How to Clean a Microwave

Went to reheat my coffee this morning, and I suddenly realized how nasty the inside of my microwave was!

Ew.

Step 1: Gather your supplies

I have a microwave safe bowl with some water in it, a wet wash rag, and lemon juice.

Step 2: Prepare the cocktail

Place the wet rag in the water and put about a tablespoons worth of lemon juice on top.

Step 3: Say goodbye to grime

Place the cocktail in the microwave and nuke it for 3-5 minutes. I did 3 because I know it will loosen up everything in there, but some microwaves are lesser powered than mine and you may have to nuke it for up to 5 minutes. Please keep an eye on it. No one like the smell of a burning rag.

Step 4: Protection!

Even though you're going to use oven mitts to get the bowl out of the microwave, that rag is going to be SUPER BURNING HOT!

Step 5: Squeeze

Gingerly squeeze the rag... 

and place it over the bowl. This will help it cool down fast enough so you can handle it.

Step 6: Wipe!

Just wipe until it's all squeeeeeeeky clean! If it doesn't come off easily, just nuke the rag and water again for another couple of minutes. Don't forget the inside of the door! Also, take out the turn table and wash it in the sink with warm soapy water.

Step 7: Be in heaven.

So much nicer! And lemony fresh too!

Enjoy!

With Love,

Emily

Project #2: The Kitchen Island

Welcome back to Project #2: The dreaded Kitchen Island. 

Now everyone has a place in their home where stuff collects everyday. For most people it's the dining room table, for me it's the kitchen island. It drives me freaking nuts, because I love to cook from scratch and I need all the room I can get. Shoot, the whole reason why we bought this house is because I fell in love with the kitchen and that HUGE island! So why do I let it get more and more cluttered? Million dollar question.

So here's what I did!

 Step one: Put any clean dishes and all foods away

I got out my blue plastic bowls and put the tomatoes, apples, and lemons in them. I put them there because one, I don't have enough room in the fridge for them. Two, tomatoes should be left out of the fridge anyway. And three, It looks pretty! And I'm more likely to use them if they are there where I can see them.

Step 2: Find a place for the mail to go

This is one of those mesh desktop organizing thingies. I nailed mine to the wall, because hey! why take up space on the counter? Now I won't lose that bill I need, or be searching for a pen anymore. It's also a good spot for the sunglasses too. Bonus!

Step 3: Wipe off the crumbs and admire how much room you've got again. Talk about counter space!

Step 4: Break out the spray!

Now I make my own, and have been for several months. I was using the "green" all purpose cleaner, but it was getting expensive, so I looked for an alternative. Turns out Vinegar and Water is all you really need!  Vinegar is a natural disinfectant.

 Now I got real tired of the smell of vinegar really quick, so I looked for other things I can do to make it smell better. Well, you can add a few drops of Lavender essential oil (which would be lovely, but I don't have any, nor the money to buy some) but I found two things that are really nice! Here at the Little Brick Ranch blog, she shows you how to infuse your vinegar with orange peels. 

You can use any kind of citrus peel. 

I, on the other hand, didn't have any citrus peels at the time, but I learned that Thyme is also a natural disinfectant. So I put some vinegar in a mason jar, added about a tablespoon or two of dried time and let it sit for about 2 weeks, stirring it once a day. You know it's done when the vinegar doesn't smell like vinegar anymore!

I then added half the jar, which I guess is about a cup full, to my spray bottle and filled the rest with tap water. MMMMmmmmm, smells so herby! Like I was just cooking!

Edit: I've gotten a huge response about my Thyme infused vinegar spray, and I just wanted to add this in...
Don't forget to strain the herbs out before you add it to your bottle!
But I'm sure you knew that already.
You're welcome. :o)

Step 5: Spray spray spray!!

One thing I love about my spray is that it lifts up and shows dirty spots I didn't see before. This one looks like a milk spot, and it'll just wipe away beautifully.

Step 6: Stand in awe. 

Great job! Now I can easily make meals for my family and not worry about not having enough elbow room.

How did your Kitchen Island/ or dining room table turn out? Did you find a home for everything? Don't forget to go through that mail and find a place for those bills. The wall is your canvas! 

Until next time!

With Love,

Emily