Entries Tagged 'Cleaning' ↓

Whether you’ve just experienced a hot and heavy lip locking session with your husband or you’ve just given a friendly hug, lipstick can easily get onto the collar of your or your husbands shirt. No more smudges and pesky stains caused by lipstick as it can easily be removed by following any of the suggestions.

Sometimes the stains are not noticed right away which means the stain has time to set in, making it even more difficult to remove. However, if the lipstick stain is noticed once you get home, start by creating a plan of attack for the best results.

1. Out and About - If you are out when you notice the stain and don’t have the necessary equipment at your disposal, you can always dab, (not rub!) the stain with water. This should suffice until you get home.

2. Labels - Very important! Before moving on, read the care label of the shirt to see if the fabric calls for any special care or treatment, or if certain products should be avoided. Many shirts require special treatment such as dry clean, you may need to take the item directly to the professional.

3. Stain Removers - Because lipstick is a grease-based cosmetic, it is recommended to use a prewash stain remover before washing or rinsing the shirt. Apply a prewash stain remover and rinse in warm water. Do not rub, as rubbing may worsen the stain and can make it more grounded. Blot or dab the stain with the stain remover by using a white cloth. If the stain still isn’t out, apply a liquid detergent and rinse again in warm water.

4. Dish Washing Detergent - Another home remedy is dishwashing detergent such as Sunlight and Dawn, both formulated to fight grease. For this method of lipstick stain removal, dab on a little detergent, let it set for about 10 minutes, and then gently begin working on the stain from the outside edges inward.

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A fur coat is no impulse purchase. It is also not a wash and wear garment that you can clean quickly at the neighborhood dry cleaner. Fur coats are decadent and expensive luxury fabrics that have specific instructions for their meticulous cleaning and maintenance regimen. For fur coat connoisseurs who wish to clean their suitably stylish coats, use these tips to rid your coat from dust and grime and restore your fur to its original soft and fluffy texture.

If your on of those wives who love their non stick pans, reading the article below might sway you to switch them out for a healthier cooking alternative. Or if you cannot part with them at all, here are some tips to keeping them in tip top condition.

Health Concerns: Teflon contains highly toxic chemicals that may be released into your foods when the pan becomes scorched or starts to peel. The chemicals that manufacturers use to create the seemingly magic lining of nonstick cookware could end up damaging your liver or thyroid, or messing with your immune system. Reduce the risk of endocrine- and immune-system damage by ditching Teflon and other cookware made with fluoropolymers and fluorinated telomers. When replacing your pots and pans coated in Teflon, you should consider replacing them with cast iron or stainless steel cookware.

Replacing: If you must keep your teflon pots and pans replace them every two to three years or sooner if they have burned or the coating has begun to peel. This will depend on the wear of the pan, which can be determined by how well you have cared for it.

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Odors from last night’s dinner can become nauseating when the smell just won’t leave the house. Fried fish is a common culprit of this problem as are other exotic foods with strong flavors and spices. To remove the lingering odor we need to remove the source of the smell. If it can’t be found, there are ways to neutralize it. Follow these steps to clear the air.

1. Store Leftovers Properly - As soon as you’re finished cooking and eating, gather all leftovers, place them in tightly sealed containers or plastic wrapping and put them away. Leaving food sitting out allows smells to linger, and improperly stored leftovers can create unwanted odors. Prevent this from happening by storing food effectively and in a timely manner. Don’t leave food sitting out for more than a couple of hours. Also be certain to put away any cooking ingredients you’ve used. Don’t leave ingredients like sauces, seasonings and cooking oil open and out. Seal all ingredients and put them back where they belong.

2. Clean Cooking Dishes Promptly - If you don’t want your kitchen to smell, wash all dirty dishes immediately. Make sure you rinse off all food and wash it down the drain. If you don’t have a garbage disposal, scrape all of the food off of your plate and into the trash before rinsing. Even if you don’t have time to wash the dishes completely, rinse them off at the very least and leave pots and pans to soak in soapy water. Leaving pots full of food on the stove or in the sink will create unwanted odors (and also attract unwanted bugs).

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A few weeks ago, Mina, from the website MiniPiccolini asked me to share with her readers my top 10 favorite things for wives. Below are my favorite things every wife should have in her life.

1. William Sonoma - A wondrous playground for any wife who loves to cook in her kitchen. This charming store provides tools to make preparation easier, cooking classes for those who want to learn, and inspiration around every corner for those looking for creativity. www.williamsonoma.com

2. Mrs. Meyers – Every wife should have an eco friendly conscious when shopping for her household. Enter Mrs. Meyers… A collection of household products with essential oils from flowers and herbs that pack a real punch against daily dirt and grim. From dish soap to laundry detergent to window cleaners Mrs. Meyers brings a powerful clean and a garden fresh scent to your home. All their products are earth friendly, bio degradable, non toxic and never tested on animals. www.mrsmeyers.com

3. Emily Post Etiquette Book - Every wife should always carry herself like a true lady. Emily Post’s discourses on etiquette is said to be one of the most useful reference books published, next to a dictionary, a thesaurus and a world atlas. The new edition has discussions on perennially necessary topics, such as where to place a soup spoon when setting a formal table and whether one may wear white after Labor Day (the answer is yes). This integration of new material with old, showing respect and consideration for others while placing a premium on honesty, graciousness and deference. It also serves as a reminder of how individual choices may affect others and how easy it is to choose—words, wardrobes, gifts and actions—more wisely. $27.00 on Amazon.Com

4. Stationer - Every wife can benefit from a very creative and talented stationer. While I take my services to Jonathan Wright and Sugar Paper in Los Angeles, They are always there to help with last minute gifts and an abundance of greeting cards for every occasion. Your stationer can also aid you in the designing all of life’s celebrations from wedding invitations to birth announcements to personal stationary for thank you notes. Jonathan Wright 7404 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90036 323 931 1710; Sugar Paper 253 26^th Street, Brentwood, California 310 451 7870

5. La Perla – Just like the age old saying “A lamb in the kitchen and a tiger in the bedroom.” What better way to inspire a healthy and consistent sex life with your husband than with luxurious lingerie from La Perla. Every man can appreciate his wife coming to bed in a flirtatious silk night gown or something else a little more provocative. www.laperla.com

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With Summer in full swing I’m sure your car can get quite smelly with sweaty kids, trips to the dog beach or Summer road trips. Enter my little secret weapon ….Dryer Sheets! Tuck a few dryer sheets into a back seat side door open compartment or if you have an SUV use the side trunk consoles. All Summer long your car will be smelling like fresh laundry. *Note - This does not work with eco- friendly dryer sheets. - Taryn Cox for THE WIFE.

The one women you should trust with cleaning tips for your precious jewels is Amber Berger. She began her career at Michael C. Fina, before learning and excelling as a luxury goods buyer at Gucci, Cartier, and Henri Bendel and HauteLook.com. Then Launching AStarr, As a full service personal jeweler, Amber exceeds her customer’s expectations while simplifying their lives, With unique style, invaluable experience and an impeccable reputation.

You’d be shocked at how dirty your jewelry gets if you looked through the lense of a microscope. Soap scum, grease, dirt, skin cells, and little hairs will collect in crevasses and beneath gemstones unless you carry out a routine cleaning program. The least bit of film from skin oil, soap or hand lotion will change the sparkle of stone, especially a diamonds, and most of the brilliance will be lost so make sure jewelry cleaning is a priority on your list so you can show off your sparkly gems. We suggest weekly cleaning followed by professional cleaning twice a year. - Amber Berger for Astarr

1. Separate out your jewelry Divide your jewelry to be cleaned into 3 groups: Delicate, Medium and Strong. Each category will have to be cleaned differently so it is best to separate first in order to avid confusion.

2. Do not clean Some items that you just should not attempt to clean at all include hair jewelry (popular in the Victorian era); jewelry set with real scarabs, butterflies and other delicate materials; jewelry with foil-backed stones; and jewelry whose materials are in doubt. In addition, there may be a natural patina (as opposed to dirt) on antique jewelry that should not be removed, and some modern jewelry may have applied finishes that could be damaged if not handled with care. When in doubt, ask a jeweler.

3. Create a safe environment You want to ensure that you do not lose any stones during cleaning, especially for jewelry that has been worn a lot or pieces with lightweight settings. It is gross to think about but the build-up of dirt may actually be all that is keeping a stone in its setting!

Have your supplies handy:

• Soft flannel cloth
• Soft brush: child’s soft-bristled toothbrush, Eye shadow brush
• Ivory liquid or similar mild dishwashing liquid
• Carry out the cleaning in a small bowl, and check carefully for missing stones before pouring out the solution.

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The unique design of the Dryerballs lift and separate fabrics while relaxing fibers. The result is less lint and wrinkles, softer clothes, more absorbent towels and a reduced drying time of up to 25% - saving you moolah! Best of all, it’s toxic-free, environmentally friendly, and guaranteed to last up to 2 years. That’s equivalent to a whole lotta dryer sheets. $16.00.

www.nelliesallnatural.com

55. AS SECOND IN COMMAND IN THE HOUSE, except in large establishments, where there is a house steward, the housekeeper must consider herself as the immediate representative of her mistress, and bring, to the management of the household, all those qualities of honesty, industry, and vigilance, in the same degree as if she were at the head of her own family. Constantly on the watch to detect any wrong-doing on the part of any of the domestics, she will overlook all that goes on in the house, and will see that every department is thoroughly attended to, and that the servants are comfortable, at the same time that their various duties are properly performed.

Cleanliness, punctuality, order, and method, are essentials in the character of a good housekeeper. Without the first, no household can be said to be well managed. The second is equally all-important; for those who are under the housekeeper will take their “cue” from her; and in the same proportion as punctuality governs her movements, so will it theirs. Order, again, is indispensable; for by it we wish to be understood that “there should be a place for everything, and everything in its place.” Method, too, is most necessary; for when the work is properly contrived, and each part arranged in regular succession, it will be done more quickly and more effectually.

56. A NECESSARY QUALIFICATION FOR A HOUSEKEEPER is, that she should thoroughly understand accounts. She will have to write in her books an accurate registry of all sums paid for any and every purpose, all the current expenses of the house, tradesmen’s bills, and other extraneous matter. As we have mentioned under the head of the Mistress (see 16), a housekeeper’s accounts should be periodically balanced, and examined by the head of the house. Nothing tends more to the satisfaction of both employer and employed, than this arrangement. “Short reckonings make long friends,” stands good in this case, as in others.

It will be found an excellent plan to take an account of every article which comes into the house connected with housekeeping, and is not paid for at the time. The book containing these entries can then be compared with the bills sent in by the various tradesmen, so that any discrepancy can be inquired into and set right. An intelligent housekeeper will, by this means, too, be better able to judge of the average consumption of each article by the household; and if that quantity be, at any time, exceeded, the cause may be discovered and rectified, if it proceed from waste or carelessness.

57. ALTHOUGH IN THE DEPARTMENT OF THE COOK, the housekeeper does not generally much interfere, yet it is necessary that she should possess a good knowledge of the culinary art, as, in many instances, it may be requisite for her to take the superintendence of the kitchen. As a rule, it may be stated, that the housekeeper, in those establishments where there is no house steward or man cook, undertakes the preparation of the confectionary, attends to the preserving and pickling of fruits and vegetables; and, in a general way, to the more difficult branches of the art of cookery.

Much of these arrangements will depend, however, on the qualifications of the cook; for instance, if she be an able artiste, there will be but little necessity for the housekeeper to interfere, except in the already noticed articles of confectionary, &c. On the contrary, if the cook be not so clever an adept in her art, then it will be requisite for the housekeeper to give more of her attention to the business of the kitchen, than in the former case. It will be one of the duties of the housekeeper to attend to the marketing, in the absence of either a house steward or man cook.

58. THE DAILY DUTIES OF A HOUSEKEEPER are regulated, in a great measure, by the extent of the establishment she superintends. She should, however, rise early, and see that all the domestics are duly performing their work, and that everything is progressing satisfactorily for the preparation of the breakfast for the household and family. After breakfast, which, in large establishments, she will take in the “housekeeper’s room” with the lady’s-maid, butler, and valet, and where they will be waited on by the still-room maid, she will, on various days set apart for each purpose, carefully examine the household linen, with a view to its being repaired, or to a further quantity being put in hand to be made; she will also see that the furniture throughout the house is well rubbed and polished; and will, besides, attend to all the necessary details of marketing and ordering goods from the tradesmen.

The housekeeper’s room is generally made use of by the lady’s-maid, butler, and valet, who take there their breakfast, tea, and supper. The lady’s-maid will also use this apartment as a sitting-room, when not engaged with her lady, or with some other duties, which would call her elsewhere. In different establishments, according to their size and the rank of the family, different rules of course prevail. For instance, in the mansions of those of very high rank, and where there is a house steward, there are two distinct tables kept, one in the steward’s room for the principal members of the household, the other in the servants’ hall, for the other domestics. At the steward’s dinner-table, the steward and housekeeper preside; and here, also, are present the lady’s-maid, butler, valet, and head gardener. Should any visitors be staying with the family, their servants, generally the valet and lady’s-maid, will be admitted to the steward’s table.

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Linea Carta tea towels are some of my favorite dish towels in my kitchen. They are made locally in California and produced from sustainable linen. They make adorable housewarming gifts and would hang perfectly in any kitchen with a convenient fabric hook. “18 x 24″, $22.00 each.

www.Linea-Carta.Com

Twist Sponges are perfect for THE WIFE who wants to do dishes with an organic and sustainable product. The cheery packaging and fun names like ” Dish Dumpling” and “Sponge Blossoms” will inspire you to buy more. Every sponge product they produce is Chemical Free, Dye Free, Biodegradable and made up with materials like Hemp, Bamboo and Natural Loofah. Some sponges are even packed in agave wrappers instead of plastic, a must to put on your shopping list! Available at Whole Foods. - THE WIFE

The “Ravioli Scrubby” Great for scrubbing hard to clean pots and pans, $3.00

The “Dish Dumpling” is perfect for baked on foods, $3.00

The “Sponge Blossoms” are super small and easy to store, until ready to use. Just throw them in water and they grow to their actual size.

www.TwistClean.Com

How To Shine Shoes

I’m sure every WIFE wants to send their darling husband off to work in style. So what better time then now to learn how to shine your husband’s shoes. I’m sure He’ll be delighted the next time he goes to lace up a pair and is surprised by how they sparkle. There are a lot of opinions when it comes to the best way to shine a shoe and everyone has their own unique twist. The process below is a simple one that many military bases use. - THE WIFE.

Step 1: Find an old towel or newspaper to spread over the area you will be working on. Shoe polish has an uncanny ability to get smeared everywhere even when you’re being extremely careful…and it’s really hard to get out of carpet.

Step 2: Clean the dust and dirt off your boots with a horsehair shine brush or damp rag. If you must get your boots a little wet to clean them off, allow them time to dry before applying the polish.

Step 3: Cover the entire shoe with a generous amount of polish, using your shoe polish brush, Be sure to match the color of the polish to your shoe as closely as possible. Make sure you get down in the seams of the shoe and attempt to cover evenly with polish. Allow 15 minutes for the polish to dry.

Step 4: Brush the entire shoe vigorously using the horsehair shine brush. The point of this is to basically brush off all the excess polish, leaving only a small film on the outside of the shoe.

Step 5: Once you feel comfortable that the entire shoe has been covered and brushed it is time to buff to a gleaming shine with a clean cotton cloth, such as an old sweat sock or T-shirt. - The Art of Manliness

Building a Shoe Shine Kit:

The items you need:

• tin of wax polish
• horsehair shine brush
• shoe polish brush (applicator)
• shine cloth

The point of ironing a newspaper is not as ridiculous as it sounds. Many butlers and 5 star hotels still practice this age old tradition. Not only does it eliminate creases and make the paper crisp and easier to read, but the hot iron drys the ink so the reader does not end up with dark smudged fingertips. The ink should remain on the paper and not on your hands to go along with reminder of the front headline news. This timeless problem is now fixable, you’ll wonder how you ever read the Sunday Times without it.

Set your iron on the lowest settling to warm. The newspaper needs to be ironed from the top downward and then folded lossley in a horizontal fashion before being handed to the reader. So now when graciously serving your Husband breakfast, you can also hand him a wrinkle and ink free business section. - THE WIFE

Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day products provide an effective alternative for people who are concerned with the environmental effects of conventional cleaning products. Our formulas combine natural essential oils with leading-edge cleaning know-how to provide an enjoyable, safe experience for our customers. Mrs. Meyers cleaning products not only come in the most adorable packaging, but do a wonderful job of cleaning my home. They use naturally derived ingredients from nature, are biodegradable, free of chemicals and are never tested on animals. They come in 4 fantastic scents: Basil (My Favorite), Lavender, Lemon Verbena and Geranium. Mrs. Meyer’s also has an Amazing Baby Care and Pet Care Cleaning Line. They can be found at Target, Whole Foods Market and Bed Bath and Beyond and are worth every penny spent.