Deep Clean Your Stress Away
Product images from retailers. Graphic: Style / Substance by LKS
The last two weeks have been triggering and frustrating, to say the least. Visions and flashbacks of March 2020 lockdown surfaced. With the flutters of anxiety (and anger) increasing as fast as cases have been rising. Instead of making unhealthy reactive choices, I decided to arm myself (both literally and with three shots) and channel this stress into deep cleaning my actual surfaces. And it’s working.
Assiduously scrubbing down the house is mitigating a lot of old traumas from 20-months ago precipitated by what’s going on right now. I’m not talking about wiping down avocados and milk jugs with cleansing wipes (so passé, right?). More, scrubbing the baseboards, Magic Erasing the scuff marks on the walls, vacuuming kitchen drawers with crumbs, the ceiling fans, and covered flooring (do you know what’s under your bed?). Windex-ing the windows (inside and out - safely, please). Switching on the self-cleaner on the washing machine (doubtful that’s ever happened since I moved in). Running a laundry marathon of throw blankets, pillow covers, and anything with cat hair on it (same goes for you, dog people) that can go into the machine on cold and come out the same size.
Maybe it’s time to upgrade your soap dispenser, light a different candle, or rearrange your bookshelves. Whatever you need to do, let’s take action to temper the past and look forward. While we’re hunkered down all so temporarily, here are some cleansing resources and tips to do around the house that will keep you preoccupied and productive. Below are the tried and true tools and tips to get you home in tip top shape.
Source: Amazon
Remove the wall scuffs & wipe down the kitchen sink with the Magic Eraser
Wipe the scuff marks on your walls (mine are white, and I do this every six weeks or so to keep them steadily white). Scrub the corners and undermount of your sinks, even around the faucets and fixtures, and get into the drains - works in the tub and shower, too. It even takes crayon “murals” off the walls.
Get the sponge slightly wet/damp and get erasing!
Source: Amazon
Swiffer Dust the blinds, vents, ceiling fans, chandeliers, sconces…
Time to give all those rarely touched surfaces a nice swipe? Lift up the dust layers without spreading them to other spots in the house with the extended version of the Swiffer Duster.
Source: Amazon
Wipe surfaces down with Micro Fiber Cloths to avoid scratching and streaks
Pull out your trusty spray cleaners and instead of reaching for rags or paper towels, replace them with a soft, plush, gentle micro fiber that will remove residue and also wipe clean. I even use these with a little water soaked into the cloth then gently wipe off wooden furniture.
Source: Amazon
Get streak-less glass (even acrylic facemounts on artwork!) with Windex w/ Vinegar
Take the streaks out of multiple surface types. The vinegar cleans and keeps streak-free on glass and similar surfaces. Get rid of lingering fingerprints or old streak marks from past wipes. I applied this to all of my windows (inside and outside on the ones I could reach), glass orb light fixtures, and photographs with acrylic facemounts.
Source: Amazon
Folex takes out the carpet spots and little stains on your upholstery*
For carpets and upholstery stains (most of the time), this miracle cleaner also gets makeup out of clothing, helps remove red wine and coffee, and any pet accidents. I recently used it on my cream boucle sofa and it took the soot from the fireplace out of a spot that got marked up. It’s like it was never there in the first place.
*Double check your upholstery and rug tags before applying this treatment or check with your rug cleaner.
Source: Amazon
Clean and polish your hardwood floors with Bona gentle cleanser that gets the job done
Highly recommended by my hardwood flooring contractors, this cleaner is the only spray I use on my hardwood. Leaves them the right amount of shiny once dried, too. Best to stick with the unscented original formula.
Source: Amazon
Spray your hardwood cleaner and swiftly glide it around with the Libman handheld washable mop
Avoid straining your back on the ground and spritz and mop with this reusable, washable pad and wand. Libman makes functional, ergonomic, and resourceful mops - this version can be used as a dry or wet mop, and the pads can be washed up to 100 times. Refills are included in this pack.
Source: Amazon
While you’re near the floors, why not wipe away the grime and wash your baseboards with the Baseboard Buddy
“Walk, glide and swivel.” The baseboard buddy is yes, another wand tool, but that saves your back and arms from over extending them as you put some elbow grease into it. Use wet or dry to pick up dirt and dust while gliding this want and pad for a clean surface. When someone walks into that room, it will instantly feel brighter, without really knowing just what did it.
Source: Best Buy
Vacuum everything from those tight corners to under your bed and any other surface you can think of with the Dyson V8 Animal Cord-Free
Cordless, interchangeable heads, easy to hold without too much bulk, and long/short extenders - if it’s time for you to upgrade your vacuum, this is the one to choose. Friends and clients swear by it; it’s a game-changer that can go all around your house without the hassle of switching outlets and schlepping a tank up and down the stairs. Bagless and easy. Voila!
Source: Amazon
Spray Dust-Off to remove dust and contaminants from hard to reach places
Clean out the keyboards, gaming consoles, dusty frame corners, and hard to wipe nooks with this disposable compressed air duster spray. The little wand helps you get in really tight spaces. I use this in my car, too. Get the two-pack; once you start spraying, you may not want to stop.
Source: Amazon
Go hands free at your sinks with Simplehuman’s Touch-Free Rechargeable Soap Dispenser
An easy charge that holds and with hands-free dispensing (refill included) on this sleek, stainless steel soap pump. Battery holds up well and makes your countertops neat and organized. Variable soap dispenser makes sure that you’re not overusing or underusing the right amount of suds. Soap pack included is fragrance free and extremely easy to refill when you run out. No twisting of pump caps that never seem to unravel.
Source: Amazon
While you’re washing your hands, maybe it’s time to wash your jewelry with the Magnasonic Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner
Gently jewelry cleaner uses a little water and the power of the steam clean from the jewelry machine. Place your precious items in the inner trey, turn on, and walk away for a few minutes. Sometimes I scrub my jewels with soap and a toothbrush before or after for that doubled-down shine and sparkle. Cleans your eyeglasses, too!
Sources: Amazon
Run a laundry marathon with The Laundress
These top select solutions from The Laundress are mainstays in my laundry room. From washing wool/cashmere on cold and delicate to air drying (save on dry cleaning) to doing a load of denim, cleansing those stinky workout pieces, and a light load of delicacies. They all work with the right balance of sensitivity to cleansing. Time to throw a load in? While you’re at it, give your closet and clothes a spritz of freshness with their delicate refresher spray.
Source: The Container Store
Ditch the dry cleaning wire hangers for softer, cohesive Huggable Hangers
Pick your color of choice from this aesthetically pleasing variety from The Container Store. The velvety-soft hangers gently hold blouses, camis, dresses, blazers, trousers, and they even have pant/skirt clips. Instant pleasure when you walk into your closet after you’ve swapped in these huggies.
Source: The Container Store
Defend your precious and plush knits from moths and critters with Cedar Balls
The light scent of cedar shouldn’t rub off on your clothing, but wrap it in tissue paper or a sachet and stuff these mini cedar balls in shelves and drape on hangers throughout your closet to ensure your investment knits (ahem, cashmere) stay intact and ready to pull on and go.
Source: The Container Store
Edit down your sock drawer and separate sock types with the Expandable Drawer Organizer
First, do the 4-minute sock edit (here are quick instructions) to pair down and match your sock pairs. Sort by sock types and give them an allocated area, so you’re not burrowing into this drawer in the future. Your cold feet will thank you for slipping into socks faster this winter.
Double check your drawer dimensions before purchasing.
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