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Eek! Do you realize Thanksgiving is 4 short weeks away and Christmas is only a few weeks after that? While we are all enjoying pumpkins and falling leaves, the holidays are quickly sneaking up on us. Now is the perfect time to get the house ready for friends and family that will be visiting soon. The next four weeks of this series will focus on getting our home ready for holiday company. Then we will take a break to enjoy the holidays and start again in the new year. Let’s dive in!
Task #1- The Dishwasher
This appliance often gets neglected because we think of it as always being clean. The truth of it is that it gets dirty. Food gets dripped on the side or doesn’t get washed away. Mildew can also build up inside. Find a time when all of the dishes have been unloaded and it can stay empty for a little while. Start with wiping down food drips on the sides and inside that have built up. Then use one of the ways below to clean inside.
One method that I have tried is the baking soda/vinegar method. Just sprinkling baking soda inside, fill a cup or bowl with vinegar and place on the top shelf. Then run a cycle without dishes.
The second method is to use a dishwasher cleaner. I personally use Glisten Dishwasher Magic Cleaner. After being in our home for a number of years, I started to notice that the sink drain had an odor when the dishwasher started running. Guessing that it was a nasty build up in the line from the dishwasher to the sink, I started using this cleaner once a month. It cleans the dishwasher really well inside and keeps the drain line clean as well.
Finish cleaning the dishwasher by wiping down the front (I just use glass cleaner).
Task #2- Under the sink
Since we focused on the dishwasher in task #1, organizing under the sink goes right along with that area. In our kitchen, under the sink tends to be the area that we store mason jars. Every time, we use a bottle of freezer jam, the clean empty jars gets placed under the sink. When the collection gets to be too much, I clean everything out and take a box (or 2) of jars to the storage room. Other people might store grocery bags, a trash can, dishwashing soap and tools, etc. under the sink. Take some time to clean everything out this week and organize it.
Task #3-Master Closet
Task #3 takes us into the master bedroom closet. With the change to cooler temperatures, it is a good time to go through your closet and get rid of clothing that is worn out or you don’t wear. I donate what I can to a local thrift store, but some items just need to be trashed.
Task #4-Handrails
If you have little kids in your home, the handrails on the stairs are likely sticky. Even if you don’t have kids running around, they are probably still germy so give the handrail(s) a good wipe down this week.
Task #5-Doorknobs
Tis the season for colds and germs. This task goes right along with #4. Keep the germs away by wiping all of the doorknobs in your home down with an antibacterial wipe. Probably a good task to add to your weekly checklist to keep your family healthy during the winter.
Task #6-Medicine Cabinet
In our home, this cabinet is like a junk drawer. Medicines are all kept on the second shelf from the bottom, but the whole cabinet is driving me crazy lately. So this week, it is getting a good cleaning. For this task, go through all of your medication and get rid of old, expired medicines. Make a list of items you are running low on or out of and restock them this week so you are prepared when your family gets sick.
Task #7-Windows
In Week 4, we dusted blinds. If you completed this task then, that’s awesome! If you are like me and you still need to dust blinds, then this task goes right along with it. 🙂 This week, we are going to wash the windows inside and outside (if you would can or would like to). I have this Windex Kit for outside windows and it works well.
That’s all for this week. Spend time getting things done over the next few weeks, so you can stress less and enjoy more time with loved ones during the holidays. To see tasks from previous weeks, click below.
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