HOW TO CLEAN YOUR WOODEN CHOPPING BOARD

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This is always my problem after chopping and slicing food on a wooden chopping board.  Dishwasher cannot clean it properly, no use at all.  You have to clean it by hands but it will take your time because you want to make sure that it is GOOD and CLEAN and NO MORE BACTERIA (you know what I mean). We mothers are like that we make sure on the HEALTH of our family.

Here are some TIPS THAT I LEARNED TODAY on HOW TO CLEAN YOUR WOODEN CHOPPING/CUTTING BOARD so easy:

1. RINSE IMMEDIATELY AFTER USE:  It comes to a study that if you wash and rinse the chopping board it will eliminates bacteria.  Compared to submerging your wooden chopping board into a dishwasher it will just prolong the dirt and transfer the pathogens to the WASH WATER.  Because woods can easily absorbs water it will just split and warp.
2. DISINFECT USING 3% HYDROGEN PEROXIDE WIPE.  Here you have to wipe it by using the HYDROGEN PEROXIDE WIPE.Let it stand for a few minutes until you hear a hissing or bubbling sound, that means it is killing the germs.
3. REMOVE STAINS with SALT or BAKING SODA.  First dry the board and sprinkle it with salt or baking soda. Scrub the stain using a sponge or a brush. Dipped into hot water, repeat as needed.
4. DEODORIZE WITH WHITE VINEGAR. Always keep a spray-bottled white vinegar, use this regularly to eliminate odor coming from the chopping board.  White vinegar can neutralize odors.
5. SANITIZE USING DILUTED BLEACH. Use this occasionally, extra-deep cleaning is highly recommended to clean wooden chopping board.  Just add 1 tsp bleach to a 1 quart(0.946352946 liters) of a water and flood the board with the solution.  Stand for a few minutes before rinsing it with hot water.

Well that's it before you chop vegetables, raw meat, fish and etc..in your wooden chopping board use these cleaning tips to make sure that the FOOD you serve to your family are HEALTHY and FREE from BACTERIA.

Source Link: FOOD NETWORK

EFFECTIVE ROOM ARRANGEMENT Part 2

Last post I have about EFFECTIVE ROOM ARRANGEMENT tackles mainly the LIVING ROOM, DINING ROOM and the BATHROOM.

Now to start 2013 let's have a room makeover concentrating the MASTER BEDROOM.

The most used room designs for relaxation, that is why it should have a PEACEFUL and CALMING ATMOSPHERE.

The IDEAL MASTER BEDROOM should be comfortable and not to big for you to stay.

NOTE:  The bed should be stable, without built-in drawers and other optional features. If the built-in drawers do exist, only linen should be stored there, but certainly not clothes, shoes, family photo archives.

photo credit: Tara Angkor Hotel via photopin cc

Chinese people follow some rituals in positioning their bed rooms, called FUNG SHUI RULES:

1. BED SHOULD NOT BE LOCATED DIRECTLY OPPOSITE THE ENTRANCE DOOR.  Or you can make the bed place slightly diagonally in order to see who enters the room.
2. AVOID SLEEPING WITH YOUR LEGS or HEAD directly at the window.
3. DO NOT USE BEDROOM FURNITURE with a SHARP CORNERS.
4. CLOSET SHOULD BE PROPORTIONAL TO THE SIZE OF THE BEDROOM.  If you are in need of a large closet use a closet with a frosted glass inserts.
5. MIRROR creates the condition of unrest and discomfort while sleeping.  That is why bed should not be facing in the area were mirrors are located.

And another thing to remember, it is not good to put TV's, computer, and telephones in your MASTER BEDROOM.  It should be put in the other room.

photo credit: Tara Angkor Hotel via photopin cc

more to come...to be continued....

source: SPREAD DECOR

USING BAKING SODA IN THE GARDEN

BAKING SODA  has many uses as a non-toxic cleaner around the house.

Here I will share with you uses of Baking Soda
in the garden.

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• MAKE A SPRAY TO TREAT AND PREVENT POWDERY MILDEW.  We usually see this kind of plant problem in our backyards.

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All you need:

1. 1 gallon of water
2. 1 tbsp of baking soda
3. 1 tbsp of vegetable oil
4. 1 tbsp of dish washing liquid

Spray your plants weekly to prevent fungus on leaves.  Do this preferably on overcast days to avoid from burning the foliage.

• SPRINKLE BAKING SODA ON CABBAGES AND OTHER BRASSICAS TO PREVENT THE OCCURRENCE OF CATERPILLARS. If those small green itchy cabbage worms have been making Swiss cheese of your cabbages, broccoli and any other plants try to combine baking powder and baking soda and dust it all over the plants wherein the green itchy worms are eating.

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Repeat this as necessary until all caterpillars are gone.

• SWEEP BAKING SODA INTO SIDEWALK CRACKS TO DISCOURAGE WEEDS. Just sweep the baking soda into the cracks to kill any small weeds growing and to prevent new ones to sprout.

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• KILL CRABGRASS. This is an annoying glass that we usually see on our lawn, garden beds, or sidewalk cracks.  Just simply wet it down then pour a thick dusting baking soda on it, just be careful on applying, you might harm your lawn grass if you put to much baking soda on it.

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But for sure crabgrass will be gone for two to three days they will start dying.

NOTE:  I am not advertising BAKING SODA above. I am just showing an example photo of a BAKING SODA.  You can buy/use any baking soda as you want as long as it is pure baking soda. XOXO.   

Source: TLC HOME

60 Minutes Laundry LowDown

We want our clothes to smell fresh and lovely to use.  Here I will give you some of the MYTHS about washing clothes and its SOLUTIONS.

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MYTH #1:  THE MORE DETERGENTS YOU WILL PUT ON YOUR CLOTHES, THE CLEANER THEY WILL GET.

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FALSE:  WHY?  The more detergent you use, the more water you will need to consume to rinse off the suds(if you are washing by hands).  If you are using a washing machine, the machine will not be able to tell if the clothes have been rinsed right; you will end up with half-rinsed clothes, which will turn smelly once they dry.

A BETTER SOLUTION: First, try using half as much detergent as you would instinctively put; when the results aren't to your liking, you can always add a little more.  Remember, it's easier to add more, but you can never take away detergent that has already been poured into the wash.

MYTH #2:  HOT WATER WILL REMOVE ALL DIRT AND KILL ALL GERMS.

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FALSE:  WHY?  Unless the water is boiling hot-which you can't very well pour on to your clothes because you'll end up damaging them- it will not be enough to kill all germs and bacteria.

A BETTER SOLUTION:  use a detergent that has anti-bacterial properties to effectively sanitize your laundry.

MYTH #3:  THE MORE BLEACH, THE BETTER.

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FALSE:  WHY? Bleach is primarily made of an acidic component, and it can cause your clothes to tear.  Also, pouring it directly onto a piece of cloth is more damaging than helpful.

A BETTER SOLUTION: Liquid detergents that are concentrated makes clean clothes better and are more cost-efficient because you can wash more clothes with them.

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Hope this will help you ease your laundry chores.  Take a few moments to rest and enjoy its fragrance perfectly.  No hassle.  No worries.

Source: GOOD HOUSEKEEPING