Category: Housework

Two Eco Friendly Ways to Clean a Microwave

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In this short post I’m just going to give two ways to clean a microwave:

The first is by using a solution of one part vinegar and one part water, 1-2 cups of the mixed solution should be adequate. After putting this solution into a microwave safe container (I almost always use a pyrex or a glass baking dish), the solution needs to be heated for a few minutes in the microwave. I see many sources on the internet suggesting 3 minutes, but I usually do at least 5 and will sometimes repeat heating the solution as I wish.

The second method is nearly identical to the first, but rather than vinegar it calls for water and one lemon. Whereby in this method the lemon juice is squeezed into the water and the lemon is left in the water/lemon juice mixture and heated in the exact same manner as mentioned above for the water and vinegar mixture.

The whole point of either of these two methods is to cause the steam from the given solution to soften any debris within the microwave to make it easier to clean and wipe down. The only thing left to do it the wiping and scrubbing in the microwave itself.

Of course also remember to be careful with the hot liquid while you clean.

4 Essentials of Housework

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This is the list of the essential four things I feel I need to get done whenever I endeavour to clean the house, as a sort of foundational base clean or starting point from which I can later move on to more specific areas. These are my four:

  1. Laundry
  2. Dishes
  3. Floor
  4. Trash

The order matters as well for there is a reason for this order. Laundry is first so that it runs while I work on my other chores, dishes are next because getting them washed clears up more kitchen space and often I can wipe up the counter as I do so and since the next step on the list is the floor I can wipe the crumbs right onto the floor seeing as it would need cleaning next. If the floor space in the house is neat and clean most of the house will already look nice and tidy. Last is the trash seeing as this will have likely filled up as I cleaned and as the day has gone on. This isn’t any sort of deep clean list, this is just a starting point for cleaning generally speaking, at least in my mind these would be the logical first four steps to house cleaning endeavors.

Dirtiest Places in the Home

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I was just going through my phone and found some notes I made from an article on the dirtiest places in most homes. In my notes I referenced the article beforehand and I’ll place the link right here of the article titled “The 9 Dirtiest Spots in Your Home” by Deborah Weatherspoon. When I made these notes I made them to have a reference of places that I should focus to clean in order to best reduce germs in the home most efficiently so that my focus and energy is well directed. I mostly just copied off the lists provided in the article for my own reference, so I’ll just copy it off almost the same on here as a reference for myself. What I’m beginning to like about this blogging thing is that it helps me to organize everything in one place. Anyhow to the dirtiest places.

First off, take off shoes before entering the house…as far as the dirtiest places they are:

1.) Kitchen (disinfectants, bleach, heat, hand hygiene)

  • Dish Sponges and Rags***
  • Cutting boards
  • Coffee makers
  • Refrigerator
  • Kitchen sink and counters

2.) Knobs, handles, and switches (disinfecting wipes once each week-ideal to use a new wipe for every spot)

  • Restroom light switches
  • Refrigerator handles
  • Stove knobs
  • Microwave handles

3.) Makeup bag, makeup, and applicators

4.) Bathroom

  • Shower tub
  • Drains
  • Faucets
  • Floor area around toilet
  • Bath towels
  • Toothbrushes

5.) Laundry-if clothes sit in the washer for more than 30 minutes: rerun; if going to a laundry mat: clean washer with disinfecting wipes prior to using machines.

6.) Home office and Living room

  • Remote controls
  • Computer keyboards
  • Phones/tablets

7.) Pets

  • Pet bowls
  • Paws

8.) Personal items

  • Cell phone
  • Keys
  • Wallet
  • Money
  • Lunch boxes
  • Bottom of purses