tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58084914980622977012012-02-16T20:26:01.013-08:00Lifestyle expert Tara Aronson's home & travel tipsDomestic Diva Tara Aronson - MrsCleanJeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226090242809347378noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5808491498062297701.post-24372710528114903312009-04-16T12:00:00.000-07:002009-04-16T12:02:26.204-07:00

It’s a real challenge to keep a clean kitchen, and yet it’s so important. Germs are everywhere. These nasty little interlopers stow away microscopically on everything that you and the family bring home. Here’s where to find the germiest unseen bugs, and how to zap them.1 Never put anything on the kitchen counter or table as you come in the door. These are forbidden zones. (These nasty

Domestic Diva Tara Aronson - MrsCleanJeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226090242809347378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5808491498062297701.post-88169454153263501232009-04-12T19:05:00.000-07:002009-04-12T19:06:45.216-07:00

The problem with “outdoor living rooms” is that they get dirtier a heck of a lot faster than the indoor ones. Fortunately (or maybe wisely), outdoor furniture is constructed to take abuse—and soil. Generally speaking, So make sure you now how to clean your outdoor furniture before putting it to use this season.Keeping patios and decks, and all of their assorted decorations, clean can be a

Domestic Diva Tara Aronson - MrsCleanJeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226090242809347378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5808491498062297701.post-78615079465230241782009-04-10T17:17:00.000-07:002009-04-10T17:24:32.792-07:00

It’s Murphy’s law: If something can spill, drip, ooze, or run, it will do so all over your lucky shirt or favorite dress. Fortunately, once you know how to treat these troublesome stains, you can save your beloved clothes from ending up in the rag pile.1 Blood. Rinse or presoak the garment in cold water and wash in cold water with laundry detergent. Do not use chlorine bleach, which can make

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A loose screw in a door hinge (or any wood material) can be tightened by removing the screw, inserting a few common wood toothpicks or matchsticks, breaking them off at surface level, and then replacing the screw. Double-hung windows that don’t slide freely can be lubricated by rubbing a dry bar of paraffin in the tracks on the sides of the windows. (This also works for wooden dresser

Domestic Diva Tara Aronson - MrsCleanJeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226090242809347378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5808491498062297701.post-51378507973990141032009-03-31T14:53:00.000-07:002009-03-31T15:03:13.667-07:00

Spring is here! We’re all enjoying the extended daylight hours and season’s warmer weather. We’re planting flowers, airing out the patio cushions and checking the umbrella for mildew.In many parts of the country, though, it’s not quite warm enough to move outside - yet. In the meantime, use cooler days to brighten up the indoors with a “Spring Cleaning” plan that gets the kids excited about this

Domestic Diva Tara Aronson - MrsCleanJeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226090242809347378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5808491498062297701.post-72027787377773186312009-03-30T16:59:00.000-07:002009-03-30T17:00:45.481-07:00

While name-brand glass cleaners will do you and your windows right, you can save coin and get the gleam you desire with this home-made glass cleaner recipe and some simple buffing tips. Start with these three basics:1 Spray bottle2 Squeegee3 Lint-free rag4 NewspaperMake your own mix-your-own window cleaner with white distilled vinegar diluted in water.For streak- and spot-free glass,

Domestic Diva Tara Aronson - MrsCleanJeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226090242809347378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5808491498062297701.post-56154310577585934612009-03-29T16:42:00.000-07:002009-03-29T16:45:13.551-07:00

A well-rounded home repair and maintenance tool kit includes the following essential 15 items:1 A standard claw hammer;2 An adjustable wrench;3 A tape measure;4 Several sizes of screwdrivers (both standard and Phillips head);5 A cordless drill and set of bits;6 Standard slip-joint, needle-noise and wire-cutting pliers;7 A hacksaw for cutting metals and plastics;8 A

Domestic Diva Tara Aronson - MrsCleanJeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226090242809347378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5808491498062297701.post-36195484839802187882009-03-29T15:55:00.000-07:002009-03-29T15:57:17.759-07:00

The air is getting warmer. The freesias have pushed up along the sidewalk. And you are just beginning to believe that spring might actually be here after all.Before the weather beckons you outside, spend at least one more day indoors and give your closet a good spring cleaning. This is the perfect opportunity to clean and put away winter clothes and get your summer duds in gear. Most of us (

Domestic Diva Tara Aronson - MrsCleanJeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226090242809347378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5808491498062297701.post-42422946173468126042009-03-28T14:06:00.000-07:002009-03-30T21:00:46.526-07:00

April is the time to refresh your home’s systems and surfaces, and to do away with any lingering traces of old man winter. Spring into action this month by completing these simple tasks - and your home will be ready to shine in the sunny months ahead.1 Hearth and home: Clean the fireplace. Empty ashes. Clean gas jets in hearth.2 Good as new: Oil fireplace accessories.3 Daylight Savings

Domestic Diva Tara Aronson - MrsCleanJeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226090242809347378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5808491498062297701.post-4039214961114182862009-03-14T17:50:00.000-07:002009-03-14T17:51:27.510-07:00

You know what they say about that ounce of prevention. If you ignore the advice and overlook home maintenance, the pound of cure can set you back hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. Sooner or later, a neglected roof will leak. A furnace overworked from clogged air filters will need an expensive overhaul. And that leaky window will lead to dry rot in your house’s framework and walls,

Domestic Diva Tara Aronson - MrsCleanJeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226090242809347378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5808491498062297701.post-79160362896974873102009-03-09T20:27:00.000-07:002009-03-09T20:33:15.586-07:00

Too much to do and not enough time to do it? Chances are you can add a simple housekeeping task to whatever you’re doing at home so that every moment does double duty. Try these 14 ideas for starters.While...1 microwaving dinner. Wipe down kitchen walls and baseboards; manage microwave spills while waiting for your piping-hot meal to cool off a bit -- spills are a snap to wipe up before they

Domestic Diva Tara Aronson - MrsCleanJeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226090242809347378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5808491498062297701.post-78260338676741427522009-03-09T18:29:00.000-07:002009-03-09T18:32:26.156-07:00

Does it take more than a minute to locate a favorite in your closet? Do your freshly laundered or dry-cleaned clothes come off the hanger in need of pressing? Do you wear the same clothes each week, even though your closet sports an updated wardrobe? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, your closet’s in dire need of a makeover.Let’s get it startedStart by removing all the clothes and

Domestic Diva Tara Aronson - MrsCleanJeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226090242809347378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5808491498062297701.post-46241514615603609032009-03-08T17:46:00.000-07:002009-03-08T17:49:46.784-07:00

Sleepovers are quite different than slumber parties, which are to be avoided at all costs if you value peace, quiet, and a bit of sleep at night. Sleepovers, at least with nice kids (and you don’t let the non-nice ones come) can be quite pleasant, actually, so long as you follow the rules:1 If your kid shares a room, don’t make (or even allow) the sibling share the sleepover. Put the sleepover

Domestic Diva Tara Aronson - MrsCleanJeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226090242809347378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5808491498062297701.post-79652771279652221662009-03-08T17:08:00.000-07:002009-03-08T17:10:18.837-07:00

The computer gets just as dirty as anything else in the house. We do everything at our computers. We eat, we drink, we file our fingernails. Occasionally, we will dust the monitor/screen. And sometimes, if we’re very, very good, we will wipe off the keys.Stop! I know what you’re thinking! “What’s the big deal? Just spray it with a window cleaner, right?”Wrong, computer killer. Never spray

Domestic Diva Tara Aronson - MrsCleanJeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226090242809347378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5808491498062297701.post-89020653229487378152009-03-07T23:07:00.001-08:002009-03-07T23:13:57.434-08:00

The kitchen is the heart of the home. And all too often its arteries get clogged with bodies in motion - the perfect place for accidents to happen. Keep your family cooking safely by following these 10 simple rule for a safer, saner kitchen. 1 We don’t touch anything that will go into someone’s mouth until our hands are washed with soap.2 We don’t cook anything without help unless we’re old

Domestic Diva Tara Aronson - MrsCleanJeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226090242809347378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5808491498062297701.post-51387123507795732612009-03-05T12:42:00.000-08:002009-03-05T12:47:42.913-08:00

When it comes to long-term storage in your home - how do remember what you’ve safely stashed away -- and how can you find it in a pinch when you do need it? These 7 tips for organizing your items stored at home will simplify your storage life.I borrowed this idea for long-term storage from a friend who borrowed it from another friend. We've all added our own touches to it over the years, and

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A friend of mine, Mary, adapted a common chore chart system for her family, which includes four children ages 3 through 13.First Mary created a chore chart out of a large piece of poster board. She made a large table of index-card-size spaces. She listed her family members’ names down the far left column with blank spaces in the columns to the right. In each blank space, Mary placed a piece of

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Let’s get real here. A clean, tidy home usually isn’t at the top of—okay, really even on—a kid’s list of priorities. Kids’ lack of enthusiasm for cleaning is understandable. Do you know anyone who turns cartwheels at the prospect of mopping the crusty kitchen floor or taking out the smelly garbage? Me neither. But we grown-ups know that just because something doesn’t make our Top 10 List doesn’t

Domestic Diva Tara Aronson - MrsCleanJeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226090242809347378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5808491498062297701.post-56676542175270873742009-02-28T17:05:00.000-08:002009-02-28T17:12:15.812-08:00

Before you can organize anything—temporary or permanent—you’ll need to lighten up a bit on your belongings. The prime cause for disorganization is that you’ve got too much stuff.You know what’s coming: You need to go through your stuff and toss what you don’t use, need, or want. And so will your kids, though that may seem hard at the onset. Many of us have stuff we never use and don’t need. We

Domestic Diva Tara Aronson - MrsCleanJeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226090242809347378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5808491498062297701.post-78723574351318937792009-02-26T19:04:00.001-08:002009-02-26T19:08:38.794-08:00

Love a well-run home? Spring is the season to get in the groove with the March Home Checklist below!1 A clean, well-lighted place … Begins with clean light fixtures. Clean ceiling fixtures, lamps, sconces, anything that has a bulb. 2 And while you’re up there: Clean the fan blades.3 Floorshow: Clean hardwood, tile, linoleum and other floor surfaces and seal. (Hire a professional for this

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I’ve got to hand it to Disney. Those forward-thinking imagineers of dream family vacations-- who single-handedly reshaped the family cruise industry in 1998 - are poised to become the big cheese of family landlubber vacations in 2009. Granted, many travelers understandably enjoy the inevitable travails that transform a getaway into an unforgettable adventure. After all, how else can we get

Domestic Diva Tara Aronson - MrsCleanJeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226090242809347378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5808491498062297701.post-92075003695118918332009-02-22T16:21:00.001-08:002009-02-22T16:23:14.334-08:00

Start the process by cleaning out the one major area in the bathroom that was designed specifically for toiletry storage - the medicine cabinet. Get rid of expired medications as well as any toiletries you’ve had for longer than two years, including shampoos, lotions and makeup,and soap. Besides creating more space, clearing out your cabinets will minimize health risks, as bacteria and fungi can

Domestic Diva Tara Aronson - MrsCleanJeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226090242809347378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5808491498062297701.post-76003703903016282362009-02-21T18:16:00.000-08:002009-02-21T18:21:47.210-08:00

The kitchen, by its nature, is probably the most heavily trafficked and most popular room in your home. It’s where the family gets together during meals, friends gather during dinner parties, and you get each day off to a fresh start. A well-organized kitchen allows you to enjoy more fully every moment you spend in it.Since the kitchen is where memories as well as meals are made, you’ll need to

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So you’re easing your kids into your cleaning routine, but how many chores can you reasonably expect them to do?I’ve found a good rule is to take his or her age, divide it by two and round up when needed. For each child, this number should remain constant, regardless of the number of chores that need to be tackled in a given week. Although the number of chores may be small, there are many that

Domestic Diva Tara Aronson - MrsCleanJeanshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05226090242809347378noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5808491498062297701.post-46479506156922388882009-02-16T21:52:00.001-08:002009-02-16T21:59:31.288-08:00

If you’ve got cats or dogs – you’ve got fleas. You’ve got kids, too. How do you get rid of the pests without harming the kids? They’re not only a nuisance, but their bites can cause irritation and even serious allergies in some people. What can you do to beat the buggers? These less-toxic tricks will have your home itch-free in no time:For your Pet: ✔ Comb constantly. Groom your cat or dog

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