Tips for Hot Weather

Well, when it is rainy and cold we have mould to contend with.  When it is hot, it brings other challenges -- not the least of all is hot temperatures inside.  Upstairs is usually ten or 15 degrees hotter as heat rises.  So, it is helpful if everyone could please be compassionate and develop some new habits.

KEEPING IT COOL INSIDE

Keep outer doors closed as much as possible.  Keep windows closed and the blinds drawn shut during the day when you are not here.  It will make such a difference.  By the time you get home at night, the weather almost always cools down and it is a relief to open the windows and get a breeze through the house. 

On the weekends, when it is really hot, keeping the doors, windows and blinds closed keeps the radiant heat (from the sun) out.  It helps keeps the hot wind out, too. 

ANTS, ETC.

Ants and flies and sometimes spiders, but mostly ants come inside during the heat for two things:  food and water.  They don't dive into a dish of water typically, but will look for little bits of water that has been dropped or a tap that is leaking. 

And food.  Keep the counters wiped clean especially of anything sweet.  It is time for everyone to take time to look at what they have in their food cupboards (well not Geroge, because I think he still has no food in there):

·         Take everything out

·         Put about 1/4 cup of vinegar in warm water (the blue ice cream plastic container under the sink (where the garbage bags are stored) is what I use). 

·         Then wipe down the shelves, sides, doors (inside and out)

·         Let it completely dry inside - leave the doors open

·         Before putting the food back in the cupboard, wipe the bottoms and check the lips and around the lids of any glass jars or plastic containers to be sure there is no spilled sweet, sticky stuff to tempt ants

·         Put opened food in plastic or glass containers or use clothes pins to shut the packages tight or rubber bands or plastic bags (grocery bags are good and if it is something small, there are ziploc bags that you can use to protect your food..

·         It may be a good time to check to see if everything is still fresh.

·         Then put everything back in.

·         Keep alert if you see little ant armies moving around or even a couple "scouts".

·         Ants love sugar, honey, fruit juice, candies and syrup. 

·         If you spill some, it is not enough to just wipe it up loosely.  It is sticky so you need to use a little soap or Windex and a paper towel to ensure there is nothing sticky to step in (such in front of the garbage bin)

·         The container next to the kettle, by the way should be no problem because it dispenses a teaspoon at a time and is "closed" otherwise. 

·         When you use sugar, honey, syrup be sure to wipe the lips and tops of the bottles to get all the drippy bits. 

·         Finally, ants are clean creatures, so you just have to shoo them away (move the object where they are feeding) and they will leave - but not if they can find something to eat!  

Spraying around food should not be done.  It can make you sick and Mandarin to be kind to.  Most bug sprays are toxic for pets (cats especially track through it and do not realise and then lick their paws).

OK, stay cool and safe!

New Vinegar Ideas to Keep In Mind

Thanks to everyone in the house for working so well together to keep everything clean and tidy for everyone else!  It has been a long time since we have had such harmony!

I found this YouTube today about more uses for Vinegar and it is great.  Enjoy!

The Washing Machine!

First of all this washing machine may be older than you are, so be kind to it.  Use cold water unless there is a REALLY good excuse to use warm.  Most detergents today work very well in cold water.  It saves energy too.  Some Guidelines:

1.    If you wash your clothes in cold water, fabric colours do not bleed against each other, so sorting whites from colours should not be necessary...UNLESS you just purchased something in a rather bright colour and it was a bargain.  In this case best to wash it the first time in cold water and alone (and with a half cup of white vinegar).

2.   Do not overfill.  It will take about 2 sheets, 2 pillowcases and the equivalent of about four towels.  Overfilling causes the machine to spin out of control and could break the springs inside from the weight, especially if everything in the washing machine has worked itself onto one side.

3.    If you do not have a full load, please wait until you do for three reasons:  it saves water, it saves energy and the washing machine doesn't handle one or two items well and may spin out of control and stop.

4.   If you use powdered detergent it is best to start filling the machine with water and then putting your detergent in, letting it dissolve a little or put in your towels on top of the soap powder as the water is running in.  WARNING:  If you put dark colours in and do not do this, you may find lots of soap power collects on the dark fabric.

5.    Do NOT put soap powder in the little cup in the middle of the washing tub.  It is ONLY for LIQUID fabric softener (like Cuddly).  If you put laundry powder in this cup it rinses completely away and no soap washes your clothes.  Finally, it clogs the machine with soap gunk and the inside of the column (in the middle) has to be scraped out to ensure the machine cleans the clothes in the future.

1. Press Power button once.
2. Press button above "water temperature" for cold.
3. Press Start 

When you press start water begins to fill the machine.  Then add detergent and other additives (such as Vanish).  Pour liquid fabric softener in the middle cup (I run a little water into the fabric softener cap and use it to dilute the softener so it mixes well with the clothes).  Let some water flow into the tub before adding your clothes.  If you use bleach, add it right at the beginning as the water flows in and wait till it is well diluted with the water before you add your clothes unless you are washing only whites.

Once your clothes are in, close the lid and go on your merry way.  It takes about 45 minutes to finish a load.  Please remember others may be waiting to use the machine, so if you do need to go off while doing washing, let someone know so they can take it out for you.

If you have further questions, just ask me.

NEWS + USING THE DRYER IN WINTER

NEWS ITEMS:

• ·         Also remember to wring out the dish cloth and express the water from the sponge to ensure (especially at this time of year) bacteria does not grow.
• ·         It is flu and cold season.  Remember to wash your hands a lot, cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough and drink plenty of fluids.  Perhaps the worst is now over for Bobby, Asiko and Paul and the rest of us won’t get sick.

Finally Winter Drying

• ·         Winter means less sunshine
• ·         Winter means it is cold
• ·         Washing clothes must be done
• ·         Drying clothes is not always possible outside on the line.
• ·         When it is, please try to hang them outside
• ·         Or there are also two drying racks that are sometimes helpful.

             Here is how a clothes dryer works:

If you use the dryer:

1.   Be sure you check the filter first - all the fluff from drying will be stuck there.  Ask someone how to if you do not know how

2.   Do not throw the fluff outside the door, on the floor, behind the dryer or washing machine, or leave it on the bench in the laundry room, throw it in the bin.

3.   Be sure the "fins" of the filter are pointing toward the outside door (not the floor, not up and now toward the inside door)

4.   Be sure the windows in the bathroom and laundry room are open and the bathroom exhaust fan is on.  This is unfortunate for the boys as the dryer is not vented to outside and can't be helped.

5.   THE INSIDE DOOR NEEDS TO STAY SHUT AS IT MAKES IT COLDER IF THE MOIST AIR COMES INTO THE REST OF THE HOUSE AND IT WILL BE COLD ENOUGH!

6.   If it is not night and if it is not raining, open the back door (and do not bother with the windows and exhaust fan) to let the hot air go out (there is a latch behind the door you can fasten so it stays open).

7.   Please lock the inside door if you have the back door open for a while and you are not able to be here.

8.   Do not put metal or plastic objects or candy in the dryer.

9.   Try to always remove your dried clothes and clean the fluff filter before the next person uses the dryer.

10.        if you have any questions about using the dryer, please ask me.

Vinegar Benefits + Winter Mould

There are lots of good YouTube Videos

about cleaning with Vinegar and Baking Soda.

Here is one about mould on the walls.

Mold—that icky, fuzzy stuff that likes to lurk in high and low corners just a few feet beyond your reach or so out of sight (like beside the bed or behind the wardrobe) that you fail to even notice. That’s because the fuzzy stuff loves dark, warm, humid places to live.  

It especially loves leather and anything stuffed into plastic bags (where air is not circulating).  Winter is the time mould grows best in any home.  So now is time to take action and plan a regular inspection each week to ensure mould is not growing around you. When the conditions are right, mold can grow within 24-48 hours. 

If you have not read this blog article yet:  PLEASE READ THIS.

That article has lots of good information that will help us all moderate mould problems during winter and rainy times.  But before you grab a rag or paper towel to just wipe the dusty stuff away, know that is not enough to kill it.  Here are three, non-toxic, natural household solutions for truly eliminating mold.

1. Vinegar

Chances are, you probably already have vinegar in your home. This magic elixir makes meals taste wonderful and stains disappear with equal potency. Vinegar is a mild acid which can kill 82% of mold species. (Baking soda is often used along with vinegar for killing different species of mold.)

To kill mold: Use white distilled vinegar and pour it into a spray bottle without watering it down. Spray the vinegar onto the moldy surface and leave it to sit for an hour. Finally, wipe the area clean with water and allow the surface to dry. Any smell from the vinegar should clear within a few hours, but if it lingers, you can freshen up the space with bowls of lemon water around the area.

2. Baking Soda

Baking soda is a mild, white mineral powder, that can be used to kill mold in your home, plus it is safe for your family and pets. In addition to killing mold, it will absorb moisture to help keep mold away.

To kill mold: Add one quarter of a tablespoon of baking soda to a spray bottle of water and shake until it has dissolved. Spray the moldy area with the baking soda and water solution, then use a sponge or scrub brush to remove all the mold from the surface. Next, rinse the surface with water to remove any residual mold on the surface. Finally, spray the area again and let the surface dry. (This will kill any left-over mold and prevent the mold from returning).

All of these solutions are great non-toxic alternatives to chemical-based cleaners. Not only are they safe to use and safe for the environment, all of these products are inexpensive and easy to find in your local store.  Mold is something you don’t want to ignore.

3. Hydrogen Peroxide

When you want to know how to get rid of mold, know that hydrogen peroxide is your new best friend. Hydrogen peroxide is an anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-bacterial solution that kills mold effectively on a variety of materials such as kitchen appliances, bathroom fixtures, floors and walls.

To kill mold: Pour 3% concentration hydrogen peroxide into a spray bottle. Saturate the moldy surface completely and leave it to sit for ten minutes. Next, scrub the area to remove all of the mold and mold stains. And finally, wipe the surface down to remove residual mold and spores. You’ll want to take extra care if the mold is growing on delicate surfaces, as hydrogen peroxide can act as a bleach.

After you, vacuum and treat your walls, floor or wherever you find mould, be sure to let it dry well.  When you move your furniture back into place be sure there is a bit of space all around the furniture pieces so air can circulate.  

Finally, every room has a space heater to use when you are in the room.  Please do not leave it going when you are away from your room for any length of time and of course ensure there is nothing close to the heater that might ignite.

More stuff about the magic of Vinegar.

More on Microwaves

Who would have guessed that the day after I write a new blog article about cleaning the ovens and refrigerator in the house, that a new article would come out about sharing a microwave.  Take a moment to read it.


Also they address the use of plastics in microwaves here and this is an important article to take time to read as well.  

Enjoy!

Ovens and Fridge Cleaning

Using the stove oven seems intuitive enough.  You just put stuff you want to roast or bake in it, turn it on and set the heat and wait.  

If it is something particularly greasy (such as a roast) lots of fat melts off and coats the inside of the oven.  Most times this is not noticed in our rush to consume the yummy stuff we have made.  But someone eventually has to clean the left over grease coating in the oven or it begins to make other stuff cooked in the oven taste funny or not cook properly.  

EASY - NO-SCRUB METHOD

1. Pre-heat the oven to where the surface inside is warm to the touch, but not hot.
2. While it is heating up make a smooth, thin paste of baking soda and vinegar (yes it is neat to watch it fizz up) 
3. Spread the paste around the inside of the pre-warmed oven coating all the surfaces, especially the areas that are especially messy
4. Close the oven door and go do something else (maybe clean the refrigerator).
5. Let the paste sit on the walls and floor, ceiling and inside of the door until the oven is cool again.  
6. Fill a little bucket, basin or the sink with warm, clear water
7. Moisten a sponge or soft cloth and wipe it off the paste
8. Most of the mess will come off easily.    

NEVER USE A KNIFE OR A TOOL OR SCRUBBER 

THAT WILL SCRATCH THE SURFACE 

OF THE ENAMEL OF THE OVEN!

The damage done from scrubbing with a scratching implement makes it nearly impossible to clean the oven in the future, because the grease will embed and bake itself into the tiny scratches left behind.  Just repeat the eight steps above a second (and maybe even a third) time, coating the specific troublesome area(s) until the baking power and vinegar melts off the grease and grime.

I just found this SUPER ARTICLE that you can read to know the best way to keep our oven clean and it also has a video in it about how to clean the refrigerator. 

REFRIGERATOR CLEANING

Obviously, if you spill something in the refrigerator you would know to wipe it up immediately with a damp cloth.  However, over time lots of fluff and liquids and stuff that is unrecognisable begins to appear as if out of nowhere in every refrigerator.

Regularly checking for use by dates or when smells grow beyond "something died in the fridge!" can be the first sign it's time to actually pull everything out and wash all the shelves, walls and ceiling of the inside surfaces of the fridge.  

Recommended not to do this on the hottest day of the year, and if it is important that you do clean the fridge on a hot day, bring in the old Eskie and put the most perishable items in it while you focus on your task. 

Once the food is all out, take time to check the shelves in the door(s) and the veggie crisper drawer at the bottom.  Remove each of these carefully and set them aside on the counter for a bit.

Here is where baking soda comes into play again.  Dissolve about a half cup of baking soda in a liter of warm water.  I use an old plastic ice cream bucket.  And wipe everything down with a soft cloth soaked in this mixture.  (I wear rubber gloves any time I am working in water, so you might want to consider this.)

DO NOT USE SOAP OR OTHER TYPES 

OF CLEANERS INSIDE THE REFRIGERATOR.  

There is only one product I've found that is specifically made for cleaning inside the refrigerator that is safe on all surfaces.  It is called "Vanilla Fridge Spray" that not only cleans gently, but also leaves behind the pleasant scent of vanilla (which also helps mask some unpleasant stale odors in a fridge).   You can also MAKE YOUR OWN, if you like to clean out your fridge and freezer with super-smelling results.  

But I find baking soda is more than sufficient and if you leave a box of it open in the fridge and freezer it will absorb the stale orders before they embed themselves in the walls of your fridge. 

If you find some stubborn stains in the fridge, just put some of the baking soda paste on it, close the door and leave it soak a bit.  

Then clean each of the shelves and the door shelves and the crisper drawer and let them air dry.  

NOTE:  Air drying dishes, etc., 

minimises the transferance of bacteria 

from a dish towel onto a dish.  

So whenever possible let stuff air dry rather than wiping it with a dish towel.  If you are in a hurry and must dry something, use paper towels, as they are fresh and will not be hiding any bacteria.   

(Will get to cleaning the freezer another time.)

MICROWAVE OVEN CLEANING

First, when you use a microwave oven, we all know not to put metal implements or aluminum foil inside the oven, I hope.  If you do there will be heaps of sparks and serious-sounding popping noises, and the build up of heat can actually explode the microwave.  

If this happens the microwave is no longer safe and will need to be replaced.  Since I've already replaced the microwave five times in the last eight years, it will be your responsibility if you forget.

Please, do not put something inside the microwave to warm up that will spatter (such as meat or sauce or soup) without covering it with either a paper towel (highly recommended) or some cling wrap (Although I caution you not to use cling wrap as some studies have indicated this can produce cancer-causing particles to invade or coat your food.)  

Unless a dish or plastic container is specifically marked microwave safe, it is best to search out another container, as other containers might explode or give off fumes that coat your food with highly unrecommended film.  Hence, using papertowels is best.  

If, for all your best efforts, something spatters onto the walls or other surfaces inside the microwave, please take a moment to clean it up immediately.  If you do not, these splatters cake on and become more difficult to clean off and sometimes even stain the inside of the surface.  

Cleaning the inside of the microwave is just like cleaning the inside of the refrigerator or freezer. 

1. Prepare baking soda dissolved in water or the Vanilla Fridge Spray.  
2. Unplug the microwave.
3. Take out the glass plate and spinning wheel inside
4. Wash these in soapy water 
5. Let them dry in the dish drain while you finish the task
6. Please be careful of the glass plate.  It is heavy and breaks like crystal (many small pieces scatter all over the place if you drop it).  

IF YOU DROP AND BREAK THE GLASS PLATE 

INSIDE THE MICROWAVE

 - THE MICROWAVE CANNOT BE USED 

UNTIL A NEW ONE IS PURCHASED TO REPLACE IT.

7. Then wipe clean all the surfaces of the inside of the microwave.  
8. Do not use any scratching implement - EVER
9. Do not remove or get the little cardboard panel you may notice on the one side of the microwave.  
10. Once every surface is clean, leave the door open for a bit so it dries out thoroughly
11. Place the dry spinning wheel inside and ensure the plate is properly seated inside so it will spin automatically.
12. Plug the microwave back in.

Be sure to test the spinning plate inside by putting a small cup of water inside and off to the side a bit.  Close the door and step back to ensure that it spins around smoothly.  If so, take the cup out and you are done.  If it does not spin properly, take the cup out and fiddle with the glass plate to ensure it is seated properly on the spinning wheel.  Test it again to be sure it is right.

NEVER EVER WATCH YOUR FOOD INSIDE 

THE MICROWAVE WHILE IT IS COOKING!

Studies have shown this is a possible contributor to glaucoma.  This eye condition affects your sight by beginning to block out the middle view of your eyes and leaving you only able to see out of the sides of your eyes (peripheral vision).  It is progressive and cannot be reversed once it begins.