[mom-from-missouri]

Did you know a clean house can save you money?

Keep you lightbulbs and lampshades dust free. A filthy dusty 100 watt bulb burns the energy of a 100 watt bulb, but may only put out 40-60 watts worth of light due to dust.

Keep your furnace filter clean-change it on a regular basis-some types can even be vacummed off in between changings. This can even save you money in healthcare if you are allergy prone.

Keep your windows clean-both inside and out-More light can come in when the shades or curtians are open, resulting in needing less lights on in the house. While doing the windows, wipe off the pc and tv screens as well. Use vinager-its better and cheaper than windex.

Keep your heat vents and cold return vents dust and cobweb free. This allows for a better flow of air, keeps your filter cleaner longer, and the blower motor doesn't have to work as hard to push the air thru.

Keep your food put away properly. I work with a lady who lives in filth. She is always compaining how much she spends go get rid of mice and bugs-trys to blame it on her neighbors. Yet, everytime I have been to her home, there is yesterdays dinner still sitting out, trash is overflowing...So, by her being a pig, she is feeding the rodents and bugs. Look at all the money is wastes on exterminators and on food that she wastes...

Run vinegar thru your washer, dish washer and coffee maker to clear out mineral deposits. Vinegar can also be used in the dishwasher to help cut down on spots-also it is a disinfectant so helps cut down on colds during the winter months-just put some in the dishwasher.

Keeping your trash emptied daily cuts down on odor. I keep a Walmart bag in my kitchen that I put smelling trash in-then it goes outside asap. If there is a n odor, burning a candle or lighting a match will remove it--cheaper than buying airspray.

Keep your laundry caught up--Wet towels and such that are allowed to sit and mildew often take several washings to get clean-plus they can ruin other clothing in the hamper. Don't leave clothes sit in the dryer to get wrinkled-then they have to be ironed, moistened and redryed (more energy wasted). Empty the dryer when it goes off-or better yet, hang dry.

Keep a curb on your pets. Train them not to get on the counters and ruin food. I've also seen pets ruin good furniture.

Keep your closet doors shut, so that the AC or furnace isnt having to heat or cool that extra space.

Clean house-take all the outgrown and unused clothing and housewares to your local consignment stores.

Keep your kitchen and bathroom cabinets organized-ever know you had canned corn but had to go out and by more because you couldn't find it?

Keep your items with motors clean of dirt-this includes refrig and freezers, fish tank pumps, ceiling fans, even keep your vacume cleaner clean.

If you have a garage, keep it in a clean manner so you can keep your mower and car inside-this will save on mower and car maintance, keep them from sun fading, and wont require "warming up" time in the winter.

This should get you thinking of a lot more ideas!