Entries Tagged 'Cleaning' ↓

Odors from last night’s dinner can become nauseating when the smell just won’t leave the house. Fried fish is a common culprit of this problem as are other exotic foods with strong flavors and spices. To remove the lingering odor we need to remove the source of the smell. If it can’t be found, there are ways to neutralize it. Follow these steps to clear the air.

1. Store Leftovers Properly – As soon as you’re finished cooking and eating, gather all leftovers, place them in tightly sealed containers or plastic wrapping and put them away. Leaving food sitting out allows smells to linger, and improperly stored leftovers can create unwanted odors. Prevent this from happening by storing food effectively and in a timely manner. Don’t leave food sitting out for more than a couple of hours. Also be certain to put away any cooking ingredients you’ve used. Don’t leave ingredients like sauces, seasonings and cooking oil open and out. Seal all ingredients and put them back where they belong.

2. Clean Cooking Dishes Promptly – If you don’t want your kitchen to smell, wash all dirty dishes immediately. Make sure you rinse off all food and wash it down the drain. If you don’t have a garbage disposal, scrape all of the food off of your plate and into the trash before rinsing. Even if you don’t have time to wash the dishes completely, rinse them off at the very least and leave pots and pans to soak in soapy water. Leaving pots full of food on the stove or in the sink will create unwanted odors (and also attract unwanted bugs).

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A few weeks ago, Mina, from the website MiniPiccolini asked me to share with her readers my top 10 favorite things for wives. Below are my favorite things every wife should have in her life.

1. William Sonoma –  A wondrous playground for any wife who loves to cook in her kitchen. This charming store provides tools to make preparation easier, cooking classes for those who want to learn, and inspiration around every corner for those looking for creativity. www.williamsonoma.com

2. Mrs. Meyers – Every wife should have an eco friendly conscious when shopping for her household.  Enter Mrs. Meyers… A collection of household products with essential oils from flowers and herbs that pack a real punch against daily dirt and grim. From dish soap to laundry detergent to window cleaners Mrs. Meyers brings a powerful clean and a garden fresh scent to your home. All their products are earth friendly, bio degradable, non toxic and never tested on animals. www.mrsmeyers.com

3. Emily Post Etiquette Book –  Every wife should always carry herself like a true lady. Emily Post’s discourses on etiquette is said to be one of the most useful reference books published, next to a dictionary, a thesaurus and a world atlas. The new edition has discussions on perennially necessary topics, such as where to place a soup spoon when setting a formal table and whether one may wear white after Labor Day (the answer is yes). This integration of new material with old, showing respect and consideration for others while placing a premium on honesty, graciousness and deference. It also serves as a reminder of how individual choices may affect others and how easy it is to choose—words, wardrobes, gifts and actions—more wisely. $27.00 on Amazon.Com

4. Stationer –  Every wife can benefit from a very creative and talented stationer. While I take my services to Jonathan Wright and Sugar Paper in Los Angeles, They are always there to help with last minute gifts and an abundance of greeting cards for every occasion.  Your stationer can also aid you in the designing all of life’s celebrations from wedding invitations to birth announcements to personal stationary for thank you notes.  Jonathan Wright  7404 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90036 323 931 1710; Sugar Paper 253 26^th Street, Brentwood, California 310 451 7870

5. La Perla – Just like the age old saying “A lamb in the kitchen and a tiger in the bedroom.” What better way to inspire a healthy and consistent sex life with your husband than with luxurious lingerie from La Perla. Every man can appreciate his wife coming to bed in a flirtatious silk night gown or something else a little more provocative. www.laperla.com

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With Summer in full swing I’m sure your car can get quite smelly with sweaty kids, trips to the dog beach or Summer road trips. Enter my little secret weapon ….Dryer Sheets! Tuck a few dryer sheets into a back seat side door open compartment or if you have an SUV use the side trunk consoles. All Summer long your car will be smelling like fresh laundry. *Note – This does not work with eco- friendly dryer sheets. – Taryn Cox for THE WIFE.

The one women you should trust with cleaning tips for your precious jewels is Amber Berger. She began her career at Michael C. Fina, before learning and excelling as a luxury goods buyer at Gucci, Cartier, and Henri Bendel and HauteLook.com. Then Launching AStarr, As a full service personal jeweler, Amber exceeds her customer’s expectations while simplifying their lives, With unique style, invaluable experience and an impeccable reputation.

You’d be shocked at how dirty your jewelry gets if you looked through the lense of a microscope. Soap scum, grease, dirt, skin cells, and little hairs will collect in crevasses and beneath gemstones unless you carry out a routine cleaning program. The least bit of film from skin oil, soap or hand lotion will change the sparkle of stone, especially a diamonds, and most of the brilliance will be lost so make sure jewelry cleaning is a priority on your list so you can show off your sparkly gems. We suggest weekly cleaning followed by professional cleaning twice a year. – Amber Berger for Astarr

1. Separate out your jewelry Divide your jewelry to be cleaned into 3 groups: Delicate, Medium and Strong. Each category will have to be cleaned differently so it is best to separate first in order to avid confusion.

2. Do not clean Some items that you just should not attempt to clean at all include hair jewelry (popular in the Victorian era); jewelry set with real scarabs, butterflies and other delicate materials; jewelry with foil-backed stones; and jewelry whose materials are in doubt. In addition, there may be a natural patina (as opposed to dirt) on antique jewelry that should not be removed, and some modern jewelry may have applied finishes that could be damaged if not handled with care. When in doubt, ask a jeweler.

3. Create a safe environment You want to ensure that you do not lose any stones during cleaning, especially for jewelry that has been worn a lot or pieces with lightweight settings. It is gross to think about but the build-up of dirt may actually be all that is keeping a stone in its setting!

Have your supplies handy:

• Soft flannel cloth
• Soft brush: child’s soft-bristled toothbrush, Eye shadow brush
• Ivory liquid or similar mild dishwashing liquid
• Carry out the cleaning in a small bowl, and check carefully for missing stones before pouring out the solution.

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The unique design of the Dryerballs lift and separate fabrics while relaxing fibers. The result is less lint and wrinkles, softer clothes, more absorbent towels and a reduced drying time of up to 25% – saving you moolah! Best of all, it’s toxic-free, environmentally friendly, and guaranteed to last up to 2 years. That’s equivalent to a whole lotta dryer sheets. $16.00.

www.nelliesallnatural.com