Cleaning

Most of us use baking soda for baking and to remove odors from our refrigerator, but we never think to use it for other things. Did you know that baking soda is a natural cleaner and deodorizer that’s cheap and effective?

Many cleaners use artificial scents and harsh chemicals to cover up odor. These scented chemical products can be really irritating to your skin and your respiratory system. Baking soda is a safer alternative. Instead of covering up odors, it absorbs them and locks them away. So you know it can get rid of odors in the fridge with baking soda, try putting some in your garbage cans, shoes, diaper pail, litter box, drains and garbage disposal. It is a great way to safely remove offensive odors from pretty much anywhere.

Watkins lemon all purpose cleaner

Baking soda is a great abrasive cleaner to remove dirt and anything else that might be stuck on surfaces. Just sprinkle it on a wet cloth and scrub away. You can even use baking soda to get stuck on grease off your floors, counters and even pots and pans. For more cleaning power mix baking soda with Watkins degreaser or Watkins natural all-purpose cleaner. Remember to rinse all your surfaces well after you clean them to remove any remaining residue.

While baking soda can be used for general cleaning, it’­s also a great to remove stubborn stains. Just mix with a small amount of water to turn the powder into a paste. You can then apply this to stains in your kitchen, bathroom, and even your clothes. Just let sit for a few minutes and then scrub. It will make your stainless steel sink shine. This paste is also great for cleaning your silver.

You can even use baking soda to disinfect laundry, toys and diapers or other items around your home that get handled often such as door handles, light switches, and telephones. Washable items can be soaked in baking soda and water for half an hour or so. For other things simply cover the area and let it sit for a minute before wiping it off.

These are just a few ideas for you on how to clean and deodorize with baking soda. It is such a versatile product, the possibilities are endless. So why not pull your baking soda out of the cupboard and give it a try all around your house? You may find yourself buying a lot more baking soda on your next shopping trip.

Superb Substitute

My husband and I love grilling fresh salmon. I like to let it marinate with a little olive oil, Watkins lemon pepper and Watkins Dill. Recently I had no fresh lemon to squeeze over the top. Looked in the cupboard and found some Watkins Lemon Peel, so decided to try it instead of running to the store! It tasted so good, I use it along with fresh lemon all the time now! Isn’t necessity the mother of invention!

Poor Man’s Pie

This is such a simple recipe! Mix right in the pie shellJ

1 unbaked pie shell 12 oz half and half

1 cup brown sugar 2 ½ tsp butter, cut in small bits

3 Tbsp flour Watkins Ground Cinnamon

Speck of salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

In pie shell place b. sugar, flour and salt. Mix with your fingers until combined well.

Pour milk over flour mixture, but do NOT stir. Dot with butter. Liberally sprinkle Watkins Ground Cinnamon over all. Bake for 50 mins or until filling bubbles up in the center. Filling may not completely set, but that is the way it is supposed to be.

Are you living in clutter and chaos? Try this fifteen minute pickup trick to control clutter, simplify your life and banish chaos in your home. It’s common to feel that the biggest challenge to cleaning up is the sheer magnitude of the task in front of you. Is “So much mess, so little time” your motto? Do you ask yourself, “Where do I begin?”

Busy Mom living in chaos

This is where the fifteen minute pickup trick comes in. A fifteen minute pickup is simply fifteen minutes of time that’s spent focusing on tidying up a place of your choosing. It can be a particular room or area in your house, or it could be the entire house. Here’s what you do, set a timer and get to work until the timer goes off. Then you stop and consider yourself done. You’ll probably discover that stopping is just as important as the starting. The reason for this, is no matter how busy or overwhelmed you are, you can always find time to do something for fifteen minutes. But if you feel that fifteen minutes is going to drag into a half-hour or more, then you’re not going to want to get started. You’ll find this is also true with your children and spouse. They may be happy to help out for a limited amount of time, but may resist helping in the first place because they fear the work will take too long.

The best place to start is with one general fifteen minute pickup per day. Set a regular time that fits your schedule, or maybe when you are freshest! If you have children, a good time is in the evening, just before you begin getting them ready for bed, as it provides a transition from play to bedtime, and it’s time to put the toys away. Get the entire family involved. If your child gets distracted, gently remind him or her to pick something up. You’ll be totally amazed by how your home can go from looking like a tornado ripped through it to being basically orderly after just fifteen minutes of everyone working together.

The first time you do this, you’ll most likely just be getting stuff off the floor and into the general vicinity of where they belong. However, if you keep at it every day, you will start finding time to do some sorting and be able to put things away in a more organized manner. You might even have time to do some quick vacuuming. You’ll find that each day, you’re able to clean a little deeper before that timer goes off!

Once you have gotten into the habit of doing one general fifteen minute pickup a day, you can add one or two more at different times of the day to focus on specific rooms or areas of your home that need more attention. For example, a fifteen minute cleanup of your kitchen counter can do wonders. The main thing is to institute these pickups gradually enough so that you can be consistent and get into the habit of doing them. Won’t it be nice to watch your house get clean fifteen minutes at a time, and know that you hardly spent any time at it at all? Then, you can focus your time and energy on the more fun aspects of living!

There is no better time to “Go Green” than right now. The following tips will help you achieve cleaning in an environmentally friendly way.

BUY ALL-PURPOSE CLEANERS
You do NOT need to buy a cleaner for every cleaning chore. This is simply a tactic used by manufacturers to get you to buy several different products. Try Watkins Natural All-Purpose Cleaners. These chemical-free, biodegradable products can take care of most of your cleaning chores. Safe for your family, safe for the environment.

READ THE LABELS
If a product label states “caution” or “warning” that product will have less of an impact on the environment than a label that states “danger”. Try Watkins Natural Plant-Based Home Care. These products are 100% safe for the environment.

USE COLD WATER
Whenever possible use cold water for cleaning. When washing a deck or your driveway you do not have to use hot water. Or when you are doing laundry cold water sometimes will work just as well as hot water. Try it!

NO MORE PAPER TOWELS
Try to clean with reusable products such as rags or sponges. Disposable cleaning cloths or paper towels may seem convenient but they are not good for the environment.

USE CONCENTRATED PRODUCTS
By using concentrated cleaning products you will be using less packaging. Try Watkins All-Purpose Concentrate. This earth friendly, ultra concentrated all-purpose cleaner will save you money and save the environment.

CLEAN DAILY
Don’t let dirt and dust pile up before you clean. It makes the most sense to clean daily. In the long run you will use less energy and less products than if you allowed the dirt to accumulate. Also, pick up clutter as you go through your day. You will be surprised how easy cleaning day will be.

RECYCLE
One of the most important things you can do for the environment is to recycle. It’s also one of the easiest, simply rinse and recycle. Most cities offer bins for you to recycle your plastics, glass, newspapers, etc. Check with your local city office and see what day they pick up.

USE GREEN CLEANING PRODUCTS
Whenever possible, and that should be most of the time, use eco-friendly cleaning products. Not only are they better for the environment, they will be safe for your family. These products clean great, smell great and best of all you can feel good what you use in your home. Watkins Natural Home Care is the better choice!

You don’t have make all your changes at once. Try one tip at a time until it becomes natural for you to have a “green” house.
Good Luck, Tracey
www.VanillaGourmet.com

You’ve put it off long enough, and it’s time to clean the refrigerator! Since you have the time and the patience; let’s give you some quick refrigerator cleaning tips to hurry along the process.

• Take everything out of the refrigerator, I prefer to do one shelf at a time so I can quickly and easily put items back in the same spot.
• Throw away any outdated cans, jars and plastic bottles.
• Take out the vegetable bins; wash and dry.
• Use a wet cloth to clean the shelving and the inside of the door. You may want to add some baking soda to the wash water.
• Put the bins back, and sprinkle a bit of baking soda in each if you like.
• Put back whatever items you have left.
• Place an opened box of baking soda towards the back top shelf.
• Wipe down the exterior of the refrigerator; top sides and doors.

You’re done! That was easy enough, right? Well that’s because you have been cleaning it religiously every month. Alas, there are some refrigerators which have not been so lucky, and cleaning will require more time.

To keep your refrigerator clean so that a simple once-over is required, here are some additional tips to follow.

• Use tin foil under your milk cartons to prevent leaking.
• Use food containers to store your leftovers.
• Change the box of baking soda every three months.
• Set the temperature to the manufacturer’s recommendation.
• Try not to accumulate more than two items. Check certain items before buying them. Oftentimes, we buy too much of one item, and it just stays in the refrigerator for months on end.
• Keep your vegetables in zip lock bags or better yet re-usable plastic containers to maintain their freshness.
• Line the bins with paper towel or something similar to absorb moisture and spills.
• If’ it’s not a frost free model defrost your freezer at least once a month. Don’t forget to place a box of baking soda in there as well.

By following these simple tips, your next cleaning will be easier and faster and you’ll feel like a lazy man.

Did you know that there is a cleaning product that’s safe and all natural, cleans, disinfects and deodorizes, and doesn’t cost a fortune? And that you may already have it hidden in your refrigerator door!

So, what is this magical cleaning product? It’s plain old lemon juice. You can use lemon juice instead of bleach to clean your house safely and effectively. In fact, you can use it in places you wouldn’t consider putting bleach.

If you’ve even tasted lemon juice, it’s pretty obvious that it’s a strong acid. Have you ever tried using lemon juice to clean a penny? The beauty of an acid is that it dissolves things water can’t. This includes dirt, grease and also parts of bacteria vital to it’s survival. Next time you clean, ditch the sponge, bleach and chemical cleaners and pull out a fresh lemon. It’s easy to hold, packed full of cleaning power, and can be thrown away when you’re done.

You can mix lemon juice with water and put it in a squirt bottle. You can use it along with your all purpose cleaner to scrub the kitchen, bathroom, and even clean walls and floors. The acid will cut through mineral deposits on bathroom fixtures.

Instead of adding bleach to your whites, add lemon juice instead. After washing, hang your clothes in the sun to dry and you’ll see how white your laundry can be without the smell and dangers of bleach. You can mix lemon juice with cream of tartar and rub into stains.  Just don’t leave them out in the sun to dry as it may fade the spot.

Lemon juice can also be used to polish, shine, and remove tarnish from the copper, chrome, and other metals in your house. Simply add a little salt or baking soda to a freshly cut lemon and rub it onto the metal’s surface, rinse well and polish dry.

Try mixing lemon juice with baking soda to make a great natural drain cleaner. It works just as well as vinegar and baking soda, but leaves that lemony scent.

Have you noticed lately that most disinfecting products have an version that smells like lemons? That’s because lemons naturally have a fresh, clean scent. Instead of cleaning with lemon scented chemicals, what could be better than getting your fresh lemon scented kitchen from actual lemons?

Leave it to Watkins to improve on mother nature! We are pleased to introduce a new line of non-toxic plant-based cleaning products that harness the power of lemons naturally. You’ll can choose from all-purpose cleaner, liquid dish soap, automatic dish washing detergent, toilet bowl cleaner, furniture polish and liquid laundry detergent concentrate all scented with natural lemon oil.

These are just a few of the many uses of this powerful cleaner. Cleaning with the power of lemons not only removes dirt, it also disinfects to keep your family safe. What a great way to leave your house looking and smelling great.

How often do you vacuum your lovable pooch? Yes, you read right, my darling dog was a rescue and her previous owner would vacuum her.

It is a hoot to see her scamper over to me when I bring the portable vacuum out. The first time she did this I didn’t know what to make of it. She would lie on her side waiting for me to start. When, I figured out what she was wanting, I open the hose to release some of the suction, put on the furniture attachment so not to injury her. This has become a routine with us every time I vacuum.

The advantages I have found are two fold, for the dog she is more comfortable less scratching and her bedding is cleaner. She is not sneezing from the loose hair and dirt in her coat.

For me it is having a home with a lot less dog hair and less dust. This has prompted me to vacuum and clean her bedding on a regular basis, not just when I can’t stand it anymore.

I have found we still have those not so wonderful days when she runs through the mud puddles with glee and arrives at the door looking like a dog that has been dipped in chocolate. My cure for that is giving her a bath with Watkins Botanical Pet Shampoo, I love the ingredients of aloe vera, lemon oil and vitamin E, and it leaves her coat shiny and smelling great, not like wet dog, yuck.

Mary Ellen

Associate #364297

Is it time for your annual spring cleaning? Ah spring, think of how wonderful you and your family will feel to be able to open the windows again and let in the fresh air! Take a few minutes to make a spring cleaning list of what you’ll need to do. Here are some suggestions for you but feel free to change this list to suit your own needs.

• Windows - take down the drapes or curtains and dust the blinds. Wash the windows inside and out, don’t forget the frames and casings. Next, wash the curtains, iron if needed and rehang.
• Walls - wash the walls, start at the bottom and work your way up to-wards the ceiling, this will prevent the water and cleaner from dripping down making clean streaks or lines.
• Ceilings - dust for cobwebs and then wash.
• Floors - move all the furniture in each room so you can clean the floors behind and underneath everything to evict the dust bunnies and other things hiding there. Vacuum the carpets, sweep and mop hard floor surfaces. Take area rugs outdoors and give them a good shake.
• Furniture - wipe hard furniture like coffee tables, book shelves, dressers etc with a damp cloth to remove dust and dirt. Spot clean upholstery, and launder removable covers.
• Kitchen - wash the outside of your kitchen cabinets and appliances with a degreaser cleaner to cut through the dust and cooking grease that accumulated over the winter months.

You shouldn’t need many extra cleaning supplies to do your spring cleaning, here’s a list of basic cleaning supplies:

• Multi-purpose cleaner for walls, ceilings, floors, and general cleaning.
• Window and glass cleaner to polish mirrors, chrome, stainless steel and for sparkling windows too.
• Bathroom cleaner for tackling mineral buildup, hard water stains and soap scum.
• A sturdy pail or bucket.
• Cleaning cloths for dusting and scrubbing.
• A vacuum, a broom, a dust pan, a mop and a scrub brush.

Get the entire family involved in spring cleaning then reward yourselves with a fun family activity when you are done!

The most common and popular finish for large and small appliances, cookware, utensils and sinks these days is stainless steel. It’s easy to clean and looks great with almost any decore. Here are a few tips to easily keep your stainless sparkling clean and shiny!

To clean your stainless steel sink use olive oil on a cloth and dry with a clean cloth. Make a paste with baking soda and Watkins degreaser, rub gently to remove stains and hard water spots. Wipe up any water spots which may form mineral spots.

To remove stains from your cookware try using club soda, or apply vinegar to remove spots and stains from your utensils and cutlery. Rinse and dry well.

To clean large appliances, like refrigerators or counter tops try using glass cleaner or a mild spray and wipe cleaner.

To remove labels from new stainless steel appliances soak the item in warm water; or lay a soapy wet cloth over the label, let it soak then rub it off with the cloth.
To remove grease from your cookware or appliances, clean using a mixture of Watkins degreaser and warm water.

Here are some tips to avoid damaging to your stainless steel items:

• Don’t use steel wool or abrasives to clean them.
• Don’t leave stainless steel cookware on extremely high heat as this will cause discoloration.
• Do rinse off acid or salty foods if the item is not going to be washed immediately.

There are many special stainless steel cleaning products available on the market today, but your regular cleaning supplies will work just as well with out any added expense. A little tender loving care will ensure all of your stainless steel appliances, cookware and peripherals continue to sparkle for years to come.

Many hands make light work so it’s never too early to teach your kids to help you with chores around the house. Children can even start as early as two years old. While children mature at different rates, you can easily determine what age appropriate chores are best suited for toddlers, kids, pre-teens and teens. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Toddlers can help by:

• making their bed
• picking up their toys
• feeding the family pet
• straightening up shoes
• putting dirty laundry into the basket
• cleaning up spills on the kitchen floor

Even at this young age most two and three year olds can manage these chores. Teach your toddlers to do their chores by making a fun game out of it or improvising different ways in which they can help.
Four and five year olds can also:

• set the table
• dust around the house
• help bake cookies
• carry grocery bags (as long as they’re light)

Six and eight year old’s can add:

• vacuum the floor
• take out the trash
• fold the laundry

They can also help you prepare meals with lots of supervision. Think of the experience you are giving your children at this early age.

Pre-teens can do even more. Some of the more vigorous chores can be relegated to outside work:

• rake the leaves
• wash the car
• help clean out the garage

If you need help inside the house, they can certainly help:

• prepare meals
• dusting and vacuuming the house
• wash dishes
• clean the bathroom

They are old enough to make their own beds, tidy their bedroom of debris, organize their toys, and put their own laundry away.

Teens can do almost any chore that you can do, however they pose a different problem altogether. Sometimes they are willing to help, and other times they’re not. It may depend on how you’ve raised them. If they’ve been doing chores since they were two, you won’t have a problem. They have the ability to prepare meals, clean the kitchen, wash windows, and do the laundry. Just about any indoor and outdoor chore that needs doing! Give your teen responsabilites, you don’t want them to feel like a baby, now do you?

Doing chores will give your kids a great sense of pride and accomplishment, no matter what their age. The added benefit is that when everyone pitches in and works together you’ll have more time to spend doing fun stuff with your kids.