Clever, Easy Solutions to get your Kids to do Chores

This post is by Contributing Writer Lori Hernandez of Three Acre Farm .

https://www.kitchenstewardship.com/kid-friendly-kitchen/?inf_contact_key=ae7b12b811a3ddf68e6c89d1a68f63acbe ab32f89ea78e676a5a900ea429d3bf

Note from Lois:  Teaching children how to work around the home is so important.  Not only is it a great help to the entire family in helping to operate a home more smoothly, but it lays a foundation for each child before they leave home.  Having responsibility gives them more confidence as well.

Solution to Keeping Bathroom and Kitchen Sinks Clean

by Lois Breneman
Heart to Heart - 2015

Most households, I would guess, deal daily with keeping the bathroom sink clean.  Soap scum and toothpaste can make quite a messy and germ-filled sink. 

So what is a good solution?  I found this handy and inexpensive little soap dispensing palm brush in the grocery store, and it tackles the problem perfectly.  I bought one for each bathroom and sink, and find it to be most helpful.

Enlist your children to clean out the sink after they brush their teeth.  They just might find brushing the sink more fun than brushing their teeth, and they will be learning how to be responsible for cleaning up after themselves.  They will also be helping to slow down the germs in your home.  Hopefully this will mean less illness in your family, and they can all help in being part of the solution.

When introducing a new job or concept like this to your children, these steps may make it "take" more easily:
1. First show them how to do it.
2. Have the child do it while you watch (and give advice).
3. Have the child do the job alone. 
4. Inspect the job when the child finishes.

Soon your child will be doing the job out of habit, and helpfulness to the family so everyone will be healthier and happier.

After almost filling the palm brush with dishwashing liquid, I added about five drops of immune boosting essential oil to boost the cleaning effect.  Even adding melaleuca (tea tree) oil or lemon essential oil will help with the effectiveness of the cleaning power.

Easy Way to Keep the Tub and Shower Clean

by Kathy Kramer, a long-time subscriber in Pennsylvania - Used by permission

I so appreciate your newsletter and as I was reading the latest one with the household tips I wanted to share mine. 

 

I got one of those dish scrubbers that you fill the handle with soap and filled it with 1/4 dish soap and the rest white vinegar.  After I take a shower, and everything is all wet, I take my "magic" wand and scrub down everything and then rinse. It makes everything so clean and sparkly and since I'm already in there it is so easy! I have gotten it down to doing it twice a week. There are 4 adults and a baby that use the same shower/bath and it is always clean now! It only takes about 2 minutes. I even use it on the inside of my shower curtain.

How to Open Swiffer Wet Jet Bottles and Refill with Your Own Solution

Save money by removing the lid from your Swiffer Wet Jet bottle according to these instructions!  Then refill with your own homemade cleaning solutions!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3-SWvjkUW-s

Safe and Natural Produce Wash

by Lois Breneman - Heart to Heart 

Copyright June, 2012

My nutritionist, Stephanie Hein, gave me this recipe for safely washing produce when I asked for a better alternative.  It's very inexpensive as well, compared to the ones available in stores.  When you mix this up, be sure to use a "large" bowl, because otherwise it will fizz up and overflow.  Children would love helping you make this easy recipe, because it would be a great science experiment for them as well!

1 cup water

1 cup vinegar (I used white distilled.  By the way, there is no vinegar smell because of the baking soda.)
2 Tbsp. baking soda
2 Tbsp. lemon juice  (To save time, I added 2 extra tablespoons of vinegar rather than squeezing a lemon)

Pour into a spray bottle.  Spray produce liberally and allow to set for 5 minutes, then rinse well.  If you have a hand sprayer for rinsing, even the friction of the water helps to remove pesticides.

15 Cleaning Tips

Teach your children these practical tricks of the trade, by having them help.   What a great education they will be receiving - one they can take with them into adulthood!

 

Swiffer Wetjet Refill ~ Dip the tip of an empty Swiffer Wetjet solution bottle into boiling water for about 10 seconds and the lid will twist off.  Use a gripper or a towel.  Refill with your preferred cleaning solution at appropriate dilution and re-cap to save dollars!

 

Clean the Lint Buildup from a Clothes Dryer's Trap ~ with a chopstick.

 

How to Remove Lipstick Stains from Clothing ~ Spray with hairspray, then launder.

 

Clean Bottom of Iron with a Dryer Sheet ~ Set your iron on low, and rub the iron over the dryer sheet until the buildup disappears.

Refresh Your Linen Closet ~ with baking soda.  Place an open box of baking soda next to your sheets and towels to stave off mustiness.

 

Citrus Peel as a Disposal Refresher ~ Save citrus peel to put down the disposal to clean and deodorize it.

 

Use Cornmeal as a Grease Absorber ~ Cornmeal absorbs grease on light colored fabric or upholstery.  Pour enough over the soiled area and let set for 15 to 30 minutes. Vacuum to remove the grains.

 

Use an Emery Board to Save an Eraser ~ To revive a dried-out eraser or clean a smudged one, lightly rub it over an emery board. The board's fine grain will shave off the eraser's old top layer, leaving you with more mistake-removing surface.

 

How to Remove Sticky Labels ~ Use a hair dryer!

 

Shine Brass and Copper with a paste made from a few tablespoons of white vinegar and equal parts salt and flour. Apply with a soft cloth, rinse, and dry.

 

Prevent Rusty Cans with fingernail polish.  Paint it on the bottom of cans to prevent rusty rings on the tub or shower.

 

Repair Scratches in Hardwood Floors by rubbing a shelled walnut into the scratch.  Their natural oils help hide the flaws.

How to Clean the Glass on Your Oven Door ~ Add about a 1/4 cup of baking soda in a dish and mix just enough water to make a slightly runny paste. Spread your mixture all over the oven door glass - and the door if necessary.  Wait 15-30 minutes depending on the severity, then wipe off.  If there are still spots remaining, they should easily scrub off with a Magic Eraser. 

How to Clean Scratch Marks off of Dishes ~ These scratches are often caused by nickel in flatware.  Rub Bar Keepers Friend (liquid) on the scratches and if that doesn't remove them, try the more abrasive version, the powder (like a cleanser).  Rub in with a cleaning cloth and apply elbow grease.