5 Latina Cleaning Hacks My Mexican Tías Taught Me
5 Latina Cleaning Hacks to Make Cleaning More "Fun"
Today I'm spilling the cleaning secrets my Mexican aunties, mama, and Abuela have shared with me.
Latina Cleaning Hacks I Learned from My tías - The cool morning air was bursting through the wide open windows. Sun streamed in onto the Saltillo tile and wood floors of my family's Tucson, AZ home. Music would be blaring from every speaker, as my mom was bustling around the house cleaning every surface she came across. We'd quickly eat a bowl of cereal and then join in on whatever chores we were assigned that day. I don't know what it was, as I particularly didn't like cleaning as a child, but window open cleaning days always felt like the BEST days.
The world felt like an extra safe place on those mornings. The smell of the sagebrush in the desert is still one of the most comforting smells for me, and I'm unhappy if I live somewhere where I can't smell it after a rain! Cleaning is a very specific experience in the Mexican culture. And honestly, most of us Latinas are pretty good at it! Although admittedly I tend to put it off, but I'm getting better! I DID grow up learning my family's tricks though, and today I'm sharing our best Latina cleaning hacks to make cleaning just a bit more fun!
Latina Cleaning Hack #1
It is ALL about the Music...and DANCING.
I honestly don't know how us Latinas get ANY cleaning done! We spend the whole time dancing! I spent forever trying to piece together some of the songs I grew up hearing at my tía's homes and parties! I put my cleaning playlist for you below. Of course Selena is classic, and required! I have a few of my other favorites both old, and new on there as well!
Hack #2
Put on Your Battle Clothes ie. Velour Designer Track Suits & Slippers or Flip Flops (La Chancla at the Ready)
My most glamorous tía had a never ending collection of Juicy Couture velour track suits that she wore well into the 20-teens! She felt confident, and cute in them and always did her makeup, hair, and put on a nice pair of hoop earrings! While track suits aren't my thing, being comfy but cute while cleaning is where it's at!
Mexican Cleaning Hack #3
Use Supplies You are Passionate About (or at least telling all your friends about ;P)
My tías would constantly brag, argue, and straight up brawl over what the best cleaning products were! And they LOVED it! Every auntie had her own preferred brand, and one or two classics that they all used. The scents of which, are ingrained into the memories of all family who has ever entered their homes! I love having a signature scent for my home, and I'm much more excited to clean when I know my cleaning caddy has products I love in them! For my 23rd birthday I went crazy and bought a giant box load of the Basil scented Mrs. Meyers products! I'm changing the scent with my new house as I like to have scents match the home and style of décor! Because I'm extra like that. ;P
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Hack #4
Set Timers....and then Ignore Them
I don't know that this is a Latina hack, but it is definitely one I grew up with! When motivation was lacking amongst us young ones my mama would set a timer. We just had to get as much done as we could within that time period. Of course, the grown-up version of this game is as follows. You set the timer to get yourself going. THEN you ignore the timer and keep cleaning! Often the worst part is getting started, once you have momentum cleaning isn't quite the nightmare we thought it was going to be, when we were sitting on the couch watching Telenovelas beforehand.
Latina Cleaning Hack #5
Cleaning is viewed as a tradition, and a cultural cornerstone.
Every Latin child grows up with strong memories of cleaning! Some good...some bad, but most are beloved. Cleaning is a tradition and a large part of the culture. In fact most Latinas carry on at least one old-fashioned cleaning method. Whether it be washing dishes by hand, or the floors by hand, they continue that legacy. Many families have specific, detailed, cleaning routines on major holidays like New Years. Viewing cleaning as a self-care ritual, or a beloved tradition, can help ease a little bit of that misery!
A super old video of mine...but still true. ;P
Bonus Hack!
The Best Stain Fighter Ever | Fels-Naptha
My mom and her family have been using this for long before I was ever around! All you have to do is to rub a little onto the stain before you put the item in the wash! It will come out as good as new!