I’m just going to be honest with you. I was never taught how to be a “domestic housewife” growing up. Just wasn’t the lifestyle my mom and I lived. So fast forward into adulthood and I was really struggling with this whole “responsibility/Wife” thing. Don’t get me wrong, Matt has ALWAYS been amazing and helped…When I asked. But I’m a hard headed woman and I wanted to be able to do things…efficiently.

I’ll be sharing with you some “Hacks” I’ve learned on my journey to being a better version of my adult self.

  • Ironing SUCKS. Instead ;
    • For bottoms: Save all those pant hangers you get from the stores. Clip the bottom of the pants, shorts or skirts and hang them up. Gravity helps to keep them from wrinkling/folding.
    • For pants with creases: Do the same as above but make sure you clip BOTH pant legs into the same clip. You can hang two pairs onto one hanger.
    • For tops: Place the shirt/sweater on a hanger, Use a spray bottle of water spritz lightly, shake it out and then hang up to dry. This will help the fabric to relax and slightly pull out wrinkles. <— This one I learned from my Mom.
  • Bedding/Sheets;
    • Sheets: Fold your fitted sheet into half then place it on your flat sheet, Fold flat sheet normally around the fitted sheet. Then fold one pillow case, place it on the sheets and then place that small stack into the other pillow case. This keeps all sets together and easily identifiable.
    • Comforters/Blankets/Sheets: I always stash a fresh dyer sheet in the middle of the folded item before putting them away. Keeps them smelling nice and fresh, longer.
    • Pillows: Again, I like to put a used dryer sheet in the pillow cases I’m using, on the bottom side of the pillow. If it’s a decor pillow, I use a fresh sheet.
  • House;
    • Smell: I like fake floral arrangements. I have a few throughout my home. I still like fresh flower scents so I use either fabreeze or bath and body sprays and spritz the arrangements about once a week.
    • Organize: I have random baskets around the house too. This is for pet toys, blankets, shoes and kid toys. They each have their place and it makes clean up time much easier.
    • Carpet spills/stains happen. When they do I will sprinkle some baking soda, generously, and then spray vinegar on the spot. Take a dry brush, scrub in circular motion and let dry then vacuum. If it’s a dark stain, add some dawn to your water.
    • Clogged drain: Pour baking soda into the drain, you may have to shimmy it in with your fingers. Then pour/stream white vinegar, about two cups into the sink. Come back about 5 mins later, When the vinegar is no longer visible and run HOT water until it drains. If it’s still clogged you may need a drain snake.
    • Lids for pots and pans: I picked up a plate holder, laid it on its side and slid the lids into it. It holds the lids perfectly vertical so no messy pile when you’re looking for them.
    • Laundry room: Pressed for space? Use a hanging closet organizer (the fabric ones with shelves) and hang it on our existing shelf or on the back of a door. You can store dryer sheets, detergent, treatments etc.
    • Vacuuming: So this was an accidental find. I had spilled a cup full of Downey Unstoppables. I vacuumed them up and continued vacuuming the house and it made it smell AMAZING!
  • Schedules;
    • Display it: I purchased a big whiteboard calendar and put it up in our pantry. I have it color coded for each kid with times and activity listed at the bottom notes. Then, I have the abbreviated activity (K for Karate or H for Hockey etc) in the specific color on the date.
    • Info: I also have missed chores color coded and placed on date with a solid circle. Appointments are also placed there.
    • Remind: Phone reminders for important, non typical things.
  • Kids;
    • Art: My boys, being the sweethearts that they are, draw me pictures ALL the time. An easy way to display them is a hanging clipboard or a cheap frame from the dollar tree and a cheap plate stand.
    • Hold it: Kids are also needy and can be down right lazy. My boys are not exempt from this. They fuss over falling iPads or cell phones while eating. Simple fix, a cheap plate stand holds it PERFECTLY!
    • Travel: Traveling with kids is tough enough, let alone packing for them. Make sure you pack in outfits: underwear, socks, pants and shirt folded into one, so that it’s easy to pick out and put on. Same for PJs.
    • Travel: Also, Have a ziploc with snacks and another with toys/activities. Let them hold this as it lets them feel a sense of control in the midst of chaos.
    • Station: Have a small sterilite, something with like three or four small drawers in an easily accessible place. There you can put tissue packs, bandaids, masks, hand sanitizer, chapsticks and any other item that your kid is always running out of and asking you for.
    • Wash your hands: Kids are more likely to wash their hands if they like the smell of the soap. Also, Swap scents periodically they enjoy figuring it out.
  • Other;
    • Meats/Protein: It all slices so much easier when it’s frozen. Not frozen solid but frozen semi firm to the touch.
    • Gravy: Make a rue using slightly more butter than flour, This allows less lumps when adding the liquid.
    • Pets: … are MESSY. I’ve found that pet companies know this too. Instead of the $30 “pet mess catching mat”, Get the $10 boot tray. This has worked wonders.
    • Cat litter…need I say more. It has to be changed and it’s A JOB. Purchasing the litter genie was a smart move. I have it next to the litter box so that there are no litter crumbs from scoop to dump.
    • Cat food: Buy a cereal tupperware and fill it with cat food. This way you don’t have to get in and out of the food bag everyday and it makes pouring it that much easier.
    • I LOVE COMMAND HOOKS. Period. They are great for so many things.
      • I’ve used them for towel hooks in the shower of both my boys (this way they are not screaming for a towel).
      • I have hooks on my bathroom mirror…Three of them actually. For my headband for when I wash my face, for my post ride sweaty head band and for my heart rate monitor. I’ll probably add more.
      • I put one on my husbands mirror to hang his chain when he showers.
      • We have two hooks in our shower, one for the shower scrubber and one for my razor (small hook, works GREAT).
      • I have two, parallel, about three feet apart holding a rod that has my cricut vinyl rolls on it.
      • I have about 10 in our closet for my husbands hats.
      • One on the outside of the dog food bin for the scooper.

So there it is. Some of my “Mom Hacks”…Meh, more like life hacks I suppose. I hope you find some use from them…If not now…I’m sure someday you’ll use one of these nuggets of gold. Feel free to reach out or comment, I’d love to hear from you. XO.