Necessary Evils!

Well, Happy Saturday, Friends!!!

Normally I don't do weekend posts, but it is the first of the month & I feel there are lots of things that should be done one time a month. I figured the first is probably the best day to get those things done that way you don't have to think about them for about 20-30 more days-depending on the month! 

Now, I live in an apartment so if you live in a house and would like to add to my list feel free to mention other items in the comments below.

1. Empty all lint traps in the laundry area.
• Now, many people are probably thinking don't you have one you empty after each load? Yes, I do. However there are also three other lint traps I have to empty. The first is in my washer, the middle piece lifts off and you wouldn't believe the amount of lint that gets in there! It's disgusting, you may want to consult your washer's manual to see if your washer has this feature. I had no idea until ours needed to serviced and the service guy didn't seem to want to leave so he showed me, glad he did! Next, is the one just behind the one I empty after every load. It's a tricky one and can take a while to empty as it has a grate that can't be removed. The last is located in the venting that goes to the outside. Didn't know lint traps could be so complicated, eh?! 
• Here are some projects to do with all that extra lint: http://pinterest.com/pin/112238215686072420/ , http://mainelyewesfarm.blogspot.ca/2012/04/homemade-fire-starters.html , http://nadinesnook.blogspot.ca/2010/10/fire-starters.html 
2. Clean out freezer and fridge, wipe everything down and make a list of any items we are in need of. Do the same with herbs/spices and pantry. I try to buy enough of non-perishable snacks and stuff to get us through the month so we aren't constantly running out and buying these items.
3. Make a basic dinner plan for the month. This way when I run to Costco I can grab freezable items and non-perishables. This way I only have to take the car out one time for this purpose.
4. Make a workout plan for the month.
5. Clean the dishwasher.
• I just place a cup or bowl full of vinegar on the top shelf & run it through the hottest cycle with a sani rinse since I have that option.
• Then, I sprinkle baking soda on the bottom & I run it through a short, hot cycle.
• Last, check the area where you'd put the rinse aid & I fill that up with vinegar.
6. Wash outside windows (I only have two, so this is easy for me, if you have your own house you may want to schedule this at a different time).
7. Complete budget, go to bank, schedule bills, write any necessary checks.

These are all the things I sit down and do right around the first of the month. I usually take a few days to get them all done. But, they are all typically done by the first. 

Happy June, Everyone! I hope you all are ready to start your summer vacations here soon, if you get one! I am working on a fabulous summer bucket list printable. ;) 

 

Clean up the Vacuum!!!

A few days ago I was completely fed up with my vacuum. So much so in fact, I was ready to toss it & grab a new one. But, I hate throwing away good money & since my vacuum is only a few years old I wanted to see if I couldn't revamp it, make it like new again.  The issues I was having are it wouldn't suck stuff up as strongly as it once had, when using attachments basically nothing would get picked up, and dust was being blown back into the house.

So, in my attempt to resolve these issues I found my manufacturers brochure online & looked up other tutorials online & using my own noggin came up with the following tutorial:

1. Remove filter from vacuum

Before-Icky & Dusty

Before Icky & dusty

2. Open it up & remove the top filter. Empty into trash bin, knock it pretty hard against the side to get as much dust off as possible. You may need to use your fingers to get some of it off. Then, the main compartment that collects all the dust empty it out, you may have to use your fingers here as the little wind tunnel part is where my dust (aka hair) tends to get wrapped around the filter.

3. Now, get an old DRY soft bristle toothbrush. I gently brushed mine with this. DO NOT use anything bigger or harder as you risk damaging your filter. But I did this just to ensure I got all that dust out & make it as new as possible! I even had to use the end of the toothbrush at some points to get all the dust out. It was gross but it got the job done.

Before-I used the tooth brush on all parts because it was just the perfect size to get into all those little grooves. This one also has to be washed so you'll see it's "after" later on.


After a good brushing. I really used the end of the brush to get in there & get what was really stuck in there. Then, after I decided ti was brushed well I knocked it up against the side of the trash one really good last time turning the filter until I felt almost all the dust was gone. Then brushed it one last time.

4. Clean the container the filter and wind tunnels sit in, I did it with some organic, all natural Dr. Bronner's, but use whatever you have. Then, dry thoroughly with a towel!!!!!!! I then let mine sit out about an hour to two just to make sure all the cracks & crevices are thoroughly dry. If you don't give it sufficient drying time then  

No more dust! All disinfected & clean!

No more dust! All disinfected & clean!

5. If you want add a drop or two of essential oil your filter. LET DRY COMPLETELY BEFORE ADDING BACK ONTO VACUUM & VACUUMING!!!!!  I have no idea if this will damage it but so far seems to be working fine on mine & it gives such a pleasant scent! But, use at your own risk as I do t think many manufacturers would recommend this!

6. Lay your vacuum down, look at the little roller bar underneath. Lots of hair? Some Easter grass? Get some scissors & start trimming it off! Be careful & Make sure to remove as much of it as possible.

Mine wasn't too terrible. I've seen worse! But, I just used my scissors to cut along the areas by the bristles being careful not to cut the bristles & removed all that gunk. I think wiped it all down real well with a sponge.

7. Check out your attachments & hoses. Using a broom handle or long stick push any gunk through & shake them out.

8.Reassemble everything &just give the whole unit a general dusting & wipe down to make it look like new!

Doesn't it look so happy?!

Guess what?? All of my issues were solved by taking these simple steps. This is something you can do once a month to preserve the life of your vacuum and cut down on the waste we send to the landfill, we don't need a Wal-E situation ;) Plus, if you do it monthly it won't take as long the next time!

Now, go use that fab like-new vacuum!