Made For Survival

For most of us who've made the choice not to have maids (I resolved to remain maid free after my one and only disappeared on a Sunday morning and never returned). Due to financial circumstances or otherwise, cleaning and keeping house can be a daunting task, especially if your kids are sensitive to household dust and allergens, you tend to become even more careful.

There are hundreds of cleaning aids out there to help you out. However, you'll need the eyesight of an eagle to read the label and if you somehow manage to get through that hurdle, you'll need a background in chemistry to understand what's in the bottle.

So how do I manage? Well, you don't need to be a rocket scientist for sure. For a start, you do need a schedule based on rotation chore timetable. Secondly, a good start-up kit, some very basic cleaning aids. You can even make them yourself (the internet offers tonnes of recipes), if not scout around for inexpensive organic brands. Finally, you need to have the determination, courage, strength and a big sense of humour.

*Magic Basket

1. Organic or good quality house hold cleaners
2. A couple of lint-free micro-fibre cloths
3. A medium size bucket and 100 % cotton/sponge mop
4. Lavatory brush and tile grout brush/baby- bottle brush
5. Sand paper block/sponge
6. micro-fibre feather duster
7. Distilled vinegar and Soda Bicarbonate powder
(Located at the baking and oil sections aisles)
8. Leftover toothpaste (any cheapy one will do)
9. Your most precious resources, your kids, maybe hubby and lots of elbow grease...
10. TIME

* HolyCow Organic, Cosway Eco-range, Ecover are a few brands available from organic outlets.
* Selley 3M, Cosway, Tesco, Ace Hardware, Jaya Jusco, Sogo, has a decent selections of micro-fibre cloths. They are available in different sizes. Large ones make good hand/face towels. They are easy to wash, fast drying and super absorbent.
*Micro-fibre/sponge mops are fine if your floor are not terracotta like mine. Mine will chew up the mop.
* Tile grout brush and baby-bottle brush looks similar to toilet brush. Slender and slightly curve at the end. Ideal for hard to reach corners of your shower cubicle and between grout.
* Sand paper block are available from good hardware shop. They remove metallic scuff mark on tile surface and hardwater ring stain in the toilet bowl. Always use them damp and be sure to rinse after using. Can be use on their own or with some soda bicarb powder for tough stains.
* A damp cloth wipe run over the micro duster first ensures every particles of dust gets wipe away.
* A 1: 10 solution of water and vinegar in a spray bottle is great for the quick touch-up. Spray onto any surface (Floor, kitchen counter, Bathroom porcelain fittings, tiles) and wipe. It helps to deodorize and remove oily residue. A small amount of vinegar in a glass jar will deodorize smell from your kitchen cabinet or fridge.
* A mixture(1:10) of essential oil eg lavender, eucalyptus, sandalwood, lemongrass and water makes your homes smelling fresh as if you have brought the outdoors in. In Sri Lanka sandalwood oil is mix with water cleans and refreshes wooden floor. Its anti-pest quality means it's a safer alternative to your petrol-based bug spray. Remember to invest in organic essential oil which is unadulterated.
* Old newspapers are still the cheapest way to bring a shine to your glass doors or window.

TIP:
Get yourself some pretty boxes or better still recycle gift boxes, shoes boxes for these emergencies. Many of the inexpensive boxes are available in myriads of design and textures. My favourite haunt is 100 YEN SHOP (Original $5.00 shop from Japan), Ace Hardware, IKEA , Sogo, Jaya Jusco, Tesco, Carrefour, smaller shops along Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (gorgeous bamboo/reed baskets/boxes) . At home my collection of antique boxes/chests are left around the house to store things, from keys to toys to books and magazines.

BIGGEST TIP:
Spring clean and declutter regularly. Discipline, determination and dedication is the most important if you want to your heavenly abode to resembles those dreamy homes you see on TV. Working smart will save you precious time which you can then spend with your loved ones.

There is a saying " No one is perfect" but there is also another that says " Practice makes perfect"

Have Fun!