These cleaning tips are meant to help you stay on budget easily no matter how busy you are. Moms who work outside the home, or even stay at home moms with children may find themselves struggling with those regular daily chores. Instead of giving in to the desire to hire help, check these tips first to make the most of your budget and time.
Budget Cleaning Tips For Busy Moms
Create a chore chart for yourself that is divided by day and times.
When you’re busy, it’s hard to find enough time to get everything done. Your to-do list of chores can seem very overwhelming. When you take the time to create a list of all of your chores, you can easily create a chart that will break things down into small increments each day that make it more manageable.
Break down your chore list by daily, weekly and monthly tasks. Things like trash, dishes and general pickup can be done daily. Weekly chores might be vacuuming, dusting or cleaning bathrooms. Monthly tasks can include things like deep cleaning (baseboards and walls), ceiling fans, light fixtures and similar items.
Currently, my weekly cleaning schedule looks like this:
Monday: Laundry day
Tuesday: Bathroom day
Wednesday: Vacuum and wash floors
Thursday: Dust
Friday: Wash sheets and towels
Saturday & Sunday: Catch up days
I find that following this schedule keeps my home presentable especially when I do dishes and tidy up daily.
Make your own homemade cleaning products.
There is a lot of savings in making your own homemade cleaning products. You will always have what you need on hand and won’t have to worry about having to run out to grab more in the midst of a cleaning project. Laundry detergents, fabric softeners, dish soap, sanitizing spray, bleach spray and even shower and bathroom cleaner can all be made with basic ingredients like vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, borax and essential oils.
Instead of buying a different product for each task, find cleaning agents that work on multiple surfaces. This saves you both time and money. Homemade cleaners are a great way to do this, but there are many quality multi-purpose cleaners on the market to choose from if making your own isn’t something you care to do. I happen to really like the Method All Purpose cleaner.
Get the kids involved with some chores.
Children are often much better at chores than you initially think. Assign them a few simple daily chores and hold them responsible for basic things like cleaning their room, sorting their laundry and feeding their pets. They need to learn responsibility for their possessions and the need the help around the house. This is a win-win solution.
Recycle when at all possible.
There are tons of great ways to recycle (or upcycle) that are also excellent cleaning tips for around your home. Things like using old sheets and towels to create cleaning rags, or even using old laundry detergent containers to make your own homemade versions. Recycle when possible to keep your costs low. The bonus is that recycling like this is great for the environment and helps you teach your kids about responsibility in another area of their life.
These cleaning tips are ideal for busy moms on a budget. Think outside the box to get your family involved so keeping house isn’t as huge of a chore when you’re busy with other things in life. Grab supplies and make large batches of homemade cleaners and watch as your home stays clean and your budget in tact.
Laundry can be an especially time consuming task. Short of hiring someone to do the laundry for you, it’s difficult to keep caught up on the piles that never seem to get smaller.
Today, I have some brilliant laundry hacks that you’re sure to enjoy since they may make the task of laundry easier for you! You can even click on the image below and print out the PDF so you have it on hand:
Need something dried in a hurry? Throw a fluffy dry towel in the dryer with wet clothes to speed up the process.
Reduce time spent doing laundry by ensuring that you are using a product that will leave your clothes clean and crisp the first time. Arm & Hammer™ Liquid Laundry Detergent removes dirt, odours and leaves clothes feeling refreshed.
Solve the lost sock mystery by putting dirty socks in a mesh bag before they go in the wash. This will keep pairs together and ensure no sock goes MIA!
Add a tennis ball or aluminum foil ball to your dryer when you run out of dryer sheets. This helps eliminate static and keeps your clothes fluffy.
Tired of spills, sticky messes and hauling heavy bottles? Try using a unit dose laundry detergent such as ARM & HAMMER™ plus OxiClean™ Power Paks to help save you time and eliminate mess. Simply toss in a convenient unit dose pak and watch it dissolve quickly and start to work within seconds, leaving your clothes clean and fresh.
Get the kids to help with folding. Have them fold while watching television or listening to music to make it more entertaining while taking one more thing off your plate!
Keep a clipboard and pen near the washing machine to jot down tips and reminders. For instance, remind your family about a nasty stain that needs to be pre-treated before washed or call out delicates that should be hung to dry
Save money on your energy bill by washing your clothes in cold water when possible and using a cold water-specific detergent, such as, ARM & HAMMER™ Cold Water Liquid Laundry Detergent. Cold water is not only more energy efficient, it can also be gentler on your clothes helping them last longer by reducing fading and shrinkage.
Tired of sorting dirty clothes? Use dedicated baskets, one for whites and one for darks. Simply place your clothes in the correct basket as you go, instead of having to pick through the basket when you go to do a load.
Speed up washing and drying time by selecting the correct settings for each load. Choose a lower water setting when possible and avoid a second rinse cycle.
On top of these helpful hacks, Arm & Hammer has a brand new money-saving digital rewards program that they want you to know about! This reward program is simple to use, great for on-the-go families and allows users to redeem credits for an amazing selection of prizes. Here are the details you need to know:
Q: What is the rewards program?
A: Every time you purchase two or more ARM & HAMMER Laundry products on a single receipt and upload your receipt via text or online, you’ll be entered for a chance to win the exciting grand prize of $10,000 CDN. You’ll also be entered for a chance to win the monthly prize of $1,000 CDN and weekly giveaways of $100 CDN gift cards. Once uploaded, you’ll also receive credits that can be redeemed for digital rewards.
Q: Are purchases from any store valid for the program?
A: Yes, purchases from any store selling the products are valid for digital rewards.
Q: How and where do I upload my receipts?
A: To enter,
Text:
Text 16 SIMPLE or 16 NATURE or 16 MACHINE to 76477 and follow the instructions
Register for the program or login to track your records
Submit a photo of the receipt for verification to receive credits and be entered for a chance to win
Register for the program or login to track your records
Once your receipt has been verified and the registration process is complete you will receive credits and be entered for a chance to win
Q: How many credits can I earn with my purchase?
A: Buy 2 Arm & Hammer Liquid Laundry Detergent and get 1 credit
Buy 2 Arm & Hammer Plus Oxiclean unit dose and get 2 credits
Buy 2 AArm & Hammer Plus Oxiclean unit dose plus 1 Arm & Hammer Liquid Laundry Detergent and get 3 credits
Q: What are the prizing options?
A: There is a wide selection of prizes and rewards. Credits are redeemable for music, movies, mobile apps, eBooks, and various other digital content. You’ll also be entered into random draws for a chance to win:
Weekly prizes of $100 CDN Visa Gift Cards
Monthly prizes of $1,000 CDN
A grand prize of $10,000 CDN
Q: When does the program begin and end?
A: The program begins on June 6, 2016 and ends on August 28, 2016
Disclaimer – This is a sponsored post brought to you by Arm & Hammer. All opinions are 100% my own.
Chocolate mint is one of those herbs that’s almost impossible not to love. This easy-to-grow perennial spreads quickly, meaning once you plant it, you’ll likely have plenty to enjoy year after year. With its refreshing minty scent mixed with rich chocolate notes, it smells just as delicious as it sounds!
Whether you already grow chocolate mint or are thinking about adding it to your garden, there are so many fun and practical ways to use it. From recipes and drinks to homemade treats and more, this versatile herb can quickly become a favourite in your kitchen and garden.
Here are 8 creative uses for chocolate mint that you’ll definitely want to try!
1. Use it as a dessert garnish.
Chocolate mint makes a beautiful garnish for cakes, cupcakes, brownies, and cookies. Not only does it add a pop of fresh green color, but it also gives desserts a subtle minty-chocolate aroma that smells absolutely amazing.
2. Add it to shakes and ice cream.
Chocolate mint is delicious blended into homemade milkshakes, smoothies, and ice cream recipes. The natural oils in the leaves add a refreshing mint flavour with a hint of chocolate that tastes incredibly decadent. Just be sure to give it a good rinse before using.
3. Freeze it in ice cubes.
Want to make your drinks feel extra fancy? Freeze chocolate mint leaves into ice cubes! They add beautiful color to beverages while slowly releasing flavour as the ice melts. These are perfect for summer parties, garden gatherings, or even homemade popsicles.
4. Add it to your cocktails.
Chocolate mint is a fun twist on traditional mint in drinks like mojitos, iced teas, lemonades, or sparkling water recipes. Muddle a few fresh leaves into your drink for a refreshing flavour boost, or simply use a sprig as a garnish to make any beverage feel a little more special.
5. Make mint infused oil.
You can easily make your own chocolate mint infused oil by soaking fresh leaves and stems in almond oil or coconut oil. The finished oil can be used in homemade beauty products, massage oils, or even certain dessert recipes and fruit salads. Keep in mind that mint can create a cooling or tingling sensation on the skin.
6. Mix it in with your homemade bath products.
Chocolate mint works wonderfully in DIY bath and body products. Add crushed or dried mint leaves to homemade sugar scrubs, bath salts, body butters, or soaps for a refreshing scent and soothing feel. It’s an easy way to make homemade products feel extra luxurious.
7. Dry it for crafting.
Dried chocolate mint can also be used in all kinds of crafts and homemade creations. Add it to candles, potpourri, sachets, lotions, or other DIY projects for a fresh scent and natural touch of color.
To dry your mint, simply gather it into small bundles and hang it upside down in a cool, dry place until fully dried.
8. Use it in warm beverages.
Fresh or dried chocolate mint makes a refreshing herbal tea that tastes lightly sweet and minty without needing much added sugar. IT would also taste amazing added to coffee or hot chocolate! Steep a few leaves in hot coffee, lattes, or homemade hot chocolate for a cozy mocha-mint flavour.
Chocolate mint is such a fun and versatile herb to grow, and once you start using it, you’ll probably find yourself wanting even more of it in your garden. Which of these creative uses for chocolate mint are you excited to try first?
Lemon balm is a perennial herb that grows thick, bushy and abundantly. It smells great, is super tasty, and has a variety of fun uses. If you’re wanting to create an herb garden, lemon balm should definitely be included on your plant list.
Because it grows so abundantly, you might be searching for ideas on how to put it to use. Here are 10 uses for lemon balm that you’re sure to enjoy:
To Repel Mosquitoes
Lemon Balm is a great herb to have in your outdoor living spaces because it’s known for repelling those pesky mosquitoes! I currently have Lemon Balm in a planter with some colorful annuals next to our patio table. You could also try rubbing a few leaves over your arms and legs so the lemon scent is on your skin, warding off the mosquitoes.
Simple Syrup
Each summer I like to make up a batch of simple syrup so I can enjoy some delicious summery drinks. Sometimes I like to add some lemon balm leaves for an extra special treat. All you need is
1 cup of packed lemon balm leaves
1 cup of water
1 cup of sugar
Bring all the ingredients to a boil for 1 minute, until sugar is dissolved.
Remove from heat and cover.
Let stand 30 minutes.
Strain the leaves from the syrup.
Store the syrup in the refrigerator.
I like to use the mixture in lemonade and iced tea or in club soda to make Italian sodas.
To make Tea
Dried or fresh lemon balm leaves are great for making a calming tea. Lemon balm is also known for fighting colds and flu so drinking a cup of lemon balm tea is sure to make you feel good!
Infused Honey
To make lemon balm infused honey, pack a jar half full of lemon balm leaves then fill it up with honey. Let the mixture sit for a month or so before straining. This infused honey is perfect for using in tea, desserts, and more.
For Cold Sores
Lemon balm can be an effective way to treat cold sores. You could create a lip balm by infusing a carrier oil (almond oil, jojoba oil…etc.) with some lemon balm, then combine with some beeswax to get lip balm consistency.
In desserts or fruit salads
Add a few tablespoons of chopped lemon balm leaves to fruit salads to impart some lemony flavor without making it too sour. You could also try mixing some chopped leaves with yogurt to use as topping for fruit salads or for creating parfaits. It’s even yummy in fruit crisps and pies.
Make a Sleepy Time Syrup
Put about 3/4 cup lemon balm leaves into a small pot and add just enough water to cover the leaves. Simmer, covered partially, until the liquid is reduced in half. Strain out the leaves. While still quite warm, measure out about 1/2 cup of the concentrated tea and stir 1/4 cup of honey into it. You can add more honey to taste, if you’s like. Store in the refrigerator for about a week. Dose by the spoonful at night to help calm and relax everyone from children to adults. (Keep in mind that honey should not be given to infants under one year old.)
Use in bath water
How about a nice lemony scented bath? You’ll feel relaxed and refreshed! You could either sprinkle some leaves right in the tub or you could put some in a cloth bag and hang it from the tap. (and let the water run through it while you fill it up.)
Use in iced tea
Another drink I like to make in the summer is Sun Tea. Along with the tea bags, sometimes I like to add some lemon balm or even mint for that matter.
Use to make infused water
It’s crucial to drink a lot of water, but let’s face it, plain water can be boring! Jazz it up by placing some lemon balm leaves and some fruit to your water to make it more exciting to drink.
For those of you that grow lemon balm, what are your favorite ways to use it?
