I really appreciate having a tidy home - waking up in the morning and knowing that things are in their place because I've put them there before going to bed the night before, being able to relax in a home that is in order...Cleaning, however, is a struggle for me. I know the importance of it, but it can easily be looked over in a tidy home. Generally (and honestly), I clean once a week and do general pick ups throughout the day including wiping down the kitchen counters and table. I can't say that I ever do hard core cleaning - maybe once a year, but most likely just when we move in and out of a place.
Recently I was sent a copy of Mrs. Meyer's Clean Home. I was excited to get this book that offers "uncomplicated and hardworking tips for a clean & happy home" as well as "no-nonsense advice that will inspire you to clean like the dickens".
Mrs. Meyer, who wrote the book, is exactly what the book states - a no nonsense cleaner who tells you like it is. She raised 9 kids in a small home, all while keeping it clean and tidy! I was also thrilled to see lots of tips and ideas for green cleaning from someone who has been doing it for years! Her goal seems to be to stay on top of cleaning while staying practical, saving money, and reducing/reusing resources.
Mrs. Meyer's Clean Home is designed in such a way that it could be read through or used as an easy reference. She starts off with a chart of what to clean and how frequently, how to do spring and fall cleaning, and then she goes through each room stating what "tools" you'll need and how to clean particular areas within that space.
You will love the way this book covers a wide array of cleaning and household issues - everything from creating your own compost to getting rid of particular smells. The great thing is that it helps maintain simplicity in knowing what to clean and when. It also saves money in having the right products (and a lot of them can be made).
Hachette Book Group is giving away up to 5 copies of this book to Baby Get Green readers! So...
- Just leave a comment here stating what your best cleaning tip is (or just that you really need the book :))
- For an additional entry you can subscribe to Baby Get Green and you'll also get info about saving money and meal planning. Subscribe at the top of the blog and leave another comment.
- If you already subscribe, just put that in a comment
- Just make sure there is a way to contact you through e-mail when you leave a comment.
- We'll keep this contest going through next week Friday(3/20) and I'll contact the winners to get your address and they will ship the book right to you!
I totally want that book!!! I already am subscribed to you through google reader.
ReplyDeleteDoes that count as 2 entries? :o)
Best cleaning tip? This has to do with not confusing clean dishes for dirty dishes in the dishwasher.
ReplyDeleteWhenever my dishwasher is empty, I immediately fill it with dish soap. That way, as it gradually fills up with dishes, I can see the soap which reminds me that the dishes are dirty. And if I see the dishwasher is full but soap free, that's an indicator that the dishes are clean. Does that make sense? :)
And I also subscribe to you. :)
I have really hard water and get that calcium build up everywhere, vinegar really helps clean it up when scrubbing won't get it off. I use it maybe once a month in sinks, toilet, even the dishwasher.
ReplyDeleteTraci
I subscribed to your email subscription and am loving your ebook!
ReplyDeleteThanks!
Traci
Sounds like a book that I need! I like things organized but cleaning like you is not something I enjoy much. I would love to get some new ideas though to help spruce up our home.
ReplyDeleteOxyclean! I just discovered it and it's great!
ReplyDeleteOh! And I subscribe to your newsletter too!
ReplyDeleteHey you! Wowo thats so neat! I love Mrs. Meyers peppermint products..I would love to read about her background and tips. I am a hardcore cleaner :o
ReplyDeleteOn a regular basis I clean my floors Cinderella style and I cannot stand a spec of dust on trim ..am I strange or what, except my "dirty" little secret is that I am a bit messy ( I am working on that) I wish I was more tidy like yourself ...
Best cleaning tip: set the stove timer, so you allow yourself a specific amount of time to clean an area or your house... you know how you always rush when you know someone is stopping by in like a half an hour!!!!...same concept ..pretend someone is popping in and set the timer. When it digs they have arrived so you better be done ;)
Gosh I read your blog every time you speak and didnt know I could subscribe to anything ( a natural blonde I am ;))
OK dokee I am prit sure that I subscribed now.. put my email in and all that goodness..boy I hope I win!!! (excuse the miss-type in previous post, baby on lap excuse)
ReplyDeleteI don't have many cleaning tips, it's for sure an area I need the most help with. So I guess the book would help me lots! :)
ReplyDeleteI need it, lol :) I don't have any "unique" cleaning tips! Sorry!
ReplyDeletethanks for the chance!
I sub. via Google Reader
ReplyDeletethanks!
My tip? clean your kitchen before bed every night. it makes the morning go so much smoother.
ReplyDeleteBest tip...hmmm...use water for cleaning the carpet. My son has a really good gag reflex, so we are constantly dealing with carpet clean up. Here are the steps I use.
ReplyDelete1. spoon up chunks into trash can
2. soak up mess on carpet with towel (don't scrub)
3. pour water on the stained area of carpet
4. put towel over wet carpet, remove socks, and stand on the towl to soak up the water and the mess. (don't scrub)
And there you have it. I've tried carpet cleaners before, but when it comes to carpet I think water works best. I heard soaking is better than scrubbing because scrubbing breaks down the carpet fibers and rubs the stain further down into the carpet.
Happy Cleaning :)
Renee
Looks like a great book.
ReplyDeleteFor my cleaning tip ... I just recently discovered Mrs. Meyer's Oxygen Bleach as a stain remover. Works great especially on my kids clothes.
Ok, I have no tip - I just really really NEED the book! I hope you pick me! :)
ReplyDeleteI am now a subscriber, too! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI don't have any great tips, but I could really use this book. My husband always asks how I could be so messy and hate cleaning when my mother is such a neat freak and always has a clean house. Sigh...someday maybe :)
ReplyDeleteMy email is honeybugg11 (at) yahoo (dot) com
I am now a subscriber too :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a book I need. I hate cleaning and slowly clean room by room each week. I would love the extra tips on spring/fall cleaning as well. This is a goal of mine to be a better house keeper. I am going to subscribe to your site, I just found it today. I am very excited to read more.
ReplyDeleteMy email is heather_reeve@yahoo.com
MMM..Clean..What's that? I really do try but I get distracted with my 3 kiddos all the time! I'd love to read this book, My DH will thank you..lol..
ReplyDeleteHeather
sounds like something I could use
ReplyDeleteI would really like to have this book. What a great giveaway.
ReplyDeleteMy best cleaning tip is use ivory soap to get out those tough stains.
Imma gonna subscribe =) I need all the help I can get!
ReplyDeleteThe book? Ohhhhh.... I need help! 3 kids, 1 husband...yikes!
My Cleaning tip is to have a trash can in each room. This helps with clutter in rooms. Also, leave trash bags in the bottom of each small or large trash can, so when you change the bags are handy. I could use some more help however... Would love a new book! Please pick me! :) Thanks so much - I just subscribed.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I soo need this book! My house is a complete disaster and I just don't know where to start. :( I'm going to subscribe to this blog as soon as I figure out how!
ReplyDeletejamie! great blog! i am a super tidy person -- but deep cleaning? not my specialty!! would love to check out that book!!
ReplyDeleteyour girl is a cutie, by the way!
--corrie easley
easleyjustin@hotmail.com
I have subscribed and recv'd my first email =) thx!
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have this book! I can use all of the help I can get. The thing that helps me is doing my cleaning a little at a time - then it is not so overwhelming.
ReplyDeleteAldo, I just subscribed to your newsletter. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI just subscribed, will probably add you to my Bloglines, and could really really use that book. :)
ReplyDeleteBest cleaning tip: don't put the little stuff off until "later" - wipe the high-chair tray off immediately after a meal, instead of having to do it ASAP when you're in the middle of dishing up dinner.