Dishwasher rinse aid is a relatively new concept to me. I don’t recall seeing or hearing about rinse aid products when I was a child, nor do I recall there being a special spot in the dishwasher where you were supposed to deposit one of these products. I’ve ignored the rinse aid reservoirs in the dishwashers I’ve had access to during my … [Read more...] about Is Rinse Aid in Your Dishwasher Really Beneficial?
cleaning tips
Revisions and Customizations to My Cleaning Schedule
After sharing back in October of 2013 about my inability to find an effective cleaning schedule, I quickly learned that many of you shared the same struggle! My solution was to develop a cleaning schedule that was unique to my needs. My biggest quibble with the cleaning schedules I had seen previously was that they had various cleaning … [Read more...] about Revisions and Customizations to My Cleaning Schedule
Interpreting Laundry Care Symbols
Last week I got a new clothing item for my daughter. This was a unique item (ScratchSleeves), so I wanted to be sure I didn’t damage it when I washed it. Unfortunately, I was very confused by the laundering instructions provided with the item: I had to search a bit, but I figured out what all these symbols mean. There are actually a … [Read more...] about Interpreting Laundry Care Symbols
Handling the Endless Work of Homemaking
Not long after I got married I realized that the work of a homemaker is never complete. There is no 9-to-5 work schedule. There are no days off for the weekends or holidays. There aren’t even meal breaks. Instead, the sink fills with dishes every day—especially on weekends and holidays. The clothes hamper refills with dirty clothes as … [Read more...] about Handling the Endless Work of Homemaking
Line Drying Clothes Indoors
When we first got married, my husband was surprised to find that I hang some of my clothes on racks to dry them instead of using the dryer. Though he encouraged me to toss them in the dryer for convenience, I've continued line drying a significant amount of my clothing. Of course, it would be easier to line dry clothes on an outdoor … [Read more...] about Line Drying Clothes Indoors
Safe and Effective Spider Control
I can tolerate spiders outdoors because I know they are part of a balanced ecosystem, but it’s another story when they come indoors. We’ve been seeing quite a few—many of which are large—in our home this spring. Commercially available pesticides are a quick and effective way to kill spiders, but they’re not exactly a safe and healthy … [Read more...] about Safe and Effective Spider Control
The Scents in a Home with a God-Honoring Aura
We’ve already looked at how the sounds in a home impact its aura (read about this here and here). Today let’s consider the influence of scents. While the scents in a home do not by themselves make its aura, they certainly do impact it. Many of us would be frustrated, agitated, and less productive if surrounded by unpleasant odors. You … [Read more...] about The Scents in a Home with a God-Honoring Aura
Common Housekeeping Conundrums: Gunk on the Soleplates of Irons
After a clothes iron has been used for some time, residue (clothing fibers, hard water deposits, dust, etc.) builds up on its soleplate. This residue causes the iron to drag and can sometimes stain clothing. We were experiencing this problem, so I did some research and came across several suggestions for how to clean the soleplate. I … [Read more...] about Common Housekeeping Conundrums: Gunk on the Soleplates of Irons
