HOW TO CLEAN APPLIANCE SURFACES

Product:
All-purpose (nonabrasive) cleaners (powder, liquid).
How To Use:
Mix with water or use liquids full-strength according to package directions; generally no rinsing required, except for no-wax floors or when used full-strength.

HOW TO GET RID OF BAKED-ON FOOD

Product:
Baking soda
How To Use:
Paste: Mix 3 parts baking soda to 1 part water Solution: Mix 4 tablespoons baking soda per 1 quart water Dry: Sprinkle straight from box. Rub with damp sponge or cloth; rinse and dry.

Product:
Abrasive cleaner (powder).
How To Use:
Wet surface and apply cleanser; rub/scour gently as needed and rinse.

HOW TO CLEAN BARBECUE GRILLS

To clean the rack at the end of the season, use an oven cleaner or soak it in a household ammonia and water solution; then scrub and rinse.
For gas-fueled grills, follow the directions in the owner’s manual.
To clean permanent briquettes, flip them occasionally, ignite the grill, and, with the cover closed, allow it to burn at a high setting for about 15 minutes.

HOW TO REMOVE ODORS FROM CARPETS, RUGS AND UPHOLSTERY

Product:
Air, fabric, carpet, and room fresheners, deodorizers, and odor eliminators (aerosol, spray, powder, solid, heat-dispersed.
How To Use:
Sprinkle powdered carpet freshener on and leave for 10 to 15 minutes, then vacuum; for other forms, follow package directions.

HOW TO CLEAN CAST IRON

Never wash a cast-iron utensil in the dishwasher; use baking soda to remove burned-on food residue. Always be sure to hand-dry thoroughly to prevent rust.

HOW TO CLEAN CERAMIC BATHTUBS

Product:
Abrasive cleaner (liquid).
How To Use:
Apply to surface; rub gently and rinse.

HOW TO CLEAN AUTOMATIC COFFEEMAKERS

Product:
Vinegar (white).
How To Use:
Use full-strength or diluted depending on use. To clean automatic drip coffeepots, fill reservoir with vinegar and water and run through a brew cycle; follow with a cycle of clear water to rinse.

HOW TO CLEAN COLLECTIBLES

Try using a dry paintbrush (with bristles at least 3 inches long) to clean both the surface and the little crevices. Wash the paintbrush with hand soap and warm water and air dry before using again.

HOW TO CLEAN COMPUTERS

Never use household glass cleaners on computer monitor screens. Instead, use a static-free product made for cleaning monitor screens. Keep static-free covers on the computer and printer when not in use.

HOW TO CLEAN COOKING UTENSILS

Product:
Abrasive cleaner (powder).
How To Use:
Wet surface and apply cleanser; rub/scour gently as needed and rinse.

HOW TO CLEAN FIXTURES, COMBS AND BRUSHES, AND FLOORS

Product:
Ammonia, to be used on resilient, ceramic, concrete surfaces. Do not use to clean clear plastic windows or surfaces and on aluminum; clouding and pitting can occur. Do not use on brass fixtures; pitting can occur.

How To Use:
You can control the cleaning strength by increasing the ammonia from 1/2 cup to 1 cup per gallon of water as the job difficulty increases. For spray bottle use: Mix 1 part ammonia to 16 parts water. For windows and mirrors: Use 2 tablespoons ammonia per 1 quart water.

HOW TO CLEAN LAMPS AND LAMPSHADES

Dust the base of the lamp, the bulb, and the shade with a soft cloth or the dusting tool on your vacuum cleaner. Clean the base with a damp sponge or cloth an dthe cleaning product appropriate for the material. Do not immerse the base in water since this damages the wiring.

HOW TO CLEAN LEATHER

Dust with a clean, soft cloth. Use a soft bristled toothbrush or paintbrush if the leather is tufted and has buttons or piping. Wipe with a clean, damp sponge or cloth and mild soap. Rise with a well-wrung sponge or cloth. Dry with a clean, soft cloth.

HOW TO CLEAN A MICROWAVE OVEN

If there is a turntable, remove it and wash in warm, sudsy water or in the dishwasher; then dry. To clean the interior, boil a cup of water inside for 3 to 4 minutes. The condensation will loosen any food soil on the walls or ceiling of the oven. Then wipe with a damp sponge or cloth, and dry. Never use a commercial oven cleaner or remove the cover in the top of the oven interior for cleaning. To deodorize, wash the interior surfaces every few months with a solution of 1/4 cup of baking soda to 1 quart of warm water; rinse and dry.

For more on household help, see Good Housekeeping’s The Complete Household Handbook.

FOR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES

Fabric

1 Sponge the stain with cool water or soak for about 30 minutes in a basin of cool water.

2. Pretreat with a prewash stain remover.

3. Launder. If it’s safe for the fabric, add chlorine bleach to the wash.

Upholstery

1. Mix one tablespoon of white vinegar with 2/3 cup of rubbing alcohol.

2. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the vinegar/alcohol solution.

3. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.

4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until the stain disappears.

OR

1. Mix one tablespoon of liquid hand dishwashing detergent with two cups of cool water.

2. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with the detergent solution.

3. Blot until the liquid is absorbed.

4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until the stain disappears.

5. Sponge with cold water and blot dry to remove the detergent solution.

Carpet

1. Using clean white paper towels or cloths, blot up as much of the spilled beverage as possible.

2. Use plain water or mix one tablespoon of liquid hand dishwashing detergent and one tablespoon of white vinegar with two cups of warm water.

3. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with a small amount of plain water or detergent/vinegar solution. Apply a little bit at a time, blotting frequently with a dry cloth until the stain disappears.

4. If using a detergent/vinegar solution, sponge with cold water and blot dry to remove the solution.

FOR CANDLE WAX

Fabric

1. If the wax is still soft, freeze the item to harden the wax, and then scrape off the excess wax.

2. Sponge with a dry-cleaning solvent.

3. Place the stain between clean paper towels and press with a warm iron to transfer the wax to the paper towels. Replace the paper towels frequently to absorb more wax and prevent transferring the stain to other places on the fabric.

4. Pretreat with a prewash stain remover.

5. Launder, using chlorine bleach, if safe for the fabric, or oxygen bleach.

6. If any color remains, rewash.

Upholstery

1. If the wax is still soft, freeze it by applying an ice cube wrapped in a small plastic bag, and then scrape off the excess wax.

2. Using a clean white cloth, sponge the stain with a dry-cleaning solvent.

3. Blot until the solvent is absorbed.

4. Repeat Steps 2 and 3 until the stain disappears.

Carpet

1. If the wax is still soft, freeze it by applying an ice cube wrapped in a small plastic bag, and then scrape off the excess wax.

2. Sponge with a dry-cleaning solvent.

3. Cover the stain with a clean white cloth and press, using the tip of a warm iron to transfer the wax to the cloth. Repeat, using a clean portion of the cloth until all the wax is transferred from the carpet to the cloth.

4. If a color stain remains, sponge the stain again with a dry-cleaning solvent.

5. Blot dry.

For more on stain removal, see Good Housekeeping’s Stain Rescue

Being a journalist, I’m aware of the exposure to chemicals and toxins in regular household cleaning products. With the instances of childhood asthma and allergies, I believe that a lot of this has to be environmental—being exposed to so many pollutants and toxins.

Eco-Me. They sell kits that let you make your own cleaning and body products. Of course, I was skeptical at first, because I’ll admit, it’s not something I would normally do. But I was amazed at how simple it was! It just uses vinegar and water with essential oils. It’s actually the best cleaner. It’s long-lasting, not that expensive and I totally swear by it. They also have a kit so you can make your own baby wipes and natural body products. It’s super-easy, and they smell really good. So, go ahead, green it up a bit!
Besides being a mom, Natalie Morales is best known as a national correspondent and co-anchor for the Today show.

What else is on Natalie Morales’s Mind?

Hotel accommodation is a multi-million pound competitive industry and the Internet has revolutionized the manner in which we can search and reserve a hotel room to suit our individual personal needs and requirements. The use of a hotel room can range from an overnight stay to a two week booking for your vacation.

When searching and booking accommodation on-line there are various tips and guidelines that can advise you in your choice of selection.

* It is necessary to understand that the hotel star ratings will vary between countries because there is no standard worldwide method in classifying what level an accommodation presents. You should view the rating offered with flexibility, except with the basic opinion that a 1* hotel will provide the cheapest, most basic accommodation and a 5* hotel will probably be the most expensive and offer the most luxurious accommodation, facilities and amenities.

The price will often vary dependent on the area you are visiting. A 4* hotel in a prime location will be more expensive than a 4* hotel in an area with less tourism. Sometimes a 3 star rated hotel will be more expensive than a 4 star hotel, within the same city, due to what it can provide.

* Be clear on what you require in terms of facilities and amenities. If you simple require a basic room, with or without a private bathroom, then a 1-2* hotel will be adequate. If you need amenities like a gym, sauna and conference facilities you will need to look at a hotel rated with 3 stars or more. Most websites will list all amenities that the hotel provides, from a restaurant and mini-bar, to room service and laundry.

A little research to define exactly what the accommodation offers and what you require will determine your rating required.

* Unless you have a preferred hotel chain, the comparison websites offer a practical solution in searching through hundreds of individual hotels.

- www.travelsupermarket.com
- www.lastminute.com
- www.orbitz.com
- www.all-hotels.com
- www.expedia.com
- www.lonelyplanet.com

These are just a few examples of the many websites that will compete for your business. Each provide a range of special offers and discounts to entice customers. Always remember that the cheapest option is not always the most viable for you.

* Due to nature of using a credit card to pay for on-line bookings, always ensure that you are using a secure site. Always look to see that the sites shows a symbol (usually a form of padlock) to say you are using a secure site when providing personal details.

* Be aware of the small print. Always read the terms and conditions before committing to book. Understand the policies regarding cancellation and additional fees, just in case the need arises.

* Be flexible in your location. Choosing a hotel that is on the outskirts of a city will usually be cheaper than a prime based hotel. The same principle will apply for a hotel in a holiday destination. A prime beach front hotel will charge more than a hotel a bit further inland. Choose accordingly to your needs.

* On confirmation of your booking, always make sure you have the direct number for the hotel. Before departure, contact the hotel and confirm booking. Although very rare, incidences of incorrect details through computer processing have occurred, and it is always best to be sure that your room(s) are booked and are exactly as requested.

* If available, an simple on-line search can enable previous guest views on the hotel accommodation. This can allow a more in-depth view to what is provided, than what is presented your screen.

These few basic tips should enable you to search, view and book a suitable hotel for your upcoming travel, that will meet your personal wants and needs.

Written by: James Mockridge
Learn More about the Author: http://www.helium.com/users/382609/show_articles

BANANA SPLIT DESSERT RECIPE

Prep Time: 10 minutes

• 4 cups graham crackers, crushed
• 3 sticks butter or margarine at room temperature
• 2 eggs, or egg substitutes*
• 16 ounces powdered sugar
• 20 ounces canned crushed pineapple, drained
• 3 bananas, sliced - more for garnish if desired
• 16 ounces whipped topping

Directions

CRUST:

• Mix crushed graham cracker and one stick melted butter with a fork.
• Line the bottom and sides of the baking pan with this mixture.
• Bake for 5-8 minutes or until golden brown. Allow to cool.

FILLING:

• Beat eggs*, 2 sticks of butter, 1 cup of whipped topping and powdered sugar until fluffy.
• Spread mixture on cooled crust.
• Top with crushed pineapple and a layer of sliced bananas (2-3 bananas).
• Cover with remaining whipped topping.
• Garnish with nuts, bananas, or sprinkled with crushed graham crackers.
• Refrigerate for one hour before serving.

*NOTE: When a recipe requires “raw” eggs as an ingredient, there is always a concern that potentially harmful bacteria may have invaded the egg which may cause illness in humans. Although the probability is low (1 in 20,000 eggs), the concern does exist; therefore, if you are concerned about using raw eggs, consider an egg substitute, such as pasteurized whole eggs, egg white substitutes, or meringue powder, to reduce the potential of bacterial contamination.

FROZEN COCONUT ICE CREAM DESSERT RECIPE

Container: 9″ x 5″ metal loaf pan (terrine) and plastic wrap

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Serving Size: 1 slice

Servings: 8 Ingredients - 7 ounces coconut (sweetened and flaked), divided - 2 pints toasted coconut ice cream, softened and divided - 1 pint orange or mango sorbet, softened - 1 pint raspberry sorbet, softened Directions Preheat oven to 350º F. On a large baking sheet, spread out flaked coconut and bake 10 to 12 minutes or until light golden brown. Remove from oven and cool completely. Use 4 sheets of plastic wrap. Place 2 in each direction in loaf pan, leaving some to hang over all sides of pan. Spread 1 ¼ cup of toasted coconut on the plastic wrap. Spread 1 pint of coconut ice cream on top of toasted coconut and freeze for 20 minutes. Spread orange or mango sorbet on top of slightly frozen coconut ice cream, freeze 20 minutes. Spread the raspberry on top of slightly frozen orange or mango and freeze 20 minutes. Spread last pint of coconut ice cream on top and garnish with remaining toasted coconut. Cover completely with excess plastic wrap. Freeze overnight. Prior to serving, lift dessert out of pan and discard plastic wrap. Place on serving platter and garnish as desired.

TIP FOR USING A HOUSEPLANT FOR YOUR HELP

I grow aloe vera plants and we use them for everything! Burns, scratches, excessively itchy skin … Just cut off the tip and rub it on or put some on a bandage and let it dry. We even buy aloe vera juice by the gallon and drink it—it’s really good for your internal organs.

SALAD DRESSING

I love old-school Good Seasons dressing in the packet. Mix it up with oil and vinegar and use it as dressing for salad or antipasto or marinate chicken in it.

QUICK DINNER

Need a quick dinner idea? Try taking leftover veggies or meats and dicing them up into cold pasta for a quick salad. Make a dressing from olive oil, lemon juice, and herbs and spices or toss with some red sauce.

BALANCING WORK AND PARENTING

A lot of working parents struggle to balance work and parenting and I’m no exception. People think the showbiz industry is all fun and games, but it’s also hard work. I know that by working hard, I’m able teach my son, Elijah, about a good work ethic and to send him to college. But at the same time, there are a lot of times when I wish that I could have been the soccer mom.

When my son was little, I wasn’t able to go and hang out with him on weekends or get involved with sports. I worry that maybe he missed out. Sometimes I look back and think about when he was younger and I’m like, “Oh I didn’t do that” or “I should’ve done that,” and I feel a little bad.

But I’ve always tried to make up for it. When I take time off, I’ve always given my soon all of my focus. I turned off my cell phone during family time, and I didn’t think about all of my future commitments, I only thought of my son. I always try to keep my work and the L.A. lifestyle separate from my son. We’ve always done things at our house, in our environment. It really is a balance.

I have friends whose kids are younger and they beat themselves up for having to work long hours or work on weekends. I say, work as much as you have to, and when you take that time off, really take it off. No exceptions, no crisis to get in the way. Your kids know when you’re not “there,” so when you are there, be there for them.

Article by: Tiffany from “parentsConnect”

Are your teens are getting bored staying in the house during week ends and can’t get enough of just watching tv shows or movies? So let them dig for these 2 recipes that they will surely love to do and considered to be must have menu to dig for.

***GREEK TILAPIA FILLETS***

Preparation: 5 minutes
Start to Finish: 20 minutes
Serves: 4

Serve with some fresh bread for soaking up the Mediterranean-flavored sauce.

* 4 tilapia fillets (about 1 to 1 ½ lbs.)
* ½ teaspoon salt, divided
* ¼ teaspoon pepper, divided
* 1 teaspoon dried oregano, divided
* 1 tablespoon olive oil
* 1 tablespoon bottled minced garlic
* ¼ cup frozen chopped onions
* 1 (14-ounce) can quartered artichoke hearts, drained
* 1 (14 ½ -ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
* ¼ cup white wine

DIRECTION

1. Sprinkle both sides of the tilapia fillets with salt, pepper, and half of oregano. In a large nonstick skillet with a lid over medium-high heat, heat the oil.

2. Add the garlic and onions and cook for about 3 minutes, until the onions begin to soften.

3. Add fish fillets and top each fillet with the artichoke hearts, tomatoes, wine and remaining oregano.

4. Cover and cook 8 to 10 minutes, until the fish flakes easily with a fork.

5. Then ready to serve.

***COCONUT TRUFFLE BROWNIES***

Preparation: 5 minutes
Start to Finish: 40 minutes
Serves: 24

Rich chocolate and sweet coconut together in one yummy bar!

* 1 (19.8-ounce) family-style box brownie mix (13 x 9 pan size)
* Eggs, oil and water for brownie mix preparation
* 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
* 1 (7-ounce) package sweetened shredded coconut

DIRECTION

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

2. Coat a 9 x 13 baking pan with cooking spray.

3. In a large mixing bowl, prepare the brownie mix according to package directions. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan.

4. Sprinkle the shredded coconut evenly over the batter.

5. Drizzle the sweetened condensed milk evenly over the coconut.

6. Bake for 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted an inch from the edge of the pan comes out clean and coconut is lightly browned.

7. Let cool in the pan until firm. Cut into bars.

8. Then ready to serve.

Provided by Cynthia Stevens Graubart & Catherine Fliegel, R.N

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