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Epoch Times
20-05-2025
- General
- Epoch Times
How to Clean Gunk and Grime From Kitchen Cabinets
Kitchen cabinets are for storing dishes, not grease. Unfortunately, wood cabinets, whether painted or natural with a clear finish, are prone to all sorts of grease, grime, and gunk from simply being in the kitchen. Depending on just how much grease and grime you're looking at and the supplies you have available, here are several options for your consideration. At least one of them will help get the job done, and there's an added final suggestion for how to keep your clean cabinets looking gorgeous! Blue Dawn Apply a few drops of concentrated dish liquid, such as blue Dawn, into a bowl of warm water. Dip the soft side of a sponge. Squeeze the sponge until suds form. The cleaning agents in Dawn absorb grease just as well on kitchen surfaces as they do on dishes. Apply to the dirty cabinet, wiping the grease with the soft sponge until it is removed. Immediately dry the surface with a clean cloth to prevent streaking. Kitchen Gunk Remover Bust through hardened layers of old, sticky, dust-grabbing grease with vegetable oil and baking soda. Mix 1 part any vegetable oil to 2 parts baking soda. Apply this oily paste to dirty areas using a soft cloth or paper towel. That ugly greasy dirty buildup will begin to soften and disappear. Wipe clean and buff with a soft cloth. White Vinegar Vinegar is not just for making pickles or drizzling over french fries. It has a grease-busting ability. Dampen a clean, dry cloth with undiluted white vinegar, and wipe down greasy cabinets. Rinse your cloth with warm water. Wring out most of the moisture, and then use the cloth to rinse the cabinetry. Dry the damp surfaces with a paper towel, but note any spots that need a second attempt. Soap and Paint Thinner This is a heavy-duty, industrial-strength solution. Use it on the toughest, most stubborn grease and grime, knowing that it could remove a layer of the finish. Mix equal parts paint thinner and a mild soap, such as Murphy Oil Soap. Apply with a sponge or paintbrush. Wipe the solution away with a rag to clear the dirt. You'll likely remove a thin layer of varnish or shellac because the grime may have melded with it. Wood Polish and Conditioner After a rigorous cleaning, wood cabinets are thirsty for moisture and protection. But you want to be careful that you don't make matters worse by using something that will create a new kind of buildup that's a magnet to kitchen grease and grime. You won't find a better product than Howard's Feed-n-Wax Wood Polish and Conditioner. It contains beeswax, carnauba wax, and orange oil to keep the wood from drying out, while at the same time repelling kitchen grease. It's fantastic for all of the wood surfaces in your home, not just your kitchen cabinets. Dear Readers: We would love to hear from you. What topics would you like to read about? Please send your feedback and tips to
Epoch Times
20-05-2025
- General
- Epoch Times
Best Nontoxic, Organic, Safe, and Cheap Weed Control for Yard and Garden
Weeds. Those freeloaders of the garden world. No matter how lovingly you tend your tomatoes or fluff your mulch, those green invaders always show up like uninvited houseguests who overstay their welcome—and bring their cousins. If you've found yourself muttering on your knees while yanking weeds or reading weed killer labels that sound like chemistry class meets hazard training, you're not alone. The good news? You don't need toxic sprays or a Ph.D. in environmental science to fight weeds. Here are seven ways to tackle them that are safe, organic, effective—and won't empty your wallet. Boiling Water: The Instant Knockout Your kettle just became a garden weapon. Pour boiling water directly onto weeds in sidewalk cracks, driveways, or gravel paths. It literally cooks the plant down to the roots. Careful, please! Boiling water may not be toxic, but it could be hazardous to yourself and those nearby tulips when mishandled! Cost: free (unless you count electricity). White Vinegar: Nature's Weed Assassin Make your own weed killer: 1 gallon plain white vinegar (5 percent acidity) 1 cup ordinary cheap table salt (NOT Epsom Salt!) 1 teaspoon dishwashing liquid, like Blue Dawn Mix well in a spray bottle or other such vessel, then spray directly on weeds during a hot, sunny day. It dries them out fast, but beware: It kills any greenery it touches. Repeat as necessary. Cost: around $3-$5. Mulch Like You Mean It Mulch blocks sunlight and keeps weeds from sprouting. Add it thick, especially over cardboard or newspaper for bonus weed-smothering power. Great for garden beds and flower borders. Cost: free to cheap, depending on materials. Corn Gluten Meal: The Preventer Stops weed seeds from germinating. It won't kill existing weeds, but it's great as a preventative in early spring or late summer. Heads up: It'll stop grass seed too—bad timing can backfire. Cost: about $20 per bag. Pull Weeds After Rain Good old-fashioned weeding is easier when the soil is damp. The roots come up with less fight—and pulling them is oddly satisfying. Cost: Free. Bonus points for stress relief. Grampa's Weeder Also known as the Original Stand-Up Weed Puller Tool. This is truly awesome for those who would rather not get down on hand and knee: a long-handled weed puller that lets you uproot weeds without bending, kneeling, or grumbling. Outfitted with a simple claw, it grabs the weed's roots, and a simple tilt of the handle pops it right out. Perfect for dandelions, thistles, crabgrass, and any tap-rooted menace. Cost: around $40 on Amazon. Built to last generations (hence the name). Flame Weeding: For the Bold Use a propane torch to zap weeds in hardscapes and gravel paths. A few seconds of heat breaks plant cell walls and sends weeds into the great beyond. Warning: safety first! Only use away from flammable materials, dry grass, or mulch. Avoid use on windy days. Cost: $40-$80 for the tool. DIY Weed Barrier Forget pricey landscape fabric. Recycle cardboard, newspaper, or old cotton sheets under mulch. They block sunlight, suppress weeds, and break down to improve your soil. Cost: free (and a good excuse to clean out the linen closet). Final Thoughts You don't need chemicals or a home equity loan to keep your garden in shape. Boil it. Spray it. Smother it. Pull it. Or light it up (carefully). These frugal, natural methods will help you take back control without risking your health or your pet's paws. Related Stories 5/24/2024 7/3/2024 And if a weed or two still manages to sneak through? Just call it a reminder that you're gardening with nature, not against it. Dear Readers: We would love to hear from you. What topics would you like to read about? Please send your feedback and tips to
USA Today
18-05-2025
- General
- USA Today
The one-ingredient solution to clean the crusty calcium buildup off of your faucets: Video
The one-ingredient solution to clean the crusty calcium buildup off of your faucets: Video Show Caption Hide Caption How to clean faucet heads easily Remove mineral buildup on faucets with this cleaning tip. Problem Solved We use faucets a lot. You may have noticed a crusty buildup develop the more you use your kitchen sink or shower head. This is typical in areas that have hard water and is caused by the minerals in the water that flows through your pipes, according to Mr. Rooter Plumbing. The ugly buildup is fairly easy to remove. The process can be time-consuming, so you may want to do it in the evening before bed, but the good news is: you barely have to do anything. Watch this video to see how you can easily clean crusty faucets. How to clean a faucet If you can, remove the faucet head from the sink or your showerhead. This will make cleaning it a lot easier, but you can still use this method to clean even if you are not able to remove it. Gently scrub as much of the loose hard scale buildup off of the faucet head with water and a sponge or old toothbrush. Then, place the faucet or faucets into a large resealable plastic bag standing upright, with the crusty side down. Pour in enough distilled white vinegar to cover the bottom of the faucet head. Seal the bag and let it sit for a few hours or overnight. Place the bag in a bowl or other container, just in case it springs a leak. If your faucet head is not removable, use something like a rubber band to secure the bag with vinegar around your faucet so it's still able to soak. The white distilled vinegar will do most of the hard work for you and will also work to descale the inside of the faucet. A lot of the buildup will be left behind, floating in the vinegar once it's done soaking. Brush off any scale still on the faucet with a toothbrush or sponge. Reattach it and flush it with clean water, and it's good as new! Regular maintenance will prevent the need for a deep clean or soak. You can make a solution of even parts white distilled vinegar and water. Spray it on your faucets and shower heads once a week. Let it sit on the faucets for a few minutes before wiping it off. Shop top-rated related products: Cleaning the house Cleaning your faucets is just one cleaning chore. To tackle others, keep a well-stocked cleaning closet with a few essentials that can handle many of the messes you'll encounter. There is no one-stop solution for all stains, but there are some items you should have: Distilled white vinegar. Baking soda. Isopropyl alcohol. Hydrogen peroxide. Blue Dawn dish soap. Bar Keepers Friend. Lemons. Steam cleaner. Distilled water. Don't forget to also stock up on cleaning tools, like microfiber cloths, sponges, spray bottles and gloves.
USA Today
19-02-2025
- Lifestyle
- USA Today
You're not using your lint roller enough. Here's how to get more out of it: Video
Many of us use handheld lint rollers to keep our outfits and upholstery lint-free. The handy tool comes in a variety of sizes, some small enough to fit in your purse. Lint rollers are perfect for that last-minute touch-up that ensures you look like a perfect 10! However, did you know they can do way more than help you and your house look good? The standard handheld rollers are ideal for everyday use, however, there are also lint rollers with a wider roll and a longer, retractable handle. Use these next time you need to capture the lint, pet hair, dust and dirt hiding around your home. Watch this video for 4 different ways to use a lint roller in your home. More ways to use a lint roller One of the biggest perks of using a larger lint roller is that you don't have to break out the ladder or irritate your back bending over to clean some of those hard-to-reach places in your house. However, the handheld one works just as well if you don't have the larger option. Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle. Consider using the lint roller to clean: Soft surfaces and upholstery, like couches, drapes, carpets and lampshades. Inside your drawers, cabinets and shelves. Pesky messes like glitter, sugar, sprinkles or other fine particles on countertops. (Yes, you can lint roll a countertop!) Broken glass. Another alternative here is bread! Hair and pet fur. Felt furniture pads. Stuffed animals. Finer particles that vacuum, broom and dustpan leave behind. For a more sustainable alternative, consider buying a reusable roller. As the name implies, they can be used again and again and just need to be cleaned with soap and water. Lint roller alternatives When you don't have a lint roller handy, use a dryer sheet, wool dryer ball or masking tape to remove lint or fur from your clothes. You can also opt for a longer-lasting, non-disposable option like a lint or garment brush or a pet fur roller. Shop top-rated related products: Purchases you make through our links may earn us and our publishing partners a commission. Cleaning the house Life often brings bigger messes than lint, fur and sugar spills on the countertop. A well-stocked cleaning closet with just a few essentials can help you cope with many of the messes you'll encounter. There is no one-stop solution for all stains, but there are some items you should have: Distilled white vinegar. Baking soda. Isopropyl alcohol. Hydrogen peroxide. Blue Dawn dish soap. Bar Keepers Friend. Lemons. Steam cleaner. Distilled water. Don't forget to also stock up on cleaning tools like microfiber cloths, sponges, spray bottles and gloves.
