Category: ‘freebie friday’

We’re taking a today off from rolling out new free stuff so we can catch up with ourselves a little.

Right now (and into next week) you can enter to win the two fabulous prizes we’re currently giving away: a $250 gift card to AVELLE, and a copy of Mandi Norwood’s new book, Michelle Style: Celebrating the First Lady of Fashion.

We all kind of want the book because we adore the First Lady’s style (Bryn’s so enthusiastic that she even left a comment, even though she’s not eligible to enter). And who wouldn’t want $250 worth of handbags and accessories?

You know you want to enter.

What: Five copies of Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Home: No-Nonsense Advice That Will Inspire You to Clean Like the Dickens , Thelma Meyer’s practical, tip-filled guide to keeping your house in order. She’s the namesake behind Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Home Products, so she knows a thing or two about a spotless countertop.

Why: Because really, we (and we figure, probably you too) should know how to clean things better.

How: Leave a comment below with your no-fail cleaning tip – for clothes, dishes, furniture, whatever – and we’ll enter you for a chance to win.

And just in case you’re desperate, Mrs. Meyer has shared five of her most helpful tips with us below. Read ‘em, and tell us your own for a chance to win.

1. Washing a burned pot:
Fill the pot with equal parts water and vinegar, add some salt, heat the mixture over a medium flame until the vinegar boils, and then remove the pot from the heat and let it soak overnight.

2. Getting hairspray and toothpaste off a mirror:
Pour rubbing alcohol on a cloth and clean in small circles. You can also use a baby wipe, if you have one of those handy. Then grab your club-soda spray bottle and give the mirror a spritz, wiping it clean with some bunched-up newspaper.

3. Cleaning up broken glass:
If a mirror falls on a tile floor, you may get seven years of bad luck – and you’ll definitely get little shards all over the place. To make sure you remove all those pieces, dab a piece of bread on top of them. (Yes, white bread will grab some of those small, sharp pieces.) Vacuum, then wipe down the floor with a water-dampened cloth. Be very careful when you wring it out.

4. Taking pet hair off upholstery:
Put on a pair of rubber gloves, pass your hands quickly under the faucet, and wipe down the upholstery in long strokes. And don’t forget to tackle the source: Brush Fido and Fluffy regularly to remove any excess hair before it makes its way onto your favorite love seat.

5. Loosening a stuck drawer:
Nothing’s more frustrating than trying to open a dresser drawer that just won’t budge. So rub a candle – or a bar of soap – on the top, bottom, and sides of the drawer. That will loosen it up in no time.

After you enter, don’t forget to stop by MomFinds for a chance at this week’s Win it Wedneday prize.

1. Post a comment about no-fail cleaning tip.

2. You must supply us with a valid email address and sign up for the SheFinds newsletter.

3. The contest starts now and entries must be date stamped by our server no later than Friday, May 8th, 2009 at 11:59 AM Eastern Time to be eligible.

4. Five winners will be selected during a random drawing and will be announced in the May 12th SheFinds newsletter. The winner must reply via email as instructed in the newsletter to claim the prize.

5. No prize substitutions.

6. You must be 18 years old or older to enter and a resident of the USA.

7. No purchase necessary.

8. Void where prohibited.

9. Click here for the full rules.

You only have one more day to enter this week’s Freebie Friday, but there are two more giveaways to enter, too. Here’s the rundown:

You can win: A copy of Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Home: No-Nonsense Advice That Will Inspire You to Clean Like the Dickens.
What to do: Leave a comment here about your no-fail cleaning tip.
Do it by: Tomorrow at 11:59 AM.

You can also win: A $250 gift certificate to AVELLE.
What to do: Comment here about your favorite bag from AVELLE.
Do it by: May 12 at 11:59 PM.

Yet more things to win: A copy of Michelle Style: Celebrating the First Lady of Fashion.
What to do: Comment here about your all-time favorite MObama outfit.
Do it by: May 12 at 11:59 AM.

Time is almost up to enter for this pampering prize package from Vicks , which includes (among other great stuff) a manicure/pedicure kit, a cashmere wrap from Nordstrom, and Vicks VapoRub. See the entire prize – and enter – here.

For a chance to win, go to this post and leave a comment there about your favorite thing to do to pamper yourself. Good luck – one winner will have a bunch of new indulgent activities to choose from.

What: A Luster 1 Hour White Whitening System from Luster Oral Care

Why: With Luster 1 Hour White, you can ring in spring with a whiter smile – up to 6 shades whiter, actually – in just an hour. The kit includes an accelerator mouth rinse, a whitening gel, and an activating whitening light; you rinse with the wash, brush on the gel, and hold the light to your teeth. And you’re done with the whole thing in an hour.

How: Since this tooth whitening treatment will save you at least the time it’d take to drive to and from the dentist, enter by leaving a comment below about what you’d do if you had an extra hour in your day. I think maybe I’d floss more often…

Once you’ve entered, check out MomFinds’ Win it Wednesday where you can enter to win a momAgenda Essentials gift basket.

1. Post a comment about what you’d do with an extra hour in your day.

2. You must supply us with a valid email address and sign up for the SheFinds newsletter.

3. The contest starts now and entries must be date stamped by our server no later than Friday, April 24th, 2009 at 11:59 AM Eastern Time to be eligible.

4. Three winners will be selected during a random drawing and will be announced in the April 28th SheFinds newsletter. The winner must reply via email as instructed in the newsletter to claim the prize.

5. No prize substitutions.

6. You must be 18 years old or older to enter and a resident of the USA.

7. No purchase necessary.

8. Void where prohibited.

9. Click here for the full rules.

Want a whiter smile to complement your soon-to-be-tanner skin? Enter to win a 1 Hour Whitening System from Luster Oral Care – it includes everything you need to whiten your teeth in just one hour.

Since it’ll save you at least a drive to and from the dentist, to enter, we’re asking you to leave a comment here about what you’d do with an extra hour. Answer we’ve seen most often so far: sleep. I’m with you.