For the 16 years that we were a homeschooling family, fall was the start of our new year. Forget January 1st, the new school year was when we started our new schedules for schooling, extra-curriculars and church activities. Now that the kids are adults I still like to give our home a fall reset. Here in Florida we don’t get the cooler temperatures till the end of October. We don’t get leaves changing colors or lots of other distinctly “fall” things either. This is why I manufacture some fall in my wardrobe and decor to remind me what season it is.

This year our fall reset finds us in the middle of a living room makeover. In August we bought a new couch, loveseat and huge ottoman. Next we want to paint and then get new side tables, lights and curtains. This is a slow process and while I’m on the lookout for the new accessories, the painting will have to wait until it is cool enough to open the windows.

Here are a few tips on how you can give your home an affordable Fall Reset.

1. De-Clutter-It has been about 6 months since Spring cleaning. We all have places that catch all the items that don’t have permanent homes. While you are de-cluttering make sure you fill up a box or bag with items that can be handed down or donated.
2. Deep clean the floors– I have laminate in my living room and hall and it needs to be swept daily. I also use my new and improved Swiffer Wet Jet to keep my floors clean and shiny.
3. Add some fall decor-Decorate with pumpkins, fall colored leaves and pinecones to bring the season inside.
4. Refresh the air-In my house I live with my dog, my husband and my adult son. All 3 of those things bring smells into my home that are not pleasant. Thankfully I have the woodsy Big Sur scented Febreze Fabric Refresher and Febreze Air Effects. With just a few squirts my home smells more like a forest and less like a locker room.

The Giveaway

One lucky winner will receive a Swiiffer and Febreze prize pack so they can do their own Fall Reset in their home. This giveaway is open to US residents only. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and verified. The winner will be notified via email and they will have 48 hours to claim their prize. The giveaway ends at 12:00am on 9/29/16.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The post It’s Time for a Fall Reset and Giveaway appeared first on The Mom Maven.

5. The Swiffer Effect

Swiffer has made cleaning easier for every member of our family. In our house everyone has chores to do daily and weekly so whether we are sweeping floors, mopping floors or dusting throughout the house-everyone uses Swiffer to do part of their chores. Read more at The Swiffer Effect.

4. Built to Amaze

This was Summer’s first trip to see the circus and she told us she was petrified of clowns! Read more at Built to Amaze!

3. Monster Jam Review

The freestyle competition is very exciting with huge trucks flying through the air, and not always landing on their wheels! Grave Digger even ripped of the skin of the truck and finished the freestyle with just the roll cage! Read more at Monster Jam Review.

2. Combat Ant & Roach Killing Bait Strips

The new Combat® Ant & Roach Killing Bait Strips contain the same killing power found in Combat® Gels, in an easier to use format. These thin bait strips have an adhesive backing that makes it easy to hide out of sight and reach of children and pets. Read more at New Combat Ant & Roach Killing Bait Strips Review.

1. Cold-Eeze

Cold-EEZE is now a staple in my medicine cabinet. When we feel the first sign of a cold coming on, we will be using Cold-EEZE as directed. To read more go to Cold-Eeze Review.

Thanks for a great 2013. I am looking forward to even more reviews in 2014!

The post MomMaven’s Top Reviews of 2013 appeared first on The Mom Maven.

For me the week between Christmas and New Years is all about cleaning and purging and getting ready to start the new year off on the right foot. With the Wednesday holidays this year it seems I have less time to clean than usual but I’m getting started today and as long as I make progress I’ll be happy.

Since I am a long time Swiffer fan I was excited to try the new Swiffer BISSELL® SteamBoost for my pre-holiday cleaning. The Swiffer BISSELL® SteamBoost is a steam mop that deeply penetrates dirt and helps remove messes mops can leave behind. Fill it with water, attach a Steam Pad and plug it in. No other cleaning solutions are needed.

I am sad to report that the Swiffer BISSELL® SteamBoost did not live up to my expectations. It produced very little steam and was unable to clean marks off my vinyl flooring that my Swiffer Wet Jet cleaned with no problem. While using the Swiffer BISSELL® SteamBoost my floor became very wet but it didn’t get clean. My guess is if you are using a regular mop to clean your floors, the Swiffer BISSELL® SteamBoost would do a better job because steam cleans better and the disposable pads are cleaner than re-using a regular mop head.

While you are in holiday clean-up mode make sure you put all of your decorations and nick-knacks away clean. Dust them before packing them away so you can avoid a bigger mess when you take your decorations out next year.
This sponsored post was brought to you by Swiffer®. For a limited time, get a $15 prepaid card when you purchase a SteamBoost Steam Mop Starter Kit between 11/24/13 and 12/31/13. Swiffer BISSELL® SteamBoost combines a dirt-dissolving cleaning solution with the power of steam for a deep clean that gets messes mops can leave behind. Also be sure to like Swiffer on Facebook and follow @swiffer on Twitter.

The post Let the Swiffer BISSELL Steamboost Clean Up Your Holiday Messes appeared first on The Mom Maven.

Swiffer has made cleaning easier for every member of our family. In our house everyone has chores to do daily and weekly so whether we are sweeping floors, mopping floors or dusting throughout the house-everyone uses Swiffer to do part of their chores.

Have you seen the new #SwifferEffect commercials with the adorable 90 year olds Lee & Morty? My husband and I LOVE those commercials and we hope we are as fun and loving as they are at their age. Even if you have seen the commercials check out this video that tells a bit more of their story.

I love how the #SwifferEffect has changed Lee & Morty’s lives for the better. Their house is cleaner and poor Lee isn’t risking life and limb to dust the high places. Relationships are so important and thanks to the #SwifferEffect Lee & Morty are entertaining again and that is awesome!

#SwifferEffect Giveaway

One lucky reader of TheMomMaven will win a Swiffer prize pack valued at $20! The giveaway is open to US residents only. The giveaway ends at 12:00am on 8/13/13. The winner will be notified via email and have 48 hours to claim their prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Disclosure: I am a Swiffer Influencer. I receive compensation for telling you about Swiffer. All opinions are 100% mine.

The post The #SwifferEffect appeared first on The Mom Maven.