Homemakers: The Homebuilders of the World

Homemaking skills are so needed in this world.  Today, these important skills should not only be taught to daughters, but also to sons.  Here is the homemaking formula I found in an old church manual:

imagination + skill = creativity

creativity + production = satisfaction

homemaking x creativity = happy living

happy living divided among others = love

I like the idea of training oneself to be a homebuilder.  A certain amount of professionalism should be applied to building our homes.  You get so much more accomplished if the job is taken seriously.  As a homemaker for more than twenty years, I thought of myself as the manager of my own home.  As with all managers, the job requires organizational skills.

To be a successful homemaker it helps to study as much as possible the best ways to go about housework, food preparation, organization, decorating, taking care of plants, pets and raising children.  One homemaker gave the following description, "I learned organization as the mother of a four-year-old and newborn twins. I never got over it.  I still read things, and I write down little bits of information, for later use" (Mary Ellen Jordon Haight).

There are so many great blogs now that are much easier to read than volumes of books. God bless those people who break everything down picture by picture. There's a special place in Heaven reserved for these sharing teachers who do not assume we are all brilliant.  This is just one of the wonderful homemaking blogs available to us now:

http://homegrownmom.com/homemaking-for-girls-30-days

Laundry Rules!

I have a family of five:  a husband, a junior boy in high school, a sophomore girl in college, and a senior girl in college.  The two college students have had to come home and finish up at local colleges because our family’s single income has continuously gone down since Obama was elected (both times).  I’m back in school recertifying to hopefully attain that non-existent teaching position.  Therefore, it has been my mission to not waste a dime if I can help it. 

Photo from Homemaking for Teen-agers, Book 2, McDermott and Nicholas, 1958, p. 190

Where is Income Being Wasted?

Some major household expenses are utilities, food, and clothing.  These are things everyone basically wastes money on even though we generally have nothing to show for it when all is said and done.  Once we eat food, it’s gone (only the memory of a tasty meal and maybe an extra pound or two remain).  And when we take that extra-long shower (more than 10 minutes), or leave all the lights on and run the TV no one is watching, etc. nothing remains of this expense as well.  Some of us are very good at purchasing and caring for “classic” pieces and shoes that are well worth the initial expense.  However, more than likely, we buy clothes that will be outdated and worn out from misuse well before the expense has been worth it. 

Another Dave Ramsey Reference

I recently heard Dave Ramsey tell a man with a single income of $140,000 (I wish) that if his wife would invest $600 a month on a mutual fund for the next thirty years (she was forty), by the time she was seventy the mutual fund would be worth OVER TWO MILLION dollars!  Her issue was having the latest fancy car, but how much do we spend on clothes each month?  How much does that accumulate each year?  How much would we have if we were more careful with our expenditures and invested the money saved on electricity, food and clothes into a kick-!#* mutual fund.  I would like to be a millionaire if I’m lucky enough to reach seventy!  (P.S.—Dave didn’t mind if she had a fancy new car—just pay cash for it!  And with their income, and only buying a new car every three or four years, why would you not be able to do that?)

Take Care of Investments

Any-hoo, the point of this post is that I find myself at this late date, having to teach The Fam how to wash clothes so they don’t ruin my irreplaceable Whirpool Duet washer and dryer purchased in much happier financial times.  Since I hope to find regular work soon and cannot be on top of the clothes-washing situation, I have to protect our investments of appliances, clothing and utilities.  Plus, it would be nice if everyone knew how to wash clothes properly.  Hence—The Rules. 

The Rules

Believe me, there’s a story behind each rule.  Hopefully these rules posted above the washer and dryer will promote appreciation for how much things cost because “the buck stops here.”  No more Mom buying fancy detergents, clothing for school or gifts, or water and electricity to re-wash forgotten clothes that have mildewed in the washer overnight.  I encourage folks to start their own rules earlier than I did—kids (and husbands) can learn to wash clothes as soon as they have enough to make three loads of just their clothes!  Does this mean they will do it right when they leave home?  Apparently not.  But it won’t be because we didn’t try!  These are the rules for our home:

If you have a problem with these rules, the machine owner (Mom) will be glad for you to take your laundry elsewhere:

1.   Do not start laundry after 9pm.  Fold and put away each load immediately!!!

2.   Never use the Heavy Duty or Whites Cycle without the owner’s permission.  If the clothes are extra dirty or the load a little larger, press the button for more or less soil.  There is even a soak function if the clothes need to soak a while.  Whites and Heavy Duty take much more electricity and most of the time the normal cycle will suffice.

3.   ________ can wash her clothes with Mom’s since she has "so few clothes" because you can never wash all your clothes in one load—that will cost money in the long run due to clothes deteriorating quickly with such abuse.

4.   Everyone has a clothes basket assigned to them.  Only two people—________ and ________—may keep their clothes baskets in the hall bathroom.  DO NOT put your clothes in those baskets unless they are yours!!!!

5.   Everyone should do at least 3 loads of clothes each time they do their wash—DARKS, WHITES, and COLORS.  You can put it on a smaller cycle or get with someone else to make a larger load.

6.   Only ________ washes his clothes with the hypoallergenic detergent.  ________ has bought Gain, and Mom buys Wisk or New Era (red bottles) and Cling Free softeners.  There will always be a $1 detergent and softener available to those too cheap to buy their own.  Most of the time you fill the dispenser only 1/2-full of detergent.

7.   Only wash clothes if you will be available to take them out immediately and start the next load immediately.  With everyone doing their own wash, it will take forever if some refuse to stay on top of their laundry cycles.

Laundry Rules! Printable

In this economy, Dave Ramsey is a hot commodity.  Do you agree that you should "live like no one else so that someday you can live like no one else?"

Eliminating Closet Clutter

While some would like to convert a whole room into a closet, if I could do away with closets altogether I would.  I personally don't like anything that attracts clutter like closets, garages, basements, and sheds.  However, I don't mind adorable little girls that fall asleep in their closet ;o)  I have a neighbor friend (mother of 14 children-half are now grown) who uses only old-fashioned, small armoires as closets.  They built their home without closets!  Ain't no clutter there, I can tell you!

First Step to Clutter Freedom

Take everything out of the closet and if necessary make any repairs to the space.  Kids can be really hard on closets and they may have to be re-painted every so often.  When cleaning and organizing a closet, you want all storage space to be see-through so you don't have to look for items.  Hang belts, bags, purses and shawls on the wall and put shoes on a rack.  Put sweaters in a box on the shelf at the top of the closet.  Give the closet an overhaul every six months before the next season begins.  I like to take that time to decide what to give to charity and what to store (in a clear box) for the season.  Winter clothes should be stored over the summer and vice versa.  Tuck bay leaves and fabric softeners amongst the clothes to keep bugs away.

Give away clothes that don't fit...

buyer's remorse purchases, or clothes you like but never wear.  Take them to a favorite consignment shop.  Have a closet rule:  "one in, one out."  This will ensure that you buy only what you truly love and your closet isn't overrun with things you don't wear.  I enforce this with the family too.  If my son gets new sneakers, the old ones are used for yard work, etc. and the old-old ones are thrown out (cause they are pretty nasty!)  This applies to all clothing and accessories, however you will probably donate or consign the items that are in good condition rather than throwing them away.

Divide clothes into groups:

work, home and fun, dressy, and repair.  Use different colored hangers.  Hangers are really important!!!  It's worth the expense to buy good hangers and it's important to use them properly and not try to put too much on the hangers or rip pants off of a hanger.  I like the kind that have rubbery surfaces that keep pants neatly folded over and they don't slip.  They hold shirts in place as well.  Camisoles and spaghetti straps stay in place on hooks provided.  I keep the hangers that my skirts come with from the store (the kind that clamp on).  You can buy these at the store as well.  This is what I use for skirts.  You can also hang throws and table clothes with these, which make it easy to remember what linens you have.

Deep Cleaning Kitchens and Bathrooms

Kitchens
Kitchen should be completely cleaned every six months because cooking spreads greasy dirt on everything.
Lemon juice will clean laminate counter top stains: soak stain with lemon juice for 1/2 hour, then sprinkle with baking soda and scrub with a piece of terry cloth and wipe dry.
Club soda in a spray bottle will make dingy chrome or stainless steel surfaces sparkling clean.
Clean sink with baking soda to scrub it clean.  This is a good use for boxes of soda you're discarding from the fridge.
Clean under the refrigerator using a yardstick with an old stocking secured on it with a rubber band and swish underneath.  Now's the time to dust off the top of the fridge too using the following formula.
For appliance exteriors keep a sprayer filled with this mixture to clean smudges on walls and appliances:  2 tablespoons non-sudsy ammonia, 1 teaspoon. liquid dish washing soap, 1 pint rubbing alcohol, and 1 gallon of water.   Just spray and wipe clean.
Vacuum the condenser coils on the back or the bottom of the refrigerator often.  This will add years to its life and help it run efficiently.
Check expiration dates on condiments and toss the ones that are past their prime.  Also, get rid of any outdated food in the freezer.  Clean the interior with 1 tablespoon baking soda in water.  To remove unpleasant odors, add 1 teaspoon lemon or vanilla extract to the water.  This is a good way to clean the inside of microwaves as well.
I use Murphy's Oil Soap to deep clean the outside of my wood cabinets (kitchen and bath).  Working on one cabinet or drawer at a time, I remove everything, vacuum out corners, wipe out all inside cabinet surfaces with Murphy's in warm water.  Let it air dry (use a fan to dry faster).  Then replace everything in an organized manner.  This is a good time to decide if you have too much stuff and to give away the extra--especially pantry nonperishable items that haven't been used within a year.
Disinfect the trash can.

Ovens and Stoves
Most ovens can be cleaned with baking soda on a damp cloth and scrub the interior.  If there is a spill, pour salt on it immediately.  When the oven cools, brush off the burned food.
If the oven is seriously dirty, put lemon ammonia in a spray bottle and spray the cool oven (avoid the heating elements, or if gas--the holes).  Close the door and let the fumes work for two or three hours (make sure the room is well-ventilated).  Using terrycloth, wipe the interior of the oven, including the door.  Scrub the oven with a scouring pad or stainless steel pad or Mr. Clean sponge.  Then rinse and wipe dry.
Clean the racks in a bath tub.  Put down a towel, then fill with tub with enough hot water to cover racks and add 1/4 cup ammonia (open a window).  Let them soak for 2-3 hours and scrub with a scouring pad or stainless steel pad or Mr. Clean sponge.
I like to put extra-wide, heavy-duty aluminum foil under the heating element at the bottom of my electric oven to catch spills and drips, and replace when necessary.
I've found using a Mr. Clean sponge doused with a little lemon ammonia will clean the reflector pans and under the stove.  For stubborn stains I use baking soda.  Sometimes it has to sit a while.  Wipe clean with a dry cloth.
Aluminum foil can be placed under many stovetops to protect it from boil overs.  Wet this area and place the aluminum foil over it so it stays in place.  Throw-away pie pans can also be placed under the eyes to catch spills.  They can be washed and used again.
Don't forget to clean the hood (ammonia diluted in water) or use baking soda to scrub off tough spots.  Rinse well and dry with a clean cloth.  Be sure to clean the floor under the oven, the sides and back, and the drawer underneath.

Bathrooms
These need to be completely deep-cleaned every six months if there is a problem with mold and mildew.
Mildewed sheet rock- to prevent mildew, remove source of dampness and thoroughly air out the affected area.  Open all windows and doors to provide ventilation and to remove musty odors.  Wash areas with a household detergent and rinse with clear water.  Rinse all surfaces with chlorine solution.  If odors persist, sprinkle bleaching powder over the floor, then sweep.  Place several lumps of dry charcoal in tin cans in room away from sources of heat or fire, (this is great for clearing the smell of paint from a room that's just been painted).
Use rubbing alcohol to clean bathroom fixtures: pour on with a cloth, scrub, and wipe dry.
 Never spray the mirror itself with cleaner; instead, spray a clean, lintless cloth, wipe down the mirror.  To avoid streaks, dry immediately with another clean, lintless cloth--an old T-shirt will do.
Remove shower curtains and launder according to instructions.  Wash or replace plastic liner with a new one.
Clean walls and using a solution of Murphy's Oil Soap, wipe down crown molding and baseboards.
Clean out medicine cabinets.  Do not keep leftover prescription medicine or give it to someone else--throw it safely away.  Do not keep medicines that are past their expiration dates.
Wash bath mats each time the bathroom is cleaned.
Clean the bath exhaust fan at least once a month.

Cleaning That Prevents Allergies

I have suffered from allergies all my life.  If there's one thing I've gotten pretty good at, it's removing allergens from my living space.  Even with a indoor/outdoor cat (short-haired), I've managed to eliminate most of the dust and dirt that aggravates my allergies.  I don't think it's fair that I have to dust since I am an allergy sufferer, but I manage to pull it off on a consistent basis.

You don't want the dust to have a chance to really build up.  Cleaning is so much faster if done regularly.  So here are the ways I clean and some homemade products to try as well.  One thing I can't stand when I'm asked to go in and clean someone's home is to find five-million, half-filled bottles of cleaning products under every bathroom and kitchen sink!  With some basic products like rubbing alcohol and ammonia and a few spray bottles you don't have to resort to store-bought products that end up in landfills and polluting the ground.  And you save money :)

Floors

Move all furniture to one side of the room and work on the empty side.  I like to use the round disks that go under heavy furniture and make moving large pieces of furniture a piece of cake.  I would suggest having someone else help to move heavy pieces--just in case.
Vacuum or sweep and mop before dusting.
No-wax linoleum floors (most modern flooring) can simply be cleaned with 1 tablespoon white vinegar to one gallon of warm water.
Clean in one direction (with grain if wood floors, mop should be damp not wet).  Start farthest from the entry ways and work toward them so that you don't track dirt over clean areas.  I like to wear clean white cotton socks in case I do have to walk back over--it doesn't leave tracks.
I use the ceiling fans, open windows and run floor fans to dry the floors quickly (wood-look linoleum) before a kid can walk on it.
Do the other side of the room when the floors are dry.
This is a good time to wash small rugs according to manufacturers directions.

Dusting

When dusting wood furniture, pull out the drawers and vacuum the casings with a crevice tool.
Always apply dusting spray on the cloth--not on the furniture, etc.
Use lemon oil for light-colored furniture, a dark oil for dark furniture, and a red oil for cherry, mahogany, and other red-colored woods.  As someone who likes to reclaim old furniture, I am a huge fan of these oils and they really last a long time.  I have thought some pieces of furniture beyond repair.  I used the correct-colored oil on a buffet and china cabinet and now they look as good as an exact duplicate set I found in a magazine article.  I was going to paint them but now I wouldn't dare!
If wood needs a good cleaning (for instance spray polishes have been used on good wood), mix 2 tablespoons of linseed oil, 2 tablespoons turpentine, and 1 quart of boiling water.  (Be sure there is proper ventilation).  Mix the linseed oil and turpentine together in a small container, then add the boiling water.  Make sure the container is disposable.  Wear protective rubber gloves and dip a cloth in the cleaner and wring out well.  Wash one surface and wipe dry.  Do not try to do the whole piece of furniture at one time.  When the solution cools off, the oil and turpentine will separate from the water.  Throw it out and make a new batch; do not try to reheat it.
Lampshades can be dusted with a vacuum using the upholstery attachment or a masking tape lint roller.
Place a pillow case over each blade of the ceiling fan to wipe dust clean.  If you do this regularly, it won't be gross at all.  Shake pillow case outside and throw in the washer.
Use a Swiffer to clean blinds, (it's really worth the money).  Close blinds down and wipe them in a downward motion (not side to side).  Do this before you clean the floors, and move furniture away from the blinds before dusting.
Book cases can be dusted weekly with a Swiffer.  A couple of times a year, clean shelf by shelf (top to bottom) by removing books and wiping each with a clean cloth (refold several times to reuse same cloth).  Clean the wood with the proper cleaner (follow the directions).  Wipe with the grain of the wood.  Clean any glass with glass cleaner that has been sprayed on a clean t-shirt cloth (or micro-fiber).  Never spray books or shelving directly with cleaners.  (Don't forget to clean the tops of large standing bookshelves first).
Walls can be dusted using a clean dust mop and wiping side to side from top to bottom of the wall.  Use a Swiffer duster with extension to clean corners and crown molding and the baseboards.
Use the crevice tool on the vacuum to clean edges of floors and in the corners.
Keep a sprayer filled with this mixture to clean smudges on walls and appliances:  2 T. non-sudsy ammonia, 1 tsp. liquid dish washing soap, 1 pint rubbing alcohol, and 1 gallon of water.   Just spray and wipe clean.  For flat paint use:  1 gal. hot water mixed with 1 c. ammonia, 1/2 c. white vinegar, and 1/4 c. baking soda.  Scrub, then wipe wall dry with a piece of terrycloth rag., (this is so strong it will dull glossy walls.)

Cleaning Upholstery

Remove cushions from couches and chairs and vacuum thoroughly.  Flip cushions regularly.
Vacuum all sides as well.
When cleaning with upholstery cleaner, be sure to check the label on the furniture and test a small area that is in an inconspicuous location.  A great site for home remedy cleaning upholstery and carpets is http://www.citradry.com/carpet-cleaning-san-diego-spots.html.
Wipes can be purchased to clean and protect leather furniture.  
In the spring, remove and properly store wool throws, etc.

Windows

A good basic window cleaner is 2 tablespoon rubbing alcohol to 2 quarts of water.
In cold weather, use 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to 1 quart of warm water.
Wiping materials are as important as the window cleaner.  Newspaper is best, but it makes your hand black.  The next best is old percale or cotton cloths.  NEVER USE SOFTENERS WHEN YOU WASH  AND DRY YOUR CLEANING CLOTHS (INCLUDING MICROFIBER).  Never use permanent press fabric for any kind of cleaning since the finish is not absorbent and it smears and streaks.
Wash the window from left to right on the inside and from the top to bottom on the outside, then if they are streaked, you know which side the streak is on.  Early morning is the best time to wash windows, because the streaks can be seen then.  Never wash windows in the hot sun because they dry to fast and leave streaks.
Drapes and sheers:  air-fluff in the dryer.
Vacuum each month starting with the inside, top to bottom.
Take down every 6 months and run through the no heat cycle of the dryer for 15 minutes with a damp clean towel.  The dust will cling to the towel.  Remove and hang immediately (or at least smooth them out on the bed or carpet).
Sheers can generally be cleaned at home following manufacturer's directions.

What lengths do you go to to keep allergies at a minimum?

Winter Days: Cleaning Schedules

I admit, my New Year's Resolution could only be exciting to a Homemaker.  I resolve to clean my entire home and yard in an organized manner!  Yes, I am very excited about this!!  A personal cleaning schedule is something I want to include in my own homemaking journal I am putting together for my kids.  The idea came from recently rereading all of the Little House books (Laura Ingalls Wilder) and finding a cleaning schedule in Little House in the Big Woods.

"Wash on Monday,

Iron on Tuesday,

Mend on Wednesday,

Churn on Thursday,

Clean on Friday,

Bake on Saturday,

Rest on Sunday."

I think everyone would take a restful Sunday more seriously if they had to work hard six out of the seven days a week.  Little House in the Big Woods takes place before everyone had kerosene lanterns and coal burning stoves.  Very few women could work outside the home because there was so much to accomplish at home.  I really feel for the women back then who believed they were not talented at homemaking.  You really had to make the effort anyway!

I've been reading old Relief Society manuals from the late 1980's and 1990's.  I love how much emphasis the Church used to put on Homemaking Skills, keeping homes clean and tidy, and being organized.  Now I remember where I get this from.  I had my 19 year-old daughter read a lesson by Russell M. Nelson, (Apostle) about abortion.  When she was through reading that lesson, she became so interested in the other lessons that she asked if she could take the book back to school with her.  (I'm so proud!)

Some of my Daily Chores are pretty hefty and may take splitting the chores up for that day and completing them over two weeks.  Also, we only have 1400 sq. feet (by choice) so I don't have a huge house to clean.  If the kids are around with nothing better to do (like homework...) they help me.  Here's my Daily Schedule:

Each Day:
8-9am
Personal Prayer
Garbage/Recycling
Laundry (1-2 loads daily)
Dishes
9-10am, Work Out (Leslie Sansome Walk at Home)
10-12am, Daily Chore (listen to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Conference Talks during chore):
Daily Chores List:
Mondays:  Mop floors and vacuum (furniture too), wash rugs, clean porch room floor
Tuesdays:  Clean personal bathroom (husband and son share a bathroom that they clean), my bedroom, and dust my bookcases (takes up one whole wall), blinds and fans (including bath exhaust fan)
Wednesdays:  Dust a different room each week including porch room, (blinds and fans, corners and ceilings included and wash windows, clean leather chairs).
Thursdays:  Bake bread, clean out fridge and clean appliances (exterior)
Fridays:  Water plants, vacuum and wash truck (my personal vehicle) thoroughly, pay bills, create menu (using up stuff in the fridge and pantry) and create list for the rest of my groceries, grocery shopping
Saturdays:  Deep clean (a different one each week)--
oven
fridge
cabinets (any throughout house)
laundry room (and vent system)
range hood and filter
vinyl siding
exterior windows and screens
also
paint any wood exterior (this years' project)
yard work

12:00-2:50pm, While resting, study either GRE test, a past bookmarked Ensign article, or the Sunday School lesson (scripture study)
2:50-5:00pm, School pick-up and fix dinner
5-7pm, Pay bills/File papers, menu and grocery list updated, help with homework
7:00pm - bedtime, Do something creative (catch up on scrapbooks, sew dress and fleece shawl, complete sanding and cleaning repurposed furniture, complete cross-stitch project).
Family Prayer, Personal Prayer/Read novel

Here's my checklist for the week:

Cleaning Clothes

Besides putting clothes into at least three piles, darks, lights, and whites, make sure the piles are not too big for the washer and dryer.  There needs to be room for the clothes to move around freely.  If they are too crammed-in, a crowded washer will not get clothes clean and the dryer will make clothes very wrinkled.  You can get wrinkles out by putting garments in the dryer with a wet, clean washrag.  Dry for about 10-15 minutes.  Remove and hang or wear immediately.

If the three separate clothes piles are still too big, I split them up some more by the texture of the material. For example, I separate dark Docker-like pants from dark softer materials. Jeans are usually a separate wash as well. Every other week I have enough towels to do a whites towel load and a colors towel load. I usually clean sheet sets by themselves for full or queen, and I will clean two sets of twin-size sheets together.

When washing bed linens, go ahead and run the blankets, mattress pads, and pillows through the dryer on the air-fluff cycle, even if they aren't getting washed. This is a good time to turn mattresses from one end to the other (and flip over if possible). Change all your linens at the same time so you won't forget any and can get all the bed-changing done at the same time.

Be sure to check the pockets. My sister HATES it when I bring up the "lip stick story." I say, who carries lipstick in their pockets anyway? I lost a favorite pair of jeans that way!!! Take care of those stains right away. Blood stains can be soaked in cool water and most will just lift out. Rubbing a little liquid detergent or stain remover on it will lift out the remaining blood. Pretreat collars on shirts. Teresa also says that in a pinch, Ajax dish washing liquid works just as well as Woolite and can be used as detergent if you happen to run out. She also reminded me about using Aqua Net hair spray to remove ink stains out of clothes. You spray it on the stain kind of heavy and the hair spray soaks it up and it's washed away. Another friend, Patti, said ink stains can be removed from the dryer by soaking a white towel in water with bleach and drying it in the dryer.

I like to use powdered detergent because I live in the country and burn all my cardboard boxes or use them in the garden as a weed-blocker. I immediately throw the plastic scoop that comes in the detergent box into the recycling bin and put a measuring tablespoon in the detergent box. This makes it seem like you are putting more detergent in than if you use a scoop, which keeps the family from getting too much detergent into our clothes when they help with the laundry. I noticed that our towels, were always stiff when anyone else washed them, but were fluffy when I washed them and read that too much detergent was probably the culprit.

I also use vinegar in the rinse water. This helps remove excess detergent and fights the bacteria that causes that bad smell in mildewy or sweaty clothes. If clothes are washed correctly, then they shouldn't need a color-safe bleach, but if I do purchase some, I get this also in a box and use a tablespoon instead of a scoop. Always leave front-loading washers cracked open to thoroughly dry, or they will start to smell mildewy also.

We have a septic tank that requires safe cleansers which is one reason I use vinegar instead of Clorox for smells. I use liquid bluing for whitening. I could not find this anywhere but a local mom and pop grocery chain (S&S--I think there is two stores). So you may have to search around. There is nothing that get clothes whiter. Clorox is very damaging on clothes and makes some materials (like garments) turn a dingy yellow. It is important to follow the directions carefully. I bought a 1 quart container with a spout that closes to mix a batch--3 drops per 1 qt. cold water, then shake well. Apply to wash water like you would Clorox.

For seriously muddy clothes, wash in COLD water so the stains won't set. Brush off all loose dirt possible. Rinse several times in cold water. When no more dirt can be rinsed out, wash the article in warm soapy water through several changes of water. (I don't have a mud sink so I use the bath tub area and a dish pan or pail for smaller garments or the whole tub if necessary).

Damask napkins, linens and even white socks can be whitened on the stove: Fill a pot with water and a few slices of fresh lemon, and bring to a boil. Turn off heat, add linens, and let soak for up to an hour; launder as usual. For extra brightening, spread them out in the sunlight to dry.

It's important to clean the lint trap in the dryer after each load. Clean out the dryer vent by unplugging the dryer and removing the tube that connects it to the wall. Clean out the area behind the dryer, and remove lint with a vent-cleaning brush. Occasionally check the washer machine hose for potential problems such as stiffness or brittleness. Replace if necessary.

Working in Scouts, we found that lint from the dryer makes excellent fire-starters. I use a cardboard egg crate, fill each opening with lint, then pour wax on top (or melted crayon and candle stubs), let it harden, then tear apart each of the egg holders. Each one makes one fire-starter. Works better than anything you can buy! Melt wax in a tin can and sit in boiling water (low boil) as shown. See Also: Homemade Firestarters

Use dryer sheets in storage boxes for clothing to repel bugs (bay leaves work well also). You can wear them outside to keep bugs away. I put them in the top of my gardening hat so those annoying little gnats will stay away from my face. It really works! Dryer sheets keep cars smelling fresh as well.

Cleaning: Team-building Time for Families, organization part 4

When I was growing up, we used to have a "ghost" who was responsible for any messes around the house that no one else claimed responsibility.  What else can you do as a parent when you ask, "Who made this mess?"  That is why I have always enjoyed the following story:

Goodbye Mr. Nobody  

Lurking in our house is a grim, relentless creature.  He is elusive, but I can track his tricky trail with my carefully trained eye.  This disgusting creature has the gall to eat an entire box of doughnuts in one night.  He can devour a gallon of milk, leaving none for breakfast.  He tracks mud onto freshly mopped floors and leaves toys and clothing strewn throughout the house.  He hides coats, shoes, and even homework.  Who is this abominable alien?  Mr. Nobody.
I was tired of Mr. Nobody and the tension he created in our home, so I decided to try something new.  I invented Mr. Everybody.  Since Mr. Nobody was leaving the toys out, Mr. Everybody would pick them up.  Instead of demanding to know who left the mess, I had Everybody help clean it up. 

It took the children a few days to catch the spirit of Mr. Everybody.  But once they realized that I was no longer trying to place blame, we were able to resolve many minor problems.  Now that Everybody pitches in to help, we have much more cooperation and unity in our family.  (Velda Gilbert Mc Donald, "Good-bye Mr. Nobody," Ensign, 6/89)

Teaching Children to Clean

I haven't convinced my family yet but I firmly believe that shared chores build a family team.  I read that, "In a survey of 250 children, over ninety-seven percent honestly felt that they should work at home."  Which is probably one of those surveys where people say what they think they should say, not what they really believe!!!  However, I honestly believe that children like to help and know they should because finishing a task from start to finish builds self-esteem and so does keeping the house looking nice.

Where no oxen are, the manger is clean, But much increase comes by the strength of the ox.  (Proverbs 14:4)

Mealtime
Where mom is the primary meal manager, dads and eventually teens can become proficient at making a meal that is "their domain."  So this is a chore that all can take a turn and give Mom a break once-in-a-while.

A good method of delegating mealtime chores (for example):

1. On a large index card, divide chores (in this case meal-related) as equally as possible into three groups (I have three kids).  Ours looks like this:  Blue=Set table, wipe counters and table, switch cards; Yellow=Unload dishwasher; Red=Wash dishes that can't go in dishwasher, put away food
2. The index card is on the calendar in the kitchen.  
3. On the calendar in each Sunday square are marks of blue, yellow, and red.  
4. Beside each color is one of the kids' names.  
5. If they don't like this weeks' tasks, at least they'll change next week.  
6. Everyone is responsible for bringing in his own dishes from the table, rinsing them, and putting them into the dishwasher.
7. Be Consistent!!!

Chores Instruction

With all chores, give a clear idea of what is expected of the child and when it must be completed.  One year when my kids were first learning to do chores such as cleaning the bathroom, I found a really good Achievement Day activity (I was an Achievement Day leader at the time) where I put the instructions for chores such as cleaning the bathroom on index cards.

I (patiently) showed them how to clean the toilet, tub, sink, floor, mirror, etc. repeatedly, until they could do it themselves.  I also instructed the children (and husband) on the location of the cleaning equipment and how to store it.  There was a performance standard expected and time frame in which the chore must be done.  


To this day, I have to ensure expectations are consistently maintained.  "If children are allowed to go two full weeks without doing their chores, they question whether they really need to do them at all.  Inspect jobs when they are done.  It says to a child that these tasks do matter.  Be generous and genuine with compliments for a job well done...If there is a problem, withdraw a privilege, but don't nag."  (Mimi Wilson and Mary Beth Lagerborg, Table Talk, Focus on the Family 1994 pp. 63-71)

The beauty of work depends upon the way we meet it; whether we arm ourselves each morning to attack it as an enemy that must be vanquished before night comes--or whether we open our eyes with the sunrise to welcome it as an approaching friend who will make us feel at evening the day was well worth its fatigue.  ~Lucy Larcom


Cleanliness is next to godliness.  The Spirit of God will not dwell in an unclean place--and that goes for your room as well as your body.  ~Florence S. Johnson


What this country needs is cleaner minds and dirtier fingernails.  ~Mark Twain


Cleaning your house while your kids are still growing is like shoveling the walk before it stops snowing.  ~Phillis Diller


Ma used to say:
Wash on Monday, 
Iron on Tuesday,
Mend on Wednesday,
Churn on Thursday,
Clean on Friday,
Bake on Saturday,
Rest on Sunday.
~Little House in the Big Woods, Laura Ingalls Wilder

Resurgence of Homemaking in the Church

At our Dothan Home

Did You Know...

Some of the skills required for a homemaking career include:

1.  Managing time, energy, and resources (including money)

2.  Communicating effectively

3.  Housekeeping

4.  Cooking skills and nutrition

5.  Sewing, mending, and handicrafts

6.  Making wise decisions

7.  Keeping abreast of the times

8.  Applying first aid and sound health principles

9.  Making a home a place of beauty

10. Providing an atmosphere of learning, cultural refinement, recreation, service, and spirituality

11. Mothering, child care and guidance and

12. Becoming a responsive, supportive, and loving companion and wife. (I believe I got this a long time ago from one of my favorite websites www.christysclipart.com --you can also find Christy's Clipart on Facebook).

Hopefully this Homemaker's Journal will incorporate all of these.

"Obviously the more highly refined the skills and attributes a woman brings to the home, the more nourishing and enriching her home will be.  Some of these skills can be learned in the home.  Some can be learned by self-study, service to others, and/or in a formal academic institution."  (Ensign, 12/77, p. 56) 

There has been a resurgence, (in my opinion), in the general Relief Society of stressing homemaking skills and mothers as teachers.  I could be wrong, but this has been sorely lacking in the last twenty years (or since they decided to dispose of “Homemaking Meetings.”) 

This resurgence, I believe, began when Sister Julie B. Beck was called as the new general Relief Society president.  Sister Beck reiterated our roles as women when she said, “I have a testimony gained from pondering and studying the scriptures of a plan of happiness given to us by our Father in Heaven.  That plan has a part for His daughters.  We have the female half to take care of, and if we don't do our part, no one else is going to do it for us.

“The half of our Father's plan that creates life, that nurtures souls, that promotes growth, that influences everything else was given to us.  We can't delegate it.  We can't pass it off to anyone.  It's ours.  We can refuse it, we can deny it, but it's still our part, and we're accountable for it.  There will come a day when we will all remember what we knew before we were born.  We will remember that we fought in a great conflict for this privilege.  How do we meet this responsibility?  We daily put our energies into the work that is uniquely ours to do.  ~Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president ("Understand the Divine Roles of Women," Ensign, 2/09).

What's going on in the White House isn't as important as what's going on in your house.  ~Barbara Bush

Homemaking Journals

“Homemaking journals were…passed down through family generations in the ‘olden days.’  It is a journal where you record in one place all things related to homemaking: all of the things special to you, traditions you have instilled, secrets, tips and more.”1

When my aunt retired, she and her husband began to serve a mission in Washington D.C.  Soon after their mission began, she was diagnosed with terminal cancer.  Aunt Phala used this remaining time to finish family history, purchase quality photo albums for her many grandchildren, and she compiled her own Homemaking Journal.  She gave her children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters, and nieces such as myself, a copy of this wonderful book.

Aunt Phala was one of the most creative and talented people I’ve ever known and a true asset to the LDS church.  She wrote many a road show skit and put on Girls Camps and many other major church events, including weddings and baby showers.  Everything was done with style and hospitality not common today.  My favorite recipes of Phala’s were recorded in her journal, including chicken and stuffing casserole, pearly shell chicken salad, and orange box-cake cookies.  She also included quotes, family stories, treasured and rare photos, original poetry and drawings, and advice/instruction on anything from cleaning to entertaining.

I have been fortunate to know many people throughout my life that have been an inspiration to me especially for homemaking and Phala’s journal has certainly inspired me.  Her suffering was long and painful, but she courageously completed goals most of the healthy would never attempt.  My own homemaking journal will be dedicated to Aunt Phala for inspiring me.

It occurred to me, as I have been compiling my homemaker’s journal, that I have become much more organized by doing so.  I am able to find what I need…when I actually need it!  I believe sitting down, (maybe for a few hours each Sunday), and working on this specialized journal can help us to organize ourselves.  Topic ideas for a homemaking journal listed by Dionna Sanchez include but are not limited to:

• “Recipes (especially beloved family recipes that have been in your family for years)
• Inspirational poems, quotes, Bible verses or excerpts that inspire you in your love for family, home, and homemaking?
• Tips, tricks, hints and ideas that aid you on a daily basis in helping your home to run smoothly
• Home schooling information—if relevant
• Health and first aid remedies and tricks
• Ideas and tips for Emergency Preparedness
• List of birthdates and anniversaries
• Holiday Traditions
• Kid stuff (activities, projects and kid recipes like “goop”)
• Gardening—planting information, seasonal planting favorites that you have used, tips, tricks, and more.
• Your daily routines—do you keep a to-do list?  Does it help you to stick by a certain schedule?
• Meal Planning—how do you keep organized in your kitchen?  What helps you keep meals rotating regularly?
• Budget outline
• Trusted phone numbers of doctors, dentists, builders, pastors, and more

Not only will you now be breathtakingly organized, you will have a precious gift to give or leave to your loved ones.

1)  Dionna Sanchez has written about Homemaking Journals for Emphasis on Moms, a monthly online newsletter http://www.emphasisonmoms.com/.

Living Small

Homemaking Journals

Grateful Living

Grateful Living Series: Dress Up M. H. Windows

Grateful Living: Repurposed Trunk

Grateful Living: Repurposed Armoire

Grateful Living: Class Up the Mobile Home Fireplace

Grateful Living: Front Porches

Grateful Living: The !#*! M.H. Walls

Grateful Living: M.H. Spa Retreat
Grateful Living: The Homebuilders of the World

Learning Homemaking Skills

Sister Barbara Winder, General Relief Society President in 1986 said:  “It is important for all of us to learn homemaking skills; whether she is married or single, every woman is a homemaker.

"I know a single woman, a widow, who prepares meals on Saturday to last her through the week because she must work long hours each day. At mealtimes, she always has a tablecloth or a place mat, a napkin, and a flower in a bud vase. Her home is artistically decorated and full of wonderful books and beautiful music.

"There is an art to being a homemaker. For ourselves and for our families, it is important that we have a sanctuary—a place of refuge away from the world where we feel comfortable and where, if others come, they, too, can feel comfortable.

"In Proverbs 31:10–31 [Prov. 31:10–31], we read, 'Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.' In those verses we are told that a virtuous woman weaves fabric, sells linen—her hands are not idle: 'She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.' (Prov. 31:27.) I think that is one of the keys. We should not be idle. We should be constantly using our gifts and talents to build up our families, the kingdom of God, and the community about us.”  (Barbara W. Winder, Ensign, March 1986, p. 20)

Being a homemaker requires developing organizational skills first and foremost.  We are required to set priorities for those homemaking skills we need to develop.  I remember the first time I went to the grocery store as a newly married young woman.  I had $25 for the week's groceries (1988).  I had no list, no menu, no clue what grocery items cost, nor did I have anything at home in the cupboards.  After about 30 minutes, I walked out of the store crying in frustration.  The first thing I needed to learn was how to stock my pantry and prepare meals on a very strict budget—this was a priority. 

Other homemaking skills included washing clothes properly.  I remember receiving so many towel sets as wedding gifts that I need not replace my towels for a good ten years!  However, right off the bat, my towels started showing signs of mildew.  This had to be addressed immediately.  I also learned that I couldn’t spend all day cleaning out a closet.  I had to learn to place a time-limit on tasks—maybe break a large task into smaller ones.

Gooseberry Patch Xmas Bk. 5, p. 99

I had received a couple of recipe books as wedding gifts and began to read them.  I found a list of essential pantry items and budgeted each week to buy these.  I asked more experienced homemakers about the mildew and learned to wash towels with vinegar.  Also, I learned to make sure no wet items were placed in the hamper!  I read articles and books on organizing closets and cabinets and donated many boxes of unnecessary items so that my cleaning didn’t take all day.

My favorite section of the library became home improvement, decorating, cooking, and cleaning.  (I look forward to Gooseberry Patch Christmas Books each year for more homemaking inspiration!)  Educating myself in my spare time was job #1.  Once essentials of homemaking were taken care of, then I was able to concentrate on more advanced skills such as cooking in large batches or giving a dinner party, as well as purchasing furniture, painting, and decorating a room.

Throughout the more than two decades of marriage, I have relied heavily on the homemaking training I have received from issues of the Ensign (old and new).  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ website lds.org, has a Gospel Library where you will find church magazines.  There you can choose the Ensign (also called the Liahona) and look up topics found in past issues by using the search engine.  I have used this for the last ten years since the Church first made past issues available in this way.  I am always recommending this site to other sisters at church who have concerns over marriage issues or questions about raising children, cooking, organizing, cleaning—you name it, it’s there!


Did You Know...
Some of the skills required for a homemaking career include:
1.  Managing time, energy, and resources (including money)
2.  Communicating effectively
3.  Housekeeping
4.  Cooking skills and nutrition
5.  Sewing, mending, and handicrafts
6.  Making wise decisions
7.  Keeping abreast of the times
8.  Applying first aid and sound health principles
9.  Making a home a place of beauty
10. Providing an atmosphere of learning, cultural refinement, recreation, service, and spirituality
11. Mothering, child care and guidance and
12. Becoming a responsive, supportive, and loving companion and wife. (I believe I got this a long time ago from one of my favorite websites www.christysclipart.com --you can also find Christy's Clipart on Facebook).


Hopefully this Homemaker's Journal will incorporate all of these.

For more on the subject: Resurgence of Homemaking in the Church