Cleaning....my approach

So, most people that know me well know that my house is a disaster. It isn't crawling with bugs and growing stuff in the corners disaster, but I pile. I mound. I don't believe in dusting. I keep too much shit. And, I have a small house! 2 Dogs, 1 cat, 2 kids and a husband often make huge messes just after I mop or run the sweeper, so I skip the deep cleaning and do what needs to be done to keep it sanitary. Plus, I have 1 million things I would rather do than clean. Watching the grass grow is far more exciting than cleaning!

So, the father-in-law and his friend will be staying with us for some time while they are between houses. It is the holidays and it doesn't seem right that they'd be in a hotel. I realized that there will be 6 of us for meals and that with all the shit on the dining room table, I had a little work to do. Well that little chore developed into a full blown 3 day house cleaning job now! It should have been done long ago! I have done it all! The bathroom was bleached and scrubbed. I realize that if Santa brought me a new bathroom or even just a new bathroom floor and vanity, I'd be in heaven! The kitchen was de-cluttered and the counters were found. So, what is my favorite thing to clean with?

In case you can't read it, it is simple green max automotive cleaner and degreaser! It is awesome!! It took my stove from yuck to newish looking (which is what is beside the 1 gal jug and is about 18 years old, but still works)!! If Santa brought me a new 30" Wolf gas range, I would be in heaven, too. See....I LOVE to cook (and eat and those that know me realize this when you look at my husband and I)! The knobs to control the stove no longer have writing on then, but I get it done without them. Anyway.....back to simple green: It cleans soap scum in the shower! It is great on laundry. I use it on the hot-tub filters. And, it doesn't smell 1/2 bad.

Now, you may wonder how I, the trucker turned Momma came upon such a fab cleaning idea. Well this goes way back....

I worked my way thru college loading package cars at UPS at 2am (that is their fancy term for a truck). It is a dirty job. Their uniforms are brown and FedEx's blue for a reason. If they were white, you would not want anything to do with that delivery! Well, one night I didn't make it home in time from a social engagement to change for work. I wore a decent shirt and pants to work. Mike Zipko and I worked across from each other on the belt and we both had used tape before to protect our pants from the dirt on the belt, but I couldn't tape my whole polo up! I got an ugly grease stain on it from somewhere in the truck. Driver Charlie Hughes came in and asked what was up with my fancy get-up. He told me to go buy simple green at the auto parts store. Spray that shit on my shirt and scrub. It worked! Since then, I have graduated from college, got my master's, worked as a manager for FedEx Ground, worked as a driver and co-owner of our own trucking company, and still LOVE simple green. I also use baking soda and vinegar for lots of stuff. Good old bleach is awesome! RainX helps lessen bathtub rings from 2 kids that love to play in the dirt. Who needs some fancy household cleaner isle at the store. Use what you have in your garage!!