Clean Pillows

I don’t know what it is but Jake’s pillows become really dingy and …well…gross. Now I’ve been known to drool all over a nice pillow, but this is a whole different beast, yellowing and dingy. Rumor has it this is sweat, which makes sense; and my significant other isn’t the only one. My mom and a friend mentioned this happens to their other half’s pillows too!  In December we decided to just chuck the nasty ones and buy a new set after the Holidays. Then ‘No Spend 1st Quarter’ hit…so I got resourceful and began work.

I found Jillee’s blog post via Pinterest and thought, ‘Psh, it’s worth a shot.’ AND BLAMO! It’s amazing. Here’s the recipe:

Super Hot water

1 cup of laundry detergent
1 cup powdered dishwasher detergent
1 cup bleach
1/2 cup borax

After reading several of the comments I decided to soak ONE item at a time as long as possible – at least 6 hours – in hot water and to then run the ‘regular’ wash cycle with a cup of bleach on the warm/cold setting.

First the pillow ‘protectors’, then one pillow at a time and finally a set of white sheets we’ve had for 3 years (again, one large item at a time with all pillow cases at once).  Each item came out looking either 85% better or like new.

I only ran into one hiccup: I forgot a pillow in the washer for 2 days – classic Jessica move – and that thing was really hateful about giving up all the water it soaked up. Solution: 2 spin cycles and an entire day in the dryer.

My verdict: a must for dingy pillows (or any whites).

AND Jillee’s blog “One Good Thing” has become one I follow regularly; she has some fantastic other tips I can’t wait to try!

Organized: The Bathroom

Our ‘design goal’ with the bathroom was to have a tranquil spa feel, a place where relaxation comes naturally. On the surface we’ve done a decent job at creating that vibe. Take a peek inside closed doors and you’ll soon realize that feeling was only skin deep.

Jake’s drawer & cabinet:

Jessica’s drawer & cabinet:

Shared cabinet:

A half way organized view:

Jake’s afters:He went the extra mile and used a nice drawer liner:

Jessica’s side (VAST improvement):

Center space finished:

Jake picked up a space saving shampoo/conditioner dispenser that was easy to instal and fill:Pinterest inspired us to pick up a basket for spare TP roll storage (which Izzy used to her advantage by running off with an entire new roll and shredding the WHOLE thing to bits):We were on a roll and unexpectedly started in on the ‘linen closet’. Using what we had just emptied, the tubs from my side now organize travel items and our shared ‘back stock’ of conditioners, body wash & toothpaste. Now drawers from Jake’s side are used for sorting and storing our first aide supplies and commonly used medications. I labeled these as soon as Jake asked “Where’s the Ibuprofen now?”

Performing this cleaning and organizing miracle we used these, these, this and this with inserts, one of those, a couple of these, one of this and that. Again we’re very grateful for Jake’s employee discount without which this process would’ve taken at least 6 months! Now that zen feel isn’t just surface deep. AND if company comes over and happens to take a peek we’re in the clear, no skeletons here!

Be honest, do you take a peek into drawers, cabinets or medicine cabinets when you’re at someone’s house?

Viva the Employee Discount!

For the last few months Jake has been working at one of my absolute favorite stores EVER…The Container Store. I’ve been the luckiest girl in the world these last several weeks because multiple times a week he’ll come home with a bag of goodies for me or the apartment. As if marrying someone with the same OCD tendencies wasn’t the BEST thing ever, having him work at that store definitely WAS!

Last weekend he said this magic phrase:

“Would you like to go to The Container Store and just pick up everything we’ve been wanting?”

It was like the sky opened and angels everywhere started singing. My response was “On what planet or alternate universe would I EVER say ‘NO’ to that?!”

I woke up on a Sunday at 6:30am and we were out the door by 9:30, it was like Christmas (no seriously I found out later this was my Christmas gift. A really good one at that) After 4 and a half hours of shopping which translated to 3 full carts, we loaded up the SUV full of supplies and headed home. Then in the car he said “Wanna go home and organize all our stuff?” SERIOUSLY?! this man was on a roll!

Our plunder and the Izzy:

We’ll be posting some before and after shots of our apartment organization overhaul!

Rubbermaid Reveal vs. The Swiffer

Let me begin by saying I don’t like the hassle of a ‘real’ Mop and bucket. It’s too much trouble and if I had to do that every week the floors would NEVER get mopped–ever. I know, I’m sure some have advice that would discredit that but…honestly. Nope, not happening; let us move on.

For years I had a Swiffer. I lived in a carpeted apartment with tile/linoleum in just the bathroom and kitchen. The Swiffer was great. None of the mop and bucket hassle; and as infrequently as I would mop it was cheap. I think it took a year and a half to go through one bottle of cleanser.  +10.

THEN we got married, moved into an apartment with a larger mop-needy floor space THEN we got Izzy

and those floors needed more love.

The swiffer was getting kinda costly. $6-10 bucks for the cleanser and then another $6-10 fort he cleaning pads every other month.  -3 Add to that the floors were so grimy we had to change the pads about 3 times each use.  -2 Don’t forget the batteries -2. That was adding up, quickly. Don’t get me started on the mop head’s adhesive ability over time, rendering it nearly useless. -10

Swiffer total = -7

Enter the Reveal. I saw an advertizement for the Rubbermaid Reveal and almost instantaneously it was on my Wish list. Another hassle free swipe across the floor +10

The Reveal let me use any cleaner of my choice (we love Mrs. Myers Clean Day in Lavender)+3, has washable pads+5, a dust-mop head +2 No need for a broom! And didn’t take batteries+3. The cleanser container is removable and re-washable. +1 The adhesive used to hold the cloths on are plastic, made into the head, no wearing down over time. +2

Did I mention it uses ANY cleaning agent?

My brother & sister-in-law have hardwood floors & tile; requiring a different cleanser for both. Essentially she could wash the hardwood with a bottle full of whatever special stuff hardwood requires  and swap out with the other bottle for tile all in one fell-swoop. Multiple floors, multiple cleansers, one mop. +2

Reveal total =27

In my opinion, Rubbermaid’s Reveal is the obvious choice. I’d suggest this beast of a ‘spray mop’ to anyone, (even if they didn’t ask my opinion).

 

What’s your take, have you converted to the Reveal, or are you a die-hard Swiffer fan?

Tree Trimming

I trimmed trees!

It’s really quite fun. Until removal time came…

Clean is good

Yesterday I didn’t get around to detailing my car but I did clean the apartment. Oh my stars! It’s clean again! For real clean. Used the vacuum clean. What a calming difference a in my mood and outlook. Cleaning up a cluttered insane place seems to clean up my aura.

Reminds me of this clip.

Izzy napped while I packed

As a reward (which I think was less of a reward and more of a ‘please stop acting like a packing robot’) Jake hand washed the dishes that are prohibited from our Magic Cube a.k.a. dishwasher and took care of dinner: our favorite Mexican restaurant. He also provided distractions via dollar movie night, we saw Man on a Ledge, and ANDYS. HellllO Thin Mint Concrete!

I’m a lucky wifey.

He’s a lucky hubbers.

She’s a lucky puppy.

Tidying up

The apartment has a check out list of all the things we have to do before we turn in our keys. Things like clean the return air vent, dust the fan blades, wash the doors, wipe down the trim around doors and windows, wash the windows, clean the fridge and oven.  Several months back I broke it down into about four items every week so three days before we leave we still have sanity on our side. We’ve kept pretty close to that schedule which only fuels my inner planner/list maker.

Still, this is going to be a busy week and quite frankly I’m not ready. I need more sleep, waaaaay more coffee, and a better pedicure. Not that the last actually helps, it just makes things seem more bearable.

I’ve already patched a few Izzy ‘dents’ in the dry wall.

Pulled stuff off the walls and removed nails and attempted to remove sticky goo

Put the boring switch plates back on the boring wall and cleaned the return air vent; that thing gets nasty. Greased the hinges so there are no more squeaky doors –not really noticeable until 4am when one of us (Jake) gets up to take Izzy out.

Created a ‘donate’ pile

Rearranged the boxes for ease of loading we should be able to dolly each stack out an load…we’ll see how that actually goes

Tomorrow I have hopes to detail my car; including a carpet and upholstry shampoo!