JUNE Cleaning Tips

Summer -- it’s finally here! The kids are out of school and it’s time to hit the road on the family vacation. Frightened of an endless chorus of Are we there yet? It doesn’t have to be that way. The kids don’t have to be bored and neither do you. There are many things you can do to make that trip a good one -- enjoyable and safe. So let’s put our imaginations to work and have some fun.

Hit the Road, Jack

You’re going on a family trip . . . in the car. You may be in there for hours. If that strikes fear in your heart, you’re not alone. Read this before hitting the road.

BEFORE YOU LEAVE

It’s fun to take a little time away from home. And if you take some time to prep the house before you leave, your homecoming will be that much sweeter.

• Lock the doors and windows, but leave the shades up and curtains open. Put the lights on automatic timer.
• Clean out the refrigerator and remove any perishables.
• Want to know if your freezer has shut off while you’ve been away? Take a child’s ice pop -- the ones that come in the clear plastic push-up wrapper -- lay it flat to freeze, then prop it against the freezer door. If the freezer goes off while you’re away the pop will be hanging over the inside of the door instead of standing straight up. You’ll know then that freezer food isn’t safe to eat.
• Store your valuables in a safe place. The freezer, jewelry box and lingerie drawer are not secure choices.

If you’ve read about it in a book or newspaper column, chances are it’s not a safe place to store your valuables. Burglars read, too. Use your imagination and your discretion.

• Turn off small electrical appliances. Unplug decorative lights and fountains.
• Smokers will want to make sure that ashtrays are empty. Odor from cigarette butts can linger long after the cigarette has been extinguished, and there’s nothing worse than coming home to a house that smells like a stale ashtray!
• Suspend delivery of the newspaper and the mail.
• To keep the plants watered when you’re not at home, gather them up and sit them in the bathtub in about an inch of water. The plants will absorb the water gradually, enough to last a week or two. For those plant pots that don’t have a hole in the bottom, fill a glass with water, insert one end of a coarse piece of string in the glass, and bury the other in the plant. Believe it or not, this homemade water wick will keep most plants moist while you’re away!
• Leave a key and contact number with a trusted neighbor who will keep an eye on things during your absence.

WHAT TO PACK

No two vacations are alike, so consider what you want from your trip before you start to pack. If your weekday routine dictates that you wake at 6:30 to head off for work each morning, then chances are the last thing you want to hear is the ringing of your alarm. If, however, you want to be first in line at Disney or wherever you're heading, you’re going to need that clock.

Here’s a sample list to get you started:

• Small sewing kit
• Travel hair dryer
• Umbrella or raincoat
• Hunting or fishing license
• Swiss army knife
• Small fold-up tote for all those extra you’ll buy
• Small amount of laundry detergent for those “oops!”
• Exercise gear
• Phone and tablet chargers

Take along an almost empty liquid soap container filled with water. It makes a handy cleaner for all those little emergencies.

• Batteries
• A few plastic garbage bags for holding dirty laundry
• Bathing suits
• Plenty of tee shirts
• Tweezers -- they come in very handy
• Gallon-size, Ziploc™ bags for damp swimsuits, etc.
• A few clothespins and some safety pins

AND DON’T FORGET THESE NECESSITIES

• Cell Phone
• Personal medicines and spare eyeglasses
• Children’s aspirin and remedies for upset tummies
• Sunglasses, suntan lotion, insect repellent
• A first-aid kit, some paper towels and tissues
• Proof of insurance -- auto and health
• A duplicate set of car keys
• A spare tire, car jack, flashlight, windshield scraper and emergency repair kit

Spray the front of the car with nonstick cooking spray before you hit the road. Bugs and grime will wash right off.

• A few gallons of fresh water -- for you and your radiator
• Maps (if you are not using an in-dash navigation, phone or electronic device)
• A contact number for all of your credit card companies and banks.
• A small notebook and pen
• Picture ID

Backseat Drivers

Traveling with children requires special care and preparation, not to mention a good dose of imagination and patience. So plan ahead. Keep children occupied and try to avoid mishaps before they happen. You’ll be glad you did.

DO'S AND DON’TS FOR A SAFE TRIP

• Do lock all doors and teach your children not to play with the door handles.
• Don’t permit children to ride with their heads, arms or hands outside of the car through open windows.
• Do set a good example for your children or pets in the car alone -- even for a short time.
• Don’t leave children or pets in the car alone -- even for a short time.
• Do make sure that children sit in the backseat.
• Do make sure make frequent stops so that children can stretch their legs.
• Don’t allow children to suck on suckers while riding. A sudden stop could be disastrous.

WE’RE NOT FINISHED YET

Children are resilient, but their little bodies can be especially sensitive to the environment. Keep a close eye on small passengers, and be on the lookout for any signs of car sickness and upset tummies. Sometimes a quick stop for some fresh air is all it takes to avoid a problem.

Keep sugared snacks to a minimum. Children high on sugar are not going to be good travelers.

• Keep a new toothbrush in the glove box, along with a small tube of minty toothpaste. If a little one does get carsick and vomit, brushing his teeth afterward will make him feel much better. Just make sure to stay away from sweet or flavored toothpastes, which may aggravate nausea.
• When preparing snack foods for a car journey, make sure to avoid small foods on which a child can choke, like hard candy and peanuts.
• Baby wipes are great for wiping sticky hands and faces -- for you and your children. They’re terrific for cleaning hands after pumping gas at the self-serve, too.
• Little ones will need a change of clothes. Everybody will benefit from having a spare, fresh tee shirt. And don’t forget the diapers.

NOW FOR THE FUN STUFF - Old School Style No Electronics needed!

• Children love to play with office supplies such as Scotch® tape, paper and Post-it® notes -- and they can’t hurt themselves, either. Don’t give children pens or pencils, though, and don’t give them scissors, clips, or staples.
• Play money is great fun. Your child can set up her own mall in the backseat! Just make sure to avoid giving coins to small children.
• Squares of aluminum foil are great for making sculptures and jewelry, and they can be used again and again. (Don’t give foil to young children who may be tempted to put it in their mouths.)
• Kids can still enjoy singing songs and reciting rhymes. Encourage children to make up their own verses. Don’t be afraid to get creative!
• Paint books -- the kind that already have the paint on the page -- are very popular with young children. All you need is a little brush and an inch or so of water in a cup. No fuss and no paint to spill.
• Don’t forget the classics. Hangman, tic-tac-toe and “I Spy” are great, as are crossword puzzles.
• Don’t forget the bubbles!
• Have your child make some paper bag puppets before you leave. They’ll be distracted with their craft, and that will give you some uninterrupted time to prepare for the trip. And of course, children will be pleased to take their new creations with them in the car.
• Children love to use binoculars.
• Tattoos, the kind that press on with a wet cloth, are lots of fun.
• Go Fish card games are great. Even children too young to know the game will enjoy playing the cards. Fifty-two pickup, anyone?
• Everyone knows that books on a Phone or iPad device are great for long trips, but small children can get bored just listening. So why not let them record their own book?
• Toddlers can use licorice laces and Cheerios® or Fruit Loops® to make necklaces and bracelets. When they get bored, they can eat their creations!

If all else fails, bring the iPads, tablets and phones for the kids to watch kid friendly videos.

The Cat’s Meow

Please make sure that animals are well cared for when you’re away. They need food and water of course, but need some company, too. They get awfully lonely when you’re gone. And please make sure to put a note on the door or window that lets people know that animals are inside. Pets can get lost in all the commotion of a fie..

• Make sure they have a place of their own in the car, with food and water. Bring a bed if at all possible -- keep out of the sun.

• Give dogs frequent potty breaks and some exercise. Always keep them on a leash, you know how dogs are about running away.
• Don’t forget the litter tray. A disposable one will be fine. Just don’t expect them to go potty at 70 miles per hour with trucks speeding by. They want privacy.
• Make sure that all animals are wearing our tags, just in case they become lost or disoriented.

• Buy some small inexpensive toys at the dollar store -- things like plastic dinosaurs and little trolls. Wrap them with brightly colored paper and dole them out as after-snack goodies. Children love unwrapping the toy almost as much as the toy itself. Keep small toys away from littles ones who may put them in their mouths.

• Cookie sheets and breakfast-in-bed trays make great portable work spaces for children. Just make sure not to give little ones sharp and potentially dangerous objects such as pens and pencils. The slightest bump can mean disaster when these items are at hand. Crayons and jumbo markers are best.

• Yahtzee® is still a great traveling game.

At the Car Wash

A long trip can take its toll on your car. Here’s what to do to get it looking good again -- fast!

• Use a paste of baking soda and water to clean the outside windshield so that it shines.

Rust spots can be removed from car bumpers quite easily -- just rub with a ball of tinfoil! If the rust is stubborn, try dipping the foil in a glass of cola! (Don’t ask . . .)

• Put some baking soda in your car’s ashtray. It may not discourage smokers, but it will help neutralize the odor.
• Keep some used fabric softener sheets in your glove box. Use them to wipe the dashboard, clean the air vents, and polish the rearview mirror. Store in a Ziploc™ bag and you’ll still have room for all those maps and fast-food coupons!
• If birds leave you an unwanted gift on the car, simply take some waterless hand cream, working it in well with an old rag. Let sit for several minutes and it should rub right off.
• Remove road tar by saturating it with linseed oil. Apply the oil liberally to the tarred area, let soak for a while and then wipe with an old rag that has been dampened with more linseed oil. Be sure to dispose of the rag outside in the trash.
• Make your own windshield washer fluid by mixing 2 quarts of rubbing alcohol, 1 cup of water, and 1 teaspoon of liquid dish soap. This will not freeze at 30 degrees below. In summer, add 1 pint of rubbing alcohol and 1 teaspoon of water. This will keep the windows clean in rain and warm weather.
• Baking soda on a soft, wet cloth is great for cleaning chrome, headlights and enamel.
• Wipe down windshield wiper blades from time to time to remove road film.
• Wash the car in the shade to prevent streaking.
• Use a couple of squirts of liquid dish soap in a bucket of warm water to wash the car. Start at the roof and wash and rinse in sections so that the soap doesn’t dry on the car.
• Dry the car with an old bath towel, then for super shine, rub down with a good-quality chamois.

Father’s Day

You don’t think we’d let the month go by without celebrating Father’s Day, do you? I always think that the best gift is a gift of time. So why not give your father the day off and let him wander the links for a lovely game of golf. And when he comes home, treat his clubs to some tender, loving care . . .

FORE!

Clean golf clubs by lightly rubbing the head and shaft with dry, fine-grade (0000) steel wool. Don’t wet the steel wool. Dust with a dry cloth, then use a damp cloth to give the club a final wipe before buffing dry with another clean, soft cloth.

Cleaning the grips is as easy as using soap and water -- but the kind of soap you use makes a big difference. Dampen a soft cloth with warm water, then work up a lather with a moisturizing bath bar, such as Dove® or Caress®. Don’t use a deodorizing soap, as that will dry out the leather. Rub well to remove the dirt, rinsing cloth each time it becomes grimy. Repeat until the grip is clean, then reapply the soap and water one last time. Don’t rinse -- buff with a soft cloth instead. This will keep the grip moist and prevent it from drying out and cracking. For really stubborn dirt or older clubs, work in a little waterless hand cleaner and wipe until clean. Wash with the soap formula and dry well.

Keep the golf glove in a self-closing plastic bag to maintain softness between games. If you need to clean your glove, use the bar soap method prescribed for grips, keeping the glove on your hand to preserve its shape during the process. Work only with a damp cloth, and make sure not to saturate the glove. Finish by buffing with a soft cloth that’s clean and dry, and then allow the glove dry naturally, out of direct light. To restore a dried-out glove, try rubbing a little hand cream into it -- while you’re wearing it!

Golf shoes need attention, too. Brush the bottoms of the shoes with a firm brush to remove any direct debris. If you have been playing on a wet course, don’t do this until the shoes are dry. Wash leather shoes as needed with Dove® moisturizing bath soap, removing scuff marks with a little nongel toothpaste or rubbing with a little cuticle remover. For fabric-type shoes, brush well and spot with a damp microfiber cloth. Always keep the shoes treated with a good quality water repellent for those rainy days and dewy mornings. Got a little odor problem? Put some baking soda in the toe of an old nylon or sock and keep it in the shoes when you store them to eliminate odor.

Clean golf balls by soaking them in a solution of 1 cup warm water and ¼ cup ammonia. Rub lightly, rinse and lay out to dry. Store extra golf balls in an egg carton. The compartments are the perfect size!

Having trouble identifying your golf and tennis balls? A tiny drop of colored nail polish is just as good as any monogram.