the cleaning pro

Over the years, I’ve tried a lot of different methods for cleaning dirty window blinds. In my experience, you have to really want to have spotless blinds to bother even attempting this, because blind washing isn’t a lot of fun. It takes time and elbow grease. I have found two methods that work well. You need a bathtub for method one. If you don’t have a bathtub, skip to method two. Also remember…

Photo by Anna Shvets on Pexels.com So many cleaning supplies. The grocery store where I shop has an entire aisle dedicated to cleaning chemicals and gadgets. Some have pretty packaging, some are pretty colors (think pink, green, blue), some are big, some are small. The question is: do we need so much stuff to clean a house? In a word: no. It seems everyone is looking for a faster, easier way to…

A very wise man gave me this inspiring advice many years ago: Never volunteer to do anything. You’ll get stuck doing it forever. At the time I thought this pearl of wisdom was pretty darn cynical. These past few years have taught me otherwise. See, I got caught up in something called cat rescue. It was fairly unintentional. Or I should say, I didn’t mean to get in so deep. It just happened. And…

Anyone who has toiled in the TNR trenches for very long has encountered at least one Indvidual who falls into the category I refer to as “the Resisters”. These are the people who reach out for assistance with spay/neuter of (almost always) a large number of cats and then, at some point, begin resisting your efforts to help. This “Help Me, No Don’t Help Me!” pattern is troubling on many…

The Philosophy of Cleaning

We’re into that magical time of year when the holidays are in the rear-view mirror and summer fun is far away on the horizon, leaving us with this wonderful window of time to purge! Which brings me to the topic at hand: the Philosophy of Cleaning. What is the point of cleaning, after all? The house just gets dirty again. Clutter somehow reshuffles and ends up back where it started in the middle…

The Warehouse Where We Keep the Cats

Feral kitty!! Our Rescue’s main objective is Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR). Our website and social media accounts provide information about what we do, and we have an assistance form to help streamline requests. Nevertheless, one of the top ten messages we receive are from people asking us to “come get” cats. Which always leaves me wondering what anyone thinks we would do with them — put them in the…

Free + Kittens = Problem

The proliferation of any species is dependent on the basic biologic urge to reproduce. In the case of cats, spay/neuter is a key element in eliminating this urge, which directly reduced the suffering brought about by overpopulation. It’s a very simple equation: fewer breeding animals equals fewer animals born outside or cast aside. The inverse is equally simple: free + kittens = problem. I…

The Oblivious, Until They Notice, and Then it’s Urgent

It’s been a really long time that I have been doing this TNR thing. Years and years. In that time, I’ve met many nice people who care about animals. I couldn’t begin to describe how heartening it is to exchange stories with these nice people and generally commiserate with them about our common and ever-present annoyance at those who just don’t get it. And worse, those who make it worse. Having…

It’s Thanksgiving Pre-Game Cleanup Time!

It’s that time of year again! Yes, you guessed it: it’s time for the annual Thanksgiving pre-game house cleanup! The holidays are looming on the horizon, beginning with the traditional turkey day kickoff, and you’re probably wondering how on earth you’ll ever get everything done. Rest easy, there’s still plenty of time to get your house in order. Here’s a motivator to spur you into action: when…

Microfiber: Miracle or Mistake?

Photo by Kelly L on Pexels.com Microfiber has become the wonder product of our time when it comes to house cleaning supplies. Microfiber cleaning cloths, mops, and dusters are all the rage. It can’t be argued that microfiber has benefits when it comes to house cleaning. It’s got many wonderous qualities. But I urge you to weigh the pros and cons carefully, and consider whether microfiber is a…

Is Spring Cleaning Necessary?

Ah spring! Finally, it’s time to open the windows and let the fresh air inside. For many energetic individuals, it’s time to get busy sprucing up our homes. Others wonder: is spring cleaning necessary? We all have our own cleaning style. Factors to take into account: frequency, thoroughness, and attitude. Some people tolerate more dirt and disorder than others. Some clean so thoroughly each and…

Clean Away the Winter Blahs

When the weather outside makes you want to stay inside, it’s a perfect opportunity to clean. Staying productive and active is important for your mental health during winter months, and the byproduct is getting your home into shape. Here is some inspiration for ways to clean away the winter blahs. Organize Closets Organizing a closet can become a very time-consuming task, depending on various…

With the holidays disappearing in the rear-view mirror, it’s time to clean up the mess they left behind. Some folks get right to their post-holiday cleanup on December 26th. Others aren’t quite so motivated. If you’re in the latter group, it’s time to get busy. Get Motivated Cleaning up after the holidays doesn’t have to be a drag if you can get yourself into the proper frame of mind. Look at…

Keep it Clean, Keep it Simple

Life gets complicated fast. You wake up in the morning, your feet hit the floor, and from there on out the action is nonstop. House cleaning doesn’t always take top priority. The unfortunate aftereffect is a home that doesn’t get the attention it needs. But it doesn’t have to be this way. To keep it clean, keep it simple. Make it a Priority, Simply  Having a clean home means making cleaning a…

Strangely enough, house cleaning means different things to different people. One person’s perfectly acceptable clean house is, to someone else, appallingly dirty. House cleaning doesn’t have to be a subjective experience. This step by step cleaning maid simple approach will get everyone on the same page.

Before You Clean: Declutter

Picking up and putting away or throwing away miscellaneous…

House Cleaning 101 Introduction to Making Your Home Shiny and Clean

If you’re a total cleaning novice, you’re in the right place. This is House Cleaning 101, the introductory course to making your home shiny and clean. Cleaning is both simple and complicated at the same time. At its core, house cleaning is quite simply the means through which dirt and other unwanted substances are removed from your living space.

There are also many nuances to cleaning which make…