Cleanup Hints
Submitted by: Jezebel Jen

Blender:
Scrubbing a blender can be time consuming not to mention frustrating. Fill the blender about half-way with very hot water and generous amount of dishwashing liquid. Before turning it on, throw in a couple of medium-sized ice cubes to dislodge any insistent pieces of food.

Chrome:
This is easy. Take small sheet of aluminum foil. Turn shiniest side out. Dampen chrome with water and polish with foil. As you "polish" chrome with tin-foil, it'll turn black but your chrome will shine like new.

Cutting Board:
Clean up those ugly stains on your cutting board by using a couple of teaspoons of liquid bleach in a dishpan full of warm water and scrub away. Be sure and rinse board several times with very hot water to alleviate all trace of bleach. Your board will look like new.

Dishwasher:
Have you discovered that simply running the wash cycle on your dishwasher doesn't get rid of the stains and dinginess? Use simple powdered laundry bleach instead of dishwasher detergent in empty dishwasher. Not only will it clean away dirt and stains, but it'll disinfect too.

Dull Stove Top:
Sometimes scouring powders often leave stove looking old and dull. Try a little liquid car polish and damp cloth to brighten enamel or metal. It will also help the food and grease to come off more easily.

Frost-Free Freezer:
Just because your freezer doesn't ice up doesn't mean it won't get dirty or collect odors. Mix 1/2 cup of isopropyl alcohol with a dishpan full of lukewarm water. The alcohol will loosen any icy matter and sponge away dirt and odors. Best of all, because alcohol evaporates rapidly, you don't have to dry!

Kitchen Sink Rust:
If you have a steel sink it's easy to gather rust stains. Make a thick paste of baking soda and water, leave it on the stains while you go shopping. When you return, buff the entire sink in the paste with a damp cloth and then rinse. Stains gone.

Kitchen Towels:
When they are clean, but still look dirty - fill the washer with water, put in the usual amount of detergent, then add 1/2 cup automatic dishwashing detergent. This is a magic formula that works wonders on most stains!

Oven:
No one likes to clean the oven but this is an easy and efficient method. Sponge on a generous amount of household ammonia before going to bed and close the oven door. The next morning let the oven air out, and then wipe it clean with no fuss or muss.

Oven Racks:
Oven racks are hard to clean but they don't have to be. Soak the racks in bathtub. Fill the tub with hot water, add dishwasher brand detergent and a little white vinegar to cut the grease. Soak, rinse and done!

Refrigerator:
Here's a great hint to restore shine to the surface of your refrigerator. Use a mild solution of vinegar and water. Apply it with an old, soft cotton rag (like a discarded t-shirt). It will cut the grease and shine the surface!

To submit your favorite recipes to be included in the Garden of Friendship Recipe Book, please email them to Barbiel

Background graphics made especially for the Recipes Committee of the Garden of Friendship by Valatine