Key to Success

I don't know about you, but I currently have a dish of keys that I have no idea what they are for. This is not awful other than the fact that I really should know better because I had a great system. Keys add up... shed, relatives' homes, safe, multiple doors to the garage you may not use etc.

The easiest and best way to organize keys is to just colour code them. I used to do this with one dot of nail polish on each side of the key. I kept the colours unique so I recognized the keys easily. This is easy, can be done is a few minutes (just give adequate drying time to each side) and is simple to remove if you need to.

You can also colour-code by dipping the key-heads in kid's paints, using the snap-on coloured rings available, or with bits of colourful tape. I'm sticking to nailpolish.

If you have keys you don't often use make a little 'key legend' on card stock. Put a dot of the same nail polish on the card and label what it's for beside it. Put your key legend in one of those plastic name badge holders they use at conferences. Store your infrequently used keys on a keyring with the color-coded key legend in your utility drawer. Done! Never having to search for keys again is priceless!

And... take this opportunity to lighten your load but cutting down how many keys you carry. I carry ONE key now - how's that for simplifying life!

Microwave for Disinfecting

Image ~ Pixabay

Using the microwave to get water to the boiling point will disinfect a number of common-use things. Of course you can't go bat-crap-crazy and microwave anything with metal, anything that is not approved for microwave use, or anything that leaches chemicals (such as many plastics).

Here are a couple of things to put into the microwave for 30 seconds to one minute almost daily:

1. Your dish sponge. Or a dish cloth if you use one. Anything that stays wet breeds bacteria... and then we use it and spread those bacteria around. The microwave will kill them fast and easily: you need to soak your sponge or dish rag in water and put it (almost dripping wet) into the microwave and set it for about 1 minute. The more wet the better. Let it sit a while before you pick it up or you can burn yourself.  Being 'super smart-lazy', I like to do this at night... and leave the sponge to air-dry completely before the next use.... helps keep it even cleaner.
2. Your facecloths are the same as a sponge, and need the same disinfecting treatment. Unless you use a fresh facecloth each time, you are rubbing on yesterday's dirt and germs. Your microwave will help stop it now. Soak it well in water and put it in for about 1 minute (it depends on the microwave for how long it takes)

Don't believe me? Here's the same sponge info from an RN. The truth is that I haven't been doing this with my dish sponge as often as I should. I should do my dish sponge every 3rd day. (So I was right: creating this blog is helping me as much as it's helping you!)

Hey - while you're at it, give yourself a Lazy treat: soak a clean facecloth in lemon-water (or lavender water - remind me to tell you how to make this), and microwave it for 30-45 seconds. Let cool to 'comfortably hot' and then lie back and put it on your face for 3-5 minutes. Breathe deeply. You deserve it!