You’ve gone back-to-school shopping with your children to help them get their desks, lockers, and backpacks ready for the new school year, but what preparations have you made at home? We’re not just talking about the kids’ rooms or the study area in the play room—we’re referring to the kitchen, the very heart of your home. This is where the hustle and bustle of weekday mornings, afternoon homework ...
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Clean Off Your Refrigerator and Other Back to School Tips
August 23, 2017 -
The 5 Most Common Refrigerator Issues to Watch Out For
August 7, 2017 Is your refrigerator acting up? If it’s more than a decade old, it might be near the end of its useful lifespan . Still, it could be possible to fix the problem and get several more years out of the appliance. Here’s how to troubleshoot five of the most common refrigerator issues. Fridge Not Getting Cold The appliance should keep food between 37 and 41 degrees. If you open your refrigerator door ...Continue Reading -
Take the Tears Out of Chopping Onions
July 26, 2017 Onions can be a great addition to lots of different food; producing a variety of tastes and flavors, they are used frequently in many of our favorite dishes. However, while they add tasty flavor, they release a gas compound that can burn eyes and cause them to tear up in the middle of cooking. Since there are few people immune to the affect of sulfuric compounds, lovers of cooking have come up ...Continue Reading -
From Our Kitchen to Yours: How to Marinate Meat for Grilling
July 6, 2017 Meat prepared the right way can be a delicious entrée by themselves, but can taste even better when paired with a delicious marinade. Coating and soaking meat before grilling can seem like a daunting task, but knowing what kinds of marinades are good for different types of meat will greatly speed up the process. So, tie on your apron and let’s get the cooking juices flowing! Chicken When it’s ...Continue Reading -
Top Grill Cleaning and Maintenance Tips
June 28, 2017 Gas grills are the most popular type of grills for backyard barbecues. Charcoal grills remain the go-to option for portable grilling at campouts and tailgating parties. Regardless of what type of grill you have, you want it to last for many years. Here are the most important grill cleaning and maintenance tips you should perform to keep your grill in good condition. Grill Cleaning: How to Clean a ...Continue Reading -
Signs You Need a New Grill
June 21, 2017 As grilling season gets underway, you may be eager to whip up this year’s first batch of burgers on your trusty backyard grill. But is this aging outdoor appliance really up for yet another grueling year of high temperatures, smoke, and greasy food? Learn when it’s time for a new grill and consider some viable replacement options. Is your grill past its prime? Look into repairing or replacing it ...Continue Reading -
Father's Day Gift Guide: All About Grills
June 16, 2017 The smell of hotdogs and burgers fill the air outside as Dad grills up a delicious dinner on a warm night. Man, our mouths sure are watering! If Dad keeps dropping not so subtle hints about wanting a grill and everything that comes with it, you’ve come to the right place to figure out what to buy him. There’s a ton of grills out there and several types, and it can get confusing but we’re here to ...Continue Reading -
Who wins in the battle between gas grills and charcoal grills?
May 30, 2017 Anytime it's nice to be outside... the battle between gas grills and charcoal grills rages on. For years, people have been asking, is a gas or charcoal grill better for your health? How do you cook on a gas grill? How do you know your charcoal grill is ready? These questions bring to light some of the differences between gas grills and charcoal grills. Let’s explore other characteristics to find ...Continue Reading -
Is Your Backyard Ready for an Outdoor Kitchen?
May 17, 2017 The backyard barbecue is an American tradition. From juicy burgers and tender drumsticks to corn on the cob and veggie kabobs, it just doesn’t feel like summer until you fire up the grill for the first time. Modern outdoor cooking has evolved from using basic charcoal grills to installing extensive outdoor kitchens. If you’re ready to make this upgrade, you must make sure your backyard space is ...Continue Reading -
How to Keep Your Outdoor Appliances Safe from the Elements
May 10, 2017 If you recently installed an outdoor kitchen, or you’re still contemplating making this upgrade in your backyard, you want the investment to last for many years. This means choosing the right appliances and taking steps to protect them from harsh storms and cold winter weather. Here’s how. Indoor vs. Outdoor Appliances At the very least, every outdoor kitchen needs a built-in stainless steel ...Continue Reading -
The Perfect Mother's Day Gift
May 3, 2017 As you brainstorm for the perfect Mother’s Day gifts to give this year, consider the condition of your mom’s kitchen appliances. Does she continually complain about dishwasher’s loud cycles? Is her fridge outdated and expensive to operate? Does she pine for a new oven? This could be the year you surprise Mom with a new kitchen appliance. If your budget allows, you might even spoil her with a ...Continue Reading -
From Our Kitchen to Yours: 5 Out-of-the-Ordinary Ways to Use your Crock Pot
April 19, 2017 Crock Pots are one of the most underrated kitchen appliances. One of the best parts about crock-pots is that you can count on it to cook your meal while you are working or running errands. They come in many sizes, so if you are heading out to a party, you can bring a small one for dips; or if you are hosting a dinner party, you can use a big one to make casserole. What many people don’t know is ...Continue Reading -
8 Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Garage Refrigerator
April 12, 2017 With summer almost here, you are probably planning for your kids being out of school for a few months. With their release come lots of play dates and little ones running in and out of the house throughout the season. You might be preparing for this by putting extra sodas and snacks in your refrigerator and preparing some easy meals; but you can quickly run out of space… so what do you do? Take ...Continue Reading -
How to Get the Worst Stains Out
April 5, 2017 Ketchup on your brand new white blouse? Remnants of the chocolate bar you just ate on your jeans? Grease on your button down from changing a car tire? We’ve all been there. Stains are an inevitable part of life that tend to occur at the worst moments. Luckily, there are tricks that can ease your worries when it comes to those pesky marks that do not seem to go away. Here are the top six worst ...Continue Reading -
To Dry or Not to Dry: Which Fabrics Go in the Dryer?
March 31, 2017 Laundry day is a day that many dread; for some, it’s the folding, for others it’s the sorting. There are many woes that people have about laundry; however something that many don’t understand is what they can and cannot put in the dryer. We have all been there: you put your favorite shirt in the dryer and pull it out, only to see that it is now a shirt fit for a small child. It’s not a good ...Continue Reading -
What's the Deal With Dry Clean Only?
March 22, 2017 If you just bought a new wool suit or silk blouse, you may become discouraged when you discover it says “dry clean only” on the tag. Do you really need to obey this instruction? How crucial is it to dry clean certain fabrics, and what makes the process safer than washing? Find the answers to your questions here, so you don’t inadvertently ruin a delicate fabric in the wash. What Does “Dry Clean ...Continue Reading -
St. Patrick's Day Mint Chocolate Chip Cookies
March 15, 2017 What a better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day than by baking some minty chocolate chip cookies! This easy recipe yields about 3-dozen cookies and is perfect for any celebration this St. Patrick’s Day. What you will need: 2 ½ cups of flour ½ tsp. of baking soda ¼ tsp. of salt 1 ½ cups of sugar 2 sticks of unsalted butter 2 large eggs 1 tsp. of peppermint extract 15-17 drops of green food ...Continue Reading -
The Washer's Lint Trap Needs Cleaning Too
March 6, 2017 You know about the dryer lint screen, but did you know your washing machine has a lint trap, too? If your clothes have a furry coat of lint coming out of the wash, the lint filter is probably clogged. It’s time to remedy this problem by learning more about washer lint collectors. What is a Washing Machine Lint Trap? Some washers have cleanable filters while others have mesh lint traps. Regardless ...Continue Reading -
Make Dryer Lint Fire Starters for Spring Camping Trips
February 28, 2017 Spring camping is something that many families take part in as the weather starts to get warmer. And those beautiful warmer days will be here before you know it. Many memories (and s’mores) can be made around the campfire during this time. But, before you get there, you must build the fire. Now, we know that dryer lint is flammable and can be hazardous if you leave it in the dryer; however, it is ...Continue Reading -
Best Places for the Washer and Dryer
February 22, 2017 No one seems to agree exactly where the laundry room should go. These rooms were once afterthoughts, installed in out-of-the-way closets or the corner of the basement. Over the years, new homes have started prioritizing laundry room location to increase convenience, improve efficiency, and ensure safe ventilation. But where is the best place for the laundry room? There isn’t one right answer to ...Continue Reading -
Why You Need to Clean the Lint Filter Every Time
February 16, 2017 You’ve heard that you need to clean the dryer lint trap after every load, but is it true? Let’s discuss the reasons to clean the lint filter, how often you should perform this task, and more useful tips. Why Do You Clean a Dryer Lint Filter? When clothing tumbles around in the dryer, the agitation and high heat cause clothing, towels, and linens to shed some of their fibers. The lint screen ...Continue Reading -
Prime Time for a Dryer Vent Fire
February 2, 2017 As cold weather persists this winter, it remains a prime time for a dryer vent fire. To protect your home and family, learn more about what causes dryer fires and how to prevent them. Why Do More Home Fires Occur in Winter? While forest fires occur primarily during the heat of summer, home fires are more prevalent in the cold, dry months of December through March. Here are several winter-related ...Continue Reading -
Get Your Laundry Room Organized Before You Do Anything Else
January 17, 2017 Now that the busy holidays are over, you can focus on getting your home organized for the New Year. Before you do anything else, get your laundry room organized to create a more functional space. Whether you have a small or big budget, little or large space to work with, get inspired by these tips to organize the laundry room. Laundry Room Organization on a Small Budget Even when you don’t have a ...Continue Reading -
Break Your Bad Laundry Habits
January 10, 2017 Have you considered breaking your bad laundry habits? If you want to save money on detergent, new clothes, and washing machine repairs, break these bad laundry habits right now! And, we know you'll love these tips so much, we've made a shareable social media graphic with all of them included at the bottom of this page! Using Too Much Laundry Detergent It’s easy to assume that more soap means ...Continue Reading -
Organize your Pantry to Start the New Year Off Right
January 1, 2017 Do you enjoy cooking during the holidays, or does stepping foot in your pantry increase your stress level to an unhealthy degree? Pantry organization isn’t the same as organizing the rest of your kitchen because you constantly draw from and restock the pantry. If you’re not careful, this could lead to a state of constant disarray, not to mention food waste as expiration dates come and go. Now’s ...Continue Reading