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You are here: Home / Archives for Guest Post

Guest Post: How to Clean a Dust Pan and Brush

May 13, 2014 by Tracy

Guest Post: How to Clean a Dust Pan and Brush

Guest Post: How to Clean a Dust Pan and Brush  I’m honored to have Emma Macmillan, a professional writer, present a how to clean a dust pan and brush segment.

Though I rarely use a dust pan and we don’t have a brush, I’m not sure I’ve ever cleaned the dust pan.

To clean my floors, I sweep with a broom and dump the contents onto our carpet. I pick up any large pieces or strands of dust, and then vacuum.

When I use my dust pan, I am usually cutting hair. After having placed all the strands into the trash, I just wipe out the dust pan.

Realizing that picked up does not mean it is cleaned, I will clean the dust pan on its next use.

Without putting you on a guilt trip but alerting you to the why and how, Emma shares three methods to clean a dust pan and brush. Thank you, Emma, and happy cleaning! ~ Tracy

Domestic Cleaning: How to Clean a Dust Pan and Brush

Guest Post: How to Clean a Dust Pan and Brush

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

Believe it or not, you need to clean your dust pan and brush with every domestic cleaning session.

Because the two are so small and contained, we tend to ignore the fact that bacteria gets trapped in the bristles of the brush, serving to infect every new surface it apparently brushes clean.

House cleaning will invariably involve a dust pan and brush at some point. You most likely rely on the device in attending to the line of muck you’ve just swept to one side with your broom.

There’s nothing wrong in doing this, only you will be left with a pretty dirty brush and dust pan afterwards.

Especially when it comes to kitchen cleaning, all sorts of debris are ultimately removed via the dust pan and brush.

Homes with pets are obviously going to have twice as much bacteria floating around, in which case, there’s even more of a pressing need to clean your small-scale cleaning equipment more often.

So how do we do this? There are a few different ways, so choose your preference from the following:

1. Bucket of Lemon Juice and Vinegar

Simply slice a lemon in two. Then take one half and place it in a small bucket, resting it diagonally and having the inside face outwards – as if greeting the sun. Put a full kettle on to boil.

Once boiling, pour the water directly onto lemon slowly and carefully, gradually filling the bucket. The aim here is to release small doses of pure lemon juice into your solution without de-juicing manually – without getting strands of messy pulp in your mix. Then, add two cap-fulls of white wine vinegar to the mix and stir with a wooden spoon.

Slowly proceed to place the brush and dust pan into the mix, ensuring all the brush’s bristles are submerged. Now grab an old rain coat and place it over the bucket in order to trap air. The steam circulating beneath will thus become so strong that, with the assistance of the lemon juice and vinegar, will serve to penetrate the bristles and remove debris.

Let it sit for 5 hours before removing the brush and dust pan and rinsing them in the bath with hot water. Pour your solution out, mindful not to clog your drain with debris that came off the brush.

2. Use the Washing Machine

This one is simple but is a waste of laundry detergent since you will need to wash the brush and dust pan alone while applying the standard amount of detergent.

If you prefer to use your wash machine however, simply proceed to connect the brush and dust pan together before wrapping a bath towel around the cleaning apparatus. This bundle will prevent a noisy washing machine as it throws the tools around.

Protect your kit this way as the plastic could chip off otherwise. Apply your regular dose of detergent and put on a half hour wash. Dry outside in the sun for 4-5 hours.

3. Vacuum and Air Dry

If you don’t want your brush and dust pan to get wet at all, then you can always vacuum the set and place it outside afterwards. While this is okay in the short term, you’re advised to clean with hot liquid before too long.

To vacuum, use the end of the hose. Hold it closely to the brush. The cylindrical hose end of the vacuum is good on the brush since it lets you really get into the bristles. Push the hose end right into the brush and comb over thoroughly before combing the dust pan as well.

Proceed to connect the brush and dust pan together again before placing them outside in the sun for 4-5 hours.

Emma is part of a team of professional writers, who, with enthusiasm and flair to detail, create content on home, renovating, cleaning etc. related topics. For further information check: Pimlico cleaning home.

Filed Under: Cleaning, Household Tagged With: cleaning, Guest Post

Guest Post: 4 Cleaning Hacks to Make Cleaning Your Home Easy

April 21, 2014 by Tracy

Guest Post: 4 Cleaning Hacks to Make Cleaning Your Home Easy

Guest Post: 4 Cleaning Hacks to Make Cleaning Your Home EasyToday, I’m privileged to have Bobby Smith, a regular blogger at SelectAware, an online coupon site, share four ways to make cleaning easier.

When it comes to an easy way to keep my home clean, I have a listening ear. As a task-oriented individual, I prefer to clean from top to bottom within a few days and be done with cleaning for the next week or two.

For some reason that next week or two turns into five or six weeks requiring  another top to bottom cleaning.

Realizing that my current cleaning is not really working for me anymore, I am listening and receiving these tips from Bobby as Cleaning Hack #1 is calling my name.

As you consider your cleaning strategy, listen as Bobby shares these insightful solutions to keeping our homes clean. ~ Tracy

4 Cleaning Hacks to Make Cleaning Your Home Easy

Guest Post: 4 Cleaning Hacks to Make Cleaning Your Home Easy

Photograph used by permission from Suzanne Dubose Photography

Cleaning is one of those tasks best fit into the “habits” territory. Generally, people either tend to love it or hate it, but changing how you go about it seems to take major effort.

Often, we clean based on how we were raised. If our parents showed us a number of useful cleaning tricks, we just continue to use them as adults, rarely seeking out new methods or products.

We’ve heard it takes 21 days to form new habits. Try using these 4 cleaning hacks to make cleaning your home easy over the next 3 weeks and see if new habits are formed for you!

Cleaning Hack #1 – Clean Daily

Although it sounds terrible to clean every day, by dedicating a small amount of your time daily to cleaning, it’s remarkably effective. With a small checklist, like this one from Real Simple, you can cover the basics of picking up and wiping down surfaces quickly.

No more embarrassment when an unexpected guest shows up at your door!  Other benefits: keeping up with your stuff, feeling more productive and an increased positive outlook.

With daily cleaning underway, it also cuts out time for a more intense scrub down later. The more intense oven scrubbing and refrigerator clean out are more likely to get done quickly when everything else is already in order.

Cleaning Hack #2 – Simplify Your Products

The grocery aisle is loaded with various cleaning products, all designed to help you tackle specific cleaning tasks. But, are they really necessary?

Chances are, you can eliminate most of what’s in your cleaning basket and pare it down to a few key products. Baking Soda, vinegar, ammonia, dish detergent, and hydrogen peroxide can do wonders in cleaning your house.

Buy in bulk when you do need to purchase cleaning products, and be sure to utilize all available coupons for discount stores to save both time and money in the long run.

Cleaning Hack #3 – Use the Right Equipment

While reducing the number of cleaning products makes cleaning your home easier, sometimes you have to pay more attention to the tools needed. It’s remarkable how much faster and easier cleaning becomes with the right sponges, rags, and scrubbers.

Another trick is to use cleaning gloves. People become more inspired to scrub harder and tackle dirtier jobs while wearing gloves.

And don’t even think about buying cheap equipment. Find the best vacuum you can afford by seeking out coupons, rebates and more  to maximize savings opportunities and eliminate frustration down the road.

Cleaning Hack #4 – Get Organized

One of the simplest and most effective ways to make cleaning your home easy is to get organized. Purge closets of unnecessary junk and straighten them out with a system for where things go.

Quit throwing junk into drawers and use drawer organizers instead to keep everything in order. Try bins and boxes with labels to help keep stuff contained.

When everything has a place, it makes it far easier to put it back there and take care of your stuff.  Which leads us right back to Cleaning Hack #1….

At first glance, good cleaning habits can seem hard to get implemented. However, with these four cleaning hacks to make cleaning your home easy, it’s far more manageable. And like every good habit, once you see the results, it’s worth it.

This post is authored by SelectAware, a leading online coupon portal for thousands of major retailers and merchants.

Filed Under: Cleaning, Household Tagged With: cleaning, Guest Post

Guest Post: Back to School Extravaganza Giveaway

August 3, 2013 by Tracy

Giveaway ends at noon on August 17, 2013

Guest post - Back to school extravaganza giveawayBoxes of new crayons, packages of notebook paper, and #2 pencils are some of the supplies on our back to school lists this year. In seeking a good sale or taking advantage of tax-free weekend, you might be working on that supply list.

Though most of our supplies are gathered, I still have a few to snag before school starts. I can always take a few more school supplies as you never know what supplies you might need throughout the year.

Stocking up now can stretch your dollars because those supplies will only increase in price once school starts.

Another option for stretching your dollars is taking 5 minutes of your time to enter the Back to School Extravaganza Giveaway hosted by Quida, blog owner at Simple Savings for ATL Moms.

The winner will receive an abundance of supplies. This giveaway begins today and ends on Saturday, August 17, 2013. Someone will win all those fabulous gift cards and supplies, and I hope it is you. In using time wisely, enter today. Good luck! ~ Tracy

Back to School Extravaganza Giveaway

Guest Post: Back to School Extravaganza GiveawayWelcome to the Back to School Extravaganza Giveaway!

Prize value is over $250!

Have you started preparing your children for going back to school? Sometimes this can be a challenge when funds are limited.

Simple Savings For ATL Moms is giving away some fantastic prizes to help all families. Be sure to enter the simple steps now!

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I have been compensated to share this fantastic giveaway! This giveaway is not associated with with Facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest.

Filed Under: Stretching Your Dollars, School Items Tagged With: Guest Post, giveaway

Guest Post: 5 Places to Go while Staying within your Budget

July 19, 2013 by Tracy

Guest Post: 5 Places to Go while Staying within your Budget

Guest post - 4 tips to using coupons wiselyThough I am not a newbie at discount traveling, I question myself when checking discount sites wondering if I’m getting a good deal. Since I don’t routinely check travel prices, I depend on others who enjoy researching and posting about fantastic getaways. 

Today’s guest post comes from Rod Tolentino over on Discount Queens. He gives not only 5 places to go, but also a pricing guide to stay with our budgets.

The prices listed are per person traveling which I love. If I set my destination to one of these places, save our pennies, and see a deal that falls within Rod’s research, then I know it’s a great deal which saves my family money, energy, and time.

Now prepare yourself for Rod’s traveling guide to these 5 cheap thrill destinations. You might want to get out your bucket list before reading. Enjoy! – Tracy

Cheap Thrills: 5 Places to Go while Staying within your Budget

Guest Post: 5 Places to Go while Staying within your Budget

Photograph Credit: RiDOE

Are you looking for a cheap yet relaxing place to spend your weekends, holidays, or summer vacations? Most women are fond of planning these kinds of getaways. They are interested in cheap deals that would keep them busy even during the holidays. They enjoy looking at great pictures of places where they could have a breath of fresh air.

Today, websites and magazines are constantly writing stories about beautiful places in the world. They have different reviews on how much a traveler would ideally spend on each trip. It usually gives a person an idea on whether it would fit their budget or not.

It is easier to check out places using search engines, since a lot of us have mastered the use of the Internet. One can find a variety of cheap vacation packages by just browsing the World Wide Web. Whether you are going for beach outings, extreme sport adventures, or just having some quality time with family and friends, there are cheap travel packages that people, especially women would surely love.

Guest Post: 5 Places to Go while Staying within your Budget

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Greg Kintz)

1. Beach Getaways at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

Are you a beach lover? Then Myrtle Beach would be the best place to hang out. This long stretch of beach resort includes a lot of establishments along the shore where people drink and dine. Children can also enjoy the water parks scattered along the area.

Hotel accommodations would not be a problem. There are transient houses and cheap hotel rooms where a group of people could stay. A lot of great attraction places could be visited without having to spend too much money. From spa salons to amusement parks, it would be a good place to visit even on a limited budget.

Guest Post: 5 Places to Go while Staying within your Budget

Photograph Credit: Microsoft Images

2. A Fancy Visit to London, England

Are you one of those people who embrace historical traditions of other place’s culture? You can now have this one-of-a-kind experience in London.

London is a city with a great history. There are a lot of museums where travelers could learn how this beautiful city came about. Many performing art venues can be visited, for those who love to watch theatrical plays.

A relaxing view awaits people who visit the city. They could dine and enjoy their tea in exquisite yet affordable restaurants along the streets of the city.

Guest Post: 5 Places to Go while Staying within your Budget

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Gregory Moine)

3. Enjoy the Energetic Lights of Las Vegas

The City of Lights in the United States, Las Vegas, has become one of the most visited places where people enjoy and have fun. From casinos to restaurants, people enjoy the vibrant atmosphere.

Taking in a show, riding a gondola through the hotel, or playing casino games, you can enjoy the brightness and energy found in Las Vegas. Even with a budget of $100-$200 for a weekend getaway, Las Vegas would rightfully fit the range.

Guest Post: 5 Places to Go while Staying within your Budget

Photograph Credit: Flickr (Prismatico)

4. Invading Cape Town, South Africa

This is the city perfect for adventure-packed holiday vacations: Cape Town, South Africa. For nature-lovers, Cape Town offers many scenic views that people could enjoy. There are also resorts that accommodate people who love watching and doing extreme sports.

Mountain hiking is a perfect activity in Cape Town’s mountain ranges. The wild rivers in the city would give water-sport lovers rafting to enjoy.

Many websites are offering great packages for a fun-filled Cape Town adventure. These packages would range from as low as $200 up to $300.

Guest Post: 5 Places to Go while Staying within your Budget

Photograph Credit: Flickr (HarshLight)

5. Great Weekend at Florida

Aside from its beautiful beaches, people love visiting Florida for a lot of reasons. Florida is one of the places where people enjoy relaxed surroundings. From Disney World and museums to cheap walking tour packages, Florida is filled with many places to visit.

There are also a lot of cheap hotel accommodations that one could check out. This would be a good way of enjoying without having to spend a lot of money.

One does not need to spend a fortune to be able to visit places around the world. With even a tight budget, you could still get a fun-filled weekend or holiday vacation with your family or friends. Allot your budget, find a place to visit, and enjoy your vacation!

Rod Tolentino is a writer and a content manager for Discount Queens and offers advice to make couponing work for everyone, no matter the situation or motivation, from novice to pro. 

Thanks, Rod, for doing the research for us. I’ve got one of these destinations on my agenda this summer. ~ Tracy

Question: What about you, did you add any destinations to your bucket list?

Filed Under: Going Out, Family Activities Tagged With: Guest Post

Guest Post: 4 Steps to Using Coupons Effectively

June 20, 2013 by Tracy

Guest post - 4 tips to using coupons effectivelyBefore continuing in our Coupon-ology series, I wanted to allow Mitesh Mandaliya to share his couponing tips.

For clarification, I have added my 2 cents with a link under the third category. 

Though I largely agree with Mitesh, I disagree with point number 4 as I would rather let a coupon expire rather than spend it without a sale or buy one, get one free offer.

These are my thoughts. I’d love to hear your opinion in the comments. Join me there. ~ Tracy

4 Steps To Using Coupons Effectively

Everyone, especially frugal mothers, are always searching for coupons that can get them the maximum benefit, so that they can manage their tight budgets. In fact, searching coupons for grocery items or other products is not a tough task.

The main thing is how to use them effectively and wisely so that you can get the maximum benefit. So, for the people who are interested in couponing, but are not sure how to use them properly, I present 4 steps to using coupons effectively:

1. Ignore any needless shopping.

Some people purchase products just because they have coupons for those items. Avoid this kind of purchasing as you can spend more money rather than saving.

2. Compare different store’s coupon policies.

Different stores have different policies regarding coupon usage. So, always do research on the store’s coupon redeeming value. This is very important, as some stores change the value depending on the price and discounts.

Tracy’s Tip: For an example of this comparison, see the difference between how grocery stores and drugstores handle buy one, get one free coupons.

3. Compare sale prices and the final payable price at each store with your coupons.

If the store doubles a coupon, the final price of the product could be significantly less than a store that doesn’t double. If you shop at multiple stores, then compare the final payable price of the product using your coupons at each store.

4. Use coupons the same day you get them.

If you have coupons with you, then try to use it as soon as possible to get the guarantee savings. This can prevent you from forgetting to use the coupon before the expiration date.

In short, the essence is – don’t be too impatient. With coupons, exercise care to get the maximum benefit.

Mitesh Mandaliya loves to write articles about saving money. He has written articles for couponcodeslady.com and promocodeslady.com and is part of the Using Time Wisely community. 

Filed Under: Coupons, Food Tagged With: coupons, Guest Post

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