Things to Think About 4/11

The get-it-done list for April... straight out of the "gentle reminders" section of my 6 years of Martha Stewart Living magazines. Started late? Check out the other months here. I have also added my 2 cents. :) Happy Cleaning/Organizing/Planning.

• Clean stubborn spills and splatters that have hardened on the interior of your microwave. Place a wet dish towel inside, and heat it for about thirty seconds. The steam will loosen buildup; use the hot cloth to wipe it away, placing a folded dry cloth over the wet one to protect your hand. Remove any residual odors by heating a bowl of water with a few lemon slices in it for thirty seconds.
• Wipe out garbage cans. Wash the interiors with a solution of one gallon hot water and one-half cup washing soda, such as Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (available in the laundry aisle of most grocery stores).
• Clean dirt and lint from inside your washing machine. Wipe the interior with a clean, damp cloth, then run a short hot wash cycle with detergent; rinse the empty machine with a plain water cycle. If the machine is exceptionally dirty, fill it with a disinfecting solution: 3/4 cup chlorine bleach and 1 tablespoon powdered detergent for every gallon of warm water. Let it sit for a few minutes, then drain and rinse a few times.
• Get your gas grill ready. Wash the outside with dish soap and water; rinse. Scrub burners with a grill brush; clear clogs with a pipe cleaner or needle. Spray the interior with a grease-cutting solution made of one part distilled white vinegar and one part water. Close lid, and let sit for at least an hour; scrape gently with a putty knife.
• Have your lawn mower tuned up and its blades sharpened. Refill gas containers and buy oil for the mower, as well as for other small-engine equipment, such as a week whacker. (Make sure that you buy the correct formula for each machine.)
• If you don't use them year-round, pack up room humidifiers for the season. Before storing, replace old filters, and remove mineral buildup. Soak interiors with undistilled white vinegar, and scrub with a soft bristle brush; rinse with clean water.
• Clean window screens. Bring screens outside. Stand them against a wall or lay them on the ground. Using warm water and mild dish-washing detergent, clean mesh and frames with a scrub brush. Rinse with a garden hose, and air-dry. During the rest of the year, keep screens clean by wiping them with a soft brush.
• 72 Hour Kit Swap Out.  It's time to rotate through your food.  For us we take out things that melt like granola bars, fruit snacks, etc.  Most of the time we have dinner out of our 72 hour kits and for FHE restock them! Try it its so fun!
• Schedule a tune-up for your car. Request that your tires be changed or rotated, the brakes and fluids checked, the wiper blades replaced, the air conditioning system and four-wheel drive serviced, and the under-body steam cleaned. Drop by the car wash for a detailed cleaning on the way home.
• Road rules. Properly inflated automobile tires ensure better handling on the road as well as optimal gas mileage; keep a tire-pressure gauge in your glove compartment and check the pressure monthly. The right tire pressure for your vehicle can usually be found on a sticker on the driver's side door-jamb. Consider filling tires with nitrogen, an option at auto shops; it maintains pressure longer than regular air.
• Pack or restock a car breakdown kit. Fill a canvas bag with such items as a flashlight and batteries, fix-flat spray, jumper cables, flares, motor oil, and a small tool set. Stash the kit in your trunk.http://nvwitteandkids.blogspot.com/search/label/Things%20to%20Think%20About