LilSugar

Irrational Chores: Cleaning Before the Housekeepers

babysugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 07:30:06 -0700

I never understood why my mother made us tidy up before the housekeeper came to clean the house. Now that I'm standing in her shoes, I get it. Working with two small kids probably gives me an excuse for keeping a less than perfect house but it's still embarrassing for two hardworking women to come in my home to see a situation that might make Pig Pen blush. I rush around the house tossing toys in bins, pulling the sheets off the bed and cleaning out the refrigerator so that the ladies have more time to focus on the big stuff - vacuuming, polishing and scouring the tubs.

Please tell me I'm not alone in my messy madness! Join our A Place to Vent group over in our LilSugar community and tell us about the chores that make you crazy.

Which Housekeeping Task Could You Do Without?

babysugar — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 05:00:00 -0700

In a dreamworld, most moms would swear off laundry, doing dishes, taking out trash, cleaning toilets and making beds. Aside from the laundry, all the rest of those duties are what makes vacation sound so appealing. Room service can be left in the hallway, toilets are always sparkling and the sheets are fresh and tidy when the family returns from their dip in the atrium pool. But then reality rears its ugly head and those pesky chores must be tended to. If you had a magic wand and could make one of your housekeeping tasks disappear, which one would it be? Source

How Often Do You Clean Up After Your Kids?

LilSugar — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:00:52 -0700

The other day, I had one of those days when every time I turned around there was another cereal spill, milky mess, or emptied toy box. My kids are pretty good about picking up after themselves, but I still spend a good deal of time at the task. How many times a day do you tidy up after your tots?

Source

Mommy's Lil Helper: Aqueous Lemongrass Towels

babysugar — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:00:24 -0700

A hot day at the zoo can leave a tot feeling not so fresh and clean. Before you take a break from the penguin exhibit to serve up lunch to your wild one, you want to make sure his tiny hands are clean as a whistle and free of any animal hairs. Give your child a quick swipe with an Aqueous hand towel and both of you will feel refreshed and renewed.

Presented in a soft recyclable package, the moistened natural cotton towel contains an antimicrobial agent, water, and a fresh lemongrass or green tea fragrance. Sold individually or in a pack of 25 ($37), the washcloths can easily be reused for other wee purposes.

Lil Tip: Purell for All

babysugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 05:00:55 -0700

Back to school means heading back to germs. Unless your kid is a compulsive wee one, washing her hands thoroughly throughout the day is a pipe dream. Who has time to sing "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" when all their buddies are headed out to recess?

Do yourself and others a favor by donating a tub of Purell to your tot's classroom. The teacher will appreciate it and the other parents are liable to follow your lead. * Note, Purell can be dangerous if consumed so it is best used under adult supervision.

Ecotot: BabyGanics Helps Clean Up

babysugar — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 15:04:00 -0700

When I was growing up, the scents of Clorox Bleach and Formula 409 were familiar to me. Now it's a different world. With green companies springing up left and right, we can help create a safe and clean environment for our lil ones. To check out one of my favorite green cleaners, read more.

BabyGanics is a business that manufactures organic cleaning products that are all–natural and non–toxic. Mop the floors, wipe the windows and scrub the tub with the eco–friendly tidying agents. Unscented for sensitive noses, you can also opt for the fresh lavender scented option.

With BabyGanics, you won't fret if junior starts licking the floor!

Lil Tip - Taking Stickers Off the Walls

babysugar — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 05:00:51 -0800

My lil one recently gave me the lovely task of removing a sticker from our dining room wall. Luckily, I had been tipped off on how to take care of these sticky situations.

Instead of trying to scrape it off and risk ruining the paint, just pull out your hairdryer and aim the
heated air at the pesky sucker. After about 10 seconds, peel it off. If the sticker doesn't go without a fight and leaves goo on the spot, dab some stain remover on a warm washcloth and rub the spot until the gunk comes off. Then let it air dry.

Source

Lil Tip: Clean Up

babysugar — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 04:00:12 -0800

As a mom, you find yourself in charge of the holiday aftermath and mess, while the rest of the family lounges around the house. Don't do it alone! Make it fun and get the family involved.

After you take your Christmas tree out of the house, your floor will undoubtedly be covered in pine needles. Take a large roll of duct tape and wrap loops around your lil ones' hands and knees. Then tell them to crawl around and gather pine needles. They can really get into it - pretending to be cats, dogs, or anything else that roams on all fours.

Your clean up will be quicker and who knows, maybe everyone including your husband will get into housekeeping.

Baby Wellness: CleanWell, Live Well

babysugar — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 06:00:11 -0800

In the midst of one the nastiest cold seasons, it's important to keep your wee one's hands and surroundings clean as a whistle.

Parents of a child born with an immune system disorder worked with scientists to create CleanWell's line of disinfecting hand soaps, hand sanitizers and wipes ($10).

Unlike some of the antibacterial alcohol gels, CleanWell gently kills germs with 99.99 percent natural ingredients like thyme and other plant oils.

The one ounce hand sanitizers and handy wipes are perfect for moms and tots on the go.

The Clean 15: Produce Items Families Can Cut Costs On

LilSugar — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:00:59 -0700

Mothers looking to detoxify their children's diets should consult the dirty dozen list of produce items that contain high levels of pesticides even after washing. Experts advise that since foods like strawberries and raspberries absorb the chemical sprays like sponges, it's best to buy organic. But, if your grocery budget can't stretch to accommodate a full cart of pricey items, find some relief in the Clean 15 - the fruits and veggies that have the lowest amount of pesticides and can be purchased in the lower cost conventional varieties. Before you head out to the store to stock up, see which edibles made the list, read more.

Onion
Avocado
Sweet Corn
Pineapple
Mango
Asparagus
Sweet Peas
Kiwis
Cabbage
Eggplant
Papaya
Broccoli
Watermelon
Tomato
Sweet Potato