Freshen That Fridge

Did you know that a clean fridge is actually more energy efficient? It’s true, so toss out your spoiled food and scrub those shelves and drawers with warm soapy water. Remember: Don’t wash a cold glass shelf with hot water; the glass could shatter. Wipe down the exterior thoroughly with a nonabrasive cloth and—last but not least—vacuum the refrigerator coils on the back of the unit.

Keep an Orderly Oven

Oven spills can be tough to remove because typically by the time you notice them, they’re burnt to a crisp. To handle baked-on spills, spread a paste of baking soda and water over them, and scrub with a toothbrush or plastic scrubbing pad. Add a little vinegar for extra cleaning oomph. Extremely dirty ovens may require a commercial oven cleaner—follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use.

Make the Microwave Sparkle

When food splatters build up in the microwave, they can seem impossible to remove—but lemons and water can do the trick. Cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice into a microwave-safe dish, and add one cup of water. Microwave on high for 10 minutes, then let sit for 10 minutes, allowing the citrusy steam to work its magic. Then simply wipe up, and you’re done!

Tidy Up Your Toaster

If the interior of your toaster is a crumby mess, a good cleaning is long overdue. Here’s a trick to make the job a snap. Unplug the toaster and place it on top of several layers of newspaper. Pour a tablespoon of kosher salt in each toast slot, and tape a sheet of paper over the slots. Shake vigorously to dislodge any particles. Empty the toaster out and wipe it down.

Shine the Stovetop

There’s no reason for your stovetop to be plagued by greasy buildup and cooking spills. It’s easy to clean—just time-consuming. For a gas range, remove burner caps, grates, and control knobs, and place them in hot, soapy water. Clean the stovetop with a scrubbing sponge and dish soap, then rinse. For an electric range, soak drip pans and knobs, but not the burners; clean around the burners.

Practice Humidifier Hygiene

Humidifiers that run constantly benefit from weekly cleanings. Unplug the unit and remove the filter, rinsing or replacing as needed. Pour undiluted white vinegar into the base and allow to stand for 15 to 30 minutes. Scrub gently with a soft scrub brush and rinse with plain water. For warm-mist humidifiers, gently brush away any mineral buildup on the heating element. Dry and replace the filter.

1.Leaves a mess for days (or months)

Your daily kitchen cleaning might focus on the dishes rather than on the oven itself, but a few tweaks will go a long way. Not only does it make months of buildup harder to clean up, but it can also lead to smoke. Failure to clean up spills after each use of the oven can quickly build up and may smoke during preheating the next time. “If you use a drip tray, don’t forget to remove it and remove grease and drips after each use.”

2. Leave messy food on the oven floor

To make those everyday spills easier to clean up, it’s a good idea to catch crumbs and splatters before they reach the bottom of your oven. An empty drip tray or cookie sheet should be placed on the bottom for easier cleaning, or just add a disposable oven liner.

3. Put in frozen food that needs to be defrosted

You might think it would save time to let frozen chicken breasts warm up in the oven before they’re completely defrosted, but unless you adjust the cooking time, you could be putting your family at risk of food poisoning. food poisoning. “If you put frozen or partially frozen food in the oven, the time will be turned off because it will need to be defrosted before cooking.” Ensure safety by letting food defrost completely before cooking.

4. Assuming the temperature is correct

Your oven measures the temperature at one point – where it’s intentionally off-limits, where your food will never fly away. Because your oven is hotter in some spots than it is in others, your food may not be cooking to the temperature you think it is. “An oven thermometer will help you make sure your oven is properly preheated and cook your food at the temperature you need it to. “It’s the best kitchen investment you’ll ever make.” This is why most recipes call for you to bake at 350°F.

5.Using the convection setting on the wrong foods

In addition to the standard grill setting, which heats the oven from one point, some models have a convection setting that uses a fan to distribute heat evenly. It doesn’t sound like much of a difference, but that circulating air makes food cook much faster, so your dish could be overcooked if you’re following a recipe. Unless a certain recipe says otherwise, stick with the grill setting. “If you’re making a single layer of cake and baking multiple layers at once, direct air circulation and heat removal is needed, so you want to choose convection baking,” she says. “This will help achieve even doneness and baking on all your layers.”

6. Leave the shelves in while self-cleaning

If the insanely high heat can remove grease and grime from your oven, leaving the racks in the self-cleaning treatment seems to make sense. But unless the manufacturer specifies that they’re designed for this feature, you’ll want to take them out. Most holders will discolor during the self-cleaning feature, and the coating that makes them easy to slide out can also be damaged. Sorry, but you’ll have to scrub them by hand instead.

7. Skip cleaning the nooks and crannies

You don’t even want to think about what’s hiding in the space between your oven and your cabinets. To help keep debris and spillage from attracting pests, wrap the butter knife with a damp towel, then rub it against the wall inside the crack. Hold the knife at an angle to prevent debris from falling to the floor, and shake debris in the sink or trash can out after each pass. When it looks clean, replace the cloth with a cloth moistened with vinegar and wipe the walls again.

8. Leave the buttons dirty

When you touch the oven knobs after handling food, you can bet you’ve left some germs behind. To make sure you’re touching every corner of the knobs, pop them off the stove before scrubbing. Cohen suggests soaking them in a bucket of warm water mixed with 1/4 cup of all-purpose cleaner to disinfect.

9. Cooking with wax paper

Wax paper and parchment may look almost the same, but that waxy substance makes a huge difference. While wax helps remove moisture, it’s not too hard on heat. Put it in a hot oven and it will melt—or worse, the paper could catch on fire.

10. Place items straight on the heating element

Your oven is hot, but not as hot as the heating element itself. While it’s rare that anything in your oven catches on fire, keeping those high-heat parts well ventilated can prevent any accidents.

1. Cleaning the furniture

Mix a glass of water with 1/2 glass of vinegar and 1/2 glass of vodka. Stir it all thoroughly, and pour it into a spray bottle. To disinfect as well as clean, add a drop or two of eucalyptus oil. This unique mix will easily remove limescale and grease.

Caution: Always wear rubber gloves while cleaning, and don’t forget to air the kitchen afterward.

2. Removing limescale from the kettle

To get rid of limescale in your kettle, you will need a packet or two of citric acid, 0.7-0.8 oz each. The amount of acid needed depends on the condition of your kettle and the amount of limescale.

• Fill two-thirds of the kettle with water, then open one packet of citric acid and add it to the water.
• Boil the water for 3-5 minutes.
• Check if the limescale has peeled off. To do this, take the kettle off the stove and carefully shake it — the remains of limescale in the water will show you how efficient the cleaning has been.
• Pour the dirty water out, and thoroughly rinse the kettle.
• Fill the kettle with clean water, boil it, and pour it out. Repeat this twice before returning to daily use.

3. Washing the sink

Ammonia is good at getting rid of limescale. Add some to water, apply this solution to the inside of the sink, and wash it off with hot water after 10 minutes.

4. Making the microwave shiny

What you’ll need: water (13-17 fl oz), a bowl, and 2 tbsp 9% vinegar or 1 tsp 70% vinegar essence.

Pour the water into the bowl, add the vinegar, put the solution into the microwave, and turn it on for 5 minutes (or up to 10-15 minutes, depending on the grade of dirtiness). Now give the vinegar fumes some more time to dissolve the grime on the microwave walls, and then start washing the microwave from the inside.

Caution: Don’t forget to wear rubber gloves.

5. Getting rid of hood grime

Wet the grimy kitchen hood filters with water from a spray bottle, then rub them with a toothbrush dipped in bleach. Leave for 10 minutes and rinse under the tap. Done!

Caution: Always wear protective gloves!

6. Cleaning the oven

The following method is best for cleaning the oven. First of all, take 1 cup baking soda, add 1 tbsp detergent, and add water until you have a liquid dough consistency. Apply this paste to the grimy surfaces, and leave them for 15 minutes. Then wash the whole oven.

7. Washing the fridge

This tip will help you wash and deodorize the inside of your fridge. Just dilute 2 tbsp baking soda in 33 fl oz water. Dip a soft tissue in this solution, and wipe all of the surfaces with it. The walls are then easily cleaned with a clean wet tissue. Don’t forget to wipe them dry after that.

8. Making the dishes shine

Ground mustard is brilliant at cleaning dishes of grease and limescale. Just pour some mustard on a sponge, and rub it into the dishes and cups. Then wash them under the tap. That’s it — your dishes are as good as new!

9. Cleaning the stove

To cleanse the cooktop of an induction stove, take a toothbrush and toothpaste. Put some toothpaste on the toothbrush, and rub it on the burnt places. Wait for 10-15 minutes, and then wipe the surface with a wet tissue.

10. Making the gas stove look good

A gas stove can be easily cleaned with a piece of simple lye soap. Shred the piece on a grate, and dilute the shreds in warm water to get a sour-cream-like mass. Apply this paste to the stove, and leave it for 15 minutes. Then wipe the stove with warm water.

11. Cleaning burner grates

You can make your burner grates shiny if you drench them in water with a little ammonia for 7-8 hours.

Caution: Don’t forget to wear protective gloves while doing it!

12. Washing the splashback

To get rid of grease marks on the splashback, use a highly concentrated soap solution. It’s equally efficient on both plastic and tile surfaces. The best way is to shred some lye soap into a bowl, dilute the shreds in water, and rub the grimy places with this paste until there’s no more grease on them.

13. Washing window sills

A mix of soda ash and washing powder, 1 tbsp each, will cleanse the window sill from all kinds of stains, grime, and yellow discoloring marks.

14. Cleaning frying pans

To cleanse a ceramic-coated frying pan from soot cover and grease residue both on the inside and the outside, pour water into a broad bowl so that the frying pan is completely covered. Add a couple of tablespoons of detergent gel and a handful of soda ash. Then put the bowl with the pan in it on the stove and boil for half an hour. Wait until the liquid cools down, take out the pan, rinse it under the tap, and carefully wipe it.

15. Sterilizing the sponges

Kitchen sponges get dirty very fast, becoming home to numerous harmful bacteria, which results in their transfer to your dishes after using such a sponge. To prevent this, simply put the wet sponge into the microwave on high power and heat it for 2 minutes. Make sure, though, that there’s no metal contained in the sponge, and let it cool for a couple of minutes before taking it out.

There are some kitchen hacks as well. Here are some fundamental guidelines for you.

First, your kitchen must be clean

It doesn’t matter how delicious your food is. If it’s not prepared hygienically, it’s going to cost your family’s health. Additionally, it’s more convenient to cook if you have an orderly and clean kitchen.

Avoid stacking unwashed dishes and cooking materials. Once it starts, it piles up quickly. Train your family to clean as they go. It’s good training if your children would at least know how to wash their own plates.

You need a kitchen that will have a constant supply of safe, potable water. If you don’t trust your neighborhood supplier, get yourself one of those galvanized water storage tanks, and install your own filtration system. It’s no longer difficult to look for this service, and it doesn’t cost much. It’s best to invest in a water system now, especially with the uncertainties of water resources brought on by extreme weather conditions.

Have a pot with a long handle

If you’re not into fancy dishes, having just one pot will do. Why a pot with a handle? It’s to make sure it stays put when you have to stir the contents. It’s much more convenient and safer to hold the handle than use a potholder to hold the body of the pot. If you fear the heat from the pot, get a long ladle.

Buy a timer

Most dishes can be ‘fixed’ unless you burn it or undercook it. Most stoves have temperature settings only. If you’re not sure how long you need to put the pot over it, check online cooking instructions, then set your timer. You could also observe your dishes when cooking them for the first time and note the time they get cooked. There are dishes where you need to add ingredients gradually. The timer would be very helpful too so that you don’t overcook or undercook some ingredients.

Get a set of measuring spoons

You see those cooking enthusiasts just sprinkling some salt, adding a dash of pepper, and pouring in vinegar or oyster sauce straight from their containers. That’s for experts. Stick to measuring spoons. Since you would be working with recipes and cooking instructions, try to follow them as religiously as possible. Then taste your dish. Recipes and instructions are not customized to your taste, so you have to adjust depending on how you want your dish to be. Note the adjustments so you could replicate it when you cook again.

Always have oil and salt

If you need to whip up a fast meal, you could always fry whatever’s in the fridge. Salt is your basic go-to for taste. You can also stock chili powder and vinegar. They would add zest to your dish, however plain it is.

In any case, don’t forget the spices when you make your grocery list. Most people who don’t cook often will overlook ingredients that give a taste to the dishes. These are the onions, bell peppers, ginger, garlic, and maybe lemongrass.

Minimize buying canned food

Yes, it’s convenient, but it’s not exactly healthy. If the pandemic got you anxious and you want emergency food, do the preservation yourself with natural methods. You could smoke or salt the meat to extend shelf life. You could also use honey or vinegar for fresh products.

Instead of relying on canned goods for quick meals, have something fresh like an egg omelet. Sandwiches are also quick to prepare—stock on cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes. You could also learn a simple pasta dish. If you have mastered using a timer, pasta is convenient to prepare even for fancy dinners.

You don’t need to worry if you’re better at eating than at cooking. Many people feel it’s too much of a hassle, especially as cooking could take thirty minutes to even an hour, and yet your only need fifteen minutes to eat it up. But also understand that cooking is like creating a masterpiece, and they enjoy it when other people love their dishes. Don’t aspire to be something you’re not, but learn the basics of it for times when you’d need to do it.

1. Freezing milk for several weeks ahead

If you’ve bought a gallon of milk and only then realized you were going on vacation, don’t worry, it won’t spoil – if you freeze it. There are several rules, however. Pour out some milk before freezing, as it will increase in volume. It’s best to freeze fresh milk and keep it in the freezer for no more than 4 to 6 weeks.

2. Freezing eggs in an ice tray

Sometimes we aren’t able to use up all the eggs while they’re fresh, or we only use the whites while the yolks are neglected. No worries, they can be frozen too! Just break them, and pour their contents into an ice tray, adding a little salt or sugar (this will preserve their texture). Then use them as needed.

3. Keeping your favorite sauce in a freezer bag

Leftover sauce is another candidate for freezing. Pour it into a storage bag, and within an hour it will be hard enough for you to dice it and add it to dishes when needed.

4. Lettuce leaves wrapped in a paper towel will stay fresh longer

Lettuce will remain fresh and crisp for a week if you wrap it in a paper towel. The excess moisture will soak into the towel and won’t let the leaves wither.

5. Apples can be stored in the fridge for several months

Apples usually stay fresh longer than other fruit as it is, but did you know that they retain all their taste in the fridge for a very long time? The only thing to keep in mind here is that you shouldn’t let them touch each other lest damage is done by such contact. Wrap each of them in the newspaper, for example.

6. Store carrots in the sand to keep them fresh

Gardeners recommend storing carrots in the sand, which isn’t at all surprising: sand decreases water evaporation and slows down rotting.

7. Prevent cottage cheese and sour cream from spoiling by turning them upside down

Your cottage cheese and sour cream will remain fresh twice as long if you put them in your fridge upside down. This will create a vacuum inside that prevents bacteria growth.

8. Onions will stay fresh if you put them into a glass of water

Bunches of onions can retain their freshness longer if you keep them in a jar filled with water. Shear the onions where you need them, and they will keep growing.

9. Fresh greens are best kept in glass jars

A glass jar is the best container for fresh herbs. Onion, garlic, or parsley will keep their flavor for a month when stored like this. The greens won’t spoil, wither, dry, or lose their aroma.

10. Keep honey from oxidizing by storing it in a glass jar

Honey can retain its useful properties for years, but it’s important to store it correctly. The best container for it is a dark glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. Containers made of metal chipped enamel, or zinc-covered jars aren’t suitable for honey because they will oxidize there.

1. Boiling water

Learning how to unclog a sink starts with understanding which methods work for the type of pipes you have. Take, for instance, boiling water. If you have metal pipes and you suspect hair, soap, grease, or other residue is getting stuck in your drain, boiling water might be the first (and easiest) solution. That said, it’s not for everyone. “Do not use this method on PVC pipes” .

Here’s how to do it:

Boil two liters of water.

Pour it into the drain opening.

Turn on the faucet to see if the boiling water made a difference.

Repeat, if necessary.

If the problem persists, it’s time to try another method for unclogging a drain.

2. Baking soda and vinegar

Maybe you’ve tried boiling water and you’re still dealing with an annoying clogged drain. Or maybe you have PVC pipes and were wise enough to skip that. Either way, you need a simple method for unclogging a sink. Suggests baking soda and vinegar.

Yep, you probably already have those ingredients stashed in your pantry. Both baking soda and white vinegar have a bunch of household uses—they’ll clean your laundry, banish soap scum, and keep your refrigerator smelling fresh—and when combined, they make for a simple way to unclog a drain. It works like this:

Start by pouring approximately one cup of baking soda into the drain.

Follow with one cup of vinegar.

Cover the sink with a sink stopper.

Let the mixture sit and fizzle for 15 minutes.

Remove the stopper and run hot water down the drain.

If you notice an improvement, repeat the process until the drain is unclogged.

3. Plunger

You’re used to grabbing the toilet plunger when it’s time to unclog the toilet bowl, but you can use a toilet plunger to unclog a sink as well. You can also buy a mini plunger specifically for clogged drains. Follow the steps below to plunge your way to a clear drain.

Fill the sink halfway with hot water.

Place the plunger over the drain and pump up and down a few times.

Remove the plunger and observe whether the water drains.

Repeat until the water drains.

If you have a double sink, you’ll need to cover one of the drains while you plunge the other. If the water in your sink swirls down with ease, your efforts have worked.

4. Snake the drain

Plumber using a snake to unclog bathroom sink drain

If none of the above tricks work, you can try to unclog a kitchen sink or bathroom sink by using the Zip-It drain-cleaning tool. But for pesky clogs, try snaking the drain. A plumber’s snake, or drain snake, is a flexible tool that snakes down the drain to dislodge stubborn clogs.

Open the drain by removing the stopper.

Feed the snake down the drain.
Once the snake hits an obstruction, crank the handle to dislodge the debris. “Don’t push too hard, so that you don’t push the clog further down the pipe”.

Pull the snake (and the gunk clogging your sink) out of the drain.

Repeat until the clog is gone. Run hot water to test.

5. Remove the sink trap

If you’ve tried all of the above methods but your sink is still clogged, it’s time to get down and dirty. And by “down,” we mean under the sink. That’s where a pipe called the sink trap is located, and as a final resort. Here’s how to do that:

To avoid a mess, place a newspaper and bucket under the sink trap.

Unscrew the slip joints.

Take the sink trap to a separate sink or a hose outside to clean all the dirt and grime that has built up in it.

Reassemble the sink trap.

How to prevent your sink drains from clogging

Just as important as learning how to unclog a sink is preventing it from happening in the first place. Suggests the following tips to prevent buildup in your drain.

Use drain screens on all your drains.

Clean drain stoppers on a regular basis.

Don’t pour grease down the sink—plumbers never do.

If you have metal pipes, pour a liter of hot water down the sink once a week to keep your pipes clean.

Understand your local laws and regulations for microwave oven disposal.

Before determining how to dispose of an old microwave, start by checking the laws and regulations in your area. Microwaves often are classified as electronic waste (e-waste), and, as such, cannot simply be placed out with the trash or tossed into a dumpster. Consulting local regulations will help you identify whether there are any specific directions listed for microwave disposal.

If you are unable to find information about microwave disposal for your locality, consider reaching out to a county or city official. They should be able to give you the answers you need or direct you to the right resource to find answers.

Donate a working microwave.

When you are wondering what to do with an old microwave that is still working, consider donating it. This will not only keep it out of a landfill, but it will provide someone with a working appliance they may not have been able to afford otherwise.

Some local charity organizations accept donations of old, working microwaves. You’ll likely need to bring the microwave to the donation center, but in some cases, you may also be able to schedule a pickup. In addition to donating to a local organization, you can check with friends and family to see if anyone you know is in need of a microwave. Nearby businesses or schools may also need an additional microwave for their employee lounge.

Sell a working microwave online.

Rather than trying to dispose of microwave ovens that are fully functional and in good shape, you could try to sell your appliance online. Local yard sale groups and other online websites make it easy to find potential buyers.

Selling your microwave online will provide you with a little extra cash that you could put toward the purchase of your new microwave, use to buy other household necessities, or add to your savings account for a rainy day.

Take it to an e-waste recycling center.

Bringing your old microwave oven to an e-waste recycling center is an eco-friendly option. E-waste recycling centers don’t simply dispose of microwave ovens; they take the appliances apart to separate any materials that can be repurposed.

Whereas some electronics taken to recycling centers are exported to other countries where they cannot be safely recycled, e-waste recycling centers take appropriate precautions to safely recycle and dispose of old electronic components.

If you don’t know where to find your local e-waste recycling center, you can do a quick internet search to identify nearby locations. Some e-waste recyclers may also allow you to schedule a pickup appointment.

See if the manufacturer has a take-back program.
Some manufacturers have special programs to help customers dispose of microwaves. These companies will take back their old microwaves to reuse some of the electrical components and properly recycle the rest of the parts.

If you’re not sure whether your microwave’s manufacturer offers such a program, call or email the company’s customer service department. They’ll be able to let you know if a program exists, and if so, give you instructions for returning the old microwave. You may need to cover the shipping costs, but it is also possible that the manufacturer will cover these costs to ensure the unit is recycled properly.

Drop it off at a retail store that accepts old appliances.

You can also look for a nearby retailer that accepts microwaves and other appliances for reuse and recycling. Some retailers, specifically electronics stores, will accept older appliances to reuse the more expensive metals found in their circuits. If your microwave is a newer model, it is more likely that an electronic store will be willing to accept it. Newer microwaves have more electrical components that these retailers will be interested in.

Appliance repair shops may take it off your hands.

When looking for old microwave disposal ideas, also consider trying local appliance repair shops. Even if your microwave is broken, an appliance repair shop may be able to fix and resell it.

If it turns out the microwave is broken beyond repair, an appliance repair shop may still be interested in taking it. They will salvage any parts of the microwave that can be used to repair other appliances and can then properly recycle other components.

Check if your utility company accepts old, inefficient appliances.

As a final option, look into whether your utility company will take your old microwave. Some utility companies have appliance collection programs in place to help their customers get rid of inefficient appliances in favor of replacing them with more energy-efficient models.

Contact your local utility company to inquire about whether they offer such programs. If they do offer an appliance recycling program, the representative you speak with can help you identify what you will need to do to turn in your old microwave. Some utility companies even offer cash incentives or discounts on future bills when you recycle old appliances and replace them with an energy-efficient alternative.

You can cut down on both harmful chemicals and costs by making your own cleaners from products that are probably already in your pantry.

Many kitchen basics also serve as grease cutters, abrasives, surfactants, disinfectants, or deodorizers. For instance, acidic items like lemon juice, vinegar, and ketchup can cut grease, whether it’s on your windows or in your oven. Abrasives like baking soda, salt, and even coffee grounds can scour away crud at the bottom of pots or inside the bathtub. Coconut oil is just one example of a surfactant, which is a substance that reduces the surface tension between liquids or liquids and solids. In other words, it attaches to dirt molecules and makes them slippery so they slide off of surfaces.
Baking soda is a natural deodorizer, and medicine-cabinet regulars like hydrogen peroxide, rubbing alcohol, and tea tree oil are common ingredients in homemade disinfectants.

To learn more about keeping your home fresh and clean without harmful chemicals, check out this collection of our 10+ favorite pantry powerhouses.

1. Salt

Salt is abrasive and absorbent, and it has disinfected properties to boot! Put its strengths to good use by sprinkling salt on fresh grease stains in the oven. When the oven cools, wipe clean with a soft cloth. It’s also great for removing stuck-on food from finicky cast-iron pans: Just add a cup or so of kosher salt and a little warm water to the pan, and scrub lightly. Dry immediately and thoroughly.

2. Lemons

The fresh scent and acidic properties of lemons can work wonders around the house. Clean wooden cutting boards by rubbing them with half a freshly cut lemon; add some coarse salt for a more abrasive, deeper clean. The lemon-and-salt trick also works well for getting rid of soap scum on shower doors: Sprinkle coarse salt on half a lemon, rub it on the shower door, let it sit for 5 or 10 minutes, scrub, and then rinse. When you’re done, toss the lemon rind in the garbage disposal to keep it smelling fresh.

3. Cream of Tartar

Cream of tartar, another helpful acid, shines at removing stains from tablecloths or clothing: Combine 2 tablespoons cream of tartar with 2 drops of peppermint, eucalyptus, or lemon essential oil. Add just enough water to make a paste. Spread the paste over the stain and allow it to dry before washing. Cream of tartar is also handy for getting coffee stains out of mugs, carafes, and other containers. Put a tablespoon or so of cream of tartar in a mug, add a little water to make a paste, let it sit, then rinse.

4. Ketchup

Given that tomatoes and vinegar are key ingredients in ketchup, it’s not surprising that this tangy condiment is mildly acidic—a characteristic that makes ketchup good at removing tarnish from copper and brass. Simply mix a half cup of ketchup with 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar. Spread on the copper and let stand for about 15 minutes (if heavily tarnished, up to an hour). Rinse first in soapy water and then in clean water. Dry thoroughly. Ketchup is also effective at getting rid of tarnish on cast iron.

5. Aluminum Foil

Aluminum foil has plenty of uses beyond wrapping up last night’s leftovers. For starters, it helps easily remove tarnish from silver. Place silver items in a sink or pan filled with water. Add 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar or baking soda along with a few strips of aluminum foil. Let the silver soak for an hour or until it’s tarnish-free. Rinse well, and dry thoroughly with a soft cloth.

6. Vanilla Extract

Put vanilla’s pleasant, clean smell to work around the kitchen. For a fresh-smelling refrigerator, pour 2 ounces of vanilla extract (imitation is fine) into a saucer or a small, shallow bowl. Place the vanilla on a lower shelf and leave it for a few days. Similarly, you can deodorize your microwave by putting 4 teaspoons of vanilla and 2 cups of water in a microwave-safe bowl and heating it in the appliance. Once the water boils, turn off the microwave, let the bowl sit for 30 minutes, and then remove it. Finish by wiping down the inside of the microwave.

7. Olive Oil

That same olive oil that livens up your dressings and marinades can also energize surfaces around the house. To keep terra-cotta pots looking clean and new, coat them inside and out with a light layer of olive oil. To make leather shine, rub on some olive oil, let it sit, and then wipe off the excess.

8. Sliced Bread

The next time you have to deal with a broken glass, sweep up the larger pieces and then grab a slice of bread. Use the bread to sponge up the remaining shards and the dust-like specks that the broom missed, then carefully throw the bread away. As well, stale bread can be used to remove smudges and fingerprints from painted and papered walls. Remove the crust, roll the bread into a tight ball, and then dab it at the offending smudge.

9. Mayonnaise

Everybody’s favorite condiment really shines—literally—at cleaning. Remove water rings from finished wood by applying mayo to the stain and letting it sit for a few hours. Wipe it away with a clean cloth, then buff dry. And if your houseplants are dull and dusty, apply a little mayo to the leaves and polish them up to give your plants a healthy glow.

10. Rice

Rice is absorbent, which is why restaurants typically put a few grains in their salt shakers to prevent the salt from clumping. That absorbency also makes rice a good candidate for cleaning the coffee grinder. Pour in 1 or 2 tablespoons of rice, grind it up, and then pour it out. The rice will have captured some of the oils and residue, leaving the grinder much cleaner. Rice is also good for cleaning vases and other awkwardly shaped glassware and ceramics. Pour a little uncooked rice into a dirty vase. Add water and a little dishwashing liquid, and then swirl it around. The rice will help scour the inside of the vase, getting into those hard-to-reach spots. When you’re done, dump out the rice and water, rinse out the vase, and let it dry.

11. Cornstarch

To clean windows and leave them with a streak-free shine, add cornstarch to your homemade vinegar-and-water cleaning solution (1 tablespoon cornstarch per 3 cups of liquid). What’s more, cornstarch can clean more than just windows. A solution of 1 part cornstarch and 2 parts water makes a lightly abrasive scrub for dirty pots and pans, or sinks and tubs (it’s a good idea, however, to check the manufacturer’s care instructions on these items first).

Here’s a tip for those who love plush toys: When it’s time to freshen up and deodorize your menagerie of non-washable stuffed animals, first vacuum and spot clean them, then toss them into a large bag along with 1 or 2 cups of cornstarch. Close the bag, shake it well to coat the toys, and let sit for a few hours. Remove the stuffed animals from the bag and shake them out or vacuum them before returning them to the toy box.

12. Baking Soda

This cleaning powerhouse works its magic in every room of the house. It’s a gentle abrasive that absorbs odors and, when mixed with water, dissolves dirt. Freshen carpets by sprinkling baking soda, letting it sit for a few hours, then vacuuming it up. To clean bathroom grout, make a paste of baking soda and water, apply it to the dirty grout, and then spray it with a 50/50 solution of vinegar and warm water. Wait a few minutes, scrub with a brush, and then rinse.

13. Vinegar

Vinegar may be the most versatile cleaner and disinfectant around. Among its other uses, it descales coffeepots, cleans grout, makes windows sparkle, and disinfects cutting boards and countertops. You can even use it to clean your oven. To manage caked-on residue, first, preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Then mix vinegar, water, and baking soda in a deep, wide casserole dish, and place it in the preheated oven for about 20 or 30 minutes, adding hot water when the water level gets low. Let the oven cool a bit, then wipe down the interior.

Grills produce a significant quantity of heat and flames. Accidents do occur. You may avoid fires, burns, and other grill-related mishaps by following safe grilling procedures. Careful handling and grill upkeep can ensure that a preventable injury does not overwhelm the grill’s deliciousness.

Grill Outside

Propane and charcoal grills release carbon monoxide, which can build to dangerous levels in enclosed spaces. With propane, there’s also the possibility of a gas leak. Additionally, grills get hot to the touch, hotter than a traditional stove. Indoors, they became a fire hazard. For these reasons, always use propane and charcoal grills outside.

Grill Away From Buildings and Outdoor Structures

Move the grill to a clear area away from buildings and overhead structures, including tree branches. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that of all structure fires that involve outdoor grills, 44 percent of the property damage started with grills on an exterior balcony or open porch. Grills get extremely hot and have little insulation so that heat can spread. Dripping grease or fat can cause flames that easily catch any surrounding structure on fire, too.

Clean the Grill Regularly

Fat and grease quickly build up on the grill and the tray beneath the grill. Clean these areas regularly. How often you cook and how much food you cook at a time will determine whether the grill needs cleaning after each use or you can wait longer between uses. However, regular grill maintenance is a vital part of preventing grease fires and flare-ups.

Never Leave a Lit Grill

Attend a lit grill at all times. Flames can flare with little warning. Guests, kids, or pets might bump into it, not realizing it’s on and hot. Stick around even when the fire is just getting started. Sometimes the flame blows out, but the gas keeps flowing, or a hamburger falls apart and falls through the grill, creating high flames. Close attention can help you prevent problems and keep you and your family safe.

Wait 5 Minutes to Relight a Gas Grill

If the flame goes out on a gas grill, do not light it right away. Open the lid. Let the grill cool and ventilate for 5 minutes before restarting it. This gives any lingering gas time to dissipate. It also allows the grill to cool so you can make any adjustments without fear of burning yourself.

Check the Grill’s Stability

Rocky, uneven ground is not the right place for a grill. All of the grill’s feet should be firmly planted on the ground for stability. On uneven ground, a grill could tip over if bumped. If the grill is on a patio or deck, consider getting a splatter mat to stabilize the grill and protect the ground surface from grease and heat.

Use Only Charcoal Starter Fluid

For those cooking on charcoal grills, only use charcoal starter fluid. It’s specifically designed for use while cooking and grilling. Never add starter fluid or any other flammable liquid to hot charcoal or an open flame. A charcoal chimney starter is a safer alternative. Chimney starters use newspapers to start the fire rather than starter fluid.

Check the Hose and Propane Tank

Propane leaks quickly get dangerous, so check the tank before starting the grill for the first time each year. Apply a mix of soap and water to the propane tank and hose. Then, turn on the propane. Bubbles will show up around any leaks. After that, be aware of the signs of a propane leak, such as a flame that won’t light or the smell of gas.

Keep Kids and Pets Away

Grills let off a good deal of heat. Keep kids and pets at least 3 feet away from the grill at all times. This goes along with the tip about never leaving the grill unattended. Even kids who are well aware of the grill’s potential danger can forget if they’re outside having fun. At 3 feet, they can fall down and still be well out of the grill’s hot footprint.

Be Prepared for a Fire

Fire prevention is the best way to stay safe. However, preparedness includes having the tools you need to put out a fire if one happens to start. Keep baking soda and a fire extinguisher nearby when grilling. The baking soda can handle grease fires, while the fire extinguisher will take care of other types of fires. If you find yourself without a fire extinguisher or baking soda, a bucket of sand will do in a pinch.