Filed Under: cleaning
You want a floor so clean you could eat off it, yet you can't remember the last time you had the time to do some deep down real cleaning. In fact, sometimes you don't have time at all ... so when I saw this headline on iVillage: 10 things you can quit cleaning right now, I had to stop and read it. After all (as you can probably tell), I love having a clean house, but I wouldn't mind being able to cut a few things out of my routine either.
Many of the solutions are devoted to disposing of items instead of cleaning them, so after reading it I was slightly disappointed (and who washes their soccer balls anyway?) I used to be a big fan of tossing versus washing, and I'm still very tempted by the idea, but then again I feel guilty about creating more waste. Take a look at these 10 ideas (from the article) and tell me what you think.
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Reader comments (Page 1 of 8)
I completely Disagree with Number 9. Waxing cars is very important to keeping the car not only clean and shinny, but it also protects the paint from rocks, sand and the rest of the elements.
ReplyEven the Iconic Bugatti Veyron needs a fresh coat once and a while. http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/10/paul-the-detailer-strikes-again-this-time-on-a-bugatti-veyron/
It's really not had to do either. Here's a simple video on how to wax a car.
http://www.ehow.com/how_1327_wax-car.html
I also like to make the bed.
*hard not had :p
ReplyI disagree with #5
Reply# Pillow. A washed pillow takes hours to dry. Throw it out and buy a new one every six to eight months.
Sure, if you've spent $10 on an ultra-cheap pillow you can afford to throw it out every 6 months, but what if you've spent $200 or more on a high quality pillow? You don't REALLY want to spend a grand a year on pillows, do you? Just buy some cheap pillow covers that zip up, get a high quality one that contains a fabric impregnated with water resistant stuff and throw your 'pretty' pillow case on over that.
After 6 months, just throw the pillow protector away! That's what I've been doing, and it works wonders - in fact I had lymphoma a few years ago and one of the symptoms are horrible night sweats. I had to throw out everything but the pillows, that were protected by those lovely little cases!
I can also go along with all but #10..I feel the bed is 'fresher' when made up and it does feel great after a long hard day of work.
ReplyI agree wholeheartedly with #10.. I used to make my bed until I read that mites thrive in the warmth of a made bed... Now I let those suckers die. hehe
ReplyTermites go into your bed if it is made..I better stop!!
Throwing things away instead of cleaning them is an environmental nightmare. I will spend the few extra hours waiting for my pillow to dry, and use a little extra elbow grease to clean my shower curtian to reduce my environmental impact.
ReplyI disagree with #7 Yes, I am an air duct cleaner and yes it is in the best interest of our company, http://www.Duct-911.com to promote cleaning ventilation ducts. But to stop cleaning them all together? I disagree. I do think it is only necessary to clean air ducts every 2-5 years depending on a wide array of factors (smokes, pets, allergies, environment, gravel roads, etc.). Having said that, ALL furnace manufacturers recommend an annual furnace cleaning. Also, you don't know how many times we have cleaned an a-coil when a crooked furnace salesman would have advised replacing it. Think of the big picture, can 10, 20, 30 even 40 pounds of dust, dirt and construction debris in your heating and cooling system be a good thing? We think not. Your heating and air conditioning system was never designed for that.
ReplyI have to agree with no 10. My son has horrible asthma and allergies and I was told to wash his sheets 3-4 times a week for dust OR just don't make the bed everyday. I stick with not making the bed since my water bill went out the roof. I simply straighten the bed up and make it right before i lie down so that the sheets are good and tight since i can't stand to get into a sloppy bed. Also...it's not necessary to shampoo your carpets a lot. The wet carpet can let mold and mildew thrive if done too often. A simple vacuum a few times a week and a good cleaning twice a year will save you time and money.
Replywho fusses over cleaning soccer balls? and if you have a gas or electric grill, that's just promoting more energy waste, and besides it's gross. then you have charcoalized meat left on the grill that get on the new food you eat next time, i've tried it, it just doesn't work that well. that stove drip pan idea is a great one though. and i agree with everyone on the bed making, it just feels better getting in a made bed.
ReplyA plastic shower curtain liner can be washed in the washing machine and hung up with not a lot of effort. I've done it plenty of times. This country's throw-away mentality has given us a huge waste problem.
ReplyAnd yes, buy new pillows, but don't throw away your other pillows. Use them while your old pair is drying!!! Throwing out bedding because you have night sweats is also wasteful. It is recommended to wash bedding in hot water, sheets once a week and all bedding at least once a month (Real Simple Magazine). I have night sweats, as I'm in my 50's. I wash my pillow covers and mattress pad in hot water with just a wee bit of bleach, and they come out clean and fresh--especially if I dry them on the line.
My husband and I both work full time and still manage to recycle anything that can be and to compost anything that can be composted. It is, simply put, our responsibility to do so. We Americans need to reduce, not increase, our waste. We throw away everything from cars to newspapers. People buy new cars when there is nothing wrong with the old ones. We are excessive and wasteful, and the rest of the world hates us for it. Wake up.
How fun. When you think that we are made of dirt how funny to think we clean dirt away to be cleaner. I do agree with cleaning tho'. I think we just need someone else to do it for us. Ha. Ha. Seriously, if the bed isn't made everyday who knows but you and those who live with you? If the grill is cleaned by high heat as suggested what's the big deal? I do wish I could afford the duct cleaning often I think the air would be cleaner. When it comes to the everyday cleaning junk like washing dishes, clothes and body these we must do. The body is a pretty stinky thing. The bed it's can get rank also. Cars waxed, keep them out of the elements. We trade oe sell them beofre they break to pieces anyway. They aren't any good to us it seems if we have them three yrs. which when one person wrote about waste of the enviroment I thought I wonder if they drive their car until the seats fall in the floor? Do they really take a bus or walk. Usually those who protest the loudest makes the biggest footprint.
ReplyUse Dryel for those pillows. Just put the pillow in the large bag that comes with the product, add a treated cloth, also provided, and toss into your dryer for 30 minutes. The pillow comes out smelling nice and clean. Dryel can be bought in most supermarkets and sometimes in the warehouse stores as well.
ReplyAn easy way to clean your grill is with a towel soaked in water and a couple of drops of dishwater detergent, rub the grill while it's still warm. Do this before and after cooking. Also if you rub cooking oil before cooking the food won't stick as much and it will be easier to clean.
ReplyHappy grilling!
An easy way to clean your grill is with a towel soaked in water and a
Replycouple of drops of dishwater detergent, rub the grill while it's
still warm. Do this before and after cooking. Also if you rub cooking
oil before cooking the food won't stick as much and it will be easier
to clean.Happy grilling!
HAA I have never waxed a car that I've owned. I guess Toyotas are hearty? Whatever gets tossed on at the drive through car wash is good for me. Cleaning ducts? Never, Shower curtain liners? I have a bathtub and a glass door. Pillows?? New EVERY 6 months? do you know how hard it is to find a good pillow? My husband tossed mine almost 7 months ago and I haven't slept the same since, as for making the bed. zzzzzzzzz I'm just going to get right back in it , why bother unless there is company coming. Oops can't make my bed, gotta make the morning coffee.!! *stumbles down the stairs*
ReplyFor cleaning the grill, I like to take an old orange or lemon and rub it on the grill like you are scrubbing it. The acid will burn off the junk. Or just put some oil on a paper towel and scrub it that way. Burn it off and close it up. Smells good too.
Replyi disagree with #4 since it's actually easier to throw a shower curtain liner in the wash than it is to go out and buy a new one...also, #7, i can see both sides...i lived in a house for 14 yrs and cleaned the ducts in year 13, and the cleaners said they weren't very dirty at all...and #10, besides the fact that it feels better to get in a made bed, it also LOOKS cleaner when the bed is made!
ReplyAdd mini-blinds to that list.
ReplyMy time is more valuable than spending hours wiping down each slat. They're inexpensive enough to replace.
The last time I tried to throw out my pillows and buy new ones, I awoke with a back ache the next day. I had to take my pillow back from the dog and wash it. She got one of the new pillows. I've now had my same pillows for years!
Reply