Babs Costello shares spring cleaning tips from new book 'Homemaking with Babs'
Social media star Babs Costello joined "Good Morning America" on Thursday to share details of her new book, "Homemaking with Babs," and share some practical, encouraging tips designed to make keeping a home feel more manageable and rewarding.
The book, which is now available for preorder ahead of its Sept. 1 release, focuses on everyday systems and habits that help bring order to busy households.
One of Costello's most talked-about strategies is her five-bin system, which is a simple method to help declutter the house one room at a time without feeling overwhelmed.
Homemaking with Babs: Tips and Tricks for Making a House a Home by Barbara Costello
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According to Costello, the key to success is sorting everything into five clearly labeled bins before putting items away.
She recommends using large baskets or 18-gallon storage bins, which can be found at home improvement stores, and labeling them with index cards, chalkboard labels or painter's tape and a permanent marker.
Check out Costello's full five-bin system below.
1. Trash: This bin holds anything you'll throw out.
2. Recycle: Put old magazines, newspapers, and recyclable clutter in here.
3. Donate: Toys, clothing, and canned goods can fill this bin.
4. Relocate: Things that are in the wrong room go here to get properly put away.
5. Resell: Sort items in good condition that you'll resell in this bin.
Costello suggests tackling one room at a time and fully finishing the process before moving on to the next room.
Spring tool kit
In addition to her decluttering system, Babs Costello also shared her Spring Tool Kit for a collection of everyday cleaning tools, solutions and supplies that she suggests for tackling seasonal cleanups:
Cleaning tools (small)
- Caddy or bucket for cleaning supplies
- 16-ounce spray bottles for cleaning solutions
- Rubber gloves
- Trash bags
- Portable speaker for music
Cleaning tools (large)
- Storage bins or baskets for organizing
- Mop and bucket
- Vacuum with HEPA filter and extension wand for hard-to-reach areas
Solutions and sprays
- All-purpose cleaner
- Streak-free window cleaner
- Easy wood cleaner
- Simple tile cleaner
- All-natural freshening spray
- Simple stain remover
Sponges and dusters
- Sponges
- Microfiber rags
- Paper towels
- Feather duster (optional)
- Lint roller (for fabrics and lampshades)
Charcoal odor killer
Costello calls this a miracle smell cure and suggests people keep an open box of baking soda inside the refrigerator to absorb odors.
Need to pull out all the stops? Put a bowl with a few charcoal briquettes on a shelf to suck in and trap strong smells. So fresh, so clean, so satisfying!
Spring simmer pot
Stovetop potpourri is an all-natural air freshener and a great way to get yourself energized for spring cleaning. It mixes citrus with seasonal herbs and vanilla (all staples you can find in your fridge and pantry), and the lavender gives it a little floral lift.
Ingredients
2 fresh oranges or lemons, sliced
4 sprigs fresh rosemary
4 sprigs fresh mint
4 sprigs fresh lavender (optional)
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Instructions
Add all the ingredients to a medium pot with water to cover. Simmer on low to make your whole house smell like spring. Add more water as needed.
Stuff your duvet the 'Babs way'
Costello also shared her go-to method for putting a duvet on with ease.
Her approach focuses on turning the duvet cover inside out, aligning it with the insert at the top corners, and securing it before flipping everything right side out.
Once the insert is in place, she suggests fastening the opening, giving the duvet a good shake and smoothing it over the bed -- a simple process designed to keep the insert evenly distributed and neatly finished.
'GMA' picks
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Multi-Surface Cleaner Starter Set
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