When hosting a dinner party, I like to break out the good china, cloth napkins, and expensive stemware. Although I don't use them everyday, when people are over, I pour wine in Riedel or Waterford glasses. It makes the occasion seem more special. The only downside is having to wash the glasses at the end of the evening. The delicate glasses are easy to break — especially if you don't know the Read more

You're well on your way to giving your life a healthy Spring cleaning, but what about your house? Have you dusted everything thoroughly, cleaned your window treatments, and taken that pile of items in the basement to Goodwill? Don't worry, I haven't either. But it's never too late to start chipping away at your Spring cleaning chores. Once you do take out the rags and rubber gloves, make sure to Read more

Over the weekend, I went to make a dish that involved tarragon-infused olive oil. I had some in the cupboard, but couldn't remember the last time I used it. A quick glance at the date shocked me; it had expired in 2009! At that very moment, I decided to check the dates on the items in the cupboard. It was surprising how many oils and sauces had expired — all of the ones in the picture! It was Read more

I don't wear dentures, but I have worn a retainer, which I cleaned with Efferdent. The experience was valuable not just for keeping my teeth straight but also for educating me on the wonders of denture cleaner. After seeing how well the effervescent tablets cleaned tiny nooks, I started experimenting on other tough-to-clean items; believe it or not, they are great for cleaning the rubber casings Read more

There's a time for giving your house a deep Spring cleaning, but preparing for unexpected guests is not that time. If you find out with just a couple hours — or a few minutes! — notice that company's coming, no need to panic. All it takes is a little prioritizing and a few shortcuts, and your house will be visitor-ready in no time flat. Read on for my tips on how to speed clean every room in Read more

Spring cleaning is a chore which, quite frankly, I dread. But once you get through it — through the depths of your junk drawer and the black hole of your closets — you feel a sense of relief. Your routine is refreshed and your mind is clear. You can actually see the clothes that you own, and you don't waste any more time putting dead batteries into your remote controls. I have learned a thing Read more