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How to Spring Clean with a Printable Spring Cleaning Checklist

Tackling Spring Cleaning Room by Room
March 1, 2017
Story By: Mandy Kellogg Rye
Filed Under > Everyday

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A Case for Spring Cleaning with A Printable Spring Cleaning Checklist, Waiting On Martha

Spring cleaning has always gotten a bad rap.  The annual chore of purging the whole house, whether you secretly enjoy it or not, brings about the connotation of an overwhelming slew of dirty work.  But when we actually take a second to think about it, cleaning gives you a huge sense of accomplishment, and it can be incredibly meditative and regenerative.  

A good cleaning works to clear the space, and it encourages a calm, peaceful and healthy (literally) environment.  It can also help extend a feeling of contentment with what you already have, decreasing your likelihood of spending money on things you don’t need. 

So this year, instead of moaning and groaning about it (and putting it off) I’m embracing this springtime ritual. In fact, recently, I have basked in glorious Sundays inside, where I have cleaned the house for a busy week ahead. I’m finding that the “reset” feeling is priceless, and it’s gotten me to understand the joy that Marie Kondo taught us. 

While spring cleaning can be great, I also understand it can be overwhelming.  So to help you get started we at Team WOM got together and created the ultimate spring cleaning, printable, checklist.   This spring cleaning checklist should quiet that feeling of where to start and make your home easier to navigate; breaking it all down room by room.  Find our printable checklist HERE.

Along with checklist I’ve also highlighted a few additional tips for those hard to clean spaces and places.  Tips like how do you actually clean your wood cutting boards, a breakdown of expiration dates, and the easiest way to tackle your blinds. And if you’re looking for some organizational inspiration make sure to check out our previous posts on linen closet, laundry room, and bathroom organization.

Lastly, I urge you to do your research and consider making the switch to non toxic cleaning solutions.  Switching to non toxic cleaning solutions is not only one of the healthiest things you can do for you and your family, it’s also the least expensive in the long run.  Cheers, MKR

P.S. While you’re degreasing, decluttering, and cleaning from top to bottom why not rid it of some bad juju with our DIY smudge sticks while you’re at it? 

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End-Grain Cutting Board in Walnut

Williams-Sonoma, $169.95

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As you’re sanitizing your wood cutting boards, stay away from the dishwasher. Instead, be sure to immediately rinse with hot water and soap, letting it dry properly and thoroughly. 

And did you know?  You can bring an old cutting board back to life and remove stains with a sprinkle of coarse sea salt and half of a lemon. Scrub all over with the lemon, then let it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing. If it’s a little stinky, spritz the board with white vinegar and a drop or two of lemon essential oil. 

Bamboo Blind 2-Inch Slats in Pecan

Overstock, $47.99

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When you tackle the blinds and curtains around the house, remember to vacuum horizontal ones across the slats, not up and down, and starting top to bottom.  Team WOM swears by the Dyson Cordless Vacuum with all sorts of detachments perfect for cleaning blinds, sofas, cars, etc. 

If you’re dusting vertical blinds, brush downward.  These motions will help ensure the blinds do not become damaged or unhinged during the cleaning process. 

2 Tier Acrylic Tower

The Container Store

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As you’re decluttering and cleaning the bathroom, pay extra attention to expiration dates on beauty products and pill bottles.  This is a great time to purge unused and expired items that are taking up precious space below the sink. Here’s a great breakdown of common expiration dates to keep in mind (it’s pretty mind blowing if you haven’t thought about it!). 

St. Honore Soap Dish

One Kings Lane, $12

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Don’t forget about sanitizing the most-used items in the bathroom like soap dishes and toothbrush holders.  These items can catch and store moisture (which is never good) and should be cleaned more frequently than you probably realize. 

Try to limit the amount of water collected by wiping down frequently after uses.  When you deep clean, soak them in hot water in the sink, or run them through the dishwasher. 

Featured image, Rustic White for Waiting on Martha

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Buttermilk Brined Smoked Turkey & Chestnut Stuffing

November 14, 2013
Story By: Mandy Kellogg Rye
Filed Under > Food

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As promised, and in preparation for Thanksgiving I wanted to share the recipes that will be gracing my table.  Starting with the star of the show, my buttermilk brined smoked turkey with foccacia and chestnut stuffing.  My husband started brining and smoking his turkey (c/o Joyce Farms) on the Big Green Egg 2 years ago, and he’ll never go back, (in case you don’t have a smoker, I promise you this turkey is not burnt, that’s just how the smoker makes it appear).  The brine, while an extra step, is a complete game changer whether you’re smoking it or not. I promise you the most flavorful and tender turkey you’ve ever tasted!  Happy holidays Loves!  truly, MKR

Photography, Rustic White

Buttermilk Brined Smoked Turkey
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Ingredients
  1. 2 oz. turkey brine, I prefer Williams-Sonoma's Apple & Spices Brine (just use the entire jar)
  2. 1 quart water
  3. 4 quarts buttermilk
  4. 1 fresh turkey (preferably organic and/or free range), 12 to 18 lb., neck, heart and gizzard removed
  5. 4 Tbs. (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  6. 2 Lemons (cut in half)
  7. 1 head of garlic (cut in half, leave the peel on)
  8. 2 white onions (cut into quarters)
  9. Twine
  10. Extra large brining bags
  11. 1 small bottle of apple juice
  12. mesquite chips for the smoker
  13. 1 disposable turkey pan
Instructions
  1. In a large pot over high heat, combine the turkey brine and water and bring to a boil.
  2. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring often, until the majority of the salt dissolves, 5 to 10 minutes.
  3. Let the brine mixture cool to room temperature. Add buttermilk and mix.
  4. Rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water, pat dry, and place in a large brining bag.
  5. Carefully pour the buttermilk brine mixture into the bag. Seal the bag, pressing out the air, and place in a large stockpot or other container large enough to hold the turkey.
  6. Refrigerate for 12 to 24 hours, turning occasionally.
  7. Remove the turkey from the brine; discard the brine. Rinse the turkey inside and out with cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Trim off and discard the excess fat. Place the turkey, breast side up, on a rack in a large roasting pan.
  8. Add lemons, garlic, and onions to the cavity of the turkey and truss legs with kitchen twine.
  9. Melt the butter and rub the skin evenly with a basting brush.
  10. Let the turkey stand at room temperature for 1 hour.
  11. ...Smoking the Turkey
  12. Soak mesquite chips for a few hours in water.
  13. Heat egg to 600F-700F degrees, add soaked chips. Set place setter with legs up (this allows for indirect heat smoking). Place turkey on turkey rack and place entire turkey and rack in disposable turkey pan. During this process the chips will naturally bring temperature down to desired temp of 250F.
  14. Smoke turkey for 60 minutes at 250F, check periodically to see if the legs or breast are burning, if so tent with tin foil. Please note when smoking a turkey the skin will appear much, much darker than roasting, this is a not a sign of being burnt. Refer to pictures above.
  15. Continue smoking for 10 hours at 250F, checking periodically and basting with apple juice. Turkey is fully cooked when the internal temperature of the breast reaches 175F.
  16. Transfer the turkey to a carving board, cover loosely with foil and let rest for 30 to 60 minutes before carving. While resting, turkey will continue to cook reaching a final internal temperature of 180F.
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Chestnut Focaccia Stuffing
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Ingredients
  1. 3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
  2. 1 yellow onion, diced
  3. 3-4 halves of garlic, diced
  4. 4 celery stalks, diced
  5. 1 tsp. kosher salt
  6. Freshly ground pepper, to taste
  7. 2 cups peeled and roasted chestnuts, halved
  8. 1 package (1 lb.) La Brea Bakery focaccia stuffing
  9. 4-6 cups vegetable, turkey or chicken stock, warmed
  10. Thyme
  11. Butter
Instructions
  1. Preheat an oven to 375°F.
  2. In a large fry pan over medium heat, warm the olive oil. Add the garlic, onion, celery, salt and pepper and sauté until soft and translucent, 10 to 12 minutes. Stir in the chestnuts. Transfer the onion mixture to a very large bowl.
  3. Stir in the stock 1/2 cup at a time, making sure it is completely absorbed into the croutons and does not pool in the bottom of the bowl. Taste a crouton; it should be moist throughout but not crunchy or mushy. You may not need all of the stock.
  4. Transfer the stuffing to a buttered 3-quart baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes.
  5. Remove the foil and continue baking until the top is golden brown and crisp, 25 to 35 minutes more. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with thyme
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Mint Moscow Mule

November 22, 2013
Story By: Mandy Kellogg Rye
Filed Under > Cocktail Hour

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A few weeks ago I was posed with a challenge from the good people over at Bing.  They challenged me to use Bing’s new Smart Search for Windows 8.1 and see if it would change the way I search.  That was it.  I could search for anything my little heart desires, just simply search it on Bing.  Well this little heart desired a Mint Moscow Mule.

The drink part was easy.  I’ve been making Mules for years, but what I didn’t have was the all important vessel the Mule is traditionally housed in…the copper mug.  So with visions of Mule’s dancing in my head (I’m just warning you I’m all about he holidays from here on out) I set my sights on Bing and simply typed in “Moscow Mule Mugs.”  I’m not going to lie, I didn’t expect it to be much different than the way I typically searched so I was pleasantly surprised when I was bombarded with image after image of mugs, recipes, and everything I could possibly need to quench my thirst.

Plus it doesn’t just pull from the web, it pulls from my computer, the cloud, and any apps that might be relevant.  And the best part, you don’t have to open a browser.  Just begin typing from you start screen.  So obviously based on the fabby photos above (taken by Ms. Jamie Hopper) I found my mugs, and a pitcher because everyone needs a copper pitcher!  So with my challenge accepted and crushed, and because it’s Friday, it’s time to sit in front of the Christmas tree and enjoy one of these lovely libations.  And because no one likes to cocktail alone I’m sharing my traditional Mint Moscow Mule recipe with you all.  Happy searching Loves!  truly, MKR

P.S.  To start searching like a champ simply download a free version of Windows 8.1 and get your Bing on!

…Mint Moscow Mule

2 ounces Vodka

4-6 ounces Ginger Beer

2-3 mint sprigs plus more for garnish

1 lime plus more for garnis

…Muddle mint sprigs in the bottom of your mug and the juice of 1 lime.  Add ice, vodka, ginger beer, stir and enjoy.

Photography by Jamie Hopper

This post was sponsored by Bing, but the opinions and love of a good Mint Moscow Mule are all my own.

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