You already know about the four daily routines I use to keep my house Clean Enough, but I have a secret little ritual that takes house cleaning from something I would rather avoid to something almost pleasurable. Want to know what it is?
My secret ritual
First, I make myself a tasty delicious smelling coffee, next I grab my favorite Mrs. Meyers cleaning products, light a candle, turn on some tunes, and THEN I start puttering around the house getting things clean.
So why does that ritual work for me?
Most of you who read my blog regularly might remember that I adore Alexandra Stoddard. One of the things I appreciate about her is she understands how important involving all of our senses is in the process of daily rituals.
In one of my favorite books of all time “Living a Beautiful Life” Alexandra wrote:
“Being happy and peaceful, especially at home…is the goal: stimulating the senses is one way to start. I’ve learned to tease myself into doing necessary and useful tasks by stimulating my senses as I go along.”
I agree totally — I have to TRICK myself into enjoying daily chores like cleaning or laundry. If I put on some music, light some candles and only use products that smell great and look pretty I can actually enjoy the process!
Awhile back my husband brought home a counter cleaner and proceeded to clean the counters for me. Nice, huh? But suddenly I couldn’t STAND the smell of my house! It reeked! My counters actually smelled like spicy Italian sausage. Gah, who wants their counters to stink like SAUSAGE when there is no Italian food anywhere in sight? ANYONE? I was appalled that anyone would make a product that was so stinky!!
I rummaged around to see what in the world he had cleaned with and it was some product labeled with the scent “basil.” Well, while we will NEVER again buy THAT product, I can tell you the Mrs. Meyer basil scented products smell DIVINE. You want your home to be “squeaky clean, not STINKY clean!”
Mrs. Meyers products smell SO good that I catch myself thinking about cleaning just so I can get out my pretty bottles and smell the wonderful scents! I’ve been known to want to strap a good smelling candle to my nose all day, that is how much a good scent means to me!
The other day I had a lavender scented candle going when my daughters came home from college, and they marveled over how great our house smelled, it was HEAVENLY! I also love lemon verbena and geranium too!
Aren’t they adorable in my laundry room?
Mrs. Meyers is a sponsor of The Inspired Room this month and also of today’s post but all that really means is that she paid me to enjoy using and smelling her products and tell you honestly what I really think of them. I know, it is a TOUGH job but SOMEONE has to do it. It might as well be me, right? Heh heh, I do love my job and I love sharing what works for me!
Quick little faux-cleaning tip for you.
Take your counter spray and spray a little whiff of it on your door frame. Your house will smell divine every time you walk through or open and shut the door. And your husband will assume you’ve been cleaning today instead of reading blogs. Yes. You’re welcome.
{The coupon offer has now expired so I removed the coupon that was here}
Have you used Mrs. Meyers’ products?
Which are your favorites (I haven’t tried them all so I’d love to know what to try next!)
i have never tried them but the bottles are super cute! and i agree that when the senses are involved in a positive way it makes even scrubbing the tub (my LEAST fave job ever) a good thing.
Onita recently posted..Eleven
Ahh, so wonderful to hear of other Mrs. Meyer’s lovers! I have a little blurb on my blog about Thelma Meyer. Here is the link if you want to read it. She lives less than a mile from me and is the absolute most wonderful lady I have ever met http://beth-griffin.blogspot.com/2010/11/day-22.html
I use all her products and love a good, clean smelling house too! Lavender is my favorite!
Ok, you inspired me. I had never used Mrs Meyers before, but after reading your blog posts I stopped at the huge display in my local grocer. After spending a quite blissful 10 minutes smelling all the scents I decided on “Basil” and got some countertop spray (I was quite smitten with “Geranium,” but I knew my husband would be less enthusiastic about that one). And I always clean the house on Sunday – so we used it in the kitchen, bathrooms, and windowsills. Holy good smell. Love it.
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Love Mrs. Meyers stuff…they all smell so great! Thank you for the coupon Melissa!
I’ve never used Meyers. I do use Method cleaning products. But I’m up for trying some new fresh and clean scents. Thanks!
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Oh wow! I like the different flavors they have! I would have to say basil for the kitchen, maybe lavender for the livving room and something floral for the bathroom. That’s what I would use! Are they baby and pet safe?
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Oh I just love the Meyer products! My favorite is the Lavender one- I use the general cleaning solution for almost everything. I like to keep a good spray bottle filled with water and a couple of tablespoons of the cleaner for most cleaning jobs- works great on small surfaces and especially handy for cleaning the shower.
My family is very sensitive to the chemicals in most cleaning products, so finding a safe alternative was important… Mrs Meyers works well and the wonderful scents are our reward for having to do the cleaning!
Thanks for tips too… I will have to use that one for more blog time! hehee
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I am deeply in LOVE with Meyers products. They have the most incredible candles. You know me, “Miss -budget in the candles-” I always must have a Meyers candle burning – they make the best smelling ‘kitchen candles’. Great for removing ‘fish’ smells and the like after a night of eating fish.
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I love the simple labels. I hate the smell of cleaning products in particular sunlight dishsoap. Next time I am at walmart I am going to take a look in the cleaning aisle and see what I can find.
Goodness Melissa…you actually are making me think that cleaning can be fun!
These products are so beautiful though. I love the way you can see them through your cabinet. Definitely going to check them out!
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I went to the Mrs. Meyer website, and saw the Lemon Verbena products contain citric acid. I have granite and was told you should not use any products with that in it..but I see several of you have granite also. I guess you are not having any problems?
Oh, that could be. I don’t have the lemon verbena counter spray! Mine is basil.
I new to your blog and I absolutely love it and have become ”inspired” about my life and home. I cant wait to try Mrs Meyers products Im going to Walmart tomorrow to look for them. I love and ADORE Alexandra Stoddard I have many of her books that I have packed away and forgot all about Im going to re-read them all now. Thank you !
I love Mrs. Meyer’s products, especially the basil scented liquid hand soap.
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I LOVE Mrs. Meyers products!
I have the basil scent and it really makes me happy.
In fact, when I first smelled it in the store I was blown away by how wonderfully inviting the scent was
I adore Mrs. Meyer’s products but think my fave is the geranium hand soap. It smells heavenly. I keep it at the kitchen sink since I am the only person in the house who washes their hands there, and therefore I get the soap all to myself.
[I put cheap boring soap in the boys' bathroom since it just gets squirted everywhere and not appreciated.]
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Wonder if that trick would work for my kids? Hmmm, might have to try that
I have used Mrs Meyers and love it-grateful for the coupon because it’s time to get some more!
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Thanks for this incredible inspiration! I really needed to read this post. My house is generally a disaster and I know my whole family would be so much happier if we could keep things a bit cleaner. It’s a slippery slope once toys and projects come out but your idea of lighting a candle and creating a ritual out of cleaning and laundry just might help those tasks move to the top of my list. I have not used Mrs. Meyers and don’t have a Walmart near me
but I will certainly be on the lookout for their products. I think Target might carry them. Thanks again! I’m off to start a load of laundry.
Erin – The Smallest Sparrow recently posted..Tutorial – Word Ornament Pillows
So funny you wrote a post about Mrs. Meyer’s cleaning products today..I’ve used them for a few years now and just stocked up on some at the grocery store this morning (it’s been awhile since I had them around).
I totally agree w/ you about the whole experience being a pleasant one….it sure helps!
Love, love, love them!! Lavender is my favorite and it does make cleaning much more enjoyable!! I haven’t tried their candles yet so now I’m dying to go out and get one but since I’m in my pajamas I’ll wait until tomorrow!
Blessings,
Cyndi Spivey recently posted..December Challenge…Peace on Earth
I had to come back and tell you, I went to the grocery store and they are carrying the Orange Clove products! After reading this post, I had to try it, so bought a candle and it is absolutely wonderful — so clean smelling!
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Twitter: KristenBSmith
says:
Which grocery store?
I also love Mrs. Meyers! I also use Method Daily Granite for my countertops though.. great scent!
I ahve never SEEN Mrs. Meyers products but now want to try them!!!! I was just at Walmart today but will check next time to see if they carry them! Thanks for the info! XO, Pinky
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They have a line of Baby laundry soap and dryer sheets that smelled so good, I couldn’t do enough baby laundry! I keep a box of the dryer sheets in my laundry area and smell it all the time and it reminds of me of my baby’s even though they are big now!
Twitter: gardenhomeparty
says:
I will try this product. I’ve always wanted to but felt it might be frivolous but since it’s so much more affordable at Walmart I figure I owe it to myself to enjoy the fragrance of the cleaning products when I clean which is more often than I like to admit! Thanks Melissa!
Orange Spice, orange spice, oh my word! Smells like Russian tea mix I used to with my mom when I was little. I love it! Bought it on Amazon. The lemon verbena counter spray did not go over well here. I have the lavender which is being tolerated, but I’m the one cleaning so who cares!
Heather
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Melissa – you rock! {{‘nough said}}
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I love Alexandra Stoddard!!!!!!!
never tried these, but I always wanted to!
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I have long been a fan of Alexandra Stoddard. Did you know that if you write her a letter, she sends back a lovely hand written note? Mine is taped inside the cover of “Living a Beautiful Life?”
Do you know if Mrs. Meyer has a cleaner for granite? My new aparment has granite and I am unsure how to clean it.
Fondly,
Glenda
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Thank you so much for the tips on Mrs. Meyers’ products! I will check out our Walmart to see if they stock it. Thanks also for the tip on Alexandra Stoddard books. I’ve ordered the one that was mentioned, along with a second book of hers, and I’m anxiously awaiting them to arrive. I’m obsessed with things that smell wonderful. I put a few drops of lavendar essential oil in a large spray bottle and spray it everywhere. It gives a light scent that’s not overpowering. We should all be surrounded by good smells and lovely sights – especially in our own homes!
We’re definitely worth it, aren’t we?
Love your post. Anyone who loves mrs. meyers, candles and coffee is my new BFF
thanks for posting 
I have never tried Mrs. Meyers and I see that it is reasonably priced. But how does it clean? I currently use Lysol products – I really like the way they clean and they don’t smell too horrible. Would you say that Mrs. Meyers cleans as good as Lysol?
Has anyone tried the “Snap Pea” scent? I’ve seen it on Amazon but can’t imagine how that would smell. Thanks!
The coffee is the critical part!
I like to always set a “mood” when I’m doing something that I particularly don’t want to do. Like book keeping.
I have never tried Meyer’s products, but since you offered me a coupon, I’ll give it a try. I generally make my cleaning supplies, but I like the Meyer’s bottles. Maybe I’ll have to get a stash of bottles and add my own cleaning products. Essential oils is the key to nice smelling cleaning products in my opinion.
Thank you for the coupon offer.
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I went to Walmart today and bought the basil candle and the counterspray. Wonderful clllleeeeaaaannnn smell all day. I may have to go back for others tomorrow. They didn’t have the geranium at my store just basil, lavender and lemon. I might even clean inside my vehicle with it…hheehhehheeee
Oh my goodness! I had never heard of Mrs. Meyer’s products until I read about it here. My hands get really painfully chapped and dry in the winter and nothing ever helped – lotions, balms, oils, etc. had no effect. I always considered that the culprits were the cleaning products I used. So, I had nothing to lose by ordering Mrs. Meyer’s. My products arrived today. I got 2 of the cleaning products gift sets (for myself) – in Lemon Verbena and Basil. The first thing I did was to use the hand soap. After I rinsed, I couldn’t believe how good my hands felt. By just using the soap, my hands felt as if I had used a very fine lotion on them. They’re super soft and smooth feeling. I asked DH to check them out and he agreed! I’m sold and plan to also order the body care products as well. Thanks so much for all of your reviews and opinions on these products! Amazing that products that are so good smelling are actually very effective!!!
Thanks!!! I think I have now found a way to possibly like to clean!
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I love Mrs. Meyers. Our store only carries 2 scents most of the time and sometimes only 1. I love the lavendar scent. I love your blog too. Thank you for the great info on how to not get overwhelmed with house cleaning.
Wow, you just made me really want to go out and get new cleaning products! while I do use some green products (greenworks) not all of mine are that. I have always loved the way meyers packaged her products and am always drawn to them when I am shopping! I think I will make it a must to try them when I run out next time~
I didn’t know you loved Alexandra Stoddard–me, too!!!!! Awesome!!
I adore this idea of involving the senses–I am thrilled to start trying that out (I kinda hate to clean)!
How fun is that!?!
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Want all-natural cleaning products… try Watkins. Clean without harsh toxins. Easy-to-use spray and wife formula, streak-free, earth -friendly cleaners. 5 scents: Grapefruit, Lavender, Lemon, Orange and Aloe & Green Tea.
Thanks,
Betty
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I’m really late to this Mrs. Meyers party but I wanted to share… I love all of her products EXCEPT for the Surface Scrub. I usually buy Bon Ami powder for my glass cooktop but when I ran out I thought I’d try Mrs. Meyers. I did not like it. I love all of the scents but for some reason, the surface scrub is way too potent. The powder becomes airborne and it really burned my nose. It also lingered for a long time. I had to open all the windows and air out the house after using it. I have only tried the Lemon Verbena so perhaps the other scents are not as strong but I will not be buying the Surface Scrub again.
I laughed so hard I startled my dog when i read your tip about spraying the door frame so my husband doesn’t know i have been reading blogs. HILARIOUS! I am off to do that now. haha