A Little Sass

What is life without a little sass?

Well, boring! That's what it would be! So I'm going to spend a week sharing a little fun each day. I really hope you enjoy it, go with it, share it, and come up with your own sass to get though the dreary bits of your day!

This one will launch us... it's not by me.. .it's by purple pixie:

Toothbrush Detox

Welcome to my germaphobic moment!

I will confess to being a bit strange about some things in life and my toothbrush is definitely one of them. I can count on one hand how many times I have shared a toothbrush with my spouse. I rough-traveled 5 months through Africa - camping, sleeping outside,or in abandoned huts - and my toothbrush head never touched a single surface. I am utterly icked out about the head touching anything and will juggle if I needed to ensure that my brush stays very clean.

Here's the thing: you rub a paste of plaque, saliva, and food remnants around your mouth and then do it again with the same implement day after day with barely a flush of water in between. Did I make you say 'YUK'?


There are 3 easy ways to detox your toothbrush:

1. Keep your toothbrush a good distance from the toilet (about 5 feet). A flush has microscopic mist which travels nearby to any objects lying in wait for the bacteria. Please don't make me describe it further - there are tons of articles which can substantiate it. 
2. Keep your toothbrush head from being in contact with other surfaces - especially damp ones where bacteria multiply very quickly. Allow it to dry 'head-up'. 
3. Disinfect it every few days. This is very easy to do ... a high-alcohol mouthwash will do it in about 1 minute. Just make sure all the bristles are submerged, shake it off, and let it dry. Boiling water also works - though I'd avoid the microwave because these plastics are not often safe for microwave-use. 

 That's it... fast and simple. Lazy and easy!

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!

Towel OCD

Some of you might want to completely skip this post. Really.

What this habit gives you is a linen closet that looks organized and neat, and stays that way. It also keeps your towels folded in a way that's really easy to drape over the towel bar when guests arrive. 

I am a little OCD about folding towels. This really does come from my time working in a classy hotel. I don't like to see towel 'ends or edges' when they are folded. I do get a strange pleasure out of a linen closet which has perfectly folded towels. I unfolded and folded towels at 19years old until I was able to fold towels in thirds - which I found to be elegant, simple and quick.

See this image? It may as well as be me. I dressed like this the summer I cleaned rooms (and was very happy to wear a uniform thank you!). Except my uniform was grey... I was pony-tailed, with kitten heels and adorable if I say so myself. And yes, this image is exactly how our towels were folded... and how my towels are folded to this day.

My way: Fold a towel in thirds length-wise by folding the edges towards the middle. You get a slim long column. Fold this in thirds again. Done. And it looks great! You also just open one fold to hang it perfectly over the towel rod. Here's a pictorial version of it (you can click the photos to make them bigger if it helps).

The truth is this: no matter how you choose to fold your towels, always fold them in the same way and stack them in the same way. They look neat and un-mussed in your linen closet, the linen closet stays neat and organized, and you never have to 'clean' it.

Supplies Shopping Spree

While parents begin the joyful refrain of 'It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year', the flyers list myriads of organizing implements and school supplies, and retailers use their large-volume buying power to get deals on all things back-to-school.

It might be that it's been a long time since a new pack of pencil crayons, a gorgeous new binder, or a shiny pencil case excited you, but you shouldn't lose the excitement for this season. It's the best time for the savvy housekeeper to do some supply-replenishing: you have the widest selection and the best prices of the year. I generally buy what I need for the full year - but the trick is to not go bat-crap-crazy and over-buy so make a list and keep to it. Bring on the happy... go on a spree!

Here are the things I pick up at this time of year:

• A big pack of pens I love using (yes - spending more and getting ones that are smooth and easy-to-use matters)
• A pack of tape - one each for the desk drawer, utility drawer, and 3 for the gift wrap bin
• Note books... for beside the computer, one for TV watching, a little one for my purse... I make notes constantly! 
• Sharpie markers... I love these and the bright colours they come in (and they are great for labeling things) 
• A white board for the mud room (dorm and locker sized whiteboards, blackboards and corkboards are very handy)
• Great travel food containers (for lunches, picnics, storage of all sorts)
• Vinyl pockets for projects (I love these more than I should! All notes, clippings, photos, etc for a given project go into one of these until the project is complete)
• Paper clips
• Staples

Of course, your list will be different. That's the fun of it!

1-Minute Microwave Clean

I hesitate to even post this tip, because I think so many people already know it. However, it's so easy and fast, that even if this reaches one Lazy Housekeeper who isn't already using it, it would be worth it!

Microwaves are infamous for having baked-on-food bits which can take time to scrape and clean. Don't waste your time! Here's the 1-Minute solution with two different recipes:

• Mix 1/3 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave it to boiling point. The amount of time will vary with your microwave. Mine is about 2 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes in the closed microwave to let the steam soften all the food, then wipe clean. Your only work is wiping it clean! 
• After many years of using vinegar, I've changed to lemon because I like the smell much better and the cleaning is just as effective. Add two lemon wedges to one cup of water and microwave in a microwave-safe bowl to bring it to the boiling point. Let stand for 5 minutes without opening the microwave for the steam to loosen the food, then wipe clean.

Why is it 1-minute? Because it takes 10 seconds to put a bowl with the ingredients into the microwave and turn it on. You come back about 5 minutes later and use (at most) 50 seconds to wipe the inside clean. How perfectly Lazy is that? 

I have seen some crazy tips on the web for excessive microwaving times. I don't understand why so long would be needed - and you'd risk scalding yourself or breaking whatever vessel you are using. There's also a chance of damaging the microwave elements with some of the 'tips' I saw. What works is the steam... so keeping the microwave closed after bringing the water to boiling point is sufficient.

The hot lemon or vinegar water is very good for de-greasing the stove top, wiping a counter-top, or for pouring down a smelly drain.

An alternative is to buy a food cover for using the microwave - this can be put into the dishwasher if it's dirty. No work! Or, if you prefer, grab a coffee filter (which is clean and food safe) and put it over whatever food you are microwaving - it's cheap, fast and easy.

Wasp Free Summers

I hate bugs. I really do. When we moved to our home there were a couple of corners where there were small wasp nests... edges of the unused garage door, under the eaves, beside the porch. All creatures have to live somewhere and we humans have to share space, but I prefer if it's not wasps on my house. My spouse graciously took down the nests.

A natural nest - photo from pixabay.com

I've used wasp traps before and they are okay, but it's 'icky' and I'm killing them. I decided to keep them away using a very easy, natural solution which is chemical free, environmentally friendly, and does not harm the wasps. It uses wasp psychology: I simply set up my house as an 'occupied territory'.

Many species of wasps (yellow jackets, hornets etc) are territorial and won't build nest within at least 100 feet of another nest. If there is an existing wasp nest, they will simply leave the area. I bought a dollar-store paper-lantern looking wasp nest to hang and with the 100-200ft radius, that's my whole yard! Two years and no wasp nests... I don't even think about it.

Even easier, you can make your own for free from a simple paper bag and a little string. Poke two holes in the bottom of the paper bag and create a string loop to hang it from. Fill the paper bag with crumpled balls of newspaper to keep it's shape and then twist the bottom to create the same general shape as a natural nest. Use a twist-tie or string to tie the bottom shut so the bag holds its shape. Done!

About 5 minutes a year work (to hang it and take it down) and no wasps! That's Lazy genius!

Tips: I bought an inexpensive wall bracket hanger to place in an inconspicuous place close to my deck to hang this 'decoy wasp nest' from - it's under the eaves and out of the wind and rain. Ideally, the nest should be at about 6-8 foot height to look more 'natural' to the wasps - and to keep the paper safe, hang it in a sheltered spot. (I have lost 2 to storms and you do need to take it down in about mid-fall putting it back up in spring) Hang it near your eating area to provide better protection.

This was the last brand I bought...  I like how these look (unobtrusive and neat). It was two to a pack and inexpensive. I lost them to storms so now I know better! Found on: www.natural-insect-control.com

Snap Countdown for Surprise Visits

Yes, of course, my house always looks like this! 

Everyone should have a 15-minute panic-cleaning process if unexpected company is about to show up. For most friends and family, I let them see the chaos of everyday life. But sometimes... someone you need to impress just a little is about to show up. You KNOW this happens!

Don't just panic... have a plan for that panic! I'm not kidding... plan it out based on what areas of your home get seen by guests and what seems to be your clutter magnet. This is not about cleaning - this is hiding the detritus of life. Channel your panic adrenaline ... expect to run around for the next 15 minutes. Improve your routine each time you use it.

I will share my panic-routine ... time-worn and effective (and customized for my home):

1. Hall & Entry: Keep a little basket stored in the front closet - a plug-in air freshener and my most effective pet-fur brush. I plug in the air freshener near the front door and swipe up any pet fur on seats. Straighten the area throwing everything into the beautiful woven baskets under the bench seat... hidden storage is your friend!
2. Living Room: Pull chairs and furniture into their proper places in the dining room and living rooms. I have a storage ottoman which I leave empty (or virtually empty) I have a 2-minute grab-all-the-living-room-mess and dump it into the ottoman. Fluff the pillows and fold the throw - generally neaten. Fabreeze the couch, chairs, and carpet;
3. Bathroom: Refold the hand towel inside out or put in a clean one. Disinfectant wipe - a quick swipe of the counter, sink, toilet seat (top and under). The nice scented wipe in the garbage also adds a fresh smell and hides anything under it. Light the scented candle in there (a nicety for the guest and easy solution for you);
4. Kitchen: Quickly disinfectant-wipe the counters and fling everything into the dishwasher. Don't sort - fling. If you have clutter on the counters or magnets on the fridge throw it into bags and put them in the ottoman or front closet. Fold the dish towels;
5. Breathe: Put on some lipstick and just get centered.

• Floor Swipe: IF there is time, run the vacuum quickly (this never happens for me because I have to drag long hoses which are invariably upstairs!) or one of those wet-pad mops over the main areas. I love these because they are so fast, easy, and when you put the pad in the garbage it gives the room a smell of 'clean'... when people smell 'clean' they think 'clean'! 

Towel Reboot

If you find you are not loving your towels, if they feel stiffer, if they are not as absorbent as they once were, or if they feel weighed down and 'greasy', then these 3 simple 'DON'Ts' are for you:

1. Don't use too much detergent with towels, in fact use a little less than in a regular load. It's harder to wash out detergent from towels. Use a HE (high efficiency) detergent with them to minimize excess sudsing. Using vinegar in your towel wash will keep towels always smelling fresh. You can put the vinegar in the bleach dispenser (just don't ever let the two mix!) for use during the wash cycle or in the fabric softener dispenser for use during the rinse cycle. I think it's most effective in the rinse cycle.
2. Don't use fabric softener with towels: it weighs them down with buildup over time. There is a light 'coating' and there will be less loft to the towels. The scents can also aggravate some sensitivities. If you've been using fabric softener, run them in a wash with 1/2 cup of regular baking soda to help remove some of the build-up.
3. Don't use dryer sheets with towels - you don't need them and they will make your towels less absorbent. Just don't over-dry your towels - treat them with a little care and they will love you back.

Reboot and refresh them using the other towel tips I've posted - and keep them fresh with a cup of vinegar each time you wash them. 

By now you must think I'm obsessed by towels! I'm not... but I think we should all expect soft, absorbent, sweet smelling towels. That's why I'm posting the truths I've learned in these tips - because making sure your towels are wonderful takes no extra time or effort!