Spring Cleaning
Tips & Tricks for cleaning out your makeup and home!With spring just around the corner, the spring-cleaning syndrome breaks though. Most of us not only clean our homes, but our closets out as well. What about your make-up trains? Do you clean out your make-up…. ever?
I bet some of you are saying “WHAT”.
I thought since spring gets us into the cleaning mode I would share with you how long your beauty products are good for.
When to get rid of make up
• Oil-Free Foundation: 1 year
• Cream or Compact Foundation: 18 months
• Concealer: 12-18 months
• Powder: 2 years
• Blush and Bronzer: 2 years
• Cream Blush: 12-18 months
• Powder Eye shadow: 2 years
• Cream Eye shadow: 12-18 months
• Eyeliner: 2 years
• Liquid eyeliner: 3-6 months
• Mascara: 3 months
• Lipstick: 2 years
• Lip liner: 2 years
• Lip gloss: 18-24 months
• Nail Color: 1 year
Mascara: I know that its costly but this is the most important one to me. When I open my mascara for the first use I always put the date on it, and then what three months from that date is. Mascara is a product that you use around your eyes. It should be changed to prevent eye infections.
Nail Polish: it’s said to only really be good for a year. I don’t follow this one when it comes to the color polishes. However I usually end up throwing out my base and topcoats before the year is up. As spring settles in, the days get sunnier. Doesn’t it feel like it’s time to open the windows and spruce up your living space with a little spring cleaning.
Schedule your spring cleaning. Don't just start it on a whim, you really want to be in the proper mindset. Make sure you get all the cleaning supplies you need. Don't forget a killer playlist! Think about how amazing you'll feel when everything is spiffied up!
Make a check list.. room by room of the task that need to be completed.
• dust every surface (this includes walls, ceiling and all lights and pictures)
• wipe down dirty walls (use a sponge, water and a little bit of dish soap)
• clean you vents (soak them in the sink and give them a good scrub down)
• wash drapes and blinds
• vacuum and mop (move all furniture that is movable)
• beat your rugs and mats outside
• clean your windows inside and out (dont forget your screens)
Tackle your list bit by bit and you'll be proud of the outcome!
Prioritize! Decide what you want to tackle first, and make sure that you can complete it. You don't want to create a bigger mess. Trust me you'll regret it! I suggest starting what you hate doing most. Cleaning the bathroom is my least favorite.
Create room by room task
• kitchen: wipe out fridge, throw away expired things or that orange growing mold in the back of your fridge...oops, defrost and wipe out the freezer, clean your oven and organize your drawers and pantry.
• bedroom: buy new pillows, flip and rotate your mattress
• closet & drawers: switch from winter to summer clothes, switch to your spring purse :], donate clothes that you no longer wear.
• bathroom: (be sure to add in your weekly task to the agenda such as scrubbing the toilet, sinks and shower)
Having issues dusting high-up spaces (story of my life) wrap an old T-shirt or flour sac towel around your swiffer or a broom.
In these rough financial times, we’re all looking to save a little green. So here are some cleaners you can make on your own! (thanks Hannah!)
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All-Purpose Cleaner: To make a simple cleaner for wiping down counter tops, sinks, and cupboards, mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
For cleaning linoleum and tile floors, place this same mixture in a bucket and dip your mop in.
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Air Freshener: To get rid of unpleasant odors, leave out a halved lime (make sure that the cut side is facing upward) in a bowl of baking soda. Instead of throwing the lime and baking soda into the trash when you’re finished using them, grind them up in your garbage disposal instead to freshen the surrounding area.
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Fabric Freshener: To freshen couch cushions, use a spray bottle filled with water and two drops of an essential oil such as lemon, lavender, or peppermint. Essential oils are very potent, so one or two drops is all you need. Shake the bottle to mix the ingredients and mist whenever freshening is needed.
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Cooktops and Ovens: For cleaning
cooktops, dust with a bit of baking soda and squeeze some lime juice over it. You can use the cut lime half as a scouring tool to scrub the cooktop. Use a toothbrush to scour any hard-to-reach spots. For tough spots, make a paste out of some lime juice and baking soda, and let it sit on the problem areas for several minutes before scouring.
For
ovens, make a paste out of lime juice, baking soda, and salt. Wipe out the inside of the oven with a damp sponge, then apply the paste. Allow the paste to stand for about a half-hour, then scrub it off using a scouring pad.
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Hard-to-Reach Grime: Have an oddly shaped vase that you can’t seem to clean the inside of? Squeeze a drop of dish soap or some vinegar into the vase and add water along with a small amount of dried rice. Cover the top with your hand, shake and swirl the rice around, then rinse.
Have any tips or tricks? Share them with us!xo
