Savvy Mommy 7

Laura Dellutri, The Healthy Housekeeper and author of Speed Cleaning 101 : Cut Your Cleaning Time in Half! and Laura Dellutri's White Couch with Kids answers the Savvy Mommy 7 -

1. What is the most common cleaning mistake people tend to make?

Using old fashioned traditional cleaning methods that take too long, and just don't clean as well as newer methods. Check out a bucket less mop with disposable pads like a Swiffer WetJet. You not only get a better clean than traditional mops, but it saves you time and back bending work. 20 minutes to clean the floor or 5 minutes? It's really a no-brainer.

Over-spraying products on a surface, then spending twice as long to remove the product. In America we tend to think if we spray more it will clean better. In fact spraying less glass cleaner on a window, door or mirror will make cleaning up to 50% faster. Too much spray results in more labor time pulling the product off a surface and dealing with streaks and smears. Spray directly on your cloth, to avoid this common mistake. The same techniques applies to furniture polish, spray the cloth, not the surface.

2. What are some ways children (even as young as three and half years old) can help their parents keep the house tidy?

Start early. My motto is, If they are old enough for preschool, they are old enough to dust. Parents can start as early as two years old teaching children picking up toys, helping fold washcloths etc. The best way to introduce chores to children at an early age is with songs, games etc..that makes cleaning a fun thing to do. My kids and I would chant, "Clean up Clean up it's time to play clean up!" Make up your own tune, and remember to make cleaning up as common as brushing teeth and it will never be a challenge to get kids to clean in your household.

Get your kid's mini-cleaning kits. Children imitate us as parents. It's very important that we have a great fun attitude about cleaning, so our kids will. I have always loved the new vacuums for kids like the Barbie vacuum that actually picks up dirt. Mr. Clean now has a kid's mini-cleaning kit with a mop, and miniature magic erasers! What better way to train your children then to have them mop the floor right beside you! Dusting is also one of the easiest and safest jobs your children can do. Your children should have their own, broom, dustpan, duster, mop and vacuum so they can clean their own messes easily!

3. What are some ways families with children or even parents with allergies or sensitive skin (ie. eczema) can clean up without becoming irritated?

- Don't expose yourself to harsh smelling products that can agitate the respiratory system. Use safe non-toxic products like 3% hydrogen peroxide. It can sanitize and clean your whole home. Just put in a spray bottle and it does a great job cleaning and sanitizing every surface safely.

- Clean smarter not harder. Buy a duster like the Swiffer Dusters that can trap and lock the dust as well as remove common household allergens while you dust and won't blow it around like a traditional feather duster. Use damp micro fiber cloths that clean with water only and still pick up 97% of germs and bacteria from a surface.

4. Your third book, Laura Dellutri's White Couch With Kids has a title which most parents wouldn't dream of even thinking of doing? A white couch around kids? Really? Is it possible? Even with young ones underfoot?

Yes it is possible to have a white couch with kids. It requires a great amount of 3M fabric protector and savvy cleaning tips for those accidents!

That's my couch on the cover of the book, and it's been in our living room -the one where my five kids (and their friends) have hung around in -- for years. And that's the way the room really looks: orderly and neat and inviting. There was no stylist, or trick photography. My house looks the way it does thanks to simple, easy cleaning tips I share with people in the book.

Three main household secrets to having a white couch with kids;
a. No shoe rule in the house - 85% of dirt comes in on the bottom of shoes
b. No eating on furniture rule - prevent food/drink spills from happening
c. Good hand washing habits - having kids wash their hands every time they are messy

5. With modern day families constantly on the go, it's hard to be excited about cleaning up the house? Any motivational tips?

1. Read my book Speed Cleaning 101 -- it will change the way you clean forever and motivate you!
2. Include the whole family and make it a fun team effort, don't try to go it alone!
3. Use cool gadgets and tools that save time and make it fun to clean (kids and dads love cool tools)

6. What is once piece of advice you would give to moms who are currently surrounded by clutter and are determined to clean it up and keep it up?

1. Tackle the clutter one room at a time. My best organizing tip, take everything out of the room. Deep clean the room. DO NOT put anything back in the room that you do not need, pack it in a box and label it: Charity, Sentimental or Trash.

2. Don't put it down put it away. To reduce clutter, give everything a place. Even if you have one shelf in your linen closet dedicated as a junk shelf. Put your clutter bug stuff there. If you are tempted to set something down in a hurry; remember the "don't put it down, put it away" rule.

7. What book are you reading right now?

Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs it is one of the best books I have ever read. The book breaks down and defines how men and women are internally wired. Women desire feeling loved, men desire being respected. If either of those needs aren't being met in a marriage, conflict starts. Ladies this is the book that will change the way you respond to your husband so you can get the love you need from him. I highly recommend it to everyone no matter how long you have been married!