Seeing your little one coughing or sniffly can be heartbreaking. Not to mention exhausting for both of you. So, whether you’re already battling a cold around your house or want to be prepared for the next bout of illness, here are 10 parent-proven ways to soothe and comfort your sick baby. As always, consult your pediatrician about these and other remedies.
1. Get to know your nasal aspirator. As parents, we have to do gross things. It’s inevitable. And when your baby has a ridiculously runny or stuffy nose but can’t blow it, we have to step in and clear that stuff out ourselves. Whether you use a snot sucker like a bulb aspirator, the NoseFrida, or an electronic nasal aspirator like the NoseBot to do the dirty work, you’ll be glad you did when your baby can breathe (and sleep!) easily again.
2. Treat congestion with saline. Saline has been known to work wonders against congestion. Lay your little one down on his/her back and tilt the chin back just slightly. You can then gently spray two or three drops of saline into each nostril. It works best when followed by a nasal aspirator. Yep, you can't get away from that step.
3. Steam it up! When your baby is congested, sleep is almost impossible. (For you and your babe.) One way of easing the congestion is by making things hot and steamy. Running a hot shower and hanging out in the steamy bathroom for a while can give you relief.
4. Run a cool-mist humidifier. If steam isn’t your thing, a cool-mist humidifier can take some dryness out of the air. With the heat running in the house and the dry winter air, stuffiness is almost certain. Run the humidifier while your baby sleeps to offer some much-needed relief.
5. Oatmeal. It’s not just for breakfast. With dry winter air, dry skin is not far behind. If your little one has red, dry, itchy skin, try a soothing oatmeal bath. Grind up some oatmeal in a blender or food processor and sprinkle a half cup of the powder into the bath as the water is running. Be sure to mix it all up and let your baby get a good soak. Around 15 minutes is the most they’ll likely need. Be careful: The oatmeal tends to make the bath pretty slippery.
6. Cuddles & more cuddles. There’s nothing quite like a long snuggle with a parent when a little one has a cold. Even better when it can be skin-to-skin. In fact, being placed directly on a parent's skin is thought to help lower a fever. Get your baby down to the diaper, cover up with a blanket, and settle in for a nice, long cuddle.
7. Fluids. Fluids. Fluids. Preventing dehydration when your baby has a cold is critical. If your baby is under 8 months, breastmilk and formula are the best options for fluids. Offer them often to help with dehydration; plus it gives that extra comfort sick babies need. For older babes, water tops the list.
8. Lukewarm baths. If your baby feels warm or has a slight fever, putting them in a tepid or lukewarm bath can help. Join your baby in the bath to make it extra comforting. Just be mindful of the temperature of the water. Keep it even and avoid too much heat or cold for best results.
9. Try a little sweet & sour. For babies over a year old, honey & lemon help with a sore throat or cough. Lemon is known to dry up congestion, and honey offers a soothing coating for their throats. But this is only safe if your baby is over one year old. If they’ve passed that stage, mix the ingredients and warm it up for a few seconds in the microwave. Once it has cooled to a lukewarm temperature, give your little one a teaspoon to drink.
10. Get out into the cool air. There’s nothing like fresh, cool air to cure what ails you. Believe it or not, a walk in cold, fresh air can help relieve the swelling and congestion your little one gets from a cough. So bundle everyone up and get outside! You could also use the distraction of a nice walk.
We’ve all been there. Staring down a pile of laundry or an entire bin of toys on the ground and thought, do these chores really matter? If we’re being honest, when considering all the things we balance as parents, cleaning the house usually falls somewhere toward the bottom of the must-do list. And for good reason. After all, there are other (more important) things that usually take precedence: work, feeding a family, getting kids to school, and somewhere in there—finding time for self-care. But, eventually, you’re going to need to tackle that fridge or make a clean sweep of the place before guests arrive. The good news is, there are plenty of shortcuts and cleaning hacks you can use to tackle both the little and the big jobs, which leaves you more time for the things that really matter—like bedtime stories, family dinners, or a good Netflix binge-session.
Before you check out all these cleaning hacks, take an honest look at your bandwidth and decide what you can do and when. If you can do one or two small things a day, nothing every piles up, which makes your house look more tidy overall.
2. Use an oven-cleaning hack that doesn’t take hours
It’s everyone’s least favorite chore if it even ever gets done. Forget about using the self-cleaning option and go old-school with baking soda, a sponge, and real citrus.
Need to clean up in a jiff? Using creative storage solutions is an absolute must. Make sure you have a basket or bin in each room to throw everything in before housekeeping or a surprise visit from grandparents. When the basket is full, it’s time to put everything away. When you’re on the hunt for a special item and can’t find it, it’s time to dump out the basket, find your treasure, and put everything away. Plus, with so many styles and colors, it’s a total design hack, too!
3. Try a ceiling fan cleaning hack that really works
Instead of using paper towels or a Swiffer (dust will get everywhere), use an old pillowcase. The dust will be captured inside!
4. Embrace a solution for how to dry sheets the first time
Amazon
This little device is of those things that’ll make you say, “Why didn’t I think of that?” It helps prevent the dreaded rolled and wadded mess of half-dried sheets that lead to multiple cycles in the dryer and inevitably waste energy (and valuable time). Just clip the corners of your sheet into the Wad-Free before you wash and dry. Get a 2-pack on Amazon for $20.
If you love your air fryer as much as we love ours, it’s probably time to talk about how often you actually clean it out. While you should be cleaning the basket every time, there are a few deep-cleaning tricks you should try every few months too.
6. Use this genius cleaning hack to get glitter off tables, floors, and just about anywhere else
Gabby Cullen
The kids are dying to pull out the art supplies and go wild making you a masterpiece for the fridge. But, who can stand the glitter that inevitably ends up everywhere, forever? Pull out a lint roller and use it after they’re done being creative, you’ll be amazed at how much of the sparkly stuff you’ll be able to clean up.
Whether you’re trying to get your kids to do their chores or just want to make cleaning easier for yourself, Joyful Homemaking has an amazing idea. Create your very own chore baskets with plastic shower caddies—one basket for each room with a list of items that go in each basket.
8. Use toothpaste to clean in a pinch
iStock
Plain white toothpaste includes baking soda, which is a common household cleaning supply. You can use toothpaste to clean jewelry, polish bathroom fixtures, get rid of kitchen odors, and much more.
9. Figure out which tools you need to really clean that fridge
It’s a miracle cleaning solution that you probably already have! Use it to clean that oven, descale an electric kettle, put half in your dishwasher to cut grease, and so much more.
11. Clean plastic toys in the washing machine
Gabby Cullen
Whether covered in sticky residue from your own kid or if you’re giving a secondhand set a fresh start, plastic blocks clean right up when sent through the wash. Be sure to add items like towels or sheets to prevent banging during the cycle.
If you buy something from the links in this article, we may earn affiliate commission or compensation.
No one wants to see their baby stuffy, sick and suffering. Pediatricians say adding moisture to the air is one of the best ways to relieve cough, congestion and sore throats—especially for little ones who can’t take most medications. As a bonus for parents, humidifiers can keep your skin hydrated and plump so you won’t look as tired as you feel. Read on for some of the best and most innovative options available. Pop one in your nursery and your own bedroom.
The Air Innovations Ultrasonic Coolmist is full of features that make it a great choice for busy parents. To start, it has a ceramic filter, meaning you never need to worry about not being able to use your humidifier because you forgot to order new ones. This humidifier can run for 96 hours so you won't find yourself having to refill the tank every night before bedtime. It's also super-quiet so even light sleepers can run this machine through the night. Plus, it has a remote control, an aromatherapy chamber and an adjustable nozzle so you can direct mist exactly where it's needed. The Coolmist looks sleek and is effective in rooms up to 600 square feet so it can easily be used outside the nursery as well.
Dyson is known for cutting-edge technology, and the Purifier Humidify+Cool is no exception. This smart humidifier can be put on auto or you can use manual settings to optimize the moisture in your room. If the humidifier senses it's not working at peak performance, it will use LED lights to let you know it's time to make adjustments. This machine does double-duty by acting as an air purifier complete with a HEPA filter. The Dyson is big and comes with a hefty price tag, but it will get the job done and should last for years.
Canopy is made to fit into busy lifestyles. To start, it uses a no-mist system so it does not get the floor wet, and it's mold-resistant. Best of all, most pieces can be put in the dishwasher for easy cleaning. This humidifier has a wide opening, making it very easy to fill, so it's one of the simplest humidifiers to use. It's also small so it can go anywhere and fit in with any décor. For parents who like to diffuse scents into their child's room, an aroma kit comes in the package along with a tiny tray that parents can place on top of the humidifier. (Do your research and talk to your pediatrician about which essential oils are safe to diffuse around children and pets.) Canopy also goes the extra mile to keep you and your little one healthy: Water is purified by an LED light before being released into the air, and the included filter helps purify the air.
Sometimes small and simple is sufficient. If you don't have room for a bigger humidifier, need something you can travel with or only occasionally need to moisture to the air, the tiny Nanosteamer from Pure Daily Care may be the perfect choice. This compact powerhouse will fit anywhere but kicks out a lot of steam. When not being used as a humidifier, the Nanosteamer can be used to give yourself an at-home facial, so you'll get more bang for your buck out of this one.
The Hubble Connected Mist ($50) is more than just a humidifier. It's a 5-in-1 machine that also has an aroma diffuser, a bluetooth speaker, a nightlight and a digital clock. The Hubble glows in just about any color in the rainbow, meaning it can help give your baby's nursery a custom look any time of day or night. Since this little machine can do so much, it really helps cut down on clutter. The Hubble doesn't use a filter, so that's one less thing to worry about. The entire top lifts off for easy cleaning between uses. As with any diffuser, do your research and talk to your pediatrician about which essential oils are safe to diffuse around children and pets.
Pay attention to your father. Yes of course I mean listen to what he says. But more importantly, carefully observe what he does. You’ll learn, probably at a very young age, that people don’t always do what they say. You’ll learn that talk can often be cheap if actions don’t back it up.
See how he clears the dinner plates and loads the dishwasher without being asked? Do you know why he does that? Because he lives here too. Because I made dinner, and he ate it. It’s not a favor to me or to you. It’s just what Dad does.
Hey, where did Dad go, you wonder, as we play with your blocks? Hear that sound coming from upstairs? He’s running your bath. He’s carefully making sure the temperature is warm enough for you, but not the scalding hot that I prefer when I occasionally get in the tub. He’s dumping your bath toys in the bubbles and picking out your pajamas. He’s filling the humidifier with water and testing out your ceiling light that will project stars and moons while you drift off to sleep. It’s pretty cool that he does that, right? He doesn’t get a badge for it though, nor has he ever sought one. It’s just what your Dad does.
Here comes the delivery man again! What’s in that box? It looks like the next shipment of the formula that Dad carefully researched when I couldn’t produce enough breastmilk in those first deliriously exhausting weeks of your life. I vaguely remember the spreadsheets and charts Dad made to compare and contrast formulas, both domestic and European. He took the lead and not only ordered the first shipment but tracks when we run low to place new orders. To be honest, I wouldn’t even know where to turn if he weren’t here and I needed to order more. Sure, I’d figure it out. But this is really Dad’s department because this is what he does.
Do you remember your first Navy football game? Of course not, because you were 10 weeks old and slept through the whole thing. Except of course when it was time to eat. There’s your Dad, sitting in the end zone, cheering for Navy’s touchdown while shaking up a bottle for you. He didn’t pass you to me, and he didn’t stop yelling. He cradled you and fed you when it was time. If he noticed the confused looks on peoples’ faces at what they were witnessing, he didn’t let on. It was time for you to eat, and he fed you. Because that is what Dad does.
We took you to see your Grandpa when you turned five months old. It was your first plane trip. Just two hours to Tampa, but my anxiety was at peak performance and I could barely handle the anticipation of a plane ride with an infant. No sooner did the plane take off, you did what babies do at inconvenient times: you pooped yourself. Once we hit a cruising altitude, daddy unbuckled his seatbelt and stood up. Then he took you out of my arms, grabbed the diaper bag and headed off to the bathroom. I couldn’t believe my eyes, and those around us were equally dumbfounded when they realized what was going on. I’m certain that most thought it was odd for the Dad to change a baby in the plane bathroom. It shouldn’t be odd though. It should be completely normal, just like there should be changing tables in men’s restrooms. I was just curious how he did it at all because Dad’s not a small man. But he did it, and he brought me back a clean baby who slept the rest of the way to see Grandpa. Because that’s the kind of thing your Dad does.
I was all thumbs when you were born. Not only did I have several complications from birth that I was trying to heal from, but I had no idea what to simultaneously do with a baby. Your instruction book was lost somewhere between where you came from and where you landed. I had this notion before you were born that my role was to take care of you and Daddy’s role was to take care of me. As it turned out, Daddy took care of us both, and he hasn’t stopped. He forces me straight to bed when I’ve had a rough day at work; he insists on take-out when he knows I don’t feel much like cooking; he dances with you in your room until you squeal; he’s been spotted on the monitor app singing Bob Marley songs to you while you two flip through books; he goes to every single one of your doctor’s appointments with his list of questions; dances in the circle with all of the moms at your My Gym classes, and whips you up Belgian waffles on the weekends. That Dad of yours; it’s just what he does.
I never heard him say he was “afraid he’d break you” as a reason for not holding you when you were tiny. He never said he couldn’t change your diaper because it made him gag, (which it probably did). He never babysits you, because there’s no such thing as babysitting your own child; Never feigns “cluelessness” because he knows just as much as I do that it’s nothing more than a cop-out and deliberate attempt to shirk parenting duties. And he’s never expected me to do the lion’s share of the work because I’m the woman. We both work full time. We both parent you. We are both exhausted. We do it together. We are a team.
One day you may decide you want a meaningful relationship or to be married. Until that day comes, keep an eye on your Dad and make notes of how he treats me, you, your doggies and all else with respect. It’s how we hope you’ll choose to be too.
Political affairs pro, freelance writer, Philly native, dog and human mom, Key West obsessed, former Capitol Hill staffer, one-time stand-up comic, fledgling novelist, side hustler, beauty products junkie. Lives in MD with her husband Josh, son Huckleberry and two giant retriever lap dogs named Frank and Stein. Connect with me here: https://aimeelubin.com/
When setting up your baby registry, you’ll find plenty of helpful lists of things to buy. But do you really need that pee-pee teepee? (no.) That humidifier? (also no.) Read on for 10 more things not to buy.
A wipe warmer: Let your kiddo learn an early life lesson in handling adversity. Cold wipes won’t kill him. And dried out wipes won’t clean him.
An over-the-door stroller hanger: If you live in a small space, you’re probably looking for lots of smart storage solutions. The over-the-door hanger seems like a great idea, but imagine trying to lift even the lightest stroller after a C-section. Even if you had the smoothest possible delivery and recovery, unless you’re really fit you’ll find that infant seat hard to carry, so lifting a stroller over your head every day may not be the wisest idea. You also want to make leaving with the baby as easy as possible. It’s hard to hang a stroller when it’s full of diapers, wipes, and water bottles. Better to have a stroller a bit in your way than be constantly packing and re-packing it.
A baby carrier: A baby carrier is an awesome item to have, but isn’t the best item to register for. Your baby may be too small to fit into the carrier you picked during the first trimester. If your baby requires any medical procedures, she may not be able to be in some types of carriers. Your baby might just plain hate the carrier you chose. If you can sit with a little bit of uncertainty, hold off on the carrier until after the baby’s born. If you know a lot of other mamas and babies, ask to try out their carriers to see what works best for you before you buy.
Telescoping baby gates: These easy-to-disassemble and pack gates seem like the perfect thing to take to Grandma’s, but buy one and you’ll soon learn that no two doorways are the same size.
Any kind of snot-removal device: Whether it’s a sucker or a bulb syringe, or some new thing yet-to-be invented, there’s no medical benefit to removing anything from your baby’s nose.
A baby food maker: Babies are humans. Babies can eat the same foods as other humans. A blender will suffice. If you’re lucky enough to have future grandparents who want to spoil your baby, register for a Vitamix and some ice cube trays. Both will still be useful after the baby switches to solid foods.
Bibs: A baby will drool on the single square inch of shirt left uncovered by her bib. A toddler will find ever more inventive ways to slip food between the bib and his shirt. Just pack a few extra shirts in your diaper bag. Speaking of which…
A diaper bag: Seriously, you’re suggesting we not buy diaper bags? Yes, you need *somewhere* to keep your baby gear. But the volume of barely-used diaper bags on eBay suggests that those beautiful giant bags are more pleasant to carry empty than filled. The bigger your bag is, the more gear you’ll end up carrying around. Consider repurposing a small tote bag and sizing up if and only if you find you need more room.
A diaper pail: Okay, we’re with you on the bibs and the diaper bag, but how are we going to survive without a diaper pail? No, it’s not feasible to run to the garage or the dumpster with every dirty diaper, at least not in those early months. But there are also these useful items called trash cans, which are often just as well-sealed and much less expensive than diaper pails. Simple Human makes an excellent one with an inner can designed to hold plastic grocery bags.
A breast pump: This is an item you probably want, but shouldn’t register for. The Affordable Care Act has made it possible for most women to get high-end dual-pumps (Medela’s retails at around $300) through their insurers.
A note on registries: If you’re just starting out with your registry, you’ve probably looked at Buy Buy Baby, a reasonable place to buy baby gear. That stores= and others like them will also give you helpful lists of registry items you need. Just keep in mind that those stores are in the process of selling baby gear.
Other discount retailers, such as Target and Amazon, have excellent registry services. These companies also want you to buy baby gear, but they have a slightly longer end-game: research on shopping habits suggests that the store where you buy your diapers is the store you’ll try to buy everything else. So companies like Target and Amazon work hard to gain your business through their registry perks.
Stephanie Loomis Pappas is a professor turned stay-at-home parent committed to debunking all of the bad parenting advice on the internet. She started snackdinner to remind Googling parents that whatever they're doing, they're doing just fine. You can find snackdinner on facebook @snackdinner and instagram @trysnackdinner.
If taking care of kids is hard work, then taking care of sick kids is indentured servitude.
It starts out innocently enough. Your poor baby has a fever and the look on his tired, pale little face is enough to send you running for his every heart’s desire. You cook, clean, launder, check temperatures, buy bulk Ibuprofen and Tylenol and administer it around the clock. You change sheets, empty wastebaskets filled with tissues, call the doctor, take him to appointments, follow up appointments and end-result appointments. You play board games and craft, you puzzle, read and watch movies. You lay next to him until he falls asleep and check the fan and humidifier before leaving the room.
You fall into a deep slumber the moment your head hits the pillow knowing you must wake up every three hours during the night to check his temperature in the dark. You stumble blindly, half asleep down the hall with your iPhone light as your guide and silently try to stick the thermometer in his ear. In the dark, you squint as you try to make sense of the numbers blinking on the thermometer and then try to remember if you gave Ibuprofen or Tylenol as his last dose. You may have to stumble back down the hall to check the list you made with every temp taken along with medicine dispensed at any given time throughout the day. Once the correct medicine is determined you wake your fever-induced, groggy child and ask them to guzzle 10 ML of a syrupy, cherry-flavored liquid that will hopefully secure him and you a few more hours of desperately needed shut-eye.
Now imagine that you have not one but two little boys, both equally sick with the flu. Take everything I’ve said and multiply it times two. I know…its not a pretty picture. The truth is that as hard as it is to manage two sick kids….that’s not the hardest part. Oh no, the real fun begins when one of them begins to feel better. Not, go back to school better, but well enough to be out of bed. The homemade chicken broth you so lovingly tried to spoon into their mouths is now turned away for “real food.”
“Mom, what I’d really like is a burger from the Habit”, my 7-year-old told me on one such afternoon. “How about a turkey sandwich?” I countered, hoping it might sound equally as appetizing. But alas, after four days of little to no food, nothing was going to go down as smoothly as a burger from the Habit. I looked down at the same sweatpants I’d been wearing for four days and figured wearing slippers wasn’t going to be my worst crime and climbed into the car.
Now most people might have told their sick child no, but after four days of being inside, the short ride felt like freedom. I rolled down the windows, turned up the music and sped off into the warm day. Once I returned home and the meal had been consumed, my son wanted to know what we were going to do. As though neither of us had been doing anything for the last several days. I suggested puzzles, coloring, past due homework, games, reading. Any independent activity that I could think of. But none seemed to appease him. What he really wanted was for me to come up with something amazing that we could do together. The problem was that nothing I suggested was hitting the mark. As fun as this game was, I sill had another sicker child that needed my attention, so I parked my younger son in front of our electronic babysitter and hightailed it upstairs to attend to his every need.
The entertaining and nurse-maiding went on for another two days until suddenly, one fine morning, my older son announced he too was ready to leave the land of his bedroom. Now suddenly, I had two half-well kids who both wanted me to entertain them at the same time and were suddenly well enough to fight about every single menial thing throughout the day. One wanted grilled cheese and the other pasta. One wanted to play Xbox and the other wanted the tv. And where they didn’t align, an argument would erupt. Arguing between two sick children sounds something like this “I (cough cough cough) am telling (blow nose) mom (cough, blow, repeat). You’re (hack up a lung) the worst (sniffle, sniffle, suck up snot) brother ever (dissolve into a fit of tears from the energy expended during the argument).”
When four people have been stuck inside together for six days the chance to leave is a coveted prize. My husband had to fly out for work on the 6th day and couldn’t contain his excitement over leaving. He hopped into that chauffeured sedan with barely a backward glace and drove off into a land where people get to go not only outside, but outside of the country. As we head into day seven, I am losing my ability to cope. I can no longer keep track of the Tamiflu doses and the fever reducers. My lists are tossed carelessly aside, jumbled up in the wastebasket with the used tissues. The soup now comes from a packet I mixed with some lukewarm water. The only thing holding me together is the hope that they will be well enough on Monday to go to school.
I am the proud mom of 2 energetic little boys, an 11 year old dog and sometimes my husband! Life moves pretty fast, if you dont look around once in a while...then you can pretend you dont see the piled up dirty laundry, dishes and never ending trails of toys!
Spring is almost here! And besides enjoying everything there is to love about the season, now’s also the perfect time to clean out your drawers and get the grime off your tiles and tubs. Need some simple organizing tips and spring cleaning hacks to help you get there and—even better—keep you there for months afterward? Keep reading!
Clean Out Your Dryer Vent
Karly Wood
Does it take more than one cycle to get your clothes dried? If so, your dryer vent may need a good cleaning. This vent is not the same as the lint trap, and is the path your dryer lint and fuzz usually takes to get outside. If it's clogged, it can result in long dry times and even pose a fire hazard! Head to Frugally Blonde for easy tips on purging your dryer vent.
Wipe Out Window Tracks
Karly Wood
Long winters mean dust and grime can build up in your window tracks, preventing them from properly closing and looking downright disgusting! Spend 10 minutes using the tips from The Intentional Mom and you're on your way to sparkling windows!
Dust Heating & Air Vents
Karly Wood
After a hot summer and long, cold winter, your heating and air vents have probably taken a beating. Use a duster, toothbrush, or a butter knife wrapped in an old towel to get in between all the vents for a thoroughly cleaning. The next time you turn on the heating or AC, you won't be sending excess dust flying around!
This simple act can become a habit and can help a whole room look better in just a few minutes. If you want to go one beyond, try this awesome bedding from Beddy's: your bed and your kids' beds can be made in seconds. The bedding essentially is like a comforter + sheet set that fits any size mattress (there's even a toddler size). You simply zip it up along the sides to make a seamless look. Unzip to give yourself breathing room in the night, or keep it zipped up for coziness. Added bonus? Your partner can't kick the sheet down in the bed. Find out more at beddys.com.
Disinfect Your Dishwasher
Karly Wood
If your dishwasher isn't doing it's job, smells funny or is leaving white residue on your dishes then it's probably time for a clean. It's a good idea to run a cup of white vinegar through your dishwasher to remove build up and odors. Simply pour it in the bottom of your dishwasher (with or without dishes––it won't harm them or leave a smell) and run a regular cycle.
Melt Away Microwave Grime
Karly Wood
Cleaning out your microwave doesn't have to be a hassle. All you need to do is fill a bowl with one cup of vinegar and one cup of water, then microwave for roughly five minutes. When the time's up, carefully remove the bowl (it will be HOT!) then easily wipe down the mess inside that has been loosened from the vinegar and steam. No scrubbing required!
Now that flu season is waning (mostly), it's time to deep clean that humidifier that has been saving your kids' noses all winter long. Anna Mosely from Ask Anna suggests half-filling your humidifier with vinegar and running it outside (so your house doesn't smell like vinegar) for at least 45 minutes. Then, wipe it out with a sponge, fill it up with water and run it for 45 more minutes. Then, let that baby dry out, and put it away until next season.
Are tank tops taking over your closet? Organize them with this genius DIY tank top hack from According to Noelle. Or, roll up your tops and slip them into a shoe organizer. Bam! Your available closet space just quadrupled!
Ah, the fridge—the place we spend so much time in front of, all year long. It's time to get it back to the clean, cool space your food and drinks once knew. To do this, you'll need to remove everything (and unplug the fridge if you don't want to waste tons of electricity), and then take out the shelves and drawers and wash them thoroughly with mild dishwashing soap. Dry everything thoroughly before sliding back into place.
Use Box Lids or Inserts to Organize Inside Drawers
Do all of your drawers look like a free-for-all of junk? Put box lids or plastic drawer inserts into your drawers and decluttering accordingly. For more tips on organizing your drawers, head to this article from Real Simple.
If you've got wires snaking every which way behind your computer, try this easy hack from Lifehacker that uses binder clips to keep wires attached and organized.
Give Old Bedding and Towels to People or Animals in Need
With spring cleaning in full force, don't just toss old towels and bedding! Give them to an animal rescue organization or a homeless shelter to be re-used by someone in need. To donate to furry friends, call your local animal shelter or go here to find out how to donate to the Humane Society. To donate to people in need, call your local Salvation Army or Goodwill to see if they have any local shelters or shops in need of bedding.
When kids toys start taking over the house, you know it's time for a clean-out. But don't toss all those old treasures in the trash—donate them to children in need! To find worthy places or organizations to take your toys (because some organizations, including hospitals, usually only take new toys), check out this great article from Money Crashers.
Putting all your stuff into bins is the quickest and easiest way to go from total mess to super neat! So head to Dollar Tree and get as many plastic bins as you can fit in your laundry room and use them to organize all your supplies. Get a step-by-step on how to organize a small laundry room (plus a free stain removal printable) from Hey Tonya.
Got a zillion Barbie dolls strewn around your house? A few too many Hot Wheels? Hook a shoe organizer onto your kid's door and start popping toys in the slots. It's an easy way to organize and keep track of your little collector's stash. The organizer shown here is even customized to fit the height of each doll! Get the simple instructions at Girl and a Glue Gun.
Is your tub looking more Bates Motel than Beverly Wilshire? Use a spray bottle filled half-and-half with cleaning vinegar and Dawn dishwashing liquid to scrub stains away (Hint: Some people say you should warm the vinegar in the microwave if you've got really tough stains). Your tub will be ready for a proper bath in no time.
Psst: This cleaning solution works on toilet bowls and sinks, too!
Use Microfiber Towels and Tongs to Clean Blinds
Melissa Heckscher
It's tough to get at the dust that inevitably collects on the length of your window blinds. To reach these hard to get slats, just wrap two microfiber towels around a set of tongs and use rubber bands to tie them in place (you can cut the towels in half if they're too big). Then, wipe away! If the dust has really settled in, spray the cloth with cleaning spray before wiping. Get pictures and details at One Crazy House.
Use Rubbing Alcohol To Clean Microfiber Sofas
Melissa Heckscher
According to this article on Herbs and Oils Remedies, rubbing alcohol is the magic potion that will tackle tough stains on your microfiber furniture. Just put it in a spray bottle and spritz the stains until they're saturated. Then scrub with a sponge until the stain disappears. When the area is dry, scrub it with a bristle brush to fluff up the fibers.
Use Your Washing Machine to Clean Plastic Toys
Gabby Cullen
Let your washing machine do double-duty: Toss all your grimy plastic toys into a mesh bag and throw it all into the wash with some towels or blankets (to prevent the toys from banging into the washer wall). Your toy supply will be squeaky clean!
Don't go buy a new shower head when your water pressure starts to wane, or you notice a few clogged holes. Instead, head over to The Melrose Family to get the simple step-by-step instructions for how to use vinegar and lemon essential oil to get the gunk out.
Deep Clean Your Oven
Melissa Heckscher
You don't really see the mess that's being made inside the oven when your casseroles are bubbling, or your baked yams are dripping, but the walls and floor of your oven certainly know what's happening. If you're like most sheet pan dinner-loving mamas, we can bet your cooker needs a good deep clean. Try this cleaning hack from Thekitchn.com, which involves coating the whole inside of the oven with a baking soda/water paste then letting it sit overnight before spraying it all down with vinegar.
Pssst: Your kids will love the way the vinegar and baking soda mixture fizz, so be sure your kids help out with this cleaning project.
Dust, Clean & Organize Your Bookshelves
Melissa Heckscher
Books are notorious dust-hoarders, so now's a good time to give your bookshelves more than a simple wipe-down. You'll need to remove all of the books and wipe the tops and spines with a magnetic cloth (or a Swiffer sheet!); then wipe the shelves down with a damp microfiber cloth. While you're at it, organize your collection: Get rid of any books you don't think are worthy. Secondhand stores or local and literacy charities (like Books for Soldiers and Books for Africa) are usually happy to take your hand-me-downs.
Clean the Front of Kitchen Cabinets
Melissa Heckscher
The knobs and doors of your kitchen cabinets are touched so frequently that they're probably covered in grime by the end of a week, let alone a year. Time to scrub the deep-rooted dirt away! Better Homes & Gardenshas a great how-to video on getting the ins and outs of your cabinets squeaky clean, including using a paste of baking soda and water to scrub stains away.
Your friend’s bump is growing steadily, and it’s time to celebrate! Babies are so fun to shop for, but sometimes a baby shower can be an intimidating event. What baby bath is the best choice? Which adorable stuffed animal is perfect? Will your onesie be buried under a slew of well-meaning but boring gifts? Find the perfect stand-out present at a range of places around town. We’ve rounded up the best local stores to shop. Read on to find out more.
There are plenty of specialty baby boutiques around town where you can locate a unique, special, and useful gift for the new arrival! The Pearl is home to Posh Baby for top of the line baby gear and beautiful brands, or head to Sellwood for The Bull and the Bee where you’ll find plenty of infant gear, gorgeous clothing, baby books, and adorable toys. Milagros Boutique in NE Portland is a fantastic resource for baby items as well as community connections, classes, and events for the new parents. At Polliwog you can find very special handmade items for babies, tots, and moms. Check out our list to find out more.
Another great place to look are the many local toy stores around town. Unique items abound at these cool shops, and you won’t be able to find them in the big box stores. They carry things for babies as well as plenty for older kids, so if there’s a big sibling involved, you can find something for everyone (and make big brother or sister extra happy!). Kids at Heart has been slinging toys on Hawthorne for years and has a great selection of developmental toys as well as games and stuffed animals. Hammer and Jacks and Made You Look, both have great choices for the littlest among us, and on the West Side, Finnegan’s Toystore downtown has been a mainstay since 1977, or Thinker Toys can be found in Multnomah Village.
Get the most bang for your buck at some of the area consignment shops, where you can find gently used items for a fraction of the cost. Most baby items are used for such a brief window of time, you’ll find like-new options for many of the items on your friends’ wish list. A few great options are Beanstalk, Piccolina, and Sweetpea’s for everything from used baby carriers and onesies, to high-end strollers and handmade headbands. Or check out Smallfry for gently used items for both mama and baby. Check out even more great spots here.
Pamper the Parents
Pay some special attention to the doting parents by supporting them those first few blurry weeks. Local spas will give a tired mother some much needed pampering, like at Zenana Spa or Veda Collective. Or give an extra give of love, like a few hours of needed sleep, a pair of extra hands, or some light housekeeping from Doula Love or Mother Tree. Consider these options as well.
After all that, don’t forget the classics—get that humidifier or the diapers they asked for on their registry, bring over a bag of groceries or hot meal, or swing by and hold the baby so they can take some showers.
We know how it goes: mom and dad do all that sneaky Santa stuff but forget to fill their own stockings. You wouldn’t mind so much, but it’s that look on your kiddos face when they think Santa might have forgotten you that really gets to you. Which is why you are going to do a great service to your own children and indulge in a few items that will fit perfectly in your very own stocking. We don’t want to ruin Christmas for the kiddos, now do we? Scroll down to see them all.
Zia Double Leather Feather Earrings
There’s nothing better than jewelry for holiday gift giving, and these double leather leaf earrings from Raven and Lily will fit perfectly in your stocking. Made by an artisan community in India, you’ll be providing women with a fair wage and access to tools and healthcare with every purchase.
We found your next candle addiction: Trey + Glo Apothecary’s soy candles. They are all hand-blended, hand-poured and 100% crafted with love by a mama. Give one to yourself and all the mothers in your life. Currently available in four scents: “Daphne” (bayberry + balsam); “Sarge” (sandalwood + citrus flower); “Deena” (blueberry + buttermilk); and “Manoja” (white tea + fig tree).
Use the antioxidants to fight acne-causing bacteria, plus the activated charcoal found in this puff to help prevent breakouts. Perfect for your self-care goals in 2019! Also available in clay or regular.
The ‘90s called and they want their accessories back! This upscale version of your youthful go-to hair bling has an extra bonus you didn’t need to worry about when you were side-ponytailing it all those years ago: the smooth velvet helps prevent breakage during the dry winter hair months.
We know you don’t want to splurge on the tiara you actually deserve but this gorgeous necklace will make you sparkle like Markle without the royal budget. We also love their earring and necklace gift boxed sets for under $100. Oh, Santa! You shouldn’t have!
Stockings are the perfect place for face masks! At five bucks each, and with fun names like “what happened last night?” and “detox and chill,” you’ll be thrilled to receive this gift from yourself on Christmas morning.
Not only is this keychain on-trend with its metallic tassels, but it’ll also keep your Apple products charged up with the USB-to-lightening adaptor that’s tucked inside.
Plastic straws are so 2017. These silicon straws are not only available in fun colors, but you’ll be helping rid the environment of dangerous plastic. These are not only dishwasher safe, but they are also recyclable, too!
Keep your face hydrated throughout the dry winter days with this Mini Cactus Humidifier, perfect for a desktop or nightstand. It’s lightweight, so you can tote it from work to office if you want, USB powered and has an auto-shut off after four hours. Available in white, gray or with a built-in nightlight!
A total splurge, but who better than you to spoil yourself? We love this self care set from Maggie Wu Studio. The rose quartz roller can be used to de-stress and calm a busy parent after a long day, and the silk eye mask will give you the shut-eye you need to tackle the days to come.
A bracelet that doubles as a place to stash a hair tie? Brilliant. And totally necessary for busy moms. There are a ton of different styles and metals to choose from, but we are especially partial to the ebony and rose gold combo.
Tea never looked so chic. These Rose Gold tea infusers come in strawberry, heart or pineapple shapes, are rose gold-plated stainless steel and the perfect little stocking stuffer you never knew how much you wanted.
Lotto tickets are always a fun addition to the stocking, so how about a few scratch-off cards that actually give back to someone in need? With Lotto Love, each card gives back to one of four charities (clean water, literacy tools, solar light for those living off the grid, nutritious meals), and you won't know which one until you scratch!
After welcoming a newborn, it doesn’t take long for you to realize that the mantra “sleep like a baby” is one big myth. Still, there are products and hacks that can help! From bedtime rituals to noise making apps, here’s how to help baby (and yourself) get some serious zzz’s.
1. Learn to swaddle (or faux swaddle).
Soon after baby is born, a nurse whisks her away and wraps her perfectly and snuggly in a blanket like a burrito. Once you’re home, re-swaddling a Houdini baby in two seconds flat (like the nurse) at 3 a.m. is not easy. Enter Swaddle Strap, a swaddle blanket that velcroes around baby’s arms. No folding, tucking or tightening needed.
2. Hang blackout shades.
Those block-out-all-semblance-of-daytime curtains worked for you in college when you were trying to take a disco nap. And it will work again for your sleepless babe. Look for something that is lined with black polyester, like these cordless roman shades from Pottery Barn Kids. Word to the wise: Don’t hang all-black curtains, lest you want the nursery to resemble a vampire lair.
3. Add a humidifier.
For nights when kiddo is sick, a humidifier is a must-have (though you really can use them whenever). How it works: A humidifier boosts a room’s humidity, which can relieve congestion, chapped lips, and dry skin — all reasons your cherub wakes up in a panic. One that’s freakin’ adorable with high humidity output is this one by Sunpentown.
4. Give baby a massage.
The proof is in the pudding. Research says that infant massage promotes better sleep. If you’ve never given your bambino a pre-slumber rub down, start with an “I Love U” tummy massage. Simply trace the letter I down your baby’s left side. Then trace an L, starting under her arm on the right side and going across the belly along the base of her ribs from her right side to her left. Next trace a U, stroking from high on the baby’s right side, down and around the navel, and up the left side.
5. Download an app. Rain, Rain is a free iPhone app that comes with 25 different rain sounds, including “downpour” and “rain on a tent.” Warning: You might fall asleep before baby! If one baby sleep app isn’t enough, add the Sleep Pillow Baby app to the mix. The new parent fave features some of the most out there lullabies and ambient sounds (think: hypnotic Frère Jacques remixes and soothing night owl hoots).
6. Get a lovey.
If lights out sends baby into a tizzy, Cloud B’s Twilight Turtle might do the trick. This plush toy’s shell transforms a dark room from scary to starry, by projecting real constellations onto bedroom ceilings and walls. Talk about sleeping under the stars!
7. Paint (or repaint) walls.
Check the shade of the nursery’s walls. Reds, oranges and yellows are stimulating and can keep baby up. Chillaxing shades include blues, green and neutrals.
8. Warm those wipes!
It may seem like one of those vanity items you gratuitously add to your registry, but a wipe warmer (like this space-saving variety) can actually make a difference between baby falling back to sleep after a diaper change and, well, not. Let’s put it in perspective, wouldn’t you be wide awake if you wiped your tush in the middle of the night with a cold, wet wipe?
