Weekly home tips and recipes.
Weekly Home Tips:
While laundry and deep cleaning may not be everyone's favorite task, it plays a crucial role in maintaining a clean and comfortable environment. Washing less common items is essential for keeping things fresh, organized, and free from germs and allergens. Let's delve into the topic of cleaning these uncommon items.
I need to clean this how often?
Note: Please follow the manufacturer's instructions when cleaning items.
Sheets: I know that you know you need to wash them, but how often? As a rule of thumb, it is a good idea to wash your sheets every week. As you crawl into bed you aren't alone! Dead skin cells, sweat, bacteria, and dust mites are there too! Weekly washing minimizes the growth of bacteria and gives dust mites less to feast on. Sorry, they are everywhere.
Mattress Cover: The advice on this varies from once a month to every 3-4 months. If you are very sweaty you will want to wash the mattress cover more frequently. Sweat will soak through the sheet and into the pad. Everything that accumulates on your sheets also accumulates in your mattress cover.
Duvet Cover: If you sleep with a top sheet you can wash your duvet cover less often, consider 2-4 weeks depending on your habits. If you do not sleep with a top sheet wash the cover weekly with the sheets.
Duvet Insert: The Duvet insert can be washed less often, every 3-4 months. If you have been extra sweaty or have pets on the bed consider washing it more often.
Pillow: OK, be honest, do you wash your pillow? It is recommended to wash your pillow every 3-6 months. If you are very sweaty every 3 months is best.
Curtains: Curtains can hold a lot of dush and be a source of allergens. Wash 1-2 times a year depending on how dusty they are. We leave our windows open frequently which also brings in pollen as a result I was mine 2 times a year.
Baseboards: Baseboards should be cleaned monthly this helps prevent build-up of dust and dirt. If you have shedding pets you may need to wipe them down more frequently.
Kitchen cabinets should be wiped down every couple of weeks or at least monthly and the insides should be wiped out every 3-4 months.
Blinds: The recommendation for blinds is every week to every couple of weeks! This task is easier if you have a duster made for blinds. Frequent cleaning will make it less of a chore because the buildup will not be able to adhere to the blinds.
Other items that may get overlooked and should be wiped down occasionally:
Remote controls - every few months
Light switches - weekly
Toilet bowl handle - weekly
Doorways and doorframes - every few months
Door knobs - monthly
Trashcans - Every few months or sooner if spills occur
Ceiling fans - a great time to clean these is when you change the direction with the seasons.
Keyboards - Give them a weekly wipedown, but avoid getting it wet.
Dishwasher - The traps need to be washed and cleaned monthly.
Remember, deep cleaning doesn't have to feel overwhelming. By gradually incorporating these often-overlooked tasks, you can ensure your home stays fresh and healthy without the stress. Start small and build up to a regular routine—whether it's wiping down light switches or giving your pillows a good wash. My favorite tool to stay on track is TOM (The Organized Mum Method), which helps simplify cleaning with a manageable schedule and motivating playlists. By staying on top of these tasks keeping things clean becomes less daunting and more of a daily habit. In no time, you'll find your home is sparkling with minimal effort!
Weekly Recipes
🍴Soup-A-Week! This week's soup is Tomato Soup by Damn Delicious
I came home late and was very tempted to buy a can of soup and so glad I didn't! We had grilled cheese sandwiches and this amazing soup in no time! Plus it was a nice, officially fall feeling evening! Bonus!
Tip: I used my pressure cooker (Ninja Foodie) to make the soup. I set the time for 10 minutes on high.
This vegetarian lasagna recipe is simple to make, and you can easily adjust it to suit your preferences. Personally, I like mine without bell peppers, but that’s just my taste. I often follow the recipe on the box of noodles I buy instead of looking for recipes, and it works perfectly every time. For a vegetarian twist, I swap out the ground beef for mushrooms and spinach, which adds great flavor and texture. Lasagna might seem intimidating at first, but it’s actually a versatile dish that’s fun to customize. And don’t feel pressured to make your own sauce—a good jar of spaghetti sauce works just as well!
Looking for a flavorful, no-fuss meal that’s perfect for any day of the week? Say hello to Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wraps! With tender ground chicken simmered in zesty buffalo sauce, this recipe brings big flavor with minimal effort. Simply grab a jar of your favorite buffalo sauce, and you're halfway there. These wraps are light, fresh, and customizable—swap out the lettuce for tortillas if you're feeling a little extra. Whether you're meal prepping or whipping up a quick dinner, this dish is a crowd-pleaser that’s ready in no time!
I was inspired by the Marley Spoon recipe and highly recommend giving it a try, but I’ll admit—I ended up going off on my own twist! I roasted potatoes in the air fryer (though you could easily use the oven), tossing them in olive oil and BBQ seasoning and roasting until they were golden and crispy. For the salmon, I kept it simple with olive oil, salt, and pepper, cooking it in the air fryer for about 10 minutes. I finished it off with a dollop of butter mixed with dill and garlic. The result was an incredibly easy and delicious meal that came together in no time! Let me know what you did to this recipe.
In our house, Asian-inspired meals are a staple—we just can't get enough! This recipe is a perfect 30-minute fix when you're craving those bold flavors. And here's a game-changing tip: if tofu's texture isn’t your thing, try crisping it up in the air fryer. Trust me, once I started using the air fryer for tofu, I never went back to the pan—it turns out perfectly golden and crispy every time. Ready to level up your tofu game? Here’s a simple How to.
🍴Bonus: Black Bean Brownies also by the Minimalist Baker. I know it sounds gross, but they are so good and have a nice protein boost! Learn more about adding beans into your diet from my blog.
Enjoy and happy cooking!
Join my free Wellness Community on Facebook for daily tips, recipes, and challenges designed to help you feel your best! Plus, check out my Monthly Wellness Tools—available on my website at www.bringingbackdinner.com. Let’s work together to create healthy habits that last!
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