Vpen Door

I Spring Cleaning

dear SlatE

Take the stress out of spring cleaning.

microwaves and
countertops,
and won't be
too abrasive on
finishes. And
unlike ammonia
or bleach-based
cleaners, you can
simply spray and
wipe down without
rinsing.

With the right techniques, you can make cleaning a cakewalk.

(StatePoint) Throw open those doors
and windows — there is no better cure
for months of winter than some fresh
spring air.
But with spring, comes spring
cleaning. And if the thought of pulling
out mops, buckets and brooms brings
on more stress than serenity, remember
that a few tricks and some great tunes
can make cleaning easier and perhaps
even fun.

Set the Mood

There are work playlists, workout
playlists — why not a cleaning playlist?
Put together some of your favorite,
preferably upbeat, tunes to motivate
you while you're working and keep that
music playing when you're moving from
room to room.
Give your nose some sensory
motivation, too. Spray a fresh clean
scent to remind you of what's to come
when the work is done.

Simplify

The soups, stews and heavy cooking
of winter earn kitchen appliances
everywhere a little tender loving care.
While the task of cleaning accumulated
splatters and stuck-on food residue
from heavy winter cooking can sound
overwhelming, there are cleansers that
can make the sprucing process a lot less
labor-intensive.
You can opt for a cleanser that works
on a variety of surfaces and appliances.
For example, Affresh kitchen and
appliance cleaner and stainless steel
cleaner can be used on refrigerators,

12

OPEN DOOR Magazine •

May 2013

Renew the
Refrigerator

It's easier to clean
the fridge with
less in it, so prior to starting, throw out
what's old, pull out what stays and roll
up your sleeves.
Clean door gaskets, racks and
drawers with warm water and mild
dish detergent. Don't forget to clean
underneath the refrigerator and the
vent of the appliance. Proper air flow
provides better performance and
optimum efficiency.
Once it's all sparkly clean, admire
your handiwork. Then put your food
back inside before it spoils.

Maintain

The dishwasher cleans dishes. What
cleans the dishwasher? Don't stress!
Cleaning the dishwasher may be one
of the easiest tasks on your checklist.
Just run a normal wash cycle and add
an easy-to-use tablet, such as Affresh
dishwasher cleaner, to the bottom
of the tub to help clean and remove
residue.
Likewise, you can clean your washing
machine by running a normal cycle
with hot water and a washer cleaner
tablet. A formulated tablet designed to
penetrate, dissolve and help remove
odor-causing residue from the inside of
the machine will give your washer and
your clothes a fresh scent.
Don't forget to check washer and
dryer drains and pipes for blockages
— such as lint or the infamous missing
sock — to improve optimum water and
air flow.
Clean the dryer's outside exhaust to
help shorten drying time and decrease
energy use. ❑

Seasonal Kitchen Tasks

(StatePoint) While regular kitchen chores like doing
the dishes and taking out the trash are almost
impossible to ignore, it can be easy to forget certain
maintenance tasks that keep your ship smoothly
sailing.
Spring cleaning season is the perfect chance to
take care of those often overlooked items that deserve
your semi-annual attention. So between dusting the
cobwebs and organizing your pantry, be sure to do the
following:

Sharpen Knives

The old adage "work smarter, not harder" holds
true when it comes to keeping your kitchen knives
razor sharp. Not only are sharp knives safer to use, but
they will also make you a more efficient cook, saving
you loads of chopping, slicing and dicing time.
You should already be honing and polishing knife
edges after each use. But take the spring cleaning
season to sharpen your knives with a high-quality
sharpener.
Look for a sharpener that offers diversity. For
example, Edgeware's adjustable electric knife
sharpeners and manual knife sharpeners include
coarse and fine sharpening slots for dull and damaged
knives and regular maintenance respectively. Such
sharpeners are ideal for sharpening a variety of knives,
from straight edge blades to serrated.

Clean the Oven

Accidents in the oven are inevitable. And because
you can't wipe down the oven while it's still piping
hot, spills have a long time to set, making the cleaning
process later a tough one.
If you don't have a self-cleaning oven and want to
avoid caustic products such as ammonia — baking
soda and diluted vinegar can work wonders. Apply
to spills and splatters and let it sit for a few minutes
before wiping down.
Remember, a little prevention goes a long way. For
future cakes, casseroles and other baked treats and
meals, use aluminum foil to catch spills and drips.
Spring cleaning is more than just an annual liaison
with your mops and brooms. Use the time to maintain
the tools and components of your home that you take
for granted.