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| Greetings!
They say that April showers bring May flowers. For some of you, though, those showers have taken the shape of major snow storms over the past week. If you are still digging out from the snow drifts, you might be struggling to beat back those winter blahs. In which case, our feature article is definitely a must-read. A Mountain of Motivation is dedicated to helping you find the umph to unclutter and reorganize your home. When you finish removing the clutter, be sure to check out our list of 10 Ways to Turn Your Clutter Into Charity.
While you're here, don't forget about our monthly features: Letters from Our Readers & Using Clean Team Products. Finally, scroll on down to the bottom of this newsletter for a super money-saving offer on our all-in-one Window Cleaning Kit.
Wishing you and your families a wonderful spring season and a meaningful Easter or Passover holiday.
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A Mountain of Motivation
 Spring is officially here. Which means summer is right around the corner. Which means ... there's no better time to get your home into shape.
Clutter is the #1 source of disorganization and disorder in American households. That's a burden that weighs you down -- in more ways than one.
Researchers tell us that there is a connection between shedding the house clutter and losing the body clutter. The theory goes something like this: When your home becomes uncluttered, your life becomes organized. You suddenly have the time to cook healthy meals and the energy to exercise.
Removing clutter from your home creates a sense of peace -- not only in your home, but in your heart. When you achieve this state, you experience less anxiety, less chaos and less temptation to turn to empty calories for comfort.
Sounds good, doesn't it? Remember, though, that an uncluttered home and a clutter-free body are not a mountain that you climb in a day. Maintaining a clutter-less stasis in your home requires weekly (and in some cases daily) efforts; so, too, does keeping your body in its ideal shape. This mountain will be climbed over and over and over again. Each time it will get easier and faster. Each time, the challenge will lessen.
How long will it take?
They say it takes 28 days to form a habit. Whether that's a hard and fast rule remains to be proven by more extensive research, but 28 days certainly provides a nice measurable goal for your first climb up that mountain. If you start taking baby steps today, then by the end of the month of April, you will be well on your way to this lifetime journey.
Where do I start?
By putting one foot in front of the other. Start with one room or one space. Pick the most irksome place in your home -- or maybe the area that slows you down the most. Your singular task right now is to unclutter. Don't allow yourself to get sidetracked by cleaning or organizing. Right now, your job is to remove from your home that which you don't love, need or frequently use. For more tips on how to unclutter, see the Clean Team newsletter from last June, entitled Eight Steps to a Clutter Free Home.
How do I reward myself for a job well done?
When you finish your one-room purge, take a break. Go for a brisk walk around your neighborhood. Prepare a healthy meal for your family. Get a great night's sleep. Engage in an activity that nourishes your body.
How do I make sure it stays uncluttered?
Once the clutter is removed, it's time to create better organizational systems. Remember the old adage: Everything has a place, everything in its place. Don't run out to the container store just yet, though. Look around your room -- with your pared-down belongings, your current storage systems might be more than sufficient.
Hint: If you can't figure out where to put a particular item, ask yourself again: Do I need this? Do I love this? Do I use this? Unless the answer is an unequivocal "Yes!", then it's time to unclutter a bit more.
Finish off the room with a deep and thorough cleaning and then stand back to admire your handiwork. Before you move on to unclutter your next room or space, give yourself a few days to practice maintaining the first one. When you are confident that you won't let things slip, it's time to tackle the next area. Room by room, step by step -- that's how you will conquer this mountain!
If the things that you uncluttered from your home are now cluttering up your garage/car/basement, be sure to check out the article below: 10 Ways to Turn Clutter Into Charity.
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10 Ways to Turn Clutter Into Charity
One of the most satisfying steps uncluttering your home is being able to donate your belongings to those in need. Sure, you might decide to sell some of your higher ticket items on ebay, at a garage sale, or through a consignment store. But remember that caring for others is a wonderful way to care for yourself, too.
Below is a list of ten organizations that you can contact to collect your clutter. Given our current economic situation, these groups will surely have plenty of takers!
1. Goodwill accepts your gently used clothing, appliances and furniture. They are resold at Goodwill retail stores, where the profits provide more than one million disadvantaged Americans with education, training and career services.
2. The Salvation Army accepts good condition household items, furniture and clothing and resells them to the community at bargain prices. 100% of the profits are used to fund the Army's addiction recovery programs.
3. One Warm Coat accepts used and new coats (think: all those kids coats that no longer fit your children!) and donates them to Americans in need of warm winter wear. Find a donation center near you by following this link.
4. The National Cristina Foundation is the ideal place to donate your used computers, software and peripherals. The Foundation rehabs your old technology to donate to people with disabilities, students at risk and economically disadvantaged persons. The goal: Helping people lead more independent lives. The site even has a convenient online donation process.
5. Cellphones for Soldiers is a great way to put your old cell phones to new use. Collected phones are sent to ReCellular, which pays Cell Phones for Soldiers in prepaid calling cards for U.S. troops stationed oversees. Each donated phone earns enough minutes for a soldier to talk for one hour.
6. Collective Good accepts cell phones, PDAs and pagers for responsible recycling or refurbishment. Refurbished mobile technology is utilized to provide affordable wireless service throughout developing countries.
7. Reader to Reader accepts books and multimedia for donation to schools and libraries across the United States. The organization is based in Amherst, Massachusetts and accepts dropped-off donations -- or you can mail your books from anywhere in the country. (Hint: Ask your post office about their inexpensive book rates.)
8. Help1Up comes to your home, removes your used furniture, gives you a tax-deductible receipt, and then donates your things to families in need. Click here to find a Help1Up furniture bank near you.
9. ASPCA is America's oldest humane organization, rescuing dogs, cats and other domesticated animals. Bring your old linens, bedding and towels to the animal shelter nearest you. They will be put to good use in lining animal cages. The ASPCA will also accept donations of unused pet food, bowls and toys.
10. Dress For Success will donate your gently used women's business attire and accessories to disadvantaged women. The goal: To empower women with the wardrobe they need to succeed in the professional workforce. Click here for information on how to donate in your community.
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Letters From Our Readers
What a testimony for red juice! I brought home a
highchair my stepdaughter no longer wanted with the intention of
taking it to our favorite childrens' resale shop. I could see
it needed cleaning, so I removed and sprayed the tray, then the seat
cover/pad and then sprayed the chair liberally. By the time I
turned back to the tray I was appalled at the amount of filth that
had bubbled up. I sprayed and wiped down everything twice and
it is now reassembled and sparkly clean to take to the resale
shop.
And red juice is so gentle on the hands it never irritates the
skin like many of the other cleaners out there. And no
horrible smell/fumes.
-- Cecilia
Do you have a question about what products or techniques to use to clean your home? In next month's newsletter, we'll be answering our readers' house cleaning questions, so send me your queries to jeff@thecleanteam.com.
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Using Clean Team Products
Tile Brush
A good tile brush is definitely a handy thing to have around the house -- especially one that has so many uses beyond just scrubbing tile. That's exactly what the Clean Team's Tile Brush is!
The Clean Team has been purchasing our tile brush from the same great Midwest company for over 20 years. Originally it was used as a dairy brush and had a wood handle. Over the years, the handle became plastic and its most popular use has been as an automotive wheel brush.
We obviously aren't using the brush to clean cows or car wheels! Instead, we have discovered that this excellent brush is the best tile brush we have ever tried. It's also a great counter brush, especially if you have tile counters. And it's ideal for scrubbing rough surfaces like concrete floors and window screens.
My favorite thing about our Tile Brush is the bristles. They are sufficiently stiff to dig into grout lines and they point forward, making them perfect for tough-to-reach corners. The bristles even stay stiff after they have been wet and dried many, many times -- making the Tile Brush the perfect choice for frugal homemakers.
Despite its many advantages, there are a few things you need to keep in mind when using the Tile Brush:
- Be careful not to bear down too hard (good advice for any cleaning brush). Extra pressure splays the bristles. A light touch, on the other hand, allows you to feel it as the bristles dig into the dirt lurking within the grout lines.
- Also remember that even a work-horse like the Tile Brush will eventually need to be replaced. You can see when it wears out by inspecting it visually, but you will also know because your cleaning will take longer and longer and be less effective.
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April Special Offer
Spring Clean Your Windows for Less!
Our Clean Windows Kit with FREE Microfiber Cloth includes:
~ Pivoting Squeegee with 14" Blade and Channel Set
~ 14" Window Scrubber Complete
~ Double Bucket
~ Spring Cleaning Book (including complete window cleaning instructions)
~ Plus, as a limited offer in April, receive a FREE Glass & Mirror Cloth
In April, our Clean Windows Kit is only $68.36!
That's 5% off the regular kit price of $71.95 (plus the regular 5% kit savings). And you get a FREE Microfiber Cloth! Your total savings is $11.39!!
To receive the discount, just make sure that you have selected item #K4502S in your basket ... and the savings are yours to enjoy!
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Thanks for reading us this month! Come visit us on the web at www.thecleanteam.com.
Sincerely,
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Jeff Campbell
The Clean Team Catalog |
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