Art of Home Making and Creative Crafts

Kathryn Ann, I don't have allergies when it comes to dust so I don't wear anything during that. But I do have to wear gloves when cleaning the sink, tub, etc... I would love to find an organic non toxic cleanser that can work as well as the industrial strength stuff but I haven't yet. For dusting I like the cheap knock off brand of fuzzy dusters and love lemon Pledge! Depending on what kind of week it has been for my family, I can get the place cleaned up rather well within three days. If it's been hectic and the pile is too high for me to get it done within that time, I start delegating. We have two Crucifixes in our home and a special place just for our blessed candles and I love it. I wish we had more! We're working on it as we can afford it. Also have our rosaries kept near the candles. My husband and I were confirmed in 2011 so our home is only in the beginning stages of looking more Catholic.

All this talk of cleaning has me in a spring cleaning mood. Especially with the fall season and wanting to decorate! Thanks for the heads up about the Clean Sweep show.

Hi all. Have been offline by no choice and glad to be back! Thanks so much for the privacy ideas! I love the shutters idea. We have double paned windows so this would work great also. We could put the shutters in between. I've never heard of Harriet Carter. I will look at that also. With autumn coming and losing even more privacy with the leaves falling, this project is something we need asap. So glad I found this group! Thanks for the warm welcome.

Great hints, Irishmom2! Goodness, taking everything out of the room IS the best idea. Does that include all the large furniture or just tables, and knick knacks?

I will check out Clean Sweep definitely and meant to do that sooner but it's been hectic around here lately! What do you all think? I like the idea of the basket or box, and going through taking out things that don't belong in a room.

These ideas will make a difference. Thank you!

Where is everyone?

Guess you are all busy making a home and being creative!

Sure would love to hear from some of the other 30 members of this group!

kathryn, on Clean sweep, they go to extremes. They take everything out of the room and sort whether it stays, gets sold or donated or is just plain old garbage. Then, they only bring back the things that go in that room.

I would concentrate on one room. And like you, I don't decorate until the room is clean--sometimes, that is the only thing that gets me to tackle the cleaning. So does having a party or company visiting. The house looks great then!

One hint I like is to get a basket or a box and go through the room and take out anything that does not belong in there. Often, the kitchen or living room becomes the dumping grounds for all manner of things. I usually take the offending items, and dump them on the bed or desk of the person they belong to, and let them deal with it.

The other thing is, do a little at a time every day, and then you never have to do deep cleaning. That is why I am not one for cleaning schedules...Sometimes a room needs vacuuming more than other times. Or a room we hardly use doesn't need much but dusting. And decorating for the season of course!

Okay, just checked and you can watch episopes of Clean Sweep on TLC by going to the Discovery website and searching for Clean Sweep.