Sparkling Silver

Cutlery tips in time for the family-gathering season!

image ~ pixabay

I've recently learned that you can't wash stainless steel and silver cutlery in the dishwasher at the same time because there is a chemical reaction between the metals which will damage the silver pieces by pitting their surfaces. It's called galvanic corrosion. What? But then, if you have a great set of silver (real silver) you aren't just going to put them in the dishwasher are you?

This is the good stuff. Silver. Or silver-plated. From your grandmother... or your grandmother's grandmother. (Apparently my grandmothers were out buying clothes instead of cutlery, so I don't have these.) These cutlery sets are precious and are likely to scuff, so hand wash them in reasonably hot water, and don't put them in multiples in a drip-dry basket. They will scratch and scuff with heavy use, so just hand dry them with microfiber or cotton.

If you want to baby them, put some aluminum foil  in the bottom of a flat cake pan, add enough warm water to cover the cutlery, add some baking soda (about 1-2 teaspoons), and let them soak for 10 minutes. Then rinse before hand drying them to sparkling perfection. Yes - elbow grease is needed with polishing silver. Store this set in one of the fancy 'tarnish-resistant chests' or silverware bags.

Unless you are a masochist, you are not going to use this good set very often. Or you are a real housekeeper - not in the same LAZY-league as me.

Dishwasher Proof Cutlery

What? Isn't all cutlery dishwasher safe? Sort of.

There's the 'good set'. I have one and I'll bet you do too. This is the set you pull out for visitors. If these are stainless steel, they can go in the dishwasher but you will get some scuffing over time. I prefer to hand-wash because I love my forged set and rarely use it. 

Next, and this is what this post is all about; the everyday cutlery or flatware. These are the unsung heroes of your kitchen, the hardest workers, utensils you use every couple of hours, and tools you don't give a moment's thought to. However if you are buying new daily-use cutlery, take the time to do some homework. Get it right and then don't think about it again.

When you are buying your everyday cutlery:

• Pick a style that is simple and elegant, suits where you often eat or entertain the people for non-occasions. Pick up each piece and see what the 'feel' is like. You will use it every day so consider things like how comfortable they are to hold, are the spoon bowls big enough, are the knives balanced well, how easy will they be to eat with;
• Ornate styles have the least amount of flexibility for various plate styles and table settings but if everything you have is formal and you love it, go for it ;
• A nicely weighted set is a pleasure to use. This is where there is a bump in cost. Perfection isn't mandatory - choose what feels good to you and you'll always enjoy using it. Choose for YOU - you will use it the most, you will enjoy it, and you're worth it! 
• Choose 'satin' over 'shiny' finishes 100% if you use a dishwasher! A shiny silvery finish will scratch and scuff easily in daily use and look older and worn much sooner than a satin-matte;
• Learn what 18/10 is and stick to it: it is a tried-and-true standard for looks and wear. I'm geek enough to know it's a ratio of the metals which compose the stainless steel (chromium : nickel, or strength : shine). You want both and 18/10 is the perfect proportion of strength and beauty. A manufacturer spending the extra to produce a great set will brag about it. If it doesn't say it's 18/10, it's not.

image ~ pixabay

TIP: Don't let anything acid sit on your cutlery for long periods (everyday, special occasion, or other!) - tomatoes, vinegar, lemon juice, citrus fruits and salad dressings, coffee are all acids. These will discolor and permanently stain your stainless steel if left on. What this means (unfortunately) is that you should rinse cutlery immediately after meals and THEN put them into the dishwasher. This genuinely runs against every LAZY bone in my body, but is also the reason I was thinking of cutlery today. I went to the computer to figure out how I'd stained my daily set. Now I know... and so do you.

Dishwasher Cleaning

Silly as it may sound, this is a reminder that your dishwasher needs to be cleaned now and then.

It's so fast and Lazy, you'll want to do this! Check and clean the food trap at the bottom. Then just run a regular cycle without adding any dishes. About 10 minutes after it's started, throw in 1-2 cups of cheap white vinegar. (If you put in the vinegar at the beginning, it just drains away. If you add vinegar with soap, they neutralize because one is acid and one is alkaline so the vinegar doesn't do the best job it can)

The vinegar freshens and cleans the dishwasher. Done!

Like the live dangerously?  Do the following disinfecting clean with caution... since these chemicals cause a reaction and a potentially deadly gas if mixed. Since the bottom of your dishwasher sees so much food drips and remnants, before starting the cleaning cycle, splash about 1/4 cup bleach mixed with 2 cups water into the bottom and let it enter the drain. Start the dishwasher, and 10 minutes in, add the vinegar. Since the dishwasher should drain the bleach away, the bleach and vinegar should not have had contact. If your dishwasher does not drain before starting, this is dangerous... don't do it.

Spring-Cleaning the Kitchen

Today I cleaned my kitchen. Deep cleaning, spring cleaning, and organizing my kitchen.

If I am very honest I will have to say that this is a day-before-yesterday, yesterday, and today job. I haven't wanted to dedicate the entire day to cleaning, but I have put 2-3 productive hours each day into it and it's now done. It's not rocket-science, but it is a Big Job. And yes, it does deserve those capital letters. Every single thing in every single drawer or cupboard was taken out, assessed, cleaned, and put back. With a little re-organizing of course!

First I cleaned my normal kitchen-clean so that my surfaces were clean and ready to handle things coming out of the cupboards. I worked 'one at a time' (you won't believe how much fits in one!) and from left to right, top to bottom. I washed each cupboard as I went, and while one was drying, I'd begin to empty the next one.

My spouse does all the shopping and cooking so the kitchen is a bit of a battleground for us. Well, more like an uneasy peace. I do the cleaning in the house. And the organizing. And the decorating. So in the kitchen, two worlds collide. I've retained his placements of pots, pans, and implements. We are both strong-minded (two leos, both strong signs in the Chinese zodiac, and both smart-@sses). It took him visiting his parents for a few days for me to tackle this job.

Here are a few tips if you do yours:

• Use a cleaner without a residue, so you waste no time in re-washing things, surfaces etc
• Throw out anything broken. If it's not working, it's just clutter. If there is something you genuinely love and it's broken, get it fixed immediately so you can enjoy using it again. Don't put it away until it's fixed.
• Ditch any past-date foods, sauces, cans etc - this is the perfect time to check those things that get pushed to the back. Any foods you have bought and not used and don't need that are within date can surely be used by a food bank.
• If you never use something, maybe it needs to go. I am donating my bread-maker, napkin rings, big salad spinner, and one set of martini glasses - do I really need 3 sizes of martini? Do not feel bad about giving away gifts - these are guilt-anchors around your neck. Donate them to a cat-shelter garage sale or to a friend who will use it, and it will feel good. 
• Do you have multiples of things like kitchen scissors, wine bottle openers, serving sets? We tend to re-buy things we can't find or are unhappy with. Keep the one you like the most, throw out the broken ones, and donate the rest.
• Do things collect? I have a big ziplock full of soy-sauce from take-out. And a big ziplock full of unused freebie plastic utensils that also come with take-out. Why do I keep these?? Find places where this will be appreciated and just let these go. (Turns out my mom and aunt sometimes use soy for stir-fry's but don't often buy soy sauce. The office lunch room is always short of plastic utensils). Whatever your collections of excess are, let them go to be used.
• Keep a pen and pad convenient and list things you genuinely need to buy. Last time I did this, I went to the store for an armload of plastic trays and baskets. They have worked wonderfully to keep things neat and allow me to wash them so easily if there are spills etc.  This year my list was short... only about 4 small plastic trays and some rubber drawer-liners. It's tempting to buy all sorts of organizing tools, but if they don't get used, then they become part of the clutter problem.
• As you work, keep considering what can make your use of the space easier or more efficient. Keep your most used things close at hand and near where they are used. The biggest change for me was being able to finally put all my glassware together and in the cabinet closest to the table - this will absolutely make a difference. I'm going to put some thought into a built-in lazy-susan for the lower corner cupboard (you know which one!) It would require some construction and that space is not a real problem so I've got to think it through.

What's lazy about all this? It's lazy because I love creating a system that works. Time and effort up front means that for the next 2 years I will save a little time and frustration every single day because things just work. You know the system and placement of things work if things are exactly where you expect them to be, you spend no time searching, you don't have to constantly work to re-organize things. Lazy-smarts? I hope you think so!

Microwave for Disinfecting

Image ~ Pixabay

Using the microwave to get water to the boiling point will disinfect a number of common-use things. Of course you can't go bat-crap-crazy and microwave anything with metal, anything that is not approved for microwave use, or anything that leaches chemicals (such as many plastics).

Here are a couple of things to put into the microwave for 30 seconds to one minute almost daily:

1. Your dish sponge. Or a dish cloth if you use one. Anything that stays wet breeds bacteria... and then we use it and spread those bacteria around. The microwave will kill them fast and easily: you need to soak your sponge or dish rag in water and put it (almost dripping wet) into the microwave and set it for about 1 minute. The more wet the better. Let it sit a while before you pick it up or you can burn yourself.  Being 'super smart-lazy', I like to do this at night... and leave the sponge to air-dry completely before the next use.... helps keep it even cleaner.
2. Your facecloths are the same as a sponge, and need the same disinfecting treatment. Unless you use a fresh facecloth each time, you are rubbing on yesterday's dirt and germs. Your microwave will help stop it now. Soak it well in water and put it in for about 1 minute (it depends on the microwave for how long it takes)

Don't believe me? Here's the same sponge info from an RN. The truth is that I haven't been doing this with my dish sponge as often as I should. I should do my dish sponge every 3rd day. (So I was right: creating this blog is helping me as much as it's helping you!)

Hey - while you're at it, give yourself a Lazy treat: soak a clean facecloth in lemon-water (or lavender water - remind me to tell you how to make this), and microwave it for 30-45 seconds. Let cool to 'comfortably hot' and then lie back and put it on your face for 3-5 minutes. Breathe deeply. You deserve it!

1-Minute Microwave Clean

I hesitate to even post this tip, because I think so many people already know it. However, it's so easy and fast, that even if this reaches one Lazy Housekeeper who isn't already using it, it would be worth it!

Microwaves are infamous for having baked-on-food bits which can take time to scrape and clean. Don't waste your time! Here's the 1-Minute solution with two different recipes:

• Mix 1/3 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of water in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave it to boiling point. The amount of time will vary with your microwave. Mine is about 2 minutes. Let stand for 5 minutes in the closed microwave to let the steam soften all the food, then wipe clean. Your only work is wiping it clean! 
• After many years of using vinegar, I've changed to lemon because I like the smell much better and the cleaning is just as effective. Add two lemon wedges to one cup of water and microwave in a microwave-safe bowl to bring it to the boiling point. Let stand for 5 minutes without opening the microwave for the steam to loosen the food, then wipe clean.

Why is it 1-minute? Because it takes 10 seconds to put a bowl with the ingredients into the microwave and turn it on. You come back about 5 minutes later and use (at most) 50 seconds to wipe the inside clean. How perfectly Lazy is that? 

I have seen some crazy tips on the web for excessive microwaving times. I don't understand why so long would be needed - and you'd risk scalding yourself or breaking whatever vessel you are using. There's also a chance of damaging the microwave elements with some of the 'tips' I saw. What works is the steam... so keeping the microwave closed after bringing the water to boiling point is sufficient.

The hot lemon or vinegar water is very good for de-greasing the stove top, wiping a counter-top, or for pouring down a smelly drain.

An alternative is to buy a food cover for using the microwave - this can be put into the dishwasher if it's dirty. No work! Or, if you prefer, grab a coffee filter (which is clean and food safe) and put it over whatever food you are microwaving - it's cheap, fast and easy.

Snap Countdown for Surprise Visits

Yes, of course, my house always looks like this! 

Everyone should have a 15-minute panic-cleaning process if unexpected company is about to show up. For most friends and family, I let them see the chaos of everyday life. But sometimes... someone you need to impress just a little is about to show up. You KNOW this happens!

Don't just panic... have a plan for that panic! I'm not kidding... plan it out based on what areas of your home get seen by guests and what seems to be your clutter magnet. This is not about cleaning - this is hiding the detritus of life. Channel your panic adrenaline ... expect to run around for the next 15 minutes. Improve your routine each time you use it.

I will share my panic-routine ... time-worn and effective (and customized for my home):

1. Hall & Entry: Keep a little basket stored in the front closet - a plug-in air freshener and my most effective pet-fur brush. I plug in the air freshener near the front door and swipe up any pet fur on seats. Straighten the area throwing everything into the beautiful woven baskets under the bench seat... hidden storage is your friend!
2. Living Room: Pull chairs and furniture into their proper places in the dining room and living rooms. I have a storage ottoman which I leave empty (or virtually empty) I have a 2-minute grab-all-the-living-room-mess and dump it into the ottoman. Fluff the pillows and fold the throw - generally neaten. Fabreeze the couch, chairs, and carpet;
3. Bathroom: Refold the hand towel inside out or put in a clean one. Disinfectant wipe - a quick swipe of the counter, sink, toilet seat (top and under). The nice scented wipe in the garbage also adds a fresh smell and hides anything under it. Light the scented candle in there (a nicety for the guest and easy solution for you);
4. Kitchen: Quickly disinfectant-wipe the counters and fling everything into the dishwasher. Don't sort - fling. If you have clutter on the counters or magnets on the fridge throw it into bags and put them in the ottoman or front closet. Fold the dish towels;
5. Breathe: Put on some lipstick and just get centered.

• Floor Swipe: IF there is time, run the vacuum quickly (this never happens for me because I have to drag long hoses which are invariably upstairs!) or one of those wet-pad mops over the main areas. I love these because they are so fast, easy, and when you put the pad in the garbage it gives the room a smell of 'clean'... when people smell 'clean' they think 'clean'! 

Liquid Gold

If you want to make your crystallized honey liquid again, put the glass bottle into a heat-safe container where you can submerge it to the top of the honey. Add very hot water and walk away letting it cool naturally. You may need to repeat the process, to return the bottle fully to liquid.

Avoid crystallization by using only a perfectly clean and dry spoon in the honey each time.

Get Crackin'

Quiche, omelets, pies, cakes, french toast... it's very easy to go through eggs!

Hang onto those egg shells because they are gold for gardeners. You can put spent eggshells in a brown paper bag in a ventilated area (I have mine in the mudroom) and they will never mold or smell. You can smash up the eggshells and use them to compost calcium-loving shrubs and plants.

They can also be used to create a crushed eggshell ring around plants that are slug/snail prone since they don't like to crawl over the sharp eggshells to get to the tender plants shoots.

Don't you love it when frugal wisdom you learned from your parents really works?!

The Lazy fun is grabbing the hammer and smashing them up in their paper bag before I take them out to the garden. Great way to take out your frustration and it only takes a few minutes!

Drain Solutions

Sad or sublime, I've been using this tip for 19 years! It's Lazy Housekeepers magic - because it's effective and takes almost no time to do.

My guy and I lived in a tiny apartment in a 100-year-old house. The drains and tub were a mess and the landlord agreed to send someone by... this plumber told me about this trick and told me if I did it regularly, my drains would not clog and that it was safe for 'antique' plumbing. Doing it regularly means that not much builds up in the drains and the drains don't smell bad.

I've never had a clogged drain! Honestly, never!

I never measure how much I put... enough baking soda to fill the drain to the top and enough cheap white vinegar to flush the baking soda into the drain. I love the fizzing reaction. Wait a full 10 minutes to let it do it's work before flushing with water. Since I do about 6 drains all at once... going from one to another, the whole 'cleaning' takes me 15 minutes max. I do it about 2-3x a year - how often you do it is up to you.

Don't forget ... powder room sinks, bath tubs, laundry sinks, kitchen sink.... they can all use this!

More Reasons to Love Coffee

I've been doing this for years and it fertilizes your plants and composts too! Be Lazy - just sprinkle it on top of the earth.

There are a few tips for the advanced Lazy Housekeeper:

1. Don't always put this on the same plants since too much nitrogen will kill plants. Rotate through your garden and keep doing it in winter;
2. If you have slug problems create a ring around the affected plants with the used coffee grounds... slugs don't like crawling over this stuff;
3. You can use this as a squirrel deterrent. Let's be honest; not much deters them consistently but they don't like the strong smell of coffee grounds.

Which of these visuals do you like better? I'm trying to figure out what I'll use going forward - thanks!

Boiling Water

Never waste boiling water... you've spent the time and money (energy bill) to boil it, so put it to good use!

Here are 5 things extra boiling water is good for:

1. Pour it on weeds along the driveway or between patio stones. It kills them all;
2. Disinfect a sink with it by just pouring it on all the surfaces;
3. Pour it down a slow or stinky drain... it will help clean and flush out the drain;
4. Pour a little on your range top, give it about 5 minutes and wipe it clean;
5. If you've been boiling vegetables, let the water cool and water your houseplants with it (they will get some extra nutrients)

These tasks each take 1-3 minutes to complete and you've accomplished extra without much effort!