Micowavable Dishes & Safety Tips

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Some safety tips to remember while using a microwave oven:

- Do not operate whe the oven is empty

- Keep out of reach of children and do not put your face close to it while it is turned on

- Do not use plastic cookware as it could melt due to the excessive heat and seep into the food which could be dangerous

- Avoid stainless steel

- Avoid Melamine as it could melt just like plastics

- Take extra caution while handling heated liquids; you may burn yourself

Microwavable Dishes

- Pyrex or Corning ware cookware which are made of glass is microwave safe

- Always check the label on the back of the dish to check if it is microwave safe

Clean & Shiny Kitchen Floors

Source: cleanerregister.com

Who does not like clean Kitchen Floors!! Let us see some of the tips and tricks that Indian women use.

- Use Swiffer

- Clorox bleach

- Most stains can be removed by scrubbing with baking soda and water.

- Shaving cream also works effectively on harsh stains.

- Vinegar can be used on vinyl floors as it is a good degreaser


Mopping: I know mopping may not be the most exciting job in the world but just imagine a shiny kitchen floor that gives the message that your house is clean. Some mopping tips:

- Before you mop the floor, be sure to sweep or vacuum it first. It is easy to remove dirt when it is dry before it turns into sticky mud.

- Use the correct amount of cleaner; if you try to be a cheapo and use very little, it will not do the job and if you use too much, it will tend to leave a residue on the floor making it get dirty quicker.

- Rinse the mop in clean water often so that you are not mopping the floor with dirty water. Note: You might want to use a cleaning bucket with cleaner and a fresh water bucket.

- Make atleast 2 passes over each area. On your first pass you just wet the floor with the cleaner. The cleaner will take few seconds to do its job and then remove the dirt on your second pass.

Happy Cleaning!!!!!!

Stains on Sarees

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Fruit Stains

- Try 'Spray n Wash' solution. Do not spray directly on the saree. Take a small amount of solution and dab on the stains using a cotton swab. After 20 minutes, wash with cold water using a mild shampoo and air dry. Shampoo will remove oil and revitalize the saree.

- Can use Oxy Clean (available at grocery stores)

Stains due to Moisture

- Don't let the clothes touch the closet wall. If this is unavoidable (due to lack of space), place a newspaper between the wall and the saree so that it absorbs all the moisture.

- Use fragrance sachets/naphthalene balls to reduce the smell caused due to moisture. Note: Do not let the naphthalene balls touch the material of the saree, just wrap in a paper and place it in the folds.

- Another great tip is to air dry the sarees in sunlight (but indoors). Sunlight helps in removing any moisture left on the sarees. If this is not possible, unfold the saree and fan dry it.

- Dry the saree using a hair dryer. Note: Do not put the hair dryer too close to the material.

- Spray talcum powder on the stains and get it dry cleaned

- Wrap the sarees in a thick cloth (like a towel)

Nailpolish Stain

- This can be treated by rubbing Acetone (nail polish remover) in that area

Removing Tarnish on Silver

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Easy home made tips/tricks:

Baking Soda: To remove tarnish from silverware, sprinkle baking soda (available in any grocery store) on a damp cloth and rub it on the silverware until tarnish is gone. Rinse and dry well.

Toothpaste: Coat the silver with toothpaste (or Colgate tooth powder) and rub with the help of a soft bristled toothbrush. Rinse it off under lukewarm water and pat dry.

Baking Soda, Salt and Aluminum Foil: This method is best for cleaning the crevices on intricately designed silver articles.Place a sheet of aluminum foil in the bottom of a pan, add water, 1 teaspoon of baking soda and 1 teaspoon of salt and bring it to a boil. Add silver articles and boil for couple of minutes. Make sure that the silver articles are completely immersed in water. Rinse well under fresh tap water and dry with a soft cloth.

Cleaning with store bought stuff:

Tarn-X: Available at less than $5 at the cleaning supplies aisle of Walmart (or any other grocery store). It is a liquid solution packed in a black colored box. Take a small amount of the liquid onto a cotton swab and rub the silver articles clean. Rinse and dry with a soft cloth.
Note: This has a strong smell.

Wright's Silver Cream: Also works well.

Cure for Cooking Odors

Tired of the strong cooking odors that fill up your kitchen and the entire house???? Try the following wonderful tips and see (sniff... smell) the magic!!

- Light a fragrant candle

- Light an Airwick

- Spray air freshner

- Open the kitchen window or patio door for fresh air while cooking

- Put small bowls of vinegar around the kitchen to absorb the smells

- Leave an open tub of baking soda on the side. This works for the refrigerator odors too.

- Heat water in a small pan and add cinnamon and cloves and simmer.

- Use electric tart oil burner (Available in Bed, Bath & Beyond or Amazon. Add half a cup of hot water and fill the rest with liquid florasence - available @ Walmart in the crafts aisle)

Image Source: Amazon.com