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Quick and Easy Housework!

© Teresa Jones

Housework can be a grind or it can be something you just work through on a daily basis. I find that the way I view it varies from day to day! Sometimes I just work through it in a happy matter-of-fact manner and other times I just drag myself through wishing it was already magically over with!

I have found ways that help to streamline housework that I thought would be useful to share. Here is my list:

* Make sure you delegate some housework to other family members! (My theory here is that it is very good for them as they will be needing to know how to do their own housework one day! After all, they'll either marry or go flatting...)

* For benches, window sills, light switches, and windows use a 1/2 vinegar and 1/2 water solution. For windows wipe dry with newspaper.

* Floors - I find we need to vacuum daily areas like the lounge, weekly for bedrooms. (Make your own carpet freshener with baking soda and a few drops of your favourite perfume. Shake together in a container and sprinkle onto carpet before vacuuming - letting it sit a little first.) Sweep the floors daily, wash floors weekly with very hot water with a splash of vinegar, janola or cloudy ammonia added. A few drops of perfume or essential oil could be added. I like to add tea tree oil when I have it on hand as it is also anti-fungal and anti-bacterial.

* Bathroom - baking soda or salt is great for this area. Either sprinkle on a damp cloth or dip a damp cloth into saucer of salt or baking soda. (These are also great for the wash-house basin.)

* Bedrooms - Everyone is responsible to keep their own bedrooms tidy!

* Dusting - using a slightly damp old piece of nappy works great. Once a day for those with allergies, and once a week for the rest of us!

* Have a basket sitting in the lounge and the hallway during the day. As you see anything lying around pop them into the nearest basket. I usually aim to put contents away about 4.30pm each day.

* For cleaning use: rags - old nappies, cut into four, overlocked or seamed on the edges are great.

* For a homemade 'swiffer' wrap an old pair of pantyhose around the brush part of a broom or the flat mop head of a mop. (Just wash the pantyhose and re-use!)

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