Most of us can’t imagine living without our dishwashers. When the kitchen is a battle zone, the trusty dishwasher comes to the rescue. Did you know there are things you can do with your dishwasher besides wash dishes? Baseball caps clean up great in the dishwasher, they don’t get bent like they do in the washer, just don’t throw any dishes in with them because the food could get stuck in the fabric. All those little toys and action figures that your toddler is always sticking in his mouth, throw them in a lingerie bag and toss in the dishwasher. … Continue reading →

Tis the season for dusting off the “good stuff.” If you are like me, then you only use your good china and/or silver during the holidays. This sad, but true fact is something I have tried to break free from, but alas, when you have young ones at home, using grandma’s cherished china every day is not really a viable option. With Thanksgiving just a few days away and Christmas right around the corner, now is the time to take a refresher course in how to clean the “good stuff.” If you only use your fine china and silver a … Continue reading →

Tis the season to give your home a good cleaning, just in time for all those holiday guests who will be dropping in to partake in various festivities. Besides dusting, vacuuming and disinfecting bathrooms, bedrooms, the living area and the kitchen, pay special attention to the fireplace. When was the last time you cleaned your fireplace’s brick work? The task can be easily overlooked during the warm summer months when most entertaining takes place outdoors, but during the winter when the family regularly gathers around the fireplace, it’s a good idea to get the hearth in tip-top shape. For tough … Continue reading →

Are you having houseguests for the holidays? I love having company almost as much as I love being company. Mostly because I get to visit with people that I don’t see that often and if I go to their home I get a real glimpse of their world. It makes it easier to imagine the things they tell me about once I’m back home. However, houseguests are not always everyone’s favorites, and it’s usually because of a bad experience with houseguests in the past. If you want to be invited back there are a few simple rules to follow follow: … Continue reading →

We are down to the wire, our houses need to be clean for company. When I’m having company over I always stress about the house, I want it to look nice and I want people to be comfortable in my home. I love having a houseful of people for the holidays. Big dinners, Christmas parties, I love those things. There is nothing better than being surrounded by the people you love. In order to have everyone here and feel good about it, my house needs to be clean. I have so much cooking and baking to do that I don’t … Continue reading →

You know those hosts, who follow their drink-toting guests around the house with coasters, in order to preserve their wood surfaces? That was my grandma. My dear, sweet, beloved grandmother was deathly afraid of getting water stains on her wood furniture. She was especially fearful of black stains, which are indicative of water seeping beyond the finish and into the wood. There isn’t a homeowner around, who wants to deal with water stains, especially ones that damage furniture. However, there is some good news when it comes to water stains. If you treat them right away, there is a good … Continue reading →