Wednesday, March 5, 2014

34 Monthly Clean Home Challenge: Wipe Down Trim/Doors

Welcome back to the Monthly Clean Home Challenge daily task!  I am on a quest to maintain a clean and organized home in less time and the goal is simple; four daily tasks, four weekly tasks and one additional quick task each week day. 

In no particular order, here are the individual tasks I am tackling each day this month:
  1. Make cleaning supplies
  2. Cycle clean appliances
  3. Clean out cars
  4. Clean out microwave
  5. Wipe down cabinets/appliances
  6. Wipe down trim/doors
  7. Clean out one drawer
  8. Clean out fridge
  9. Clean out freezer
  10. Vacuum under furniture
  11. Vacuum mattresses
  12. Clean oven
  13. Clean out one closet
  14. Wash out garbage can/recycle bin
  15. Wash windows
  16. Scrub grout
  17. Clean out one cabinet
  18. File paper piles
  19. Purge bathroom toiletries
  20. Clean out pantry

Today I am chatting about the extra task:  Wipe Down Trim/Doors

The reason for the daily tasks is to keep and maintain a fresh home, without having to do too much extra.  This is one of those tasks that took a little longer than I hoped, but I counted it as part of my daily workout and the house now smells extra fresh, so it was totally worth it in my book.

Today's goal was to clean up the dirt and grime that builds on our doors and moulding.  The fingerprints and dirt and splashes of slush off of boots and jackets.  I have a pre-teen that truly finds pleasure in jumping up and touching the tops of every door jam in our house as he walks through them.  I can't quite figure out the fascination; I think he is excited to be growing.  Either way, they get dirty.

I started out by whipping up a batch of cleaner.  I have used different methods to this process before, often times water and a microfiber rag are enough, but I like to know it is killing a few germs so vinegar and water also do the trick.  Today I decided to use a different recipe to ensure the house was left smelling like spring once I was done, so I combined the following {x4}:
  • 1 cup distilled water
  • 1 tbsp lemon castile soap
  • 10 drops lemon essential oil


    I set my phone timer to get a good idea of how long it would take me to conquer the entire house {we have to levels of living}.  Paired with the microfiber rag, I set off working on the doors throughout our home.

    The process is super simple.  I just spray down the front of the door, door jam and trim with the cleaner and followed up with the microfiber rag.


    The bevel on our doors collects dust, while around the handles tend to show a lot of dirt and fingerprints.


    Not the most dramatic before/after shot... but finger prints be gone!

    It is also worth mentioning that there is a difference between dirt and scuff marks.  This recipe and microfiber rag seemed to cut the dirt great, scuffs and some random pencil marks I found on the back of one of the bedroom doors were a completely different story.  For those, I just grabbed a damp magic eraser and that quickly took care of those extra heavy duty markings.

    We have 14 doors, including our front door and the door to the garage, which I wiped down front and back. 

    When it comes to the trim, I try and vacuum the floor trim while vacuuming our home, so I decided not to wipe all of that down.  However, if I saw anything that looked dirty, I touched it up quickly with the solution and rag.

    We also have installed some decorative molding near our front door/top of the stairs, which also runs down the entire stairwell.  The entry area gets especially dirty during the winter months, so today was the perfect time to take care of that problematic area as well.


    All of the molding at the top of the stairs and going down the stairs, along with the white risers, were all given a quick wipe down. 


    I would say the front and garage doors were the dirtiest, however, they were also the easiest to clean.   Oh, and window moulding will be addressed on window cleaning day.

    Once I could no longer feel my arm and was sweating up a storm, I decided I was happy with all I was able to accomplished and stopped the timer on my phone.  22 minutes and 22 seconds on the dot.


    I wish you could take a whiff of the amazing aroma from the cleaner... so good!  That alone kept me going with a smile and made it so worth it!  Well, that and some classic 80's tunes courtesy of Pandora.  Even the kids noticed when they came in from school asking, "Mom!  What is that yummy smell!?"  When my boys notice, I know it is a good thing!

    In the end, this wasn't a quick 5 minute task, but I was able to tackle our entire home in around 20 minutes and that was me moving as quickly as possible while putting a bit of elbow grease into a few of the really dirty spots.  I am pretty sure I burned a few calories, so we will call it multitasking for the win.


    Looking for something?  Check out my favorite cleaning products below:



    34 comments:

    1. I absolutely love castile soap. I use it to wash my veggies and my hair actually! I would have never thought to make my own cleanser with it. So smart. Ill definitely be doing that from now on. Thanks so much for sharing chica:)

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    2. Did you do the tops of the door jams? I'm not tall enough for mine so I would have to haul around a step stool as well.

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      1. I did - I have a small step stool on each level that I used. :)

        xo!

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    3. Loving these posts! I really like the step by step instructions...it's really helpful & filled w/ lots of great tips!!!

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    4. Oh my!!! I thought I was the only one in the world with a teen that liked to jump up and touch the tops of all the doorways. I was actually going to have him checked out by a professional before I read this. Lol. Well maybe not, but so glad to know I am not the only one with dirty door frames up on top! Think I can get him to clean up there???

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      1. So fun to hear there is another jumping boy out there! I have actually had mine clean his door jam a few times, we get a good laugh over it. :)

        xo!

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    5. Can you tell me where you purchase the Lemon Castile Soap and the Lemon Essential Oil?
      I'm loving your cleaning posts. My husband is retiring the end of this month and he is going to start doing these in April. He is a fireman. I'm always telling my friends he makes a great wife because he cooks and cleans. LOL

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      1. Hi Dianna! You can find Castile soap at many Natural Food stores and even in the beauty department at Target. I purchase the lemon castile soap on Amazon along with the essential oils {both have lasted me forever because a little really goes a long way!}:

        http://amzn.to/1du3diQ

        http://amzn.to/1idRTvF

        I love that your hubby cooks and cleans!

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    6. Love, love, loving these cleaning posts!!! They are really helpful and it is super fun hearing from you getting amazing ideas from you (as usual) every day! :)

      I actually think 22 min, for allll of that is so fast! I thought it'd be an hour at least!

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    7. I was wondering why you use distilled water. Can you use tap water?

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      1. Hello! From what I have read, minerals in tap water can inhibit cleaning. I figure it just reduces any chance that it will leave residue on what I am cleaning or build-up in my bottle. xoxo!

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      2. I hear distilled water helps prevents mold and mildew as well especially when you use it in a homemade shower cleaner.

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    8. That's it! You've inspired me!! Ordering my supplies tomorrow! Thanks for the great tips!

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    9. It's not just teens - I'm nearly 24, and a girl, and I'm still obsessed with jumping up to touch the top of door frames (I'm also QUITE SHORT so I'm always pleased when I can do it). It could be worse, my older brother used to do pull ups on the edge of door frames, and that COMPLETELY destroys them!

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      1. That is awesome Katy! My oldest is a bit on the short side for his age as well {he doesn't have a fighting change of being very tall with two short parents}. Maybe it is his way of celebrating his growth! :) xoxo!

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    10. I'm only just catching up on yesterdays post because we had company last night. And guess what I did just before they came? Wiped down our doors because they suddenly looked dirty (the thought of impending company does that, right?!). So I achieved yesterdays project without even knowing about it!!

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    11. I love your posts. Always so helpful in new and efficient cleaning tips. Thanks for answering the questions on the Castile Soaps...

      Now, Where can I find the empty spray bottle dispenser with the Pink Top?

      My Teenager Loves Pink. I'm sure this would motivator her to join in on more of the cleaning fun.

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      1. I really apologize as I am trying so hard to remember but I have had it for quite awhile now. I am guessing Home Depot or Target knowing my shopping habits, maybe Amazon?

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    12. Jen,
      Thanks for sharing about your jumping boy! Nice to know we are not alone!! :)
      Where do you get your spray bottles from? The ones in the cleaning aisle at Target or at Home Depot are so big and don't spray very nicely IMO. So wondered if you recall where you found them?

      Thanks for keeping the spring cleaning feeling manageable and for sharing great ideas with us all the time. I so enjoy your blog!!

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      1. I do not recall where the cleaning bottle with the pink nozzle came from as I have had it for quite awhile now. I recently snagged two of these smaller bottles from the Container Store for our bathrooms and I have been pretty happy with them so far: http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10035986&N=&Ntt=spray+bottle

        xoxo!

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    13. Hey Jen~ I decided for this month I'm going to do whatever extra daily task you do on the same day. Yes, it sounds a bit like a stalker lol! But I'm excited to see what daily task is coming up each day since I won't know until you post. Thanks for the spring cleaning inspiration this month! Keep up the great work!! ~Jillian

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    14. I *love* this posting series. Can you believe that I never realized that so many of the things on this list needed to be cleaned? Until, of course, 6 months into my very first apartment and I realized to my horror the level of dust and just, y'know, hand-oil-whatever grime that was on the door edges.

      Also LOVE the emphasis on cheap natural cleaners. Heading over to my local grocers to get some essential oils to pair with my vinegar.

      Thank you thank you thank you! What a great list!

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    15. Love this post Jen and I just ordered the supplies from Amazon, thank you.

      Funny though - I'm looking at my counter and I have the same bottle with the spray top in pink sitting there that I just bought from the dollar tree yesterday! Might be worth a look for those of you that were wondering where to get it. :)

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    16. Hi Jennifer! I really want to try making this cleaner! You sold me on the fresh clean scent it leaves in the house! Is it an all-purpose cleaner? I want to make a natural cleaner for my windows as well but despise the smell of vinega. It just isn't a clean smell in my opinion. Thanks for the great advice!

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      1. It is considered an all purpose cleaner, I know it works great on trim and doors, cabinets, counters and even bathrooms and floors. However, I have never tried it on glass, I would be worried that the soap would leave streaking... Maybe a reader could chime in on that one?

        xo!

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      2. I had mixed up some this morning using peppermint castile soap (since that's all I had on hand) and peppermint oil, so I just experimented with it on a mirror. It's totally streak-free! I may have used a little bit less than 1 TB of soap since I didn't measure, but I definitely think it's worth a try.

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      3. Thank you so much for letting us know Melissa! So great to know that there are alternatives to the vinegar for those who can't take the smell. :)

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    17. Hey Jennifer! Wiping down the trims and doors....ugh, something I definitely don't do enough! You should check out my new challenge, 40 Days and 40 Spaces. I'm spending the next 40 days purging and organizing 40 spaces throughout my home!! -Audra 2 keepinupwiththejahns.blogspot.com

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    18. Enjoying following along with all of your cleaning challenges! Can you share what timer app you used?

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      1. Hi Rachel!

        It is called Stopwatch. It was one of the first in the app store and was free. :)

        xo!

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    19. Since reading about your homemade cleaners I've started using a mixture of distilled water, vinegar, and lemon juice as my all purpose cleaner and LOVE it! So much better than any of my store bought products.

      Why do you use Castile Soap for this? Is it different than other types of soap? Does it clean better than if you made the mixture without the soap? I'm debating whether or not to buy it. But the $20 price tag has me wondering if it's worth it...

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      1. Hi Corley!

        Castile soap is highly concentrated and naturally derived while boosting your cleaning products. It has endless uses {shampoos, fruit wash, cleaning, etc...} You can purchase it in a variety of sizes and because of the concentration, it lasts quite a long time. I use vinegar and water frequently because it is quick to make and helps our finishes shine, but there are times when I prefer a soapy cleaner and the Castile soap gives me that while cutting grease and grime with ease and smelling amazing.

        xoxo!

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    20. I have had this post bookmarked and am finally going to tackle it! I was wondering if this spray also disinfects? I have a spray that I love with eucalyptus that I know disinfects but I would love to mix it up a little bit, and need something for bathrooms and kitchen that will kill the germs :-). Love your blog and I am always excited to see a new post!

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