Posted on February 19, 2008 in Baking Soda, Food, Germs, Kitchen by kathisharpeNo Comments »

Stoneware is one of the best, greenest, and most efficient cooking surfaces I know of. You don’t use soap or harsh chemicals to clean it. When cared for properly, stoneware becomes naturally non-stick. Here’s a link to an outside article I wrote about using and caring for stoneware.

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Posted on February 19, 2008 in Bath, Germs, Kitchen, Whole House by kathisharpeNo Comments »

Citrasolv can be used to make an environmentally friendly all-purpose cleaner. Simply mix 2-3 tablespoons with water in a large spray bottle. Use on any surface per manufacturer’s directions on bottle.

This solution is good for mold and mildew in the bath… spray and leave on for 15-30 minutes, return and spray again, scrub.

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Posted on February 19, 2008 in Baking Soda, Kitchen, Odors by kathisharpeNo Comments »

If you’ve ever burned something in a pot, or cooked something sticky, you know what it is to be able to clean it! Before I learned this simple, natural dishwashing trick, I scrubbed, soaked, and sometimes prayed for stuck-on foods to come out of my pans.

The first trick, of course, is prevention. We use naturally non-stick surfaces like cast iron and stoneware for nearly all cooking. These get cleaned with baking soda and very hot water.

The other trick is to put the pot something’s stuck in on the stove, and boil water in it. Add about two tablespoons of baking soda (more for a larger pot) and let it boil for a while. Be sure that there’s no food stuck on above the water line! It’ll stick worse. Sometimes you need to keep the water simmering for an hour or more. If you don’t like wasting energy “just” to clean a pot, try adding some orange, cinnamon, and cloves to it. Your whole home will smell wonderful!

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