5 Creative Ways to Use Bleach

This post is sponsored by The Clorox Company but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

When it comes to the many daily activities required to keep my official parent card, cleaning is not one of my favorite. I wouldn’t even put it in the top ten. Or twenty. 

The actual act of cleaning isn’t so bad. Its more the fact that, as a parent, cleaning seems to be a constant never ending battle filled with gross (often unidentifiable) messes that should legally require a hazmat suit. 

Since I have yet to win the lottery or be gifted a staff of cleaning professionals, I’ve resolved to the fact that I’m head cleaner of Casa de Magnolia Mama. Over the years I’ve become a pro at crayon wall art removal, rogue toddler nail polish application recovery, and am certified in 87 different ways to remove stains. 

Because I know life is messy, I like to have powerful products on hand that can be utilized to do multiple jobs. The biggest one in my arsenal is Clorox® Bleach. They have an amazing line of products - and we all know the amazing cleaning power of bleach. Because I like to keep things easy I always place these Clorox Clorox® Control Bleach Crystals™ and Clorox® Zero Splash™ Bleach Packs™ in my Amazon cart. Not only are they lighter, less messy, and easier to store than liquid bleach - they come straight to my doorstep. I call that a mom life win. (If you haven’t used Amazon Pantry for your groceries or favorite house hold cleaning products you’re missing out!)

My favorite part about  Clorox Clorox® Control Bleach Crystals™ and Clorox® Zero Splash™ Bleach Packs™ are that they are spill-free bleach options that are only activated when mixed with water - so no accidental splashes! My daily mom uniform of black yoga pants are safe, and bleach spot free. Friends who see me (or better yet, have to be seen with me), you’re welcome. 

Until I did some research I didn’t realize how many different uses bleach actually has. Some of my favorite ways to use bleach aren’t even in the laundry room!

5 Creative Ways to Use Bleach 

Brighten Up Glassware - Notice how sometimes after awhile glassware will get that film on it? Well by using a little bit of bleach you can give your glassware its old sparkle back. 

Fill up your sink with soapy water, place a teaspoon of Clorox® Control Bleach Crystals™ or one Clorox® Zero Splash™ Bleach Packs™ and let your glassware soak in the mixture for a few minutes. Rinse really well, and once you dry with a towel your glassware looks brand new!

Remove Mildew Stains From Outdoors Spaces - Nothing is worse than when Spring weather finally rolls around and you want to enjoy your outdoor spaces only to learn that mildew has taken over your patio over the winter (Okay…we know there are a lot worse things, but in the South there’s only a short season to enjoy outdoor patios. There’s a pocket of about ten days that pops up somewhere between freezing cold winter and sweltering hot humid summer. So let us have our dramatics to enjoy our spiked lemonade tea and a mildew-free patio!). A quick mixture of one Clorox® Zero Splash™ Bleach Packs™, two cups of water, and an arm workout with a scrubber brush will have your patio white pants approved. 

Clean Butcher Block Cutting Boards and Counter Tops - Butcher Block is a trend we will always be behind. Keeping them clean. But it’s also tricky. Our favorite solution is to gently scrub them with a cleaning brush lightly dipped in a mixture of one teaspoon of Clorox® Control Bleach Crystals™ and one quart of water, being careful not to oversaturate the wood. We wipe down with a damp paper towel and dry immediately.

Keeps Floral Glassware Looking Bright-  One of the more creative uses I’ve learned for bleach is keeping floral glassware brighter. You know how with in a day vase doesn’t look as clear because of the build-up created by the flowers decaying?

Just mix 1/4 of a teaspoon of Clorox® Control Bleach Crystals™ with a quart of water in a vase before placing in any cut floral stems. Just a quick rinse with soap and water when you’re ready to change out your floral arrangement. The Bleach has done all the algae stain removal work for you.

Whitens Tile Grout - Way back when we were designing our house we put white everywhere - including the bathrooms. While it looks great when it cleans, I’ve noticed it always tends to dull around the toilet and the shower. But I’ve learned with bleach it can be a quick and easy fix! To whiten grout I mix one Clorox® Zero Splash™ Bleach Packs™ in a gallon of water. I fill a spray bottle with the mixture and spray directly on the grout. Let it sit for a few moments and then gently scrub with a toothbrush or a bristled cleaning brush. With in just a few minutes the bathroom is back to its bright, white state. 

Do you have some unique ways to utilize bleach? Share with us!

To learn more about Clorox Clorox® Control Bleach Crystals™ and Clorox® Zero Splash™ Bleach Packs™ visit here.

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5 Ways to Stay on Top of Life’s Messy Moments

This post is sponsored by Clorox®, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.

Okay, moms we all know there is nothing better than finishing your day and walking into a clean house; or stepping into your car and smelling a fragrant lemon fresh scent instead of eau de two day old baseball cleats. Having our lives clean and orderly just makes us feel good, but the reality is life is full of messy moments. Ones that we have to tackle daily and continuously. Who knew that little people could create such big messes?!

But tackling life’s messy moments just comes with that whole mom job description. As moms we tend to take this into stride, accept it as our grown-up duty, and happily move forward in our wash rinse repeat phase of life. 

At least until it’s time to clean the kid’s bathrooms. Then we just put on a hazmat suit, arm ourselves with the strongest Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes in our arsenal and pray we come out alive. 

Kidding. 

Sort of. 

These messy moments could overwhelm us, but as pro-moms we’ve learned a few tips and tricks to keeping our sanity while combating anything thrown our way (and that mysterious puddle on the floor). 

5 Ways to Stay on Top of Life’s Messy Moments 

Don’t Fall Prey to Cleaning ADD - We know it is so easy to get distracted. Between the little people in your house running around, and your email inbox constantly dinging at you from both your phone, wi-fi tv, and your fancy smart watch it’s hard not to. But we find it best to really try to focus on one task at a time. We are total list people. Create a list and start with your first task, and - here’s the key part - stick with that one task before diving into another. If you decide to clean bathrooms (bless you), resist the urge to start organizing that make-up basket under the sink since 2006. Get in and get out, and leave all the “extra” stuff for another time. And you will get a little thrill checking something off your list. 

Make Time for the Small Stuff - Yes, we know all the majors when it comes to cleaning. Vacuuming the living room, folding and putting away the laundry, cleaning the playroom…when it comes to our most lived in areas we knock it out of the park. But make time for those lesser traveled areas too. Maybe not every other day do you need to do a full wipe down of your car, or clean out your guest bathroom linen closet, but incorporating these smaller, less obvious tasks into their own timely routine will save you from being overwhelmed at a later date. 

Just Say No to Clutter - It’s inevitable. You’re a busy family, and with that comes a lot of “stuff”. One minute you have sparkling clean counters, and the next minute you turn around and it looks like a paper bomb exploded and brought contents of your pantry along with it. When stuff piles up it makes life seem messier. Combat clutter as it comes at you. Get rid of junk mail right away. Throw away unnecessary school papers. Donate toys you notice aren’t getting played with. Tackling the clutter as it comes at you is way less an arduous task than when it covers every surface of your house. 

Have Powerful Products on Hand - Listen, when you see what destruction small toddlers can do in a short period of time, you know you need to have some powerful back-up on hand at all times. We make sure to keep powerful multi-purpose products on hand to help us combat any mess that might come our way. 

These new Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes with Ultra Strength Blue Fibers are some of our favorite! We buy them in bulk from Walmart (available in store or online) and store them in multiple places in our homes ready to be used when ever the cleaning call of duty arises. The Clorox Disinfecting Wipes with Ultra Strength Blue Fibers work great on grease, cleaning up crumbs, and even are strong enough to eliminate those mystery stuck on messes that occur on occasion. 

Not to mention they can work on a multitude of surfaces - stainless steel, finished hardwoods, and even granite counter tops. Having such a powerful disinfecting wipe that is multi talented on hand definitely makes combating life’s messes that much easier. 

Take a Break - One of the most taxing things is knowing that the messes will never stop. That’s life. But it can be overwhelming at times and sometimes you just have to know when to take a break. Take a moment from the clean routine to sit down and do something you love. Give yourself small amounts of time to enjoy your favorite show, read a good book, paint your toenails that new shade of pink you grabbed at Walmart with your new favorite disinfecting wipe, and ignore the mess around you. It will still be there after you are done with a little “me” time, and to be honest, it will probably be something that will occur approximately 4,607,299 more times. So taking a five minute scroll through your social media won’t be a big deal in the grand scheme of life’s messes. That five minute refresh for yourself can do wonders for your mental heath. When you are refreshed and rejuvenated you are way more equipped to be able to tackle all of life’s messy moments. 

To learn more about Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes with Ultra Strength Blue Fibers and how you can stay on top of life’s messy moments click here. 

How do you stay on top of life’s messy moments? Share with us your tips and tricks! 

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Clean like a Mom Boss

Cleaning is never really fun for any of us, right?  About 18 months ago I wrote a post about how I handle housework and to be honest, not a lot has changed. I mean, it's kind of one of those topics that isn't too exciting, but we all deal with it so maybe we can share some tips or tricks to help each other out?  Or, if you are like me,  just keep hoping that I'll get a cleaning fairy to do it all for me. There is just really no winning with kids though and it is a constant chore that has to be tackled.

Since it just comes along with the territory of being a mom, and I don't think any of us are getting that cleaning fairy anytime soon, I thought I'd share a few tips for cleaning like a mom boss!

Head on over to the redesigned Savvy Sassy Moms site to read it (HERE) and please, please, please share any tips or tricks you might have with me in the comments below.  With three messy kids and a dog, my house needs all the help it can get!

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Friday Favorites: A Day in the Life Edition {Giveaway}

Happy Friday! Two weeks into the school year, and I am already living for the weekends. I crave those moments that we are all together, and even though during the school year weekends seem to be just as crazy as the weeks, at least all five of us are usually together. 

This week for Friday Favorites I am going to mix things up a bit. A sweet reader emailed us a few months ago asking for kind of a peek into our daily routines and our cleaning favorites. Carrie Beth shared her cleaning routine, and now that life has settled a teeny tiny bit and we are back home more, I thought I would share mine. I tried to keep my cell phone with me all day Monday so you could get a good peek. L.C. starts school today and a few more things will be thrown in the mix in the upcoming weeks, but otherwise it's a good look at the crazy around here. 

So get your caffeine fix all prepped because here we go...

5:30a.m.

Wake up time. Every single day. 

I will never ever complain about 7:00a.m. wake up calls ever again. 

5:32a.m.

After I've rolled out of bed, brushed my teeth, and determined that I can function, I head downstairs to finish out making lunch boxes.  I pack The Cutes lunch boxes the night before and then I add the refrigerated stuff in the morning. 

After lunch boxes, I unload the dishwasher and start a load of laundry. 

I begin making breakfast for The Cutes. Baby Cute is still inconsistent in when she wakes up and when she does she is hangry so I try to make sure everything is already made and ready to go before I wake the older two. 

6:00a.m.

Wake up time for Cute! 

6:01a.m.

He's wide awake and speaking 100 miles an hour. 

6:02a.m. 

I employ caffeine, and get Cute dressed and fed. 

He usually eats pretty fast so sometimes we can snuggle on the couch for a sec and talk, and sometimes we go over any special work he might have for the day ahead. 

6:45a.m.

We grab backpacks, and head out the door to the bus stop. 

The bus stop is only one house down from ours. If the girls are still sleeping I let them sleep, and if not, we all send off Cute together. 

7:00a.m. - ish

I've learned the bus isn't the most punctual thing so far, but fear testing that one day. 

I make my way home and then grab my breakfast if Baby Cute still hasn't awakened. 

If she's up I nurse her first and then eat. On this day, I fed her first and then ate one of my favorite breakfasts - So Delicious yogurt (the Raspberry one is yum!) and turkey sausage. 

7:30am.

Rarely is anyone sleeping beyond this time. I let the pups out, we all give them some love, some breakfast, and their daily meds. 

Currently we have my father-in-laws dog Oscar with us, and L.C. loves tending to his every need. If treats are involved Oscar seems okay with this arrangement. 

8:00a.m.

Dinner time! Sort of anyway. Monday and Wednesday are are most hectic days of the week so a Crockpot meal is a must! (When isn't it a must?)

Please excuse the sunscreen L.C. decided needed to be added to our meal. Luckily our favorite chicken in a crockpot meal was spared and she only got it on the side. 

At this time I employed a caffeine refresh. 

8:10a.m.

I switch the laundry over and answer my emails. L.C. does a pajama outfit change (it happens a lot through out the day) complete with flip flops, and sits to watch the Olympics with me. 

She too has become Olympic obsessed just like the rest of us. 

Gymnastics is by far her favorite, and if I could share the video of her copying the routines she watches I totally would. Let's just say her skills are on point. Theatrics and drama she definitely has down. 

8:30a.m.

I let the girls play, and I get dressed. Monday's equal a little athleisure attire. 

| Yoga tank | Capri Leggings | Shoes |

9:00a.m.

Baby Cute is back down for her morning nap.
We clean and play. 

10:00a.m.

Contractors for Project Deck arrived and did about 7.5 minutes of work before calling it quits for the day. 

So close to finishing! 

Stay tuned on this for an update soon. 

10:30a.m. - ish

Carrie Beth came over and did a special blog delivery for me. :) 

Lots of fun stuff coming up!

11:00a.m. 

Nurse and change Baby Cute. 

11:15a.m.

Out the door for some quick errands. My top priority was getting Baby Cute her food. I can't believe how hard it has been to find Stage 1 baby food. Are babies not doing this anymore? Is there some sort of shortage on pureed carrots that I haven't been privy too? 

We grab some of my favorite brand of baby food and then head out to feed those of us who like solids. 

12:30p.m.

Chickfila for the lunch win. 

1:00p.m.

Baby Cute is hungry again, so we nurse again. 

1:30p.m.

Lunch is cleaned up, and we start some chores. It was dark and thunderstormy on Monday or we would have been outside playing. 

2:30p.m.

We head to get Cute off the bus. 

2:50p.m.

I settle everyone in for snacks and "wind down" time. The Cutes don't nap any more, but I try to have a little quiet time in the day. I head Baby Cute upstairs for another feeding and her nap. I come back down the stairs and see this...

So much for not napping any more. :) 

It's tough living the toddler life. 

3:30p.m.

Do homework with Cute. Luckily it's the beginning of the school year and we don't have much yet. 

4:00p.m.

While everyone is quiet I use this time to blog and catch up on emails, bills, and other fun adult stuff. 

Cute usually is in his room playing with his Legos, Ninja Turtles or reading for a little more wind down time.

I also might or might not sneak a little caffeine in here as well.
Bad habit? Yes.
Needed currently for survival - double yes.

4:15p.m.

I nurse Baby Cute. 

4:30p.m. 

I make sure everyone is wide awake and we head out the door for karate. 

5:00p.m.

I cheer on my tiny ninja. :) 

6:15p.m.

Dinner time! I feed the Cutes my crockpot meal. They like theirs deconstructed so I plate it and then let them put it together how they want. #restaurantmom

And yes, we rock the Halloween plates year round. 

6:45p.m.

The Cutes play, and I feed Baby Cute her dinner. 

She's in her pjs already due to an unfortunate diaper change. Prayers were said that dinner time wouldn't get too crazy. 

7:10p.m.

Bath time!

Now this is where I've learned it feels like sprinting at the end of a marathon. Both Carrie Beth and I have traveling husbands during the week and we are 3v1 at bedtime. My kids get super amped at this time of day. Sometimes its hilarious and some days not so much. Luckily this day everyone was in a great mood. 

7:30p.m. 

Baby Cute required a post dinner bath. 

I nurse her to sleep while The Cutes are reading stories in Cutes room. 

7:45p.m.

Baby Cute is asleep. 

7:55p.m.

L.C. is asleep in bed. Cute is almost asleep. 

8:05p.m.

I walk down the hall to get my pjs on. 

8:10p.m. 

L.C. wakes up needing water. 

8:15p.m. 

Cute hears someone is getting water and also now needs water.

8:16p.m. 

Giggling is coming from L.C's room. 

8:17p.m.

I wonder if I have wine chilled. 

8:30p.m.

I get L.C. settled and finally asleep. 

8:32p.m. 

Cute now has to go potty. 

8:35p.m.

Cute requests more water. 

9:00p.m. - ish

Everyone is finally asleep. 

9:15p.m.

Ah...dinner time for mommy. 

I finally sat down and watched the Olympics while leisurely enjoying the fruits of my mad crockpot skills. 

10:00p.m.

I clean the kitchen, vacuum the floor, fold the laundry, let out the dogs, and get lunch ready for the next day. 

If I have any energy left from the day this is when I will try to also hammer out a quick run on the treadmill or a workout. On Monday I decided to skip. Mommy was tired. 

11:15p.m.

I snuggle in and sign off for the day. 

Now Little Cute and Baby Cute both are consistently waking me throughout the night. This is new for L.C. and she likes to make sure everyone knows she's awake. In the entire neighborhood.

Usually this is anywhere from 2-6 wake ups a night between the two. 

Then 5:30a.m. rolls around and we start all over again. :) 

Now I mentioned I cleaned a lot throughout our day, but Tuesday is usually the day I finally get a large block of time to clean.

 I love having a super clean organized house, but living with my husband and kids I've had to come way down on my expectations. I have no consistent cleaning routine only because if it is messy or needs to be cleaned I do it right then. I can't stand looking at dust for two days because it isn't "dusting day".  Vacuuming and mopping is my biggest thing. I usually vacuum twice a day because I can't stand dog hair on the floors - especially with a baby crawling on them now. 

I do however have my favorite cleaning products and most of these I use every day. I also try to get The Cutes to help any chance they can. (You're welcome future roommates and spouses.)

Here's the lineup of some of my favorite products...

I love Method cleaning products and use them in almost every room in my house as well as my floors. They just smell so good and I love that they are natural safe products.

 In the Cutes bathrooms I keep Babyganics cleaning supplies. I use those for both their bathrooms and their rooms - I especially like the Babyganics quick wipes. 

For clean floors I enlist two major helpers. My Roomba that we both have raved about this year, and my absolute favorite vacuum I've ever owned. You see me using it above, and it is the best one I have found (and I've gone through a lot with our Labs) that combats pet hair and is still super versatile to use. If you are in the market for a new vacuum I highly recommend. 

For dusting, I have quite a few favorites. I love my E-Cloth glove. It is super handy for a quick dusting, and especially in those awkward places like blinds. 

I can knock out my blinds in just a few seconds and then once I am done the E-Cloth glove itself can be cleaned for its next use. It's also great on top of surfaces - just a swipe of your hand and done!   

The E-Cloth glove is definitely one I would stick in your cleaning arsenal. 

My Swiffer Duster Extendable is also a dusting favorite. We have tall ceilings and I'm fairly short, so using the full extension has been so helpful. I can get fans, high corners, and the tops of frames all in one quick swipe. Now to just stop Cute from using it as a sword...

**GIVEAWAY**

And just for fun, we've partnered with the lovely E-Cloth makers to giveaway one glove to a lucky reader. While we might not like cleaning, at least we can all have some fun favorite products to make it go a little smoother! 

To enter just leave a comment answering this question: 

What is your favorite cleaning product? 

Winner will be chosen via random.org and announced on Friday, August 19th.

Open to U.S. Residents only.

To learn more about E-Cloth: 
| website | facebook | twitter | pinterest | instagram |

Now off to a weekend filled with more Olympic watching. 

Have a great weekend everyone!!

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**We received this product from E-cloth in exchange for a review. All thoughts and awesome opinions are our own. **