of paperwork point to not having a paperwork system that fits your life as you live it. I, for example, detest paper bills with a passion, so all of my bills are online.

Actually cleaning wise, the best tool with a baby is a carrier so both hands are free.

Living in an apartment, with a long way to go for laundry, I've found a wheeled hamper is a back-saver. Even if you only have to carry stuff down the hall, you might find it useful (unless there are stairs, in which case, nvm.

nathansmum · 11-04-2009, 03:18 AM

Agree with the online bills system. I just chuck all my bills (opened) into a cupboard for sorting a few times a year. I know they are all taken care of online so I don't even need to keep track of things.

In the kitchen I love my stickwhizz - I use it for pureeing soups, making mayonaise, pesto, hummus, whizzing up pancake batter etc. I don't have a regular food processor and this is a good space saver and the end goes in the dishwasher cutlery holder.

**Adasmommy** · 11-05-2009, 04:41 PM

Thanks for the thoughts! I need to switch to online bills--I pay them online anyway, so I don't need all this paperwork!

I'm asking for a full sized food processor for Christmas, but was thinking about a stick blender too--I assume that's what the stickwhizz is. Because I don't need a food processor for pancakes!

Any new ideas welcome!

Keeta · 11-05-2009, 08:51 PM

I *love* my stick blender, too! It is soooo awesome to be able to blend soups in the pot, make smoothies in mason jars without having to clean the entire blender! It's also super handy for blending in shredded veggies into tomato sauce for DS (totally invisible!) or blending up chunky soups so that he'll eat them. And clean-up is like 10 seconds. LOVE IT! And they're really inexpensive - you can find them at BBB for like $30. It's way worth the money.

For paperwork, we have a pretty good filing system set up in a very convenient spot to file stuff; a place to put stuff that needs to be shredded (CC ads, etc) - DH takes those to work to shred

, and we have an "inbox" right by the mail slot where I put stuff that needs to be dealt with. Granted that box can get ignored for a while, but it's all in one pile when we do want to deal with it. It contains the clutter for the short-term.

As for the rest (esp mildew in grout!), I'm

.

Ksenia · 11-05-2009, 10:02 PM

No one has said ipod yet? Once my kids go to bed, the headphones go on and I get busy!

Nothing has ever helped my tidying/cleaning/organizing productivity more.

Jackies Ladybug · 11-05-2009, 10:36 PM

i have a grout brush on a telescoping handle that i LOVE! did i mention i LOVE IT?!?!?!
you can get them at hardware stores, i got mine from homedepot. i can clean all the grout in my kitchen without bending over! its AMAZING! and i have a steam mop, but its really a PITA to use, especially with littles.

you can also use the grout brush for the grout in the bathroom walls, and you can get different brushes that do different stuff.

abharrington · 11-05-2009, 10:50 PM

umm...trashbags. grin. decluttering is my friend.

i love my H2O mop for wood floors and 3 ring notebook for anything paper. dh keeps our files in the office. i am limited to what fits in the notebook (its only a 1").

**Adasmommy** · 11-06-2009, 12:30 AM

Scrubbing my grout never seems to help much--is it just too late to recover it's whiteness? Is there any reason why a grout brush would work better than a green scrubbie or a handheld brush, as I have used (other than probably being more comfortable)?

I'm intrigued by the H2O mop, but I guess that's the same as a steam mop. Jackie's Ladybug--why was the steam mop hard to use with littles?

I had a steam cleaner at some point that I thought was going to help me clean things like grout, but didn't really accomplish much. I'm thinking, though, that the steam mop would be effective as a mop for regular use . . .

Thanks for all the ideas--I'm inspired to make my paperwork orderly now! More thoughts always welcome!

Jackies Ladybug · 11-06-2009, 02:35 AM

my DD is 12 months, and constantly underfoot so its too hot to use around her as she would be all over trying to get her face steamed off. but it is amazing if i can do it while she naps. unfortunately the steam pump is pretty loud so it has woken her up before.
pour peroxide on the grout and let it sit for a minute before you scrub it.
the big difference with the scrub brush i have is the leverage. i can really put some force into my scrubbing without killing myself.

the steam mop doesnt get into the grout by the way, but it does amazing things to my hardwood floors.

MaddieMay · 11-06-2009, 06:32 AM

Up until yesterday, my shower was completely nasty. Mold, mildew, etc. and I was so embarrassed. It was so bad I was considering hiring someone to come clean it.

Then I got an order of Charlie's Soap in the mail. I figured it was worth a shot. I sprayed it on full strength, waited a few minutes, scrubbed, and it CAME RIGHT OFF. I still can't believe it. I was using CS for years for my laundry, I don't know why I never did for cleaning.

And no, I have no affiliation with the company.

ChristyMarie · 11-06-2009, 07:09 AM

For cleaning:

***1 good carryall you can have all your supplies in and easily carry from room to room.

***Magic Eraser. For some things that's the only thing that will work.

For organization:

***Baskets!!! All shapes and sizes. I have found the cheapest is at Walmart. Cheaper than the dollar store for many sizes and better quality. So much easier to store stuff that way. And I use them all over my kitchen to keep things neat.

***Colored fabric ribbons for linens. Keeps sheet sets together and if you color code by bed size you don't have to dig to find what you want. Best thing I ever did.

***Removable file folder labels. I use them on all kinds of stuff so I don't have to open everything to see what is in there yet I can easily change things without crossing out permanent writing. One package lasts a LONG time.

***Those super thin hangers. Expensive but oh my gosh do they make a huge difference. I'd love to be able to switch my entire house over to them. So far just the coat closets.

Tangled Hill · 11-06-2009, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicole!

Then I got an order of Charlie's Soap in the mail. I figured it was worth a shot. I sprayed it on full strength, waited a few minutes, scrubbed, and it CAME RIGHT OFF. I still can't believe it. I was using CS for years for my laundry, I don't know why I never did for cleaning.

And no, I have no affiliation with the company.

Did you just use the laundry soap? In water? How much? I've never thought of that! I have a bag sitting in the laundry room, and I have a tub covered in gunk.... Sounds like just what I need!

newbymom05 · 11-07-2009, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChristyMarie

For cleaning:

***1 good carryall you can have all your supplies in and easily carry from room to room.

***Magic Eraser. For some things that's the only thing that will work.

For organization:

***Baskets!!! All shapes and sizes. I have found the cheapest is at Walmart. Cheaper than the dollar store for many sizes and better quality. So much easier to store stuff that way. And I use them all over my kitchen to keep things neat.

***Colored fabric ribbons for linens. Keeps sheet sets together and if you color code by bed size you don't have to dig to find what you want. Best thing I ever did.

***Removable file folder labels. I use them on all kinds of stuff so I don't have to open everything to see what is in there yet I can easily change things without crossing out permanent writing. One package lasts a LONG time.

***Those super thin hangers. Expensive but oh my gosh do they make a huge difference. I'd love to be able to switch my entire house over to them. So far just the coat closets.

This is genius! Re: your thin hangers, are you talking about the wire ones? Don't your coats pull them out of shape?

ChristyMarie · 11-07-2009, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newbymom05

This is genius! Re: your thin hangers, are you talking about the wire ones? Don't your coats pull them out of shape?

1. Not me, Martha Stewart. As much as I hate her she does occasionally have a good idea.

2. No the new super thin NICE hangers....

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...1&SKU=14492658

newbymom05 · 11-07-2009, 09:32 AM

Thanks, funny--I thought "Martha" as soon as I read that ribbon trick!

tessamami · 11-07-2009, 08:59 PM

1) an inexpensive stand up broom and dustpan, I don't have to bend over to sweep, so I do it more often, I've got a toddler, so I sweep many times a day
2) Those quick dry cloths. I think that they will be helpful - I just use kitchen towels, now to dry off the kitchen sink area.
3) A dishwasher! Man, it's great

Also, my dirt devil vac is STILL going strong, after about 14 years!

HappyLittleHouse · 11-08-2009, 10:31 AM

I store all bed linens together inside the pillow case. I just have to grab a pillow case and it has the flat and fitted sheets and other pillow case inside. No ribbon needed!

I also have and love the hangers linked. They're especially nice for silky things that would otherwise slide off. They're at Costco for under $30 right now if you have a Coscto membership.

And not cleaning related but a life-saver for me after my first baby was having meals in the freezer. My mom made about a dozen meals, froze them all in the same size 8"x8" Pyrex pan, and they stacked nicely in the freezer for easy meals that lasted almost a month. I could just put the meal in the pan, defrost it in the fridge during the day, and bake it for 30 minutes at 350. No thinking required. Each meal lasted two days. It was AWESOME!

KnockedUpButtercup · 11-09-2009, 11:17 AM

I love my "Quick Up." It's a cordless re-chargable vacuum - a dustbuster on a stick, basically. We have hardwood floors, 2 dogs, 2 cats, 2 litterboxes, and 2 teenage boys, so I use it Every Day. I used to use a Swiffer, but I was going through so many of those cloths - I feel like this isn't as wasteful.