• Pull cushions off and vacuum deck of furniture making sure to get into corners …. sometimes there’s a bonus to be had! Once my prince left me a $5.00 tip, I treated myself to a latte!
• Vacuum cushions, backs and outside weekly if possible
• Rotate or at very least flip the cushions for even wear
• Spot clean stains (again according to manufactures directions) immediately
• Use arm covers when possible.
• Refrain from having Fito join you on your favorite sofa or chair. As lovable as Fito is his claws are damaging.
• At least once a year get under that sofa or chair and vacuum the under fabric of the piece.

• Clean up spills immediately, do not let a spill dry.
• Pull cushions off and vacuum deck of furniture making sure to get into corners ….
• Dust leather, do not use saddle soap, cleaning solvents, furniture polish…….basically just dust it! If you have a small dried spill you can use a little bit of ivory soap on a warm sponge, but dry after the spill is removed.
• Leather cushions can’t be flipped, leather needs to breath so the bottoms of the cushions are usually a fabric. Do although, rotate the cushions if possible.
• Also if possible keep Garfield off the leather, especially if he has claws!
• Also once a year get under the piece and vacuum the under side.

• Fill your bathtub with warm water and ‘Mr. Clean’ or your favorite dish washing detergent.
• Use a small sponge to wash vanes, careful not to bend them.
• Allow water to drain and turn on shower head to rinse thoroughly
• Hang blinds outside on clothesline or fold over a deck railing.

For wood blinds

• Simply wipe down with a damp sponge
• Avoid submersing in a tub of warm water unless the blind is a synthetic with faux wood graining.

Roller shades, most are made from a synthetic material such as vinyl or polyester.

• Wipe shade down with a dampened soft cloth
• Again a mixture of warm water and dish washing detergent works best
• Always test material for color fastness before the cleaning workout, think of it as your stretching warm up

• Beck
• Check
• Deck
• Heck
• Neck
• Reck……or Wreck
• Tech

• Examine the deck for any soft rotted deck boards including railings, floor boards, joists and fascia. Replace any rotted, dangerously split or horribly warped boards. Rotted boards are easy to find, just give the wood a gentle stab with a screw driver or awl……..if it sinks, well the board is sunk~be ready to replace that board! Once the inspection is complete and repairs made, you are ready to dive in!
• Don the safety glasses and prepare to remove any loose paint or stain
• With your gloves on use a flat paint scrapper to remove any loose stain or paint. What doesn’t come off with scraping you’ll need to sand.
• Now clean your deck! Preferably with an oxygen bleached base cleaner…this will remove dirt, grime, mildew and greying that occurred from sun damage and age.
• Protect surrounding landscaping with drop cloths ……… the cleaner can be damaging to your precious plant life!
• Mix cleaner according to manufactures instructions, wear glove and eye protection.
• Apply cleaner to the deck work in smaller sections giving the cleanser time to work, again follow the instructions from the manufacture …….. they do know what they are talking about! Allowing the product to do its job will make your job easier.
• When the cleanser has worked for its suggested time take a stiff broom to scrub the deck clean. Follow the grain of the wood.
• Rinse and repeat until the entire deck is clean
• Your deck should dry for 24 hours before applying new stain or paint, also keep an eye to the sky (or your local weather channel) it best to not stain just before it rains…..most stains take 2 to 4 hours to dry.
• When staining or painting your deck, start with your railing and work you way down to the deck. This will keep your clean up with drips from the railings & spindles on the old deck finish not the new one!
• I like to leave the paint or stain to cure for a couple days before I return the patio furniture to the deck.

Not so bad huh? Now what rhymes with Leg Press……………

• Hire a professional if you aren’t comfortable or stable on a ladder or roof. Saftey First!
• Gutters should be cleaned twice a year. Spring & Fall
• You can access the gutter from the roof if the pitch isn’t too steep or from a ladder. If you use a ladder that leans against the gutter make sure you protect the gutter with a short (18″-24″) 2X4 scrap piece of lumber inside the gutter. This will prevent the gutter from crushing. You can also simply use a ladder standoff.
• Arm yourself with heavy work gloves. The edges of the gutters can be very sharp not to mention its an ugly, messy job! I don’t like to mess up my nails!
• Scoop out loose debris working away from the down spout drop into a bucket hanging on your ladder. I use a garden trowel for the scooping!
• Spray out the gutter with a high pressure nozzle on then end of garden hose working your way back toward the down spout. If you thought the step above was messy……well this one is worse. Protect your eyes, gunk is going to fly everywhere! Try not to get it all over your house! You’ll be making more work for yourself.
• If you have gutter slime caked in the bottom of the gutter you may need to use a scrub brush to work it clean then rinse again.
• If all goes well, the water will run freely down the down spout!
• If the water is bubbling up at the end of the gutter downspout and not freely flowing, try spraying the hose directly down the down spout to work free the clog. If you day just isn’t going your way and its still backed up…. use a plumbers auger (snake) to work the clog free!

There ya be! Clean gutters! Keep up the great work, we’ll be moving into more serious work out soon!

• Mineral build up on glass doors can be removed with white vinegar. if build up is too heavy consider a harsher cleaner specifically for lime & mineral build up. Always try these products in an inconspicuous area before you drive in completely.
• Replace vinyl shower curtain liners every 6 months or sooner if build up of mildew and scum is excessive.

Floor & wall tile, nothing is worse than bathroom tile that’s dingy or worse yet

• Clean tile with mild and ammonia free, non abrasive cleanser
• Clean grout including grout that may have developed mold build up 3/4 cup of bleach to 1 gallon of hot water. Gently scrub with a small scrub brush. Once grout is clean and dry seal with clear concert stain or grout sealer. If the grout can not be cleaned the grout should be removed and the entire wall or floor re-grouted (this could be a tough job and may not be a great warm up for your work out!)

Lime rings on your toilet will make you look like a poor house keeper

• Use a pumice stone or small piece of brick and rub gently along the lime line. This will not scratch the toilet as the porcelain is harder than the brick or pumice stone.
• Take the seat off occasionally and clean well underneath the seat fasteners areas and wash the cones that protect the bolts to the floor.
• Now you’re ready to use your favorite anti-bacterial bleach product for a sparkling Toiddy.

Caulk only creates a fresh clean appearance if it’s in good shape. Not to mention, cracked, crumbling and peeling caulk usually leads to leaks and all kinds of future headaches!

• Scrape away old caulk with a putty knife
• Make sure area is dry and clean
• Cut tip of caulk tube to appropriate size, the bead of caulk made by the tip should fill the crack or seam
• Run a bead of caulk along the crack or seam
• Drag a wet finger tip over the bead to smooth the caulk into the joint. Wipe excess caulk on a wet rag.

Not bad huh? As long as you ventilate the bathroom well you shouldn’t even feel the burn! Well, no burn in your eyes at least! Your arms on the other hand, well they may be sore. If you are ambitious enough to complete this all in one Saturday morning, then treat yourself to some new bath towels or a few accessories. It’s no different than treating myself to a new pair of 7 Jeans when I get to my ideal physical shape! Heck, maybe I’ll add a great pair of black stiletto boots too!

• School starts this week, buy fresh blueberries for the pancakes
• Kids will be out of the house so clean the oven
• Order Ashley’s contacts
• Check on the replacement bases for the front porch columns, need to get those installed and painted before it gets too cold
• Call the chimney sweep its time to have the flues clean and checked
• Which reminds me when was the last time I cleaned the dryer vent?
• Remember to double check the bus schedule
• Did Joe re caulk the kids bathroom tub?~better ask him about that tonight
• Lemon Oil the kitchen cabinets
• Mornings are cooler, Joey may need a new fleece jacket
• Paint the beadboard in the mudroom ……… didn’t I just do that?
• Wash windows ………..
• Powerwash the house (do the power washing before the windows!)
• Order fresh mulch for the gardens….
• Did I remember sandwich bags for lunches?
• Deadhead the perennials and buy mums to freshen up the gardens
• Help Ash compile applications for college
• Take the down comforters to the dry cleaners
• Remind Joe to finish FAFSA paperwork
• Put second coat of stain on deck …….. preferably before the 9.12 breakfast
• Paint porch trim
• Pick tomatoes for another batch of sauce
• Did I return that email to Ed yesterday about NY?
• Rotate the rugs
• Have the driveway re-graded, again!
• Clean gutters
• Buy new work boots