Tips for the Home and Kitchen...

[Dawgluver]

Originally Posted by Sprout

This might be common knowledge, but since I've worked at 2 restaurants that made a honey balsamic vinaigrette and didn't do this, I'll post it anyway. A couple weeks ago I discovered that if I slowly add my oil to my honey first, mixing and emulsifying as I go, the vinegar will emulsify too when I add it. It doesn't even take very much honey to do it. Woo hoo! No more dressing shaking for me! I made some last night and it still hasn't separated in the fridge. I was planning on using it up tonight, but now I'm curious to see if it will eventually separate again.

What a great idea, Sprout! Thanks!

[CWS4322]

Homemade orange cleaner.

Take a large mason jar, fill it with white vinegar. Add the peels of 2 oranges. Put in a dark place and let it sit for 2 weeks. Strain and put in a spray bottle. You have an inexpensive orange cleaner at hand. Can do the same with lemons if you like.

[ModernCat]

Grout cleaner - "Blue" Dawn dishwashing liquid and warm/hot white vinegar cleans grout really well. Spray, sit 10-15 min, scrub lightly, wipe or sit for another 5 and wipe up. 10+ year old grout, before and after. (50/50 but I put 1 cup vinegar to 1/4 Blue dawn) I haven't tired 50/50 as I was told (didn't have enough dawn)

[GotGarlic]

I just decided I like the contrast of dark grout

[taxlady]

If bread gets stuck in a pop up toaster, it's easy to fish out with wooden chop sticks.

[ModernCat]

Originally Posted by GotGarlic

I just decided I like the contrast of dark grout

Yeah me too cause now I have to clean the whole bathroom and that's not fun. I am waiting to see if the cleaned tile gets dirty again, hasn't yet

[Andy M.]

When I had the kitchen remodeled, the contractor used grout sealer. Great stuff. after the grout is set, you just brush it onto the grout and wipe off any the gets onto the tile and let it dry. It makes cleaning tile and grout much easier.

[ModernCat]

For some reason it doesn't seem to work (grout sealer). I have tried several different ways with my rentals. 1) had the tiles (7 years old) professionally cleaned and sealed ($500.00) and one year later it needed to be done again. 2) another property was remolded in the bathroom and the tiles were sealed after installation. 1 year later I couldn't get them cleaned will get them professionally cleaned if I sell the property. Even in the shower I couldn't get them cleaned until I used the vinegar and dawn. For some reason it doesn't work for me or my tenants are super dirty.

[CarolPa]

Originally Posted by taxlady

If bread gets stuck in a pop up toaster, it's easy to fish out with wooden chop sticks.

But it's so much more fun to use a fork!!

[PrincessFiona60]

Originally Posted by CarolPa

But it's so much more fun to use a fork!!

I like the stainless steel chop sticks...