Friday, December 16, 2011
D A I L Y
H E R A L D
• www.heraldextra.com
Tips and tricks to make the season bright
Ready the Kitchen! By Family Features
cleaner, followed by buffing with a dry cloth. Whenever a product is used on stainless steel, the surface should be rinsed with plain, warm water and then dried to prevent streaking and water marks.
The kitchen is one of the busiest rooms in the house — especially around the holidays. With all the cooking, baking and celebrating going on, it can be hard to keep the kitchen clean. To help you give your kitchen a holiday sparkle, try these timetested techniques from the pros at Merry Maids.
* Clean other refrigerator surfaces with a soap and water solution.
Fridge
Sink
* All-purpose cleaners are safe for most surfaces in the kitchen, including stainless steel appliance exteriors. Before the big party, apply a stainless steel polish for extra shine.
* To freshen up your disposal, fill it with ice cubes and slices of lime or lemon. Then, run cold water while the disposal is on for about 30 seconds. The ice will sharpen and clean the blades, and the citrus will release a fresh scent.
* If you have stuck-on foods in the microwave, fill a two-cup glass measuring cup with a cup of water and the juice from one lemon. Microwave for about 30 seconds or until the water boils. This should create steam in the microwave that will loosen stuck-on foods, so you can wipe the microwave clean. The lemon juice will provide a fresh scent.
* For stainless steel or ceramic * Before putting containers in sinks, rinse the sink after each Wooden Cabinets the refrigerator, wipe container use and wipe with a clean * For stubborn dirt, wash exterior and securely cover dry cloth. Drying the sink will around all handles and any it to avoid spills and reduce prevent mineral deposits from other grease zones with odors. building up on the surface. hand dishwashing detergent. Then wash the entire cabinet, * Get rid of leftover items that * Once a week, scour the sink including the handle areas, have not been eaten or have with a non-abrasive cleaner, with an oil soap solution, such expired. This allows room for such as an all-purpose as Murphy Oil Soap. Just wipe new items. Save yourself cleanser or glass and surface lightly with the solution and this step by not refrigerating cleaner. Do not use steel buff dry immediately with a leftovers that anyone is likely wool, wire brushes or abrasive terry cleaning cloth. Always to eat. sponges. wipe dry with any grain or pattern. * Once a month, clean each * If you want to make a shelf and bin one at a time stainless steel sink shine, use * If cabinets are dull from wear starting from top to bottom. a stainless steel cleaner or a or age, spray furniture polish Remove items and wash with small amount of olive oil. lightly across the exterior to fill warm soapy water. Wash the in the pores and restore the walls, too. Dry thoroughly. life of the wood. Small Appliances
* Remove finger prints from stainless steel with a glass
* Do not use acids or powdered cleansers on cabinets. Use an all-purpose cleaner to spotclean after heavy kitchen use. For more cleaning tips and information on Merry Maids, visit www.merrymaids.com.
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