Cleaning up after flood

After the floodwater subsided, we struggled on what to do next. The water really wreak havoc on the structure of the house, few of our personal belongings, and the health of the inside environment. Flood waters contain many contaminants and lots of mud and we're grateful that we don't own high dollar items that get ruined-we don't have carpeting nor wallboard. We saved our few appliances and our dining set withstand the flood but not our TV rack, bookshelves and sofa.

Cleaning up is a long and hard process. It took us almost a week to clean and sanitize our small abode and few flooded.

Our landlady lent to us her turbo cleaner so we're able to wash away mud from our living room, backyard, hallway and even the door and window screens. We clean and disinfect every surface. We scrubbed surfaces with hot water and a heavy-duty cleaner. Then disinfected with a solution of 1/4 cup chlorine bleach per gallon of water to kill germs.

In the kitchen, we only got a portable cupboard. We cleaned and rinsed it with a chlorine bleach solution before storing the dishes. Thankfully, I don't need to disinfect glass, porcelain, china, plastic dinnerware, enamelware , silverware, metal utensils, and pots and pans because I was able to save them all.

We threw all our garbage just outside the house because our landlady told us that a garbage truck will pick them up. Piles of garbage lined up in our street and I wonder when will the garbage truck ever reach our place.

Because we can't buy a new bookshelf immediately, I temporarily keep all books, Hyzyd's toys and other items in boxes.

My hands are still sore from washing truck load of laundry and it's Saturday already, I need to wash another pile of laundry. Our favorite laundry shop hasn't yet opened so I don't have a choice but to wash clothes by hand! The household chores is overwhelming but I love it because it serves as one of the best fat burners- I was able to work out my body and utilizes all of my muscle groups. This, in turn, builds strength, endurance, and flexibility. Even folding clean clothes, and scrubbing our toilet qualify as moderate physical exercise which can help me stay fit and healthy.

Spring Cleaning is what I need now

Did you know Mimi Tanner, author of "Declutter Fast - How To Get Your Home In Order Almost Immediately" ? I've leaned a lot from here. I wanna share today about one tradition that few people talk about now is the tradition of Spring Cleaning. Once upon a time,Spring Cleaning was expected, and was a matter of pride.

Times have changed, but there are still plenty of us who miss traditions like Spring Cleaning - where the entire house gets aired out and scrubbed from top to bottom, inside and out - and the clutter gets tossed ( it happens in the Philippines when fiesta is approaching)!

Whether you do your Spring Cleaning in the Spring or some other time of year, the idea of Spring Cleaning is that once per year, all the nooks and crannies in your home get a real cleaning - and the really big jobs get done!

Spring Cleaning is a wonderful old tradition which we must keep alive, don't you agree?

Her friend and fellow author, Maria Gracia, shares this love of the once-a-year deep cleaning tradition. She has several hints to share on how to Spring Clean your home:

1. Make yourself a schedule that is comprised of one hour and one task each day. Your schedule may look something like this:

Monday: Decluttering

Tuesday: Dusting

Wednesday: Vacuuming

Thursday: Scrubbing

Friday: Organizing and Rearranging

Saturday: Laundering

Sunday: Decorating

Then, spend 30 minutes to one hour each day doing your assigned task for each room, throughout your house. You'll be amazed at the difference you can make in your home by following this simple system.

2. Be ruthless.

If you don't love it, and/or you don't use it, it's clutter. Make it a quest of yours to be ruthless when it comes to your decluttering efforts. You'll have less to dust, less clutter to look it, an easier time finding thethings you do use and less stress in your life.

3. Donate or sell.

If you have items that you don't use, but are in good condition, they are prime candidates to sell or donate. Gather all of these items together in boxes or plastic
bags. Then, decide whether you would prefer to donate them or sell them.

4. Make your spring cleaning and organizing fun.

Don't think of it as a chore. Instead, think of it as a'feel good' exercise--one that will really help you to feel good about yourself and your clean and organized
environment.

Play some lively, fun, upbeat music. Dance your way through your home or office with your dust rag or vacuum. Get the family involved. Give everyone a task,and then do something relaxing afterwards, like watching a movie together or going to the park for a walk.

Set timers and play 'beat the clock.' Give yourself time limits for completing small tasks, and try to complete those tasks before the timer goes off.

Ask a friend to help, or do a swap. You clean her living room if she'll clean your kitchen.

5. Open your windows.

There's nothing like taking in a breath of fresh air. As you're cleaning, open the windows. You'll be removing musty winter odors, protecting yourself from inhaling
harsh fumes from cleaning products and the fresh air will keep you going.

While you're at it, let the sun shine in. Open curtains and drapes to give yourself plenty of light for an energy boost.

These tips are very helpful for me as we've just moved to a new apartment and I want to organize our new home almost immediately.

PS. This is a scheduled post as we still don't have internet
connection:(