Part of keeping any house truly clean comes down to organizing it in such a way that keeps clutter at bay. Your house can be spotless and squeaky clean, but if you walk into a room with stacks of magazines and books, or shelves full of useless items crowding each other or a closet full of clothes seldom worn, it will feel meh. Your house will weigh you down, no matter how many times we clean it.

Last week the New York Times published a terrific program called The Tidy Home Challenge. You have to be a subscriber to access, but it’s worth the price. The challenge is constructed to guide you through simple exercises once you pick a room to “tidy.” For six consecutive weeks each Friday, an email with tips, inspiration, and motivation will help you execute your plan of creating a truly clean, spacious home. After you have finished one room or space, you go to the next. The program is super smart, efficient and it really works. Check it out!

You might not want to continue using that sponge after you read this article from Time magazine. I’ve always been a diehard sponge user — you know the kind with the green scratchy side and the yellow underbelly. Well, no more!

Here’s an excerpt or click here for the whole story…

Sound familiar?

Any article that offers up smart hacks for cleaning is top of my to-read list.

This recent article from the New York Times is a keeper. It’s the kind of article my mom might have clipped and sent to me in the mail and that I would’ve then pinned up on a wall near my washing machine where it stay for decades. I mean, who knew that you could polish brass and copper with V8, Tabasco or plain ol’ ketchup? And did you know that vodka, when spritzed on clothing, will neutralize smells? Or meat tenderizer for stubborn stains? So very cool!

So check it out and let me know if you have any other hacks using everyday products.