!!(Spring Cleaning Teaching Tip)!!

Okay! It's Spring! Time for cleaning! Along with painting the house, planting new flowers, and/or cleaning out the garage; get children involved in cleaning their rooms, closets, classrooms, or anything else that is pertinent to your situation. Here are some suggestions to try diminishing the groans and complaints that are sure to follow:

1. Suggest a Spring Cleanup Day and ask where the classroom, house, or room needs to be cleaned the most. Write a list of these targeted areas, likely to be project areas, book or game shelves, sink areas, etc. Tell individual or groups of children that they are now responsible for keeping one of the areas clean. In order to help remind them, they will have an art project and make Litter Critters!

2. On both sides of brown-paper lunch bags, have children draw crazy critters. They may color or paint the features. If painted, let the bag dry.

3. In the meantime, rip newspapers into small pieces. Have children fill their dried bags until they are rounded and close the open end with a rubber band or string.

4. Create hair from crepe paper or yarn and glue on buttons, fabric scraps, ribbons, and so forth to 'dress' the critters.

5. Design feet and cut out two per critter from construction paper. Glue them to the bottoms of the bags so the litter critters will be able to stand up.

6. How about making signs to go with the critters? Use slogans such as "Beware of the Litter Critter!" or "Every litter bit hurts." Tape or glue them to craft or popsicle sticks or put them through a pencil point.

7. If your project is ongoing, graph how well it is proceeding by putting on a smiley or sad face, daily; you can either draw or use stickers. This will keep track of how clean or messy the designated area is. Perhaps the individual or group that cleans his/their area first can receive a reward.

8. Follow up by asking which areas in your school or community could use a good cleaning. Could you start, or get involved in, a School or Neighborhood Cleanup Day? This idea would certainly complement a unit on environment or pollution.

I hope these ideas are useful and ignite your own creativity!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Freda J. Glatt, MS, retired from teaching after a 34-year career in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Her focus, now, is to reach out and help others reinforce reading comprehension and develop a love for reading. Visit her site at http://www.sandralreading.com. Reading is FUNdamental!

!!(5 Ways to Prevent House Cleaning Slavery)!!

Eliminate the house cleaning drudgery by using these 5 easy tips...

If you hate "cleaning day" put an end to it by marking it off your calendar. There's an easier way to maintain a clean house than slaving away over dust and dirt. Follow these 5 quick tips to ease your house cleaning burden:

1. Change your expectations. Many of us fantasize about having the perfect, spotless house. With that illusion, we often expect ourselves to maintain a perfect home inside and out by working ourselves frantically. It's almost as if we feel our home is a mere reflection of ourselves as to how successful we are as a homemaker. While it's a worthy goal to keep a clean house, our desire to portray ourselves as "superwoman" will soon bring us to exhaustion. You have to examine your priorities and determine where housecleaning will fit on that list. We know that it's definitely not going to be toward the top if we have a husband, children, a job and other required activites. Get a good focus on what should be a reasonably "clean enough" house, and schedule accordingly and let go the "little" things that are not really necessary.

2. Buy colors that hide dirt and materials that resist wear. If you're like me you're always on the lookout to save another buck or two. However, when you're talking about a lifetime of work involved with upkeep, opt for better quality that will last much longer. When furniture, carpet and appliances are well-used and worn, no matter how much you clean, everything appears more dingy giving the sense that it's not so clean. It's impossible to wash away scrapes, scratches and set in stains. Choose your colors carefully as well. White carpet and white furniture may be alot of upkeep for those with children. Try darker, mixed colors and blends that appear to keep the eye busy looking at the designs and shades rather than looking for dust and dirt.

3. Buy some cleaning supplies and tools to make your job easier. There's nothing like trying to dig a well without a shovel. Invest in some cleaning supplies and tools that will make your job of cleaning easier and save you tons of time. I'm not one to go to the extreme on buying every new cleaning gadget on the market. Some work and some are just for looks. You need to decide what tasks need to be done at your home and find the best tools and supplies to accomplish that. My two favorite gadgets are the Swiffer duster and Mr. Clean's Magic eraser. The Swiffer duster has extendable handles to reach up or down to dust without stretching and bending. The duster slides between grooves and objects saving myself lots of time and work. The magic eraser cleans my walls, refrigerator door and other hard-to-clean surfaces making them look almost new again.

4. Clean messes and spills while they're still fresh. This seems so simple, yet, many of us think we'll just clean up that mess later when we have more time...and then it takes twice as long to clean up a mess that's dried or settled in. So, take this common sense advice seriously and you'll save yourself lots of cleanup time later. While we're on this topic, don't be afraid to call out for help from your children. It's good to teach your children to help work together as a family to accomplish tasks that need to be done. Little ones that make messes can be taught to help clean up their own messes. Invest a little time in teaching simple tasks like these and you'll save lots of time and effort in house cleaning.

5. Create a daily schedule to maintain cleanliness. I hate wasting a whole day away on cleaning. I would rather schedule 30 minutes each day to clean the bathroom up, pick up some stray items laying around and clean a few dirty spots along the way. You can also schedule one day to focus on floors, one for dusting and polishing the furniture and one for laundry and ironing, etc. There's no need to get it done all in one day if you can schedule a little bit each day. Get most of your cleaning done throughout the week and make your Saturdays a real day off!

Article Tags: House Cleaning

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Rhonda White, Work-at-Home Mom's Network, http://wahm-announce.com, http://mommyaffiliates.com

A House Cleaning Schedule Can Keep You On Track

House cleaning can be simplified by sticking to a schedule that fits your lifestyle and daily schedule. It should be followed properly so that your house remains spic and span.

If you're like many people, house cleaning isn't a hobby of yours. You probably might try to avoid it altogether until you're forced to make at least the living room look presentable for when company rings. Home cleaning doesn't have to take up all of your time though. In fact, it makes more sense to do a little work each day so you're not stuck with a pile of dust and grime to scrub through for an entire week. Starting a residing place cleansing schedule and sticking with it can cut the time it takes to tidy up in half, as well as keep your home sparkling for longer.

A routine should work around your schedule, which means if you don't have the time to wake up early in the morning to make the beds—don't do it. You'll just get discouraged after a few attempts and the beds will never be made. Set aside home cleanup times that are convenient for you and won't interfere with your other regular activities. It's also best to schedule it for a time when you have the energy, such as before or after an exercise session. That way you won't have to worry about getting your hands dirty and you'll be ready for it physically.

Your house cleanup routine should be detailed and specific if you want to stick to it and get the best results. Instead of just writing “make the bed,” write down each step, such as strip old sheets, place fitted and top sheet in place, tuck in ends, etc. It doesn't have to be down to the smallest detail, but don't skip any important parts. If you do you might notice your new housecleaning routine is slowly degenerating over time.

Some house cleansing chores you may need to do every day, such as the beds or loads of laundry. However, others you'll want to delegate to once a week, or even every other week, as needs dictate. Be sure to put on jobs that don't need to be done as often, like scrubbing the shower or dusting the baseboards. Doing these chores often ensures they don't become overwhelming tasks but rather take mere minutes to complete. You should also make a list of those really terrible tasks that you normally leave for special days once a year, such as venturing into the basement or cleaning the outside of some particularly high windows. If you just do a quick clean of these even just once a month, you'll find your home looks much cleaner.

House cleansing also goes by much quicker if you try and add a bit of fun to it. Try and have your family or friends give you a hand when possible. You may even want to plan more events like dinners and parties at your home to give you motivation to keep it tidy. Still can't stand the thought of home cleanup? Well, you can always call in a maid.

Article Tags: House Cleaning

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

In Dallas, house cleaning services offered are the top ones that you can get. You are sure to have your mood refreshed when you enter a house cleaned by a professional who gives you the best work and save your time and money too. To know more, visit http://www.angieslist.com

Choose The Right House Cleaning Service For Your Home

House cleaning services offer you the facility to keep your house well maintained and organized. But for that you need to know in which way you should arrange the assets in your home.

Two main reasons to keep a clean pantry are money and stress. It seems as though the more food you accumulate, the harder it can be to find what is needed to get dinner on the table. Likewise, food will often go bad after sitting unused for a long period of time, hence more money you’re spending at the grocery store. After all, having a well organized pantry is just part of good house cleaning. Regardless of whether you are a gourmet chef or a parent throwing together a meal on the go, making the kitchen an easier place to navigate just makes the work flow easier.

Below are ten useful tips for getting that old kitchen organized:

1. Remove all items from the kitchen, being sure to check expiration dates and outdated products. Set aside all items that are nearing an expiration date so that they may be used sooner than later.

2. Sort your foods into categories: Beverages, breakfast items, fruits, veggies, baking supplies, dinner items such as sauces and seasonings, snacks, condiments, and quick meal ideas like canned goods, pasta, and rice.

3. Clean the pantry itself with Windex and disinfectant.

4. Return your items to the clean kitchen separating by categories designated to shelf placement.

5. Reserve locations for opened and unopened packages of snacks.

6. Purchase a few tasteful containers with which to hold some of your things. One for pastas, another for beverages, and so on. This method allows you to better determine quantities of things prior to heading to the store.

7. Label the individual shelves so family members and friends are able to return them to their correct location.

8. Label baskets as well! This only helps the process of putting things away.

9. Add a dry erase board to the inside of the pantry door. In this way, you will be able to make notes when things need to be restocked or are running low.

10. Use the floor space to store larger packages such as pet food, cases of water or soda, or paper towels. You may even decide to add a wheeled pet food container that can roll in and out as needed. If so, be sure to choose a container with a tight lid so as to keep pests and pets out.

And there you have it! With an organized pantry, you will be able to dedicate even more time to family and other household activities, alleviate stress and even save a little coin as well!

Article Tags: House Cleaning

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

In Dallas, house cleaning services let you enjoy the comfort of a clean home after you have a busy day in office. In this way you can also protect your assets and devote your extra time in enjoying other things. To know more, visit http://www.angieslist.com

House Cleaning: Be Busy But Clean At The Same Time

House cleaning is an important requirement, if you wish to live comfortably. For that reason, using the home cleaning service is rising, especially among busy families.

Many people lack the necessary time and motivation to keep a clean house 365 days a year. However, after a long winter most find that a good Spring-cleaning is just what the doctor ordered.

Some people find the yearly ritual of Spring cathartic in a way. Though still, there are many of us whom would sooner just turn a blind eye. With the right plan and a little discipline, you will find the task easier and a bit more effective! And as always, be sure to remember the first rule of house cleaning: HAVE FUN!

Dust and Allergy Triggers

During the winter months, we are commonly snowed in with pets whose dander is one of the most common triggers of allergies and asthma. That combined with the buildup of everyday dust and you have yourself a literal house of sinus horrors!

To begin, think of the game plan. Clean one room at a time beginning first where asthma and allergy sufferers sleep. Wash all curtains and bedding. Vacuum and dust. Clean windows, especially the widows and frames. And don’t forget to mop those floors.

Bacteria

When it comes to bacteria, there's no fooling around. From the telephone to the remote control, make sure every surface receives a thorough cleaning thus reducing the likelihood that bacteria sticks around throughout the spring. Mold and mildew accumulation can be easily prevented by using a daily shower cleaner. Also try using a strong disinfectant along with products specifically designed to remove previous build up.

The kitchen is the main place to clean up. Make sure to give all surfaces a good cleaning. You may even go so far as to clear the fridge and give the inside a good wipe down.

Clutter

Once your home is sparkling, it has become time to sort through all that stuff you never really needed in the first place. That's right, it's time to de-clutter.

Take everything out of the closets and dressers, off the shelves, and out from under the bed. Sort everything into piles of what you need, would like to sell, would like to donate, and what just needs to be thrown away. You should always keep the same things together so that it is easier for children to find those things. Put things inside the closets, boxes that are covered, drawers or maybe some plastic containers so as not to allow dust to get collected.

And just like that, you're ready to begin anew! Give yourself a pat on the back and take a deep breath.

Article Tags: House Cleaning:

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

In Dallas, house cleaning services help you to omit the hassle of cleaning. It makes you stress-free, saves a lot of your time and makes your home a comfortable place to live. To know more, visit http://www.angieslist.com

General House Cleaning Tips When Hiring Cleaners

Hiring a house cleaning company to come to the house at certain days can help to maintain the cleanliness of a home. For some, the cleanliness of the house needs to be done daily while for others, it can be done about twice or thrice a week only. Many of the companies that send out cleaners to various homes have lists of jobs and tasks that they do within their range. Others grant their clients special tasks upon reaching an agreement with regards to conditions concerning these tasks. The maid service may not have free reign in the home and there are certain things which the home owner may not want to be touched or rooms where they cannot enter. It is best to set the rules with regards to these when a new cleaner comes for the first time.

Off Limits

Some rooms are best left off limits to strangers and the house cleaning services staff to prevent damages, losses and misunderstanding. These rooms may include those that contain visible or hidden vaults, those with highly breakable items, those with sensitive goods and those with dangerous or sensitive flora and fauna. It is possible that special instructions are needed to indicate how important that these rooms are left alone and not entered or if they can be entered then the properties in them not be touched at all. There are some home owners who do permit the maid service people to enter special rooms but they do so under the condition of special instructions.

Some homeowners offer their cleaners food which is available in the refrigerator. It is best to be clear with regards to what the cleaning staff can and cannot touch in the refrigerator if doing this. Label the offered snack or better yet put it out of the refrigerator with the appropriate label and an invitation to get a drink of water.

Cleaning Up

Home owners should also organize their homes before the cleaners come. Leaving laundry lying around a room, or debris around the kitchen can be confusing. The maid service people might throw away something that should not be thrown out in all the litter and mess if there is no effort from the home owner to differentiate. Laundry should also be let with special instructions since many staff just pop them into the washing machine without segregating the delicates from others. The house cleaning people need to be instructed with details in order to avoid repercussions afterwards.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Hiring a Dallas house cleaning service would ensure that you spend quality time with family or just have some leisure time to yourself. They are dedicated to ensure that you are completely satisfied. To know more, visit http://www.angieslist.com