Time to freshen up those bathroom cabinets!

Purge, purge, purge!!!

Check those expiration dates.

Combine half open boxes (of course of the same product)

Be ruthless.

Do I really need four of ...............?

Pass along or throw out!  

OK - now, let's get started.

I found these cute baskets with liners at Target.  I also found the black clips on their dollar racks, but unfortunately for my shelving, they were too large.  I'll save those for another project.  I finally used double sided tape which turned out great.  

My all time favorite organizing helper - my Scotch Thermal Laminator.

While purging, group your items into "like" groups.

Mine were:

Q-tips & Dixie Cups
Shaving Needs
Deodorant, Contacts, Nail care
NyQuil, Cough, Sore Throat
Head cold, Tummy, Mouth pain, Muscles



By looking at this photo, you may think that we are sick all of the time!  Actually, I just stock up when a good deal comes around and I have a coupon.

Note:  while you have everything pulled out and laying on the counter, give those shelves a good cleaning.  I also have liners on my shelves to help if anything decides to leak.

I chose scrapbooking cardstock that would compliment my bathroom wall color then printed off the labels. I also used scrapbooking oval cutters and laminated them so they would hold up better.

Here are my cabinet on the right side of my vanity:

The bottom shelf I saved for my perfumes and cup holder.  Smaller items that are frequently used.

Here is the left side of cabinets:

My "hair" products still need improving.  I think once I use them up, I will purchase a Lazy Susan and just keep my current stock there.

 On the bottom shelf, we have an outlet built into the back to charge our hair clippers (extra guards are in that lime green container).  My make-up is in the basket on the left.  I'm keeping my eyes open for something first, large enough to hold my makeup and second, small enough to fit into the shelf and thirdly - of course, must be cute!

Would love to hear your freshening up projects you are doing at your house! 

My Cleaning Box

Oh, how I squealed when I saw this box and matching index

card dividers. 

Too cute!

If you didn't know, I adore anything stationary,

organizing, office supplies and the kind.

Isn't she sweet ????

This is how I set up my "Cleaning Box."

It keeps me organized and motivated.

My hubby just rolls his eyes when I line up the next

day's cards on the kitchen counter.

It's like a challenge - and I'm going to win!!
Each item below has its own index card to put away
when completed or moved to the next month if needed.

Daily

(You end up doing all of these things enough - you may

not open this folder often)

• make beds & tidy up bedrooms
• wipe down bathroom counters
• quick clean on the toilets
• quick clean of kitchen after dinner
• empty dishwasher in morning
• take out trash and recycling after dinner(oldest son's chores)
• quick dry mop of hardwood floors

Monday

• Clean half bath
• tidy up laundry room
• strip and remake all beds
• wash sheets and put them away
• empty upstairs trash
• go to local recycling / dump if needed

Tuesday

•  Vacuum master bedroom and bath
• dust master bedroom
• clean master bath

Wednesday

• Vacuum downstairs
• dust living room
• clean out fridge (wipe down shelves, throw out items)
• Change all towels in bathrooms

Thursday

• Vacuum upstairs
• Clean boy's bathroom
• Dust upstairs

Friday

• Clean kitchen (wipe down all counters, appliances, cabinets, knobs, etc)
• Dust office and dining room
• Wet mop hardwoods

Saturday

• Anything skipped this week or a "monthly item"

Sunday

• Make out menu for week
• clip coupons
• tidy pantry / mentally review inventory
• make grocery list for the week

Monthly Items

I move these along month to month as I finish them:

• Empty out, wipe down, purge and reorganize pantry
• Vacuum window blinds
• Vacuum all mattresses and wash mattress pads

In addition, I have "special" cards for certain months:

January / June

Clean all ceiling fans.

February / July

Clean all light fixtures.

March / August

Clean, purge & reorganize all kitchen cabinets and drawers.

I also have an additional reminder here in March for me to start looking

into summer camps for the boys.

April / September

Clean outside of all kitchen  & bathroom cabinets with tea tree oil and polish.

May / October

Flip all mattresses when cleaning.

June / November

Clean under fridge, stove.

Vacuum coils.

Clean fan / filter / hood of stove.

Purchase all cards for occasions for next 6 months. 

(January - June)

(July - December)

July / December

Change smoke detector batteries.

Note:  I also change my air filters in the house every three months.

I usually purchase enough of these at the beginning of the year and store them

in my laundry room.

I also make note on my calendar which months to change them.

To some of you, this may seem a little extreme.

Some days I find it that way too,

but with us living on the farm, my house seems to get so dirty so quickly.

Or maybe it's having all boys....

Anyway, all of the dirt, dust and dander from the farm always

makes its way into the house

and for me to feel like I'm on top of it,

I resort to this cleaning method.

Keep in mind,

that I fall "off of the wagon" sometimes and the box

doesn't get opened for a few weeks,

but then I can't stand it and get going again.

Homemade Laundry Detergent

I haven't bought laundry detergent since 2009.  Yes, you read that correctly. I found a homemade recipe and tried it on a whim to see how we liked it and never turned back.  This was especially fortunate for us as myself and the kids all have eczema and very sensitive skin. 

This recipe makes a 5 gallon bucket (which I keep in the mudroom) and I fill a small "regular" detergent bottle up as needed.  The 5 gallon bucket will last our family about 4 months and costs a fraction of brand named detergent. 

This is how I make it:

1/3 bar of Dr Bronner's Castile Soap, grated (I use lavender and found at Target)

1 cup washing soda (I found mine at ACE hardware)

1/2 cup Borax

Grate 1/3 soap bar into a small saucepan.

Cover with hot water and stir continually over medium heat until completely dissolved.  Put washing soda and Borax into 5 gallon bucket followed by the hot soapy mixture.  Fill up the bucket to close to the top with more hot water.  Stir really well.  Put the lid on and let it sit overnight.  Stir again in the morning. 

Fill a "regular" sized detergent container half with water and half with soap mixture.  Give it a good shake before using.  I use about 1/3 - 1/2 cup for each load depending on what I'm washing.  Everyday clothes take less.  My hubby's farm clothes definitely more.

Dr Bronner's soaps (bar and liquid) ROCK and smell great!  I have several different scents for many cleaning recipes (will have a post on those later). 

This detergent is wonderful and so cost efficient - especially in today's economy - every penny saved is a bonus! 

Hope you'll give it a try.