Rain on a Tin Roof

Category: Cleaning

Cleaning tips and tricks to decrease your cleaning time and make your life easier.

Clean that Disgustingly Gross Shower with One Single Tool

Apparently, I have no shame.

None. At. All.

Because first I showed you just how dusty, dirty, and messy my house was and now I’m showing you just how disgusting Grunt Labor’s shower is was.

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by HomeRight. However, all opinions and disgustingly gross showers are 100% mine. This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

To be honest, we had both lost all hope for this shower. Since we moved into the beloved foreclosure, its always been in pretty rough shape. I have scrubbed it with every cleaner and scrub brush known to man and it would remove the surface gunk, but not much else. I thought it was just permanently gross.

I was wrong.

It took one single tool to clean this disgusting shower up.

The HomeRight Steam Machine.

No chemical cleaners, nothing else, just good old fashioned steam.

Just so you know how gross this shower was:

Told ya.

And its mainly just on the right side of the shower – the other side hasn’t ever been as bad. Weird.

I started by filling the steam machine up with water.

I let it heat up for a little while.

And then I went to scrubbing.

I was pretty surprised at how easily it just cleaned up the shower pan. The gunk kind of just melted off.

There are two brushes, both came with the steam machine, that I used on the shower. I started with the small regular nylon brush (two nylon brushes come with it).

The nylon brush took off most of the gunk. When I got to some tougher spots, I put on the brass brush.

As you clean your shower, be sure to stop every once and a while and rinse away all the grossness that is collecting – you don’t want it to dry back onto the shower.

Yep, that’s the stuff you want to rinse away. Ewwwww.

I wasn’t really keeping track of the time, but I’m thinking it took me 20 – 30 minutes to really get the shower pan cleaned up good with the steam machine.

Here’s the after of that same area:

And a side by side so your mouth can really hit the floor:

I did not use the steam cleaner on the tile surround in this shower for one reason – its painted.

When we moved into the beloved foreclosure, we painted both my shower tile and Grunt Labor’s. I was a little worried the steam may make some of the paint peel off in his shower, considering some of it already has. However, I have used my HomeRight Steam Mop on the marble tile in my bathroom floor and it has been awesome for cleaning grout.

There was one spot in the shower pan that seems to be permanently stained.

See right there in the bottom right corner? That’s the only place I couldn’t really get it clean. I’m totally cool with that though considering how bad it was before. Grunt Labor and I thought we would be replacing his entire shower pan and tile surround sometime soon. Now, we are thinking that we may be able to just replace his tile surround since the shower pan wasn’t as bad as we thought! Save that money!

Have you used a steam cleaner in your bathroom before? Any tips to share?

Need more cleaning tips?

9+ Must Read Cleaning Tips – for all around your house!

5 Ways to Use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser You Didn’t Know About – these are little gems for cleaning so many things!

How to Get Pet Stains & Odors Out of Your Carpet Without Chemicals – easy!

How I Clean My Entire Kitchen with one single thing – makes cleaning so much easier!

You know you don’t wanna miss any of this crazy.

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December 9, 2014
How to Clean A Ridiculously Gross & Dirty Sidewalk
I am almost ashamed to show you just how gross my sidewalk was.

Almost.

But I know that you guys understand the concept of real life.

Real life that involves neglecting things such as the sidewalk while focusing on much more important and fun things such as a kitchen makeover or just chasing around the circus at the park.

When we bought the beloved foreclosure, the exterior was the last thing on our minds. It may not have been that pretty, but there was nothing wrong with it and we would have rather had a functional kitchen and bathroom rather than a pretty exterior.

So we didn’t really touch the exterior except for some painting on the porch and a semi-makeover on the screened-in porch.

This summer I kicked the screened-in porch up quite a few notches with a complete (and super colorful) makeover.

And then I looked at our sidewalk.

And realized just how disgustingly gross it was.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by HomeRight and Thompson’s provided me with their products. However, all opinions and ridiculously dirty sidewalks are 100% mine. This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

You guys.

I had no idea just how dirty my sidewalk was until after it was cleaned.

Here is the before:

I knew there were some stains and a strange funk growing on it, but I had no idea how it was really supposed to look. Honestly guys, I don’t think that this sidewalk had been cleaned in at least 15 years.

I’m trying to be optimistic on that timeframe. I’m probably wrong.

Grunt Labor doesn’t think that it was ever cleaned before now.

Here’s how we cleaned this bad boy up.

How to Clean a Sidewalk

Supplies Needed:
- Concrete / Sidewalk Cleaner (I used Thompson’s Oxy Foaming Action)
- Tank Sprayer (I used my HomeRight Tank Sprayer)
- Large Scrub Brush (I used my HomeRight Deck Washer)
- Water Hose
Steps

Step 1

Give your sidewalk a light scrubbing with the scrub brush to remove any loose dirt or grass and loosen up any stuck on dirt.

Step 2

You don’t want your sidewalk to be soaking wet, only lightly wet when you apply the cleaner. Let your sidewalk dry for a bit and mix up your cleaner. The cleaner must be used within an hour of mixing it, so don’t mix it until right before you are ready to use it.

I filled up my tank sprayer with two gallons of hot water (hot water is recommended) and added in eight capfuls of the oxy foaming cleaner. The directions say to use at least three capfuls per gallon or four capfuls per gallon if you have a very dirty area.

As y’all well know, mine was ridiculously dirty.

Step 3

Shake up your tank to dissolve all the cleaner crystals and spray the cleaner onto your sidewalk.

Let the cleaner sit for 5-10 minutes depending on how dirty your sidewalk is. I let mine sit for the full ten minutes.

While you are waiting, you can use the time to clean off your driveway with the deck brush.

I found it to be pretty perfect for that.

Step 4

After the allotted time, give the area you sprayed a good scrubbing with just the brush. You will literally see the dirt and grime lift off the concrete. After you have scrubbed it good, turn on the water to your brush and scrub some more while rinsing the sidewalk off.

Step 5

Depending on how dirty your sidewalk is, you may have to repeat the cleaning process twice. I did. After the second cleaning, I still had these little black spots lingering just near the porch steps.

Since this sidewalk hadn’t been cleaned in the history of ever, they weren’t budging very easily. Grunt Labor did a quick run over of those spots near the steps with a pressure washer.

Here is our after:

Why hello, nice and pretty sidewalk.

It’s nice to meet you.

I’m the one who neglected you for the past three years.

The cleaning and scrubbing removed a huge amount of dirt and grime and brightened it up like nobody’s business.

Need more cleaning tips?

How to Clean Concrete Blocks– clean up all those landscaping blocks!

How to Remove Rust and Polish Chrome– you won’t believe how much rust I got off this one chair!

9+ Must Read Cleaning Tips– all sorts of cleaning tips for around the house!

You know you don’t wanna miss any of this crazy.

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August 25, 2014
How I turned into a Chemical-Free Floor Cleanin’ Fool

Let me be honest with you for a moment.

I am not a “Granola Mom”.

I am not the mom that is worrying about her child getting too dirty or even eating dirt for that matter. Yea, it happened once.

I don’t worry too much about scheduling playdates – she has the dog.

Yes, I let my child eat frozen foods and things that have all sorts of preservatives and all those other big words people say are bad for you all the time. I figure I turned out ok, so what harm is it going to do? I don’t let her veg out on cookies all day, but if she wants a frozen waffle for dinner, who am I to say no? She doesn’t want me to heat it up first? Whatever. I mean Nick ate frozen french fries as a child. He’s ok. Kind of.

And if all we have time for on the way to preschool is a Nutri-Grain bar that she’s eating as we walk out the door, so be it. In my defense, this kid loves fruit and she eats the heck out of it all the time. That has to count for something.

Furthermore, I am not usually a “Granola Cleaner.” Y’all, I’m from the South. Buying Ammonia by the case for spring cleaning ~~was~~ is commonplace. They just check your id to make sure you aren’t a Meth maker. I’m pretty sure the 80 year old lady with perfectly coifed hair driving a Cadillac isn’t a meth maker, but hey, who am I to say? Those Cadys are pretty big – it could be a mobile Meth lab. I personally haven’t ever used ammonia – can’t stand the smell – but I’ve seen multiple women walking out of the Dollar General loaded down with Ammonia in their buggies.

Let me be clear for a second, I am not hatin’ on the Granola Moms. In fact, I commend you. I bow down in your presence. You are a far better mom and homemaker than I ever will be. I’m just lazy. Its much easier to reach for the Spic ‘N Span than whip up some organic concoction.

Until now.

I am happy to say that I am now a chemical-free floor cleanin’ fool.

Of course, I’m not whipping up any organic concoctions (I wouldn’t even know how to go about that), but I am using one chemical-free ingredient while cleaning my floors now.

Water.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by HomeRight. However, all opinions and references to Granola Moms are 100% mine. This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

Friends, let me introduce you to the HomeRight SteamMachine Plus.

The only tool you will ever need to steam clean anything.

Let me reiterate only tool and steam clean anything.

Watch and learn friends, watch and learn.

I started out by cleaning the marble on my bathroom floors. All you need to do first is attach the cloth pad to the bottom of the steam mop head.

It simply attaches by velcro. So hard.

Next, fill up your water tank.

Squeeze the buttons on either side of the tank, twist off the cap and fill the tank with water. Replace the tank to the cleaner.

Plug the machine in and press the power button that is just above the water tank.

Once you power it on, it will light up with an orange-y color (photo on left). The steam is ready to go when the light turns blue (photo on right). Seriously y’all, I think it took about a minute for my water to heat up. This thing is fast.

Then go to work.

Pull the trigger button on the handle to release steam. Did you notice how flexible this thing is? It pivots like nobody’s business.

Oh, so you want to do some deep cleaning, eh?

No problem. The unit transforms into a handheld steamer at the click of a button. Push the button just above the blue portion to release the tank. Attach one of the included accessories as desired (I used the round brush scrubber for my tile). Hit the button on the back to release steam. On a side note, please turn the unit off as you are attaching the accessories. I, ummm, didn’t, and accidentally mashed the button at the same time I was putting on the brush, and well, steam burns…

You want to clean your hardwoods, you say?

Not a problem, either. If you follow me on Instagram, I posted a similar photo to the one above. The left photo was spilled milk. See, I was trying to be a better mom and actually feed the kid before leaving for preschool. Mistake. I turned around, wasn’t looking, and my arm slammed right into a sippy cup full of milk. I soaked some of it up, then decided I would give the SteamMachine Plus a whirl on it. It was heated up and had it cleaned in no time.

You want to freshen up your carpet now?

Yes, my friends, it can do that too. Attach the gliding accessory over the pad and go to town.

Thank you HomeRight SteamMachine Plus, for making me into a chemical-free floor cleanin’ fool.

I hear the kid. I have to go make sure we have cereal bars for breakfast. Or maybe a frozen sausage biscuit….

Need more cleaning tips? Be sure to see these then…

How to Get Pet Stains & Odors out of your carpet Without Chemicals – easy, easy, easy!

How I Steam Clean My Entire Kitchen – one tool cleans the entire kitchen!

How to clean that gross shower with one single tool – you WILL NOT believe just how gross my shower was!

You know you don’t wanna miss any of this crazy.

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May 12, 2014
Make Fabric Stain Resistant and Waterproof for Less than $10
Don’t chance your upholstery to kids or another red wine spill again! Learn how to make fabric stain resistant and waterproof it at the same time for only about $20.

Maybe you’ve figured out one of my dirty little secrets…

Ya know how when you see my dining room, you’ve never really seen the cushions on the chairs?

You may have seen a shot of the side of the chair seat, but not the whole thing.

Well, ummm…..

They were gross. Way gross and way past their makeover due date.

But I have a two year old, so I didn’t really want to re-upholster them and have her destroy them again in 2.0 seconds.

I looked longingly at fabric swatches, impatiently waiting for the day when my dining room chairs could shine once more.

One day, I happened upon the tool that would make them shine – without worrying about stains. I discovered how to waterproof and repel stains on fabric.

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Thompson’s Waterseal. However, all gross seat cushions and opinions are 100% mine. This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

How to Waterproof Fabric and Repel Stains

This could quite possibly be one of the easiest, yet most valuable DIY projects of all time.

For me and my circus of a two year old anyway.

Here is a shot of one of my seat cushions before:

Ugh. I purposefully did not zoom in – because well, its just gross. You could probably discern between spaghetti sauce, mustard, and / or ketchup and who knows what else.

It was bad. Oh, and don’t worry about that brightly colored striped towel below the chair – its nothing new – just the catchall that sits under the kid’s chair when she loses her food.

Innovative, I am.

Materials and Supplies Needed:
- New Upholstery Fabric of Your Choice – This is my go-to online resource for gorgeous, yet affordable upholstery fabric.
- Thompson’s WaterSeal FabricSeal
Step 1

First off, you want to pick out pretty new fabric for your seats. I chose the gorgeous Williamsburg Portobello Vase Ladybug fabric from Online Fabric Store.

I fell for it the moment I saw it. Its a reproduction of fabric from the real Williamsburg, so if you have a nerdy of love of history like me, that’s kinda cool. It also has so many colors that it can work with just about anything.

Step 2

Measure and cut out the fabric you will need. I took the seats off my chairs, then laid it on the fabric and cut around it leaving extra to go over the edges.

Step 3

Lay all your fabric pieces out on a clean surface. I used a tarp. Give each piece a coat of Thompson’s WaterSeal FabricSeal. You may want to do a test spray on a small piece of fabric first to make sure it doesn’t change the color. (Mine was fine – no color change.) You are spraying this on the RIGHT side up of the fabric – not on the back.

You don’t want to saturate the pieces – just give them a nice even coat. Let them air dry for four hours, then give each piece another coat. Let them dry for four more hours, but wait 24 hours before exposing to moisture.

Step 4

Before you put them back on your seat cushions or make it into a pillow or whatever, you can test the seal by flipping water on the fabric to see if it will repel water now.

See those little bubbles of water? That mean’s the fabric is sealed. If it wasn’t sealed, the water would have seeped into the fabric. If the water doesn’t “bubble,” give the fabric another coat.

It took almost two cans for me to seal 6 pieces of large sized square cut pieces of fabric.

I am so happy to finally have pretty dining room chairs again.

After I re-upholstered my cushions, I tested out the stain and spill repellent-ness of the fabric seal a little more.

I took Coke and poured a little on one of the cushions.

I zoomed in so you could see the bubbling – it repelled the Coke!

I used a paper towel to soak up the Coke and this is what it looked like afterward:

Not a stain in sight!

Take note: According to the can, Thompson’s does recommend that you reapply the seal after any cleanings and annually.

Waterproofing sprays are also great to waterproof outdoor pillows and cushions that are always exposed to the elements.

You can find Thompson’s WaterSeal FabricSeal here.

Will you be stainproofing and waterproofing your upholstery now?

You might also want to see these other cleaning hacks and decor tips…

How to Clean Really Gross Vinyl Upholstery – the grime just melts off!

How to Get Pet Stains and Odors Out of Your Carpet Naturally – no harsh chemicals!

50+ Home Decor Fabrics under $15 a yard – gorgeous fabrics at low prices!

If you want to remember this upholstery waterproofing tip for later, just pin the image below!
May 1, 2014
Get Organized! 12 Ideas for Organizing Your Home

It’s the new year, (Happy New Year by the way!) and everyone is ready to get their home (and life) organized! Around here, we have been purging like crazy and organizing as well! Here are 12 ideas for Organizing Your Home:

Ideas for Organizing Your Home

Jewelry and Hat Organization

In our recent closet makeover, I created hanging jewelry storage so everything was easily within reach and I could see it. I also turned shelf brackets upside down to create hat storage. See more of the closet and get the details on these organization ideas here.

Shoe Storage

When you can’t go out, go up! For shoe storage in the closet, we stacked shoe shelves on top of one another to get the maximum amount of storage possible. More details here!

15 Days to a Clutter-Free Home

First of all, let’s de-clutter! Here is a printable for 15 Days to a Clutter Free Home, along with tips on how to turn some of that clutter into money!

Create a Cleaning Closet

Wrangle all your cleaning items together in a closet and then organize it! Details on my cleaning closet are here.

Baskets & Command Hooks

Baskets from the Dollar Tree and Command Hooks can easily become your best friend for organization. I use these all the time, all around the house to organize things. See some of my ideas for them here.

DIY Clothes Racks & Free Printable Size Dividers

I made these easy DIY clothes racks to use at our yard sales, but you could make them, paint them and they would also be great for use inside your house. Use the size dividers to organize baby clothing or for a yard sale! Get the how-to and printables both here!

Organization and Storage Ideas for the Kitchen

Get ideas that are both effective and stylish with these organization and storage ideas for your kitchen.

Color Coded Organization

One simple, cute, and decorative way to organize: Color Coded Organization. This is also a way to get the whole family involved in organizing and de-cluttering.

Metal Basket Shelving

I hung vintage metal baskets in my kitchen to store and organize my cookbooks – organization and decor in one!

DIY Wall – To – Wall Shelving

These wall-to-wall shelves are great for organizing and storing all sorts of things – they’re a really simple build too! I did these in my daughter’s playroom for toy storage, but I’ve also built them in bathrooms for extra storage there!

Coke Crate Tie Organization

My husband uses vintage coke crates to organize all of his ties.

Garage Organization

In my garage, I installed pegboard to keep all the tools nicely organized and easily within reach. I also made this mobile workbench for added storage and for more mobility when working on projects. Get the details on both here!

Pantry Organization Tips

Grab some Pantry Organization Tips from So Much Better with Age.

DIY Paper Organizer

Create a fun Washi Tape Inspired Mod Podge Paper Organizer from TiTi-Crafty.

Quick and Easy Ornament Organization

Find tips for Quick and Easy Ornament Organization from So Much Better with Age.

Resolution Organizer

Those resolutions are more likely to actually get accomplished if you write them down and organize them with this New Year’s Resolutions Printable from Mama’s Got it Together.

Pantry Makeover

Get more pantry organization ideas with this Pantry Makeover from Neat Little Nest.

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January 5, 2014