Picky Nikki's

01/26/2015

Week 3 - Kitchen Pantry
Kitchen Closets: Empty them! Pull everything out. Use trash bags, boxes, etc to sort and redistribute your items.
Remember-places would love donations of kitchen items. If you have not used something in a few months, chances are you just will not use it so donate it.

Kill the clutter!
Kitchen Cabinets: Tackle one by one if the job seems overwhelming.
Start above counters, on one side of the room and work in one direction & when done, tackle cabinets below the counter.
Save the under-sink area for last, for me it was the hardest.
Check any open boxes for bugs.
Don't forget to wipe down empty shelves, re-line (if necessary).
If you store medicines in the cabinets, check expiration dates. Verify prescription items with your pharmacist.
Throw out medicines that "didn't work", expired or tasted so horrible you won't use them, etc.
Don't forget to empty drawers, clean inside, then replace items.
Get rid of duplicate items (utensils) if you can.

Get Rid Of:
Old, currently unused cleaners
Cans & Bottles of food over 6 months old unless there is a later expiration date.
Old cracker/cookie boxes probably stale
Pans & pots that you don't use, have duplicates of, are in horrible shape, etc.
Extra serving dishes (store them elsewhere unless you have lots of room) until needed. Donate if you have not used them in the past six months.
Clean all appliances inside and out (refrigerator, stove, dishwasher, microwave, toaster oven, coffee maker--use vinegar once through, followed by several rounds of water-- stove vent, etc.)

Sink: Use a toothbrush to get rid of gritty dirt at faucet. Clean drains, disposal, etc Use favorite cleaner to make "shine".
Pantry: Use same method as for the cabinets. don't forget to wipe down while empty. Try to combine duplicate boxes of things to throw out that which you haven't and probably won't use.

When this is done, you will probably want to dust any appropriate items, vacuum from ceiling to floor, including vents/ a/c ducts, clean any windows, and sweep & wash the kitchen floor (I always do that last!)

As far as I'm concerned this is probably one of the hardest rooms in the house. If you have tile on your counters or table, this is a good time to spray them down and clean and reseal the grout.

Be ruthless! Go through every drawer, cabinet, counter. Did you take time to do all that work and sell yourself short? Did your Mama tell you a job worth doing is worth doing well??? Well go ahead an "git": make that kitchen shine.

01/21/2015

Week 2: Living Room!
Spring is coming shortly and with that nicer weather! When it starts warming up begin by washing the outside of the windows in this room. You will appreciate being able to see outside when you sit down at the end of the week in your beautiful, clean, and organized living room!
Take everything off walls, dust it, and set it aside.
Dust or wash the wall, vacuum or dry-clean draperies and blinds. Get your favorite cobweb killer and sweep down ceilings, corners and tops of doorways
Take cushions off furniture. Vacuum thoroughly, replace cushions, spot treat any stains and shampoo if necessary.
Wooden furniture (and anything with drawers/shelves): Empty, sort and throw away what you really don't need. Put the rest where it belongs.
Dust/polish the piece you've finished with and repeat with other pieces. Don't forget the maintenance on piano.
Baseboards: depending on condition they're in, dust or wash them.
Coat closet: empty, sort clothes (by family member, season).
Remove any "off-season" items and decide whether to trash, donate, or store elsewhere. Replace only those items which should be in your coat closet.
Clean the TV screen (if you have a set in this room). Don't neglect the stereo items either. Re-organize tapes/records/videos as per your needs.
Clean/change the silk flower arrangements as per seasonal needs. Wash/trim any live plants in this room.
Other items needing attention if your room has them:
Fireplace/mantel/chimney/glass doors
Lamps (does the shade need dusting or replacing?)
Electrical cords (check for frayed wires)
Mirrors (items framed w/glass) get out the Windex
Doorknobs/drawer-handles (are they clean?)
Now is a good time to measure furniture pieces and windows, to enter in your planner or Household Notebook and keep on hand for shopping for necessary items.

Stacks (of anything!): Take time now to use the sorting method of trash/donate/store elsewhere. Now put these new piles where they belong.
Vacuum the carpet and clean if necessary.
Hang the items back on walls, if you haven't already and take a good look around. It should look pretty good by now.

Take out camera and take pictures for inventory. :)

01/16/2015

Week 1 Cleaning Challenge: Entryway/Foyer Cleaning:
Use the basic remove/clean/replace policy for those items which are wall-hung.
Consider how the area looks when a visitor enters your home. Again if it doesn't belong there, remove it!
If you have a chair or rack that welcomes clutter, consider moving it until everyone breaks the habit of just dropping everything off in the foyer.
The next time you enter the front door after being away a few hours, look around and sniff around just like you were in a strange house. Our homes can develop "houseatosis". There are a great many air freshener products and potpourri assortments on the market today, use one if you need it!!
Don't forget to clean out the umbrella stand, if you have one. If you don't, do you need one?
Do you have a rug or maybe carpeting in this area? Do a thorough job of vacuuming it. you'll be pleased.
Do you have a window in your front door, or "side lights" which could use bit of glass cleaner?
Don't forget to thoroughly dust/wash front door itself, and also the baseboards in the area.
Plan a place for everything which needs to be kept near the front door and keep it there! Everything else goes!
Choose something close to the entry or living room to help give that feeling of flow between organized rooms.

Like smiles and yawns, organization is contagious!

01/05/2015

Ready to clean house for the New Year? It's Preview Week at the New Year Cleaning Challenge!
Our Challenge kicks off with a transitional week, designed to put the holidays to bed and prepare for the organizing and cleaning projects ahead. During Preview Week, we'll get the Challenge rolling, banish the Ghost of Christmas Past, and craft a personalized plan for the coming weeks. Be it resolved: in 2015, it's time to live clean and serene ... in an organized home!
On this kick-off day, make a good start on your whole-house cleaning plan by reviewing the Challenge calendar. The Cleaning Grand Plan sets out a road map to a Spring-clean house, but is it the best path for you? Apartment dwellers scratch their heads when told to clean out storage in attic or basement. Multi-child families need two weeks, not one, to tackle children's bedrooms. Travel, vacations or holidays pop up to derail the week's assignments.
Here's the word from on high: that's fine! Be ready to alter the Challenge to suit your own individual circumstances. Crafting a custom plan that works for you and your household is the secret to success.
Today, review the Challenge calendar with an eye to your own needs. Be ready to alter, delete, combine or stretch the Cleaning Grand Plan to fit your preferences, your house, and your energy level.

12/29/2014

Christmas has come and gone ... and left a mess behind. Looking around, you wonder how you'll ever dig out in time for Spring!

Solution? Take the Challenge!

Roar into the New Year and clean house fast with the New Year Cleaning Challenge.

The New Year Cleaning Challenge kicks off 2015 with a 14-week plan to clean and organize a spring-clean house.

The 2015 New Year Cleaning Challenge begins on Sunday, January 11, with a Preview Week for lists, questions, and putting the holidays to bed starting on January 4.

Each week, we'll work through a different area of the home, deep-cleaning and organizing the space for a new, fresh feeling. Along the way, we'll learn the skills and techniques needed to clean house fast, cut clutter and create an organized and inviting home.

Deep-cleaning the entire house is a big job! To keep you on-track, I'll remind you of each week's assignment via our Facebook feed.

Ready? Set? Let's clean house for the new year!

10/10/2014

Did you know??? All work is 100% SATISFACTION guaranteed
Every service that we execute comes with a guarantee of complete satisfaction. If you are not entirely pleased with our services please notify us within 24 hours of your service date and we will happily re-clean the area with which you are dissatisfied at no cost! You can rest assured that you will receive the best possible house cleaning!!!

10/06/2014

:D

10/03/2014