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Here's a few tips that will make sure you get the best flavors from your wines and keep your wine glasses sparkling clean.
Cleaning Wine Glasses
Yes, you can put most wine glasses in the dishwasher. Be sure to use a delicate wash cycle, skip the heated drying cycle and space glasses so they won't hit each other and possibly chip or break. The best long-term results, though, come from washing special glassware by hand. Follow these tips to avoid chips and spots:
Make sure your…
We love fresh fall breezes, but not when it blows dust and grime into our home. Here are some tips for cleaning the entire window, coverings, sills and glass:
Window Sills and Frames:
Remove dirt and debris. Use a small broom or vacuum window frames and sills to get rid of dust, soot, cobwebs, and dead insects. Wipe plastic or vinyl frames and sills with cleaning wipes. If you use a spray product, be sure to spray the product on cloth, and then use the cloth to only clean the…
For best results, always read and follow label directions on cleaning products. Labels will give specific instructions for types of surfaces the cleaner should or shouldn't be used on, how much to use and how to use the product. Also, read and follow the use and care guides that come with fixtures, appliances and other surfaces.
Do not mix cleaning products. Products which are safe when used alone can sometimes become dangerous if mixed with other products.
Surfaces…
The ingredients in your cleaning products fall into several different categories, added to provide different characteristics and cleaning functions. Each product formula is a careful balance of various ingredients that will work best for what you are trying to clean.For more information about the specific ingredients in a cleaning product, visit the manufacturer's website or look for the product in SmartLabel…
When the busy holiday season is on the horizon, get a head start by prepping your bakeware and serving items in advance. Follow these quick tips:
Spiff Up Your "Old Standbys."
Throughout the year, cooking certain types of food – like recipes with cheese, gravies, eggs or pie fillings – can leave baked-on residue or food stains on your favorite cooking/baking dishes. In addition to having "recipe residue," your non-stick cookware can also be susceptible to stains from…
Q: We had a real tree for Christmas but now I am finding tree sap everywhere! What is the best way to clean mittens, coats and my carpet?
A: Rubbing alcohol can remove sap from washable clothing, knit gloves, and rugs, because it acts as a solvent.
For clothes, even a down coat, saturate the area with alcohol, let sit for a minute, then launder in warm water with regular detergent. Heat sets stains, so be sure all the sap is gone before using the dryer. Repeat the process if any…
How Should I Load the Dishwasher?
Load the dishwasher with plates, bowls, pots and pans on the bottom and glasses and plastic on the top.How should dishes be prepared for the dishwasher?For dishwashers made in the past 10 years, simply scrape off food. You do not need to rinse. This wastes water. Many dishwashers have a "quick rinse" setting that will take the place of rinsing in the sink (and, again, save water.)How should the dishwasher be loaded?Don’t overload…
Clean-up doesn't have to be a chore!
Fireplaces crackling, wine glasses tinkling, guests chuckling … don’t miss out on the sounds of the holidays because you’re stuck scrubbing the dishes in the kitchen. Here are some dishwashing tips so you can enjoy entertaining your guests without facing an enormous clean up job at the end of the night.
Wash dishes as you use them during the preparation phase
Get the kids to help
Serve from the pan instead of using (and then needing to wash)…
Q: My son's sneakers always get so dirty in summer. Can I launder them in the washing machine?
A: Most shoe manufacturers discourage machine washing sneakers. Some detergents and the machine's agitation may damage many leathers and adhesives. But, some shoes can be cleaned in your washing machine. Your best bet is to read and follow the care instructions inside the sneaker. If there are no instructions, here are some basic instructions for cleaning most canvas and nylon…
Wash These Pieces by Hand
While your "everyday" dishes and glassware are probably dishwasher-friendly, that may not be the case for the fine silver, china and crystal that grace your holiday table.
Much as the harried hostess would love to throw everything in the dishwasher and get that cleanup over with, the truth is that some things are better suited to dishwashing by hand. This is because the force and heat of the water – and even the detergent – can damage…