The problem is that we forget to do them once or twice a year.
Instead, try the monthly maintain-and-repair approach:
1 Is that Fluffy?
June is the perfect time to clean stuffed animals to keep them sanitary as well as cuddly. Some can be laundered. Some you just have to wipe down. Do it when the kids are away.
2 Caution! Hazardous zone:
While the kids are home from school, entice or enlist them to clean their rooms top to bottom.
Be patient. This could take a while. (But then, the summer is young.)
Check their expiration dates. While you’re at it, heck expiration dates on everything and toss out the old. In fact,
clean out the entire medicine cabinet.
5 Give shower curtains a bath:
Put vinyl or plastic shower curtains in your washing machine along with two large bath towels. Wash in cold water on the gentle cycle. Remove the curtains before the spin cycle and hang them to dry.
Clean area rugs according to manufacturers’ directions. Be sure to use pads underneath both to keep rugs from slipping and to lengthen their lives.
8 Awww!
Go through family pictures that you’ve taken over the past year. Be ruthless. Toss the bad ones; send Grandma a bunch and file the rest (by month and year) until you finally get around to compiling that album.
9 Photo swap:
Refresh the photographs you have on display with some of the best you’ve just picked through.
10 The Pink Period:
Go through your children’s artwork when they are not around. Put the best in a special box. Frame the very best and display it in a hallway. Circular file what’s left.
