5/27/2009 11:09:00 AM

The Nest: 10 Kitchen-Cleaning Tricks

from the keyboards of misis_pb

Thanks to The Nest for this 10 Kitchen-Cleaning Tricks

When you think about it, you practically spend as much time in your kitchen as you do your bedroom -- and it can get just as messy. Follow our easy plan to keep it looking more fab than frat-house.

Clean Weekly:

  • Appliance faces: Use a mild cleaner or make a paste of baking soda and water to clean. Dissolve grease on the stovetop with a sponge soaked in white vinegar.
  • Microwave: Soak the turntable in sudsy water while you wipe up interior splatters. Or try a steam clean: Fill a microwave-safe glass with 2 cups of water and either 1 teaspoon of vanilla or a few slices of lemon. Run on high for 5 minutes and wipe the sweet-smelling interior clean with a paper towel.
  • Countertops: Spray on an all-purpose cleaner (or run disposable wipes over the surface) and let it sit 10 minutes.
  • Sink: Pour down several quarts of boiling water to flush out grease. Follow with 1 cup of white vinegar and scrub the basin with baking soda.
  • Floors: Wash tile or stone floors with 1 cup vinegar and 1 gallon of water. For icky grout, mix 1 Tbl. bleach and 2 cups warm water. Scrub with an old toothbrush.

Clean Monthly:

  • Oven: If you don't have a self-clean oven, sprinkle salt on the residue while the oven is still warm. When it cools, scrape it up with a spatula and wipe clean with a cloth. Got stuck-on crud? Use a nylon scrubby sponge dipped in soapy hot water.
  • Fridge: Wash the interior with a solution of baking soda and warm water, about 1/2 cup of baking soda for every gallon of water. Clean the drain pan and vacuum underneath the refrigerator.
  • Garbage can: Hose it down with hot water; then spray with a disinfectant.
  • Cabinets: Wipe them down with 1/2 cup white vinegar or a solution of 1/4 cup liquid oil soap and 1 gallon of warm water.
  • Dishwasher: Run a complete cycle with an empty machine (just detergent) for a clean, deodorized space.

5/27/2009 10:47:00 AM

Another bright idea...

from the keyboards of misis_pb

Hmmm... I wonder if the husband will let me do this... I actually like its chaotic-artistic-bright-homey effect.... But restrictions restrictions.... tsk tsk tsk... Thanks to Apartment Therapy for this photo.

5/07/2009 09:27:00 AM

De-Cluttering Tips

from the keyboards of misis_pb

Fight back against the clutter with these ten simple tips.

1. Create a space just for your mail. Designate a spot and make sure there's a garbage can nearby so you can chuck all of the unwanted stuff.

2. Designate an inbox and outbox. These can be wall pockets, a leather box, or a pouch that hangs off a knob on the back door. Your outbox is for what goes out with you the next day.

3. Place a catch-all container near the door. Place your keys, sunglasses, parking pass, subway pass, etc. in this spot. They'll be easily reachable when you're heading out.

4. Have a main bin. You can put your bills, stamps, checkbook, and a pen inside, and place it on a bookshelf for easy access. Just make sure the lid is on when guests come by.

5. Get as many bills and statements online as you can. Download your credit card bills and bank statements and back them up on an external hard drive once a month to reduce the chance of identity theft.

6. Have mobile file boxes to keep your paperwork organized and handy. When mail comes in, either file it away or shred it.

7. Keep a paper shredder for safe disposal of paperwork with personal identification information. (You can get a good shredder for as cheap as $30.)

8. Deal with your mail on a regular basis. Don't get overwhelmed every month -- look at your schedule and pick one day a week to spend half an hour going through it.

9. Purge your files once a year. If you aren't sure about throwing away something, ask your accountant. The IRS has three years to audit you, so you can probably get rid of files older than that.

10. Designate a place for magazines and catalogs. This can be as pretty as it is practical. Forgo the sofa-side bin and go for a wall rack, your favorite mags can be affordable wall art, and more importantly -- contained! 

Source here