Cleaning Tips

• Keep a toothbrush by your kitchen sink to clean things like graters, choppers, mixer beaters and openers. You will be surprised how often you grab it to use on hard to clean places.
• Take care of all your small appliances. It really does help them last longer.
• Clean your coffee pot once in a while. Pour 1/2 to 1 cup of vinegar into it and run it through as if you were making coffee. Repeat a couple of times using the same vinegar.
• Pour 1/4 cup baking soda down your drain. Then pour the used vinegar from the coffee maker down the drain. Let it sit for a minute or so. Next, pour 1-2 pots of water through the coffee maker to wash out the vinegar. When each pot of rinse water from the coffee maker is done, pour it into the drain. You now have a clean coffee pot and a clean drain.
• When you are buying containers to store anything in the freezer, fridge or cabinets, always remember that square ones stack better than round ones.
• Screw a cup hook close to your sink to hang your rings and watch. Make such it isn’t in a spot where it could accidentally be knocked down the drain!
• If your dishwasher is near your sink, place a small plastic basket (one like strawberries comes in) in the corner of your dishwasher and store things like your dish brush, scrubbing pads and sponges in it. This way, they won’t drip everywhere. You can also use a twist tie to tie the basket into the dishwasher so the things can stay in there and run through your washing cycle when you do your dishes. If you have a big enough silverware holder just keep them in there.
• When rinsing dairy products or starches (cheese, eggs, milk, rice, pasta, potatoes) from your dishes, use cold water. Hot water sets them and makes them harder to get off. Hot water is best for greasy items.

For more helpful tips to make organizing, cleaning and laundry easier, take a look at our How To Organize And Clean Your Home e-books.

photo by: quinnanya