CasaSugar

DIY: Magnetic Spice Strips

CasaSugar — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 05:00:00 -0800

Good-looking, counter space-saving spice racks are hard to find. So, why not hang your spices on the wall? My Aim Is True has a great DIY that'll help you both to see and store your spices out in the open. You'll no longer have three half-empty containers of cinnamon hiding in the back of your cabinet, or four different brands and shapes of spice jars sitting uncoordinated in your cabinet. To learn the how to make this spice rack, read more

Supplies:

Watchmaker's Tin Cases
Super strong magnets
Hot glue gun and glue sticks
Magnetic strips (or here and here)
White paint pen
Spices

Here's how:

Heat up your glue gun.
Glue the super strong magnets to the back of the tin cases.
Let dry.
Collect your spices. Pour them into the tins.
Jot the name of each spice on either the front (if you have good hand-writing) or back of the tin using the paint pen.
Install the magnetic strips on your wall. Don't put them too close to the heat source; it may damage the spices.
Make sure your tins are screwed closed tightly. Then, hang them on the strip! Voilà!

If you're really lazy, you can just buy The Container Store 5-Canister Magnetic Spice Rack ($14.99), but the DIY is more economical. Also, if you have a magnetic fridge, you can ditch the strips all together and just attach the tins to your refrigerator door.

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Su Casa: A Compact and Charming Kitchen Sink

CasaSugar — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 07:31:37 -0700

Today's Su Casa comes from a gallery that Arielrb38 posted showing off her fourth-floor walk-up in Washington, DC. (Want to share your photos? Here's how to post in the Su Casa group.) She makes great use of a small space with the spice rack and hanging fruit baskets, and the plants and the colorful poster really add life to the nook.

How-To: Get Rid of Moths in Your Kitchen

CasaSugar — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 08:30:27 -0700

I just discovered a moth infestation in our kitchen. While I can handle a lot of creepy crawly things, finding moth worms in my nut mix is not okay. It turns out that in warmer climates, infestations like this are very common. In fact, it's unusual that it's taken me this long to get overrun by moths! While researching ways to send them packing, I came across some very handy how-to advice, which I've compiled here.

To find out how to get rid of moths if they've invaded your kitchen, read more.

Here's how to get rid of those pesky winged invaders, courtesy of How To Get Rid of Stuff:

Identify all of the places where the moths are present.
Clean these areas exceptionally well.
Remove all items from the areas.
Vacuum every surface, walls, shelves, cabinets, carpet, etc.
Scrub hard surfaces with a mixture of hot water and detergent. Scrub every inch because moth larva can attach themselves in even the tiniest of spaces.
If the shelving is removable, pull it out and clean the edges and walls around it.
Clean every surface that comes into contact with food, including your spice rack.
Follow up the scrubbing with a vinegar rinse. Either put some white vinegar into a spray bottle, coat, and wipe, or apply it directly to a cloth and wipe everything down.
The moths are likely originating from one or more of the food items previously stored in this area. Throw away every grain-based food item - even if it appears to be sealed well. Also dispose of nuts, raisins, flour, and tea.
Any remaining food containers and items should be thoroughly cleaned with the same detergent/water solution and vinegar rinse before returning to the freshly scrubbed area. A single egg or caterpillar left hanging onto something can start this whole thing all over again, so be thorough.
Kill any moths left flying around in the air. You can do this with a fly swatter, or use moth traps.

I'll be attempting all of these cleaning changes this weekend, and I'll let you know how it goes! Do you have any other ideas for getting rid of kitchen-lingering moths?
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