How To Refresh Your Overworked Washing Machine

I participated in this sampling on behalf of Smiley360.com. All experiences and opinions are my own. You can join Smiley360 at www.smiley360.com.

Okay, I don't just use my washer... running it 3-4 times a day and asking it to tackle dirty farm-soiled clothing just might be a tad on the abusive side. But, as a Mother of 3, our family goes through a LOT of laundry.

My beloved washer is one of my essential tools. I couldn't make my day work without it. My day generally starts off by throwing in my first load of laundry before my coffee is done being made. Then my day is not complete without a quick trip back to the laundry room to ensure nothing was left in the washer. If you have every found a washer full of damp mildew-ridden clothes (shudder) you may understand my paranoia.

Sadly, even with running the 'Clean Washer' setting regularly, I had started to notice that our clothing wasn't coming out smelling as fresh.

I learned this the hard way, breathing into a towel straight out of the shower the other morning. Ewwww..... And it was a fresh, 'clean' towel!

The last time this happened, I bought new towels. Don't laugh. Little did I know it wasn't the poor towel's fault... my washing machine held a dirty little secret.

My washer, with the sole purpose to get clothing clean, wasn't so clean itself. Did you know the washer can build up odor causing residue?

My MIL swears by leaving the door open between loads so the machine can dry out completely, but with our daily laundry load even doing that wasn't enough. Now I have a new solution to try for my less than fresh washing machine dilemma, I found something that will tackle that odor causing residue with minimal work from me. Did you know OxiClean makes a Washing Machine Cleaner?

I already use OxiClean as a laundry booster to help get out the tough stains and grime from my husband's work clothes, I also use it to help me battle against the grass stains and stain-rific mystery messes that my children grind into their shirts, pants and socks daily.

But now my washer can benefit from OxiClean as well.

My box of OxiClean Washing Machine Cleaner contained 4 easy pouches. It works with HE washers, never fear! To start with a deep cleaning, the instructions say to use one pouch on my machine's clean washer cycle 3 weeks in a row and then to maintain a clean washer I could use the product once a month.

Using the product was easy, I just opened and add to the drum, then select the clean washer cycle on the washing machine.  I let the cycle run and then after a quick wipe down inside the drum I was ready to get back to my weekend of laundry.

I have currently been using it for 2 weeks and yes, I do notice a difference. We usually use fragrance-free detergents, so there is no scent to cover up any lingering odors or musty smells. My towels are much fresher straight from the laundry room.

And that moment when I step out of the shower, grab a towel and wipe off my face? Much more pleasant now. No cringing, no colorful language...

Who knew that my poor overworked washing machine needed a little extra TLC?

Do you regularly clean your washing machine? Have you tried OxiClean Washing Machine Cleaner before?

Tackling the Meatball Mess: Bounty with Dawn

This is a sponsored post for SheSpeaks/Bounty. All opinions and experiences are my own. #BountyatWalmart 

There is nothing more enjoyable then a slow roasted tomato sauce with homemade meatballs. It is a stick-to-your-ribs, grandma loves you kinda meal. 

Well, unless you are the one stuck with cleaning the kitchen afterwards! 

Those gloriously delicious balls of meat, simmer in a sauce that just happens to get everywhere. In my rush to get dinner on the table I often miss the loud sputters of sauce as it goes from a gentle simmer to a more violent bursting out of the pot and onto my stove top or counters. 

Truly a delicious, but messy endeavor.

Usually I have to deal with the mess after we eat because the oils from the meatballs and the tomato sauce leave a film on everything. Messes can't just be wiped up, they need something to cut through the grease like Dawn.

I remember after I left for college, my parents started using paper towels for everything. They liked the fact they could be thrown away and didn't harbor germs like a kitchen sponge. I just rolled my eyes. Paper towels just don't cut it, in my book, for using with soap and water. Sorry.

Well, Bounty and Dawn have joined forces to make my cleaning fantasies a reality. Bounty with Dawn is a 2-in-1 product  that combines Bounty's durable paper towels with Dawn's grease fighting powers. Truly the perfect product to do battle against my meatball and red sauce nemesis! 

I ran my paper towel under the sink to activate, then wrung it out before setting to work to tackle those spills and pick up those greasy splatters.

I love that the Dawn in the paper towel sudsed up and took out my kitchen mess. I tackled the whole kitchen with just one of these paper towels. I just rinsed, wrung it out and kept cleaning between spills.

Oh, and they are also handy for cleaning out those messy splatters in the microwave, too. This has my traditional stinky kitchen sponge on notice. When I'm done with my cleaning, I can just throw the paper towel away.

Wouldn't this be a wonderful thing to take while at a vacation home or while camping? All the strength of my handy kitchen rags, without the laundry afterwards. Oh, the possibilities..

Be sure to check your local Walmart for Bounty with Dawn, and grab the Meatball recipe below.

Meatballs
recipe courtesy of New Bounty with Dawn

You will need:

• lb ground beef
• 1/4 c. plain breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• pasta
• red sauce of your choice

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a muffin tin with cooking spray.

Combine beef, breadcrumbs, egg, cheese and seasoning in a large bowl. Portion into 1 3/4" balls and bake until cooked through. (about 15 minutes)

Turn the meatballs during this time so they brown evenly.

Cook pasta according to the package directions.

Warm your sauce in a small saucepan over low heat. Add cooked meatballs to the sauce and simmer for a few minutes. 

Serve over pasta and topped with grated Parmesan cheese, if desired.

Enjoy!

How do you tackle your biggest kitchen messes?

Declaring War on Messy Faces and Sticky Hands with PURELL®

This #PurellWipes shop has been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. 

See this sweet little face?

You would be surprised how many sticky dirty messes he can find. Elliott is my third child, my baby, but somehow they all keep me on my toes.You would think after almost 8 years of parenthood, I would be a seasoned pro. But, no, I am still learning, always having to improvise my reactions and anticipate where the next mess will be coming from.

I know, my kids see the fun, new things to explore, touch or smell around them, but this Mom sees all the germs that collect on these sweet little faces and hands throughout the day.

Case in point, while out bowling with friends, it was my oldest who discovered a gold mine of dried gum on the underside of the bowling alley tables.

Wow. Aren't I lucky?

Now, since I also know how often he touches his face, mouth and eyes, we made a quick trip to the restroom to wash up.

But, sometimes messes aren't that easy to take care of. Sometimes hand washing isn't possible.

This past weekend was the perfect example of that. Saturday was busy. I had the two oldest kids up and out the door for Pinewood Derby raises with Cub Scouts. It was just me and the baby at home. I was supposed to clean up from breakfast and get us all packed to leave by lunch for an out of town birthday party. It was a tight schedule, but manageable.  When it was almost time to hit the road, I noticed my youngest had decided to play in the entry way... with my husband's muddy boots!

Don't kids have the best timing?

This time of year in Oregon is very wet and muddy. My husband is a farmer, so his boots were filthy. No time to put my toddler  in a bath and grateful that his clothes were unscathed, I did the next best thing.

As Moms we all find short-cuts, time-savers or handy products to get us through raising kids. Keeping my kids clean means having the right products at the right time. PURELL® Hand Sanitizing Wipes are perfect for those moments when I want to both clean and sanitize their hands. It is quickly becoming indispensable in my family of 5. 

With no harsh chemicals, these wipes are safe to use on hands and faces. They are also great since my kids often rush through hand washing and dislike warm water.

A quick clean-up and we were ready to get into the car and head off to the birthday party. Along the way we grabbed a quick lunch in the car and out came the wipes again for all the kids' sticky fingers.

The PURELL® Hand Sanitizing Wipes traveled with us to the trampoline center. It was a packed rainy Saturday and I think the whole city was out to try the new place. So many surfaces, so many little hands, and there were plenty of runny noses in the building. I am sure there was a fair amount of germs being spread. Check out a highlight of our good clean fun below.

After all that healthy fun, we headed into the party room for pizza and cake. I put out the PURELL® Hand Sanitizing Wipes and they were perfect for sweaty hands, greasy fingers and frosting mustaches. 

Spring is a great time to work on encouraging healthy habits in kids and the importance of wiping out germs.

Now, I am not always around to remind my kids to wash their hands, but I am trying to instill other healthy habits in them. I created this simple FREE Printable this weekend to hang in our upstairs bathroom. My oldest children are both reading now, so a simple reminder might help.

I know. Fun and messes are important parts of childhood. I am just glad that clean up is now even easier, whether I am at home or on the go.

You can find the PURELL® Hand Sanitizing Wipes at most Walmart stores in the household cleaning aisle with other "Quick Cleaners". Starting 3/17, save $1.00 on any PURELL® Wipes canister or Save $1.00 on any two PURELL® Products. Grab your Walmart coupon to save.

Getting set for Spring cleaning? Why not take the PURELL® 30 Day Challenge? I am always looking for ways to stay cleaner and healthier. Also, learn more about the PURELL® Loyalty Program, where you can earn points towards a variety of prizes!  I have definitely declared war on messy faces and sticky hands with the help of PURELL®.

This sweet face? He is probably just plotting his next big mess. It's okay, I have plenty of backup - #PurellWipes #ad for messy hands and faces. Check out how it helped during our busy weekend #ontheblog #flipagram ♫ Music: This Is How We Roll - Fifth Harmony Made with @flipagram See full video at flipagram.com/andrealkruse

A video posted by Andrea (@andrealkruse) on Mar 16, 2015 at 9:39pm PDT

Okay, I shared my "gum under the table" shame, what germy messes did your kids get into?

Tackling the Floor Cleaning with Help this Season

This floor cleaning with kids shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions & experiences are mine alone. #CleanForTheHolidays #CollectiveBias

Just last Christmas my son had an overflowing Christmas Wish List, and one of the items he wrote down was an O-Cedar Pro Mist. True story. In fact, he watched enough commercials that he was sure our floors would be cleaner if I only picked up this handy tool.

Odd Christmas requests must run in the family... his father at that age asked for a Garden Weasel!

A year later, at 7, he is a year older and ready to pitch in with more of the household chores. In fact, this past Thanksgiving I was overwhelmed by all the cooking and cleaning I needed to get done. Enlisting more helpers means the holidays may run more smoothly and give me more time to create holiday memories with family, instead of just cleaning. So, I offered my son the chance to own his very own spray mop.

I took him into our local Walmart so he could pick out his mop. If you go with your kids, be forewarned that they are up high. Just look for the "Pro Mist" label in the cleaning aisle beside the mops and brooms.

The spray mop has been a welcome addition to our house. With a family of 5, a new puppy and 2 indoor/outdoor cats in Oregon, we have a lot of mud, hair and mystery items tracked through downstairs. I bought my son a few extra refills so we can rotate between in-use and the laundry.

Now, 7 is a glorious age. My son is finally coordinated enough to handle more advanced cleaning with ease and his is excited to pitch in for the family. In fact, once we got our new mop out of the packaging he was off cleaning without being asked.

I kept him motivated with music, Pharrell Williams' "Happy" is a favorite in our house to clean to, and my son has been known to break out into dance and sing along. Luckily the swivel head allowed him plenty of free movement for dancing!

I am a huge fan of spray mops that allow me to add my own solution. I prefer green cleaning solutions that are safe for my kids and our pets. On our floor I like to use a simple solution of 2 parts water to 1 part vinegar.

The refillable bottle comes off the mop with 1-touch bottle release and the fine spray of cleaning solution is dispensed with an easy to pull trigger on the end of the handle. My son had no problem being able to squeeze the trigger on his own.

And this mop is super easy for my son to set-up himself. The mop has Velcro patches underneath and each microfiber pad or microfiber scrubbing pad comes off and goes on easily. They can be tossed in the laundry with our rags so they can be used over and over.

Do you have kids old enough to start pitching in around your house? Here are some of my favorite tips to help things go smoothly. 

Tips for Cleaning with Kids

• Make it Routine - Now that Owen has his mop, I have encouraged him to use it often. This way he will know what cleaning expectations there are before the next holiday party or get-together happens and I can pass the floor cleaning duty to him.

• Ditch the Chemicals - I go green with our floor cleaning because I still have a baby at home crawling around and I want my kids to be safe as they clean. Using a vinegar and water solution is also inexpensive.

• Let them Own it - Part of encouraging my son to clean was giving him his own mop. It is now his and I am teaching him how to care for it. I hope that he will always take pride in his cleaning skills. My kids have had their own brooms and dust pans (smaller sized for small hands) for years and I still think it has been the reason they are always willing to sweep up.

• Keep it Fun - We like to clean to music. Crank up the tunes and encourage kids to dance, move, sing and clean at the same time. What would you include in your family's cleaning playlist?

And now my son knows why I am always cleaning. ...and why we don't eat things off the floor...

With all these people and pets, there is stuff being tracked in all day. At least now I can have help to keep the mess under control.

How do you keep it #CleanForTheHolidays? Do you have any tips for getting your kids involved?

My Dishwasher Detergent Confessions plus DIY Dishwasher Magnet

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SparklySavings #CollectiveBias 

Confession #1 - I don't like doing the dishes

This probably comes from the fact I rarely had a dishwasher growing up. I washed my fair share of dishes and now, since we eat 3 meals a day at home, I am constantly tackling an ever growing mountain of dirty dishes. It is quite a job.

But does anyone really enjoy doing the dishes?

Having a dishwasher made a huge difference in my attitude, With a family of 5, I now consider a dishwasher more of a necessity than a luxury. It is the only appliance in the house we didn't upgrade when we moved in. But it is on my list. With Back-to-School needs and upcoming family birthdays and the holidays though, it isn't a priority. 

Instead of a top of the line machine I am using the best dishwasher detergent I can find instead.

Confession #2 - I pre-scrubbed my dishes

I blame it on my love of melted cheese, but I was a die-hard dish scrubber. I assumed the power lacking in our old dishwasher was the reason why the dishes came out with stuck-on food and spots. Oh, how I dislike spots on my dishes! We have well water so I needed to find a way to get my glasses shiny and residue free. 

The simple solution was in Finish Quantum Power Dishwasher Detergent. The Power Gel helped to rinse away any residue that comes from my well water and the pre-soaking Powerball® took care of all my tenacious baked-on food particles.

Even a night of French Onion Soup Meatballs with all that melted Swiss Cheese came off in the dishwasher cycle.

Confession #3 -  I run my dishwasher 2-4 times a day

Yes, you heard me. I know my way around dishes! Since my husband is a farmer we have the luxury of having all our meals at home as a family. But all that home cooking is brutal on our dishwasher... and me! It didn't leave any time for me to re-run a load that didn't come out clean the first time. 

Confession #4 -  I waste a lot of dishwasher detergent

Call me clumsy but, previously we used a powdered dishwasher detergent and those big boxes were always awkward to pour. Bumped by the baby or startled by wild children zooming through the kitchen, I was always over filling the detergent holder. I was all for trying a pre-measured tab to avoid the waste.

My husband was skeptical.

But I love grabbing a single tab. And I am the one doing the dishes.

Since our old dishwasher detergent just wasn't cutting it, I was happy to give Finish Quantum a try. You might have noticed that Walmart has Finish Products on Rollback (now until October) and you can grab a coupon right here to combine and save even more! 

It is a great time to try it for yourself.

With all the Finish Product options available at my Walmart, I am sure there is a solution in there for all of your own dishwasher confessions. 

Confession #5 - Sometimes I can't tell if my dishes are clean or dirty

And my last little secret is probably something many families deal with. After the green dishwasher light goes off, how do you keep track of whether the dishes are clean or dirty? I never like to realize they are dirty after putting half of them away, so I decided to create a Clean/Dirty Dishwasher Magnet.

It's easy to make with a Silhouette machine and a few simple supplies.

I used:

• Silhouette Cameo Die Cutter
• Adhesive Magnet Paper
• Scrapbook Paper
• Adhesive Vinyl
• Transfer Tape

I found the fork and spoon in the Silhouette online library. The download was just $0.99, and I paired it with a shape I already owned and a simple font in my current library. 

This was my first experience using the Adhesive Magnet Paper from Silhouette and it was so simple to cut and use. I just followed the instructions on the back of package and used the cut settings as suggested by the software. 

I also cut the same basic shape out of two different scrapbook paper designs and cut those in half. The white backing peels off the magnet paper and then you can attach it to anything. 

I cut the fork and spoon as well as the words out of adhesive vinyl scraps. With transfer paper I moved them over to my magnet and was done! 

Now I have solved my fifth problem. My kids already like the idea of turning the magnet when I start the dishwasher. I am not sure how long this game will last, but it helps to keep me straight.

As for confession 1-4? Well, Finish Quantum Power has me covered there. My dishes have been cleaner this week than they have for the past 4 years. Now I know I can put off replacing the dishwasher a little longer.

What are your Dishwasher Confessions?

Life's Reality Calls for the RugDoctor - Keeping Up with My Carpet

I recieved a RugDoctor to put through the paces in order to share my opinions and experiences. I used the Portable Spot Cleaner on real carpet, on real messes from my (too messy) real family. #MC 

I love having people over, but I have always been self concious about our floors.

Most days the odds are stacked against me for a spotless floor. With 3 small children, indoor cats and all the dirt of the farm trying to leave it's mark on my carpets, it is a loosing battle. Believe me, I have tried. We have great vacuum cleaners and an upright carpet cleaner. But, for the average everyday spills and accidents, I just couldn't keep it up.

Okay, the upright carpet cleaner has been nice, but for the size, weight and prep it takes, it is much better suited for doing a large area at once. After moving the furniture and then letting the room dry for a day, it is hard to work into our busy lives.

So I started looking longingly at smaller spot cleaners.

I needed something that could either clean up a pet mess, diaper disaster or juice box drama. I also needed something easy enough for me to use. My poor husband was designated the carpet cleaner in the house, but most evening during the Summer he is just too tired for housework after a hot day of farming.

The size and weight of the RugDoctor were my first favorite features. It was a machine I could easily grab for using or carry up and down the stairs.

There are two tanks on the front, clearly labeled for use. I made up the clean water and solution mixture to use. It just goes in the Clean Water Tank

I used the handy spray wand and motorized brush to prep and go over spots in the carpet. There is a button on the back of the wand to turn on the brush motor and a trigger for solution on the underside of the brush grip.

The brush moves enough to agitate any stubborn spots and I didn't have any trouble getting out the dark and discolored areas that have collected on our stairs. It is such a high traffic area, I am not even sure how old some of those stains are.

In fact, our stairs haven't been cleaned since we had it professionally done before we moved in.

This is the first machine that has easily fit on the stair. I was able to clean two stairs above and below where I set the machine.

The other feature I was surprised about is the power. For such a small machine, it has more power than the larger cleaner we own. Even my husband admitted he was impressed. Despite soaking each spot in solution, the RugDoctor had enough power to lift most of the moisure up into the waste water tank.

And the water that cameback into the tank was disgusting! Brown and filled with dirt, I know I haven't been doing a good enough job with our carpets. Luckily, now I have a better solution and a good way to keep up on our high traffic areas.

Overall it is a great addition to my cleaning routine. Much easier to pull out for the smallest of spills, I won't have to let them add up till I can't stand it anymore. That makes my husband grafeful. I just look forward to being more confident about having friends over.

My floors look better than ever. I guess all it took was a small, yet powerful, RugDoctor.

How do you keep up with the stains in your home? Any tips you can share?

Filling Our Home with Laughter and Help from Ology Healthy Home Products

I received this product for free from the sponsor of the Moms MeetSM program, May Media Group LLC, who received it directly from the manufacturer. As a Moms MeetsSM blogger, I agreed to use this product and share my honest opinion and experiences. All opinions are mine alone and are not necessarily shared by May Media Group LLC or hte manufacturer of this product. #Momsmeet

I don't like to clean, but I am motivated by these two little people and 30 sticky fingers, 3 tongues, 3 noses and a whole lot of mess left in their wake.

If you have small children I know you feel my pain, right? It is a constant balancing act to keep the house clean and disinfected enough to keep us all healthy while also cleaning with products that are free from harmful chemicals and eco-friendly to protect my children's future.

My son just finished Kindergarten and believe me it was a year full of amazing milestones and many days where we were all layed up by illness. Yes, being thrown into the petri-dish of a classroom, my son brought back a lot of new germs to share.

This was not the kind of sharing I try to teach my children.

My daughter is following right behind and though I hope we have built up a little immunity to these germs, I know there will be some new surprises in the coming year. I am already stocked up on All-Purpose Cleaner from Ology. Suitable to clean kitchen counters as well as most household surfaces, it also doesn't contain harmful chemicals that I don't want to use around my young baby.

Cause if the baby can reach/touch it... it is going in his mouth!  Yes, I have even caught the kid licking walls recently. Sheesh...

Luckily I can rest easily knowing the cleaner is plant-derived, but also cuts through the grease and greasy finger prints that seem to coat every surface within 3 feet of the ground. Please don't look at my baseboards and walls too closely.

Now, I am a re-usable rag sorta gal. I like to re-use anything I can, but some messes require a handy stockpile of paper towels. I am not ashamed to admit that there are times I just don't have time to throw in one more load of rags. Ology has an alternative to traditional tree-paper options. Their paper towels are 100% tree free! Score one for the forrest, right? They are actually made out of renewable sugar husks and quick growing bamboo.

I thought they were soft on my hands and held up to scrubbing down my stove and counters quite nicely. I have also been keeping a roll right on the table since my 5-year old is going through an ultry klutzy phase. Liquids anywhere near arm's reach are sure to be upturned during dinnertime. These Ology Paper Towels quickly soak up the mess and we can get back to our meal.

I also tried out Ology's Laundry Liquid. I have mentioned before that my kids have sensitive skin and we are a fragrance free household. I am always on the look for new fragrance free options that won't break the bank. It just amazed me that the absence of dye and perfume usually costs more to buy. But, whether you go the Free and Clear route or try their lavender vanilla scent, it is all  using natural ingredients - nothing artificial.

I quietly switched out our usual detergent and tried the Ology brand. You know what? I didn't hear a single complaint.  Our laundry came out smelling clean - not unnatural from an artificial scent, and it also looked clean. Now, with a farming husband and three young children, that is amazing!

Safe for high efficiency washers, it worked well for us.

All these products are part of Walgreens Ology brand and are free of harmful chemicals and safe for you, your family and the environment. You can find these three products exclusively at Walgreens. And if you were curious about the packaging?  Every Ology bottle is created with 100% post consumer materials.

Yes, I love seeing a company create a product that consumers have been asking for. Now, if Ology products inspire you and your family to make positive changes in your home, be sure to submit an #OlogyPledge for a chance to win a $100 Walgreens gift card. Learn more about the Pledge to Create a Healthy Home Sweepstakes at  greenmomsmeet.com/ologypledge.

Well, my home may never be completely spotless and clean, but with the Ology products I can keep my family a healthy and happy family.... and my surfaces will definately boast a few less greasy fingerprints.