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http://www.heart4home.net/recipes/stuffingmix.htm

Homemade Stuffing Mix

1 C water
2 Tb butter or margarine

3 Tb dried celery flakes
1 Tb dried parsley flakes
2 tsp dried minced onion
2 tsp chicken bouillon granules
1/4 tsp poultry seasoning
1/4 tsp sage

3 1/2 C unseasoned bread cubes (dried)

To prepare:

In a sauce pan over medium heat, bring water, butter and seasonings to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat; add bread cubes and mix gently. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Toss with a fork before serving.

Serving suggestions: Add sautéed mushrooms, almonds and celery.

No dried celery, parsley or onion? Substitute about twice the amount of fresh ingredients

******************

This recipe may be freely distributed with the following information:

Leslie Sausage lives with her husband in rural Texas. She is the mom of four grown children, a freelance writer, and has a degree in business administration. You are invited to visit her online for more creative, practical and fun ideas — http://heart4home.net.

Cool Kitchen Hack: Crush Garlic With A Rock

Posted By TipNut On March 23, 2009 @ 8:33 am In Kitchen Tips, Popular Tips, Tipnut Mailbag | 22 Comments

Smooth Stones
Here’s a kitchen tip sent in by Janet that is totally new to me and I think it’s fantastic:

Tipnut here’s a tip for crushing garlic that once you try it, you’ll never go back to the method you are now using (I guarantee it). It was taught to me by my mother who was from Hungary and I always assumed this was a common thing there, but the few Hungarian friends I have never knew about this.

Find a rock that is smooth and is about the size of your palm. Look for one that is comfortable and not too heavy in the hand. When you first pick the rock, run it through the dishwasher a few times and it’s ready to use. If you don’t have a dishwasher just wash it in hot soapy water with a bit of bleach.

To crush garlic, hold the rock and smash it on a clove of garlic. Pull out the skin and there you have it, crushed garlic ready to cook with. Cleaning the rock is a dream, just throw it in the dishwasher utensils basket and it’s perfect to use for years and years. I keep my rock in the utensils drawer in the space between the tray and the back of the drawer, I call it my kitchen rock.

When I demonstrated this to a friend of mine, she loved how easy it was to crush the garlic but she couldn’t get used to the idea of a rock coming in contact with her food. She tweaked things to suit her better by taking a square of wax paper or a cleaned cereal liner bag and folding that over the garlic before hitting it with the rock.

My advice is to choose a smooth rock instead of a jagged surface rock, it does the best job and the results are consistent.

Wow! I realize you can use a garlic press to crush garlic, but let’s face it–it takes more work cleaning out the little holes than it does to peel the clove and chop it by hand. Plus there’s always a part of the garlic that gets wasted. You could also use a knife with a large blade to smash garlic cloves, that’s easy to do but it can be intimidating and I’m always a bit worried I’ll cut myself.

Thanks so much Janet for sharing this tip with all of us, I never would have thought to use a stone. They’re free, abundant and will last a lifetime–plus the cleaning job couldn’t be easier! Also check out Garlic Tips & Techniques [1] for a handy pdf file with more garlic goodies.

This is the newest addition to the Tipnut Mailbag section [2]. Share your tips with fellow Tip Nuts by sending in your favorite tip [3] to be featured in the Tipnut Mailbag section.

There will be some editorial control and I am interested in items with good details, fairly original or unique and are helpful for everyday living or are Wow! neat to know–you’ll get full credit.
Also See These Tips:

* Tipnut Mailbag: Crush Herbs Fast & Easy [4]
* Garlic Dill Butter - Bulk Recipe [5]
* Tipnut Mailbag: Pot Lid Taming Options [6]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/crush-garlic-rock/

URLs in this post:

[1] Garlic Tips & Techniques: http://tipnut.com/garlic-tips-techniques/

[2] Tipnut Mailbag section: http://tipnut.com/category/mailbag/

[3] sending in your favorite tip: http://tipnut.com/contact/

[4] Tipnut Mailbag: Crush Herbs Fast & Easy: http://tipnut.com/crush-herbs-fast/

[5] Garlic Dill Butter - Bulk Recipe: http://tipnut.com/garlic-dill-butter-bulk-recipe/

[6] Tipnut Mailbag: Pot Lid Taming Options: http://tipnut.com/pot-lid-taming-options/

25 Vintage Cooking Tips: Timeless Wisdom

Posted By TipNut On March 13, 2009 @ 10:47 am In Cooking Tips | No Comments

25 Vintage Cooking Tips
These quick tips come from a large collection of vintage tips I’ve collected from cookbooks and magazines from the 1940’s and 1950’s. Many are tried and true while others may be new to you.

Enjoy!
25 Vintage Cooking Tips

1. A little oatmeal adds much flavor and richness when used as a thickener for soups. Try it.
2. Believe it or not, a boiled egg should never be boiled. Simmering produces tastier, better results. The same is also true of “hard-boiled” eggs.
3. Cheese souffle will stay up high, light, handsome, if you use quick-cooking tapioca instead of flour to thicken the milk base. Take 3 tablespoons tapioca to 1 cup milk for a 3-egg souffle.
4. Add one-quarter teaspoon soda to cranberries while cooking them and they will not require much sugar.
5. Don’t add sugar to sweeten peas. It’s much cheaper, and tastier, to cook peas with a few empty green pods.
6. To prevent the smell of cooking greens, add a lump or so of loaf sugar to the water, or put a piece of dry toast in a clean muslin bag and boil it with the greens. Another method is to add a teaspoonful of vinegar to the water when it is boiling.
7. Lemon juice or vinegar in the water cauliflower is cooked in makes it keep its snowy-white color.
8. To preserve the color of green vegetables, put them on to cook in boiling water with a pinch of soda, or keep the cover off the kettle while boiling them.
9. If a vegetable or cereal burns, plunge the vessel containing the burned mass into cold water and allow it to remain for a few minutes before pouring the contents into another pan. This will do away almost entirely with the burned taste which is so disagreeable.
10. Salt beef is improved in flavor if a few small onions and a dessertspoonful of brown sugar are added while cooking.
11. Vegetables that are to be cooked by steaming will preserve their color in the process if, after being washed in the usual way, they are given a final rinse in boiling water containing a little soda.
12. To prevent the odor of boiling ham or cabbage permeating the house add a little vinegar to the water in which they are boiled.
13. When frying fish, use clarified dripping or salad oil. Lard smells, and butter fries a bad color.
14. A teaspoonful of vinegar added to the water in which eggs are poached keeps the whites from spreading and makes the whites cook over the yolk.
15. To prevent milk or cream from curdling when used in combination with tomato, add a bit of bicarbonate of soda to each before they are mixed.
16. Sausages will shrink less and not break at all if they’re boiled about 8 minutes before they’re fried, or rolled lightly in flour.
17. Wash leafy vegetables, such as spinach, thoroughly just before cooking. Add no water–the water that clings to the leaves is enough to cook them in.
18. To keep cauliflower snowy white, soak for half an hour in cold salt water before cooking it.
19. Lessen the odor of cooking turnips by adding a teaspoonful of sugar to the water. They’ll be more flavorful, too.
20. When slicing potatoes, hold the paring knife over a gas flame or in boiling water and the potatoes will slice easily.
21. Root vegetables, such as carrots, turnips, etc., should be freed from all dirt and grit; those of the green variety should be allowed to soak for a few minutes in cold water to which a generous pinch of salt has been added.
22. You won’t waste flour if you dust it from a large saltshaker onto meats, fish, or patties, instead of dipping the food into the flour. It’s easier, too.
23. Retain flavor and vitamins and save waste by boiling carrots in their skins. Instead of peeling, mash them with salt and pepper.
24. Keep sweet potatoes from looking dried out by greasing the skins with any cooking fat or oil before baking them.
25. Why waste celery tops? Cut them up and use to flavor meats, stews, soups, roasts, stuffings.

Also See These Tips:

* 25 Cooking & Baking Tips - Timeless Wisdom Collection [1]
* 25 Vintage Kitchen Tips: Timeless Wisdom Collection [2]
* 45 Cooking & Baking Tips: A Collection Of Timeless Wisdom [3]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/vintage-cooking-tips/

URLs in this post:

[1] 25 Cooking & Baking Tips - Timeless Wisdom Collection: http://tipnut.com/25-cooking-baking-tips/

[2] 25 Vintage Kitchen Tips: Timeless Wisdom Collection: http://tipnut.com/vintage-kitchen-tips/

[3] 45 Cooking & Baking Tips: A Collection Of Timeless Wisdom: http://tipnut.com/45-cooking-baking-tips-a-collection-of-timeless-wisdom/

Freshen Your Home With Eucalyptus: Recipes

Posted By TipNut On April 20, 2009 @ 6:01 am In Homemade Cleaners, Household Tips | No Comments

Fresh Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is one of mother nature’s most powerful disinfectants, what better option to clean with!

Here are a few different homemade cleaners I have on file that incorporate Eucalyptus oil and can be used to freshen and clean your home, just in time for Spring Cleaning [1].

Floor Cleaner

* Add 1 tablespoon of liquid castile soap to 1 gallon of hot water and 1/3 cup Borax. Mix in 1/4 tsp to 1/2 tsp of Eucalyptus oil.

All Purpose Cleaner

* Mix 1/2 cup vinegar with 1 cup hot water, add 1/8 tsp liquid dish detergent (nothing with bleach), 6 drops Eucalyptus oil. Pour into a spray bottle and shake before each use.

Soft Scrub Cleaner

Baking Soda
Liquid Castile Soap
Eucalyptus Oil

* Mix baking soda and liquid castile soap until you have a smooth paste (some water can be added), stir in a few drops of the Eucalyptus oil. Take a damp sponge, dab into the paste and use to scrub over stained areas. Wipe off with a damp, clean cloth.

Kitchen Spray Freshener

* Fill a small spray bottle with lukewarm water and add 3 drops Eucalyptus oil (ratio is about 1 drop oil to 4 ounces water). Shake. Use on freshly washed surfaces as a fragrant rinse. Store away from sunlight.

Linen Spray Freshener

1/2 cup Distilled Water
1/2 cup Vodka
10 drops Eucalyptus oil

* Mix ingredients and pour into a spray bottle. Shake before use.

Eucalyptus Freshener Spray
*Can be used on carpets & upholstery

2 cups Distilled Water
20 drops Eucalyptus Oil

* Mix and pour into a spray bottle. Shake before each use. Can be used as an air freshener, a carpet or upholstery spray. Test a small area first for fabric discoloration and do not spray on wood surfaces.

Garbage Pail Deodorizer

* Mix 4 teaspoons Eucalyptus oil with 4 cups of baking soda. Store in an airtight plastic container. After cleaning garbage can, sprinkle a handful of baking soda mixture on the bottom (once dry).

Tub Scrub

1 cup Baking Soda
15 drops Eucalyptus oil

* Mix the baking soda and oil well then scrub onto bathroom tub and sink with a damp sponge. Leave sit for a bit before rinsing off with clear warm water.

More ideas:

Add Eucalyptus oil to homemade laundry detergents [2] and fabric softeners [3] to add a level of disinfectant cleaning.

You’ll find many more cleaner recipes listed here on Tipnut: Homemade Cleaning Recipes [4].
Also See These Tips:

* Homemade Shower Spray Recipes [5]
* Homemade Oven Cleaner Recipes [6]
* 10 Ways Herbs Can Freshen Your Home [7]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/eucalyptus-recipes/

URLs in this post:

[1] Spring Cleaning: http://tipnut.com/ultimate-spring-cleaning-tips-guide/

[2] homemade laundry detergents: http://tipnut.com/10-homemade-laundry-soap-detergent-recipes/

[3] fabric softeners: http://tipnut.com/frugral-fabric-softener-recipes-dryer-sheet-tips/

[4] Homemade Cleaning Recipes: http://tipnut.com/category/cleaning/cleaning-recipes/

[5] Homemade Shower Spray Recipes: http://tipnut.com/homemade-shower-spray-recipes/

[6] Homemade Oven Cleaner Recipes: http://tipnut.com/oven-cleaner-recipes/

[7] 10 Ways Herbs Can Freshen Your Home: http://tipnut.com/herbs-freshen-home/

25 Vintage Food Prep Tips: Timeless Wisdom

Posted By TipNut On March 6, 2009 @ 6:09 am In Food Tips | 3 Comments

Fresh Green Apples & Basket
This collection of vintage tips was gathered from books and magazines that were published in the 1940’s, most are still quite useful for today’s kitchen.

The Timeless Wisdom Collection has evolved into a regular weekly feature here on Tipnut, I’m glad so many of you enjoy them like I do :). I choose them for their usefulness, but also those that give a glimpse of how life was back then. They didn’t have all the little gadgets and appliances like we do now and techniques were sometimes a little less sophisticated, but they worked well enough to recommend to each other. I find them all interesting and charming.

I’m sometimes asked how many of these little snippets of vintage tips I have, I’m not counting them but I know I have thousands. I find it interesting that time and time again I come across tips and advice from decades ago that are offered by today’s celebrity homemaking pros. It seems everything old really is new again (or maybe grandma’s advice proved too valuable to forget)!

The following tips focus on preparing food items for best results when cooked as well as some handy kitchen hacks too.
25 Vintage Food Preparation Tips

1. Do this and that first apple won’t be brown and soft by the time you peel the fifth one. Place peeled apples in a basin of cold slightly salted water until you are ready to use or serve them.
2. To draw out the salt from salted fish, add a glass of vinegar to the water in which the salt fish is soaking.
3. Tenderize chicken and other fowl by rubbing them inside and outside with lemon juice after cleaning and before dressing.
4. Hard-shell clams are easier to open if boiling water is poured over them. No hammers, please!
5. To remove the kernels whole from pecan nuts, pour boiling water over the nuts and let them stand until cold. Then hammer on the small end of the nut.
6. To clean currants, wash them well in two or three waters, drain, dry in a cloth and finish in a slightly warm oven. A little flour dredged over them will absorb any remaining moisture.
7. To blanch almonds, put them into a saucepan, cover with cold water, bring to a boil, and having strained them, run cold water over them, dry in a cloth, and the skins will slip off easily.
8. To peel an orange easily and to get the skin off in one piece, heat the orange slightly for three or four minutes before peeling.
9. When baking apples, prick the skin of the apples and they will cook without bursting.
10. When peeling tomatoes scrape the skin gently with the back of the knife, then peel in the usual way. It will be found that the skins will slip off easily.
11. Before scraping new potatoes, soak them for half an hour in cold water which has been salted. Not only do the skins peel off easily, but the hands are not stained.
12. Peel onions under water and they will not irritate the eyes.
13. If parsley is washed with hot water instead of cold it retains its flavor and is easier to chop.
14. To keep a boiled fowl a good color, rub the fowl over with a piece of cut lemon and wrap in grease-proof paper for boiling.
15. To make meat tender, put it in a strong vinegar water for a few minutes.
16. Bones required for making soup will keep in good condition for a considerable time during warm weather if they have been allowed to remain in a hot oven for a few minutes.
17. Make short work of pin-feathers by plucking them from fowl with an ordinary strawberry huller or a large pair of tweezers.
18. To prevent eggs from cracking when they are to be boiled, allow them to stand a few minutes in very warm water before putting in boiling water.
19. Beets practically pop right out of their skins after they’re boiled if dipped in cold water.
20. To put attractive scalloped edges on thin cucumber slices, just run the tines of a fork lengthwise over the peeled cucumber, and then slice.
21. Wilted asparagus will come to life if the stems are set for a while into cold water.
22. Fried potatoes will be deliciously golden brown if sprinkled lightly with flour before frying.
23. Before squeezing oranges, and lemons, grate the rind and use as a flavoring for cakes, puddings, pies, etc.
24. Before shredding the kernels off corn on the cob, pierce the corn vertically with an ice-pick. This provides a convenient handle. Rest the other end of the ear on a cake tin.
25. Keep pared fruit looking bright by pouring a little lemon juice over it.

Also See These Tips:

* 25 Vintage Cooking Tips: Timeless Wisdom [1]
* 25 Vintage Kitchen Tips: Timeless Wisdom Collection [2]
* 25 Vintage Baking Tips: Timeless Wisdom [3]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/vintage-food-tips/

URLs in this post:

[1] 25 Vintage Cooking Tips: Timeless Wisdom: http://tipnut.com/vintage-cooking-tips/

[2] 25 Vintage Kitchen Tips: Timeless Wisdom Collection: http://tipnut.com/vintage-kitchen-tips/

[3] 25 Vintage Baking Tips: Timeless Wisdom: http://tipnut.com/vintage-baking-tips/

25 Vintage Household Tips: Timeless Wisdom

Posted By TipNut On March 20, 2009 @ 6:14 am In Household, Popular Tips | 5 Comments

25 Vintage Household Tips: Timeless Wisdom Collection
These household tips are a collection I’ve gathered from a variety of vintage books and magazines from the 1940’s and 1950’s.

The Timeless Wisdom collection is a regular feature on Tipnut and I like to include tips that are still useful to know (for today’s home) but I also like to include some that give a glimpse of how resourceful people were back then. There are plenty of creative solutions they cooked up for themselves and they really preferred relying on their own ingenuity (and took pride in it too). If they could re-use something in a purposeful way–they did it gladly for reasons different than we do today. Being wasteful was considered foolish, you repaired something instead of buying new and you utilized whatever you could to make a job easier or to keep money in your pocket.

This batch has some old favorites that you’ll probably be familiar with, but I think there are some pretty original tips and suggestions too.
25 Vintage Household Tips

1. Old powder puffs are handy for cleaning and polishing silverware. They won’t scratch the delicate metal.
2. Soak neglected paint brushes in hot vinegar to clean and make them as pliable as new.
3. When putting up curtains on small curtain rods, slip a thimble over the end of the rod. The curtain slips on in a second and no threads are pulled.
4. To prevent ice trays from freezing to the shelves, sprinkle a little salt on your dampened palm and rub it on the bottom of the ice trays before putting them into the freezer.
5. Cloths for cleaning windows without the use of water can be made with a semi-liquid paste of benzine and calcined magnesia. The cloth, which should be of coarse linen or something free from lint is dipped into this mixture and hung in the air until the spirits have evaporated and it is free from odor. This cloth may be used again and again, and is a great convenience. When soiled, wash and re-dip.
6. When washing delicate colors or much-soiled woolens, use a solution of 1/2 lb. very mild or neutral soap, 1/4 lb. borax and 3 quarts water.
7. To strengthen weak colors in fabrics, mix a solution of one gallon water, 1/2 cup mild vinegar (good to restore pink), or 2 cups salt, or 1 tbsp. alum, or 1 tbsp. sugar of lead (poison).
8. To hold a nail securely in plaster, put the nail in the plaster, remove it, wrap it in steel wool, and replace it.
9. Clean oilcloth by wiping it off with a little milk.
10. To remove wallpaper, mix together one heaping tablespoon saltpetre and one gallon of hot water; and apply freely to wallpaper, keeping the water hot. The paper will come off easily.
11. To patch wallpaper, first dampen the ragged portion with a cloth wrung out of warm water and allow the paper to soak for some time, then carefully remove any ragged portion with a blunt knife, leaving an uneven, but not ragged edge. Match up the paper from a piece of new, then tear around the edge so that it is jagged. Paste the back of the patch and carefully stick it in place, making the pattern match the rest of the wall. When dry, this renovation will hardly show.
12. White window shades may be cleaned with magnesia. Spread a sheet on the floor, unroll the shade and with a soft cloth scrub the shade with magnesia and water. After treating one side, turn the shade over and clean it in the same way. This method removes the dirt very satisfactorily and renews the shade at a cost of about ten cents.
13. A quick and presentable repair may be effected on a torn cotton blind in the following manner: Dip a piece of the same material into hot starch, place it neatly on top of the tear, and press with a hot iron.
14. If windows are very dirty, wipe them first with a damp cloth. Then wipe again with a cloth dipped in methylated spirit. No polishing is required.
15. A shabby umbrella may be renovated by brushing with a solution of ammonia and warm water.
16. When putting away delicate white summer things or linens into the hope chest, wrap in blue tissue or a well-blued cloth. This will prevent them from turning yellow. In the case of new things being put away for some time, do not wash them if it is not absolutely necessary, as they will keep much better with the dressing in them, even if mussed from handling when in the making.
17. An ordinary paper plate, glued to the bottom of the paint can, is much more convenient than spreading newspapers which must be moved every time the can is shifted from one place to another.
18. A pot lid without a knob can be saved by applying this clever little life-saver: Push a sharp, pointed screw up through the hole and twist a cork onto it. The cork is heat-proof.
19. A retired curtain rod makes a handy shoe rack. Just tack it on the closet door, and hang the shoes by their heels on it.
20. If aluminum ware has warped, place a wooden block on bulge and hammer back to shape.
21. When you crack a favorite dish or plate, put it in a pan of milk and boil it for 45 minutes. Not only will the crack usually disappear–the dish will actually become stronger.
22. When glassware develops nicks on the edges, rub them smooth again with fine sandpaper.
23. To stop leaks in vases or bric-a-brack, pour melted paraffin over the leaky spot and let it harden.
24. Plaster ornaments which look ready for the scrap-heap should be dipped into a solution of starch and water. When dry, brush off the excess starch and your old plaster vases, statuettes and busts are “new” again.
25. Take that old broom you were just about to throw out, cut the bristles away, then tie an old felt hat (or scrap of flannel or carpet) around the “business end”–and, you’ve got a perfectly handy floor polisher.

Also See These Tips:

* 25 Household Tips - Timeless Wisdom Collection [1]
* 28 Household Tips - Timeless Wisdom Collection [2]
* 32 Household Tips - A Collection Of Timeless Wisdom [3]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/vintage-household-tips/

URLs in this post:

[1] 25 Household Tips - Timeless Wisdom Collection: http://tipnut.com/household-tips/

[2] 28 Household Tips - Timeless Wisdom Collection: http://tipnut.com/28-household-tips/

[3] 32 Household Tips - A Collection Of Timeless Wisdom: http://tipnut.com/32-household-tips-a-collection-of-timeless-wisdom/

Tipnut’s Guide To Spring Cleaning

Posted By TipNut On March 30, 2009 @ 4:15 am In Cleaning, Organizing, Popular Tips | 8 Comments

Spring Cleaning & Washing Windows

Here’s a peek at this year’s battle plan for the big Spring Clean in my home, I’ve also included references to homemade cleaner recipes, tips for specific cleaning jobs and assorted fix-it projects that will help make this year’s job a big success.
Spring Cleaning Tips

Mission: Clean - Declutter - Organize

Every surface is cleaned, everything is emptied out, washed & scrubbed, decluttered and organized.

Clean from Top to Bottom, Left to Right so you always know where you left off when returning to the room to clean (see how to clean like a maid [1]).

Specific cleaning jobs & chores will depend on what room you’re working on, here’s an overall plan…

Working From The Top Down

1. Ceilings - Dust from corner to corner and wash if possible, remember to clean the light fixtures, ceiling fans [2], smoke detector covers (might as well replace light bulbs and batteries while you’re up there).
2. Walls - Dust corner to corner, floor to ceiling; Wash & scrub walls & everything on them (such as fixtures, pictures, mirrors, doors & door frames, hanging shelves, clocks, etc.).
3. Windows - Inside & outside glass; Clean tracks & window frames; Wash all curtains, drapes & blinds. Find homemade window cleaner recipes here [3].
4. Cupboards, Counters, Drawers, Shelves - Empty, remove shelf paper, wash inside & out, top & underneath, line with fresh shelf paper, sort items as you put back (keep/trash); Wash all knick knacks; Tighten, repair or replace handles and knobs where needed; Declutter & organize all items in drawers, on shelves, in cubbies.
5. Furniture & Appliances - pull out to wash floor & walls behind as well as all sides of furniture or appliances (inside & out); Steam clean furniture if possible; Wash all kitchen appliances; Dust & clean all electronics.
6. Floors - Sweep well & wash; Vacuum & clean carpets and rugs [4]. I also have a lovely herbal lavender carpet freshener here [5].

Declutter & Organize As You Clean

1. Review all bedding items, linens and towels, are they getting threadbare and won’t make it through the next few months? Too stained? Either cut them into cleaning rags, pack away for craft & repurposing projects they can be used for or trash. See 10 Ideas for Recycling Old Towels [6], 10 Ideas For Recycling Pillowcases [7] and plenty of repurposing ideas here [8].
2. Clean and sort all clothing to be given away, pull items that you can repurpose for around the home.
3. Pack away all household files from the previous year and prepare new folders for the upcoming season. If you don’t have a home filing cabinet, a cardboard filing box should do the trick.
4. Items to be tossed are sorted: Box for charity, Box for garbage, Box for garage sale [9] (if one is planned this year).
5. Toss all food items that have no expiry date and you’re not sure how old they are (Herbs & Spices: Storage Tips Guide [10]). Replace spices and herbs you don’t regularly use. List all food items that need to be re-stocked on the next grocery trip.
6. See Off Season Clothing Storage Ideas [11] for finding extra storage space.
7. Remember: Beware Of Junk Bunkers [12].

All Areas Of The Home Are Cleaned

* Kitchen: See 20 Ways Vinegar Can Help Your Kitchen Sparkle [13] and Kitchen Cleaning Tips [14]. Don’t forget to include deep cleaning small appliances (How To Clean A Coffee Pot [15]) and shine your sink for a gleaming finish: How To Clean A Stainless Steel Sink [16].
* Bathrooms: See 10 Quick Tips For A Shiny Bathroom [17], Kickin Bathtub Cleaning Soak [18], Clean A Bathtub With Oven Cleaner [19], Tips & Tools For Cleaning Shower Door Tracks [20], Quick Tip: Shiny Shower Doors [21], How To Clean A Toilet - Really Well [22] and Quick Tip: Cleaning Shower Heads [23].
* Livingroom
* Bedrooms: Quick Tip: Mattress Freshener [24], Fresh Summery Scented Bedding Year Round: Tip Sheet [25].
* Hallways
* Laundry Room
* Front & Back Entrances
* Storage Areas & Small Rooms

All Spaces Are Washed, Decluttered & Organized

* Pantry: Pantry Organizing With Tote Baskets [26], Utilize The Pantry Door [27]
* Closets: Get Organized: Easy Tip To Store Bedding [28], Do It Yourself Closet Organization [29].
* Drawers
* Cupboards: Pot Lid Taming Options [30], Organize Pot Lids Neatly [27]
* Cabinets

All Appliances Are Cleaned

* Refrigerator (see Tip: Clean The Refrigerator Daily In 10 Minute Chunks [31])
* Stove [32] Top [33], Oven [34] & Range Hood [35]
* Microwave [36]
* Dishwasher [34]
* Washing Machine
* Dryer [37] and Lint Trap [38]
* Freezer [39]
* Furnace & Duct Cleaning (by professionals); Change furnace filter

Seasonal Preparations

* Lay out fresh herbal bug bags [40] throughout the house to get one step ahead of the warm weather creatures that will soon be heading your way.
* Bring all winter outerwear to the cleaners so they’re ready when you need them in the fall.
* Repair, Launder and store away any winter bedding
* Repair, Launder and store away all winter clothing

Keep A Running List While Cleaning

Note all nics, scratches and repair jobs needed. This is the perfect time to evaluate your home’s needs:

* Flooring Nics & Chips (Tip #2) [41]
* How To Remove White Heat Stains On Wood Table [42]
* How To Paint Bookshelves [43]
* Freshen Up Wicker Baskets [41]

Homemade Cleaning Recipes

Save money on cleaning supplies by making your own:

1. A Natural Shine To Cleaning (Recipes) [44]
2. Homemade Shower Spray Recipes [45]
3. Homemade Softscrub Cleaner Recipe [46]
4. Kitchen Cabinet Degreaser Recipe [47]
5. Homemade Window Cleaner Recipes & Tips [3]
6. Homemade Herbal Cleaner Recipes [48]
7. Household Degreaser & Cleaner Recipe [49]
8. Homemade Wall Cleaner Recipe [50]
9. Homemade Multi-Purpose Household Cleaners [51]
10. Find more recipes here: Homemade Cleaners [52]

Troubleshooting Tips & Fixes

* Cat & Dog Hair Cleanup Tips [53]
* 21 Crayon Busters: How To Remove Crayon From Walls [54]
* Tips For Floor Cleaners, Spots & Scuffs [55]

Homemade Household Fresheners

A thorough cleaning job will definitely freshen up the house, you might like to also use one or two of these lovely fresheners to perk things up:

1. Homemade Herbal Carpet Freshener Recipe [5]
2. Easy Homemade Air Freshener Sprays [56]
3. Homemade Herbal Carpet Freshener Recipe [5]
4. 4 Homemade Febreeze Recipes [57]
5. Easy Refrigerator Deodorizer Ideas [58]

Tips & Tools

* I like to break down my spring cleaning over a period of a week or so: Each day I do one big area (like the laundry room) and one or two smaller projects (like the hallway). I find the job I do is much more thorough (and less stressful) if I spread the cleaning job over several days rather than just a weekend.
* If a job is too big for one day, I’ll do all the cleaning then save the decluttering/organizing for the next day. For example, the Kitchen: It will be cleaned from top to bottom but the Pantry and Junk Drawers [59] will be decluttered and re-organized the next day. All chores left to do for an area are written on a list and tackled the next day before moving on to the next room.
* Pack the cleaning kit [60] so all the cleaning supplies you need are right at your side. Have lots of garbage bags and empty boxes on hand.
* Have all the tools you need cleaned and ready to go: mop [61], broom, swiffer [62], cleaning brushes [63], sponges [64], big bucket, feather dusters & dusting cloths [65]. If you don’t have adequate cleaning tools, consider spending a few dollars to get what you need. It makes the job so much easier if you have the proper tools to work with.

Spring cleaning can be overwhelming, but the end result is well worth it. A few days of housework and some elbow grease is all it takes to enjoy a clean and well organized home!

Updated, Originally Published: April 21, 2008–Ultimate Spring Cleaning Tips Guide
Also See These Tips:

* Spring Cleaning: Motivation Tips [66]
* Spring Cleaning Outdoors - Chore Chart [67]
* Nitty-Gritty Guide to Cleaning Household Surfaces [68]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/ultimate-spring-cleaning-tips-guide/

URLs in this post:

[1] see how to clean like a maid: http://tipnut.com/how-to-clean-like-a-maid/

[2] ceiling fans: http://tipnut.com/how-to-clean-a-ceiling-fan/

[3] homemade window cleaner recipes here: http://tipnut.com/more-homemade-window-cleaner-recipes-to-try/

[4] clean carpets and rugs: http://tipnut.com/tips-for-removing-carpet-stains/

[5] herbal lavender carpet freshener here: http://tipnut.com/homemade-herbal-carpet-freshener-recipe/

[6] 10 Ideas for Recycling Old Towels: http://tipnut.com/10-ideas-for-recycling-old-towels/

[7] 10 Ideas For Recycling Pillowcases: http://tipnut.com/10-ideas-for-recycling-pillowcases/

[8] repurposing ideas here: http://tipnut.com/category/crafts/repurposing/

[9] Box for garage sale: http://tipnut.com/garage-sale-tips-for-success-how-to-guide/

[10] Herbs & Spices: Storage Tips Guide: http://tipnut.com/herbs-spices-tips/

[11] Off Season Clothing Storage Ideas: http://tipnut.com/clothing-storage-ideas/

[12] Beware Of Junk Bunkers: http://tipnut.com/junk-bunkers/

[13] 20 Ways Vinegar Can Help Your Kitchen Sparkle: http://tipnut.com/vinegar-kitchen/

[14] Kitchen Cleaning Tips: http://tipnut.com/category/cleaning/kitchen-clean/

[15] How To Clean A Coffee Pot: http://tipnut.com/how-to-clean-a-coffee-pot/

[16] How To Clean A Stainless Steel Sink: http://tipnut.com/how-to-clean-a-stainless-steel-sink/

[17] 10 Quick Tips For A Shiny Bathroom: http://tipnut.com/tips-bathroom/

[18] Kickin Bathtub Cleaning Soak: http://tipnut.com/kickin-bathtub-cleaning-soak/

[19] Clean A Bathtub With Oven Cleaner: http://tipnut.com/clean-a-bathtub-with-oven-cleaner/

[20] Tips & Tools For Cleaning Shower Door Tracks: http://tipnut.com/tips-tools-for-cleaning-shower-door-tracks/

[21] Quick Tip: Shiny Shower Doors: http://tipnut.com/household-cleaning-quick-tips/

[22] How To Clean A Toilet - Really Well: http://tipnut.com/how-to-clean-a-toilet-really-well/

[23] Quick Tip: Cleaning Shower Heads: http://tipnut.com/quick-tip-cleaning-shower-heads/

[24] Quick Tip: Mattress Freshener: http://tipnut.com/quick-tip-mattress-freshener/

[25] Fresh Summery Scented Bedding Year Round: Tip Sheet: http://tipnut.com/scented-bedding/

[26] Pantry Organizing With Tote Baskets: http://tipnut.com/pantry-organizing-with-tote-baskets/

[27] Utilize The Pantry Door: http://tipnut.com/quick-tips-for-organizing/

[28] Get Organized: Easy Tip To Store Bedding: http://tipnut.com/get-organized-easy-tip-to-store-bedding/

[29] Do It Yourself Closet Organization: http://tipnut.com/diy-closet-organization/

[30] Pot Lid Taming Options: http://tipnut.com/pot-lid-taming-options/

[31] Tip: Clean The Refrigerator Daily In 10 Minute Chunks: http://tipnut.com/tip-clean-the-refrigerator-daily-in-10-minute-chunks/

[32] Stove: http://tipnut.com/clean-stove-burner-drip-pans/

[33] Top: http://tipnut.com/8-cleaning-tips-for-crusty-stove-tops/

[34] Oven: http://tipnut.com/quick-tips-for-kitchen-cleaning/

[35] Range Hood: http://tipnut.com/how-to-clean-a-range-hood/

[36] Microwave: http://tipnut.com/how-to-microwave-cleaning-tips/

[37] Dryer: http://tipnut.com/clothes-dryer-safety-tips/

[38] Lint Trap: http://tipnut.com/did-you-know-wash-your-dryers-lint-trap/

[39] Freezer: http://tipnut.com/how-to-clean-a-freezer/

[40] fresh herbal bug bags: http://tipnut.com/bugs-be-gone-bags/

[41] Flooring Nics & Chips (Tip #2): http://tipnut.com/household-quick-tips/

[42] How To Remove White Heat Stains On Wood Table: http://tipnut.com/diy-how-to-remove-white-heat-stains-on-wood-table/

[43] How To Paint Bookshelves: http://tipnut.com/how-to-paint-bookshelves/

[44] A Natural Shine To Cleaning (Recipes): http://tipnut.com/homekeeping-a-natural-shine-to-cleaning-recipes/

[45] Homemade Shower Spray Recipes: http://tipnut.com/homemade-shower-spray-recipes/

[46] Homemade Softscrub Cleaner Recipe: http://tipnut.com/homemade-softscrub-cleaner-recipe/

[47] Kitchen Cabinet Degreaser Recipe: http://tipnut.com/kitchen-cabinet-degreaser-recipe/

[48] Homemade Herbal Cleaner Recipes: http://tipnut.com/homemade-herbal-cleaner-recipes/

[49] Household Degreaser & Cleaner Recipe: http://tipnut.com/household-degreaser-cleaner-recipe/

[50] Homemade Wall Cleaner Recipe: http://tipnut.com/homemade-wall-cleaner-recipe/

[51] Homemade Multi-Purpose Household Cleaners: http://tipnut.com/homemade-multi-purpose-household-cleaner/

[52] Homemade Cleaners: http://tipnut.com/category/cleaning/cleaning-recipes/

[53] Cat & Dog Hair Cleanup Tips: http://tipnut.com/cat-dog-hair-cleanup-tips/

[54] 21 Crayon Busters: How To Remove Crayon From Walls: http://tipnut.com/21-crayon-busters-how-to-remove-crayon-from-walls/

[55] Tips For Floor Cleaners, Spots & Scuffs: http://tipnut.com/tips-for-floor-cleaners-spots-scuffs/

[56] Easy Homemade Air Freshener Sprays: http://tipnut.com/homemade-lemon-air-freshener-spray/

[57] 4 Homemade Febreeze Recipes: http://tipnut.com/4-homemade-febreeze-recipes/

[58] Easy Refrigerator Deodorizer Ideas: http://tipnut.com/easy-refrigerator-deodorizer-ideas/

[59] Junk Drawers: http://tipnut.com/how-to-organize-a-junk-drawer/

[60] Pack the cleaning kit: http://tipnut.com/house-cleaning-kit/

[61] mop: http://tipnut.com/how-to-make-the-best-mop-in-the-world/

[62] swiffer: http://tipnut.com/make-your-own-swiffer-cloths/

[63] cleaning brushes: http://tipnut.com/brush-ideas-for-detail-dusting/

[64] sponges: http://tipnut.com/tipnut-mailbag-clip-your-sponges-cloths-used-for-dirty-jobs/

[65] dusting cloths: http://tipnut.com/diy-pretreated-dusters-or-dusting-rags/

[66] Spring Cleaning: Motivation Tips: http://tipnut.com/spring-cleaning-motivation-tips/

[67] Spring Cleaning Outdoors - Chore Chart: http://tipnut.com/spring-cleaning-outdoors-chore-chart/

[68] Nitty-Gritty Guide to Cleaning Household Surfaces: http://tipnut.com/guide-cleaning-household-surfaces/

Budget DIY Trellis & Garden Space Tip

Posted By TipNut On March 31, 2009 @ 1:01 pm In Garden & Plants, Popular Tips | 1 Comment

Budget Trellis Idea By digginfood.com
Today’s feature is from Diggin Food with this idea for an Inexpensive DIY Vegetable Trellis [1]:

My kitchen garden is small—just under 200 square feet—but I managed to cram a ton of vegetables into it by growing summer and winter squash, cucumbers, beans, tomatoes, and peas up trellises. Growing these crops up instead of out frees up a bunch of real estate in our raised beds for beets, carrots, salad greens, flowers, and herbs.

We install a lot of freestanding trellises made out of bamboo and cedar, but last summer we decided to convert our west-facing, 6-foot tall fence into a growing space by installing panels of welded wire mesh on it. The mesh is sold at hardware stores for concrete reinforcing. We bought mesh with four-inch square holes and each 4-foot by 6-foot piece cost less than five dollars. The grand total for this super functional trellis? Fifteen bucks

You’re going to need some fence space to keep the trellis cost low, but it’s well worth it to grow up as the tip suggests–you can squeeze a lot more garden into limited growing space. Plus, if your fence is a bit shabby looking–what better way to hide it ;)!

Please visit the site above for more details on setup–and check out their gorgeous garden pics too (I’m so ready for spring!).
Also See These Tips:

* Space Raiders: Retro Woodworking Plans [2]
* Grow 100 lbs. Of Potatoes In 4 Square Feet: How To [3]
* Need Storage in a Small Space? [4]

Article printed from TipNut.com: http://tipnut.com

URL to article: http://tipnut.com/budget-trellis/

URLs in this post:

[1] Inexpensive DIY Vegetable Trellis: http://www.digginfood.com/2009/03/inexpensive-diy-vegetable-trellis/

[2] Space Raiders: Retro Woodworking Plans: http://tipnut.com/space-raiders/

[3] Grow 100 lbs. Of Potatoes In 4 Square Feet: How To: http://tipnut.com/grow-potatoes/

[4] Need Storage in a Small Space?: http://tipnut.com/need-storage-in-a-small-space/