Category: House Keeping Tips

Tools & Technique :

Both enamel and cast iron cookware should be cleaned with mild detergent and water. Do not use abrasive cleaners or pads. Soak enamel items in soapy water to help on stubborn stains.
Cast iron should be dried immediately to avoid rusting. Some cast iron needs to be oiled regularly  follow the manufacturers recommendation.

The best method to defrost a freezer involves removing all the food to a second freezer or more commonly into empty camping cooler(s) along with ice packs or milk jugs filled with frozen water.  In a pinch, insulated shopping bags might suffice with adequate milk jug ‘freezer blocks’.  A good tip might be to do a defrost before a vacation when the freezer isn’t as filled with food.

• Turn off the freezer, or better yet unplug it.
• Place several old terry towels in the bottom of a chest freezer, or for stand up freezers place towels at the bottom of the freezer and one outside the door on the floor to catch any water.
• For a freezers above a fridge be aware that turning off the freezer will ALSO turn off the fridge!  The melted ice will likely leak down inside of the fridge compartment.
• Allow the unit to sit overnight to fully defrost.
• A hair dryer will help defrost built up ice in 10 to 15 minutes. Use caution whenever using an electrical appliance near water.
• Dry the freezer thoroughly (to prevent immediate frost), then wash and dry the terry towels for the next defrost!

To clean up that puddle of grease in your oven, cover it with salt. Once the oven has cooled, scoup up the salt and grease.

Keep high chairs clean by wiping them with a mild detergent and soft cloth or sponge after every use.
Occasionally, give the chair a more thorough cleaning and a good wipe down with a mild bleach solution to kill germs.  Mix a 1:20 parts water; let sit for a few minutes and rinse with clean water and a clean cloth.

A majority of kitchen cabinets are finished with a washable surface. Wood cabinets will have a protective seal to protect the surface. Painted or laminated cabinets have very easy to care for surfaces.

Technique:
Wipe up spills as soon as they occur. Use a mild detergent solution for regular cleaning. Avoid abrasive cleaners and tools. Dry afterwards.

Specialized Tools & Chemicals:
Some manufacturers recommend waxing wood cabinets. Paste or liquid furniture polish when applied on a regular basis (every 6-12 months, depending on use and sunlight exposure) will help repel spills and stains and keep the wood protected.

This question was submitted from Robert B.

“How do I remove marks made by stainless steel teaspoons inside porcelain cups? I also have similar marks inside soup and pudding plates made by the same cutlery (18/8/stainless steel).”

The tip which I have heard of, although I have never tried it, is to use some non-gel toothpaste and rub it on the stains and rinse.

Remember to always test a small area first when using chemicals or techniques you have not used before on the surface you are cleaning.

How do I get rid of Carpenter Ants in the dishwasher?

Turn the dishwasher on. The sani heating elements will cook them.

They are likely not only inside, but coming from the floor, crawl space, basement, or foundation. Check outside your house. Don’t pile wood or debris around the foundation, as this will encourage them.

Get this under control quickly, as if the infestation spreads throughout your house, it can become a serious and expensive problem. Pull out the dishwasher, and find the source. Use traps, spray, or liquid drops. Most poisons are made to be carried back to the colony, where it will kill all the ants.

If you can’t bring this under control, contact a pest control company. It is not expensive, and they have the knowledge and the chemicals to eliminate the problem quickly.

How do I remove a film from crystal glasses? I have tried soaking them in vinegar, glass plus, soap and water just to name a few. The glasses appear smoky.

Jean

You have tried the correct remedies, but you need to advance to the next stronger method of removing hard water stains. Use a product like CLR, Lime Away or any hard water stain remover.

If the glass feels rough to the touch, then it is possible the glass itself has been damaged. Some experts claim this can occur from repeated cycles in the dishwasher. Or it may just be a function of time if the pieces are antiques.

Another, albeit more aggressive method is to use regular dish soap, and scrub the crystal with #000 very fine steel wool. If this does not remove the clouding, likely the glass is damaged beyond restoration.

This question was submitted from Cassidy.

“I have a fiberglass bath tub that has been in the original heavy plastic wrap for a couple of years. I finally removed the wrap and some of it will not come off. I’ve tried “Goof Off”, and a variety of other products but nothing works. The area that the wrap is stuck to is about 1 foot square.”

Try these techniques:

• Your best bet would be to heat up the plastic. You will have to be careful of not damaging the tub so I would try using a hairdryer.
• Use a plastic scraper so you don’t damage the fiberglass. You should be able to get a plastic scraper at any hardware store.
• You are on the right track with Goof Off, which is a strong solvent. However, since that did not work, you may want to try a dlimonene-based solvent/adhesive remover. These are available at professional janitorial supply stores.

To remove the “ring” inside your toilet bowl use a Pumicestone, it won’t scratch the surface and is very effective in removing the yellow or red scale in the tank.