When it comes to getting the junk drawer cleaned out an organized, it always seems to be very low on the priority list. You’ll be surprised though just how relieved you’ll feel once that junk is under control and the useless items you’ve been storing forever are thrown out.

Most people have a junk drawer in their homes. Whether it is a drawer in the kitchen or in your bedroom nightstand, it’s always there gathering more and more junk as the years progress. Cleaning out the junk drawer can be fun. Really; it can. You never know what you may find.

Well, the day has finally arrived. You have to clean out the junk drawer because it’s driving you nuts, right? Well, let’s get to it then.

The first thing not to do is try to take the drawer out. Get a large box and begin transferring all of the junk items into the box. Now you can take the box to the kitchen table or just sit on your bed and go through each item. Ensure you have a plastic bag ready to throw out whatever you don’t wish to keep. Which brings up another point: some people just hate to throw away anything. But, you have to make the effort.

Ready? Let’s begin. After you’ve put everything into the box, begin the sorting out process. What did you find? Small photo frames, costume jewelry, boxes of paper clips, pens, recipes, a few soft covered books, mementos, paper and index cards, unused greeting cards or cards you’ve saved from loved ones, figurines, new wallets still in boxes, lotions, pictures, perfumes, notes of all kinds, well……you get the picture, right?

After you have made your neat little piles, you have to decide what you want to keep. Ideally, all of the old stuff should be tossed. However, if you are a saver, that’s unlikely. If you must save anything, why not put them in a scrapbook. For example, the old cards, letters, pictures, and notes can be neatly preserved by starting a scrapbook. Frames can either be utilized or given away. The books can be donated to the library. All of the lotions and perfumes can be tossed, especially if they are very old. Put the mementos way in a shoe box and be sure to label the box and place it on a shelf in your bedroom closet. Everything else which does not have sentimental value can be tossed.

You can convert the junk drawer for that which it was intended such as another lingerie drawer or a utensil drawer if the junk drawer was in your kitchen. You can give away any of the new things you find that you will never use. Well, what do you think? Look at it this way, you’d just taken a few hours to clean out a drawer that wasn’t mean for junk and can be used for other things you may have scrunched into other drawers. Feel better now?

We all want to do our part to protect the environment, but without a large paycheck, that can be seem difficult, if not impossible. But doing your part doesn’t have to be hard. Small steps add up to a big difference, you just have to know which ones to take.

Use less water.

Saving water is all about small steps, here are a few that will help save big.

- Shut off the water while you brush your teeth
- Take showers that are a minute or two shorter
- Only flush the toilet when you need to
- Only run full loads of laundry and dishes
- Buy from sustainable producers. These are farmers, ranchers, and other producers that use techniques that pollute less and use less water. You can do some research online or ask at your local organic market to find these products.

Use less energy.

If you don’t have the money to buy a hybrid car or convert your house to solar power, you can make a big difference with small changes.

- Buy energy efficient appliances. They may be more expensive, but make up for the increased cost in lower energy bills.
- Unplug chargers when you’re not using them. Cell phone and other chargers use up powers even if there’s nothing attached to them.
- Put devices with remotes, like T.V.s, VCRs, and stereos, on a power strip and turn it off when you’re not using them. These devices use a lot of power to run the remote receiver even when the device is off.
- Walk or ride your bike for short trips.
- Buy local products. It takes energy to transport food and other products across the country. Buying local not only supports your local economy, it helps them use less energy.

When it comes to saving energy and water, it’s a great idea to get the kids involved. You can even make it a game. Have them track how much water and electricity everyone is using. You can compete to see who uses the least water. You can often count on your kids to help keep you on track when given the task.

Reuse.

Most of us know the three R’s: reduce, reuse, recycle, but when we work on conserving, we often leave reuse out of the picture. While you can often find tips on how to reuse common products from other people, what you need most is creativity. With a little thought there are many items around your home that can be reused – toilet paper holders can be used to sow seeds for the vegetable patch. And old yogurt containers can be cut into strip to make plant labels. Old food jars can be refilled with homemade foods or can make great impromptu vases.

Use environmentally friendly products. When you go to the grocery store, you probably see more and more “natural” or “eco friendly” products every time. There are generally two big problems with these products: 1. Just because they’re more natural than regular products, doesn’t mean they’re entirely natural. 2, They’re often expensive.

If you want inexpensive, natural, safe products, why not just make them yourself. Vinegar is a great way to clean and disinfect glass and other surfaces. Need to remove stubborn stains? Just add some baking soda to your vinegar cleaner.  More cleaning recipes can be found here. 

We all know that going green means better for the environment, but it’s also better for you. Conserving resources also helps save you money, which is something most of us are happy to live with.

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* Take everything out of the refrigerator.
* Throw away outdated cans, jars and plastic bottles.
* Take out the vegetable bins; wash and dry.
* Use a sponge or wet cloth to clean the shelving and the inside of the door. You may want to use baking soda as the cleaning agent.
* Put back whatever items you have left.
* Put the bins back, and sprinkle a bit of baking soda in each.
* Place an opened box of baking soda towards the back top shelf.
* Clean the entire refrigerator; top sides and doors and Voila!

You’re done! That was easy enough, right? Well that’s because you have been cleaning it religiously every month. Alas, there are some refrigerators which have not been so lucky, and cleaning will require more time.

To keep your refrigerator clean so that a simple once-over is required, here are some additional tips to follow.

* Use tin foil under your milk cartons to prevent leaking.
* Use food containers to store your leftovers.
* Change the box of baking soda every three months.
* Keep the temperature at the manufacturer’s recommendation.
* Try not to accumulate more than two items. Check certain items before buying them. Oftentimes, we buy too much of one item, and it just stays in the refrigerator for months on end.
* Keep your vegetables in zip lock bags to maintain their freshness.
* Defrost your freezer at least once a month. Don’t forget to place a box of baking soda in there as well.

By following these simple tips, your next cleaning will be easier and faster.

Essential oils are concentrated liquids that contain the “essence” and aroma from the plants from which they are made. Essential oils are used in perfumes, making incense, flavorings, and in cleaning products. However, it must be noted that one should never use essential oils directly on the skin. They are too concentrated and must be combined with a carrier oil such as olive oil, or mixed with another product.

One of the most popular essential oils of late is Tea Tree Oil. This oil is taken from the Melaleuca tree, native to Australia, but found in other areas as well. Tea Tree oil can be used in a variety of ways:

• Add tea tree oil to water to use as a cleaner, disinfectant, and purifier during cold and flu season.

• Add a few drops to the laundry when washing cloth diapers to help clean and disinfect them.

• Dilute with water to clean and disinfect your floors, toilets, and all areas of your kitchen

Eucalyptus is another essential oil that has disinfecting properties. When added with lemon oil and distilled water, it is an effective antibacterial spray that can be used throughout your home.

Orange essential oils, pressed from the peels of ripe oranges, can be used in a variety of ways in your home.

• When added to a carrier oil like olive oil, orange essential oil is great for cleaning your wooden cutting board.

• Use it as a deodorizer. Put a few drops of the essential oil on a cotton ball and leave it in your cooler after you’ve finished using it for the season. When you open it the following season, you’ll find a fresh orange scent instead of a musty odor.

• Orange oil is often added to furniture polish to clean, polish, enhance, and protect wood with out leaving a wax build-up.

Another essential oil that is good for household cleaning is lavender. Not only does it help clean your house, the aroma is very pleasant and relaxing.

• You can make a laundry softener that will rival anything you can purchase at your local store. Carefully combine 32 ounces of white vinegar with 32 ounces of baking soda over a sink (the mixture will bubble). Stir in 64 ounces of distilled or purified water and a half ounce of lavender essential oil. Use one-fourth cup in each per laundry load. Rinse as usual.

• If you add a few drops of lavender essential oil to your dishwashing liquid, not only will you add the fragrance, but you’ll also improve the antiseptic quality of the soap.

When cleaning your home, there are many products on the market. However, if you add an essential oil to things you already have, such as vinegar, water, or economically friendly dish soap, you will increase their effectiveness and leave a nice smell throughout your home.

Sodium borate, also known as Borax, is a naturally occurring mineral. It is composed of sodium, boron, oxygen, and water. Most people know that Borax is often used as a laundry booster by softening the water, which will make the detergent work better.

Borax can be used for laundry, but can also be used in other ways throughout the house. From being a multi-purpose cleaner to killing bugs to being used in arts and craft projects, Borax can be used in so many ways. It is safe for washing machines, plumbing systems, and septic tanks. It does not contain phosphates or chlorine, chemicals that are hazardous to your family and the environment.

Do you need to clean the stains from your carpet? Make a paste of water and Borax and rub it into the stain. Let the paste dry then vacuum the paste. You will be left with a clean and fresh smelling carpet.

Occasionally you’ll bring ants in with you from outside. If this happens to you, mix together a spoon of Borax and a spoon of powdered sugar. (Make sure you use different spoons when measuring this.) You can leave small piles of this mixture wherever you see ants, but not within the reach of children or pets.

Not only will Borax kill ants and roaches, it can also be used to help kill fleas that have gotten in your carpet. Sprinkle the Borax onto the carpet and let it set for at least an hour. When the time is up, vacuum away the fleas, and maybe carpet odors as well.

Has your refrigerator developed odors? Add one tablespoon of Borax with one cup of warm water. Use a sponge and wipe down the walls, shelves, and drawers in your refrigerator. Rinse with clean water.

Another place that often develops odors is your toilet bowl. Sprinkle one-fourth cup of Borax into your toilet bowl. Swish the bowl with your toilet brush and let stand for a minimum of a half hour to overnight. Swish again and then flush the odors away.

If you have some flowers that you would like to preserve, you can use Borax to help do that. Begin by covering the bottom of a shoe box with Borax. Add cut flowers, leaving just a little bit of stem, and placing them into the shoe box. Gently cover the flowers and leaves with more Borax until the flowers are completely covered. You may have to sprinkle the Borax into roses or carnations to make sure that the flowers are covered. Leave no air space around the flowers. Seal the box and store it in the box for seven to ten days. After the flowers are dried, slowly pour the Borax from the box. Then remove them by dumping the rest of the Borax off of them. Clean off any remaining Borax by using a soft paint brush or gently blowing it off. Strain and reuse the Borax another time.

Borax, a naturally occurring mineral, is another item that most homes have that has multiple uses. Not only will it help your laundry get cleaner, it can help rid your home of pests, and preserve flowers. It is truly a wonder product, and one that is friendly to the environment.

Steam cleaning is cost effective due to the fact that it only uses a little bit of water and electricity.  Steam cleaners use high temperatures to kill germs and mold spores that may be hiding in your home. It is environmentally friendly since there are no chemicals involved.

While most steam cleaners look like vacuum cleaners, there are also smaller, hand-held versions on the market which are maneuverable enough to reach even the tightest corner. The cleaner can sanitize and deodorize virtually any surface you might have in your home.

Today’s steam cleaners use very little water (most of them use less than one gallon of regular tap water) and are designed to be easy to operate and maintain. They create steam that is low in moisture, and that’s what carries the heat to the surface that needs to be cleaned. Given that there’s so little moisture used, the now-clean area dries almost instantly.

Most steam cleaners on the market have various accessories so they can be used for multiple applications and on almost any surface. These accessories allow the heated vapor to reach the surface to be cleaned, and often includes a brush to help agitate and release the dirt.

The heat from the machine is what does the work for you because the steam is over the boiling point (between 240 to 280 degrees). It’s hot enough to burn your skin, so you’ll need to be extremely careful when using one. It’s also vitally important that you read and follow all the instructions that come with the machine before you use it.

Some of the benefits of using a steam cleaning system include, but are not limited to:

• The equipment is easy to use. The attachments make it easy to reach the small space and corners that might not be accessible with traditional cleaning methods.

• No chemicals are used, so you don’t have to worry about the hazards that come with most cleaning supplies currently on the market. Since no chemicals are used, there is no chemical residue after you’re done cleaning.

• Steam kills the mold spores that might be hiding in your bathroom or kitchen such as high chairs and toothbrushes.

• You don’t have to work as hard when cleaning. The steam does most of the hard work for you by softening the dirt and making it easier to remove.

While the steam cleaning systems that are on the market today may seem a little expensive to begin with, just look at the money you can save in the long run by not buying all those chemically-laden cleaners. You’ll also have the peace of mind knowing that you have a clean home, and you didn’t have to use chemicals to get it that way.

The Shark Ultra Steam Blaster – S3325 is the one that I use. It is great for large cleaning projects. The bathroom can be completely done without refilling the tank.  I also use it for cleaning the wheels on my car.  The Shark Steam Bottle Cleaner is better for small projects.

Here are a few more Steam Cleaners.  There is one just for cleaning jewelry.

Caution:  Never mix bleach and ammonia products.  They will produce toxic fumes.

Super Clean Scrub

1/2 a lemon

1/2 cup of borax

Dip lemon into the borax, scrub and rinse.  Do not use on marble or granite. 

Glass Cleaner

1/4 cup alcohol

1/2 cup white vinegar

2 cups water

Add a few drops of an essential oil, orange or lemon makes it smell great. 

Combine all ingredients and keep in a clean spray bottle.  Some leave the alcohol out but it does help removing the streaks.

Hints:  Wipe one side of the glass vertically and the other side horizontal.  This way you will know which side needs to be wiped again.  Newspaper instead of paper towel  will leave fewer streaks.  Do not wash windows on a hot sunny day.  The solution will dry too fast and will streak.

Floor Cleaner

Mix 1/2 cup ammonia with 1 gallon of hot water.  No rinsing needed.  Great for vinyl floors.

Carpet Freshener

3/4 baking soda

1/4 cup talcum powder with fragrance

2 Tbs cornstarch

Sprinkle on dry carpet; let it sit for about 10 minutes then vacuum.  Make extra and store in an air tight container.  Do not put baking soda on any wet spots on the carpet.

Sweet Smelling Cleanser

1 cup of baking soda or salt (salt is a little more abrasive)

1 – 2 drops of essential oil

Mix together using a wire whisk.  Store in a small glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.  If the fragrance fades, add another drop of oil

Tough Grease Cutting

Dilute a teaspoon of ammonia with a pint of water.

Super Scrubber

Mix 1/4 cup of salt with 2 tablespoons of vinegar.  This should remove hard water stains.

Brass Cleaner

White vinegar or lemon juice

Salt

With a sponge wetted with vinegar or lemon juice, add salt, and gently rub onto the surface.  Rinse well with water and completely and immediately dry with a soft towel.

White Socks

• Soak them in boiling water with a slice of lemon, then wash as usual.  The socks will be white again.

 Storing clothes

• Pillow cases make great garment covers for the closet.  Use scissors to cut a small slit in the top of the pillowcase and place the hanger through the slit.

 Cleaning the Washing Machine

• In an empty tub, put 1 cup of white vinegar and run the machine on a normal cycle.  Do this once per month to keep clean.
• Fill the machine half full then add 2 cups of vinegar and 1 cup of baking soda.  Run through a full cycle then rinse again.

Dryer care

• Because built up lint can cause a fire, be sure to clean the lint filter before each use and with a vacuum occasionally.  At least once per year clean the dryer vent to keep it clear.  This includes cleaning the vent on the outside of the house.  The flaps should be able to open and shut with ease.

 Clothing

• Prevent colored clothing from fading by soaking them in white vinegar for 10 -15 minutes.
• To soften new blue jeans, soak them in cold water with fabric softener for at least 12 hours, then wash as usual.
• To whiten socks, soak them in boiling water with a slice of lemon then wash as usual.  The socks should be white again.

 Cleaning the iron

• If your iron becomes dirty it can spot or damage the item you want pressed.  Most newer irons can be wiped clean with a damp cloth.  Always use the recommendations from the manufacturer or you can try one of these tips.
• Fill the reservoir with vinegar and turn it on with the steam setting.  Iron a cloth to clean the slots.  Repeat this with fresh plain water.
• If there is grime on the bottom of the iron, rub with aluminum foil or place a piece of aluminum foil down with a sprinkle of salt, then iron the foil.
• Starch that has burned on can be removed by rubbing with a damp cloth and baking soda then wiped clean.

Laundry

• To fix a sweater that has misshapen from a wash try soaking it in a gallon of warm water and a spoonful of hair conditioner to loosen then lay the sweater flat and gently stretch into the original shape.
• Skip the fabric softener when washing and drying towels.  Some softeners contain a scotch guard that coats the towels and makes them less absorbent.  Another way to get towels to be more absorbent is to add a cup of distilled white vinegar to the rinse cycle every so often.
• Place a tennis ball in the dryer with jackets and pillows to help fluff them back up.

 Bathroom cleaning doesn’t have to be a chore; it can be as quick and easy as taking a shower!

Shower & Tub

• Mix a cup of bleach to 9 cups of water in a spray bottle.  Spray, wipe, and rinse.
• Shower door tracks can be cleaned by pouring some vinegar in the track, letting it sit for a few minutes then rinse.
• Tub decals can be removed with some vinegar that has been warmed.

Shower Head

• Place a small amount of baking soda in a plastic bag (make sure there are no holes) then add a small amount of vinegar.  This combination will immediately begin to fizz up.  Make sure you are next to the shower so you can immediately place the bag on the showerhead and secure.  A twist tie works great.

 Cleaning the Toilet

• Pour 3 tsp of citrus beverage powder (i.e. orange or lemonade powder) into the bowl and soak for at least 30 minutes.  Use a toilet brush to clean the bowl.  Don’t forget under the rim.  Flush to rinse.
• Drop an Alka-Seltzer in the bowl; let it sit for 30 minuts, then brush away the grime.
• A denture cleaner tablet works great.  Drop in a couple tablets, let sit, then brush.
• Pour 1 cup of vinegar in to the bowl, let it sit for at least 5 minutes and flush.

 Drain cleaner

• Sprinkle baking soda into the drain.  Pour white vinegar into the drain – This will create a foaming action.  Close the drain and let this sit for 30 minutes.  Rinse with very hot water.  It may take a few times but it does work.
• Drop a couple of Alka-Seltzer down the drain and then a cup of vinegar.  Let it sit for 10 – 15 minutes, then rinse with hot water.
• To deodorize, use the baking soda that you had in the fridge and pour down the drain (at least 1/2 cup).  This not only helps the drain but also is great for the septic system’s pH balance.

Door Knobs & Switch Plates

• It is noted that more germs reside on door knobs than the toilet. Therefore, to stop the germs from spreading, the door knobs and switchplates should be wiped down often.

 Sink

Sprinkle baking soda on a damp sponge and scrub, rinse, & dry.

 Floor

Mix 1/2 cup of baking soda into a bucket of warm water.  Mop and then rinse with clean water.

 Mildew

• Remove mildew by making a paste of vinegar & salt and apply to areas, scrub, let it sit then rinse. 
• A mixture of 1/2 cut bleach to 1 gallon of water and 1/2 cup of detergent will remove mildew from shower curtains.
• If you have mildew in the shower corners try a cotton ball soaked in vinegar, let it sit for a little bit then rinse.

 Mirrors

• Cleaning the mirror with a little rubbing alcohol and a soft lint free cloth will remove hair spray and make it shine.
• Rub some shaving cream onto the mirror to stop of fogging after a shower. 
• After a shower and the mirror is foggy is the best time to clean the mirror.  Just use a clean towel and wipe the mirror down.  Toothpaste comes right off.

Shower Head

• Place a small amount of baking soda in a plastic bag (make sure there are no holes) then add a small amount of vinegar.  This combination will immediately begin to fizz up.  Make sure you are next to the shower so you can immediately place the bag on the showerhead and secure.  A twist tie works great.

Pour approximately 2 cups of cornstarch into a plastic bag. Place the feather duster into the bag and secure tightly around the handle.  Shake the duster and the cornstarch will remove the dirt.   Remove the leftover cornstarch by shaking.

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Sponges

Place a sponge in the dishwasher, attached to one of the pegs with a clothespin, and run through a cycle with other dishes.

Sanitize in tub with 1/2 gallon of water and 1/4 cup bleach.

Microwaving is not the best choice.  The size of the sponge and the differences in ovens will affect the length of time needed to kill the germs.

Rotate or replace sponges every few weeks.

Cleaning Patio Furniture

• White plastic furniture – Use dishwasher soap to clean – this type of soap usually contains bleach.  Mix about 3 teaspoons of soap to 1 gallon of warm water.  Wash the furniture, rinse well, and let the sun dry it.  Make sure you keep the soap off the grass or plants.  The bleach may kill them.  Make sure you rinse very well if it happens.
• Colored plastic furniture – Use non-bleach liquid dish soap.  Make sure you rinse very well and turn the furniture upside down to dry.
• Cushions – Make a mixture of 1 tsp dishwashing liquid, 1 qt of water and 1 tsp of borax and pour into a spray bottle.  Completely cover the cushions on all sides with the solution.  Let the cushions sit for at least 20 minutes.  Spray the cushions with the garden hose to completely remove the dirt and solution from the cushions.  Let them dry.  Don’t forget to spray them with fabric protectant to help in the future.
• Wicker – Vacuum the wicker furniture first to remove any loose dust and debris.  Wicker can be washed with a solution of 2 tablespoons ammonia per 1 gallon of water.  Using a stiff brush or a toothbrush to remove any dirt in the crevices.  Be sure to rinse well and allow to dry out of direct sunlight.
• Aluminum furniture – Clean with with mild soap and water and then use a paste wax on the aluminum to prevent pitting.

Cleaning the Grill

• Tightly wrap the grate in heavy duty aluminum foil with the shiny side against the grate and place on a hot grill for at least 15 minutes – the dirtier the grill, the longer it need to be heated.  When the grate is cool, remove the aluminum foil.
• Wrap the grate completely with paper towels.  Slide the grate into a garbage bag large enough to enclose the grate and saturate the towels with ammonia.  You can use a spray bottle or pour the ammonia in the seal the bag and gently tilt the bag so the ammonia will run through and cover all towels.  Let the sealed bag soak overnight.  When opening the bag, keep away from your face – the fumes will be strong.  Wash the grate in hot soapy water.
• The rack can also be cleaned with oven cleaner.

 Windows

• Washing windows out of direct sunlight is best.  The sun will dry the cleaning solutions faster
  than you can wipe it off.  Therefore, working on an overcast, but not rainy, day is best. 
• Begin by sweeping the frame and track with the vacuum cleaner.  If the dust in the track become wet while cleaning, it will be even harder to remove.  Next, spray the cleaner onto the glass and wipe from side to side.  When you wash the other side of the glass, wipe in an up and down pattern.  This way, if there are any streaks, you will know what side to wipe again.  Use a cotton swab to get the corners if needed.
• A squeegee is probably gets the best results, less streaking.  Microfiber, paper towel, newspaper, or a chamois cloth can also be used – any material that is absorbent but won’t leave lint.

 Screens

• Cleaning screens is simple.  Remove the screen, lay them on an old sheet on the grass, and gently scrubbing them with a cleaning solution.  Baking soda seems to work great.  Make sure you scrub both sides, including the frame, then rinse with clean water.  Stand them upright to dry while you wash windows.  They should be dry by then, but, if not dry with a clean dry cloth.