3 minute read
The Kitchen Sink V5I28
by Misty Crouse
Hello November!
Thanksgiving is right around the corner, Are you ready? Planning a big meal and getting your home ready can be a little stressful. Lists will save the day! Taking the time to plan out the meal, make the list for shopping. A list for cleaning, or at least the areas you want to work on before Thanksgiving arrives.
Top of my list is to get out my tablecloths and napkins and give them a good deep clean. Which means sometimes I have to Strip them. Never heard of “stripping”? Well, you’re in luck it might become your new favorite cleaning hobby. Stripping is a time-consuming process, that basically gets out everything from dirt to build-up on fabric, even extra fabric dye. This isn’t something you want to do all the time; it is more of a every so often thing. The laundry stripping recipe is a 1:1:2 ratio of Borax, washing soda, and powdered laundry detergent. So, for a standard bathtub that’s filled about ½ full of hot water, add: ¼ cup Borax Detergent Booster, ¼ cup Washing Soda, ½ cup powdered laundry detergent, Optional – ¼ cup Calgon (not the bubble bath, the water softener). Dish gloves come in handy here to stir and mix all ingredients with the water. Then once this is dissolved, add your Laundry. (if fabric is delicate strip at your own risk) Submerge your planned Items, come back to stir every hour for about 5 hours. Your water is probably going to be disgusting, that’s the magic of stripping! Now for the last step, drain the tup, squeeze out all the water you can. Throw it in the washer, no need to add any detergent. Run the extra rinse cycle. Behold the crisp clean laundry!
Now, our tablecloth is sparkling. I like to get out my serving dishes and make sure I have everything I will need. Most of my “fine China’ is put up for holidays, so I like to get it out from storage and give it a good clean, and once over ensure nothing is broken. Doing this early in the month gives me time to find replacements. Most of the time these are the same serving dishes I use at Thanksgiving; I will use them again at Christmas. Planning your table spread or buffet with the empty dishes will ensure you have enough space and is a perfect way to narrow down those side dishes.
Lastly, giving your home a good clean. No need to clean the attic or anything crazy. Remember it is your home not a museum. No one expects perfection. Giving kids a few cleaning tasks when their school break starts, will free you up and keep them busy. Also, put them in charge of a task the day of like getting company drinks or taking coats. They will feel like they are helping because they are, and you can check a to do off your hosting list.
Join me on December 12th when we will talk about having your home Christmas ready and little ways to make it magical for the whole family. The holidays are Stressful, be kind to yourselves and others.
Happy Cleaning!
