FALL CLEANING CHECKLIST

Spring isn't the only time to deep clean your house! After a fabulous summer of open windows and living outdoors, we all begin to close our homes for the colder, shorter days of winter. To get ready for a long winters night, it's a good idea to clean out what summer winds brought in. Like me, after active summer months, there are probably a few spots in your house that get ignored. My fall cleaning list will keep my home and yours healthier and cleaner through the cold season.  I don't use store bought cleaning products...except for one...and make mixtures with 50% water, 40% vinegar, and 10% cheap vodka.  I add different essential oils for disinfecting (clove, lavender, lemongrass & tea tree), antibacterial (cinnamon, thyme, tea tree and oregano) properties, natural fragrance and much more. Making cleaners is on the blog too.

1. After a warm summer with windows and doors open, your ceiling fan blades are going to be dusty. Dust sticks, especially in humid conditions  Get it off now so when you turn the fan on to clear out a smoky fireplace, dust won't come flying off.  The same goes for the crystal, shades, and arms of your chandeliers.  Get that dust off before your holiday entertaining.

2. I always thought that my washer and dryer were clean. According to consumer groups, they're not.  They both need periodic cleaning to remove the gunk around gaskets, grime and sticky things that adhere to the inside of your washer tub, and dust that gathers in the lint trap and the dryer vent. I run vinegar through the washer on a hot water cycle. I use a 50-50 mix of water and vinegar with 10 drops each of Thyme and Lavender essential oils, and wipe every other area of the washer. For the dryer, wet some towels and add a few drops of tea tree or other disinfecting essential oils. Run them through the dryer to clean the tub. Vacuum your lint screen, the dryer vent, and any area you can.

3. How many times have you thought of cleaning the coils of your refrigerator?  Now is a great time. Vacuum the main dust, then tackle the sticky stuff with a paint brush. You can also wipe the coils with the same water/vinegar/essential oil cleaner I used above.

4. You might have cooked outdoors a lot in summer, but fall is a good time to clean out your kitchen ventilation hood so odd smells won't permeate your house when you turn it on.

5.It's smart to run a vinegar and water mixture through your coffee maker every few months. It cleans out the old coffee and give you a sparkling clean reservoir for the water.

6.Windows left open all summer likely brought dust inside. Vacuum the tops of your window coverings, shutters and blinds.  When you turn the heat on, they won't smell dusty. Light bulbs collect dust too. When it gets dark outside you'll turn them on more. When they heat up, you'll smell the dust burning. A quick wipe will take care of that.  I dust my bookshelves, but sometimes I skip the books, so remember to dust the tops.

7. I don't use plastic bags in my bath garbage or recycling cans since it's a waste to throw away plastic bags every week. To keep them clean, I use Seventh Generation wipes; they're not toxic and they do a great job of disinfecting. In the kitchen, fall is a good time to remember to wipe the interior of your bins clean. 

8. This is the perfect time to vacuum your heating vents. Don't forget the intake grate. If you have baseboard heating, vacuum the coils and interior to prevent a burning dust smell when you first turn the heat on. Have a radiator? Try to get all of the nooks and crannies clean with a microfiber duster.

9.  I recommend cleaning pillows as each season changes since oils from your head seep into the pillows even if you have cotton pillow covers.  I wash my down pillows at home, although I am now changing to down alternative every time a pillow gets old. I can't stand the thought of having birds feathers plucked so I can sleep on something soft.  Laundromats have machines to fit the down alternative pillows which don't fit into some washers.

10. If you forgot to clean your down comforter or blankets before you tucked them away, do it in the fall before using them all winter. Fortunately I have a big front loading machine that fits everything. I can't get them to fit, i'll go to the laundromat or drop them off at my drycleaner who can launder them.

Summer sprays for body and home.

Oil and water may not mix, but in the case of essential oils, they form a fabulous and very useful combination. Extracted from leaves, fruit peels, petals, and other plant parts, essential oils capture nature's subtle fragrances and can even balance your mood.

Some, like peppermint and eucalyptus, are believed to be stimulating and uplifting; others, like lavender and frankincense, are considered relaxing and centering. These mists are the simplest way to experience aromatherapy for yourself. Spray the air around you, mist your hair and skin, or spritz them on linens to leave a light scent. (They won't stain.) Whether you're stressed or sluggish, one of these mists will suit your mood. At Touch of Tradition, we use them as room fragrance, in drawers, to spritz on sachets, and even on bed linens.  Come by and we can guide you on more of our favorites.

Pick-Me-Up
1 drop eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus)
2 drops geranium (Pelargonium graveolens)
3 drops peppermint (Mentha piperita)

Calm-Me-Down2 drops bergamot (Citrus bergamia)
1 drop frankincense (Boswellia carteri)
3 drops lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

To Make the Sprays1. Fill a clean, dry mini spray bottle with 4 ounces of pure distilled water.

2. Using a dropper, carefully put the selected blend of essential oils directly into the spray bottle.

3. Tightly close the bottle and shake vigorously to combine. Be sure to shake it before each use, as the water and essential oils tend to separate.

Favorite decor ideas for summer.

When it's hot an oppressive, it's often hard to remember why you like summer months.  Making your home and yard inviting and beautiful helps you enjoy your surroundings and feel refreshed. A cool glass of iced-tea - with ice  - in hand, a Japanese fan, a wide brimmed hat, and off you go to see if these ideas can work in your yard or house!

1 Spruce up the path or steps to your home by adding potted flowers. Bold color and soft leaves will be inviting and soft. It's easy, when you water the cooling spray will feel great!

2 Keep the entryway as open as you can.  Take the mail, shoes, dog leashes and packages out.  Add a great sisal mat for a summer feel. Hang a mirror to catch light.

3. For just a few moments before guests arrive for lunch or you serve dinner, heat a summery fragrance in a pan on the stove to infuse the whole house with a pleasant smell. We make our own with essential oils. Search our blog for instructions!

4 Fill apothecary jars on kitchen counters and a large bowl on the dining-room table with lemons, limes and oranges for a refreshing spot of color. Use them in vases instead of marbles. We have a fabulous collection of shapes and sizes in the shop. All hand-blown in the US. 

5. Use seashells or other to hold cut flowers.

6. Dress up your table. Take out the white table cloth or add a colorful runner on top.  Add a fresh look with votive candles, sparkling clear marbles in small glasses with a cut stem at each place setting, and raffia or wicker place mats. 

7  In the spring and summer, display books that picture great gardens and greenery or decor books with serene or seasonal colors.












8. To add light and a bit of sparkle to a coffee table or dining table borrow a small mirror from a wall and use in lieu of a wooden tray. On the mirror, arrange seashells, light driftwood, a few decorative balls and a candle to lighten the whole look of the room.




9 Lighten your bedding. Swap your dark comforter for a light color and soft pattern. Use whites and ivories for sheets, shams and a throw for the foot of the bed if you don't want to change your comforter. Check out the throws, pillows and comforters we stock. Come by to select the fabrics for yours!
10. Swap winter accessories with lighter, brighter ones. Replace  stones in hurricane candle holders with green moss or seashells. Use lighter spring colored pillow covers on your sofa and bed. Use the same pillow form, simply cover the darker toned fabrics.