If you missed this morning’s assignment, you can see it here.
We had a good day today and I am so thankful to have gotten almost all of the trip preparations done so that I can go to bed early tonight. (As much as I try to plan ahead, I usually seem to be scrambling and throwing things into a suitcase at midnight before I’m supposed to leave on an early flight the next morning!)
The tops of the cupboards didn’t look to dirty…
…but looks were deceiving. Ick! There was a sticky film that required I scrub and rinse each area three times to get it completely cleaned.
The top of the refrigerator wasn’t too bad.
But the rubber seal was nasty! So glad I got up there and cleaned it today. It just feels good to know all that dirt is gone.
My 7 things I got rid of today. We’ve recently gotten a few new mugs as gifts, so I pared down our mug collection and got rid of a few that we’ve had since we got married.
How did you do on Assignment #13? I’d love to have you share your progress and success with us so we can be inspired. Either post a link to your blog post below or leave a comment with your update.
Bethany says
While I haven’t been doing this challenge, I do love reading about it… and last night it totally encouraged me to clean my microwave!! Which was a bit nasty. Maybe tonight I’ll do the bathroom tub. I think you are on to something… one small task a day.
Crystal says
Woot, yay!
Jess says
What do you guys do to get the sticky film off of platters and vases (glass and pewter)? We keep our servingware on top of the cabinets on display and the sticky film is awful!
Joy says
If my things get a sticky film, I wash them in warm soapy dishwater & it gets them clean. It they’re really sticky, I squeeze some dish soap directly on the item & use a dish cloth soaked in Hot water.
AmazonsRock says
If soapy water & elbow grease aren’t enough to get the job done, I use goo gone. It’s gentle enough on our ceramics and silver, yet toug enough to cut the sticky, greasy film with a papertowel.
April M. says
The top of my fridge was sticky too – I used water and a microfiber cloth and it came right off. I love these assignments.
Kim says
I found out by trial and error that Spic and Span does a good and quick job of cleaning that sticky stuff off of the top of the fridge and cabinets.
Camille says
My frig top was really dirty and dusty. I’m short and don’t really see it so out of sight, out of mind..so thanks for bringing it to my attention. 🙂 Have a safe trip!
Rachel says
I just wanted to say that I have been putting to play with my kids on my to do list (they are two and 8 months) I am waiting until the end f the day to cross it off my list. I don’t get everything else done but I am loving the feeling in our home. (:
Tara G. says
Mugs…they’re almost a sub-culture in themselves! ha!
Shelly says
My cabinets go all the way up to the ceiling. So I cleaned the cabinet door and also did the top of my refrigerator. The refrigerator was not too bad but it did have some of that greasy dust on top. I used my steam cleaner and it took the film off really well.
I also cleaned my bathrooms today so my house is cleaning up really well.
Thanks for posting these tasks, it has really motivated me to get them done.
Donna says
I did it- but if I croak over in the next couple of days, it’s because I got some weird fungus while I was up THERE 😉
Jen says
If you lay a layer of newspaper or giftwrap down on top of the cupboards after you clean them, you’ll never have to scrub again! The “film” will land on the paper and you can just crumble it up and throw it away!
Liz says
that’s what I did at my last apartment. Only I used wax paper because it didn’t require any piecing together. Made clean up when we moved a snap. We don’t have space on top of our cabinets now – which I miss.
Victoria @Snail Pace Transformations says
Hope you have a great trip. Since I had no top of cupboards to wash and no top of fridge to wash, I decided to clean my kitchen window instead. It was really dirt, but it now looks great!
KC says
Did you use anything other than water to get it clean? Once I get higher step stool, I know I’d want to tackle the top of the cabinets (I refuse to balance myself on the counter tops 🙂 Vinegar solution? Will power?
Emily says
I had to use full strength Murphy’s Oil Soap on the tops of my cupboards with a damp rag. I had to rinse the rag out several times but the oil soap worked great!
Amanda says
I had such a busy day today, but I made myself tacklet he top of the fridge at least because I have been staring at it and being bothered by it for quite some time now. I’ve just never made it a priority. so glad I got it done. So much clutter and trash up there.
Chelsea says
I didn’t do a whole lot from this assignment today because my cabinets go to the ceiling and I cleaned the top of my refrigerator recently. I did do a quick wipe down of my cupboards after dinner.
I hope you have an amazing trip! It sounds like it will be a lot of fun, and I’m sure you’ll do great with your public speaking.
Linda says
I keep a layer of paper towels (newspapers would work too) on top of my cabinets. No one can see it from normal vantage point & it sure makes cleaning a whole lot easier.
Melissa says
My mom taught me that very same trick. I am so grateful!!
Pat says
I have heard to use waxed paper! I don’t have cupboard tops so I haven’t tried it.
Patti says
Great idea!! I’m going to do this as my cabinets are very high and hard to reach.
Elisha says
What a great idea! Thank you for sharing. I hate trying to clean the top of the cabinets.
AmazonsRock says
Fantastic idea! I’m going to do this right now!
Kelly Logan says
I love your cabinets! Have fun on your trip =)
Kristen says
Is that a Starbucks city mug? I collect those! Would love to take it off your hands :]
margaret says
I know that sticky film. Cleaning the top of our refrigerator was gross. In all fairness to me we are in a rental and this is the first time I have cleaned the top of the fridge. So, that also means… ewwwwwww.
Erin @ My Mommy World says
The top of my refrigerator was yucky! But it’s all nice and clean now 🙂
http://www.mymommyworld.com/2012/04/4-weeks-to-a-more-organized-home-assignment-13/
Sharla says
The seal of my refrigerator was nasty, too. I’d wiped the top down back when we did the clean-out, but I got out the toothbrush and really went at it today.
Crystal says
Oh wow, you got out the toothbrush?!?! I kind of feel one-upped now. 😉
Sara@Save Money, Live Joyfully says
Have a great trip! I pray it is a blessing for you and all those who attend!
As for my “success” today, I came down with a flu bug yesterday, (I’m hoping for the old wive’s tale that sickness means labor is nigh :)), so I got very little done today. But, this too shall pass, and I guess this is just the season of a messy home for us 🙂
Crystal says
I’m so sorry you’re feeling sick. 🙁
Jessica says
Ahem. Glad I don’t see a Starbucks California mug in that pile. 😉
Crystal says
Yes, that’s one of my prized mugs — when Jesse gives it up and lets me use it. 🙂 He’s kind of partial to it and asked me if I could start collecting mugs from all the cities we go to!
And oh me, oh my, I’m reading your book… you are amazing. Jesse was super impressed when I showed him a bunch of it, too!