Mom Needs A Break! Tips, Ideas, Help….For Those Hard Working Moms!

Soon you will be preparing your patio and lawn furniture for the summer. Can’t wait, right? Well here are some tips for cleaning your patio/lawn furniture. 

While there are several methods you can use to clean your patio and lawn furniture, undoubtedly you do not want to use any harsh chemicals or environmentally unsafe cleaners. Therefore, you can use items that are safe and which you already have in your home: baking soda; vinegar, and bleach.  

* To clean the patio, it is recommended that you use a pressure washer to remove all the algae, and then follow up with a diluted bleach wash.  * Use bleach and detergent to wipe down all of the furniture and let it stand for one hour. Use the hose to rinse and let dry. * Use baking soda if there are areas on your furniture which need more cleaning. Add water; rinse and dry. * Add baking soda to a wet sponge; clean and rinse. * Use vinegar for your wooden decks and patio furniture. Vinegar is the least abrasive, and easy to use. It not only removes mildew on wood furniture, but on plastic furniture as well. For the tough to get at areas, use a small brush; then rinse and let the furniture dry. If you have lawn cushions, the best method you can use to clean them would be plain old liquid detergent and a sponge. Use the same substance to clean the umbrella table as well.  

Ah, now you can sit back and enjoy the warmth of the sun; sip a glass of lemonade as you listen to the birds returning to the birdhouse you built for them last summer! You can have your morning cups of coffee out on the deck as the sun rises; and return to watch it go down at night with a delicious cocktail! Ah, summer!  

Whether you are in the midst of spring cleaning, or about to start, cleaning the ceramic tile in your bathroom has been tops on your list of things to do, right?  Here are some tips for cleaning ceramic tile. 

One of the areas on ceramic tile that is really tough to clean is the grout. It’s a really yucky area that attracts the most horrible dirt and grime in your bathroom, right? Okay then, put on a pair of rubber gloves and let’s get to it! 

If you have a small bathroom, you may want to turn on the overhead fan; keep the doors open and wear a mask if you have to. It tends to get quite hot in there when cleaning.Use a cleaning solution and hot water, start cleaning the grout. This will require some kneeling and scrubbing, so ensure you place a pillow or soft cushion to kneel on.  

Stop and take a look.  Does the grout look clean? If not, you may have to resort to more desperate measures. Do not use chlorine bleach!  It is not safe and if you are allergic, it can cause breathing problems, and the fumes can be hazardous to your pets as well. 

However, take heart! After scouring the web for the best product, there is one that is non-toxic, and is perfect for grout cleaning, it’s called oxygen bleach.  It comes in powder form and when mixed with water it removes all of the stains to produce a clean and undamaged group. Moreover, there are no fumes or toxins to contend with. Simply apply the bleach and let it sit for thirty to sixty minutes. Then scrub the grout lightly and Voila! Behold the miracle! 

If you have ceramic tile in your kitchen or counter top, you can use the oxygen bleach there as well. Users have raved about this product, so make it easy; chemical free; and pain free during spring cleaning and utilize these tips for cleaning ceramic tile. 

Now is the perfect time for preparing your garden for spring. In order to landscape your yard for less, there are a great many things you can do on your own and methods you can use to spend loss and obtain more.  Here are some tips on how to landscape your yard for less. 

Prepare the yard by weeding, raking the leaves, mowing, and creating a compost pile. Decide if and where you would like to place a vegetable garden; flower beds, and the like. Then it’s time to go shopping! Think big! Instead of purchasing one or two bags; double up on the size. You not only save money, but you will have enough to landscape your entire yard. Scout around for sales. Then get to the stores early in the morning! 

Check out your local lumber yard for railroad ties. Also check home supply stores or areas where you can find unused or cracked bricks. These will come in handy later on.  

If you have a large backyard, there are many ways to utilize the space in a creative way.  One part of the yard can be used for vegetables, the rest can encompass roses of every color and kind; bushes that can be cut into baskets; an apple tree.  You can also find ways to use large blocks of stone and bricks.  Find unused bricks, as well as the large white cement blocks from home builders. They are usually discarded due to cracks or flaws.Then cut the bricks into diamond shapes and placed them around the trees and flower beds.  You can also encased roses with white cement stones to raise the level of the soil and enhanced the look of the roses. 

You can use railroad ties, which can be obtained from lumber yards, to encase the large vegetable garden, and to make a back yard fence as well.  With a little thought and creativity you too can landscape your yard for less. Take heart! It can be done for less and look beautiful too.

Getting ready for summer means you have to clean out your closets. Don’t fret! The best part about cleaning out your closets is that you get to buy new clothes!  In addition, you can donate your old clothes to the Salvation Army, thrift store or a church. Now you’re inspired! 

Here are some tips to help you get started: 

Take everything out of your closets; the heavy wool coats; parkas; suits and pants outfits; then separate what you want to keep and put the rest in a bag for pick-up by the local church or take it to the Salvation Army.  You’ll feel wonderful when you look at your half empty closet.  This means you can go to your favourite department store and shop till you drop – well, almost.  You can also take out your summer clothes and separate them as well.  More items to add to the shopping list!   

Write down what you need to add to your summer wardrobe; including shoes, accessories, swimsuits, and all the necessary items to enjoy at the beach or on vacation.  Finally store away your winter clothes; bidding them farewell until the fall. 

If there is lack of space, you can take all your winter clothes to the cleaners. There, they will dry clean and wash all of the items, and store them away for a considerable price. But, hey, if you don’t have the space, you have to find alternatives. 

Once you are finished shopping, bring home your new summer wardrobe (complete with new hangars, of course) and fill the closet.  Now you’re all set for any summer occasion that may pop up.  And don’t forget the shoes, sneakers are good for summer and of course sandals are a must.   

Clean out your closets and go shopping!  Isn’t summer just the best time of year? 

In a few months, Father’s Day will be here. Your kids are probably trying to come up with unique ideas this year. To help them, here are some Father’s Day ideas for younger kids. 

* Make a Father’s Day card using construction paper, crayons and draw dad on the front with the words “I Love You Dad!” Mom can also download the many coloring templates kids can use to glue on to construction boards to make larger 8-1/2×11 cards. 

* Kids can take their teddy bears and dress them up with a hat, tie, and glasses….and place a Happy Father’s Day sign for the bear to hold. 

* Kids can help you make a Father’s Day breakfast for dad and present it to him either in bed or at the kitchen table.  

* Kids can help mom make gingerbread cookies and using piping to outline the facial features. It can then be glued to a piece of cardboard and the kids can decorate the cardboard with dad’s favourite things! 

* The kids can present dad with a card containing a list of chores they will do for dad for a week. 

* They can also make a story book using construction paper, to tell about their dad and why he is so special! 

* Mom can bake dad’s favourite cake and the kids can decorate it with dad’s favourite sports games, such as baseballs, footballs, soccer, or basketball. 

Kids love to draw, paint and mold. Using some clay, they can make dad a handprint and sign their names on the palms. He would certainly love that! In fact, kids also love to build things, so why not build day a special kite (with the help of mom, of course), then the entire family can enjoy this wonderful present. 

Father’s Day ideas for younger kids can be achieved by asking them what they would like to make for dad; or perhaps buy for day. One thing though, he may not want any more ties! Make a Happy Father’s Day Sign using construction paper, and hang it in the kitchen or living room area. Dad will be so happy to see how much effort his children have put into making his day a special one!