Latest news with #TheCleaningAuthority
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
6 Things You Should Never Keep in Your Kitchen Cabinets (Even If You Think It's Fine)
Your kitchen cabinets house a variety of essentials—from your blender to serving pieces and that backstock of chicken broth. But while many items rightfully belong in this space, there probably are a few things you may be storing in your cabinets that simply shouldn't be there. It might not feel like a big deal, but improper storage can lead to more than just disorganization—it can actually damage certain things over time. 'Your kitchen cabinets are meant to be a space of organization and efficiency, helping you whip up meals,' says Laurie Hise, founder of Passionate Penny Pincher. 'But not everything belongs behind those doors!" According to Hise, some items can be affected by temperature shifts, moisture buildup, or simply make your cabinets harder to navigate. Here, experts share six things you should never store in your kitchen cabinets. Katie Dills, president of The Cleaning Authority Laurie Hise, founder of Passionate Penny Pincher Jessica Litman, founder of The Organized Mama You use your cookbooks in your kitchen, so storing them in your kitchen cabinets seems like a pretty logical spot. However, Hise advises against this. 'Cooking and dishwashing produce humidity that can damage cookbooks and handwritten recipes by warping pages or causing moisture issues," she explains. She recommends storing your cookbooks in a dry, cool location away from these sources of humidity and heat. 'Consider a bookshelf in an adjacent dining room or a designated kitchen nook for storage.' Whether you're too busy to do the dishes or you're simply too tired to do a major clean-up, it's hard to deny the convenience of paper tableware like napkins, plates, and cups. But if you don't store them in the right place, you risk ruining them. 'Paper plates and napkins need a dry spot, like a pantry or high shelf," explains Hise. "Steer clear of humid areas to prevent flimsy plates, damp napkins, and possible mold." Many of us store paper towels in our kitchen cabinets, so it might not seem problematic, but Jessica Litman of The Organized Mama says there's a smarter spot for this kitchen staple. 'I know, doesn't sound like a big deal, but if that lower cabinet is around water, and things spill, guess what happens to the paper towel?' she points out. Instead, Litman recommends storing them in a pantry or cabinet away from areas with water. While it doesn't make sense to store those spices anywhere but the kitchen, you shouldn't just keep them in any cabinet spot. Hise suggests making sure your spices are fresh and tasty by keeping them away from the stove and any steamy spots. 'Store them in a cool, dry place like a drawer, a cabinet away from heat, or a countertop rack," she recommends. "Heat and steam kill the flavor, and don't let them last as long.' While it's perfectly fine to leave dish soap by the sink, not all cleaning supplies should be that easy to access, says Katie Dills, president of The Cleaning Authority. 'Many commercially available cleaning products contain harsh chemicals, so you risk accidental contamination if you store these products near any food, cookware, or utensils," she explains. "Additionally, the cabinet is a safety risk for children or pets if it's easily accessible." Did you pick up one of those massive jugs of olive oil or avocado oil at your local warehouse store? While it might be a good deal, it will ultimately be a waste if it goes bad. 'Bulk oils can go rancid quickly, especially if stored near the oven or in a warm cabinet," says Litman. "Instead, keep a small bottle out, and store extras in a cool pantry or basement." Related: 9 Reasons Your Pantry Always Looks So Messy Read the original article on Real Simple
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
6 Things You Should Never Keep in Your Kitchen Cabinets (Even If You Think It's Fine)
Your kitchen cabinets house a variety of essentials—from your blender to serving pieces and that backstock of chicken broth. But while many items rightfully belong in this space, there probably are a few things you may be storing in your cabinets that simply shouldn't be there. It might not feel like a big deal, but improper storage can lead to more than just disorganization—it can actually damage certain things over time. 'Your kitchen cabinets are meant to be a space of organization and efficiency, helping you whip up meals,' says Laurie Hise, founder of Passionate Penny Pincher. 'But not everything belongs behind those doors!" According to Hise, some items can be affected by temperature shifts, moisture buildup, or simply make your cabinets harder to navigate. Here, experts share six things you should never store in your kitchen cabinets. Katie Dills, president of The Cleaning Authority Laurie Hise, founder of Passionate Penny Pincher Jessica Litman, founder of The Organized Mama You use your cookbooks in your kitchen, so storing them in your kitchen cabinets seems like a pretty logical spot. However, Hise advises against this. 'Cooking and dishwashing produce humidity that can damage cookbooks and handwritten recipes by warping pages or causing moisture issues," she explains. She recommends storing your cookbooks in a dry, cool location away from these sources of humidity and heat. 'Consider a bookshelf in an adjacent dining room or a designated kitchen nook for storage.' Whether you're too busy to do the dishes or you're simply too tired to do a major clean-up, it's hard to deny the convenience of paper tableware like napkins, plates, and cups. But if you don't store them in the right place, you risk ruining them. 'Paper plates and napkins need a dry spot, like a pantry or high shelf," explains Hise. "Steer clear of humid areas to prevent flimsy plates, damp napkins, and possible mold." Many of us store paper towels in our kitchen cabinets, so it might not seem problematic, but Jessica Litman of The Organized Mama says there's a smarter spot for this kitchen staple. 'I know, doesn't sound like a big deal, but if that lower cabinet is around water, and things spill, guess what happens to the paper towel?' she points out. Instead, Litman recommends storing them in a pantry or cabinet away from areas with water. While it doesn't make sense to store those spices anywhere but the kitchen, you shouldn't just keep them in any cabinet spot. Hise suggests making sure your spices are fresh and tasty by keeping them away from the stove and any steamy spots. 'Store them in a cool, dry place like a drawer, a cabinet away from heat, or a countertop rack," she recommends. "Heat and steam kill the flavor, and don't let them last as long.' While it's perfectly fine to leave dish soap by the sink, not all cleaning supplies should be that easy to access, says Katie Dills, president of The Cleaning Authority. 'Many commercially available cleaning products contain harsh chemicals, so you risk accidental contamination if you store these products near any food, cookware, or utensils," she explains. "Additionally, the cabinet is a safety risk for children or pets if it's easily accessible." Did you pick up one of those massive jugs of olive oil or avocado oil at your local warehouse store? While it might be a good deal, it will ultimately be a waste if it goes bad. 'Bulk oils can go rancid quickly, especially if stored near the oven or in a warm cabinet," says Litman. "Instead, keep a small bottle out, and store extras in a cool pantry or basement." Related: 9 Reasons Your Pantry Always Looks So Messy Read the original article on Real Simple
Washington Post
13-03-2025
- Lifestyle
- Washington Post
Don't use newspaper to clean windows, and more cleaning myths debunked
Most people are not given formal cleaning lessons. Instead we piece together knowledge and habits from family members, that one friend who knows how to get any type of stain out of any type of material, a video that came across your Instagram feed. But a patchwork of cleaning tips assembled over the years may not represent the best, most efficient or safest way to care for your home and your belongings. Some of those cleaning methods, like using newspaper to polish glass, are simply old-fashioned and outmoded. But others, like the viral 'product overload' trend, are ineffective, wasteful and potentially quite dangerous. Ahead, we've rounded up and debunked some common cleaning myths — and offered alternatives that will leave your home cleaner and safer. It's understandable to think that using a lot of cleaning products will get things more clean, especially when you see someone on TikTok using a half bottle of bleach to clean a tub — but, when it comes to cleaning agents, less is truly more. 'Using more cleaning products while cleaning does not yield the best or even better results,' says Carylanne Brown, a senior Grove guide at Grove Collaborative, a company that specializes in sustainable brands. 'In fact, using too much cleaning product can leave residue or build up on your household surfaces, which in turn can attract more dirt to stick to those surfaces.' For best results, Brown says, 'Be sure to follow the instructions for how much to use, measure precisely, and confirm which surfaces they are safe to use on. I would also recommend avoiding mixing your cleaning products as this can cause dangerous fumes and chemical reactions.' Sure, we all love the cool fizzing reaction that is created by combining baking soda and vinegar, but once the theatrics are over, you're left with, essentially, a saltwater solution. While the mechanical action of the fizzing can loosen some messes (notably: buildup in a slow-moving drain), for the most part, the combination of baking soda and vinegar offers little by way of cleaning power. It's still fun though! It's so easy to forget to clean the things we use to clean other things (especially when the oven comes with that tempting SELF-CLEAN button), but when it comes to major household appliances, like dishwashers and washing machines, as well as smaller cleaning tools like vacuums, don't overlook the need for routine care (and please don't hit that button; you could damage your oven). 'All appliances need regular cleaning and maintenance,' says Katie Dills, the brand president of The Cleaning Authority. 'Dishwashers and washing machines should have periodic cleanings to remove soap scum, mold and mineral buildup. Vacuum cleaners need their filters and brushes cleaned or replaced to maintain performance.' Experts recommend cleaning household appliances every one to three months. Put down that can of pina colada-scented air freshener! "Traditional air freshener and odor removal products typically mask odors instead of removing them," Brown says. She recommends activated charcoal or baking soda to absorb, rather than cover, odors in the home, or good, old-fashioned fresh air. "Sometimes the best way to eliminate odors is to simply let in fresh air — open windows, use exhaust fans, or even invest in an air purifier to improve airflow and reduce lingering smells." When an air freshener is called for, Brown says, "I would recommend seeking formulas that contain essential oils. The use of essential oils can help to purify the air and leave a pleasant scent without the use of synthetic fragrances." Absorbent, lint-free newspaper used to be one of the best options for cleaning windows and other glass surfaces. But that is no longer true, Brown says. 'Modern newspapers are often printed using certain inks that can result in streaking or staining of your windows. Not to mention, in our current digital age, you're less likely to have a bunch of newspapers laying around for this purpose.' Instead, she recommends using microfiber cloths for the job, which she says, 'are an excellent reusable option for keeping your windows sparkling clean with a streak-free shine while creating less waste.' Dish soap is one of the most affordable and versatile cleaning agents out there — you can dilute it to make a mopping solution, dab it on your shirt to pretreat food stains, or use it to wipe down kitchen cabinet fronts — and its ubiquity makes it a tempting choice for a home car wash. But you should avoid using it on your car if you can. Dish soap weakens a car's clear coat, the layer that protects the paint, by stripping away the protective wax coating, leaving the car's paint job vulnerable to nicks and scratches. Instead, invest in a bottle of car wash soap, which is formulated with wax and clear coatings in mind. It will be a worthy investment indeed: A bottle of car wash soap typically costs around $10, whereas a new clear coat job could run you anywhere from $300-$1,000. Distilled white vinegar is a powerful all-natural cleaning agent, but it is not an all-purpose one — there are a number of common household materials and finishes that should never be cleaned with vinegar or other acid-based products. "Vinegar should not be used on natural stone surfaces like granite, marble or limestone because it can damage the stone," Dills says. "It can also strip the finish on certain hardwood floors." Other things you can't clean with vinegar include grout; stainless steel; cast iron; gaskets and other rubber parts; and electronics. This persistent debate, the subject of countless posts on Reddit, is fairly easy to settle. 'Dishwashers are generally more water- and energy-efficient than hand washing, especially for full loads,' Dills says. 'They also provide higher water temperatures, which can lead to better sanitation.' On average, washing dishes by hand uses 8 to 27 gallons of water, compared to the dishwasher, which uses 3 to 4 gallons of water. Given its efficiency, experts recommend using the dishwasher for almost everything, and reserving hand-washing for delicate items like stemware or fine china, heat-sensitive materials like wood or lightweight plastic, or when only a few dishes need to be cleaned. Cast iron pans are considered workhorses in the kitchen because of their durability, natural nonstick cooking surface, and ability to retain heat. But they come with rules for their care and keeping that tend to be conferred with the gravitas of a secret society initiation ritual. One such rule — perhaps the cardinal rule of cast iron cookware! — is that cast iron pans must never be washed with soap, to avoid compromising the nonstick coating created by applying, then heating, thin layers of neutral cooking oil. However, when the oil is heated, it polymerizes, and the change in its structure renders it impervious to soap. So go ahead and wash your cast iron pan with soap; even Lodge, a maker of cast iron skillets and other cookware, says it's okay. Great news for people who hate to mop — there are plenty of other good ways to get hard floors clean! 'Sweeping daily will help clear away any dirt and debris that may accumulate on our hard floors,' Brown says, 'and takes much less time and energy than mopping. You can also use a floor cleaner spray to spot treat spills and messes in-between mopping. Simply spray the affected area and wipe away with a sponge or microfiber cloth.' You'll still need to mop hard floors when deep cleaning is called for, but you can extend the time between mopping to one to three months, depending on how highly trafficked the area is, by using other techniques for routine floor care.
