Yes, it's that time of year. Spring is right around the corner and my house is in some desperate need of some Spring cleaning! I don't love cleaning (major understatement!), but I can enjoy it a tiny bit more when I use pretty, colorful products that smell great. Now, some of you may think that I am completely crazy on this one (possibly true), but I think there is no reason why one's cleaning supplies can't be pretty and color-coordinated to one's home. :-) It's just that I really love to open my cabinets and see pretty packaging...and as long as the products work well and are reasonably priced - why not?
Case in point, these beautifully hued sponges...
They make you want to scrub something right now, don't they? I store mine in a pretty pink enamel pail...
I am completely enamored with Martha Stewart's home collection for Macy's . It's all very nicely priced and the products are wonderful. Her microfiber sponges are a pretty pale aqua shade and work really well.
Her Honeysuckle Melon cleaner looks so lovely in the bottle and smells great, too.
I initially bought this J.R. Watkins lavender cleaner (at Target) because of the packaging (loved the old-fashioned label), but it works wonderfully.
So, am I completely alone on this one? Does anyone else out there ascribe to my "has to be functional but must be pretty, too" policy? Let me know...I would hate to be the only crazy one!
:-)
Jessica
You even make cleaning supplies beautiful!
Posted by: karin@creativechaos | March 19, 2009 at 12:32 PM
I love pretty cleaning supplies! Definitely motivates me ;)
I will have to check out some of the products you have shown here...
Posted by: Alice W. | March 19, 2009 at 12:34 PM
Girl, You are not Crazy... I totally agree! Love to open the cabinets and have them looking good! I just don't have a place to shop close by! Just a tacky old Wal-mart! YUCK!
Hugs,
Yvette
Posted by: Yvette Adams | March 19, 2009 at 01:37 PM
love pretty, but i love pretty smells more so. my 3 must haves: mrs meyer's lavender room spray, counter cleaner (which i use on pretty much every surface) and dish soap. i'm going to have to see if i can find the j.r. watkins window cleaner though.
i try to use as few cleaning supplies as possible, so its nice when a bottle can do double duty. but then again, if i'm in the middle of picking up and someone shows up at the door, its nice that i dont have a giant bottle of neon blue windex along with 10 other bottle of cleaners sitting out on the counter.
Posted by: holly* | March 19, 2009 at 04:46 PM
You are the best shopper, I'm with you.....everything can look good!
Posted by: A Gift Wrapped life | March 19, 2009 at 08:15 PM
No idea why but this post of yours looks so delicious.. the stack of sponges, bottle cleaners and pail.. seriously.. I feel like candy.. hehehehehe..
Posted by: fitty | March 19, 2009 at 09:19 PM
What fun and pretty cleaning supplies..Those sponges look so pretty piled up...My house needs a good Spring cleaning also...
Stephenie
Posted by: Stephenie | March 20, 2009 at 04:07 AM
OK, you have the prettiest cleaning supplies! Love it! Want it!
Posted by: Zita - Mlle Magpie | March 20, 2009 at 07:04 AM
i was at homegoods tonight, completely thinking about this post. so pretty. i especially like the pale pink pail. is that martha, too? i'm guessing no but figured i'd ask.
Posted by: elyse | March 20, 2009 at 09:38 PM
this is such a funny post- and I so TOTALLY get it!!
Posted by: Lee W.- The Way I See It | March 22, 2009 at 08:29 AM
I don't even think I would mind cleaning with those wonderful things.
Victoria xx
Posted by: Victoria | March 22, 2009 at 06:32 PM
I always figured why shouldn't we use pretty things to clean? and why shouldn't our cleaning products have good smells? With as much time as I spend cleaning- I am all about the GOOD PRETTY cleaning stuffs!
THANKS! holly
Posted by: holly | March 22, 2009 at 11:45 PM
I'm a new fan of your blog!
Thanks for confirming that all aspects of life can be beautiful. I too am a member of FCPA, Fancy Cleaning Products Anonymous! For years I have used Caldrea products. In fact when we were selling our last house I would always wipe the front door with the all purpose cleaner right before someone came to look at the house. Upon entering they said "oh it smells so good in here!" The house sold in 3 days. Ever since then I still do that before guests arrive. My favorite is the Green Tea Patchouli scent. It is very soft and men even find it pleasant. Cost effective too...you use less as they are concentrated.
-Velvet
Posted by: Velvet | March 23, 2009 at 10:35 AM
These pretty products could get ME into the mood for cleaning! Wherever did you get that scrubber with the printed backing (2nd photo, 4th one from the top)?
xo
jeanne
Posted by: Jeanne | March 31, 2009 at 09:56 AM
I love making everything beautiful...it makes life beautiful!!!
Posted by: Rayia | April 07, 2009 at 02:29 PM
Me, me! *raises hand*
Not only should things provide a purpose in my home, they should be exquisitely pretty as well :)
Your Juicy themed sleepover gives me an adult idea of hosting a MAC sleepover at the Caesar's for us big girls. Thanks for the inspiration.
I love your blog, I stumbled on it via Flickr and now I am an official follower :)
Posted by: Berlin | April 30, 2009 at 09:38 PM
Your definately NOT crazy. As a matter of fact I have a couple of Yahoo groups that I would love to have you check out and hopefully join. We'd love your input!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/clutterbusters/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/romanticdecor/
One is about organization the other romantic and victorian decorating and such!
Posted by: Bobbi | May 27, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Good tips! Thanks!
Posted by: Seattle cleaning services | June 02, 2010 at 04:30 AM
Thank you for the inspiration and motivation! I will do that with my cleaning supplies as well!
Posted by: LadyE | February 02, 2014 at 10:20 PM