Month: March 2018

Granite or ???

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Is Granite Going Out of Style? This is an article from Home Advisor with some interesting information.  You have lots of options.  Here is a place to learn a little bit about some of them.

Could granite’s 30-year reign be coming to an end?  Granite remains a solid choice, as it is both durable and attractive and it’s become increasingly affordable. But there’s just no denying granite’s seeming decline. As homeowners opt for more modern kitchen designs, they’re also opting for more understated countertop alternatives.

Here’s a quick look at some of the countertop’s hottest contenders:

Engineered Quartz:

Perhaps granite’s top competitor, engineered quartz offers the beauty of stone without the maintenance. It’s tougher than granite, and it’s highly resistant to scratching, cracking, staining and heat. Unlike granite, which offers the unique qualities of natural stone, engineered quartz is largely uniform; because it’s engineered, there’s no choice of one-of-a-kind slab. There are, however, a number of colors and designs available from stark modern whites to options closely resembling marble. And, because engineered quartz is non-porous, it never has to be sealed like natural stone.

Wood:

Homeowners seek and appreciate natural wood countertops particularly easy butcher blocks and those custom-created by quality craftsmen. While wood countertops can add warmth, balance, and beauty to any modern home, they require a fair amount of maintenance. Because wood is susceptible to damage from heat and moisture, it must be sealed about once a month. The best part about wood, though, is that it can be refinished in the event that damage does occur.

Soapstone:

Soapstone is an attractive, natural quarried stone that ranges from light gray to green-black in color. While the material is soft and pliable, it’s nonporous so doesn’t require regular sealing like granite. Soapstone is resistant to stains and acidic materials. The downside to soapstone is that it is susceptible to scratches and deep indentations. Light gray soapstone will weather and darken over time, occasionally developing a patina finish. The material comes in smaller slabs so seams will be visible in soapstone countertops longer than seven feet.

Concrete:

Concrete countertops came onto the scene in the 1980s and they’ve evolved since. These days, precast concrete countertops are available in a number of different colors. Generally, they’re flat and smooth, and they can run from 1.5 inches to 10 feet long. While concrete countertops have historically cracked and chipped easily, recent innovations have made them less prone to damage. Concrete is naturally strong and heat-resistant, and slabs can be sealed to prevent staining.

Stainless Steel:

There’s a reason restaurants use stainless steel countertops in their kitchens. It’s heat-, rust- and stain-resistant; it’s easy to clean, and it won’t absorb or harbor even the toughest bacteria. The downside to stainless steel countertops is that they scratch easily and they show it. For this reason, it’s best to use a cutting board anytime you’re prepping food on a stainless steel countertop. It’s a good idea to choose a brushed stainless finish that will help conceal any marks. At first blush, you may think that stainless feels ultramodern or cold, but a balance of stainless steel and wood can create a warm, timeless and uber-functional kitchen.

Not Sure Which Countertop to Choose?

When you’re remodeling your kitchen, the most important question to ask yourself is this: Are you remodeling for yourself or a potential buyer? If you’re remodeling for yourself, go with what you like best. And if you love granite, by all means, go with granite! But if you’re remodeling with an eye toward selling, go with a more neutral option. You’ll get the upscale look you’re going for without alienating granite-tired buyers.

 

Granite or ???

Look What is Under the Stairs

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Love these ten clever under-stair design solutions.  It does not have to be a waste of space or a closet.

10 Smart and Surprising Under-Stair Design Solutions
A sloped ceiling, low-head height, and limited access to sunlight might mean some design restrictions, but that doesn’t mean that the area under a staircase is doomed to be a completely unusable space in your home.

In most multi-level residences, the space under stairs can create some unusual, awkwardly shaped spaces that can be difficult to program. Between its low-head height, sloped ceiling, and small square footage, it can be difficult to make this space useful Fortunately, several designers have come up with creative solutions to render this difficult spot under staircases as viable square footage in even the smallest of homes, where every inch counts. Take a look at some of the ways homeowners, architects, and interior designers have approached this challenging area of the home and turned it into a place of beauty and even respite.

1) A Child’s Bright Workspace

10 Smart and Surprising Under-Stair Design Solutions - Photo 1 of 10 - In this home by O’Neill Rose Architects in Queens, New York, three generations of a family were living in a single house, including a young girl. To provide a space for her to complete her schoolwork, the architects designed this bright, energetic desk area under the stairs, but managed to make the space feel like anything but an afterthought.This space was designed for a younger student under the stairs and managed to make space feel like anything but an afterthought.

2) A Hidden Bar Cart on Wheels

10 Smart and Surprising Under-Stair Design Solutions - Photo 2 of 10 - A mobile bar cart with room for kitchen storage is not the most traditional under-stair solution, but it's proven to be critical in the design of this kitchen and living space in Seattle by designer David Sarti. Its plywood construction, black knobs, and bright red casters mean that this design is meant to be noticed rather than be ignored.

A mobile bar cart with room for kitchen storage is not the most traditional under-stair solution, but it’s proven to be critical in the design of this kitchen and living space. Its plywood construction, black knobs, and bright red casters mean that this design is meant to be noticed rather than be ignored.

3) A Wood-Clad Office Nook

10 Smart and Surprising Under-Stair Design Solutions - Photo 3 of 10 - In this home in Austin, Texas, architect Kevin Alter of Alterstudio renovated a 1920s bungalow to include a rustic but modern office nook under the new stairs leading to a second floor. By outfitting the walls of the office in knotty pine, the space contrasts with the surrounding white walls and becomes a design feature rather than a forgotten space. 
Here is a rustic but modern office nook under the new stairs leading to a second floor. By outfitting the walls of the office in knotty pine, space contrasts with the surrounding white walls and becomes a design feature rather than a forgotten space.

4) Elegantly Detailed Custom Cabinets
10 Smart and Surprising Under-Stair Design Solutions - Photo 4 of 10 - In a Brooklyn home renovated by Office of Architecture, subtle details on bright white cabinets keep this space under the stairs from feeling anything but dark and dreary, despite the dark wood treads and risers and black iron handrail. Thoughtful details, like simple, geometric hardware and hidden hinges, keep this often-awkward space useful and appealing.
 Subtle details on bright white cabinets keep this space under the stairs from feeling anything but dark and dreary, despite the dark wood treads and risers and black iron handrail. Thoughtful details, like simple, geometric hardware and hidden hinges, keep this often-awkward space useful and appealing.

5) Living Room Overflow Space

10 Smart and Surprising Under-Stair Design Solutions - Photo 5 of 10 - In this home by architect Charlie Lazor in Minneapolis, the space under this open-riser metal stair has been allocated as overflow storage and seating for the living room. Although it may initially seem like an unusable area, the height of the stair means that the space is in fact usable by someone seated or reaching for items in the storage cabinet along the back wall. By carefully placing the chairs, the space appears useful but not cluttered.
The space under this open-riser metal stair has been allocated as overflow storage and seating for the living room. Although it may initially seem like an unusable area, the height of the stair means that space is, in fact, usable by someone seated or reaching for items in the storage cabinet along the back wall. By carefully placing the chairs, the space appears useful but not cluttered.

6) Space-Saving Kitchen Storage

10 Smart and Surprising Under-Stair Design Solutions - Photo 6 of 10 - In this 240-square-foot apartment in New York City with a sleeping loft over the kitchen, architect Tim Seggerman didn't waste a single inch by locating kitchen cabinets and open shelving on the underside of the staircase that leads up to the lofted bed. The angle of the steps was incorporated into the shelves, which accommodates items like a single paper towel roll or small mugs under the lower steps, then graduating to larger sliding cabinets under the higher steps. 
In this 240-square-foot apartment with a sleeping loft over the kitchen, the architect didn’t waste a single inch by locating kitchen cabinets and open shelving on the underside of the staircase that leads up to the lofted bed. The angle of the steps was incorporated into the shelves, which accommodates items like a single paper towel roll or small mugs under the lower steps, then graduating to larger sliding cabinets under the higher steps.

7) Statement Storage and Office Space

10 Smart and Surprising Under-Stair Design Solutions - Photo 7 of 10 - In the family room of this former industrial loft in Brooklyn that was renovated by SABO project, a new staircase leads to a mezzanine level. The alternating tread steps double as cabinets that are free of knobs and visible hardware, creating a graphic statement piece in the room. The cabinets give way to a workspace that's complete with open and closed shelving so that the space can remain uncluttered.
In the family room of this former industrial loft, a new staircase leads to a mezzanine level. The alternating tread steps double as cabinets that are free of knobs and visible hardware, creating a graphic statement piece in the room. The cabinets give way to a workspace that’s complete with open and closed shelving so that the space can remain uncluttered.

8) A Space For an Elegant Vignette

10 Smart and Surprising Under-Stair Design Solutions - Photo 8 of 10 - In homes that aren't short on square footage, the space under a staircase can be the perfect spot to create a beautiful ensemble of items like a grouping of your favorite vases or a special piece of furniture. In this home near Bristol, England, that was designed by Paul Archer, the space under a stairway was made visually, if not programmatically, useful by locating a glass table and vase with simple lines to create a subtle, minimalist vignette.
In homes that aren’t short on square footage, the space under a staircase can be the perfect spot to create a beautiful ensemble of items like a grouping of your favorite vases or a special piece of furniture. The space under a stairway was made visually, if not programmatically, useful by locating a glass table and vase with simple lines to create a subtle, minimalist vignette

.

Look What is Under the Stairs

PECAN PIE CHEESECAKE

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I am not a big Cheesecake fan, but I do LOVE Pecan Pie, so this combination just might be beyond wonderful. Test it out and let me know what you think.  I will be trying it later this month.

Screen Shot 2018-03-26 at 8.05.30 AM

INGREDIENTS

GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST

      • 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
      • 1/3 cup sugar
      • 8 tablespoons butter, melted

PECAN FILLING

    • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
    • 3/4 cup dark corn syrup
    • 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
    • 2 eggs, beaten
    • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 pinch salt

INGREDIENTS

CHEESECAKE FILLING

      • 24 ounces cream cheese
      • 1 cup packed light brown sugar
      • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
      • 4 large eggs
      • 1 cup heavy cream

PECAN TOPPING

    • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
    • 1 1/2 cups toasted pecans, chopped
    • 1/3 cup heavy cream
    • 1 pinch salt

DIRECTIONS

  1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. In a large bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and butter. Press evenly into bottom and halfway up the side of a 9-inch springform pan. Bake for 6-8 minutes; set aside to cool.
  2. In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt 6 tablespoons butter. Add 1/2 cup light brown sugar and cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to bubble and sugar is dissolved, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in dark corn syrup, 1 1/2 cup chopped pecans, eggs, vanilla extract, and salt. Pour into prepared crust; set aside.
  3. In a stand mixer with paddle attachment, beat cream cheese, 1 cup light brown sugar and flour until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition until just combined. Add 1 cup heavy cream and stir until well combined. Pour over pecan pie filling and place springform pan on a baking sheet. Bake for 60-70 minutes until cake jiggles slightly when moved or toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Turn off oven and leave the cake in for 1 hour, then remove from oven and let cool completely.
  4. To Make the Pecan Topping:

DIRECTIONS

  1. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar and cook until bubbling, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 1 1/2 cups toasted pecans, 1/3 cup heavy cream, and pinch of salt. Let cool to room temperature then spoon over.
  2. cooled cheesecake. Slice to serve or store refrigerated.

 

PECAN PIE CHEESECAKE

Oven Hack to Change the Way You Cook

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1Preheating the oven has always been a thorn in your side, especially when you’re trying to put dinner on the table ASAP.

Whether it’s because something came up unexpectedly, or because you totally forgot to turn the oven on (we’ve all been there), using your oven to put dinner on the table can be unnecessarily challenging.

Sometimes, if your oven isn’t ready to roll when you are, you might psych yourself out and abandon your dinner plans altogether. This could be a costly mistake, and you might resort to a faster pitfall.

Those 15 extra minutes of preheating time really do make a world of a difference, and we have a kitchen hack for heating your oven even faster – the broiler

If you put your oven’s broiler on high for 3 to 5 minutes, you’ll find that your oven can reach higher temps almost immediately when you set the oven to the necessary temperature later.

I witnessed this magical, time-saving advice firsthand. Using my standard, two-rack oven for a test run, I found that I was able to get the interior heated to 350 degrees in just 2 minutes after using my broiler first.

Thanks to this ingenious shortcut, you’ll never have to hover in front of your oven, tapping your fingers on the door, again.

Oven Hack to Change the Way You Cook

Beware this with your Slow Cooker

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Slow cookers are beloved for their set-it-and-forget-it style. The best slow cooker recipes require very little hands-on time and make the machine do all the heavy lifting. Naturally, most of us don’t think twice when a recipe tells us to start with frozen chicken. After all, that’s the point—to let the slow cooker do the work of thawing and cooking the meat. Right?

Not so fast, says the USDA. According to their Slow Cookers and Food Safety guidelines, you should always thaw meat or poultry before putting it in a slow cooker. They recommend storing the thawed meat in the refrigerator before adding it in. “The slow cooker may take several hours to reach a safe, bacteria-killing temperature,” the guidelines read. “Constant refrigeration assures that bacteria, which multiply rapidly at room temperature, won’t get a ‘head start’ during the first few hours of cooking.”

The primary concern is that putting frozen meat in the slow cooker increases its chances of entering the “danger zone,” the temperature range between 40° and 140°F where harmful bacteria grow exponentially. Slow cookers operate at temperatures between 170°F and 300°F—well above this zone—but it takes longer for frozen meat or poultry to reach those temperatures than thawed meat, giving it more opportunity to sit in the danger zone.

Here’s where things get a little murky. The guidelines for the Instant Pot, which can function as a slow cooker, say there’s “no need to defrost the food in the microwave prior to preparing.” They recommend increasing the cook time if beginning with frozen food but do not address any potential hazards. This is perfectly fine advice if using the pressure-cooker function because a pressure cooker can cook frozen chicken or meat fast enough to avoid the “danger zone.” But the Instant Pot’s website doesn’t specify which function the guidelines are referencing.

Crock Pot, one of the most popular brands of slow cookers, also gives a thumbs up to the practice. “You can cook frozen meat in a Crock-Pot Slow Cooker, but suggested cook time may need to be increased.” They recommend using a meat thermometer to ensure meat is well above 165°F. What they fail to address is the time it takes to reach that temperature.

Today Food took a deep dive into the topic and found that food experts have differing options. Ultimately, they recommend following the USDA guidelines to help reduce the possibility of the development of harmful bacteria. And, because it’s better to be safe than sorry, we agree. Additionally, if you’re gone during the day while your slow cooker is on, it’s a good idea to cook on low rather than set the timer to shut it down in the early afternoon. Food shouldn’t sit in a turned-off slow cooker for more than four hours, or it runs the risk of entering the danger zone again.

Written by GRACE ELKUS for Real Simple Magazine

Beware this with your Slow Cooker

Cook the Best Fish Ever

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HD-201206-r-cedar-planked-salmon-with-lemon-and-dill.jpg

Here are some great tips from the archives of Food & Wine Magazine for cooking fish.

Be gentle. “Basically, I’d suggest using the gentlest heat that you can possibly apply,” says chef Michael Cimarusti. “So if you’re grilling, grill over a gentle fire, not a raging fire. If you’re steaming or poaching, do it at a bare simmer.”

Let it rest. “You can actually cook a salmon to the point where it flakes beautifully in a 118- or 119-degree oven, provided you let it rest,” says Cimarusti. “Rest the fish for a good 10 to 15 minutes, for a good long period of time, in a fairly warm, ambient spot, and the fish will reveal textures you never knew it had.”

Get hands on. “There’s no exact timing,” chef Tom Valenti says about cooking fish. “Even with four or five fillets of swordfish, every piece of fish is different. With every fillet, I always have to poke it and squeeze it to figure out what’s going on.”

Buy an extra fillet. “When I talk to home cooks at the restaurant, they often tell me they don’t even bother to cook fish at home because they don’t know how to do it,” Valenti says. “The first thing I suggest is if you’re going to cook four fillets of halibut or salmon or swordfish or whatever you want to try, buy a fifth fillet to crack open to see if it’s done.”

Steam it. “Steaming is a powerful way to create pristine flavors,” says chef Mourad Lahlou. “When you take a piece of fish and steam it over water, or water with aromatics like spices or citrus peel, you actually taste the ingredients. Unlike, say, a curry, which is so heavily spiced you can’t taste the individual ingredients. There’s nothing wrong with a curry, but when you want to appreciate the clean flavors of a single piece of fish, you need to treat it with respect, and steaming is one of the most respectful ways to cook something.”

Start skin side down. “To ensure crispness, start the fish skin side down, pressing the fillet with a spatula,” says chef Rocco DiSpirito. “The skin will stick at first; when it releases, flip the fish over.”

Cook the Best Fish Ever

Quick Fish Sauces

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Fish could be my main meal of choice seven days a week.  Add a little chicken now and again for variety and my meal planning would be complete.  My husband a “meat” guy likes more red on the table to go with his red wine.  So I don’t eat it every night.  It is pretty funny when we go out, as he will inevitably order steak and I will almost always have whatever fish they are featuring.

I found this article with links to recipes from Food & Wine Magazine and thought all the sauces sound good.  Another good source for sauces is the new America’s Test Kitchen Sauce Book.

HD-halibut_herb.jpg

Here, 10 great sauces that will take any fish dish over the top.

1. Parsley Sauce
This easy, lemony sauce is fantastic with crisp, butter-fried sea bass or snapper.

2. Smoked-Almond Romesco Sauce
Smoked almonds and a touch of pimentón de la Vera gives this sauce a terrific smokiness.

3. Fresh Herb Sauce
All you need for this sauce are parsley, arugula, marjoram, oregano, vinegar, and garlic.

4. Rich Ketchup Sauce
Ketchup, soy sauce, vinegar and Tabasco come together in this complexly flavored sauce.

5. Mint Sauce
Fresh mint blends with garlic, vinegar, and sugar for a sweet-and-sour sauce that’s perfect for a full-flavored fish like tuna.

6. Lemon Cream Sauce
It doesn’t get much simpler than lemon zest, cream, salt, lemon juice and parsley.

7. Salmoriglio Sauce
This tangy, buttery sauce is a Sicilian classic.

8. Red Wine Sauce
The success of this simple sauce lies in the quality of the wine. Choose a full-bodied red for a richly colored, flavorful sauce.

9. Tomato Ginger Sauce
Though you can put this simple tomato sauce together in a matter of minutes, it has surprising complexity.

10. Sweet-and-Sour Sauce
This healthy version of classic Chinese-takeout sweet-and-sour sauce is light and spicy.

Quick Fish Sauces

The Mediterranean Diet Could Prevent Osteoporosis

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And wine is involved, so it’s definitely do-able. This is a wonderful article for my older friends that like to eat and drink red wine.

BY 

Greek Power Bowls Horizontal

JONATHAN BOULTON

The Mediterranean diet has already received plenty of positive attention for allowing things like olive oil and red wine to stay in your diet, and now, it’s touting some pretty impressive health benefits for postmenopausal women.

A study presented at ENDO 2018, the annual congress of the American Society of Endocrinology, showed that following a Mediterranean diet can help protect postmenopausal women from osteoporosis. The disease causes bones to become weak and brittle and is often caused by a lack of calcium and vitamin D.

Mediterranean diets, which emphasize foods like fruits, veggies, fish, avocado, and whole grains while limiting saturated fat, red meat, and dairy, are rich in vitamins, fiber, and Omega healthy fatty acids. This kind of diet makes it easier to maintain a healthy weight and protect against cardiovascular disease and helps maintain muscle mass loss and bone density.

This is especially important for postmenopausal women, as the decline of estrogen speeds up women’s loss of bone mass. Among the 103 women studied, the women who followed a Mediterranean diet had higher bone mineral density at the spine and greater muscle mass. According to Thais Rasia Silva, Ph.D., the study’s lead investigator, based on the results, “We found that the Mediterranean diet could be a useful nonmedical strategy for the prevention of osteoporosis and fractures in postmenopausal women.”

If you’re looking to add more Mediterranean foods to your diet, start by putting nuts, seeds, fresh produce, fish, and whole grains on your grocery list. For heart-healthy recipes to make at home, click here.

The Mediterranean Diet Could Prevent Osteoporosis

Cleaning Secrets from Profresional Cleaners

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Here are some tips I found online and think are very useful for cleaning your home.  I used SOS on my shower door and was surprised to see the age-old residue disappear.  I thought about the fact that I use SOS on my glass baking dishes with no problem, so why not my glass shower door.  Have fun cleaning….

Bathroom decorated with pale shades of green

A few of our favorite cleaning pros share some of their best tips for stubborn spots around the house. From stains in the laundry room to fingerprints on the refrigerator to the (dreaded!) toilet bowl, they have a solution for it all.

Drop of olive oil

A drop of Olive Oil

Are fingerprints all over the fridge driving you crazy?  Use a drop of oil (olive oil or even baby oil will work) on a paper towel to shine stainless steel to get rid of any fingerprints missed in cleaning and to keep the surface cleaner for longer. Buff the oil in, going with the grain of the stainless and wipe off any excess with a clean paper towel. This trick is magic.

White chalk

White Chalk

Keep a piece of white chalk in the laundry room to rub on grease stains and absorb the oil. Launder as usual and the piece should come out clean. This should do the trick on butter, salad dressing, cooking oil, and more. No chalk on hand, but need an immediate solution? Break out the cornstarch from your baking caddy or talcum powder from the medicine cabinet and sprinkle it over the stain, let sit for 10 minutes to soak up the oil, and wash.

 

Navy blue vacuum cleaner

Pull the Vacuum Cleaner Slowly

Pushing the vacuum forward is mostly about getting it into the right position. It’s pulling it that actually removes any soil. Slow down on the pull pass for cleaner carpets!  When cleaning hard floor surfaces, vacuums can blow around a lot of the debris you are trying to clean up. Avoid the hassle by sucking up dust and furballs using the vacuum’s wand attachment first, then give the floor a pass with the machine on the hard floor setting. If your floors still don’t seem to be coming clean, it may be time to invest in a new machine.

Reliable Steamboy Pro

Steam Clean

When you use a product or chemical to clean, there’s often residue left behind. Soil and dirt adhere to the residue, requiring further cleaning. A steam cleaner uses a vapor of hot water to remove soil and dirt without any sticky residue.  You can even use a steam cleaner to freshen carpets.

Measuring spoon with cornstarch

Cornstarch

Add a teaspoon of cornstarch to a cup of white vinegar and a cup of water (a standard window cleaning solution) and the results are incredible. says Melissa Maker. The glass becomes shiny and crystal clear. The cornstarch is the magic ingredient as it’s a very fine natural abrasive that helps work away grime and leave behind a streak-free shine.

Heinz Distilled White Vinegar

White Vinegar

Saturate a paper towel or microfiber cloth with white vinegar and place over the deposits. Let it sit for five to 15 minutes, then wipe away. The acid in the vinegar breaks down the deposits, leaving your faucets and fixtures shiny. Use a similar trick for your showerhead: fill a shopping bag with vinegar, tie it around the showerhead, and leave it overnight to soak. Run the shower in the morning to rinse clean.

Brillo pad

Brillo Pad

Wet a Brillo pad to clean glass shower doors as it cleans soap scum and water spots faster and easier than anything else. (And no, it won’t scratch the glass).  Every three months or so apply Rain-X Original Glass Treatment to repel water spots in the first place. Another way to avoid buildup is to squeegee the glass shower doors after you hop out of the shower.

Ceiling fan

Ceiling Fan

Clean a room from top to bottom so that you never have to clean a surface twice, and always start at the corner furthest from the room’s entrance, working your way out the door. Map out your routine so you take the most efficient route for the time you have allotted.

In the bedroom start by dusting the ceiling fan blades, then move to the tops of furniture, and make your way down to the sheets, and ultimately the floor. As you go, dust that doesn’t collect in your duster or on your microfiber cloth will fall to the floor, which you will tackle last.

Blue toilet brush

Toilet Brush

Cleaning the toilet is not fun, but this might make it easier. After brushing, close the toilet seat on top of the toilet bowl brush handle so it can drip-dry into the bowl (for about 10 minutes or until dry) before setting the brush back in its holder. A wet toilet bowl brush is disgusting. Work in this order when wiping down the rest of the toilet: handle, tank lid, the front of the tank, top of the toilet lid, inside lid, top and underside of the seat, rim of the bowl, outside of the bowl, toilet base, to the back.

Large Ziploc bag

Large Ziploc bag

If you have smelly sports gear that can’t be washed (like a helmet) put it in an extra large plastic zip top bag and place it in the freezer overnight. The smell is from bacteria and the cold air kills that bacteria and eliminates the scent. You can use the freezer to remove gummy sticker residue from synthetic fibers or wax from table linens. The freezer will harden the material and make it easier to pick or gently scrape off. The best thing about the freezer is because bacteria can’t grow in its zero degrees temperature, you hardly ever have to clean the freezer itself.

Mr. Clean Magic Erasers

Mr. Clean Magic Erasers

The easiest way to clean coffee stains from the inside of your mug is to wet a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser and wipe them away. Everyone’s favorite cleaning sponge is made of melamine foam, which acts as a gentle abrasive to agitate stuck on stains like these.

Got a coffee stain on your shirt? Stretch the fabric over a bowl and carefully pour boiling water over the spot from about a foot above. The pressure of the hot water should flush the stain from the fabric. Launder as usual.

Pumice stone

Pumice Stone

Using a wet pumice stone will naturally remove toilet rings and other stains. Always be sure to wet the stone, as a dry one may scratch surfaces. If you really want to deep clean the bowl, first dump a cup of baking soda in, let it sit for a few minutes, then brush and follow that with the pumice stone trick for good measure.

Cleaning Secrets from Profresional Cleaners

Here are some great tile ideas!

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This a wonderful and fun article from Sunset Magazine.  This might help you get a little more creative in your designs.

1

Luscious Texture

Hand-painting adds an artistic flair to each tile that’s impossible to match via industrialized manufacturing. The slight variations in texture—and, depending on the type of tile, sometimes even color or patina—add a tactile quality to the wall. This tile’s mountain-inspired shape was turned on end to create a subtle wave-like pattern across the wall.

2

Get the Look: Luscious Texture

We’re in love with the versatility of this Japanese-inspired pattern from Bay Area-based Fireclay Tile. The soft, organic lines fit a modern interior just as well as they do a traditional one.

3

Dressed-Up Herringbone

A herringbone-style installation is a surefire way to jazz up standard field tiles. This bathroom one-ups that already stylish look by scattering shades of neutral and white tiles throughout for an effect that’s almost like the tide coming in and out. Feel even bolder? A floor-to-ceiling application gets the most out of the design and protects the walls and floor around the tub.

4

Look-Alike Planks

Faux wood tile has come a long way in the last few years: The grain is more varied, the finishes more real-to-life, and the “planks” come in a variety of widths that more properly mimic a wood floor (with none of the rotting concern). This gray-washed style doesn’t steal the spotlight from the large hexagonal tiles on the wall above the bathtub, grouted in charcoal gray to draw attention to their groovy outline.

5

Out in the Dark

There’s that stunning herringbone pattern again, made all the more elegant by matte black tiles. Think of dark tiles as the cat-eye liner of a room—concentrate on one big flourish and keep the rest muted. Here, the ceiling-height installation makes the tub the star (though the brass fixtures are a close second).

6

High Gloss, High Style

Sky-high shine levels are a great way to make a neutral color sing. Field tiles (meaning, the primary tile used to cover wide expanses of a floor or ceiling, often in standard rectangle shapes and sizes) have lots to gain from luster: Gloss gives them character and texture.

7

Better with Age

Chalk up another win for hand-crafted tiles. These have a natural variation in color that give them a pleasing patina and, all together, add some visual movement to the backsplash. In an open-plan area, an intricate tile provides a natural focal point for the kitchen.

8

 

Geometric Perfection

The hottest trend in tile right now, geometric patterns turn forgotten floors into the centerpiece of a room. We love the look in small applications like bathrooms or fireplaces, where it’s contained enough to be energizing, not overwhelming. And even though this style has skyrocketed to fame, the simplicity of the shapes gives it staying power.

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Get the Look: Geometric Perfection

Geometrics draw on lots of source material: Southwestern, Moroccan, or mid-century modern. There’s no getting it wrong with this bold X pattern, especially in classic black and white.

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Perfect Penny

“Charming” is the adjective often used for penny tile and while that’s apt, this wee standard has a lot more range. In a matte finish, it’s contemporary. Multicolor versions are whimsical and so much fun in a child’s bathroom. On the floor or the wall, penny tile is a classic worth experimenting with.

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Tile for Miles

This red Heath tile can’t stop, won’t stop—and that’s a good thing. With four walls of upright linear field tile, walking into this windowless powder room feels like stepping inside a giant ruby. In a small space, you have license to go bold; in a large space, a high-gloss white would be heavenly.

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Whether you use them sparingly as accent tile or go all out, figurative tiles and patterns with some whimsy are making a comeback. The entire Fauna collection from Los Angeles-based Vidal Design Collaborative is chock full of delightful animal figures in 100% livable colors.

Here are some great tile ideas!