garbage disposal blues

a smelly sink is more than gross, it's unsanitary...so here's a few tips on making that garbage disposal a little cleaner and fresher.

start by doing the dirty, gross work.
clean the entry flaps. some rubber pieces are removable, others are not. if you can remove the rubber piece, soak in warm soapy water and scrub clean. if not, grab your elbow length gloves, warm and soapy water and a rag and start wiping. when you can't get into those tight spots, an old toothbrush will do the trick.

an earth friendly and quick way to clean up that disposal...
put three cups of baking soda down in the disposal.
add a bottle of lemon juice or one gallon of distilled white vinegar.
stand back and watch the show, because a flurry of bubble joy takes place as the acid mixes with the soda. this will also clear out the drain of all sorts of icky things and kill bacteria, which is always a good thing.

then keep that sink smelling fresh...
citrus....lemons, limes and oranges are great options for refreshing your sink every few days. place the peels in the disposal and run with warm water for a nice fresh smell and refresher.

clean up those blades and clear out the ick with basic ice cubes in the disposal. put a handful of ice cubes in the disposal and chop up.

as always, make sure you follow the recommendations on your own disposals manual to ensure there will be no damage...and never mix chemicals together.

danyele @ a thorn among roses

Hey,You Lazy People...Yes, I'm Talking To You!

You know who you are sitting there scrolling through blogs,emails,checking the mail,walking the dog,running to the school to drop off lunches or gym clothes, and don't forget...that 3rd trip to Walmart today...I know you...because I am just like you... A Lazy Perfectionist...What is a Lazy Perfectionist, you ask?...She wants every detail to be perfect but can't find the energy or right (easier) path to get it all done...she procrastinates, thinks too much and wastes time pondering on the details...I have found a fun way to make it a little easier...I call it "The Model Home Sweep"...(Fitting because I'm a Model Home Designer...I want my home to look like the houses I design...But the kids,stress,dogs,phones,emails,blogs,errands,mindless pondering always left me exhausted and over whelmed...I had to bring it down to an Elementary level...okay...a Kindergarten level...And simplify the process...So, here is my solution...and it really does work!...Give yourself 10 minutes a day and in about a week you will be amazed...if not I'll refund your money...oh wait...This isn't a Oreck commercial....;) Anyway, you will be amazed at the results...And no emails requesting a refund, please....;)

Is it me? Or does she need a shave? Now that is lazy!

"The Model Home Sweep"
You set your timer for 10 minutes... Be sure to use a timer...It helps motivate you...
As soon as the timer starts..... Go girl!!!!...Run, Forest, Run!!!!! You get the picture! I cry everytime I watch this movie...and swear I'll never watch it again...It is one of the best movies of all time...But it gets me everytime! :(

You then have exactly 10 minutes to do anything and everything necessary to help you get your home back into shape. This can include washing the dishes, picking up dirty laundry from the floor, making your bed, scrubbing the toilet, dusting the bookshelves, sweeping,mopping or vacuuming the floor, you name it...Just do it fast!
Act as though you are in a race and you have to win...Your inner athlete will emerge...Don't get scared...She will go back in...Offer her a cookie...She can't compete all day,honey!...She's a Lazy Perfectionist...remember? ;)

You don't have to do everything on your list...Heck, you usually don't anyway...right..lol! You just have to keep going until the timer goes off.
Once the timer goes off, you immediately stop what you are doing and continue the next day...Unless that little Athlete in you wants to go another 10 minutes...But the rule is you have to finish the next 10 minutes...I know...I'm cruel...:) But it makes it a game and it makes it fun! The kids will be more willing to help with this game, too!
What Lazy Perfectionist and procrastinator wouldn't love this game! If I could box this baby up...I'd sell it to Milton Bradley...lol!
Another hidden advantage is that once you start this method, in only a matter of days your house will be exactly how you want it to be...and from there on in, all it will take is some minimal Model Home Sweeping to have a clean house! Here's to you...That Lazy Perfectionist dying to break out of that rut, sitting there eating a cookie and reading this blog...Now, get up and give me 20!...I...mean 10 minutes!

Written by Screaming Meme...Editor In Cheif...I mean Chief! :)

Come visit my other blog...It's filled with design tips and tricks! www.thescreamingmeme.blogspot.com

Note to our loyal readers...We are having an Grand Opening scheduled for March 16th! Lots of surprises and giveaways! Get your party clothes on and meet us over here next week! And if you have what it takes to join the Project Girls...well, we want to talk to you! Email me @ meme.screamingmeme@gmail.com

"Mini Vacation' @ Home

I used to say that fall was my favorite season...But I have come to learn that I love the changes of each season...It stirs the soul and awakens new hope and possibilities...I love Spring...the flowers are in bloom, the cool air slowly changing to a warmer breeze...There is a sense of magic that comes with spring...I dream of relaxing outside with tea in one hand and a magazine in another...I can feel the warmth of Spring warming my back as I rock away my fears and concerns...For at least a moment I am safe and sound...I want to focus on making my porch a ""mini vacation"...Here are some ideas that may help all of us to create at home retreat....

Clean it!

Your porch is probably much dirtier than you realize! While you may think a good sweeping is good enough, a good old hosing is probably needed.... After removing everything from your porch, hose down the entire area! Take your screens off the windows and spray them well. Hose off your door too..... any railings, posts, or shutters, take a scrub brush to them to remove any stuck on dirt and debris.... Knock the cobwebs down from the corners. Shake your mats; toss them if they are beyond saving. You'll be surprised how much this area sparkles when you've finished!

Look At The Area....

If there is a bush in the way of a beautiful view...trim it...Think about the items you are going to put back on the porch...How do you want to enjoy it...Think about the seating arrangement and the accessories you will want to add to embellish it...Shop your house...scour your thrift stores and garage sales...Make a list of things you want to add...when you see them, pick them up...Don't clutter your "mini vacation" porch...You want to feel calm and relaxed in the space....Add whimsy and fun to it, as well...A palm tree? A mini bar with a cocktail sign? Why not! Make it fun! And make it you!

Lighting

Lighting is important in any space...Why not change out the dated lighting for something more trendy...They start at only $25.00...That is cheap! Add tiki lights or pathways lighting too...Or a mini firwplace....If you don't have the extra cash...Make your own out of jars and candles...

Welcome Mats

They help you with dirt...but they are also a great way to warm up the porch! Can't afford a new one? Paint it! Add your initial, hand prints, stencils...Add your own personal touch to it...Spray it with polyurethane to make it last longer...

Artwork Outside?

What about wall space by your front door? You can certainly hang artwork outside - just make sure it's weatherproof! You can hang anything that you want! Wow...Breaking the rules never felt so good, huh? :)

Sounds

Chimes, water fall, a radio or cd player hidden...Get creative...It will inspire your space even more!

Inside furniture

Don't have wicker or weather proof furniture...Who cares...Take you old furniture outside...It will weather beautifully and add a whimsicial touch! :)


Most importantly I want to you FEEL good on your porch...It will help you relax and enjoy life more....

Written By...Screaming Meme...Editor In Chief

white vinegar cleaning

undiluted white vinegar is a miracle cleaner...i hate the way it smells, but it cleans like a banshee!

use it straight form the bottle to remove hard water deposits and soap scum. no harmful chemicals in your kids bathtub or showers.

Got clogs??? Clean shower heads that have been clogged with mineral deposits. Place 1/4 to 1/2 cup vinegar in a plastic food storage bag, and secure the bag to the shower head with a rubber band. Let stand for 2 hours to overnight, then rinse and buff the fixture to a shiny finish.

sensitive skin laundry tip...

Add one cup of undiluted white vinegar to the laundry rinse cycle instead of commercial fabric softener. White vinegar softens clothes and cuts detergent residue. wanna see more of me and my clan...we're at a thorn among roses.

clean and green

cleaning the green way...not only saves you money, but helps keep dangerous chemicals out of our homes too.

unclog and freshen drains

Pour half of box of baking soda down your sink drain. add a cup of white vinegar and watch the bubble show! once the bubbles are all gone, flush out the drain with hot water.

soft scrub cleanser

mix 1/2 cup of baking soda with enough liquid detergent to make a cleansing liquid. scrub sinks and tubs with a sponge or scrubber. rinse your potion off when you are done. even more fun, it washes off easily and doesn't leave any grit behind.

copper and brass cleaner

mix 1/2 cup of vinegar with two tablespoons of salt. apply with a sponge on item and let it sit for about 15 minutes. rinse and enjoy the shine.

toilet bowl cleaner

mix ¼ cup baking soda and 1 cup vinegar, pour it into toilet and let sit for 5 minutes before scrubbing with a brush.

{a little safety note...it's really important that you don't mix bleach based cleaning products with ammonia based cleaning products. the combination of the two, creates a toxic fume and can be deadly. never mix anything that you don't completely understand and NEVER reuse cleaning containers.}

come and see more of me and my gang at a thorn among roses.

Rock It Out & Get The Job Done!

I really hate cleaning...but sadly, I have to...because I hate a dirty house...:) I have tried many ways to make it more fun and enjoyable...Here are a few fun ways to get the job done...

Screaming Meme's Silly Cleaning Tips

• Turn up the music and rock out!...Sing, dance, leap with the broom in the air!...:) I have been known to do a little Flash Dancing or Grease Lighting moves to get the job done...:) It will pass the time so much more quickly...And you will laugh and have fun at the same time!



• I clean in between HGTV or my blogging...:)




• I set a timer and try to beat the clock...Most of the time I do! That is a fun one for the kids, as well!

• I take breaks...I will run an errand or go for a quick jog...And then come back to it...The only rule....you have to finish the task before leaving!




• I have learned to have the kids help out more...I would try to do it all when they were young...I learned it was good for them to help out...and it made me in a better mood, too! It teaches them the importance of keeping a clean and tidy home...gets them prepared for the real world of laundry and yard work and it makes the whole family work together to get things done...If you have trouble getting them to help....make it a game....Or turn it into a competition....Who can find the most blue items and put them away? Try having the kids shoot dirty laundry into the hamper...Or get them going a little Grease Lighting...:)




• Work together... one room at a time...It will go by faster...And they won't feel so overwhelmed....

Written by Screaming Meme...Editor In Chief

http://thescreamingmeme.blogspot.com/