Get Your Kitchen Sparkling for the Holidays!

The holiday season surrounds us with loving families and new memories. And, of course good food is a must! Don't panic when it comes to getting your kitchen ready and planning holiday meals; keep in mind - simplicity will save my sanity this season!


The upcoming holidays are an opportunity to get creative about ways to get what you need without spending a lot, and also discover new ways to make your life simpler.

Plan your holiday menus now if you will be serving meals in your home. From the menus, determine what things you will need to purchase ahead of time.

Start purchasing ahead – you can spread the expenses out over the next couple of months rather than having to shell it all out as the holidays approach.


Is your kitchen clean and ready for all the work it's going to do in the next couple of months? No? Here are some safe ways to keep your appliances sparkling clean while not busting your budget on cleaning supplies.


The Oven - You can rub the inside of your oven with wet steel wool to remove the tough stuff, and then sprinkle baking soda throughout the oven. Let it sit for a few minutes, then just wipe it all clean with a wet rag…all done and no chemicals!


The Microwave - Mix 1 cup of water with a few teaspoons of baking soda in a microwave safe bowl. Put the bowl in the microwave and run it for 2 minutes. Take out the bowl and wipe it clean with just a rag; every last spot will come out!


The Refrigerator - Baking soda is key! Why would you want to spray chemicals in the place that holds your food! Make a nice paste from baking soda and water (equal parts of both) and scrub away. Wipe down with a clean cloth and all will be sparkling!


The Coffee Maker - When the coffee maker is empty, pour in a mixture of 1 cup white vinegar and some hot water to fill up the reservoir to the top. Run the coffee maker like you were making coffee, just without any beans in it. Once the cycle has finished, run it twice more with just plain water, which will rinse out the vinegar and any build up left inside.


The Dishwasher - Add 1/2 cup vinegar to an empty dishwasher and run the rinse cycle. This will open up any clogs in the dishwasher drain lines and deodorize the machine.


Sink Clogs - A mixture of equal parts vinegar, salt, and baking soda may help open up a slow-draining sink. Pour the solution down drain; let it sit for 1 hour, then pour boiling or very hot tap water down the drain.


Clear a minor sink clog with a mixture of 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup vinegar. Let it stand for 3 hours, then flush with hot water.
Countertops - Wipe your kitchen countertops with undiluted vinegar once a day to shine them and keep your kitchen smelling fresh.


For everyday cleaning of tile and grout, rub with a little apple cider vinegar on a sponge. This gives off a clean scent and will help cut any greasy buildup.

Most people find that the kitchen is the most difficult room in their home to keep fresh and clean. With an endless supply of spills, drips, grease and foot traffic, cleaning the kitchen can feel like an endless task.



Hopefully, these tips and tricks will help you in the upcoming months. We wish you and yours the happiest holiday season.