Spring Cleaning Challenge-Update #3

"Real Me" at Meaningful Days is hosting a Spring Cleaning Challenge that I am participating in. Wednesday is our check in day to let everyone know how our spring cleaning is coming along. Last week, I cleaned my master bedroom (February post). On Monday I showed a few photos I made while I was cleaning our bedroom (here). I finished the bedroom as planned but I did not get to start cleaning this week until Tuesday. I have had a sinus infection due to allergies and it has slowed me down a little. Yesterday, I managed to start on the master bath (December post) after I got home from my nephew's house. I took everything down and cleaned the light fixtures, walls, doors, and baseboards. Next, I cleaned the few items that I removed from the walls and hung them back up. I also disinfected the door knobs, light switches, and toilet paper holder. I replaced the shower curtain liner and washed the shower curtain panels. I was afraid to wash the shower curtain valance so I put it in the dryer on fluff air. I went ahead and cleaned the tub/shower before I hung the curtains back up. I hung the panels up wet and let them dry and then added the valance. Today I hope to finish with the bathroom and start cleaning my closet tomorrow. Thank you for stopping by and please visit Real Me and see how she and other participants are coming along with their spring cleaning.

A Few photos and ideals from MarthaStewart.com

A wooden flea-market cupboard makes a great towel cabinet.

Storing your clothes well means they'll always look their best. And if you organize your closets and drawers, you'll find you wear more of your clothes more often.

Prevent folded clothes and linens from toppling with wooden dividers.

Make space for supplies over the bathroom door so that they'll be accessible when they need to be replenished.

Try this nontoxic but effective way to clean your tub.

Add one teaspoon of liquid soap and several drops of an antibacterial essential oil (such as tea tree, eucalyptus, rosemary, or peppermint) to one cup of baking soda. Add just enough water to form a paste, and use it with a sponge or brush to scour bathtub surfaces.

Marble Surface Care: Regular cleanings should be as gentle as possible. Dust the surface once or twice a week with a soft cloth. Wash the marble periodically with a cloth dampened with warm water, and, if necessary, a bit of mild dishwashing liquid. Remove the soap with another damp cloth. Never use dusting sprays or abrasive cleaners on your marble. Apply marble polish (available in hardware stores) on a regular basis to maintain the stone's luster.

Cleaning Schedule-March 17-20

Master Bath / Master Closet
Tuesday-Master Bath
Clean ceiling, corners, top of doorway for cobwebs
Clean ceiling lights and lights above vanities.
Remove everything from walls; clean it and set it aside.
Wash walls, door, and baseboards
Clean and disinfectant doorknobs, switch plates, and other fingerprinted areas.
Clean or replace the shower curtain.
Hang items back on walls
Wednesday
Clean tub/shower and whirlpool.
Clean mirrors.
Clean and disinfect vanity tops, cabinets and drawer fronts.
Clear all items from inside the vanities, clean and place all the items I'm keeping back into the vanities or drawers in an orderly manner.
Clean and disinfect toilet, including behind and around bowl
Wash and disinfect trash container / add clean liner
Wash rugs.
Add clean towels.
Sweep and mop floor
Thursday & Friday - Closet
Clean ceiling, corners, and top of doorway for cobwebs
Go through clothing, shoes, and accessories in closets and drawers.
Pack away winter clothing and hang up spring.
Look through and remove clothes that are damaged, don't fit, or will never be worn again.
Sort through shoes and remove those that are damaged, don't fit, or will never be worn again.
Clean and organize baskets and items on shelves. Discard unused or unwanted items.
Clean off top of dresser and wash; clean out drawers. Sweep and mop floor.

Note: I use one master bath vanity (his) to store towels and wash clothes and another (mine) to store my stockpile of shampoo, body wash, lotion, etc. In the drawers of each vanity we each keep our personal items. Mine has my make-up in one drawer, toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, and cups in another, etc.