Spring Cleaning Week #4

And you thought I forgot.....hehehehe.....nope....just been pretty busy today.

Woo Hoo, it's week number 4 of spring cleaning. Now so far, we have been "cleaning out" and now it's time to get to cleaning. Remember, we are going slow, we have several weeks to go so we're taking it simple and slow, but by the time Spring gets here, you won't have to worry about it.

This week you need a rag and a warm bucket of water. No soap or cleaners needed. We are cleaning all the pictures and mirrors in the house. Every room. Doesn't matter if it's on the walls or on the tables.

Now, very important point here, VERY IMPORTANT....do not have your wash rag soaking wet. Get it wet with warm water and then ring the day lights out of it. The reason is very simple. You do not want to ruin your prescious pictures in those frames and if you get too much water on the glass, it will seep under the edges and ruin your pictures. You cannot get water stains out of pictures so please pay attention to what I have written here.

Another reason to make certain your wash rag is rung out well is if you have real wooden frames. You don't want to damage real wood with water spots either. You can get those out but it takes a lot of work and you don't want to add that to the spring cleaning list.

If you are thinking about using Windex or something like that on the glass on your frames, I implore you not to. It's not necessary. I'll be honest in telling you that I don't use glass cleaners. Not because I'm cheap, but because when I was a kid my father showed me that you could clean a glass just as well with just warm water and a rag. I've been doing that ever since. I'm not saying there is anything wrong with glass cleaners, but I choose not to use them and just use some elbow grease instead. I don't spend the money; I'm not subjecting my family and animals to the chemicals and I don't have to worry about recycling anything.

Anyway, this week is a very easy week. Go grab your bucket, warm water and rag and get to cleaning!

What To Do With Worn Out Shoes

If you have been participating in the Spring Cleaning posts on here for the last couple of weeks you know that this week we are cleaning out the closets and dresser drawers. One of the things you obviously have come across that you might have put in the "to go" basket is old shoes. Either the kids have out grown them, or they are a little rough around the edges, or they are a lot rough around the edges, or you just don't wear them anymore.

Instead of pitching them in the trash where they will end up in a landfill FOREVER, I have alternatives for you.

1) The first is for all the sneakers. It's called Nike Reuse A Shoe. It's a great program they have been doing for years and you should really take advantage of this. In a nut shell, it doesn't matter if your shoes are of Nike brand or not. They take sneakers of any brand. Sneakers basically have 3 parts and they break the three parts down and recycle them into different things such as the foam that goes under running tracks, tennis courts and basketball courts. What a great idea!

2) Now let's talk about all of the other shoes you have. Are they a worn here and there. I mean to say you think you wouldn't even take then to Goodwill or the Salvation Army. Don't pitch them. Believe it or not, I have another option for you. It's called Soles 4 Souls. Catchy title don't ya think. I love this place!!! They take used shoes and refurbish them to make them wearable again and then donate them to needy men, women and children in other countries. How awesome is that?

3) Now what about those ladies heels and pumps you have that you just don't wear anymore. Still in pretty good condition? Why not donate them to Dress For Success? They are a great agency, worldwide mind you, that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and life.

Now, I've given you three great places above to donate your shoes regardless of style or brand and regadless of condition. Here's a few more suggestions for you:

1) Goodwill or other such facility (that's obvious don't ya think?);

2) Homeless shelter;

3) Contact your local church or school and see if they know of a family that could use them.

With all of these options, your shoes should never ever end up in a landfill!

Tomorrow we'll talk about what to do with all of the clothes that are in the "to go" basket.