Sew What’s Up Presents
The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
quilting message board “Sew What’s New,” which was
retired in August 2007. It is being provided by
“Sew What’s Up,”
which serves as the new home for many members of “Sew What’s New.”
From: MaryW
Date: 02-16-2005, 02:03 PM (1 of 26)
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Ten Time- and Money-Saving Kitchen Cleaning Tips Here are ten money and time saving tips to help you in your kitchen. 1. Use those leftover slivers of soap to cut expenses! Cut a small pocket in a sponge and place small slivers of leftover soap into it for a sudsy washing sponge. 2. Hold a scouring pad underneath a sponge when scrubbing. This will give you a better grip and protect your hands. 3. Save time on the dinner dishes. Before serving dinner, run a sink full of very hot soapy water. When everyone is finished eating dinner, tell them to wash and rinse their own plate. 4. Use a paint scraper or putty knife to remove baked on or cemented goo from stovetops, countertops or floors. 5. Use a toothbrush to scrub hard to reach surfaces such as behind and on faucets. 6. Baking soda makes an excellent scouring powder. 7. By keeping a spoon rest on the stove, you'll avoid a lot of messy clean-ups. 8. Place sticky (honey, syrup, molasses and oil) containers on plastic lids in the cupboard or fridge to avoid sticky messes. 9. To get odors out of plastic containers, place crumpled newspaper inside the container and seal it overnight. 10. Keep a fillable wand near the kitchen sink and when you have a few spare minutes, wash a few dishes with the wand. This may help you cut down on doing full loads of dishes. For more kitchen cleaning tips, check out the 'Handy Kitchen Cleaning Tips' E-book, just one of many home and garden e-books you can get FREE here: http://homemakersjournal.com/kitchencleaning.htm ©, 2001, Monica Resinger About the Author: Monica Resinger is the creator of 'Homemaker's Journal E-Publications' where you will find many fun and informative home and garden related e-books, tip sheets and how to sign up for her FREE home and garden newsletter! Click here to visit: http://homemakersjournal.com/ MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: joannequilts
Date: 02-17-2005, 01:45 PM (2 of 26)
| A tip I learned from my mother is when making pies and you clean up, sprinkle salt over the dough area and it comes off easily. |
User: joannequilts
Member since: 12-22-2000 Total posts: 3070 
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From: mamadus
Date: 02-17-2005, 02:04 PM (3 of 26)
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oh neat jo.. I never knew that!! I'll definitely remember that next Thanksgiving when I'm making 12 pies!!! MO life is too short, not to explore
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User: mamadus
Member since: 12-31-2004 Total posts: 492 
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From: MaryW
Date: 02-17-2005, 06:46 PM (4 of 26)
I think that is a neat tip. My counter top is always gooey when I am done making my one pie. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: beachgirl
Date: 02-17-2005, 07:27 PM (5 of 26)
| Rubbing alcohol will clean & shine your faucets & handles. Never spray a mirror with cleaner, spray your paper towel or whatever your useing to wipe the mirror with. It will get to the silver on the back in time & ruin the mirror. Ketchup or lemon juice will clean copper if your out of copper cleaner. To clean combs & brushes, put in tall container & add water,bleach & baking soda. Let soak then take the brush to scrub through the combs & comb through the brushes. Clean & sterile. For a real sticky gunky pot or pan, add water & bring to a boil on the stove. For casserole dishes put in microwave & boil. I'll come up with more later. ( maybe ). |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615 
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From: mamadus
Date: 02-18-2005, 05:03 AM (6 of 26)
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man beachie... should we call you Heloise??? some good tips there!!! thanks... MO life is too short, not to explore
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User: mamadus
Member since: 12-31-2004 Total posts: 492
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From: Dede
Date: 02-18-2005, 07:57 AM (7 of 26)
| I don't use Windex in mirrors or glass table top. Just a wet facecloth followed by a quick dry with dishcloth does the trick very well. I do the same thing on furniture but use a damp cloth instead. No need for detergent or paper towels. |
User: Dede
Member since: 03-23-2001 Total posts: 469 |
From: sewingrandma
Date: 02-18-2005, 10:06 AM (8 of 26)
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To clean your oven racks and burner rings soak them over night in your bathtub using hot water and dishwasher detergent. A little scrubbing in the morning and they come out looking like new. Clean your dishwasher by running a cup of vinegar thru a cycle with no dishes. Clean your coffe maker by running vinegar thru a cycle. You won't believe what comes out of it. Brockie
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User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 02-19-2005, 05:19 PM (9 of 26)
| If any of you use the cast iron skillets, I do & love them. To clean them when they get build up, put the skillet in a garbage bag ( outside ) & pour ammonia over the skillet. Close the bag with a twister tie & let set for over night or a day. Be VERY careful when you open the bag, DON'T breathe !!! Pull out the pan & rinse off then wash it. Skillet will be clean of all the gunk. Will have to reseason it again. People used to put them in a fire to burn it all off but this is easier & everyone can't have an outdoor fire. Any cast iron pot can be done this way. I use my skillets & the dutch oven, makes food taste better I think. Chile & stews & soups are yummy fixed in them. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615
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From: joannequilts
Date: 02-19-2005, 06:06 PM (10 of 26)
| I have a cast iron skillet from my mom (very old) and I maintain it twice a yr as my mom taught. When you clean do not add soap but just water and wipe clean. To maintain the gloss add a little crisco lard and rub with a piece of wax paper and put in the oven on low for about 30 minutes. When cool, wipe clean. Works great. |
User: joannequilts
Member since: 12-22-2000 Total posts: 3070
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From: plrlegal
Date: 02-19-2005, 06:48 PM (11 of 26)
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Jo dh and I have 2 cast iron skillets and we take care of them the same way. The one that his Mother cooked in for years and years is so perfectly seasoned that you can see your reflection in the bottom of it. If you do have something that sticks to the bottom when you're cooking, just take a plastic scrapper and scrape it loose, then rinse, season and dry. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 02-20-2005, 12:45 AM (12 of 26)
| Sorry girls, I wasn't talking about the inside of the cast iron skillet. I meant the outside gets gunky after years of use at times. I have always washed mine with soap & hot water & never had a problem at all. My Mom did also. It doesn't hurt it & stays seasoned.I've heard of people say you can't wash then, just wipe them out but yuck. I leave them on the stove to finish air drying after I dry it after washing. Then put it away in the cabinet. I don't have to clean any outside of pan buildup but every 5-10 years. Also sometimes people will buy an old one that needs cleaning first. |
User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615
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From: MaryW
Date: 02-21-2005, 09:12 AM (13 of 26)
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Pure vinegar works great to remove soap scum from glass shower doors.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: Bama
Date: 02-21-2005, 02:51 PM (14 of 26)
I have 3 cast iron skillets that I LOVE. One is for cornbread only!! My family has sometimes use it for something else and I had to re-season it because the cornbread will stick.  Anyone know how to get stains out of a textured bathtub? We have a fiberglass tub with a textured bottom and I have a time keeping the bottom of it clean. I've tried all kinds of cleaners and soap scum removers, even filling the bottom of the tub with bleach and letting it sit. I just used up a magic eraser trying to get it clean. The rest of the tub is sparkling, but there's still some dirt in the grooves.  I have a friend that puts car wax on her tubs about once a year. She said it keeps the soap scum from sticking to it. Of course the tub needs to be perfectly clean first. |
User: Bama
Member since: 03-21-2000 Total posts: 2116 
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From: mamahoogie
Date: 02-21-2005, 04:29 PM (15 of 26)
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We clean our floors and the outside windows with...you won't believe this....Avon Bubble Bath. It works great, leaves the floor with a great shine and nice fragrance..I like the Vanilla one and for some reason the windows don't attract dirt. On the inside windows I use a concoction I mix up. Violet I've decided to live forever - so far, so good.
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User: mamahoogie
Member since: 12-25-2002 Total posts: 461 |
From: SewSewSandi
Date: 02-21-2005, 04:43 PM (16 of 26)
| Bama, You might try using some gel dishwasher soap and a brush to clean your tub. I've found this to be a very powerful cleaner so just try it in a little spot to make sure it won't damage the finish of your tub. |
User: SewSewSandi
Member since: 06-24-2003 Total posts: 8 |
From: Magot
Date: 02-21-2005, 04:55 PM (17 of 26)
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I've got a clear plastic shower curtain which has become discoloured at the bottom 18"- a sort of pinky colour. We live in a very hard water are (2" down and there is nothing but chalk) so I'm going to see if descaling it is the problem - any body alse got any other ideas? I love my bubble wrap shower curtain and don't want to throw it away.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626 
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From: Sewhappie
Date: 02-21-2005, 05:43 PM (18 of 26)
| Shaving cream on the inside of your bathroom window and on the mirrors keeps them from fogging up. Just rub on let it sit for a few minutes then wipe off. |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: Peggy
Date: 02-21-2005, 08:11 PM (19 of 26)
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Jan, Try using Clorox Clean Up. I have the same problem with hard water. All I do is spray the shower curtain and let it sit. Sometimes I rinse it off, sometimes I don't. Only thing is you sometimes get a bleach smell  , if that bothers you just spray some air freshener or light a candle for a little bit. Hope it helps  Peggy |
User: Peggy
Member since: 09-19-2003 Total posts: 53 
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From: plrlegal
Date: 02-21-2005, 08:45 PM (20 of 26)
Magot I take my shower curtain liners down and put them in the washer in hot water with regular laudry detergent and powered bleach then put fabric softener in the warm rinse water. I was really into using the clean shower spray stuff until dh made me stop it because he said it was eating the grout and he would end up having to replace all the tile in the shower (floor to almost ceiling in a 4 ft. x 6 ft. shower stall plus the curb). So, it was back to washing the shower curtian liners again.  Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: plrlegal
Date: 02-21-2005, 08:49 PM (21 of 26)
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That's how I ended up with a 4 ft by 6 ft. tiled shower stall in my master bath. The garden tub was in that end of the bathroom and I hated cleaning it with a passion and like Bama the bottom of it always looked dirty. I was so glad when it was hacked into pieces and taken to the dumpter. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: Magot
Date: 02-22-2005, 02:10 PM (22 of 26)
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Well, I whacked the shower curtain in the washing machine on 60 degrees with some liquid detergent and some descaler - seems to have come out a lot cleaner. My daughter asked me why I was washing a load of plastic bags - well, it did look that way! Thanks for the suggestions.
love and kisses, Jan
Guts-R-Us Cells a Speciality DNA to order. |
User: Magot
Member since: 12-22-2002 Total posts: 3626
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From: plrlegal
Date: 02-22-2005, 10:44 PM (23 of 26)
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Magot from time to time I dump the shower curtain liner in with a load of bath towels, also. Dh was being helpful one Saturday and proceeded to yank a newly washed liner out of the washer and slung water all over him and the hallway. He gave me a lecture about how stupid it is to wash cheap plastic shower curtain liners. Little does he know that the ones I buy are almot $10.00 each. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: MaryW
Date: 03-07-2005, 09:13 AM (24 of 26)
If you have stainless steel or black appliances, wash them off with a soft rag soaked in vinegar. Brings them up just like new. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542
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From: plrlegal
Date: 03-07-2005, 11:35 AM (25 of 26)
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I also discovered this weekend that liquid dishwasher detergent (Cascade) used on stainless steel sinks, will remove any stains and make them shine like new. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: beachgirl
Date: 03-09-2005, 10:10 PM (26 of 26)
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Mary, Thank you so much for the vinegar cleaning tip for black appliances. I was having so much trouble cleaning my black dishwasher, the black microwave & the black trim on my stove. I have used vinegar for lots of cleaning but just didn't think of it for the appliances. Fingerprints were the nightmare for me. This is a lifesaver for me. Thanks again.
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User: beachgirl
Member since: 08-31-2004 Total posts: 615
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