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

• 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!