New Year, New (well clean) House! First Stop - Kitchen

[MrsChestysGlitteryBaubles]

So basically as it says, I'm going to give myself a new house. Living room was freshened up at start of December before the tree went up. There are no ornaments and pictures yet as I figured it always looks bare when the decs come down so do it then.

So until I go back to work I'm going to start in the kitchen. First stop, oven and washing machine.

So, where do I start? I ran the washing machine on an empty cycle with some bleach. Anything else? How do I clean out the tray, it doesn't come out.

Then the oven? I've sprayed it with mr muscle oven cleaner this morning but took the racks out, what's the best way to clean them? Anything else I should do with the oven?

I want to have a sparkling, tidy, clutter free house by March! :)

[Cuddledup]

I'm lurking with interest as our oven hasn't been cleaned for years.

Will go and do washing machine - thanks for recommendation.

Simplemom.net has good recommendations on cleaning and also some entertaining podcasts which are fun to listen to whilst tackling the most mundane chores.

[LaVitaBellissima]

I am very rubbish but I will watch with interest and chip in with my tuppence worth

Can you google the make/model of your washing machine? It often looks like the drawer won't come out but they often have a hidden switch which when clicked into place allow the drawer to pull out.

The oven buy Oven pride it's brilliant, it has a plastic bag you put the shelves in, leave over night with half the solution in the bag with the shelves and half in the oven. It comes up brilliantly.

I need to start going through the cupboards, I seem to still have loads of bibs and baby weaning pots and my toddlers have long outgrown them...

[MrsChestysGlitteryBaubles]

Oven Pride. Thanks! I remembered seeing something on tv with bags for the trays.

I'll also google washing machine. Hadn't thought of that!

I also have weaning pots/spoons etc. DDs are 4.5yo and 2.9yo

[MrsChestysGlitteryBaubles]

Will have a look at simplemom too. See if I can get any tips :)

[LaVitaBellissima]

Ok, I am going to set the timer on my mobile and do a 15 minute blitz, and get started on a drawer at least, thanks or he encouragement. I am so lazy and procrastinate all the time!

Right 15 minutes then a cup of tea as a reward!

[MrsChestysGlitteryBaubles]

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[MrsChestysGlitteryBaubles]

I googled my washing machine and managed to get the tray out, it was disgusting but is now like new! I feel so pleased! Got the machine on again with a hot wash.

I'm just sitting in filling new calendar then will make lunch for dds then I'm going to scrub the Mr Muscle off the oven.

[ZebraInHiding]

I am just adding this to tio so I can't start to join you when all three docs have stopped illing!

[Cheesemonkey]

I'm in!
I've heard bleach isn't great for a washing machine (can damage the rubber) but bicarbonate of soda and vinegar is great at removing smells.
I got oven cleaner from Lakeland which is ace, my oven was so bad mr muscle and oven pride couldn't help last time I cleaned it.

[Littlepumpkinpie]

I was going to say Oven Pride its blinking amazing for cleaning ovens that have grime on them. Washers Hottest wash with Bicarb and Vinegar cleans them the best.

[LaVitaBellissima]

What should I do with old bottles or children's cups? Should I put them in for recycling or do you think the charity shop would want them?

I am going to empty the dishwasher and put a load of washing on. New Years resolution is to be cleaner, tidier and declutter this house!

I already started e baying half my loft before Christmas, but am all in on this thread. I am going to give myself a job a day, a drawer, cupboard at a time.

Also going to try and save money in January by eating some of the random items in my store cupboards and freezer, so they can be cleaned out too. I'm quite a good cook so if anyone needs recipe ideas with what they find ask away!

[SlatternismyChristmasname]

I'm watching with interest. I started to do this last August but still have loads to do.

La vita, I like your store cupboard idea. I did this with my freezer a while back, but need to do it with my larder cupboard.

I will tackle the Callander later.

[MrsChestysGlitteryBaubles]

Do far now my washing machine is clean, my oven inside is sparkling, I've tackled one oven shelf, the other is waiting as I have a cuppa. I have taken a picture if the clean one and the dirty one and I am both ashamed and pleased with myself. My grill tray is a whole different issue, I feel it's a lost cause. But I will leave it overnight and see how it goes. I just used mt muscle as pay day is tomorrow and I have no car today. Then Saturday I think I will tackle the cupboards, sugar soap cleanse them and then think about a quick coat of paint and a new blind.

Then it'll be the dds room, that's going to be tricky, storage is a huge issue.

Then it'll be our room, which just needs quick coat of paint and new curtains, we have lovely new bedding which I'm refusing to use till the room is painted.

Last, the bathroom, this will be around Easter and I'm going to try put money away to get it retiled. I hate it! :(

Then we will just have the small spare room left and will make a decision if we want it as a bedroom for 3rd DC or not...

[MrsChestysGlitteryBaubles]

And thank goodness for Santa, if it weren't for the new toys keeping them entertained there would be no chance I'd get a minutes peace.

Also what will make my sink and job look all bright and sparkly again? They look a bit dull just now?

[chocolatespiders]

do you put bi carb in washing powder draw?

[MrsChestysGlitteryBaubles]

Lavita, I'm going to give all the weaning pots/spoons in to the nursery baby room. Can you do that?

Obviously my HOB looks dull not my job!

[Mum2Fergus]

Def agree with the Lakeland oven cleaner...used it on my oven just before Xmas and it literally sparkles!!

[Cheesemonkey]

Chocolatespiders, just pop bicarbonate in the drawer and put it on a quick hot wash.

[AlwaysReadyForABlether]

I got my oven professionally cleaned in the summer (it was never going to happen otherwise). When it was done I bought one of the lakeland liners for the bottom of the oven. You can just take it out and wipe off any spills. Would definitely recommend it to help your hard work last longer.

[chocolatespiders]

thanks cheesemonkey will do this at the weekend.

[summerglory]

Cheesemonkey - how much bicarbonate do u put in the dispensing drawer?

[MrsChestysGlitteryBaubles]

Does anyone know the best way to really clean a leather couch or does it need to be a professionals job?

[Mum2Fergus]

Baby wipes in leather works for me.

[chocolatespiders]

I know I am tedious but just went to Asda is it white wine vinegar or just white vinegar? I could only find white wine vinegar but feel it may be wrong!!

[janek]

Yes, you are right, white wine vinegar is wrong! White vinegar comes in bottle like malt vinegar, only it's clear.

I don't see any reason why you shouldn't use malt vinegar though, unless anyone can correct me.

so-called white vinegar