And while we have some go-to tailgate foods, appetizers are a MUST at “homegate” parties.

The perfect Game Day Appetizer recipe list is long and varied. There’s something for everyone.

We love dips. Bacon-wrapped little smokies are a hit with my husband.

Wings are a favorite of many. And, of course, pigs in a blanket are a must-have for tailgates or anytime.

In short, there’s a lot of food and lots of choices. And while I’d love to stand at the buffet for hours, there’s a football game to be watched.

That’s where Slow Cooker Football Recipes come in. Throw together a couple of them before the game and dinner’s taken care of too.

So, with all of that said…here’s my ultimate list of 23 tried-and-true Game Day Appetizers that’ll be flying off the table.

Dips Everyone Hovers Over

Football and chips and dips go together like pigs and blankets. Here’s a collection of crowd-pleasing dips that disappear faster than a touchdown.

Jalapeño Popper Dip has all of the flavors you love from the stuffed pepper without wrapping and stuffing forty individual peppers. Cream cheese, bacon, jalapeño’s and a crispy topping come together in one pan.

Seven Layer Dip is a crowd-pleaser and super simple to make. Made in a 9×13 pan with beans, sour cream, guacamole, cheese, and more. There’s no stove or oven involved with this crowd-pleasing dip.

Layered Taco Dip is a make-ahead appetizer that packs well for a tailgate. Simply throw it in a cooler and go.

Copycat Chili’s Skillet Queso takes advantage of simple, pantry staples. Ready in about 15 minutes and can sit in a small crockpot all game. Guaranteed to be good enough to scoop up during the 4th quarter.

Neiman Marcus Million Dollar Dip lives up to it’s “fancy” name. Only five ingredients including cheddar cheese, bacon, almonds, green onion, and mayonnaise.

Crab Dip with Cream Cheese is a change of pace from the taco-seasoned dips. Rich, creamy, and served warm.

Pepperoni Pizza Dip combines mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and marinara into an easy-to-make appetizer baked right in the dish it’s served in. I’m going to make two of these for the horde of teens and their friends that wander into our kitchen on the weekends.

Copycat CPK Tuscan Hummus comes together quickly in the food processor. It’s a welcome offering for those that don’t reach for the cheese.

Salsas to Scoop With Chips

Homemade Salsa with Fresh Ingredients comes together quickly and uses fresh garden tomatoes. Football season starts just as tomato season ends.

Canned Tomato Salsa is a favorite during those months that garden tomatoes are scarce, from November to January. Comes together quickly, tastes wonderful, and cost about a dollar.

Corn and Black Bean Salsa is a step up from a classic salsa. It can sit out for hours, which is an improvement over guacamole that browns way too quickly. Also known as cowboy or Texas caviar.

Other Game Day Bites

If you’re looking for a few more recipes to fill your menu, try one of these crowd-pleasers!

Chips and Bite-Sized Meat Dishes

Baked wonton wrapper chips are super inexpensive, incredibly easy and bake up crispy perfection to serve with ANY of the dips above!

Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies are a family fave around here, and my husband could eat them by the dozen. These little smokies are smothered in a sweet and salty brown sugar glaze and I promise you, your husband will be helping himself to these long before you’re ready to serve them!

Grape Jelly Meatballs, because nothing screams Game Day like meatballs! These three-ingredient slow cooker meatballs are a breeze to make and come together while you’re programming the game. Simply place the frozen meatballs in the slow cooker in the morning and set on low!

Ham Balls with Brown Sugar Glaze, which is an Iowa classic and can be found in nearly every Iowa church basement. Our out of state guests are always leery of these little gems the first time but come away wanting to take the recipe back with them! These sweet and savory bites are a MUST TRY and can be found at every Iowa potluck or funeral!

Handhelds That Feed the Whole Crew

Walking Tacos, if you’re looking to feed a crowd but don’t want to make a trek these are the way to go! Seasoned taco meat makes the perfect topping for a bag of your favorite brand of chips!

Philly Cheese Steak Sliders are PERFECT for a crowd and are made with Hawaiian rolls! Just ONE SHEET pan feeds an army with these scrumptious little sliders!

Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes have ALL the Philly cheesesteak flavor with NONE of the expense! With all of the meat and cheese goodness tucked into a soft bun you’ll wonder why you’ve been spending big bucks for thinly sliced steak! Made in ONE SKILLET these Sloppy Joes come together in about thirty minutes!

Hot Ham and Cheese Rolls are a favorite of the youngest kids at the party! Soft, buttery rolls with ham and melty cheese make an afternoon or evening meal they’ll ask for again and again! These little guys are SUPER easy to make and can be made ahead and re-heated with ease.

Buffalo Chicken Crock Pot Sandwiches will shock you by having all of the buffalo wing taste, with no frying!!! Serve alongside celery and blue cheese dressing for a wing-inspired appetizer or serve on toasted buns or croissants! Keep the crock pot on WARM so hungry football fans can help themselves!

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork made with pork shoulders makes at least TWELVE sandwiches at a fraction of the cost of ordering them out! This is our favorite recipe to make when we’re trying to stretch the budget a bit.

Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos, because nothing says game day like a TACO BAR! Shredded crockpot chicken takes little effort and provides a fun and interactive way to build a delicious taco. Simply lay out all of your favorite taco fixings and let your football crew build their dream tacos!

Funeral Potatoes are a MUST TRY Midwestern cheesy hashbrown casserole with a crispy cornflake crust that turns golden and irresistible. This dish answers the age-old question, “is there anything not covered in cheese?”

Whew! Did you think this list was “fancy”?

We promise that most of these recipes take minimal effort and many of them are shortcuts that save you money. You’ll be able to relax during the game and enjoy yourself, and we guarantee that you’ll be up for the next homegame!

There you have it, 23 recipes to choose from for your next tailgate or homegate party. We promise they’re all winners and crowd-pleasers.

Mix and match them all year long for some seriously scrumptious football fare! Pick a couple of the dips, a handheld in the slow cooker and a meaty bite and you’re ready to rock!

I get it. Lots of us resolve to eat healthier after indulging over the holidays.

Nutrisystem could be the answer. But how much does Nutrisystem really cost per month?

Is it worth it?

Nutrisystem costs around $10-$14 per day which could cost you $300-$400 per month depending on the plan you select. There are less expensive plans but those are when you choose a predetermined menu of meals.

If you select their customizable options where there’s more variety in food choices, expect to pay the higher end of the spectrum.

→ Check the current Nutrisystem price and this month’s 50% off deal

How to Get the Cheapest Nutrisystem Deal

They advertise the cost per day but don’t advertise the amount they’ll be charging your credit card which can be shocking. Here’s a few things to consider:

There’s almost always a discount available. Most commonly they have a 50% off the first month. That’s important because at full price Nutrisystem isn’t necessarily cheaper than what you’re spending on food in a month. However, that first month can be the difference.

If you don’t mind eating the exact same food every month you can choose the cheapest plan and go from there. There’s an introductory rate where you’ll get 28 meals for $99. That’s a steal. That’s around $3.50/meal!

Check current deals. Nutrisystem has rotating deals each week so check back often.

→ Check today’s Nutrisystem price and deal

Is Nutrisystem Worth It?

To me, Nutrisystem is worth it because it takes the decision-making out of eating healthy. It’s a matter of perspective.

Here’s a few considerations that might help you figure out if Nutrisystem is right for you.

Pros: If you struggle with portion control or meal planning Nutrisystem could be an answer. There’s something to be said about a week of craziness when we’re reaching for takeout containers “because there’s nothing in the house.” Nutrisystem saves you from yourself.

It’s a done-deal plan of meals for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and even snacks. There’s no weighing, no measuring, no calorie counting, and no deciding.

The foods themselves are pretty good (not gourmet).

Cons: If you enjoy cooking, hate wasting money on things you don’t use up, or have a tight budget Nutrisystem could be an investment you’re not happy with. There are cheaper meal delivery services that aren’t diet-centric which could save you money, especially if you’re feeding a family.

If you’re a picky eater you may be limited in your selections.

It could be helpful for you in the following ways:

If you’re feeling out of control or need some structure Nutrisystem could be the nudge you’re looking for.

It’s an option when life is crazy. Even with two teens in the house there are weeks where life is chaotic. It’s a lifeline when life gets crazy.

Bottom line? If you want to invest in Nutrisystem and use it for a couple of months to get on track it may be worth it for you.

If you’re a fan of cooking and want to feed your family with meals you’re going to enjoy Nutrisystem probably isn’t the answer. If you’re on a tight budget you’re going to struggle paying $10+ a day for your meals.

Nutrisystem is easy to cancel. You can easily manage your subscription online and skip weeks or cancel all together.

There’s no need to “call to cancel” which is great.

→ Start with the 50% off first month here

Nutrisystem FAQ

How much is Nutrisystem? Nutrisystem is $10-$14 a day, but they almost always have a discount.

Right now they’re 50% off the first month. Check out the current Nutrisystem special to see today’s lowest price.

Can you save money with a coupon? Yes.

Nutrisystem has rotating specials which change each week. Check back often for new ways to save on Nutrisystem.

Right now they’re 50% off the first month.

Does Nutrisystem Work? Like any other calorie-managed programs based on portion control, this plan allows you to eat less without counting calories.

The people who are most successful are those who stick with the controlled portions.

Do you need to buy the food indefinitely? A lot of people use it as a temporary tool that helps them figure out what the correct serving size is, then they stop getting deliveries and go back to shopping for food like normal.

Using it as a short-term tool instead of a permanent subscription is the cheapest way to do it.

Are there cheaper alternatives? There are other diet and meal plans.

We’ve done a lot of work to figure out the math on them (for the last 3 years!)

Should you choose Nutrisystem? If you’re looking for an easy diet with minimal decisions it could be helpful for you.

Order the first month at half price to make sure you like the foods and can follow the program. If you do, continue.

If not, consider using your first month of Nutrisystem as inspiration for what to eat and use those portion sizes as guidelines as you eat the same foods you liked, just made from groceries. Either way, you’ll have a win.

I was a little shocked to discover that meal kits are not uniformly pricey. Some are surprisingly affordable.

Here are the details.

Dinnerly is The Cheapest Real Meal Kit

→ Check out the latest Dinnerly prices and this week’s menu

The cheapest meal kit service in the US is Dinnerly, at approximately $3 per serving. That’s a steal.

Dinnerly achieves its rock-bottom prices with a couple of tricks. Its meals are pretty basic such as chicken sheet pan meals, pasta, and tacos, meaning fewer ingredients and lower cost.

It also leaves out frills like recipe cards, sending its instructions by email or an app instead of shipping them along with your meal.

Are Dinnerly portions large enough to satisfy your family? My husband’s only gripe with our Dinnerly experience was that there were no leftovers.

So, if your crew tends to have hearty appetites, keep in mind that you may need to add a couple of sides.

EveryPlate is The Other Budget Heavyweight

→ See EveryPlate’s current price per serving and this week’s menu

At about $5 a plate, EveryPlate also gives you bigger servings than Dinnerly. If you’re trying to feed teenagers, EveryPlate is a good option.

EveryPlate is owned by HelloFresh, which costs $9-11/serving, so I haven’t included it on the list of affordable meal kits. They use the same trucks and infrastructure to deliver meals, but EveryPlate is much less flashy and fancy.

EveryPlate’s packaging is simpler and more modest. Its recipes are a little more straightforward, its ingredients a tad cheaper.

EveryPlate costs half of HelloFresh, making it a real value.

Home Chef is The Family Value Pick

→ Click here to get Home Chef for $4.99 per serving plus free shipping.

→ Or take a look at the Family Menu Kids-Eat-Free offer

Home Chef also has a Family Menu, which offers a few recipes each week that are more likely to please children. It also frequently runs its Kids Eat Free promotion.

Home Chef has the easiest recipes by far out of all meal delivery services. They have many oven-ready meals, where you simply peel off the foil and pop it in the oven.

Marley Spoon is Fancy Food, Coupon Prices (Sometimes)

→ Visit Marley Spoon’s site to see their current introductory offer

Marley Spoon, the Martha Stewart meal kit, is owned by the same parent company as Dinnerly (above), but is a bit flashier and pricier. It offers better-quality meat and fancy fruits and veggies.

You’ll find herbs galore in Marley Spoon boxes.

We plan to use Marley Spoon when we see a great offer, make dinner once, but keep the recipe cards. Later, when we want to “wing-it”, we can raid our recipe-card binder for inspiration and make them again with regular supermarket ingredients.

What about those little meal kits in the grocery store?

Walmart and Aldi have started selling meal kits. They’re in the refrigerated section, near the ready-made entrées, and are intended to feed two.

They’re a couple of main ingredients, like steak and potatoes, plus seasonings. They’re about $9 each.

They’re not meal-kit delivery services, but can be handy to have on hand if you’ve been slacking in the meal-planning department and need to get something on the table.

How about HelloFresh and Hungryroot?

HelloFresh is the OG meal-kit delivery service, but is on the pricey side, though it’s better than restaurant takeout if you compare the math. → Still want HelloFresh anyway? Check their current per-serving price here

Hungryroot is a little like a cross between a meal-kit delivery service and a grocery-delivery service. You answer a bunch of questions, tell them what foods you like and don’t, and then you can build your own grocery-delivery box with fresh foods plus some 15-minute meal kits. → Take the Hungryroot quiz and find the price of your box.

Hungryroot meal kits aren’t exactly budget-friendly, but I did manage to convince a picky veggie-hating teenager to chomp down on a few vegetables by serving up its cashew queso.

How to calculate the per-serving price of a meal-kit delivery service

Most of the meal-kit delivery services have introductory rates, which may not necessarily continue. If the rate isn’t good enough for your budget, I wouldn’t recommend signing up.

The advertised rates are per-serving. To figure out your true price-per-serving, multiply the number of servings in a box by the number of boxes you order.

Then divide the cost of your order by the number of servings. For example, let’s say you ordered three boxes.

Each box offers two servings. That’s six servings.

Divide the price of those three boxes by six. That’s your true per-serving price.

You can cancel a meal-kit delivery service any time

All of the meal-kit delivery services can be cancelled or skipped online. No need to call.

That’s how I roll.

If you only care about price, Dinnerly wins. But if you have children to feed, and want to do as little cooking as possible, pick the $4.99 deal from Home Chef with the Kids-Eat-Free family menu.

Prices may change due to promotions so don’t rely on these numbers to make any decisions.

I’ve spreadsheeted my way through several meal-kit delivery services, calculating serving sizes, figuring out true per-serving prices, and more. Check out my meal-kit reviews:

HelloFresh Review: HelloFresh is a classic. Read our experience with HelloFresh and find out how much it costs.

For all of the following uses, coarse or kosher salt works best because it has more oomph for scrubbing, but regular table salt works well too.

There’s an array of ways to use salt as a household cleaner. Some are probably old-fashioned enough that your grandparents used them.

Salt is cheap and plentiful and works wonderfully well as a cleaner in the kitchen, on floors and linens, and around the house.

Scour a Cast Iron Pan

My husband believes that a cast iron skillet cleans itself. This belief stems from the fact that we primarily fry bacon in it, which is true, the fat helps keep it clean.

We save the pan by scouring it with coarse salt while it’s still warm and a wadded up paper towel. This lifts all of the gunk without ruining the pan’s seasoning and doesn’t require soap.

Remove Burnt Food

When I’m making soup or chili or some other lengthy simmering concoction I’m usually distracted and forget to stir and keep an eye on it. As a result, it’s reduced to a crunchy, inedible mess.

Rather than scraping away at it with a knife or scrubber and cursing under my breath, I add salt and water and soak or boil it for a while, loosening the burnt crud. This trick has saved numerous pots and pans.

Clean the Inside of Mugs That Have Coffee and Tea Stains

To remove tannin stains and restore the mugs to their former glory, rub salt on them with a dampened dishcloth. Rinse well and admire your formerly-new mugs.

Deodorize and Sanitize Cutting Boards

Nothing ruins a wooden cutting board like chopping up garlic and onion. Even after washing it still smells like last night’s salad.

To remove the smell, sprinkle coarse salt on the board and rub it with half of a cut up lemon. You can also use salt and a dampened dishcloth or a scrubber.

Not only will it remove the smell, salt helps remove stains on wooden and plastic cutting boards too.

Clean a Cloudy Glass Coffee Carafe

Coffee stains the heck out of my glass carafe. It’s difficult to scrub with anything more than my skinny pinky.

To clean, add 1-2 tablespoons of salt and a couple of ice cubes. Swirl and shake and voila, like new!

This trick also works well with glass pitchers that have been used for sweet tea.

Get Sneaker Stench Under Control

I was horrified to walk into my son’s room the other day and stumble upon his shoes. They smelled like death.

To rescue them I filled them with table salt, covered with a plastic baggie, and let them sit overnight. Salt absorbs the funk.

Empty, scrub, air out, repeat.

Clear a Slow, Smelly Drain

I love the smell of baking soda and salt. Especially when added to my floor drains when they start to smell funky or drain slowly.

Sprinkle baking soda followed by salt. Then slowly pour in a kettle of hot water.

Watch the grease and crud swirl down the drain. Repeat as needed.

Soak Up Fresh Oven Spills

I can’t count the number of times that something boils over in the oven. Rather than trying to scrub it out while it’s hot and gooey, sprinkle generously with salt and walk away.

Salt will soak up the mess. When the oven cools down sweep up the salt and enjoy your nearly-spotless oven.

Absorb a Fresh Spill

Red wine on our beige carpet. Been there, done that, cringed about it.

When it happens, sprinkle salt over the wet area to soak up as much wine as you can. Then, vacuum.

It’s not perfect, but it does help.

Clean the Soleplate of a Sticky Iron

If your clothes are emerging with little brown stripes from your iron, it’s time for a soleplate cleaning. Lay down some waxed paper or an old tea towel on a flat surface.

Sprinkle salt on top, then run your unplugged and hot iron back and forth over the salt. The buildup will lift.

Shine Tarnished Copper and Brass

When the shine starts to fade, rub it with a paste of salt and lemon juice or white vinegar. It will shine like new.

Clean Stained Enamel and Ceramic Cookware

Sometimes the food I’m cooking stains the bottom of my enameled Dutch oven. When this happens, dampen the stained area and scrub with coarse salt.

It cleans enamelware without scratching it. Salt can be used to clean other types of pots and pans as well, including ceramic-coated pans.

Remove the Odor From a Stinky Kitchen Sponge

The stench from our kitchen sponge sometimes overwhelms us. It’s time to rescue it with salt.

Fill a bowl with salted, concentrated water. Submerge the sponge, squeeze, repeat, then leave it to soak overnight.

Salt draws out the gunk that causes odor. Our sponge gets several uses before retiring.

Clean Out Narrow Vases and Bottles

If you’ve ever struggled to clean out a vase or a narrow-necked bottle, salt can help. Fill about 1/4 of the vessel with coarse salt and fill the rest with water.

Stopper the vase/bottle with your hand and swirl. Remove the salt/water mixture and rinse.

Repeat if necessary. The film will be gone.

Scour Porcelain and Stainless Steel Sinks

You can substitute salt for abrasive cleansers like scouring powder. Just wet a sponge and rub on some salt.

Our sinks are always shiny.

Remove Rust Spots

We have some rust spots on our cans and shelving that won’t budge. To remove them, try making a paste of coarse salt and lemon juice and let it soak.

The acid in the lemon works wonders on rust.

Scrub Grease off of Grills

It’s easier to scrub the grates when they are warm. Cover the grates with paper towels, sprinkle on some coarse salt, and scrub.

It’s quicker and you don’t have to worry about rogue wire bristles ending up in your vegetables like some people have experienced with wire brushes.

Remove Stains From Dish Towels

The dish towels that mop up messes in the kitchen often become soiled themselves. Mine look awful after a few days of service.

When they start to look tired, I boil a pot of water, stir in a good amount of salt, then soak the towels for about half an hour before laundering. They come out surprisingly brighter and newer-looking than expected.

Clear Cloudy Glasses With Salt

My hard water makes a film on my glasses as soon as I take them straight out of the cabinet. Fill them with salt and water and let them soak overnight.

Remove them in the morning, wash, dry, and admire.

Take Care of a Small Stove Fire With Salt

In case of emergency: Never put water on a growing grease fire! Salt will smother the flames.

If the flames grow call for help and evacuate.

Get Rid of Trashy Garbage Disposal Odors

Run the garbage disposal with ice, a small amount of salt, and citrus peels. The salt and ice will scrub the disposal while the citrus will leave it smelling lovely.

Clean Greasy Hands With Salt

Mix some salt and water with dishwashing soap for an abrasive and deodorizing handwash to take out greasy hands as well as fish, onion, or garlic smells.

Remove Watermarks Off of Wood

Make a paste of water and salt and apply to watermark. Test an inconspicuous area first.

Rub lightly then wipe off.

Loosen Stubborn Stains From Rags

Save stained rags by pre-soaking them in a bucket of hot, salty water before laundering. Stubborn stains that resist removal might surprise you by loosening in salty water.

My worst offenders are dog paw and pasta sauce stains.

Revive Yellowed Undershirts

My husband’s undershirts develop huge armpit stains that resist laundering. Pre-soaking them in salty, warm water usually works.

Sometimes they’re too far gone though and end up in my rag pile. But, many can be saved and worn another day.

Scour Grease Off of the Stove Top

Dousing sticky, baked-on grease on my stove with harsh chemicals is not on my agenda. Instead, I lay a wet rag over the grimy spots and sprinkle salt on top.

Rub vigorously, lift, wipe. Repeat as necessary.

Salt adds an abrasive quality to remove gunk. It’s cheaper than scouring powder too!

Scrub Glass Baking Dishes

When my glass baking dishes are too grimy to put away, I sprinkle them with salt, add a splash of water, then scour. The salt gets gritty, which helps loosen burnt-on food for easy removal.

Remove Burn Marks From the Bottom of Pots

Distractions happen and I’m not proud of the number of pots in my kitchen with blackened bottoms. My teenage sons aren’t immune either and we’ve been able to salvage pans that otherwise would have been tossed.

Cover the bottom of the pan with a thick paste of salt, add enough water to cover, boil, remove from heat, allow to cool, pour out the water and scrape away chunks of burnt food. Recently, I used this method along with soaking to rescue this pot that met its demise in a batch of burnt rice.

Refresh Wooden Bowls and Spoons

Just as salt removes unwanted food odors from your hands after preparing a recipe with lots of garlic or working with whole chicken, it removes food marks and smells from wooden spoons and bowls. After cleaning, rinse well, dry thoroughly to prevent warping and apply a bit of oil to spoons to bring out their beauty.

Clean Stained and Greasy Sheet Pans

Save special cleaners for more challenging projects. Grease and dirt on sheet pans comes away easily with salt.

Just sprinkle salt over the surface of the pan, allow to sit and wipe with a damp sponge. Salt is an abrasive but doesn’t mar the surface like some cleaning tools.

Clean and Sharpen Coffee or Spice Grinders

Ground coffee is oily and leaves a coating on grinder parts. Run some salt through the grinder and grind well to remove residue.

I also run salt through spice grinders, particularly after grinding strongly-scented spices like curry or nutmeg to prevent transferring their flavor to salt or pepper.

Sponge Floors

To prevent streaking when you mop ceramic tile, vinyl, linoleum, or other sealed floor that can be washed, add a pinch of salt to the warm, soapy water in your mop bucket. Don’t use salt on natural stone or unsealed wood floors because the abrasives and water will damage them.

Why Salt Works so Well as a Cleaner

It is hygroscopic, abrasive, odor absorbing, and it cleans! You save money by using salt instead of buying so many products off the market, and you keep harsh chemicals out of your home!

Salt is grandma’s secret weapon and great-grandma’s cleaning secret, and it’s an affordable and handy tool to have in every cleaning kit. Why put expensive, specialized chemicals on your shelves when salt is there?

Common Questions About Cleaning With Salt

Is it good to clean with salt?

Yes! It’s a mild natural abrasive that cleans without scratching, it absorbs wet spills, and deodorizes as well.

And it’s relatively inexpensive, so you probably already have some in your cupboard! Salt is also a low-impact option for many odd jobs in the kitchen and around the house.

How do you clean a cast-iron skillet with salt?

To clean your cast iron pan with salt, add some salt to a warm skillet and wipe it down with a paper towel or cloth. The salt will help remove any stuck-on food.

You don’t need to worry about removing the seasoning because it won’t come off when you’re cleaning. After you’ve wiped your pan down, rinse it off and then dry it off if needed.

Then, rub in a little bit of oil. Don’t use soap, though, because this can strip the seasoning from the pan.

What should you not clean with salt?

Avoid using salt on delicate surfaces such as non-stick cookware, glass cooktops, painted, or polished surfaces since salt is abrasive. Try using a smaller amount of salt, or using a finer-grained salt if you’re concerned about these surfaces.

Always test a small spot first!

Does salt remove rust and stains?

Yes! Create a paste out of salt and lemon juice (or vinegar) to dissolve rust stains that can then be wiped away.

Sprinkle salt on a new stain (such as red wine) and allow it to absorb the stain before it sets. Additionally, you can use salt as a mild abrasive to remove coffee and tea stains from your mug.

Can you mop your floors with salt water?

Adding a small amount of salt to warm mop water gives sealed tile, vinyl, or linoleum floors a gentle cleaning and freshening boost. Don’t use salt on natural stone or unfinished wood because they usually don’t stand up to abrasion or increased moisture well.

Although, I’ve been using borax forever. I keep a box of borax by my washer, too.

Borax has SO many uses.

Borax is a natural mineral without any of those nasty, modern chemicals. It can be used to deodorize your home, clean toilets, get rid of mildew, remove stains from your carpet, and so much more.

However, if you have sensitive skin, use borax with rubber gloves. Also, always keep borax, whether straight-up or part of a solution/mixture, away from kids and pets.

If an item came into contact with the borax and will come into contact with food, thoroughly rinse before use. Never use borax in a situation in which it may be eaten.

Boost Your Laundry Detergent

This is by far the best and easiest use for borax (IMHO). Throw 1/2 cup directly into your washer.

It works great with powdered or liquid detergents and helps them work more efficiently. It can help with tough stains and brighten colors.

Borax also softens your washings. It’s the best.

Adding some borax also helps keep our brights bright and whites white.

Deep-Clean and Freshen Carpets

Another great borax trick is to sprinkle it lightly all over your carpets. Leave the carpet to sit for about an hour then vacuum up the borax.

The carpet will be refreshed and any nasty odors will be banished forever. Just be sure to keep kids and critters away from borax’d carpet until it’s been thoroughly vacuumed.

At the end of a crazy day or just plain crazy week, month, or year, my living room carpet could really stand a freshen up, especially after Gigi’s contribution to the bouquet. Simply sprinkle some borax and let it sit for a bit, then vacuum it up, making sure you get it all before letting Gigi back into the room.

Scrub the Toilet Bowl

Sprinkle borax into your toilet bowl and leave it overnight. In the morning, it’ll be easier to scrub, and then just flush.

Bonus: borax helps prevent stains and hard-water rings. This is another trick I’ve been using in our kids’ bathroom that takes the grrr out of cleaning.

Kill Mold and Mildew

For a quick, low-effort mold and mildew remover, mix borax with a little water and apply to mildewed or moldy areas. Let sit, then scrub and rinse.

I use this in the corners of our kids’ shower to prevent and slow down mold.

Tackle Soap Scum in the Shower

Mix borax with just enough water to make a paste. Borax is a mild abrasive that’s safe for shower walls and glass shower doors.

Scrub away clouded glass with borax paste to remove soap scum and other build-up without scratching your shower door.

Make an All-Purpose Cleaning Spray

If you’re into traditional, one-size-fits-all cleaners, try an all purpose borax-based cleaner. It cuts through grease and dirt on all types of surfaces, including kitchen counters, cabinet fronts, you name it.

Dissolve two teaspoons of borax in a spray bottle of warm water, shake until borax dissolves. Label and store away from little fingers.

Freshen the Garbage Disposal

Have you ever smelt your garbage disposal? It’s not pretty.

If you’re anything like me, garbage disposal stench is enough to make you question everything else that happens in your kitchen. A few tablespoons of borax, allowed to sit for about an hour and then flushed down the disposal with warm, running water, will dissolve gunky build-up and deodorize the disposal, attacking the offending stench at its source.

Borax is particularly useful for stinky disposals that have been resisting lemon-peel treatments.

Boost the Dishwasher

Alongside or in lieu of your dishwasher detergent, add a dash of borax to the bottom of your machine each time you run a load. Borax will help to deodorize your dishwasher, and it’s an effective treatment for common problems like spotting, build-up and less-than-sparkling dishes.

When our dishwasher began leaving an apparent film on dishes, I assumed that we needed a new machine. A couple of washes with borax banished the problem.

Remove Rust and Hard-Water Stains

Mix borax into a paste, optionally adding a splash of lemon juice, and apply to rust or hard-water stains. Allow it to soak into stains, scrub, rinse.

Chalky orange hard-water stains have been defeated. For me, borax is still the only thing that gets them.

Scrub Sinks and Tubs

Sprinkle borax onto a damp sponge for a gentle and effective scouring powder that will help to freshen sinks and tubs and won’t scratch surfaces. Bonus: No need to keep a dedicated commercial cleaning product for this task, save yourself the trouble of lugging a container under the sink; borax lives happily in the laundry room where it belongs.

Brighten Dingy Grout

If your white grout has begun to look more of a drab gray, a paste of borax can help. Mix into paste, apply to grout, let sit.

Then use an old toothbrush to scrub into grout. Rinse and admire your brightened tile.

Important: This is not a treatment for natural stone tile. Stone doesn’t like abrasives of any kind.

Deodorize the Trash Can

Borax makes a fine deodorizer for trash cans.

Add a squirt of the solution into the bottom of your trash can and let it dry. Or, for a quickie option, just sprinkle some of the powder into your can.

This is another instance where a scented candle would just mask the stench, but this solution will eliminate the stench at its source.

Freshen the Mattress

Sprinkle borax all over your mattress and leave for several hours or overnight. Borax is fantastic at soaking up moisture and neutralizing odors.

After letting it set for several hours, vacuum up all of the borax. This is a great option if you’re hesitant to pay someone to come and do a mattress deep-clean.

Lift Pet Urine Stains and Odor

If you have pets or had them at one time, then you’ve probably struggled with pesky urine stains that refuse to give up their scent. Mix together a damp borax paste, work it into the stain, and then follow the instructions on the box.

Keep your pet(s) away from the area until you’re done. We used this solution once on our rug when Gigi, who had a rough start as a puppy, kept marking the same corner again and again.

This was the only way to remove the stench so she’d stop marking the same area.

Unclog and Freshen Drains

Have you ever noticed your drains are slower than usual but not quite ready for a deep-clean? Save yourself a trip to the store and try flushing your drains with borax.

Add a handful or two down your kitchen or other drain, then follow with hot water. The mixture works its magic to loosen gunk and leave your drains smelling fresh.

We have a member of our family that likes to wash things that shouldn’t be washed down the kitchen sink…I’m looking at you. This solution comes in handy for us every few weeks to save my kitchen drain from its doom.

Scrub Greasy Pots and Pans

Mix a paste and apply to pots and pans. The texture of the borax is abrasive enough to lift burnt-on foods or greasy gunk but not harsh enough to ruin your pots.

A borax scrubber helps degrease dishes too. I’m notorious for leaving greasy pans to soak for extended periods of time.

Then all it takes is a few swipes with my borax scrubber to lift away baked-on grease.

Presoak Set-In Laundry Stains

Teenage boys’ clothes seem to attract every conceivable food and beverage. But rather than consigning a stained shirt to the rag pile, try soaking it in a solution of warm water and borax to loosen stains, especially protein-based or food-related.

Then toss them into a normal wash. Stains come out noticeably more easily, saving shirts destined for the rag pile.

Clean Walls and Painted Surfaces

Mix a batch of borax solution. Dip a nearly-dry, soft cloth into the solution.

Then wring out so it’s barely damp. Then use this dampened cloth to wipe walls, lifting away scuff marks and smudges, dirt, and fingerprints.

Afterwards, give walls another wipe-down with a clean, damp cloth. We used this method to wipe away handprints at various heights left by our teenagers on our stairway wall.

Instead of resorting to painting, we used borax to remove the handprints with ease.

Freshen Outdoor Furniture

Dissolve borax in a bucket of water. Use this solution to wash resin or plastic patio furniture.

This solution will lift away pollen, dirt, grime and the gray film left by a long, harsh winter. Then your patio will be ready for spring and summer.

Make a Roach and Ant Bait

Combine borax and sugar. Keep out of reach of children and pets, such as under the sink or behind an appliance.

Then leave out to eliminate pesky roaches or ants. We used this method to eliminate pesky ants without risking curious nibbles from our goldendoodle.

Clean and Deodorize the Diaper or Trash Pail

Mix up some borax solution. Then use to soak a rag.

Wipe down your trash can or diaper pail. Then dry and replace a new trash bag.

Persistent odors are lifted away, leaving your trash cans free of stink, even if you’ve given it a quick rinse.

Use to eliminate odors from trash cans and diaper pails. It seems to me like diapers were invented to test mothers’ resolve.

Borax came through during those trying days when nothing else would eliminate the stink. Use it now when the wet paper towel application fails to mask the kitchen trash bin’s funky aroma.

Remove Stains from Cookware and Pyrex

Apply the paste to stains on dishes, scrub, and wash. This will remove stains that nothing else seems to lift from your favorite ceramic dishware.

I’ve been able to rescue Pyrex glass bakeware using this trick when stains become too stubborn. You can’t beat the satisfaction of removing those pesky brown stains.

Deodorize the Refrigerator

Mix a mild solution with borax and use it to wipe out the refrigerator. This will remove the mystery food item’s stench that you’re sure will be lurking somewhere in there.

Or, maybe there’s a spill you can’t find and you know there’s something rotten somewhere. Whatever it is, borax will remove that funky smell.

Just make sure you give your fridge a good rinse since you eat food from your refrigerator.

Degrease the Stovetop and Range Hood

Apply the paste to greasy areas. Allow it to sit for one minute, then wipe away.

Even range hoods get a film of grease on them. Borax removes that stubborn layer of grease without emitting harsh fumes.

Clean Tile Floors

Add a few tablespoons of borax to a bucket of warm water. Use to mop tile floors that need more than just a wetting down to really clean them.

Borax is not safe to use on all types of flooring. Be careful to avoid using this on unsealed wood floors and natural stone.

Clear Hard Water From Glass Shower Doors

Apply borax paste to glass shower doors. Rinse away.

Buff dry. Hard water leaves behind an ugly film that makes shower doors look old.

Borax will cut through that film leaving your shower looking better than ever.

When we got this house, our glass shower door was terribly cloudy. I used borax and it’s as clear as day now.

This also helps me see whether or not my kids got all of the soap off the walls…

Clean the Washing Machine

Who knew your washer needed a deep clean too?! Run half a cup of borax in a hot, empty cycle to eliminate residue and odors.

Since I noticed my washer had gotten a little smelly/musty (guilty!), I’ve been running borax through the washer periodically.

Remove Sticky Residue and Grime

Create a paste from borax and a little bit of water to get sticky residue or buildup off of surfaces.

I used borax on our kitchen cabinet handles, the most-touched part of the cabinet, especially around the stove. There’s so much gunky buildup from all of our cooking.

When I cleaned it off, I was shocked. I thought that dark color was the stain of the wood, but that was just years of built-up filth!!

Who knew?!

Freshen Pet Bedding

Wash pet items with borax to eliminate pet-related odors from fabrics. Either soak them in the borax/water mixture before washing or add some directly to the washer.

Just make sure to rinse them REALLY well so no borax is left behind for your fur-baby to lay on.

Gigi’s bed reeks. As in fills-the-entire-bathroom-and-stinks-the-next-day reeks.

Washing with detergent will eliminate the stench for a day or two, but adding borax and giving her bed a borax bath first has been a life-saver for us.

Brighten Dingy Towels and Linens

If you’ve got old, dingy linens/towels, soak them overnight in a bathtub with hot water and borax before washing. This will eliminate any buildup, musty odors and help them appear whiter and feel softer.

We always thought our towels stank and got stiff/gray-ish because they were getting old. I would replace them once a year, but I decided to try soaking them first.

It worked like a charm. I’m still using the same towels from over a year ago and they’re not even close to needing replaced.

Borax is definitely worth keeping on hand, especially in a hectic, messy, crazy, wonderful family like ours.

One of my favorite new (well not really new but new to me) cleaning supplies is Borax. It’s super versatile and inexpensive.

Use it as Laundry Booster & Toilet Bowl Cleaner. This basic mineral is so simple, yet incredibly effective.

The box with the mule team on it has graced cleaning routines for grandmothers for over 100 years! One box will take the place of a lot of single-use products.

CAUTION: Handle with caution. Make sure to store in a safe place from little fingers and small pets.

Wash anything that has come into contact with it if it pertains to food. It’s an excellent product that will take the power of your laundry a notch up (add it with your regular detergent) and bring new life back into those not so white towels/linens, scrub, odor removal, mold removal.

Common Questions About Cleaning With Borax

Is borax okay to clean with? And why does everyone keep saying you can’t use it anymore?

Yes, Borax is a chemical. It’s not food grade (meaning, if ingested, it’s not good for you), can irritate the skin, shouldn’t be inhaled, etc.

However, it’s perfectly fine to use Borax as a household cleaner or laundry booster as long as some common-sense rules are followed, namely: wear gloves when necessary, make sure to give items a thorough rinse if they’re going to come into contact with food, make sure there’s no residue on things that kids/pets might come into contact with (and subsequently lick), etc.

Can you mix borax and Dawn dish soap?

Yes. A common method of creating laundry presoaks and homemade cleaning pastes is to mix borax with some Dawn dish soap.

Dawn dissolves grease while borax helps remove stains and soften fabrics. Mix in warm water, label the solution, and keep out of reach of children and pets.

What should you never mix with borax?

Do not mix borax with bleach. Also, avoid using it with any other acidic cleaners such as vinegar.

You need to avoid acids if you want to get the most out of the cleaning power of borax since acids will deactivate borax. It’s best to use borax by itself, in warm water.

What stains does borax remove?

Borax can help remove stains caused by grease, oil and protein-based stains like wine, blood, food and sweat. Make a paste of borax and water, or use borax as a soak before washing.

Rub paste into the stain, allow it to sit. Wash or rinse.

What bugs does borax get rid of?

To eliminate ant or cockroach infestations, combine borax with a sweet substance like sugar to create bait and position it in areas that are inaccessible to kids or animals, such as behind or underneath your appliances.

It’s a powerhouse of a cleaner and it smells great. Try it you’ll be surprised how effective (and economical) lemon is compared to many of the cleaning sprays available!

Plus, you won’t stink like a chemical factory when you’re done.

I keep a bowl of lemons for cooking but I’d bet at least half of them get used for cleaning purposes around here. Between the 2 teens, a husband that puts fish in the microwave then walks away & a goldendoodle (Gigi) who thinks it’s her job to bring in all sorts of goodies from her adventures outside, my cutting board isn’t the only thing that needs a good scrub down around here.

Caveat emptor: Lemons are acidic, so keep them away from natural stone (granite, marble, etc.). Also, for particularly delicate items, rinse thoroughly after cleaning with lemon.

Here are 30 ways to clean with lemons (not including my favorite, the cutting board!):

1. STEAM-CLEAN THE MICROWAVE

When my husband decides to heat-up some fish in the microwave and leave without covering, I walk into the kitchen, wrinkling my nose. When he returns to investigate why I’m wrinkling my nose at him, he feigns ignorance and wrinkles his nose at me.

It’s a constant dance. To combat this issue as well as random splatters and general gunk build-up, we now regularly steam-clean the microwave.

Fill a microwave-safe bowl with water, squeeze in some lemon, throw in the rinds, microwave for 3 minutes, open the door and wipe. Easy-peasy, lemony-squeezy.

2. FRESHEN AND CLEAN THE OVEN

Oven-cleaning isn’t high on my to-do list, so any hack that makes it easier is highly appreciated. Fill an oven-safe dish with water, squeeze in a lemon and bake.

Allow to cool, remove the dish and wipe down. While this isn’t a deep-clean, it helps remove lighter-duty messes and definitely removes any pesky smells.

3. SHINE TARNISHED BRASS AND COPPER

Cut a lemon in half and dip in coarse salt. Rub over tarnished brass or copper and watch them sparkle.

Rinse and buff with a dry cloth.

I tested it out on an old copper bottom pan, and it worked like magic! I sent before/after photos to my mama.

4. DEODORIZE THE GARBAGE DISPOSAL

Put some ice cubes in your garbage disposal along with a few slices of lemon or just the rinds. The ice helps to clean the blades and the lemon releases its fragrant oils.

This is such an easy way to get rid of nasty disposal smells and leave behind a nice zesty freshness. Plus, you’ll feel good after.

Trust me.

5. RESTORE CLOUDY HEADLIGHTS

The citric acid in lemons dissolves the oxidation that creates the foggy yellow haze over headlights. Here’s what you do: Dip half a lemon in baking soda and rub on headlights.

The mixture of citric acid in the lemon and sodium bicarbonate in the baking soda creates a chemical reaction that breaks down oxidation. Rinse off and behold clear headlights for improved visibility when driving at night.

I actually did this to our headlights one afternoon because I just HAD to see if it really works like everyone says it does. Now I get to rub this fact into my hubs’ face when he insists that if we leave things alone long enough they will somehow fix themselves.

6. SANITIZE AND DEODORIZE CUTTING BOARDS

Garlic, onion, other funky-smelling leftovers? No problem.

Take a lemon and squeeze it over your cutting board and sprinkle some salt. Scrub with half of the lemon.

Rinse and your cutting board will be like new. Works on plastic or wood boards and is great for sanitizing too.

Next time you’re staring down a grossed-out cutting board you’d like to toss, try this trick before buying a new one. Trust me, it works.

7. REMOVE HARD WATER STAINS AND LIMESCALE

Dissolve chalky deposits of minerals left behind when hard water evaporates by rubbing half of a lemon all over faucets and fixtures. The citric acid will eat away at lime scale.

Allow the lemon to sit for a few minutes, then wipe off with a rag. What used to take precious minutes to scrub off will be lifted away with little effort.

8. DESCALE THE KETTLE AND COFFEE MAKER

To de-lime your coffee machine, run lemon juice and water through it, or boil some lemon slices in water in your kettle, and remember to then rinse it out with fresh water.

The humble lemon is such an underrated workhorse. Descaling my kettle with lemon eliminates mineral deposits that have been making my morning coffee taste funny.

9. CLEAN AND SHINE THE SINK

Scrub stainless steel or porcelain sinks with a cut lemon to lift away grease, eliminate smells and erase pesky water marks. Rinse well and enjoy a shiny sink with a pleasant citrusy smell.

And there’s nothing like giving your sink a quick wipe down with lemon at night to make your kitchen feel brand new, at least until morning.

10. BRIGHTEN DINGY WHITES

Lemon juice can act as a natural bleach in your washing machine. Just add some when you wash whites.

For extra-stubborn stains, soak garments in water with a generous helping of lemon juice and hang outside in the sun to dry. The combination of lemon juice and sunshine has been bleaching grayed-out white socks since my kids hit their teenage years.

11. REMOVE STAINS FROM PLASTIC CONTAINERS

That orange spaghetti sauce stain may be impossible to erase from plastic food storage containers but adding lemon juice when you wash them will lighten the stain and get rid of food smells, saving them from an eternity of neglect in the depths of the garage.

12. STREAK-FREE GLASS AND MIRRORS

Combine some water and lemon juice and use it to shine glass and mirrors. Spray the mixture onto windows, mirrors or other glassy surfaces, then rub with a lint-free rag for a crystal-clear shine.

Our family’s shared bathroom mirror gets an occasional lemon juice rubdown, as the mirror gets heavy use and ammonia-filled glass cleaners aren’t smells I want to linger in the bathroom.

13. POLISH CHROME FIXTURES

Cleaning fixtures and faucets is a fast, simple way to make your house shine, literally. Rub them with a cut lemon, then buff with a dry rag and watch water spots and streaks disappear.

This task only takes two minutes.

14. SCRUB AWAY RUST SPOTS

Scrub small rust stains with lemon and salt to get rid of rust. Rinse well to avoid leaving behind an orange-tinted residue.

I used this trick on my metal shelves in my pantry when I had a nasty rust ring where I’d been using a shelf to hold cans of food. Just make sure to dry the item well when you’re done.

15. CLEAN A GREASY CHEESE GRATER

If, like me, you’re not crazy about washing a greasy cheese grater, try rubbing it with half a lemon instead. The acids in the lemon will cut through the cheese and grease.

Plus, the texture of a lemon is great for getting into all of the teeny tiny holes that make a cheese grater so difficult to scrub.

16. REMOVE TEA AND COFFEE STAINS FROM MUGS

The tannic acid from coffee or tea will leave brown rings in teapots, teacups, coffee mugs, etc. Fill your stained item with lemon-infused water or straight-up lemon juice and allow to soak until stains are lifted.

This method will get your favorite stained coffee mug looking clean again.

17. DEODORIZE THE REFRIGERATOR

Try a simple trick when the refrigerator begins to take on a funky smell. Simply drop a lemon half or container of lemon juice into the refrigerator and replace as needed, every week or two.

18. CLEAN AND FRESHEN THE TRASH CAN

Take a half of a lemon and give your (cleaned) garbage can a quick wipe-down. Or leave the peels at the bottom of your garbage can for a natural deodorizer.

Lemon is great because it gets rid of garbage smells, not just covering them up with a lovely floral-sweet scent like a garbage can candle does.

19. LOOSEN STICKER AND LABEL RESIDUE

If you’ve been saving jars like me for a future pantry organization project, you know how difficult it can be to remove the sticky, gummy residue. Just rub with lemon.

The natural oils in the lemon or lemon oil will seep into the gunk and loosen it. Then, just wipe away.

20. RUN A LEMON THROUGH THE DISHWASHER

Fill a measuring cup with lemon juice and place it on the top rack. Run the dishwasher on a hot cycle to degrease the machine and get rid of funky smells.

I used to get a musty smell from our dishwasher and would occasionally run a lemon cleaning cycle to remedy the situation.

21. MAKE A NATURAL ALL-PURPOSE CLEANER

Save those lemon peels. Place them in a container, fill it with white vinegar, then cap and store for 1-2 weeks.

Strain and dilute with water, pour into a spray bottle and shake. Voila, citrus-scented, natural cleaner.

Use on all but natural stone. It cuts grease and grime on almost any (sealed) surface.

Not only can you put those pesky peels to good use, the lemon will mask that vinegar smell.

22. REMOVE LIMESCALE FROM THE SHOWERHEAD

Halve the lemon, rub it over the showerhead and allow it to sit. Rinse and watch that stream come back.

Limescale and other mineral deposits are no match for lemon. I rescued a sadly-dribbling showerhead with lemon and saved myself a trip to the store for descaler, and I did it all for just fifty cents.

23. CLEAN REUSABLE WATER BOTTLES AND THERMOSES

Old thermoses and other hard-to-clean bottles get funky with time. Fill them up with a mixture of lemon juice and hot water and let them soak.

My kids’ water bottles got funky. I cleaned them with lemon and gave them the stink test…eventually retiring them.

At least I felt good knowing that I tried everything I could to rescue them before consigning them to the trash.

24. LIFT SOAP SCUM IN THE TUB AND SHOWER

The acid in the lemon helps remove soap scum in the shower. Halve the lemon and rub over the walls of the shower and allow to sit for several minutes before rinsing.

This saves me from huffing and puffing over stubborn scum and saves time. I’ve been known to rescue the kiddo’s bath tub and their guilty conscience by splashing a little lemon juice on those pesky rings before rinsing away!

25. CLEAN GROUT WITH BAKING SODA

We’ve seen lots of ways to use lemon for cleaning. Pairing it with baking soda to clean grout is another.

Mix lemon juice and baking soda to form a paste. Apply to dingy grout and let sit for a few minutes.

Scrub with an old toothbrush and rinse. Voila!

Like-new grout. Caveat: lemon is acidic and will etch natural stone so skip this project if you have stone tiles.

When I first moved into my house I actually thought that’s just what kitchen grout was colored…gray. Try this project and you may be in for a pleasant surprise.

26. SHINE STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES

Spritz some lemon juice on a soft cloth and rub stainless steel in direction of grain. This is my favorite way to shine stainless and get out oily smudges and fingerprints.

This is much more fun to do than tell my husband he needs to stop touching the fridge with his sticky, dirty, gross, filthy fingers about 400 times a day.

27. REMOVE FOOD AND BERRY STAINS FROM HANDS

Lemon juice works well to remove stains left behind by berries, beets and anything else you leave behind when you’re chopping away at your recipe. It also zaps away odors left by chopping up onion or garlic.

28. DEODORIZE AND CLEAN THE BLENDER

Take a little bit of warm water, a slice of lemon, and a pump of liquid soap and run the blender for several seconds. Pour out and rinse.

Not only are your blades washed with no reaching in there, but any lingering odors will be history.

29. CUT GREASE ON THE STOVETOP

For me cooking = cleaning. Grease splatters and drips make themselves right at home in my stovetop.

I hate cleaning with harsh chemicals and enduring their noxious stench. Lemon is my answer.

Just rub half of a cut lemon over the grime and let sit for about a minute. The acid does the work.

For tougher jobs try sprinkling the stovetop with baking soda before rubbing on the lemon for some extra muscle. Rinse with warm water and wipe dry.

30. FRESHEN FLOORS WITH A LEMON SCENT

Add some lemon juice to the water you’re using to mop with, as it cuts through grime really well, and will leave your house smelling nice and fresh. It’s good for sealed tiles, vinyl, linoleum…just be careful about using it on natural stone or unsealed wood, as they don’t like the acid or the liquid, generally.

The only time I’ve ever felt that all is right with the world is right after I’ve given the kitchen floor a good mopping with lemon juice water. Sure, there’ll be another dropped snack in the morning and another muddy paw print when we come in from a walk, but it is nice to have things neat and fresh-smelling for a while.

In my opinion, lemon’s cleaning properties have made it a staple in grandmothers’ kitchens. It’s so convenient to have in your kitchen, inexpensive, natural, and cuts through grime, grease, and residue.

For lighter tasks, it polishes and shines metals, eliminates odors, and leaves a pleasant scent. One lemon = three spray bottles.

I’ll leave you with my final thoughts: Microwave and Brass: They’re your friends. Those two will sweep you off your feet just like the microwave hack swept me off my feet the first time I didn’t scrub.

The only caveat? Avoid acid on natural stone, and have a few more lemons around the house than you think you need.

One of them will eventually be the answer to “What do I use to clean this thing?” one too many times.

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT CLEANING WITH LEMON

Can lemon be used to sanitize?

Lemon acid is not a disinfecting agent so lemon can’t replace your trusty sanitizer if you’re looking to kill germs and bacteria.

Can I clean with lemon on my granite?

Lemon and other types of citric acid can dull, bleach, and/or stain natural stone like marble or granite. It’s best to avoid these types of materials when cleaning with lemon, and thoroughly rinse the area afterward to avoid the acid discoloring delicate surfaces.

What about hardwood floors?

Similar to natural stone, lemon juice isn’t kind to hardwood floors or brass-plated items.

Can I use lemon to descale my kettle?

Lemon works well for lighter tasks. For tougher jobs, white vinegar is less expensive and works better.

How do I make a natural, all-purpose cleaner with lemon?

Instead of throwing away the peels after squeezing out lemons, I’ll save them in a jar and cover them with white vinegar. Let the peels infuse into the vinegar for one to three weeks.

Strain the vinegar when it’s ready, then combine with equal parts water in a spray bottle. The lemon-vinegar solution works well on most household surfaces as long as they’re not porous or otherwise susceptible to citric acid.

How do I decide between lemon and white vinegar?

Honestly, it’s what’s in front of me at the time and what I’m cleaning. Lemon juice is more expensive, so I’ll reach for white vinegar to save pennies and reserve lemon for smaller tasks.

Vinegar doesn’t always have the pleasant lemony aroma. But both items answer the eternal, what do I clean this with? question.

Spot test delicate surfaces before use.

Rubbing alcohol (70% isopropyl alcohol) is an item that’s found in nearly every home. Many of us keep it in the bathroom and pull it out along with some cotton balls when we receive a scrape or cut.

But did you know that rubbing alcohol is a great addition to your cleaning arsenal? It’s inexpensive, convenient, effective, and it’s strength (70% isopropyl) makes it safe to use for cleaning.

Here are a few ideas for ways to use rubbing alcohol to clean and sanitize around the home.

I keep a bottle in our kitchen because I use it often. It works great to remove hubby’s fingerprint marks off of our stainless steel appliances, Gigi’s nose marks off our glass patio doors, and more.

It can be used by itself or you can add a few drops to your cleaning solution for an added measure of cleansing. It also cleans well because it dries super quick and doesn’t leave a residue.

1. PHONES, TABLETS, AND TOUCHSCREENS

To clean screens on phones and tablets, take a microfiber cloth and lightly dampen it with 70 percent rubbing alcohol. Do not soak it, but just use the alcohol as a dampening agent, and use it to wipe the screens to cut through fingerprints, facial oils and various types of germs.

Rubbing alcohol evaporates quickly and also leaves no residue. That is why it is the most frequently used cleaner for even the most dirty tech devices in your home.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve cleaned the screens of my teenagers’ phones and wondered what the excess residue and grime was. I’ve stopped asking, and I’ve been told that the smudges go in the realm of science projects.

Bad dead skin, food, germs, and gross stuff are often find smears on screens. They are different every week.

Nasty.

2. STREAK-FREE GLASS AND MIRRORS

You may be able to keep your nose prints off your bathroom mirrors though that’s unlikely, but there’s nothing you can do about Gigi’s nose prints on our glass patio doors. Rubbing alcohol gets the job done quickly on our glass doors as well as other glass or mirrored surfaces and leaves no residue or streaks.

Our bathroom mirror is particularly challenging to keep looking good. It’s a communal effort between three people and hair spray and toothpaste splatter builds up quickly.

While other cleaners just smear the grime around, rubbing alcohol cuts through it like a champ.

3. WINDOWS WITHOUT THE STREAKS

Mix together some rubbing alcohol and water and use this solution in place of store-bought glass cleaner. Spray down windows and wipe with a microfiber cloth or ball up some old newsprint for a classic approach.

Either way, windows will come out squeaky clean and streak-free.

4. DISINFECT HIGH-TOUCH SURFACES

This one is pretty self-explanatory. Germs love to hang out on doorknobs, light switches, cabinet handles…the list goes on.

Rubbing alcohol, specifically the 70% variety, is a bactericide and kills germs on contact. It won’t stop my daughter’s latest cold from moving through our household like wildfire but it does help me feel like I’m doing SOMETHING, especially during the depths of winter when germy air becomes rampant.

Plus, unlike many disinfecting cleaners, rubbing alcohol dries quickly, leaving absolutely NO residue behind.

5. GAME CONTROLLERS AND KEYBOARDS

Rubbing alcohol also comes in really handy for cleaning germs off of remotes, game controllers, computer keyboards…basically anything with buttons. Buffing these items down with rubbing alcohol gets them squeaky clean.

To clean sticky buttons on devices, use rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab and insert it into the seams of game controllers or between keyboard keys to remove grime. Make sure to power the device off first and go lightly, allowing it to dry fully before turning it back on.

6. MAKEUP BRUSHES AND SPONGES

Full cleansing of makeup brushes and sponges is a multi-step process involving soaking, washing, reshaping and air-drying. In between thorough cleansings, you can save yourself some time by giving your collection a once-over with some rubbing alcohol.

Spray some rubbing alcohol onto makeup brushes and swirl them in the center of a paper towel. The alcohol helps dissolve makeup (especially colors) and break down any oily residue.

Repeat with fresh sections of paper until the original becomes noticeably dirty.

7. EYEGLASSES AND SUNGLASSES

I’m guilty of cleaning my glasses with my shirt when they get smudged, but when they’re REALLY grossed out, I dampen a soft cloth with some diluted rubbing alcohol and rub until clear. Works like a charm.

Just use sparingly as rubbing alcohol can remove certain coatings on lenses.

8. REMOVE PERMANENT MARKER

Yep, “permanent” is doing a lot of heavy-lifting in that name because rubbing alcohol can take it off of just about anything, including white boards, countertops, and glass. Allow to sit for a moment before wiping away.

My daughter used to decorate EVERYTHING when she was little, leaving our poor coffee table scarred for life. We still have it.

We’re sentimental like that.

9. STAINLESS STEEL APPLIANCES

I am a fan of stainless steel appliances, however, fingerprints (especially oily ones) show up pretty readily. My husband opens our fridge about 400 times a day leaving fingerprints everywhere.

Spray some rubbing alcohol onto a microfiber cloth and rub in the same direction as the grain of the appliance. This will remove those pesky prints.

10. STICKER AND LABEL RESIDUE

Rubbing alcohol is the answer to removing pesky sticker and label residue from glass, plastic, and metal surfaces. Apply the rubbing alcohol directly onto the adhesive and let it sit for a minute before wiping away.

I’ve been saving all kinds of jars because someday, I’m going to get around to organizing the pantry. When the day comes, rubbing alcohol is going to be my best friend for cleaning out any gummy residue.

11. JEWELRY AND GEMSTONES

Oils and other types of grime build up on your jewelry and make it look dull. Get rid of that grimy film by soaking gold or other types of jewelry in rubbing alcohol and brushing them with a soft bristle brush.

I always know my wedding band needs some TLC when it doesn’t sparkle as brightly as it’s supposed to. Rubbing alcohol has been a life-saver.

Just keep any rings or jewelry with opals, pearls, turquoise, or any soft/gem stones away from rubbing alcohol.

12. BATTERY CORROSION

Have you ever popped open a battery pack, only to discover some nasty, crusty white gunk? I just added a quick note to my blog post.

Before you toss it, dip some Q-tips in rubbing alcohol and rub off the gunk. Remove the old batteries, wipe the battery contacts, let it all dry, and insert new batteries.

I found an old flashlight in a drawer, so of course I needed to see if rubbing alcohol would make those crusty old boys work again.

13. DISSOLVE HAIRSPRAY BUILDUP

Dampen a soft rag or paper towels with rubbing alcohol and use them to remove any sticky residue caused by an over-spritzed application of hairspray from floors, walls, countertops, mirrors, etc. Recently, I’ve been giving my daughter’s getting-ready area an extra deep clean, and found that her bathroom floor was a little tacky near the vanity.

Instead of giving the entire bathroom another deep-clean, I dampened a soft rag with rubbing alcohol and gave her getting-ready floor another wipe-down. Problem solved.

14. CHROME FAUCETS AND FIXTURES

Rubbing alcohol is great for getting that gleaming, polished finish on chrome faucets and other bathroom and kitchen fixtures. Apply rubbing alcohol onto a soft cloth and rub away toothpaste splatters, water spots, etc.

Bonus points for sanitizing faucet handles in the process.

15. SCISSORS, TWEEZERS, AND CLIPPERS

Tape residue makes it nearly impossible to snip paper properly. Rubbing alcohol cuts right through tape residue, and sanitizes scissors, nail clippers, and tweezers in the process.

Give them a quick once-over and allow them to dry to avoid rust.

My kitchen scissors get super gross from cutting tape and opening packages and cutting up food. I clean them off with an alcohol wipe and they’re as good as new.

16. EARBUDS AND AIRPODS

Dip a Q-tip in rubbing alcohol to get into nooks and crannies. This is perfect for cleaning out grimy earbuds and airpods.

Clean out your carrying case too, and you’d be surprised how grimy those get too. Important: Do not get them too wet.

Wait until they’re completely dry before putting them back in their cases to charge. Mine are super grimy because my kids leave theirs in their pockets, backpacks, gym bags, etc.

17. INK STAINS ON FABRIC

Before washing out an ink stain, blot it with isopropyl rubbing alcohol with a cotton ball, working from the outside of the stain inward. If you try to wash the garment normally before blotting with rubbing alcohol, the stain will set.

Then wash as usual. This trick has saved at least one of my husband’s work shirts from becoming a rag.

An ink pen exploded on his shirt and it worked like a dream.

18. FROST-FREE CAR WINDOWS

I live in Iowa where we get some doozy winters. Nothing makes me happier than NOT having to scrape my windows in the morning.

Mix rubbing alcohol with water and keep a spray bottle in your car. In the morning, just spray your windows with the mixture and rub off frost.

No scraping. Alcohol lowers the freezing point of water, so the frost will melt and rub right off.

This saves me so much time in the mornings and spares me from having to stick my poor, frozen self outside in the bitter cold at 7 in the morning.

19. BLINDS AND WINDOW TRACKS

Dampen a rag and tie it tightly around an old butter knife to get into narrow spaces like window tracks. Rubbing alcohol is helpful here because it will cut through the dust, whereas with water alone the dust can get a little goopy and smear.

For blinds, use a Q-tip dipped in alcohol to get into each slat. The blinds in our kitchen get coated with a combination of dust and cooking oil that’s perfect for rubbing alcohol.

Cleaning blinds is such a tedious chore that it’s one of those things that I constantly put off.

20. DEODORANT MARKS ON CLOTHES

Have you ever washed a shirt only to pull it out of the dryer and find white streaks from deodorant? Ugh!

Instead, wipe marks with a cloth dampened with a little rubbing alcohol. It removes the marks and won’t leave a residue.

Perfect for dark-colored shirts.

If you have a mark from deodorant on a black top, you can dab the top with rubbing alcohol. Presto!

You’re good to go and won’t have to change your outfit.

21. TV AND COMPUTER SCREENS

Use sparingly. Never use rubbing alcohol undiluted and don’t use it directly on your screen.

Instead, spray or apply to a cloth and give a quick wipe-down. Never use rubbing alcohol if it says to never use it, such as on some coated and matte screens.

Dust bunnies love to settle into TV screens. Mine has random fingerprints because it’s at nose level for our dog.

Wiping it down with a slightly damp cloth makes it look brand-new.

22. WHITE SNEAKERS AND SCUFF MARKS

Rubbing alcohol can help to brighten canvas shoes and get scuff marks out of rubber soles. Apply alcohol directly to a rag or cotton ball and rub in a circular motion on dirty marks.

My daughter’s white sneakers get dirty after about a week of regular use. Rubbing alcohol can help to prolong their shiny-white lives, though eventually they’ll be gray.

23. GREASY LIGHT SWITCHES AND OUTLET PLATES

We all think that we keep our house immaculate and clean. Then, one day you pick up a rag to dust the outlet plates around the house and realize that they’re absolutely grimy.

Dip a rag into rubbing alcohol, making sure that it’s damp, not wet, and rub the plate until it’s squeaky clean. Those gross, greasy fingerprints are no match for rubbing alcohol.

24. HARD PLASTIC TOYS

Although we don’t clean our kids’ toys with alcohol on a regular basis, it is helpful to do so after everyone has been sick or if your child has taken their toy to a dirty environment. Apply rubbing alcohol to a rag or sponge and wipe down hard plastic toys.

Allow them to air-dry. This will not only clean them, but disinfect them.

I also do this with the dog’s hard chew toys because Gigi eats everything in the backyard.

25. COFFEE MAKER AND BLENDER BUTTONS

Any dried-up food or drink splatter in those pesky cracks or buttons will break down with a cotton swab dipped into rubbing alcohol.

Last time I had sticky buttons on our coffee maker and couldn’t remember where we had spilled. I dipped a cotton swab in rubbing alcohol and wiped away the stickiness.

It worked wonderfully. It’s one of those little victories.

Nothing major, but it’s still nice to start the morning with a working coffee maker.

26. WATER-BASED PAINT SPLATTER

Water-based paint splatter on tile, hardware, and other household items can be cleaned with rubbing alcohol. Try rubbing alcohol to remove latex paint splatters before they’ve had a chance to completely harden.

Rubbing alcohol won’t scratch glass. Try it on glass surfaces with paint splatters too.

Let the rubbing alcohol soak into the paint splatter for a minute, then scrape away. It may wipe away easily.

27. STAINLESS SINK AND DRAIN AREA

The sink and drain areas in our kitchen are stainless. We can easily wipe away water spots with rubbing alcohol to restore that shiny, streak-free sink.

More importantly though, rubbing alcohol also acts as a disinfecting agent. Next time you wipe down your sink, keep in mind, you’re not just giving it a quick rinse, you’re disinfecting that sink.

28. REFRESH WHITEBOARDS AND DRY-ERASE BOARDS

Rubbing alcohol wipes away those pesky dry-erase marker spots. Do you have a command center in your kitchen or entryway?

Our family uses our kitchen for planning and posting messages, shopping lists, and reminders. Once in a while our command center gets stale with old spots.

Refreshing it with rubbing alcohol gets rid of the spots and ghosting.

29. DISINFECT TRASH CANS AND DIAPER PAILS

Once the trash can or diaper pail has been cleaned, spray or wipe down the inside with rubbing alcohol to disinfect the container and help with odor control. Our kitchen trash can always seems to have an odor.

We’ve tried masking it with a scented candle with little success. Try rubbing alcohol next time you empty the trash.

It may surprise you.

30. DEFOG AND CLEAN GOGGLES

Dirt, body oil, and other residue collects quickly on our kids’ swimming goggles. Rubbing alcohol wipes away that filmy residue to give the goggles a thorough cleaning.

You can also use rubbing alcohol to wipe down other eyewear such as ski goggles and safety glasses. Note: Do not use rubbing alcohol on goggles that have been treated with a defogging product.

It will dissolve the coating.

Rubbing alcohol is an inexpensive cleaner that can be used in a variety of situations around your house. Not only is it an effective grease-cutter, it also acts as a disinfectant at certain strengths and doesn’t leave any streaks since it dries super quickly.

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT CLEANING WITH RUBBING ALCOHOL

WHAT SHOULD YOU NOT CLEAN WITH RUBBING ALCOHOL?

Although it’s an all-purpose cleaner, there are still some items you should avoid cleaning with rubbing alcohol. Being a solvent, it can remove lacquer and other finishes on wood.

Acetate, rayon, silk, and wool should also be avoided. In addition, some plastics, rubber, and vinyl may cloud, crack, or become damaged, so proceed with caution.

When in doubt, always test in an unobtrusive spot to be sure.

WHAT SHOULD YOU NEVER MIX WITH RUBBING ALCOHOL?

Never mix rubbing alcohol and bleach together as this produces chloroform and other toxic chemicals. In addition, be sure to avoid any heat or open flames and make sure you’re in a well-ventilated area as rubbing alcohol is highly flammable.

CAN YOU MIX RUBBING ALCOHOL AND DAWN DISH SOAP?

Absolutely. Rubbing alcohol is a common addition to glass and multi-surface cleaners for its ability to remove grease.

Try a DIY all purpose cleaner made from Dawn dish soap, rubbing alcohol, and water for a streak-free glass and surface cleaner, with the Dawn for grease cutting power. For best results, store in a spray bottle and make sure to write the date you made it on the label.

IS RUBBING ALCOHOL GOOD FOR CLEANING THE HOUSE?

From grandma’s dishes to your teenager’s smartphone, there’s nothing like rubbing alcohol. If there’s one item that seems to make its way into medicine cabinets generation after generation, it’s rubbing alcohol.

Besides disinfecting items we touch throughout the day, rubbing alcohol can help you clean glass, stainless steel, electronic screens and more. Keep rubbing alcohol, the 70% kind, on hand, and you’ll be glad you do.

IS IT BETTER TO CLEAN WITH RUBBING ALCOHOL OR VINEGAR?

Both are effective and inexpensive cleaning products that have their own individual uses. For instance, vinegar is ideal for removing soap scum, limescale, and other mineral deposits.

Rubbing alcohol is not interchangeable with vinegar and has the bonus of removing grease, sanitizing at 70% strength, bringing back shine, and evaporating much quicker leaving no streaks behind. Rubbing alcohol is safe to use on electronic screens making them go-to products when faced with that dreaded, “what do I clean this with?” situation.

I could never imagine reaching for hydrogen peroxide as frequently as I do. I have bottles of it in my kitchen sink area and in my laundry room that get used regularly.

It’s amazing how versatile it is, functioning as a whitening agent, disinfectant, stain remover, and can nix mildew! It costs about $1/bottle (3% hydrogen peroxide is fine for cleaning purposes) and it’s the best.

If you’re looking for an inexpensive cleaning hack, hydrogen peroxide is a must-have item! Here are 30 Ways To Clean With Hydrogen Peroxide, which is perfect for tackling dirty white socks (trust me on this one…two teenagers wear those out quickly), Gigi’s (our goldendoodle) carpet mishaps, and those pesky stains your hubbie never notices:

1. WHITEN DINGY WHITES IN THE LAUNDRY

Try a cup of hydrogen peroxide in your whites. It will make your white shirts and sheets brighter.

My teens’ white socks look like they’ve been dragged through the local parking lot after wearing them once. Adding a cup of hydrogen peroxide in the bleach dispenser in the wash makes them bright and white again and allows me to save money by not needing to purchase new white socks each month.

It’s not as harsh as bleach and doesn’t have a strong smell either.

2. WHITEN GROUT WITH BAKING SODA

Mix together hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to create a thick paste. Smear this paste over your grout and let it sit for 15-30 min.

Use an old toothbrush to scrub at your grout lines and rinse. This paste cuts through years of gunk and brings your grout closer to it’s original color.

I still cannot believe this trick!!! I always thought my kitchen tile grout was gray.

The white came back in a great deal!!

3. KILL MOLD AND MILDEW

Get rid of mold and mildew: Pour straight 3% hydrogen peroxide over moldy or mildewed grout, caulk, and tile. Leave for 10 minutes.

Scrub and rinse. This will remove surface mold and will also lighten dark spots.

One corner of the kids’ shower is becoming infested with something I’d rather not discuss, but the situation doesn’t look so bad after a blast from the peroxide bottle, and I don’t need to play the “I didn’t see that” game anymore.

4. LIFT CARPET STAINS

Hydrogen peroxide removes many types of stains. Especially organic stains, such as pet stains, food, and even blood.

This is a life-saver on lighter colored carpet. Apply hydrogen peroxide to the stain and blot up.

Allow it to bubble a couple of minutes then blot with water. Caution: Test an unseen part of the carpet first as it can lighten some carpet dyes!

We have a goldendoodle, so stains are a fact of life around here! It has saved many a stain I thought were hopeless!

5. THE FAMOUS PEROXIDE, DAWN, AND BAKING SODA STAIN REMOVER

Mix two parts hydrogen peroxide and one part Dawn dish detergent. Add a small amount of baking soda.

Rub into stain. Allow to sit and launder as normal.

Works on stubborn stains that wont come out with normal laundry detergent, such as armpit stains, grass, food, grease. You name it, this stuff takes it out!

This is the reason I do not throw out white shirts! It’s amazing (and very satisfying to watch!) to rub it into those nasty, yellow armpit circles and watch them disappear!

6. DISINFECT CUTTING BOARDS

Once you’ve cleaned your cutting board used for raw meat, disinfect by spraying/wiping down the board with hydrogen peroxide, waiting a few minutes, then rinsing. This tip is especially handy for plastic cutting boards.

When I cook with chicken, I get a little crazy. I wash my hands an obscene number of times, give the cutting board an anxious once-over.

It’s not until I wipe the board down with hydrogen peroxide that I’m comfortable moving on with meal prep.

7. SANITIZE SPONGES AND DISHCLOTHS

Hydrogen peroxide is good for more than just cleaning up boo-boos. It’s a great way to sanitize a stinky sponge or dishcloth.

Just leave them submerged for a few minutes and all of the germs will die, taking the stench with them! Simply squeeze them out, rinse, and the sponge is good as new.

I’m not a fan of throwing out the sponge in my kitchen. When it starts to go south, I’ll submerge it in hydrogen peroxide and it gets a few more uses.

Eventually, however, there’s no way to revive it!

8. BRIGHTEN THE TOILET BOWL

Clean your toilet with hydrogen peroxide! This is my favorite because it’s by far the easiest.

Simply pour about 1/2 a cup of hydrogen peroxide into your toilet, allow to sit for 20 to 30 minutes, scrub with toilet brush and flush. Not only does this method disinfect your toilet, it’s great for removing stains and whitening your toilet and there’s no funky smells!

Definitely a lazy cleaning tip of mine before having visitors!

9. DISINFECT COUNTERTOPS

I find it helpful to make them help with cleaning to prevent laziness I made my kids clean it because they helped make it. We were working with meat, so it was an important lesson for them.

But mainly, I just wanted to make sure that counter was safe for eating from Spray hydrogen peroxide on countertops, let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe down. This will sanitize your counter, which is especially helpful in a kitchen after food preparation.

Caution: Try peroxide in an inconspicuous place before use on marble, granite, or other natural stone. My counter looked very clean when I was done!

10. WHITEN YELLOWED PILLOWS

Throw pillows, hydrogen peroxide, laundry detergent and baking soda into the washing machine on a hot cycle. When they’re done, stains will be gone and pillows will be nice and white.

I was horrified to flip a pillow over one day to see what was lurking beneath the pillowcase. However, this trick worked like a charm.

Apparently some things are better unphotographed.

11. CLEAN AND BRIGHTEN WHITE SNEAKERS

Mix hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to make a paste. Scrub it into dirty white sneakers (canvas or rubber) with an old toothbrush and leave them out in the sun to dry.

Brush off when dry and behold! Your teen’s previously dingy white sneakers will be brighter and more presentable.

My daughter has white sneakers. Within a week of being purchased, they go from looking brand new to awful.

I have given up trying to win this battle. But at least I can brighten them back up.

12. SCRUB SOAP SCUM FROM THE TUB AND SHOWER

Try hydrogen peroxide. Just spray it all over your tub/shower and let it sit.

Then give it a good scrub and rinse. It loosens up soap scum and grime and also disinfects.

Used with a good scrubber (baking soda makes a great abrasive to take out the film of soap scum) it’s a life-saver. My kids leave such a bad tub ring it’s like they take their baths in mud.

This saves me from having to get on my hands and knees for a half-hour to get it all clean.

13. STREAK-FREE MIRRORS AND GLASS

Spray with hydrogen peroxide, then wipe off with a clean microfiber towel or even some newspaper. The hairspray and toothpaste stains will come right off without leaving any residue on them.

All of us have our bathroom mirrors coated with a thin film of hairspray, toothpaste and other gunk. Only peroxide really gets that stuff out without smearing it around.

14. DISINFECT THE REFRIGERATOR INTERIOR

Empty out your refrigerator. Then, use hydrogen peroxide to give the drawers and shelves a good wipe down and sanitize.

This is especially important after a spill or when you realize that the leftovers you forgot about in the back of the fridge and that have been there for who knows how long (and that stench) aren’t exactly fit for human consumption. After using hydrogen peroxide, be sure to give the area a quick wipe down with a damp cloth to rinse it.

Trust me, it will make you feel like your fridge is safe again.

15. SANITIZE LUNCH BOXES AND COOLERS

Wipe down lunch boxes and coolers: Hydrogen peroxide should be used to wipe down the inside of lunch boxes, coolers, and re-usable bags to get rid of any smells or bacteria. Let sit for a few minutes, then wipe dry.

A teen’s lunch box that has been sitting in a backpack over a long weekend is absolutely disgusting. I would need gallons of peroxide to send my kids back to school rather than throw it away.

16. CLEAN THE DISHWASHER AND WASHING MACHINE

Hydrogen peroxide will help to disinfect your dishwasher and remove odors and break down buildup. Simply add a cup to an empty dishwasher and run on hot.

You can do the same with your washer. My washer used to have a funky smell that surprised me one day.

You would think that a machine that sits there taking in stinky old smelly laundry wouldn’t pick up a funky odor itself, right? Wrong.

Learned my lesson! So, now, every time I’m feeling guilty, I’ll stick some peroxide in my washer and let her dance.

Your machines that keep other things clean deserve some love and a nice freshen up now and then!

17. REMOVE BLOOD STAINS

If a blood stain has begun to dry, just pour some hydrogen peroxide over it, let it bubble for a minute or so, blot with a paper towel and rinse with cold water. If you’re like me and have two kids, your home and clothing will be subject to the inevitable scraped knees and bloody noses.

The sheets and shirts I’ve believed were lost causes have been rescued with hydrogen peroxide.

18. DISINFECT HIGH-TOUCH SURFACES

Clean surfaces you touch a lot: Use hydrogen peroxide to spray or wipe down surfaces you touch regularly such as doorknobs, light switches, TV remotes and cabinet pulls. Let it sit and air dry for several minutes.

When my teenage son comes home from school with the flu in the winter and spreads it around, I get really obsessive about cleaning. Hydrogen peroxide is my go-to disinfectant.

19. BRIGHTEN DINGY DISH TOWELS

When it comes to dish towels, my poor babies see heavy-duty service. They witness spaghetti sauce clean-up duty, help out with my dog’s messes and end up gray, dingy and often times, stink like death.

This hydrogen peroxide tip saves me from constantly buying dish towels. Soak heavily soiled dish towels or kitchen rags before washing with a solution of hydrogen peroxide in hot water.

Hydrogen peroxide will help to get them smelling nice and fresh. It will help to bring them back to life, soften them and revive the fabric!

20. CLEAN BAKED-ON OVEN GRIME

Use a paste made of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. Smear it onto the burnt on dirt and let it sit for several hours before wiping it clean.

You don’t have to breathe in the harmful fumes that you would get from using store-bought oven cleaner. I’m not much of a fan of cleaning the oven; I’m more like those people who refuse to go to the dentist.

But at least with this method, I don’t have to hold my breath because of the chemicals.

21. DISINFECT WOODEN CUTTING BOARDS AND SPOONS

I still have the wooden spoons from years ago. You can tell how much I use them.

I try to remember to oil them regularly (I make it about 1/2 the time, which is pretty good) and use peroxide in an attempt to make them appear cleaner. Wooden items (i. e. cutting boards) crack easily.

Make sure they are dried well after cleaning, and oil them now and then. To disinfect a wooden item, rub it down with hydrogen peroxide, and rinse it afterwards.

22. WHITEN YELLOWED PLASTIC AND APPLIANCES

Hydrogen peroxide. It’s good for lightening aged or sun-damaged surfaces.

A few of my old kitchen tools have taken on an odd yellowish hue and I’ve been able to at least get them back towards white with some peroxide.

23. CLEAN AND FRESHEN TRASH CANS

Try a little hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle and give your garbage can a nice misting, allow it to sit, then wipe off. It’s amazing what’s been accumulating in the bottom of your garbage pail, but this will help to disinfect it and eliminate any nastiest of smells.

It’s been a mystery to me in my own house how I go through numerous kitchen bags and the stench just never leaves. Spritzing with peroxide has worked wonders for me though!

Great tip for maintaining the most disgusting bucket in your house, effortlessly!

24. BRIGHTEN DINGY TILE AND VINYL FLOORS

If you want to brighten your floors and disinfect at the same time add hydrogen peroxide to the water in which you’re using your mop. This is great on tiles and vinyl.

Always test it out on a small area before use. It’s not recommended on unsealed wood as these types of materials don’t do well with liquids.

Our kitchen floor gets quite dull with muddy doggy paws and food drops but once I’ve given it a good mop with hydrogen peroxide you can see how bright our floor really is!

25. REMOVE COFFEE AND WINE STAINS

Stains from red wine, coffee, or tea? Mix together some hydrogen peroxide and dish soap and rub into stains on lighter colored clothes.

Leave for a few minutes, blot, and wash. The mixture breaks down the tannins in these beverages that create stains.

I was a klutz when it came to spilling coffee and have ruined more than one shirt over the years. However, I’ve been able to rescue a few of my favorite shirts with this mixture.

They’ll be spared a life as pajamas thanks to it.

26. SANITIZE TOOTHBRUSH HOLDERS

Fill your toothbrush holder with peroxide and let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub and rinse. Toothbrush holders can be incredibly germ-infested because everything falls into the bottom of them, making them one of the dirtiest things in your bathroom.

When I actually looked in mine for the first time, I wanted to smack myself for not having realized how nasty it was. Now, I give it a nice peroxide bath regularly.

I still try not to think about how long it had been sitting unscrubbed before I gave it that initial cleaning.

27. CLEAN REUSABLE GROCERY BAGS

Give them a good squirt of hydrogen peroxide to disinfect them. Allow to sit for a few minutes and either wipe off or allow to air-dry.

I like to do this with our reusable grocery bags after bringing them in the groceries (especially if there’s been a meat/produce leak). That way I’m not uncertain if something is lurking in the bottom seam from some mystery spill and can keep using the bags even if we’ve had a leak.

28. DISINFECT THE KITCHEN SINK

Spritz the sink with hydrogen peroxide. This one surprised me because I never once thought of cleaning my sink.

It’s the first stop for anything dirty in the kitchen! Give your sink and drain a light coating of hydrogen peroxide and allow it to dwell before washing away with water.

Especially helpful after preparing raw meats. I’ve taken to spraying a light mist into my sink after preparing a meal, it’s a great addition to my sink and gives me an overall feeling of a cleaner kitchen.

29. CLEAN A SMELLY HUMIDIFIER

Fill the humidifier’s water tank with hydrogen peroxide. Swish the hydrogen peroxide around then allow it to sit for a few minutes before emptying the tank.

Be sure to rinse the humidifier thoroughly to remove any remaining hydrogen peroxide. This will kill any mold or bacteria that may be living in your humidifier.

This should be done on a regular basis during the time that your humidifier is being used. I ALWAYS have a humidifier going during the winter months to compensate for dry air…however, if you don’t clean your humidifier often enough the tank can get pretty nasty!

So, use hydrogen peroxide to avoid an embarrassing science project!

30. TREAT SET-IN UNDERARM STAINS

Have a hydrogen peroxide underarm stain remover recipe to share! Mix together hydrogen peroxide and baking soda with a tiny amount of dishwashing liquid.

Let sit for about 30 minutes to an hour then wash as usual. Works wonderfully!

I’ve saved many of my husband’s undershirts from the donation pile with this recipe. Those pesky armpit stains just won’t budge no matter how many times they’re in the wash.

This mixture removes old deoderant/sweat buildup and unclogs the fabric. Saving an item from the donation pile gives me a sense of accomplishment!

Its versatility as a cleaner is what made hydrogen peroxide a staple in your grandmother’s cleaning cabinet. It’s inexpensive, it’s versatile, and unlike many of today’s cleaning products it doesn’t reek.

That humble brown bottle whites, disinfects, removes stains, gets rid of mildew and more. One bottle of hydrogen peroxide can replace the entire shelf of spray bottles of cleaners that only perform one task.

Remember that hydrogen peroxide should always be stored in its original, dark container because the solution begins to break down upon exposure to light. Also, if you’re going to use hydrogen peroxide on colored items such as carpets and other fabric items, always test the solution on an inconspicuous area to make sure it doesn’t discolor your item.

Start with some laundry and your grout and I’m sure once you see the results, you’ll be on your way to finding even more ways to use it around your house!

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT CLEANING WITH HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

WHAT SHOULD YOU NOT CLEAN WITH HYDROGEN PEROXIDE?

Never mix hydrogen peroxide and vinegar together and store them in a closed container as this forms an acid that can be irritating. They can however, be used separately.

Do not use hydrogen peroxide to clean natural stone (including polished marble) or brass or copper items, or on dark or colored carpets, fabrics, or other materials that could be damaged, dulled, faded, or otherwise adversely affected by hydrogen peroxide with immediate or long-term use. Always test products in an inconspicuous area before use.

CAN YOU MIX DAWN DISH SOAP AND HYDROGEN PEROXIDE TOGETHER?

Yes. This is probably one of the best DIY stain removers around.

Mix about 2 parts peroxide to 1 part Dawn dish detergent along with a pinch of baking soda and scrub into any set-in stains then let sit for a few minutes before washing. The Dawn breaks down any grease or oil on the fabric and the peroxide lifts the stain and whitens the fabric.

Mix as needed since peroxide degrades quickly in liquid form when exposed to light.

WHAT DO YOU MIX WITH HYDROGEN PEROXIDE FOR CLEANING?

Peroxide works best with either baking soda or dish soap. Use peroxide and baking soda together to whiten grout, ovens or white sneakers.

Add a squirt of dish soap to your hydrogen peroxide to treat stains on clothing or rugs. If you’re using hydrogen peroxide to kill germs and bacteria, don’t add anything to your 3% hydrogen peroxide, just apply the pure solution.

But don’t mix hydrogen peroxide and vinegar in a spray bottle.

WHAT ARE THE DISADVANTAGES OF USING HYDROGEN PEROXIDE FOR CLEANING?

Hydrogen peroxide breaks down quickly in light, so you’ll need to keep it in the original opaque container and use it as soon as possible. It can also strip out dye from colored fabrics, grout colorants and carpets.

Always test it on a small section first. It’s a slower disinfectant than chlorine bleach, so let it sit for several minutes before wiping it off.

DOES HYDROGEN PEROXIDE KILL MOLD AND DISINFECT SURFACES?

It will. The standard 3 percent hydrogen peroxide solution kills mold and mildew on surfaces after being sprayed on, left for about 10 minutes, then rinsed or wiped away.

You can also use it to sanitize high-touch areas like counters, cutting boards and doorknobs. It also will clean up black mold stains.

That “cut-through-the-grease” strength that takes baked on lasagna off your pan will easily wipe away oil stains, soap scum and dirt.

I remember when I was growing up my mom would reach for the blue bottle whenever something around our home needed cleaning. And I still reach for Dawn when there’s a mess that needs to be cleaned.

My husband thinks I’m nuts (each and every time I grab Dawn to tackle a mess), but it always works! In an effort to keep our home (consisting of two teenagers, a crumb-oblivious husband and a goldendoodle who sheds tumbleweeds of hair in my kitchen) as clean as it needs to be, I’ve tried most of these out of necessity.

Here are 30 things you can clean with Dawn besides your dish rack!

1. STREAK-FREE WINDOWS AND GLASS

Nothing beats a few drops of Dawn and some warm water for squeaky clean and streak-free windows and glass. My husband thinks I’m crazy when I use it, but it always outperforms the glass cleaner that leaves a filmy mess behind sitting next to it on the shelf.

Dawn cuts through smudges and fingerprints and even paw prints with ease. Dip a sponge or rag in some of your cleaning mixture and start to wash.

For best results, squeegee from top to bottom. Trust me on this one, you’ll never use that ammonia-filled spray ever again.

2. GREASY STOVETOP AND RANGE HOOD

There’s no question, nothing cuts grease like Dawn. It’s formulated to remove the nastiest baked-on gunk and grease from pots and pans.

It’s an asset for tackling that sticky brown haze that builds up around the burners on the cooktop—just make sure it’s cool. Simply mix some warm water and Dawn together, sponge on, let sit for a few minutes, wipe off and voila’ like-new stove.

Dawn also comes through on that dreaded task of degreasing the range hood. Soak a rag in Dawn and watch the grime disappear before your eyes.

Within ten minutes your range hood will be as good as new.

3. GREASE STAINS ON CLOTHES

The “grease-cutting power” of Dawn makes this blue bottle of dish soap the best pre-treater for oil and grease stains. Just drop some Dawn directly on the stain and allow to sit for 15-30 minutes, then wash as normal.

Trust me, Dawn will tackle those tough, pesky stains, like salad dressing, butter, and bacon grease, that your trusty laundry detergent couldn’t conquer.

One of these mystery stains shows up in our laundry almost every week. Dawn has saved my favorite hoodie time and time and time again.

4. CLOUDY DIAMONDS AND GOLD JEWELRY

Mix a few drops of Dawn with some warm water. Fill up a bowl with this mixture and drop your diamond and gold jewelry in the solution.

Let sit 10-15 min. Use a soft toothbrush to give them a really gentle scrub and then rinse.

The oils from your hands, lotions, etc. can build up and take away their luster. This mixture will loosen them.

My wedding ring has been looking a bit cloudy lately and will get a treatment tonight. Note: softer/porous gems (pearls, opals, emeralds, etc.) need much more gentle treatment.

5. SOAP SCUM IN THE SHOWER AND TUB

This is another one I had no idea about and have already tried it in our teenagers’ bathroom. We need to teach those kids to rinse things off, I’m telling ya.

Mix equal parts white vinegar (warmed up) and Dawn. Spray on shower walls, sink, or tub.

Let sit 30-60 minutes before wiping/spraying clean. You’re mixing Dawn with vinegar so yes, it will smell like salad for a bit.

Open a window if it grosses you out. This cuts through the film and grime and loosens mineral deposits.

6. CARPET SPOT CLEANING

Living room carpet in a family with two teenagers and a goldendoodle gets a lot of stains. Between food and other mystery stains from the kiddos, and muddy paws from walks, our carpet sees some pretty gnarly stuff.

Mix together 2 cups of warm water with just 1 tsp of Dawn. Apply to spot, dabbing with a clean cloth.

Do not rub. Blot away.

Repeat as necessary, ending with a rinse with a clean, wet rag. Dawn cuts through grease and loosens other types of stains too.

Save the special equipment for larger spills.

7. SCUFFED AND GRIMY WALLS

Add a drop of Dawn to some warm water and dampen a sponge, wrung out really well. Apply to marks and wipe away.

Finish with just dampened sponge. Around switch plates and high-traffic areas like in the stairway, fingerprints and other mysterious handprint-y items accumulate and take walls away from being white and closer to a beige-ish gray color.

We thought it may have been time for a quick coat of paint on the stairway wall until I saw this idea and spent about 5 min scrubbing away. It was Dawn-worthy, not paint-worthy.

8. BAKED-ON SHEET PANS AND AIR FRYER BASKETS

When I make a batch of fries in my air fryer, I fill the basket and pan with Dawn and hot water and leave it for an hour (or overnight), and it lifts away all that nasty, congealed grease. Same idea applies to greasy sheet pans.

Now, my pans are permanently browned, and I’m not sure they’ll ever not be, but at least they’re clean and not overly greasy, and Dawn makes it easy since I don’t have to do most of the scrubbing.

9. THE TOILET BOWL IN A PINCH

On those rare (okay, frequent) occasions that we run out of toilet bowl cleaner just as we’re getting the house ready for company, a squirt of Dawn into the bowl is totally acceptable. Leave it sit for five minutes so the Dawn has a chance to attach itself to anything naughty, then give it a good scrub.

It’ll do the job.

10. GREASY DRIVEWAY AND GARAGE OIL STAINS

Since we do our own oil changes, the floor of our garage and the concrete of the driveway has its share of oil stains. Sprinkle baking soda over the stains, then drizzle on some Dawn.

Add hot water and leave it sit. When ready, scrub with a stiff brush and rinse.

Dawn loves oil and will dissolve the nasty stains while the baking soda will soak it up.

11. MAKEUP BRUSHES AND SPONGES

I know, I know. We’re supposed to use makeup brush and sponge cleaners, but if you’re like me and forget to use them as often as you’re supposed to, Dawn gets the job done.

Add a drop of Dawn to dampened makeup sponges and brushes and work it into a lather. Work through bristles and swirl around sponges, then rinse until foundation and concealer are no longer present and lay them out to air dry.

My daughter’s makeup brushes hadn’t been washed in who knows how long, and after one trip through the Dawn method, all traces of eyeshadows, blushes, bronzers, etc. were gone.

12. HAIRBRUSHES AND COMBS

Combs and hairbrushes collect tons of oils and product residues, and the bristle areas on brushes can be difficult to keep clean. Fill a bowl with hot water and a few drops of Dawn and add the combs and brushes.

Leave them sit for about 15 minutes and swish them around. Pull them out and give them a good rinse under hot, running water and give them a scrub with an old, clean toothbrush if necessary.

Lay them out to air dry.

Have you ever used Dawn on your hairbrushes? They’re so gross when we use products like dry shampoo, leave-ins, etc.

Scrubbing them out in soapy water is super satisfying and effective. My daughter’s hairbrushes need cleaned way more frequently than mine.

13. EYEGLASSES AND SUNGLASSES

Rub a teeny drop of Dawn between your fingers and rub it onto your glasses’ lenses. Rinse with warm water and dry with a microfiber cloth.

They’ll be so much clearer than breathing on them and wiping them off your shirt. Trust me on this one, which would upset my optometrist.

You’ll only add about ten more seconds onto your regular cleaning method and get super sparkly results.

14. GREASY POTS, PANS, AND CASSEROLE DISHES

Instead of aggressively scrubbing to get cooked-on crud out of pots/pans, try adding Dawn and filling them up with hot water. Let them sit for about 20 minutes, and the crud will come out SO much easier.

You’ll be amazed.

I usually leave crusty casserole dishes to Future Me. It happens to the best of us.

Just kidding. It doesn’t always happen to Future Me.

Sometimes it happens to Present Me who has been ignoring that casserole dish since yesterday. It’s okay, we’ve all been there.

If you know you’re not going to clean it right away, fill the casserole dish with Dawn and hot water before putting it in the refrigerator. Trust me on this.

Your arms will thank you for your efforts.

15. OUTDOOR FURNITURE AND PATIO CUSHIONS

Once the weather warms up and you drag the patio set out from its long winter’s nap, I’m sure they’re covered with a thin layer of icky, weathered crud and pollen. Fill up a bucket with warm water and a few drops of dish soap and give them a good scrubbing with a sponge.

You can be shocked at how great they’ll look with only 20 minutes of elbow grease. Patio cushions: Test an inconspicuous spot with Dawn and warm water first.

Then, gently scrub them with a sponge and warm/Dawn water. Hose off with a garden hose, and they’ll be good as new (minus dirt/pollen/weather crud).

16. THE KITCHEN SINK AND FAUCET

Put a teeny bit of Dawn on your sponge and give your sink a good scrub. Especially around the base of the faucet where crud/grease builds up.

Rinse and buff with a rag. This prevents streaks AND gives you a shiny stainless or porcelain sink.

This task takes just a few minutes and will make your ENTIRE kitchen look cleaner.

17. MOPPING SEALED HARD FLOORS

A few drops of Dawn in a bucket of warm water will make a wonderful, super-inexpensive floor cleaner for tile, linoleum or vinyl, but never use this method on UNSEALED wood floors, as those woods can’t tolerate any kind of water. Don’t use too much Dawn because too much soap will leave your floors sticky and attract dirt. I made this mistake once and had sticky floors for a week.

18. BATHTUB RING AND GRIME

Bathtub rings are composed of film from soap and oil from our bodies. Spray some Dawn directly on the ring and grime in your bathtub, making sure to get some of your grime into the cracks around your tub, especially.

Let some warm water into your bathtub, reaching just above the grime line. Allow this to sit for about 10 minutes.

Use a sponge or a soft-bristled scrubbing brush to remove the now-loose grime and body oil, then rinse. This method has saved me precious and much-appreciated minutes of scrubbing on my hands and knees.

19. WINDOW AND DOOR TRACKS

If you have sliding windows or doors, you know how grossly nasty the tracks can be. There’s dirt and dog hair and God-knows-what-else in those tracks, and it’s a pain to get it out.

Put a squirt of Dawn on an old toothbrush or a cotton swab. With a small amount of Dawn-sudsy water and your toothbrush/swab, loosen the gunk.

Wipe away with paper towels or a clean cloth.

20. BLINDS AND WINDOW SCREENS

If your blinds are in your kitchen, you know about the nasty, greasy paste that results when dust meets cooking grease. Dip a rag in a bowl of warm, sudsy Dawn water, wring it out, then wipe the blinds with it, going slat by slat.

For screens, remove them from windows and lay them flat on the ground. Using a soft-bristled brush and Dawn-sudsy water, give the screens a light brushing.

Rinse with a hose.

21. GREASY CABINET DOORS AND HARDWARE

Kitchen cabinets near the stove, or anywhere you always open or close the cabinet, get noticeably dirtier around the door/handle area. Use Dawn and a soft, wrung-out cloth with warm water to wipe down your kitchen cabinets in those areas.

When you’ve removed the dirt/grease, give the cabinet another wipe-down with just dampened cloth.

That cabinet beside our stove has a film over it that I thought was part of the wood finish until I wiped it clean and discovered its true color.

22. GARBAGE DISPOSAL AND SINK DRAIN

Between major clog removal projects, it’s good to give your garbage disposal or sink drain a boost with Dawn and hot, but not boiling, water. Grease can collect in the drain, making it drain more sluggishly than it should, and can give your sink a funky smell.

Simply squirt some Dawn in the drain, then follow with hot water from the kettle. We are diligent about putting things in the trash that shouldn’t be washed down the drain, but every few weeks someone forgets and clogs our garbage disposal.

Dawn and hot water will loosen the culprit, buying us time before we have to remove the P-trap or buy an industrial strength clog remover.

23. HUMMINGBIRD FEEDERS

If you have a feeder out for hummingbirds, you know they have to be cleaned often to prevent sugar and mold buildup. Dawn and warm water makes a good cleaning solution, and a few drops is enough to degrease a couple of feeders.

Use a bottle brush to get into those tricky bottlenecks and feeder ports. Rinse ports very well before adding fresh nectar – don’t want any soapy goodness mixed into their beverage.

24. GIGI’S EMERGENCY BATH

Dawn. That’s right, dishwashing liquid.

Gigi did something in the park today. Something died and she rolled in it.

We knew the situation called for more than just pet-safe shampoo. We worked the Dawn through Gigi’s fur (being careful to keep it out of her eyes) and rinsed it out.

She will be holding this experience against us for a little while but it was definitely necessary. Did you know that they use Dawn to bathe animals affected by oil spills?

It’s great to keep around for extreme pet smells and messes. Just don’t use it often because it will dry out their skin.

Save it for the emergencies!

25. STICKY LABEL AND ADHESIVE RESIDUE

Mix together some Dawn and either cooking oil or baking soda to make a thick consistency. Smear onto plastic or glass and let sit a few minutes and then the glue will roll off easily.

Great for removing glue from labels. I’m saving glass jars for a pantry organizing project that is coming up and this is what I use to remove the gunk off them!

26. FRUIT FLY TRAP

Fruit flies. Ugh!

I hate them! They always seem to find their way into my kitchen and into my fruit bowl during summertime.

Mix some apple cider vinegar (they are attracted to it) and a single drop of Dawn (this breaks the surface tension and the fruit flies will be unable to get out of the mixture if they fall in) in a container and leave it in your kitchen. Throw it out when you get the invaders out of your home.

27. GROUT AND TILE

Over the years, all sorts of crud gets mopped into the grout of your kitchen. Mine used to be bright white but has taken on a gray cast no matter how often I cleaned.

Mix together some baking soda and Dawn to make a thick, runny paste. Dawn cuts grease and baking soda adds a little abrasive element.

Spread it on your grout lines and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Take an old toothbrush and scrub away.

Rinse. Enjoy white grout.

28. SHIRT COLLAR AND CUFF RINGS

Especially on men’s work shirts, oil from the body causes those nasty yellow rings around collars and cuffs and they won’t budge no matter what you do in the wash. Apply a small amount of Dawn directly to the ring and allow to sit for a few minutes before washing.

The Dawn will help dissolve the oils and sweat. Say goodbye to yard-work-only shirts.

29. COMBS, BRUSHES, AND KIDS’ BATH TOYS

Did you know your kid’s squeaky bath toys can be moldy on the inside?! Gross!

Fill a container with warm, Dawn-sudsy water and soak your kid’s toys. Push the water in and out of any items that squirt or squeak to dislodge the gunk inside.

Rinses will reveal murky brownish-gray water. Shocking.

This works on combs and other small plastic items as well.

30. HOUSEPLANT LEAVES AND A MILD PEST SPRAY

Mix some Dawn with a quart of water and use to wipe down houseplant leaves to remove dust. Also can be used as a deterrent for gnats, aphids and other soft-bodied pests, though use sparingly and try spraying a single leaf first since it can harm foliage. I’m not sure how anyone keeps their houseplants alive, as I’m certain it must be nothing but luck, but this is what I reach for when I notice gnats, etc. I only ever use a tad and have been pleasantly surprised at how effective Dawn has been around my house.

I prefer cleaning with Dawn. It saves me from filling my cabinets with cleaning products.

For a few dollars, the blue bottle handles grease, dirt, soap scum and oil spots with ease. My husband was a Dawn naysayer until he saw the greasy stovetop and windows shine with ease.

If your goldendoodle rolls in something naughty at the dog park like ours did recently, take comfort knowing Dawn will remove the funk. Moms and grandmothers knew how to stretch the dollar and Dawn is a key player in their arsenal.

Where would I even start without Dawn? With my favorite, the greasy stovetop and windows!

It’s great to have Dawn at hand when pondering, “What do I clean this with?”

COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT CLEANING WITH DAWN DISH SOAP

What should you not clean with Dawn dish soap?

Don’t use Dawn on leather. Dawn will remove the natural oils from leather. – Don’t use Dawn to clean unsealed or waxed hardwood floors, the water and the degreasers could potentially damage the finish. – Don’t use Dawn on delicates like wool, silk, cashmere etc… – Don’t use Dawn in your dishwasher or washing machine, it will overflow with suds! – Don’t wash your hair or body with Dawn on a regular basis, it will leave them very dry. – Don’t use Dawn (especially in combination with vinegar) to clean natural stone (granite, marble, etc. ).

What happens when you mix vinegar and Dawn dish soap?

Pour some Dawn and white vinegar in a spray bottle, and it’s amazing how well it cleans. Dawn cuts through the grease, while vinegar removes any mineral and soap-scum buildup (which is why this combo is ideal for cleaning showers, tubs, and glass).

But avoid using this spray on natural stone surfaces like granite or marble. The acid from the vinegar will etch those surfaces.

What does pouring Dawn in your toilet do?

Putting Dawn in the toilet will perform two functions. 1.) When you don’t have any toilet cleaner to clean your toilet, pouring Dawn in will cover and lift the dirt, so you can simply wipe the bowl. 2.) If you squirt a bit of Dawn in the toilet prior to dumping a pail of hot (NOT boiling) water in, it will help break up a small clog. It’s a good emergency tip but not a replacement for real toilet cleaner or a plunger for a large clog.

Can you clean windows with Dawn dish soap?

Yes. Add a few drops of Dawn to a bucket of warm water for an effective no-streak window cleaner.

Use a sponge and squeegee to wash the glass starting at the top and working your way down. Since Dawn is a grease cutter, it leaves your windows clearer than many ammonia-based cleaners that often leave a film streak on your glass.

Can I wash my dog with Dawn?

Dawn dish soap will kill fleas in your dog’s fur. Fleas have a waxy coating on the outside of their bodies that gets broken down by dish soap, allowing them to drown.

Dawn does not repel fleas, however, and they’ll make a beeline for your pup as soon as they’re able. It’s okay to use Dawn to get rid of fleas but using it as a shampoo on a regular basis can leave your pup’s skin very dry.

Check with your vet for more information.

There are tons of fabulous crock pot recipes out there, so I’ve narrowed down the list of our favorite slow cooker recipes that will fool people into thinking you’ve been working hard all day in the kitchen.

I’ve been collecting recipes like crazy recently, we have taco night once a month at my house and the teens LOVE them, and realized I have tons of easy crockpot recipes! Some are new finds for me, others have been family favorites for YEARS.

Either way, I’ve been using my slow cooker nonstop lately, so thought it was time to get all of those recipes posted!

Crock Pot Beef and Noodles

When my husband sees this recipe in my recipe queue his eyes light up because he knows dinner is going to be good. In fact, this is probably the recipe I make more often October thru March than any other.

Basically, chuck roast + seasonings + veggies + broth + 8 hrs. on low = fall apart tender beef. Then toss in egg noodles and BAM.

A thick and yummy one pot dinner the kids LOVE. Prep time: about 8 minutes and then leave it alone, well, except for Gigi who hangs around hoping you’ll drop something.

Beef Stew

This one is similar to the above in that chuck roast + veggies + seasonings + broth + 8 hrs. on low = fall apart tender beef in a thickened (trust me) gravy that tastes just like you spent hours on the stove making stew. Oh, and you didn’t brown anything, it’s magic.

My daughter loves soup and currently has a crush on the Panera version. This is my go-to when she’s craving something soupy but I’m craving something a bit heartier.

I like to make it on Sunday’s when we’re headed out because it’s waiting when we get home. This one tastes even better the next day…IF there are leftovers which is rare because my husband loves to sneak in during witching hour to scarf down a bowl.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

You can use this for sandwiches, on a bed of rice, in tacos, you name it. Throw a pork shoulder in the crock pot with some seasonings and let it simmer on low for 8-10 hrs.

Dinner is waiting when you get home and if you’ve been home all day, just dig right in, that’s what we do on the first bite, straight out of the crock pot. This one is a bit more involved in that you have to shred it with 2 forks before serving.

We made this recipe last summer for my son’s birthday and LOVED it because my effort wasn’t slaving over the hot stove but wandering the aisles at Target. It was PERFECT for a summer party.

Crockpot Lasagna

Ok, so you’re thinking that’s no lasagna. And you’re right.

It’s better than no lasagna, trust me. Dry lasagna noodles + meat sauce + ricotta cheese + a few other ingredients = lasagna-ish plates that fool people into thinking you slaved over a hot oven and had to wash a lasagna pan afterwards.

We made it on Tuesday night when I’m looking for an EASY meal and my husband thought it was fancy, though I think he thought all of these recipes were fancy. Prep time about 10 mins, crock pot time 3-4 hrs. on low.

Win/Win.

Crock Pot French Dip Sandwiches

Throw a chuck roast into the crock pot along with beef broth, a can of condensed onion soup and some seasonings and walk away. When you come back, shred the fall-apart tender beef, pile it high on a roll and serve the juices on the side to pour on your sandwich .

My husband loves a good hoagie so I’m constantly looking for sandwich ideas to serve on these rolls.

Philly Cheese Steak Crock Pot Recipe

Peppers + onions + beef from Aldi for a steal + secret ingredient of Worcestershire sauce = cheesesteaks that will have people thinking you’ve been working all day in the kitchen. Serve on hoagie rolls with provolone or Cheez Whiz (ho ho).

Crock Pot Maid Rites (Iowa Loose Meat Sandwiches)

If you’ve never had Maid Rites you’re missing out. Ground beef + seasonings + beef broth + some other goodies = Iowa’s best kept secret.

Serve on hamburger buns and eat standing up in the diner like a real Iowan, with no ketchup, we promise. We made this recipe a couple of times when we needed to feed a large group…one time for Easter and another time at a catering event at my daughter’s school along with “the pineapple chicken”, but that’s another blog post.

Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos

Chicken breasts, salsa, taco seasoning, lime juice. Dump in slow cooker, cook all day on low, shred.

You can make a bunch of different dishes from it, but my family’s absolute FAVORITE is taco night!! That’s the night the teens look forward to the most.

It takes almost no effort to make, is super inexpensive and feeds a lot of people! Use for tacos, nachos, burrito bowls, etc.

You’re working SO hard cooking dinner all day, Gigi hangs around hoping something will fall. LOL.

Buffalo Chicken Crock Pot Sandwiches

This recipe takes minimal effort, but WOW!! Such an impressive meal!!

My son asks for these often. Chicken breasts, butter, buffalo sauce.

Cook all day, shred, put on hoagie roll with ranch or blue cheese. My husband loves them.

You can also serve on a baked potato, in wraps, etc.

Crockpot Chicken Sandwiches (Crack Chicken)

I first made these sandwiches last spring. They’re basically chicken breasts cooked in the slow cooker with cream cheese, ranch seasoning, cheddar and optional bacon.

My daughter brought them to a get together at her school. There were NO leftovers and THREE moms asked her for the recipe.

It’s become one of the most requested recipes on the blog. You can also make Crack Chicken Pasta, too!

Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken

This is one of those dishes where you don’t have to do a thing in the morning. Add all ingredients, including pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, and garlic, to crock pot with chicken and walk away.

When you get home from work, shred or cut up chicken and serve over rice. Takes about 10 minutes and doesn’t heat up the kitchen.

Perfect for a hot summer day when you don’t feel like turning on the oven. My kids call it “the pineapple chicken”.

Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Pasta

If you love the Crockpot Crack Chicken recipe, this is a must try as well!! Basically you’re cooking the same ingredients, like chicken, bacon, cream cheese, and ranch dressing mix, but adding pasta at the end.

It’s super easy to make and kids LOVE it. Feeds six people.

My husband ate it for breakfast the next morning!! Cold.

LOL.

White Bean Turkey Chili

If your husband is anything like mine, there’s certain times of year he’ll call for hearty, manly meals that consist of beef. LOL.

I’m happy to oblige, but I’m not about to spend hours slaving away in the kitchen. This recipe checks all of the boxes.

Easy to prepare, hearty, inexpensive, healthy, the kids even eat it! Ground turkey, white beans, green chiles, chicken broth, cumin and more.

It’ll keep for 2-3 meals. Great to bring to potlucks and holiday gatherings.

Copycat Panera Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

My daughter is OBSESSED with Chicken and Wild Rice Soup at Panera. I thought it would take hours to recreate, but I was wrong!!

Chicken, wild rice, veggies, creamy broth, you’re done!! Makes a full pot for less than the cost of two bowls at Panera.

We eat this recipe on repeat from October-March.

Crockpot Ravioli Casserole

You don’t have to boil the ravioli to make this dish!! Literally dump frozen ravioli into slow cooker along with ground beef, shredded mozzarella and a jar of marinara.

Perfect for Easter or Christmas when you’re making a ton of other dishes, but want to serve pasta. Teens think it’s so fancy LOL.

Crockpot Baked Spaghetti

Spaghetti and meatballs is one of our kids’ favorite dinners. This version skips the 20 minute wait for dinner and the trip to the oven, plus preheating and dirty dishes.

Simply toss all of your uncooked spaghetti and meat sauce into your slow cooker and add melted cheese on top. When the spaghetti is cooked through it’s ready to enjoy!

This one reheats well so we love to make it on other days for a busy Tuesday night dinner.

Crock Pot Chicken Fajitas

These take about 6 minutes of my time at 7 in the morning. That’s it.

Chicken, peppers, onions, seasoning, it’s that easy. Then they sit in the slow cooker all day and are ready by dinner.

When they’re done the chicken is super tender. My son asks for these on repeat.

You can serve these fajita fixings over rice or in a tortilla with all of your favorite toppings.

Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes

I can’t believe I waited so long to share this recipe. It’s a staple at our house.

I’ve made this dish at Easter, Christmas, random Tuesday’s, the list goes on and on. It’s that versatile.

Recently, my daughter took this to a graduation party. People thought she made them at a restaurant.

We often take this dish to potlucks as well and it’s a favorite there too. This recipe has been shared with family and friends and made at their houses now as well.

You’ll be amazed how a bag of frozen hash browns, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and shredded cheddar comes together to make one heck of a yummy side!

Crock Pot Baked Potatoes

Ok, technically, this recipe requires zero effort. Just toss in some potatoes and let them cook.

That’s it! This is perfect when it’s hot outside and you don’t want to heat up your oven.

Just pop these babies in the crock pot and enjoy super fluffy potatoes later on. To make them, simply scrub your russets and wrap in foil and cook for 8 hours.

Serve with your favorite baked potato toppings. We often set out several toppings for a DIY potato bar.

Chili, sour cream, bacon, butter, cheese, the options are endless!

Grape Jelly Meatballs

I know, they sound weird, right? Well, not only do they NOT taste weird, they’ve been around for over 40 years and are one of the best crockpot appetizers you’ll find!

Just toss frozen meatballs and grape jelly + a few other ingredients into your crockpot and serve later on. They’re so good, you’ll be licking your fingers.

See, I knew I sounded weird! We like to serve these at parties but we’ve eaten them for dinner on cold Iowa mornings when my husband just wanted something hearty.

They reheat really well in the morning so you can scoop out a couple and eat them cold if you like. My husband’s a morning person and loves to scoop a couple out of the crock pot early in the am and take them into the living room.

Gigi sits by the slow cooker hoping you spill one!

Crock Pot Spinach and Artichoke Dip

It takes 2-3 hours to get warmed through but after that it stays nice and warm and people can help themselves throughout the party. Just serve it with crackers or chips and everyone will love it.

Artichokes, spinach, cream cheese, sour cream, parmesan, it’s all combined into a dreamy dip.

Crock Pot Apple Crisp

I love apple pie but it’s a little involved. This version of apple crisp is dreamy and takes ZERO effort.

Simply slice up some apples and add cinnamon + brown sugar for flavor and top with buttery oats. Let it cook for about 2-3 hours and serve warm with a heaping dollop of vanilla ice cream.

You’ll be kicking yourself for not making more!

I hope you enjoyed my roundup of Slow Cooker Recipes for Busy People! Which recipe will you try first?

There are products for certain stains and others that advertise formulas that work best with certain fabrics. They all seem to work okay but I’ve seen some of these products that cost more than my favorite jeans.

There are some very simple stain removal secrets that have been passed down the generations that work great. Back in grandma’s day there was not as many products created specifically to remove stains.

They used items you’d already have in the kitchen. It’s rare that I’ve seen something that grandma treated with these items come out of the wash with the stain still present.

We can thank grandma for those tips because they still work well today and will definitely save you some money. With two teenagers and a goldendoodle, stain removal is a must-have trick up my sleeve.

It’s not witch-doctor, it’s legit.

Here are some old-fashioned tips for stain removal:

1. ACT FAST — THE FIRST TWO MINUTES MATTER MOST

The longer a stain sits, the harder it is to remove. By intervening within the first couple of minutes, you can prevent the stain from bonding with the fabric.

Make sure all family members are on board with stain removal, though my teenagers can’t always be counted upon to attend to a stain right away. It’s amazing how many times there’s a mysterious stain on the couch that no one admits to seeing.

Trust me, it is much easier to get out a stain within minutes of its occurrence than days later.

2. BLOT, NEVER RUB

When a stain occurs, our first inclination is to take a towel and scrub away at it. Resist.

Vigorously rubbing the stain makes it worse. It drives the stain deeper into the fabric, spreads it farther, and may damage the fabric.

Instead, take a clean, white cloth or a paper towel that hasn’t been used and gently blot the stain. Start on the outer edges of the stain and work towards the center, pressing straight down.

If you’re adding any sort of product to the stain, blot the product in and up, never rub.

3. SALT ON FRESH LIQUID SPILLS

If a drink or other liquid ends up on fabric, sprinkle a thick layer of salt over the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes, then brush off.

Salt will soak up fresh stains before they have a chance to set. Salt can come in really handy during the holidays as guests are passing dishes on the table.

If someone knocks over a glass of red wine on the tablecloth, someone else can reach for the salt. Same thing if your kiddo spills a glass of juice or coffee.

You’ll likely already have salt right there on the table.

4. COLD WATER FOR BLOOD STAINS

Blood stains are best treated by washing them in COLD water only, as hot water will cause the proteins in blood to bind to the fibers of your clothes. Rinse blood stains in cold water as soon as you get them and follow up with dish soap or hydrogen peroxide to remove any remaining marks.

Other options include making a solution of salt and cold water and dabbing the stain. This applies to cuts, nosebleeds, or that weird stain on your jeans by your knees for no reason you can’t fathom.

5. CLUB SODA ON FRESH FABRIC STAINS

I’m a sucker for old wives’ tales…or wives’ tips, rather. Back in the day, before I was alive, club soda was commonly used to treat stains.

The bubbles help to lift stains by agitating them before they have a chance to settle in. Just pour the club soda onto the stain, watch it fizz away, and blot with a clean cloth.

It’s especially helpful to treat stains with club soda right away – think, oops, I spilled coffee/wine/juice on my white blouse – and gives you some wiggle room to get it in the wash sooner rather than later. And if you’re away from home remedies…I mean cleaning remedies, club soda makes a good alternative.

6. CORNSTARCH ON GREASE STAINS

Just as cornstarch can absorb oil in your hair (hello, dry shampoo), it can do the same to your clothes. Sprinkle cornstarch on top of a new grease stain and let it sit for 15-30 minutes before brushing off.

Wash as usual, using some dish soap on the stain, which leads me to my next point…

7. DISH SOAP ON GREASE AND OIL STAINS

This one’s pretty obvious – dish soap is meant to cut through grease – but it also works great on fabrics. Apply dish soap directly onto a grease or oil stain such as cooking oil, butter, food grease, or motor oil, rub in with your fingers, and let sit for 5-10 minutes.

Rinse and wash as usual.

Oil stains can be incredibly difficult to deal with. We’ve been using Dawn dish soap to combat them for years and it works like a charm.

Since it’s advertised as safe to use on animals affected by oil spills, surely it can handle olive oil on kitchen towels. It’ll work on clothes, too.

Just work it into the stain, let it sit for a bit, and wash as usual.

8. HYDROGEN PEROXIDE ON PROTEIN STAINS

Protein stains include blood, perspiration, dairy, and eggs. Hydrogen peroxide can be used to help remove these types of stains.

Simply apply hydrogen peroxide and allow it to bubble for a few minutes. Next, rinse the item with cold water.

For more set-in protein stains, add hydrogen peroxide to dishwashing liquid and form into a paste. Apply to stain, allow to sit, then rinse with cold water.

WARNING: hydrogen peroxide may lighten colors. Test in inconspicuous area and leave hydrogen peroxide for a brief amount of time.

This tip works particularly well for perspiration stains on white items and blood stains on lighter-colored items.

9. BAKING SODA PASTE ON SET STAINS

Combine baking soda with just enough water to make a thick paste. Apply to stain and allow to sit 30 to 60 minutes.

Remove paste by brushing off item and launder as usual. Baking soda is a mild abrasive and helps to remove stains.

Baking soda can be used to remove food, mildew, and perspiration stains. Baking soda is a deodorizer as well.

Save that shirt from the trash using this low-cost item.

10. WHITE VINEGAR ON DEODORANT STAINS

The aluminum found in anti-perspirants reacts with clothing, forming those pesky white stains. Fill a basin with white vinegar.

Submerge underarm areas of shirts and allow to soak for approximately 30 minutes. Remove and launder as usual.

For more stubborn stains, an old toothbrush may be used to remove them. For perspiration stains, combine white vinegar with baking soda.

11. LEMON JUICE AND SUNLIGHT ON WHITE FABRIC

Apply fresh lemon juice directly onto discoloration, yellowing, or sweat marks and hang or lay item in the sun. The combination of citric acid, the main ingredient in lemon juice, and the sun’s UV rays create a bleaching effect.

After a while in the sun, rinse and launder as usual.

12. MEAT TENDERIZER ON PROTEIN STAINS

Did you know meat tenderizer, the unseasoned kind, can be helpful in removing protein-based stains, such as blood, dairy, eggs, etc.? Meat tenderizer has an enzyme that literally digests proteins.

Add a little cold water to a small amount of the tenderizer to make a paste and apply to stain. Allow to sit for about half an hour and rinse well.

Wash as usual. Meat tenderizer seems to be more effective on newer stains on items made from natural fibers such as cotton and linen.

Just be sure to use the unseasoned tenderizer or else you’ll be faced with a new stain to remove.

13. RUBBING ALCOHOL ON INK AND MARKER

Alcohol works well on many types of marker and pen stains because it’s a solvent for many types of ink. Apply alcohol directly onto the stain using a cotton ball or piece of fabric that has been soaked with the rubbing alcohol.

Apply to stain and allow to sit for a minute. Using a clean, dry piece of fabric, blot the stain.

Do not rub. Repeat until no more ink transfers to the fabric and launder as usual or with a little dishwashing liquid.

Test the alcohol on an out of the way area before using to make sure it won’t remove the item’s dye.

14. SHAVING CREAM ON CARPET STAINS

Plain, old-fashioned (white, unscented) foam shaving cream is a great carpet cleaner. Apply directly on stains like mud, coffee, or juice and let sit for about half an hour.

Shaving cream sinks into carpet fibers better than some cleaners that saturate all the way through the carpet. Blot with a wet rag and blot with a dry rag.

Done!

15. WD-40 ON CRAYON AND WAX STAINS

Crayon and other wax-based stains, such as lip balm or candle wax, are easily removed from clothing with WD-40. Afterwards, apply dishwashing liquid to remove the oily WD-40, and toss into the washing machine as usual.

16. ICE ON GUM AND WAX

Rather than desperately trying to pick at chewing gum stuck to clothing and likely ripping out half your shirt along with it, cover the gum with a few ice cubes or a bag of frozen veggies. The gum will get brittle and you’ll be able to pop it right off. Rubbing alcohol or WD-40 can be used to get rid of any leftover gummy mess. Candle wax stains can be treated in a similar fashion.

Hold the gum in the freezer or under an ice cube until it becomes hard. Then, crack it off the item.

At this point, there’s probably going to be a stain. Treat the stain.

It’s very easy to push gum into fabric instead of pulling it out, so make sure to freeze it first.

17. BOILING WATER ON BERRY AND FRUIT STAINS

Fresh berry stains, fruit juice stains and tomato stains can be removed with nothing more than boiling water. Hold the stained area of the item over a bowl and pour boiling water on the stain from a height of a few inches.

Do not use this trick on fabrics that are sensitive to heat, such as wool or silk. The heat from the water will force the stain out of the fabric without spreading the stain.

Never give up on that beautiful garment with the blueberry/blackberry/strawberry stain until you’ve tried this trick.

18. CHALK ON FRESH GREASE STAINS

In the same way that cornstarch is a magic grease remover, so is chalk. Apply plain, old, white chalk to a fresh grease stain.

Let it sit for five to ten minutes and then brush it off. The chalk will absorb the grease.

This trick is good to know for times when you’re away from cornstarch, talcum powder, laundry detergent, etc. Greasy salad dressing on your blouse while eating out?

Chalk it is. Kids mean an ample supply of chalk in the house.

Use it to tackle butter stains on tablecloths as well.

19. ASPIRIN PASTE ON SWEAT STAINS

Take two to three aspirins, crush them, making sure there is no coating on the aspirin, and add enough warm water to form a paste. Apply it to sweat stains and leave it for two to three hours before washing.

Aspirin contains salicylic acid, which breaks down the compounds that cause those nasty yellow stains in white or light-colored clothing. Need more stain-fighting power?

Add some hydrogen peroxide to the aspirin and water before applying it to the stain.

20. WHITE WINE ON RED WINE

Of course we knew white wine was the antidote for a bad night caused by drinking too much red wine…but did you know that it also acts as a stain remover for red wine stains?!

Red Wine Stain? Add some white wine.

Yes, it’s true. Pour some white wine on the red wine stain as soon as possible to help lift the stain and then blot.

After that follow up with a dab of salt or some club soda. White wine doesn’t fix the stain but can help when used as an emergency measure.

Be sure to wash the garment as soon as possible.

21. DISH SOAP AND HYDROGEN PEROXIDE FOR TOUGH SET STAINS

For those set-in stains that just will not seem to budge after being washed such as food stains, grass stains, sweat stains etc., this is an excellent remedy. Simply mix together one part dishwashing liquid and two parts hydrogen peroxide.

Apply the mixture to the stain and allow to sit on the fabric for 30 minutes. Rinse and wash as usual.

Note: Use only on colors and materials that have been pre-tested on an inconspicuous area. Do not use on colored fabrics as peroxide can remove the color.

This mixture will not necessarily bring the garment back from the dead if it’s already been through the dryer, but is certainly worth a shot.

22. CREAM OF TARTAR ON FABRIC STAINS

A common baking item found in most homes, cream of tartar, when mixed with lemon juice or white vinegar to make a thick paste can remove tough stains. Apply paste to stain and allow to sit 30 minutes, then rinse and launder.

This method works well on many types of stains including yellowing on whites, ink stains, and even rust stains. As a mild acid, the paste works well on stains that form when fabrics are exposed to the air (oxidize) and works well on rust rings from snaps and buttons.

I prefer this method to using a rust remover on light and white items.

23. MILK ON FRESH INK STAINS

Apply a little milk to a fresh ink stain, especially for ball point pen, allow to sit then launder. Works best on whites and light colored items.

Ink stains are pretty much impossible to remove, but soaking them in milk works wonders. Try to find a container that will hold the portion of the item with the ink stain.

Fill it with milk and submerge the item. Leave it for a couple of hours or overnight.

Remove the item from the milk, rinse, and re-examine the stain. It should be considerably lighter.

Milk is a much milder option for removing ink stains than rubbing alcohol, making it better on delicate items. It doesn’t always work, however, especially if the stain is not new and/or has been exposed to dryer heat.

But if your ballpoint pen exploded in the dryer, there’s nothing to be done anyway.

24. DISH SOAP ON GRASS STAINS

Our kids are outside every chance they get, so we deal with grass stains constantly. And our rambunctious Goldendoodle loves the yard, too.

Dish soap is fantastic for removing grass stains. Apply dish soap directly to the stain and rub it in with an old toothbrush or your fingers.

Give it 15-20 minutes, then rinse. Repeat as necessary.

It will not always completely remove grass stains that have dried on clothing, but combined with hydrogen peroxide and some extra patience, dish soap will get those pesky stains to give up their chlorophyll and other plant-based secretions.

25. NEVER PUT A STAINED ITEM IN THE DRYER

This one has saved SO many items for us. Before putting something into the dryer, take thirty seconds to check for stains.

If you see anything, take a closer look. You may be able to treat it right then and wash it again.

Or, if you’re not confident that the spot has been fully removed, allow the item to air dry first and inspect it before placing it in the dryer. Either way, you’ve saved yourself hours of stain-fighting because you resisted putting it in the dryer.

Once a stain is heated, it’s chemically bonded to the item and MUCH harder to get out. Believe me, I’ve seen it happen.

Trust me, don’t skip checking damp laundry for stains.

26. GLYCERIN TO LOOSEN DRIED AND SET STAINS

You’ll find glycerin anywhere medical supplies are sold. It can help with dried food stains and certain ink stains.

Glycerin softens dried stains so they’ll be easier to loosen and remove. Just leave it on the stain for an hour and then treat with dish soap or stain remover as described above.

27. KEEP A STAIN KIT IN THE LAUNDRY ROOM

The best way to get out stains is to deal with them right away. Having all of your stain-fighting products together makes it easier to do just that.

Assemble a kit with white vinegar, dish soap, hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, cornstarch, rubbing alcohol and glycerin and keep it in your laundry area. Before you know it, you’ll be able to remove nearly every stain in your home without reaching for an expensive and often ineffective specialty stain remover.

Grandma would have been proud of you.

It doesn’t take a lot of money or space and you won’t have to remember which specialty product is right for which stain. You’re welcome.

And the last but not the least thing to remember is act quickly. Most stains can be removed if treated quickly.

Technique is more important than brand. Time of removal is more important than product.

Chances are, that item you need to remove a pesky stain is sitting in your kitchen right now and may even outperform commercial products.

So next time you have a stain on your hands…err, clothes, reach for these household products before panicking.

We started this whole cleaning tip’s series off with this gem: 33 Vintage Cleaning Tips That Beat Modern Shortcuts

Check out all of the amazing things you can clean with one of your cleaning superpowers in this post: 31 Things You Can Clean With Baking Soda

Another household item with cleaning powers is Vinegar. Get the scoop here: 33 Things You Can Clean With Vinegar

There are tons of other great cleaning posts here at Coupon Cravings including 29 Vintage Kitchen Cleaning Habits Worth Bringing Back and many others. If you’ve been looking for alternative or simpler ways to do some of your household cleaning, Coupon Cravings is your new resource.

Next time you’re in the laundry room looking for a cleaning hack, check out: 29 Old-Fashioned Laundry Tips That Beat Modern Detergent Pods.

Here are some of our favorite uses for this incredibly versatile product.

1. Carpet Odor Absorber

Not only is baking soda an incredible deodorizer, it absorbs odor instead of just masking it with a (usually fake-smelling) fragrance. To deodorize your carpet, sprinkle baking soda on your carpet.

Let it sit for at least 15 minutes, longer for more persistent smells. Then, vacuum.

Presto! No more Gigi’s stink, teen’s lunch smell, or other unidentified carpet stench.

And, best of all, “I covered up the smell with a candle” is not a phrase your unappreciative teens will hear.

2. Stainless Steel Sink Scrub

Baking soda is a very mild abrasive which makes it a great all-around cleaner that will not scratch your sink. To clean your sink, sprinkle baking soda on a dampened sink.

Scrub in the direction of the grain. The baking soda will cut through any built-up gunk and take out water stains that make your sink look dull.

Then, rinse and dry. Drying your sink ensures that there will not be new water spots that form as it dries.

A clean kitchen sink goes a long way towards enhancing the look of an entire kitchen. Save money and skip the stinky commercial cleanser; just sprinkle some baking soda in your sink and use as you would a commercial cleanser.

I first learned this tip from my grandmother. She had a box of baking soda in every room of her house!

I don’t think there was a surface that baking soda wasn’t used on.

Other uses include cleaning your oven, removing stains, and removing ring spots from wood. It is an incredibly versatile item.

It’s a must-have item that will save you time and money. And, best of all, baking soda is ridiculously cheap.

Bulk-buyers (that would be me) will be pleased to know that baking soda is very economical to buy in bulk. Another check for the satisfaction that comes with buying in bulk!

3. Toilet Bowl Deodorizer and Cleaner

Sprinkle some baking soda in the toilet bowl and let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes. Scrub and flush.

For added cleaning power and to tackle some of those pesky light stains, try sprinkling some baking soda in your toilet bowl, followed by a liberal sprinkling of white vinegar. The two will fizz up and make quite a mess, but they’ll deodorize your toilet and leave it clean and bright.

4. Refrigerator Deodorizer

We all know to keep an open box of baking soda in our refrigerators to control those pesky food odors, but it’s amazing how often and how quickly this task gets overlooked. Trust me, the box of baking soda does capture odors and can prevent foods from absorbing one another’s smells.

The trick is remembering to replace the box regularly, every 1 to 3 months. In cases of severe odor control, I’ve been known to leave a box on each shelf, as well as one in the freezer.

Check on your deodorizer about every 1 to 3 months depending on the odor.

5. Drain Deodorizer

Over time, even well-functioning drains can develop an odor. It’s very subtle at first, you might not even notice it yourself, but houseguests will comment on it.

Pour about 1/2 cup of baking soda into the drain, followed by 1/2 cup white vinegar. Let the mixture sit for about 15 minutes, then flush the drain with hot water.

You’ll be amazed at the results.

6. Oven Cleaner

Commercial oven cleaners are expensive and harmful. Avoid these harsh chemicals by making a thick paste of water and baking soda and spreading it on your oven.

Make sure not to get it on the heating elements. Leave the oven closed for twelve hours or longer.

The paste will help to loosen stuck on grease and food. Remove with a damp cloth without scrubbing.

For extra zing and power, spray white vinegar onto the paste and allow the reaction to occur before wiping. The vinegar will help to loosen the grime as well as react with the baking soda making the removal much easier.

You will be thankful you avoided the nasty stench and trip to the hardware store for protective gloves that comes with commercial oven cleaners.

7. Microwave Deodorizer

There is nothing worse than opening your microwave and being greeted by a bouquet of the last meal that was cooked within its walls. Food smells can get trapped inside of microwaves in a very irritating and bothersome way.

Place an open bowl of baking soda in your microwave when it is not being used and leave it to absorb odors as they occur. For more of a deep deodorizing experience, stir a tablespoon of baking soda in a bowl of water.

Heat on high for two minutes. Let it sit for another five minutes in the closed microwave.

Remove and wipe out. This will take care of those pesky fishy reheated burritos or funky leftovers from last week.

8. Grout Scrub

Make a thick paste out of baking soda and water. Use a straw to apply the mixture to grout lines.

Scrub gently in circles and rinse. For deeper cleaning add some white vinegar and allow to fizz before repeating the above steps.

The fizzing vinegar helps to loosen stuck on dirt. Baking soda is a gentle abrasive which makes it perfect for cleaning without damaging your grout.

Remove surface level dirt and mildew with baking soda easily and naturally.

Grout is an item that a lot of people avoid cleaning because it is tedious and requires harsh, powerful cleaning solutions. Try a mixture of water and baking soda to form a thick paste.

Apply the paste to your tile grout and scrub with an old toothbrush. This is an easy and effective way to clean grout and doesn’t require deep breaths to avoid harsh chemical fumes.

This solution costs little and cleans just as well as the name-brand grout cleaners.

9. Porcelain Tub and Shower Scrub

Lightly sprinkle baking soda over a dampened porcelain shower or bathtub floor and scrub the surface with a non-scratch sponge. Tougher stains will respond well to a paste of water and baking soda.

Apply the mixture to stained areas and allow to sit for 10 to 15 minutes. The paste will help to breakdown the scum.

Scrub well and rinse. Soap scum, water marks and other common bathroom stains will give way to this application.

Baking soda is a non-abrasive product. Many common scouring cleansers contain abrasive chemicals which can break down your porcelain finish over time.

Baking soda won’t scratch your surfaces and provides excellent cleaning ability.

10. Cutting Board Deodorizer

If you use wooden or plastic cutting boards, sprinkle some baking soda onto the cutting board after washing with dish soap and hot water. Use a brush or dampened rag to rub baking soda into your cutting board.

Let sit for five minutes and rinse. Garlic and onion smells can be difficult to remove, baking soda will help to absorb any unwanted smells.

Dish detergent alone will not always remove these smells. Baking soda won’t leave a residue and will not affect the taste of the next item placed on your cutting board.

Your strawberries will not taste like garlic if you use baking soda to rid unwanted smells from your cutting board.

11. Trash Can Deodorizer

Sprinkle some baking soda on the bottom of your trash can underneath the bag. The baking soda will keep the can smelling fresh each time the can is emptied.

For extra-stinky bins, scrub with hot, soapy water and allow to air-dry. Then, sprinkle a thick layer of baking soda in the bottom of the can and add a new trash bag.

The stench can become embedded in the actual can, so this is an easy way to treat the source of the problem. The whole kitchen smells better and it’s very little effort.

12. Shoe Deodorizer

Shoes tend to stink after wearing them throughout the day. Simply sprinkle a little baking soda in the shoes overnight and tap them out when you’re ready to wear them in the morning.

If your workout shoes or boots have developed an entrenched stink, fill them with baking soda and leave them to deodorize for twenty-four hours. Then empty out the baking soda and brush them clean.

Baking soda does the same deodorizing tricks that name-brand shoe deodorizing sprays do, except it’s less expensive. If you have smelly sneakers like my teenager does, baking soda is an item that’s indispensable in my house.

13. Gym Bag and Sports Equipment Deodorizer

Another way to use baking soda as a deodorizer is to keep a small, empty, washable container with baking soda or a small fabric sack of baking soda in your teen’s gym bag. This is an excellent way to keep the gym bag stench free.

If your teen’s sports equipment starts smelling funky, sprinkle baking soda into helmets, shin guards, or pads and let it sit for a few hours to absorb the stench. Empty the baking soda out of the equipment or brush it out, and store.

Unlike the name-brand deodorizing sprays, baking soda is an excellent way to eliminate odors and bacteria. But, baking soda doesn’t just mask the odor-it erases the odor.

Sprays and odor removers just hide the offending odors under fragrances, and trust me when I tell you that a mixture of body spray and teen-aged armpits is nothing short of horrific. Instead of covering up odors, try sprinkling a little baking soda on sports gear and leaving it in the gym bags overnight.

Baking soda works by absorbing odor-causing elements. Parents of sporty teens will thank me for this tip.

14. Mattress Deodorizer

Your mattress takes a beating year after year but is likely the last thing you think of when spring cleaning. Remove all of your sheets and blankets, sprinkle some baking soda on your mattress and let it sit for at least 30 minutes.

Afterwards, vacuum. The baking soda will draw up any musty odors and moisture.

Of course, there’s no way to really make your mattress smell like it’s brand-new. However, deodorizing your mattress with baking soda is a chemical-free method of improving your mattress’s smell.

Repeat this process every couple months for maximum effect.

15. Pet Bedding Deodorizer

Similar to mattresses, pet beds, blankets, cushions, etc. can benefit from a sprinkle of baking soda. Again, just let it sit for 15 to 30 minutes and shake or vacuum afterwards.

If the item can’t be machine-washed, this is an excellent way to revive it between washings. For example, Gigi’s bed starts to smell like Gigi between laundry days.

Since baking soda is safe to use around animals, you needn’t worry about harsh chemicals causing problems with your pet’s skin. Afterwards, give the item a quick vacuuming, though Gigi hates the vacuum, she tolerates it if it means getting her nice, freshly-smelling bed back, or take the item outside and shake it off.

16. Scuff Marks on Walls and Floors

Rub some baking soda with a dampened rag or sponge on scuff marks to remove them from tile, vinyl, or walls. Unlike other methods of getting these pesky marks out, baking soda won’t scratch floors, tile, or your beautiful, freshly-painted walls.

Always test baking soda out of sight before applying to walls to ensure compatibility with the type of paint or wall finish. Afterwards, go over the area with a new, dampened cloth.

Apply some baking soda to a dampened cloth and rub on the marks. You’ll be surprised at how quickly they disappear compared to using a specialized scuff mark remover.

17. Silver Polish

Mix baking soda and water to form a paste. Apply it to your silver and rub in circular motions with a soft cloth.

Rinse and buff until shiny. For heavily tarnished items, lay aluminum foil in a large basin or kitchen sink, sprinkle it with 1 tablespoon of baking soda, add 1 teaspoon of salt and fill with hot water.

Place your tarnished silver in the mixture and leave for a few minutes. Remove items and rinse and shine with a soft cloth.

The tarnish will have migrated from your silver onto the aluminum. This trick is as effective as silver polish and it’s nearly free.

18. Coffee and Tea Stain Remover From Mugs

We all own that stained coffee/tea mug. Rather than resign ourselves to its existence, try cleaning it with a paste of baking soda and a little water.

It acts as a mild abrasive and won’t scratch the surface. For really bad stains, let it sit about 10 minutes before scrubbing.

This also works well to remove stains from other items that are difficult to get into like teapots, coffee carafes and thermoses where soap just isn’t up to the job.

19. Thermos and Water Bottle Deodorizer

Remove any lingering smells from your water bottle or thermos by adding 1 tsp of baking soda to some warm water. Leave for 30 mins and rinse well.

For more stubborn smells, leave to soak overnight. Leave to air dry without a lid.

Let’s say you leave an empty water bottle filled with old coffee around the house. Fill it back up with fresh water and guess what?

It’s going to taste like coffee. Here’s how to use baking soda to remove lingering odors from bottles.

Skip this chore even once and you’ll immediately regret it.

Fill the bottle with water and add baking soda.

Cap the bottle and shake until baking soda is dissolved.

Swish the mixture around the bottle, paying special attention to the cap.

Empty the bottle and rinse with water.

Air dry with top off.

20. Dishwasher Booster

Add a 1/2 cup of baking soda sprinkled on the bottom of the dishwasher before a cycle. It’s going to soften the water and help your dishwashing detergent work its best.

It’s an inexpensive solution to get through a particularly grimy batch of dirty dishes. Bonus: Using baking soda will reduce odors from your dishwasher between uses and leave your dishes and glasses bright and clear.

21. Laundry Booster

Have you heard this tip from previous generations? It still works.

Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your laundry along with your normal amount of detergent. The baking soda will soften the water and eliminate any odors your clothes may be trapping.

The baking soda will take some of the work out of the hands of your laundry detergent which may even help your current bottle last a little longer. Items that tend to retain smells like workout clothes and towels will greatly benefit from this tip.

22. Sweat Stain Paste

Sweat stains are unsightly, stubborn, and embarrassing. Mix together:

Baking soda

Water

Apply the paste directly to the stain and allow it to sit before washing as normal. Repeat if needed.

Baking soda paste. Combine some baking soda and a small amount of water to make a paste. Rub it onto the affected areas of clothing, and let it sit for an hour or two before washing. This is particularly helpful on the underarms of white shirts. Tough stains may require letting the baking soda dry before washing. Applying the baking soda to a dry shirt works best. This will remove the odors and discolored residue caused by a mixture of perspiration, deodorant/antiperspirant and body oils.

23. BBQ Grill Grate Cleaner

One of grandma’s favorite uses of baking soda would have been cleaning her well-loved cast-iron skillets. This is a technique that is applicable to BBQ grill grates, too.

Here’s how to do it:

Make sure the grates are still warm

Sprinkle baking soda generously over the surface of the grates

Using a stiff grill brush or some aluminum foil, scrub the baking soda off the grates. Baking soda is a mild abrasive that won’t scratch the surface of the grill, yet is effective against carbon and grease.

Rinse grates with water and dry. They’re good as new.

In cases of really gunky grill grates, try making a paste instead, and leave it on the grates for half an hour before scrubbing. Trust us, you’ll kick yourself for not knowing this trick sooner.

All those times you thought you’d thoroughly cleaned your grill by brushing it off after each use, or even after giving it a good scrubbing before storing it away for the season, just weren’t good enough.

24. Tupperware Odor Removal

Plastic containers have a nasty habit of retaining stains and odors no matter how hard we try to wash them out. Foods like garlic, strong curries, and tomato-based dishes often stain plastics, and dish soap is not always able to get rid of stains and smells.

Try soaking the stained or smelly item for thirty minutes or more in warm, sudsy baking soda water (fill the container with warm water and a tablespoon of baking soda). Your containers will be as good as new.

Have you ever washed something in the dishwasher that’s still smelly? I know that plastic containers that once contained marinara sauce are never quite the same once washed, even in the hottest, most suds-filled dishwashers.

They may look fine, but are they really clean if they smell like spaghetti sauce? Try filling the offending container with baking soda, sealing it, and allowing the mixture to sit for twenty-four hours.

Rinse well and try again. You’ll be amazed how effective baking soda is at absorbing unwanted odors.

25. Burnt Pot and Pan Rescue

Have you ever left your food on the burner, walked away, and came back to a burnt mess? Don’t toss the pan.

Add two or three tablespoons of baking soda to a pan of water, bring it to a boil, then allow it to simmer for ten to fifteen minutes. Allow to cool, then scrub and wash.

The blackened crud will wipe right off. This works especially well on stainless-steel pots and pans.

Trust me, I’ve been able to save some truly horrible pans with this trick. You’ll be amazed how easy the burnt-on mess wipes away.

26. Shower Curtain Mildew Treatment

If you’re lucky, all it will take to get the spots out of your plastic shower curtain liner is a sprinkle of baking soda. Keep the liner wet, sprinkle on a layer of baking soda, and rub the liner down with a brush or a washcloth.

Rinse off and hang back up. If your liner is really nasty, toss it in the washing machine with your favorite washing soap plus a 1/2 cup of baking soda and wash on gentle.

Allow liners to air-dry if possible, because this keeps mildew and that horrible mildew smell away longer than if they are dried in the dryer. Hang them back up and enjoy your mildew-free shower again.

This might cost you some time and effort, but it will definitely save you some money. Mildew grows on shower curtain liners every few months and replacements aren’t exactly inexpensive.

Using the above methods will prolong the life of your shower curtain liner.

Place liner in washing machine. After washing, sprinkle baking soda all over liner. Scrub liner with an old rag to remove remaining stains. Hang liner back up to air-dry.

27. Chrome Fixture Polish

Hard water can leave unsightly marks on bathroom fixtures. Tarnish can be an issue as well.

Both of these problems can be resolved by adding a little elbow grease and baking soda. Make a thick paste with baking soda and water.

Dip a soft, clean cloth into the baking soda and apply it directly to water spots or tarnished areas. It’s important to use minimal pressure since chrome is prone to scratching.

After the marks have been treated, rinse off the baking soda and dry/buff fixtures. In just two minutes your fixtures will look brand new.

28. Garage Floor Oil Stains

If you have a concrete floor, chances are, you’ve had to deal with oil stains. While you may not be able to remove older stains with baking soda alone, fresh stains can be lifted by sprinkling a thick layer of baking soda onto the stain.

Allow it to soak in the oil for several minutes before scrubbing with a stiff-bristled brush. After scrubbing the stain, rinse with warm water.

For tougher stains, pre-wet the stain and let baking soda rest on stain for 30 minutes. The quicker you attend to stains with baking soda, the easier it is to remove them.

Older stains may require harsher measures. Baking soda is a good option since it won’t be as harsh on your floors as degreasers and other strong chemicals.

29. Refrigerator Drip Pan Cleaner

Have you ever had a lingering food/kitchen smell that you just can’t seem to track down? There’s a good chance that cleaning out your fridge’s drip pan will get rid of the mystery stink.

The drip pan is where condensation collects. Over time, the stagnant water will attract bacteria, mold, and hold onto food/kitchen odors.

More often than not, we overlook the pan and don’t even know it’s there.

Remove drip pan from refrigerator.

Coat pan in baking soda. Let sit for a few minutes.

Scrub pan with a stiff brush.

Rinse pan and allow to fully air-dry before placing back into refrigerator.

It doesn’t take more than five minutes to give your drip pan some TLC and should be part of your refrigerator’s spring/autumn cleaning regime, about every 3-6 months. Trust me, it’s well worth the effort.

30. Litter Box Deodorizer

If you have a cat, sprinkle some baking soda in the bottom of the litter box, under the litter. It helps to absorb odors and deodorize your litter box.

You can also sprinkle it into the litter to help with odor. You may be surprised how effective it is to help combat cat pee smell.

It’s much better to neutralize cat pee odor as opposed to covering it up.

For a really deep clean, make sure you’re changing the litter frequently. When emptying the box, scrub it down with some baking soda.

31. Keep a Bowl in Every Problem Room

This is similar to the classic baking soda in the fridge tip. If you have any area in your home that seems to be picking up some funky smells, such as the bathroom, basement, laundry room, or mudroom, try leaving an open dish of baking soda out to absorb the smell.

No perfumes or harsh chemicals required. Replace the bowls of baking soda each month.

While I thought it was a little excessive at first, Grandma’s baking soda deodorizing habit is a tip I’m glad I eventually adopted. One box of baking soda outshines an entire cleaning supply cabinet full of fancy specialty products when it comes to versatile cleaning.

Baking soda is an inexpensive, easy, and all-natural household staple. Try out these cleaning tips for a fresh and inviting home.

In fact, baking soda and a splash of vinegar are the secret to most successful cleaning jobs around the house. Learn more about vinegar here: 33 Things You Can Clean With Vinegar.

Keep a dish of baking soda open in the bathroom, laundry room, kitchen, or anywhere that tends to smell. It will absorb smells over time. You won’t necessarily notice its presence, but you’ll be surprised when you take it out. It’s one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways to deodorize a room. Learn more stain removal secrets here: 27 Old-School Stain Removal Tricks That Actually Work

Baking soda may not foam like crazy or smell like a cleaning product, but it’s an extremely efficient cleaner. Learn more cleaning secrets here: 33 Vintage Cleaning Tips That Beat Modern Shortcuts

More related posts: 29 Vintage Kitchen Cleaning Habits Worth Bringing Back and 29 Old-Fashioned Laundry Tips That Beat Modern Detergent Pods.

How? While my infrequent and strenuous efforts were being made, my grandma was cleaning as well…all the time.

But, short, infrequent sessions prevented any of it from becoming a huge project. Now, I’m doing a better job keeping up with things than ever before because I’ve copied her lead.

Seems to me that if we all followed suit, we’d be wasting less money on newfangled cleaning products. Apparently, old habits are better habits.

Currently, 2/4 of my house holds steady with the cleaning. I figure if teenagers won’t join in on a routine, maybe someday they will.

VINTAGE KITCHEN HABITS THAT’LL MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER

1. CLEAN AS YOU COOK

This is probably the number one habit that vintage homemakers excelled at. They cleaned as they went, wiping down counters, washing prep bowls, and rinsing utensils as they baked pies and cooked meals.

We can do this, too. There’s lots of times during cooking where you’re standing and waiting for something to simmer or preheat an oven.

Those are perfect times to quickly rinse bowls and give your counters a wipe down. By the time your meal is ready to serve, chances are your kitchen will be nearly clean.

By reassigning some of your tasks while cooking, you’re not adding any additional time. It’s just reallocating the time you’ve already allotted for preparing and cooking your meal.

This habit will help keep your kitchen from becoming a disaster.

2. SWEEP THE KITCHEN EVERY NIGHT

I LOVE this habit and have been doing it for years. I love coming into a freshly-swept kitchen each morning.

It only takes about 3 minutes to give your kitchen a quick vacuum or sweep before bed each night, but it can save you from letting dirt and crumbs get out of hand and invite unwanted critters into your home. It’s also easier for you and your oblivious husband to pick up large chunks of food and spills before they get stepped in and rubbed into your carpet or grout.

3. WIPE THE STOVETOP AFTER EVERY USE

If you wipe down your stovetop after you’re done cooking, especially when it’s still warm, it will take you NO time at all, maybe 30 seconds. It’s one of those habits that takes minimal effort to do when you’re standing there finishing up your meal.

If you wait 3 days to wipe it down, chances are you’ll be standing around scrubbing cold, hardened-on grease for a LONG time. It’s much easier to keep the stove from getting super dirty instead of cleaning up after the fact.

4. KEEP THE SINK EMPTY AT NIGHT

This is another old-fashioned kitchen habit. It may seem tedious and difficult at first, but emptying your sink each night is a habit worth picking up.

You can train your kiddos this habit, too. It takes a bit of planning, but it’s easier to wash dishes as you use them or put away after using them than it is to go through an entire sink of dishes.

It can be overwhelming.

5. CLEAN THE REFRIGERATOR BEFORE GROCERY DAY

One of those weirdly specific tasks that vintage homemakers did was clean out their fridge before grocery shopping. They tossed any leftovers, wiped down the shelves, and gave the crisper drawers a cleaning.

It’s amazing how a ten-minute job like this saves money in the long run by keeping us from plopping new purchases on top of mystery take-out containers from two weeks ago. It also saves us money by reminding us what we have in our fridge and keeping us from accidentally purchasing a second item we already have.

6. WASH DISHES IN HOT WATER

This is such an old-wives’ trick, and it really works. Using dishwater at the hottest temperature your skin can stand cuts through grease like room-temp dishwater never could.

That pan that seemed like it needed to be vigorously scrubbed under tepid water will slide right out of your hands squeaky clean under hot water. Using the hottest water possible is an underused trick when it comes to simplifying dish-washing duties, especially for people who opt to wash dishes by hand.

No need for special cleaning products when hot water does the job.

7. USE DISH RAGS INSTEAD OF PAPER TOWELS FOR MOST TASKS

Paper towels didn’t used to be an option, so dish rags were the way of the moment. Now, even with the convenience of paper towels, rags can outshine paper towels in terms of sucking up liquid spills, wiping counters, and even drying hands.

Not only are dish rags an excellent tool for cleaning, they’re money savers as well. Invest in a few dish rags or cut up an old t-shirt, keep them under your sink, and challenge yourself to use them before reaching for the paper towels.

Most jobs around the kitchen will be better accomplished with a cloth rag rather than a paper towel. Save the paper towels for certain jobs and they’ll last a lot longer. It can help to designate a sink rag, counter rag, etc.

8. WIPE DOWN CABINET FRONTS WEEKLY

Another job for those rags. Kitchen cabinets become quite grimy over time, especially around the stove, where there’s lots of grease in the air.

The grime is easier to remove the sooner it’s gotten there, so don’t wait until they’re super-gross to tackle your cabinets. Just give them a quick once-over with a damp cloth and a squirt of dish soap once a week to keep them squeaky clean without major elbow grease.

9. KEEP A SIMMER POT FOR KITCHEN ODORS

Fish stews. Deep-fried doughnuts.

Homemade macaroni and cheese. We love to make lots of different foods in our kitchens, but sometimes, even with a window open and a fan going, food odors stick around for longer than we’d like.

Enter the trusty simmer pot. Simply add some lemon ends or other citrus rind, cloves, cinnamon, orange peels, etc. to a pot of water and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer.

In just five minutes, your kitchen will smell wonderful, masking the smell of fried calamari much better than an aerosol air freshener.

10. DESCALE THE COFFEE MAKER MONTHLY

Nothing can ruin a morning like weak, sad-tasting coffee. Before you toss that trusty drip machine in favor of a trendy overpriced single-serving contraption, try cleaning it out first.

Scale buildup can greatly impact the performance of your coffee maker. Simply fill the reservoir halfway with white vinegar, fill the rest of the way with water, then run through a normal brewing cycle.

Then, empty the carafe, fill with water, and run through two more brewing cycles. Voila, in just a few minutes you’ll be brewing like new again.

Many people neglect this chore, but you use that baby every single day. Believe it or not, your coffee maker harbors a gross accumulation of gunk. It’s a combination of the coffee itself and minerals in your water particularly if you live in an area with hard water. It’s shocking to peer down the chute and see what’s going on in there. Yeast and mold can also be an issue, which will affect the taste of your coffee. Clean your coffee maker once a month by running vinegar through the reservoir according to the directions, rinsing the reservoir and then running a couple or more hot water cycles through it. It’ll take ten minutes and your coffee will taste better for it.

11. WIPE APPLIANCE EXTERIORS DAILY

Dedicate thirty seconds each to wipe down your fridge handle, the front of your microwave, your toaster, your coffee maker, whatever’s in your kitchen. Greasy fingerprints can quickly accumulate on these items and make the entire room appear grubbier than it is. Stainless steel refrigerators are notorious for displaying every single print. There’s no escape from those pesky prints; I’m resigned to accept that fact. However, wiping down each appliance takes only thirty seconds and keeps them shiny.

12. CLEAN THE MICROWAVE WEEKLY

Add a few drops of vinegar or some slices of lemon to a bowl of water, cover, and microwave on High for five minutes. Allow the bowl to sit in the closed microwave for a couple of minutes, then remove and wipe down the microwave with a damp cloth. The steam from the heated bowl of water will have softened any food splatters for easy removal. Cleaning the microwave will take five minutes a week instead of twenty minutes and praying that the suspicious stench disappears if you let it get too gunky.

13. CLEAN THE GARBAGE DISPOSAL WEEKLY

This one’s a bit of a stinker (literally), but it’s quick and easy and will keep things fresher-smelling down the line.

To clean the disposal blades and help with odors, run ice cubes and a cut up lemon through the disposal once a week. The ice scrubs the blades and the citrus oils from the lemon deodorize the blades, remember to run cold water afterwards.

You can also pour half a cup of white vinegar into the disposal and let sit for a few minutes before running cold water to flush.

14. RUN THE DISHWASHER WITH VINEGAR MONTHLY

A quick and easy way to keep your dishwasher squeaky clean is to give it a hot cycle about once a month with a cup of white vinegar sitting on the top rack. Set a dishwasher-safe bowl with a cup of white vinegar on the top rack and run the dishwasher on a hot water cycle.

When you’re all done, remove the bowl. This cleans out all of the spray arms of grease and grime, mineral deposits, dishwashing detergent build up, and food remnants that can lead to funky dishwasher and dish odors.

Give yourself permission to take those 10 minutes once a month to give your dishwasher a deep cleaning. Trust me – it’ll make you happy.

Rinse off the bowl and store until next month’s cleaning.

15. DUST FROM TOP TO BOTTOM

Vintage homemakers were logical about everything. For instance, they knew that dusting from top to bottom made sense.

It’s hard to see the dust, but there’s tons of it on top of upper cabinets, on top of the fridge, etc. Dust those items first, then work your way down the list:

upper cabinets, interior and exterior

items on top of the refrigerator

items on countertops

small appliances

light switches

floors (vacuum and/or mop)

If you clean in the opposite direction, floors first and upper cabinets last, you’re going to be spreading that dust around your kitchen and probably vacuuming or sweeping twice. Dusting your ceiling fan will deposit a layer of dust on everything below it too.

Don’t skip the dusting when you clean your kitchen – trust me, it’s worth it.

16. KEEP A TRASH BOWL ON THE COUNTER WHILE COOKING

This is more of a kitchen habit rather than a cleaning tip per se. When cooking is done, it’s easy to empty the trash bowl into the garbage and put the bowl away.

It’s another example of an old-fashioned cleaning hack.

Grab a nearby empty container or use a bowl. Set it on the counter.

Then, as you’re prepping the meal, toss everything like food scraps, peels, and boxes into the container. When you’re done cooking, take that one item to the garbage.

That’s it.

17. ORGANIZE PANTRY ITEMS FRONT TO BACK

This might be a task that seems tedious until you realize how easy it makes things down the road. Vintage homemakers kept their refrigerators and pantries organized from front to back, just like we do at the grocery store.

Older items were kept to the front with newer purchases tucked behind them. As they’d add items to the refrigerator/pantry, they’d also move items forward.

It took them only a couple of minutes and prevented them from finding “mystery items I forgot existed” in the back of the refrigerator/pantry that had already expired. When you’re adding your groceries to your pantry, take two minutes to organize older items to the front.

You’ll thank yourself later. No more spring/summer/fall/winter cleaning out your pantry.

18. POLISH THE SINK TO A SHINE WEEKLY

This is so easy and takes only a minute, yet makes a world of a difference in the way your kitchen looks. Simply grab a clean dishrag after washing dishes or your hands and wipe down the sink, drying it completely.

Add some baking soda in the basin for an added clean/shine if desired. It’s amazing how a kitchen with a clean, shiny sink appears to be completely clean.

Plus, by polishing your sink regularly, you’ll be cutting back on built-up dirt, grime and soap scum.

19. WIPE LIGHT SWITCHES AND DOOR HANDLES DAILY

We touch door handles and light switches so much in our kitchens. Wiping these items off on a daily basis ensures dirt and grime won’t build-up.

It’s such an easy task to fit into your kitchen cleaning, especially since we’re in and out of our kitchens all day long.

Light switches and cabinet handles: It’s amazing how quickly switches and handles collect food residues, grease, and other daily kitchen crud from dirty hands. These items are among the highest-touched, least-cleaned items in the home, but wiping them down only takes about 30 seconds. Add them to your normal daily cleaning, and soon they’ll be muscle memory.

20. LET CLEANING PRODUCTS SIT BEFORE SCRUBBING

Vintage homemakers were famous for letting cleaning products soak before scrubbing. Whether it’s grease on the stovetop or food splatters on the counter, give your cleaning product five-to-ten minutes to dissolve the gunk.

If you attack a mess immediately, you’re relying on brute force to clean, not the power of your cleaning product. But if you walk away from the area, you’ll be amazed how easy it is to wipe away stubborn grime.

21. DEEP CLEAN THE OVEN MONTHLY

Does your food take on a smokey taste when you cook it, or does the kitchen fill with an awful stench when you turn on the oven? It’s time for a good cleaning.

But if you deep-clean your oven on a monthly basis, you’ll be amazed how easy it is to wipe away the crud without harsh cleaning products. Simply spread a paste of baking soda and water on the inside of your oven.

Let it sit overnight, then give the oven a good wipe in the morning. That’s it.

Ten minutes of effort a month keeps your oven looking great, and spares you from having to devote a lot more time and work every three months.

22. USE ONE CLOTH PER ZONE

Have a system of color-coded cleaning cloths to avoid spreading germs around your home. Assign a different color for each room, then within that color scheme, assign a color for each zone within the room.

For example, in my kitchen:

Gray cloth is reserved for cleaning counters

Black cloth is reserved for sinks

Brown cloth is reserved for appliances

Tan cloth is reserved for stovetop

Navy cloth is reserved for cleaning windows and mirrors.

Past homemakers used specific cloths for specific jobs – one for the sink, one for the counter, one for the floor, etc. I love this idea of having designated rags.

Not only will it help to avoid contamination, but it’s a great idea to keep the counter/sink rag separate from the food-prep rag.

Make sure to have specific cleaning cloths for certain areas in your kitchen. Color coding is best – then there’s no wondering which rag is for where. Make sure to wash them on a regular basis. Would you want to wipe down your cutting board, then go right ahead and wipe up a spill at the sink with the same rag? Yikes! Nope.

23. STORE CLEANING SUPPLIES SIMPLY

How many different types of cleaning products do you own for your kitchen? It seems to me that there’s a new cleaning product every other week – all promising to do a better job of keeping our kitchens sparkling than the last.

Grandma only ever needed baking soda, vinegar, and dish soap to keep a sparkling clean home. Chances are whatever special cleaning product you’ve picked up today does what one of those 3 items does anyway.

Simplify your life – own a few multipurpose cleaners for your kitchen, then never again have to lug around choice-anxiety or a stuffed-to-the-brims cleaning cabinet.

Invest in some multipurpose cleaners. Store them in a dedicated location that’s accessible but tucked out of the way. Keep it simple and functional.

24. AIR OUT THE KITCHEN DAILY

Kitchens tend to get damp. Excess steam and cooking odors become stale.

Moisture leads to mildew. Open a window or use your over-range vent for 10-15 minutes each day to avoid a stale, musty kitchen.

Grandma did this daily, even on the coldest, winter days.

Ventilate After Cooking: The moisture from cooking finds its way into the cabinets, curtains, upholstery. Eventually it will cause an undesirable odor. Ventilate your kitchen for 10 minutes after cooking to avoid moisture buildup.

25. CLEAN BEHIND AND UNDER APPLIANCES SEASONALLY

It’s amazing how much dust and grime can collect under and around your appliances. This can adversely affect the air in your home as well as the way your appliances operate.

For example, you should clean out your refrigerator coils. This means that you need to pull the refrigerator out of place which could take an hour to accomplish.

Likewise, it’s a good idea to vacuum behind a range. Try to get behind and under appliances twice a year (every six months).

It’s a lot easier than dealing with an infestation of bugs and critters and it will help your refrigerator operate more efficiently.

26. WIPE DOWN CABINET INTERIORS QUARTERLY

Food storage areas may appear to be in order on the outside but the inside may be another matter. Food may have been stored there and deteriorated, spills could have happened, food particles could have fallen in there, and so on.

Once every 3 months, pull everything out of the food or other storage cabinets and give them a good cleaning with damp, soapy microfiber cloths. Allow them to dry and replace your belongings.

This will be a good time for you to dispose of anything that’s past its prime.

27. WASH KITCHEN TOWELS FREQUENTLY

It seems like kitchen towels get filthy almost immediately. You may be surprised to learn that they should be washed every 1-2 days.

Having a set of these on hand will come in handy so you can switch them out frequently. That way, you’re not grabbing a wet, just-used kitchen towel when you need a dry one.

If you’re anything like me, you’ve got a pair of kitchen towels that get pulled out and used as needed. And then one day you realize they’ve been in service for a few days and have acquired that certain smell.

That certain smell that tells you there are bacteria on those towels that would be happy to make their way onto your hands or dishes when they’re being dried. Fix: Wash them more frequently.

Easy enough.

28. END EACH DAY WITH A FULL COUNTER WIPE-DOWN

Back in the days of vintage homemaking, counters were cleared of all things and wiped down each evening, ending up squeaky clean and shiny. But since then, wiping down counters became something we do when they get dirty, which means crumbs and residue are always hanging around.

I now wipe down ALL of the counters each night. It only takes about four minutes and prevents buildup, as well as resets everything so I’m starting with a completely clean slate each morning.

Believe me, nothing will improve the look of your kitchen more, and your attitude when you enter it in the am, than a regular wipe-down routine. It’ll do more to enhance your kitchen than any cleaning product out there.

29. MAKE IT A ROUTINE, NOT A REACTION

The difference between old kitchen cleaning and modern is that old homemakers cleaned on a schedule, not when they saw dirt. Every day, week, month and season meant nothing could get very far out of control.

And because there was less mess when the cleaning was done, the cleaning was easy.

While I’ve picked up some of these tricks from grandmothers past and present, many have been researched or picked up in articles. And yes, while I try to reduce our family’s use of disposables, paper towels still make the list.

But in general, old-school homemakers knew the value of staying on top of many of these tasks, using simple solutions to keep their kitchens in tip-top shape with minimal fuss.

As you can see, keeping an organized, cleaned kitchen doesn’t have to be time-consuming at all. Many of these tasks take seconds to complete.

And since you’re going to be in and out of your kitchen anyway, it’s easy to implement some of these tasks. Try implementing some of these vintage-inspired cleaning tasks into your own kitchen.

I think you’ll find that your dreaded spring cleaning isn’t so dreaded after all.

You can keep all of the supplies you’ll need for these habits in one cabinet. Vinegar, baking soda, dish soap, dish cloths, a broom.

The rest of them are habits: wiping, sweeping, polishing. The products don’t change, just the frequency.

This is another installment in my ongoing series of vintage cleaning methods that really work, kicking off with 33 Vintage Cleaning Tips That Beat Modern Shortcuts. If your idea of practical cleaning involves items already in your kitchen, check out 33 Things You Can Clean With Vinegar or 31 Things You Can Clean With Baking Soda.

If your practical cleaning woes are fabric-related, take a look at 27 Old-School Stain Removal Tricks That Actually Work next, or, if laundry is your nemesis, head straight to 29 Old-Fashioned Laundry Tips That Beat Modern Detergent Pods.

Not to mention our teens think it’s perfectly acceptable to leave clothing on the floor by the hamper.

Some things we just need to accept as things that will never be improved upon. However, have you ever thought of using traditional methods for washing and caring for clothing?

Chances are there’s a reason these methods existed; someone figured out a way to make their task easier. They’re probably not widely known today precisely because they’ve fallen into obscurity.

I’m a firm believer that when we take advantage of some of these tips our clothing comes out of the wash in better condition, and lasts much longer. Not everything should go into the washer and dryer indiscriminately.

We’ve experimented with several of these methods, and wanted to share the best of the best with you. Maybe you’ll be surprised that old-fashioned methods have their place in modern-day laundry lists.

1. SORT EVERY LOAD EVERY TIME

Whites, lights, darks, delicates, separating loads will save delicate fabrics, prevent colors from bleeding, and will give you an opportunity to wash some items on cold and others on hot, depending on the fabric. Yes, it takes an additional two minutes to sort your laundry.

However, clothes washed this way will last longer than loads thrown in haphazardly. Sorting will save you HOURS of headaches and frustration, believe me.

Separate whites and darks (duh!). But also:

Sort items according to weight, towels, sheets, tablecloths, blankets, etc. and clothing.

Sort according to fabric, cotton, synthetics, delicates, etc.

Sort according to soil, really grimy clothes, everyday wear, workout clothes, whites that have gotten yellow, etc.

2. TREAT STAINS BEFORE WASHING, NOT AFTER

Thirty seconds is all it takes to glance at garments before loading the machine. Treating stains with some kind of application, be it bar or liquid soap, a paste of baking soda and water, a dab of vinegar, before washing will go a long way to remove marks.

Washing a garment with an untreated stain makes it more difficult to get out, running them in the dryer will set stains and mark garments for good. Vintage homemakers always treated stains before washing, you’ll be glad you did.

3. USE LESS DETERGENT THAN THE LABEL SUGGESTS

Companies know the more you use, the faster you’ll be back for more. Back in grandma’s day, detergents weren’t nearly as concentrated and cost an arm and a leg, so they learned to use very little.

Try using half to three-quarters of the suggested amount, you’ll be amazed at the results. Too much detergent and fabric softener will leave a residue which causes fabrics to attract dirt, makes them feel rough, gives them a drab appearance, not to mention causes rashes and dryness on our skin.

Cut back on detergent usage and not only will you save some cash, your skin will thank you, and after a few loads, so will your sheets. You’ll be surprised how bright, fluffy, and vibrant they’ll look and feel.

4. WASH IN COLD WATER FOR MOST LOADS

Grandma probably reserved hot water for items that needed sanitizing. But in general, you can get the majority of your laundry done in a cold wash.

Hot water will shrink your clothes, fade their color, degrade the quality of the fabrics, and break down the elastic faster than necessary. In fact, many fabrics, including activewear and other stretchy items, call for a cold wash to extend their life.

Unless an item requires hot water to remove stains or sanitize, like towels and bedsheets, try washing everything else on cold. If you’re worried that it won’t get them clean, I promise that if you’re using quality detergent, they’ll come out just fine.

Your energy company will thank you as well.

5. SOAK HEAVILY SOILED ITEMS FIRST

Vintage homemakers understood the importance of soaking items before washing them, especially items that had been through hard labor. If you have some really nasty items to wash, such as work clothes, consider giving them a soak beforehand.

Fill your washing machine or a large enough basin with warm or cold water and a little detergent. Alternatively, try adding in some baking soda.

Leave them to soak for at least 30 minutes, preferably an hour, to loosen the dirt before tossing them in the wash. Trust me, you’ll be shocked at how much cleaner they’ll come out compared to items you didn’t soak.

6. ADD WHITE VINEGAR INSTEAD OF FABRIC SOFTENER

Most of the softening effect of fabric softener comes from silicone and the product actually builds up on fabrics making them less breathable over time (think less-absorbent towels). However, there’s an amazing and vintage hack to soften fabrics that’s been around forever, which is white vinegar.

Simply add 1/2 cup to the fabric softener compartment of your washer and watch it work its magic by removing build-up from your clothes caused by laundry detergent, eliminating static AND making everything softer and towels more absorbent than they’ve been before. Don’t worry about your clothes smelling like vinegar, because trust me, they won’t.

7. ADD BAKING SODA TO EVERY LOAD

Another product that gets rave reviews but has a much cheaper alternative that works just as well is laundry booster. Instead, add 1/2 cup of baking soda to the washing machine alongside your laundry detergent.

Baking soda will soften the water in your washer, which in turn makes your laundry detergent more effective, and works as a natural odor remover too – a gamechanger for towels, activewear and anything else that tends to retain stink and B.O. BONUS: it’s super-cheap, at about two cents per load.

8. LINE DRY WHEN POSSIBLE

The dryer is brutal to clothes. The tumbling action damages the fibers, heat shortens the life of elastics and shrinks some garments, and you’ve seen the graveyard of sock and underwear parts collected in the lint trap.

Instead, line-dry, or at least air-dry on a drying rack, clothes when possible to increase their lifespan. Hanging them outside to dry exposes them to UV rays that will naturally brighten whites and dispel odors so you won’t need to use scented sprays or sheets.

Line-drying does take longer than dryer-drying, so it’s not necessarily practical all the time. You’ll need to be conscious of pollen levels in your area to avoid triggering allergies.

However, nothing beats the smell of towels and sheets that have been hanging in the great outdoors. You can’t put that smell in a bottle.

9. USE THE GENTLE CYCLE MORE OFTEN

Another way to increase the life of your clothes is to use the gentle cycle in your washing machine whenever possible. The gentler agitation means less damage to your clothes.

Unless they’re work clothes, bedding, towels, etc., clothes from regular wear likely only need to be cleaned on gentle. These days, we leave our washers on the default settings, but before washers became common, people hand-washed delicates.

Gentle is the closest you’re going to get to hand-washing your clothes. Lumens recommends washing on the gentle cycle more often to prevent frayed collars and seams, extending the life of your clothes by years.

10. TURN DARK CLOTHES INSIDE OUT

Dark colors: Pilling and fading happen more on dark-colored items. By washing them inside-out, it keeps the fabric from fading and prevents pilling on the outside of the item. Yes, pilling will still happen, just not on the outside of your garment. Dark colored jeans, shirts, sweaters, and any darker colored item should be flipped before washing. It takes no additional effort but makes a huge difference. You probably won’t notice right away, but a year from now you’ll be able to tell the difference.

Whites and lights: It’s a matter of personal preference for lighter-colored items. Whites will not show signs of wear like darker colors do.

Washing dark colored items will release more dye. It will fade quicker than other colors and the more frequently you wash an item, the more of the dye will be released.

By keeping darker colored items out of direct friction with other items, it will help your clothes last longer.

Vintage homemakers also turned their clothes inside out before washing them, especially items such as towels and sheets. Turning items inside out helped to limit abrasion on the visible side of the item, thereby lengthening its life. It also kept lint and other bits of crud to a minimum. Try turning all of your whites, towels, sheets, and other durable items inside out to limit wear.

11. HANG SHIRTS TO DRY ON HANGERS

Dress shirts, blouses and knit tops should be dried on hangers. This will keep their shape, eliminate wrinkles and avoid shrinkage from heat.

Simply take them out when they’re damp, shake them into shape and hang them up in your closet. Chances are, you’ll never have to iron them.

Over time, you might notice that shirts get shorter and wider due to all of the trips through the dryer. Save your shirts and hang them to dry.

12. IRON CLOTHES WHILE SLIGHTLY DAMP

Just like grandma knew best – ironing damp garments is much easier. It requires less effort and will allow you to use a lower heat.

If your clothes have dried completely, grab your trusty water sprayer and give them a misting before ironing. Always start with a lower heat if you must iron a garment that’s completely dry to avoid damaging your garments.

This can be the difference between thirty seconds versus one hundred and thirty seconds of ironing a shirt. Damp fabric responds to the heat much faster making wrinkles disappear almost immediately.

13. NEVER OVERLOAD THE WASHER

You’ll be tempted to load as much laundry into the washing machine as will physically fit, but resist. Clothes need room to move around in order to get clean. If you overload the washer, the items in the middle of the load won’t agitate properly, meaning they’ll go through the motions of being washed without actually coming in contact with the detergent-embedded water. At the end of the cycle, your clothes will be wet but not clean. Vintage homemakers washed smaller loads more frequently, which is a much more effective way to do laundry, especially since smaller loads take no more time to clean than larger loads. So, unless you’re happy with muddy-looking whites and dingy grays, try not overloading the washer and instead only fill it about 3/4s of the way to improve results.

14. CHECK EVERY POCKET BEFORE LOADING

You’d be amazed at all of the things that can be left behind in clothing and wreak havoc on a load of laundry. Chapstick leaves permanent grease stains, pens mark more than one item, coins can dent the washer, and a tissue can shred and ruin an entire load. Make sure that everyone checks their pockets before putting dirty clothes into the hamper. Thirty seconds now saves untold agony in stain removers or a second load of laundry or ruined items later on. We made checking pockets a household rule after one unfortunate pocket tissue incident.

15. DRY HEAVY ITEMS INSIDE OUT

Fading from dryers is inevitable, but it can be limited. Heavy items like denim and dark-colored sweatshirts will last longer and look better if you make the effort to turn them inside out before putting them into the dryer. By doing this, you’re turning what would be fading on the visible side of the item to the inside, limiting wear and tear. Try adding the extra step of turning heavy items inside out and notice a difference.

Washing and drying them inside out can mean the difference between them looking old or new years down the line. It’s one of those changes you won’t believe wasn’t standard procedure from the beginning.

Fading occurs slowly enough that you may not realize what’s going on with your favorite jeans until you’ve turned them inside out. Then, it’ll be too late.

Save a few seconds preparing the load and enjoy your jeans for longer.

16. SHAKE OUT CLOTHES BEFORE THE DRYER

Vintage homemakers used to swear by shaking out clothes before tossing them in the dryer. It takes three seconds per article of clothing and saves time and effort later.

Shaking out clothes as you move them to the dryer helps prevent wrinkles and allows items to dry faster. If you dump the entire load from washer to dryer, some articles will be twisted and bunched up.

This makes it difficult for the clothes to dry evenly, extends drying time, and might result in a session with the iron. Save yourself trouble later on by shaking out items for three seconds at a time before tossing them in the dryer.

17. ADD A DRY TOWEL TO SPEED UP DRYING

This is a trick that saves a surprising amount of time. Pop a dry towel in with your wet laundry to absorb some of the moisture and cut your drying time by an estimated 15-20 minutes.

This is similar to the idea of dryer balls except you’re making use of a product you already have. Remove the towel before the cycle is complete if you’d like to use it again in the future.

Not only will your clothes likely be done in one cycle, which saves energy and extends the life of your clothes, you’ll have a damp towel that can be reused for dusting or wiping down counters.

18. NEVER PUT A STAINED ITEM IN THE DRYER

One of the worst things to do with clothes is pop them into the dryer with a stain on them. The heat will set the stain and make removal next to impossible.

Air dry any items that are coming out of the wash still sporting a stain and try a different removal tactic. Rewash the article of clothing when you have an upcoming laundry load.

Take a look at clothes before popping them into the dryer. It’s an extra thirty seconds per load, but vintage homemakers took that extra step to avoid having stains “baked” into clothing. It’s an easy step that often gets overlooked in modern laundry days.

19. USE LEMON JUICE ON WHITES

Before detergents started being manufactured with optical brighteners, lemon juice was one of the best ways to keep whites bright. You can still add about half a cup of lemon juice on white loads as part of the wash cycle.

Or, for stubborn yellowed spots, apply lemon juice directly and hang your whites in the sun to dry. Sunlight along with lemon juice helps to lift stains, especially body odor and sweat stains, and reverse yellowing on items like white t-shirts and pillowcases.

Plus, unlike chlorine bleach, sunlight and lemon won’t weaken clothing fibers.

20. WASH TOWELS AND BEDDING SEPARATELY

You want to wash towels and bedding on a hot, heavy-duty setting. Regular clothing doesn’t need to be washed this way and may shrink or wear faster (think: elastic waistbands!) when exposed to high heat.

Not to mention, if you wash towels along with darks, your clothing will be covered in fuzz/lint afterwards.

21. STORE SEASONAL CLOTHING IN BREATHABLE BAGS

This one’s pretty self-explanatory. Rather than stuffing sweaters into plastic bins for summer, consider storing them in cotton/muslin bags.

Plastic traps in moisture, which leads to funky, musty smells. Be sure to wash everything before storing it, too.

Dirty clothes attract moths and stains that sit for a long time become harder to remove.

Air flow is key when storing items for the season. Otherwise, that musty smell will set in and you’ll need to wash them before wearing.

If they’re stored in a way that lets them breathe, they’ll be ready to wear as soon as they’re out.

22. USE CEDAR INSTEAD OF MOTHBALLS

Vintage homemakers were very knowledgeable about taking care of clothing. Instead of mothballs, use cedar balls/blocks or store them in cedar-lined areas.

They repel moths naturally and smell wonderful, but mothballs leave a scent that permeates everything in the container. Then you have to air out all of your clothing.

Lavender sachets also repel moths and don’t leave a scent you don’t want on your items.

One tip though, each year, give the surface of your cedar a light sanding. As time goes by the oils seep to the surface of the wood.

When these evaporate, the moth-repelling properties dissipate as well. Sanding exposes new oils to the surface.

Eventually, of course, even blocks of cedar must be replaced, but this extends their lives.

23. FOLD LAUNDRY IMMEDIATELY WHEN DRY

I’ll be the first to admit that this is not always my practice, and it’s probably time I started. Clothes come out of the dryer looking wonderful.

Leave them sitting for even just a few minutes, and wrinkles magically appear. Then it’s off to the ironing board instead of the closet.

This is such a simple tip that can save hours. Yes, the dryer removes wrinkles, but only when they’re hot.

Letting them sit means you’re adding another task when folding, and taking longer to complete the chore.

24. WASH DELICATES IN A MESH BAG

There’s nothing worse than putting away a load of laundry to find that the camisole is tangled around the tank tops, the lace on your nightgown is torn, the little bows on your daughter’s underwear are missing, and that top with the beading has stretched out of shape. Delicate items, such as thin materials, lingerie, and anything with straps, laces, or embellishments, should be placed into a mesh bag before tossing them into the wash.

They still get washed but aren’t pummeled around by heavier articles. The mesh allows the soap and water to penetrate while protecting the item.

Mesh bags don’t prevent stretching and twisting. But, if your delicates have straps and you can’t bear to hand-wash them, mesh bags are a good, reusable, money-saving way to wash them separately.

25. CLEAN THE WASHING MACHINE MONTHLY

Wondering why your clothes smell a bit like mildew even after you’ve washed them? Your washing machine.

Give it a thorough cleaning by running a cycle of hot water with 2 cups of white vinegar in the drum. Let the vinegar soak, then run through a normal cycle.

It’s best to do this once a month. Front-loading washers develop mildew around the rubber gasket first, so give that a good scrubbing with a vinegar-drenched rag if your clean clothes come out smelly.

26. USE THE EXTRA RINSE CYCLE FOR TOWELS

If your towels come out of the dryer smelling musty or look dingy, you need an extra rinse. Too much detergent can collect in the fibers and give your towels an undesirable texture and reduce their absorbency.

Skip the fabric softener for once and pour a cup of white vinegar in the dispenser. From here on out, try using a bit less detergent when washing towels.

27. HANG SWEATERS FLAT TO DRY

Nothing ruins a perfectly good sweater like hanging it up to dry in a heap. The weight of the water will distort its shape.

The dryer is no solution either, as the heat is bad for the life of knits in general. To preserve your favorite sweater for many years to come, lay it out on a clean, dry towel after washing and adjust its shape.

Leave it there until it’s dry.

28. DRY WOOL AND NATURAL FIBERS ON LOW OR NOT AT ALL

All of us know that dryer heat is no friend of woolens. Regular trips through the tumble dryer shrink woolen sweaters to oblivion because the heat causes the fibers to combine into felt, making them permanently shorter.

But what about linen and other natural-fiber blends? The answer is the same.

Wool may be the poster child for shrinking in the dryer, but heat is not kind to any natural fibers. Wool will shrink, linen will get brittle and stiff, and blends will fare about as well as you’d expect.

The best uses for high-heat drying are cotton towels and synthetic workout clothes. Even with natural-fiber blends, air-dry or use the shortest cycle at the lowest possible heat.

It’s shocking how much sweaters change shape from dryer-to-dryer use over a season. Shorter and wider is the rule.

But laid flat, sweaters last for years.

29. MAKE PEACE WITH DOING SMALLER LOADS MORE OFTEN

We all know that clothes don’t stay as clean from only being washed once per week, but there’s another reason to wash more often. One or two loads every few days are easier on your washer and dryer.

They’ll work better for less effort when the piles aren’t quite so huge. More importantly, though, it means you’ll never again have to sit in front of a mountain of freshly-washed clothes at the end of the week, wondering how you’ll get it all folded and put away.

Laundry day can steal your entire weekend. But if you keep up with it, it will never again be a huge event.

Our vintage homemakers were experts at this. We needn’t aspire to their level of perfection, but incorporating their mindset can save us lots of stress.

CHECK CARE LABELS BEFORE THROWING CLOTHES IN THE WASHER OR DRYER. Yes, it’s tedious. Yes, it’s boring. But you’ll be shocked at the difference it makes in the life of your clothes. Some will last you years instead of one winter. It’s worth it.

Other Tips for Washing Clothes Properly

Use cold water. Hot water shrinks clothes. If you’re washing whites, soak them overnight.

Separate colors. Brights will fade. Whites will discolor. Sort out darks, lights, whites, brights and linens before washing.

Don’t overload the machine. Clothes won’t clean well and will come out extra-wrinkled.

Pre-treat stains.

Use half as much liquid soap or powder as you think you need. You can always re-wash if needed.

Follow care instructions on clothing. Some require cold-water washing. Others can’t go in the dryer. Some need to be dry-cleaned. Follow the rules.

Wash sheets, blankets and towels separately.

Wash similar fabrics together. Delicates separately.

Empty pockets. Button up jeans and close zippers before washing. Turn dark-colored clothing inside-out.

Use the lowest reasonable spin speed to avoid excessive wrinkling and twisting.

Clean the lint-trap before starting the dryer. Don’t overfill the machine, because clothes won’t dry properly. Remove items right away so they don’t wrinkle excessively.

Iron as necessary.

Hang up clean clothes immediately. Fold and store sweaters to maintain their shape. Hang pants, skirts, blazers and dresses.

Fold away linens and towels.

If using cedar to freshen stored clothing, keep them separated by cotton or linen cloths so they don’t stain.

Take a few minutes each season to air stored clothing out, give them a brush-down and put them back.

Use lavender or other potpourri to give stored clothing a lovely, natural fragrance.

To prevent mildew, store linens in cotton or linen bags, not plastic.

Vacuum the area where linens are stored and sprinkle with baking soda first to keep bugs away.

Line-dry when you can. Not only does air-drying save energy but it’s gentler on your clothes. Sunlight brightens colors and kills bacteria.

Don’t use too much laundry detergent. Too much sudsing leads to residue left behind on clothing, both in terms of soap and dirt. Plus, using less soap saves money!

Wash in cold water when possible. Aside from saving energy, cold water preserves color and prevents shrinkage.

Skip the fabric softener. It can shorten the life of your clothes. Or, use dryer balls to soften your clothes and shorten drying time.

Toss dryer sheets in the drawer where your sheets live. Your sheets will be extra fluffy and smell great without harsh chemicals!

Spot-treat stains ASAP.

Flip clothing inside-out before washing to extend color and fabric life. This is especially helpful for towels, underwear, athletic gear, etc.

Shake out sheets, towels, rugs, blankets, etc. before washing. Outdoor air is best. It removes a surprising amount of dirt and lint.

To do your laundry, you need the same supplies as always: water, a good laundry detergent, some white vinegar, some baking soda and lots of sunshine, if possible. It’s amazing what a difference it makes to use these simple items properly.

And then there’s “the teenagers”. If you have them, you know what I’m talking about.

If not, well, let’s hope you never do. They seem to think that by ignoring these tips, they’re saving time, but I promise you’re only creating bigger problems.

By implementing these simple steps into your laundry regime, your clothes will be thanking you.

For more detailed information about vinegar, visit this post on Coupon Cravings about 33 Things You Can Clean With Vinegar. And check out these posts:

27 Old-School Stain Removal Tricks That Actually Work.

31 Things You Can Clean With Baking Soda.

29 Vintage Kitchen Cleaning Habits Worth Bringing Back.

33 Vintage Cleaning Tips That Beat Modern Shortcuts.

No, I don’t walk through my kitchen with a sprayer full of pine-scented furniture polish, but there was a time when the scent of chemical-laden cleaners filled my kitchen. Those days are over and it’s all thanks to vinegar.

Cleaning products have gotten ridiculous. Did you walk past the cleaning products in the grocery store recently?

For every item in your home, there is a cleaner made specifically for it. Cleaners for countertops.

Cleaners for glass. Cleaners for tile.

For wood. For steel.

For carpets. For fabrics.

The list goes on and on. I used to buy many of these items without question, but have learned there are so many ways to clean using vinegar.

Not only is it less expensive (a gallon of white vinegar is about $2), it’s much better for your health.

Using vinegar in place of many of these cleaning products has also cleared up quite a bit of space in the cabinet under my sink for storing Gigi’s extra chew toys and expired coupons I’m keeping just in case.

1. Greasy Stovetops

Yes, I’m a bacon fryer. There’s nothing I can do about it, but the splatter zone gets pretty greasy and nasty.

You can barely see the grease in your kitchen, but when the sun shines through the windows, oh my, do the greasy patches sparkle. It’s pretty gross.

I mix together equal parts of white vinegar and warm water and give my stove a good spray. After allowing the vinegar to sit for 2-3 minutes, I wipe the stove down with a damp cloth.

It cuts right through the toughest of bacon grease without leaving a sticky residue.

2. Microwave Interior

I hated cleaning my microwave. It takes little effort for food to explode into a million pieces that are nearly impossible to remove.

Now, when my teens leave the microwave in dire need of a good cleaning, I simply place a microwave-safe bowl of equal parts of white vinegar and water in the nuke for 5 minutes. The steam that develops cuts through the worst of the messes, and also removes nasty odors from the nuke.

It takes little effort to wipe it all clean.

3. Coffee Maker

Depending on where you live, your tap water may contain a lot of minerals. Over time, these minerals can build up in your coffee maker and give your morning cup a weird flavor.

Your coffee maker may start to sound weird, too. Descaling your coffee maker with vinegar is easy: pour a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water in your pot, brew a pot of coffee, then follow up with one or two pots of plain water to rinse out the vinegar.

Do this once a month or once every other month, depending on the hardness of your water.

4. Dishwasher

It’s easy to forget to clean the appliance that cleans for you. Grease, minerals, and soap can build up in your dishwasher.

Place a cup of white vinegar in a dishwasher-safe bowl and set it on the top shelf. Run an empty cycle in hot water.

The vinegar will dissolve any gunky buildup on the walls and in the spray arms. Repeat the process each month to ensure that your dishes stay sparkling and your dishwasher doesn’t start smelling like last week’s spaghetti.

5. Windows and Mirrors

Homemade glass cleaner: Combine equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Use on mirrors, sliding doors, windows, etc.

Scrub with newspaper, an old-fashioned trick that really does work better than paper towels, or a lint-free cloth. Bonus: You’ll be supporting local media.

Just don’t use any of the glossy inserts because it will stain your hands. This is a great alternative to commercial glass cleaners, which are full of artificial scents and dyes that give them that trademark blue color.

6. Showerhead Buildup

If your home suffers from hard water, you’ve probably noticed your showerhead sputters now and then, or some parts spray harder than others. That’s likely from mineral buildup.

Unscrew your showerhead, or just hold it underwater if it doesn’t come off, and submerge it in a plastic bag filled with white vinegar, straight and not diluted. Secure the bag with a rubber band, leave overnight or at least an hour, remove, and run the shower for a minute.

Voila, back to normal.

7. Faucets and Fixtures

If you live in an area with hard water, you’re probably used to cleaning up the white, crusty deposits that accumulate around faucets, especially at their base. This isn’t a testament to your inadequate cleaning regime, as the white crud is calcium and lime from the water.

If this stuff really bugs you, try soaking a cloth or paper towel in white vinegar, wrapping it around your faucet and letting it sit for half an hour or longer. Then, remove the soaked paper or cloth, scrub with an old toothbrush and watch the deposits disappear.

Rinse and dry to prevent water spots. Believe it or not, white vinegar is just as effective as special lime-removing products and it doesn’t cost four times as much.

8. Shower Doors and Glass Enclosures

No matter how recently you’ve cleaned your shower doors or glass-enclosed shower, there’s a good chance they’re covered with soap scum. Spray them down with white, distilled vinegar, with no need to mix with water here, and allow to sit for a few minutes before wiping away.

You’ll be amazed how much more easily and how much more quickly soap scum comes away with vinegar alone. For a deeper clean, sprinkle baking soda on top of the vinegar-covered glass and rub the glass in circles.

The baking soda adds a gentle abrasive that helps remove the most stubborn soap scum. Rinse well to remove all residue.

White vinegar cuts through scum as well as or better than commercial cleansers, and you won’t be breathing in noxious fumes to boot.

9. Toilet Bowl

If your toilet is looking dingy no matter how hard you scrub, try a natural approach that will surprise you in terms of effectiveness. Dump one to two cups of white, distilled vinegar in your toilet and allow to sit for about 30 minutes.

The stains should lift more easily when scrubbed after soaking in vinegar. For an even deeper clean, add a sprinkle of baking soda to the vinegar-soaked bowl after waiting.

The ensuing fizzing action will help with the cleaning process, and it will also deodorize your bowl. Scrub well.

Both of these methods avoid harsh, unpleasant-smelling chemicals, but don’t be surprised when mild stains disappear as effectively as they would with those harsher chemicals.

For regular maintenance, try to give your toilet a good cleaning with this solution regularly and you’ll never need to smell like you’re standing beside the Olympic sized swimming pool again.

In cases of heavy build up you’ll likely need a stronger product. Hard water stains are notoriously difficult to remove but I’m working on that…

10. Grout Lines

Another way to use straight white vinegar in the bathroom is on your grout lines. Grout has a way of attracting every speck of dust and mildew in your shower.

Here’s what I do:

Spray straight white vinegar on your grout lines and leave for 5-10 minutes

Scrub grout lines with an old toothbrush or a stiff bristle brush for larger areas

For particularly naughty areas try sprinkling baking soda over the top of the vinegar to create a paste. Scrub again.

The vinegar will lift away any mold/dirt from the top layer making them easier to scrub away. Again this will work best used regularly, as I found that a casual squirt now and then wasn’t enough.

Once dirt builds up it’s a bigger job so may seem like too much work at that stage.

11. Cutting Boards

Straight up white vinegar is ideal for giving your plastic/wooden chopping blocks the once over after washing up. Simply give them a wipe over with vinegar to remove any bacteria and unpleasant odors.

Cutting boards are notoriously spongy and will soak up the juices of whatever you’re cooking. This is helpful if your next meal happens to be garlic chicken again but less so if your next meal is an apple pie.

Vinegar is particularly effective on onion/garlic stench too. Washing up liquid alone won’t shift it.

12. Refrigerator Interior

White vinegar is perfect for a quick, cheap, effective, fume free fridge cleanser. A good all over once over will take out any funky fridge smells and leave no chemical residues.

Simply mix equal parts vinegar/water in a jug and get mopping. It’s perfectly safe for the shelves, crisper etc.

Chances are that you’ve become so accustomed to the scent of your fridge that you can’t really tell if it smells. However, chances are even bigger that guests coming over will stick their noses into your fridge and recoil at the smell.

Give your fridge a good wipe down with vinegar before you go grocery shopping to eliminate any funky smells. It takes ten minutes or less.

13. Garbage Disposal

If not maintained properly, your garbage disposal can become incredibly smelly. For a good, simple cleaning of your garbage disposal, pour 1/2 cup of white vinegar down your disposal and let it sit for a few minutes.

Run cold water and watch as the smell of vinegar overtakes that of your previously smelly disposal. For an in-depth cleaning of your garbage disposal, freeze white vinegar in an ice cube tray and throw a couple in to grind up.

This will help to scrub down the blades as it’s grinding up the ice. In addition to eliminating stinky garbage disposals, you’ll find this task to be oddly, extremely satisfying.

It’s one of those rare chores that engages all of your senses and gives you that warm, fuzzy feeling of accomplishment. Try to use your garbage disposal on a regular basis and give it a good vinegar bath from time to time to keep it in-between smells.

14. Trash Cans

Trash cans are notorious for getting stinky. It’s a combination of the bags, liquid, and just the can itself.

Spritz your trash cans with white vinegar. Let sit for a few minutes and wash out, allowing them to air-dry.

This will get rid of bacteria on the surface and will help to eliminate any funky smells. If there’s a particular stench coming from the can itself, perhaps from a nasty, seeping mess, try cleaning it with some dish soap and vinegar solution, scrubbing the can.

Once you get a good lather going, simply rinse and allow to dry.

15. Washing Machine

If you’ve ever pulled a load of towels out of the dryer, only to be greeted with that nasty, musty mildew smell, then your washing machine most likely needs a good cleaning. Set your washing machine to a hot, empty cycle.

Add two cups of white vinegar to the drum and allow it to wash. Doing this once a month will ensure that your washing machine smells fresh and clean.

If you have a front-loading washer, check to see if there’s any build-up around the rubber seal on the door. Simply soak a rag with some white vinegar and give it a good wipe down.

16. Dryer Drum

Fabric softeners and dryer sheets coat everything with a fine film. Including your dryer.

To help keep your dryer in tip-top working order, swish your dryer drum with a cloth dampened with vinegar. This will remove any built-up fabric softener residue, as well as any ink or dye transfers that may be lurking in the drum.

Wipe it down and run your dryer for a few minutes to help it air-dry.

17. Laundry Fabric Softener Replacement

Add 1/2 cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener compartment of your washer. That’s it.

The vinegar will soften your fabrics, decrease static and leave them feeling great. I thought this was nonsense when I read it.

However, after giving it a try, I’ve become a fan. My husband even commented that our sheets and towels felt different.

Our towels are much more absorbent because the vinegar is helping remove any residue left on the fabric from our soap. Our clothes don’t really smell of vinegar since it’s added during the wash.

If your clothes are smelling strongly of vinegar after being washed, add less or stop adding it during the wash and try adding it during the rinse.

White vinegar removes static, softens your clothing and has no silicone to coat your fabrics with.

18. Hardwood and Laminate Floors

Mix 1/2 cup of white vinegar to 1 gallon of warm water. Use to mop hardwood, laminate, ceramic, and porcelain floors, making sure the mop is damp and not sopping wet.

White vinegar cleans and polishes hardwood floors.

Warning: NEVER use vinegar on hardwoods that are not properly sealed. Acidic vinegar can remove the finish. Also, do not use vinegar on waxed hardwoods as vinegar can damage the finish as well.

19. Tile Floors

For ceramic, porcelain, and other types of tile, try white vinegar mixed with water as a floor cleaner. Use one-half cup of white vinegar to a gallon of water.

Use to mop. Never use vinegar on natural stone tiles, including marble and travertine as the acid will eat away at the stone.

This solution also doesn’t have the harsh smell that some cleaners have.

White vinegar cleans tile floors.

Kitchen and bathroom tiles get a lot of abuse. Between us, Gigi’s constant trekking of dirt and other interesting substances into the house, and just general day to day abuse, my kitchen and bathroom floors take it upon themselves to try to tell my life story through footprints alone.

This is another instance where a quick mop with a vinegar solution will leave floors sparkling, residue free, and will save a fortune on cleaners.

20. Fresh Carpet Stains

Blot the stain to remove as much of the substance as possible. Do NOT rub the stain because this will spread it and push it deeper into the carpet. Blot, blot, blot.

Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the stain. Let it sit for a few minutes. Blot the stain. Repeat as necessary.

For set-in stains that will not release, sprinkle some baking soda on top of the vinegar and blot. This will work on water-soluble stains.

21. Upholstery Odors

Between cooking smells, pet odors, body odors and other mysterious smells that manage to work their way onto fabric, upholstery picks up tons of odors. Instead of masking odors with a commercial fabric refresher, neutralize odors with a quick misting of a solution of equal parts vinegar and water.

You won’t even realize it’s vinegar after it dries. And at least with vinegar you KNOW it’s getting rid of the smell instead of covering it up with perfume.

Test first in an inconspicuous place just in case discoloration does occur.

22. Pet Stains and Odors

Blot up as much of the mess as possible, then douse the stain with straight white vinegar. The ammonia in the urine is what creates the smell, and the vinegar works to break down the ammonia.

Let sit for a few minutes and blot. Repeat as necessary.

Follow-up with some baking soda to help eliminate the odor. This combo of baking soda and white vinegar really lifts that nasty pet odor out of carpeting or upholstery.

And yes, Gigi has NEVER had an accident. She is glaring at me as I write this sentence. You may not witness this photo-opportunity again anytime soon.

So, in the event that you DO have a furry friend who has marked his/her territory, or any other pesky lingering stench that won’t give an inch, try using straight white vinegar on the offending area. Believe me, no matter how good the carpet has dried and smelled ok afterwards, once it gets wet or the weather changes, that stench will make an immediate come-back. Vinegar penetrates into the area and reacts with its chemistry, eliminating the smell.

23. Produce Wash

Mix 1 part white vinegar to 3 parts water in a large bowl. Use this wash when giving produce a soak for a few minutes.

You can use it on apples, grapes, leafy greens, berries, whatever. Just rinse them after soaking, and they’ll be extra-clean.

It’s a great way to wash off pesticides, bacteria, and wax. The vinegar and water combo works much better than just water.

Give them a final rinse with just water afterwards, so they don’t taste vinegary. You’ll be shocked how much cleaner your produce is afterwards.

Berries last MUCH longer this way in the fridge, I’ve noticed.

24. Electric Kettle Descaling

Do you see white spots forming inside your kettle? It’s time to descale it.

It’s amazing how much difference a descaled kettle makes in the taste of your tea or coffee. Fill kettle with an equal mix of white vinegar and water, then boil.

Allow to steep for about 15-30 min. Empty, and give it a couple of good rinses.

Run a couple of water only kettles before using, and you’re all done.

25. Iron Steam Vents

Fill the water compartment with a mixture of equal parts white vinegar and water. With the heat turned to medium, stand over a rag or old towel or hold it over the sink and push the steam button until it’s empty.

Turn off. Repeat a couple of times with water only, and you’re good to go.

If your iron has been spitting up brown water onto your precious white blouses, this will fix it. You’d be surprised how much crud is lurking in those teeny tiny holes.

26. Blinds

Horizontal Blinds. Combine equal amounts of white vinegar and water, then wipe down blinds.

Instead of a rag, use an old cotton sock slipped over your hand. With a sock you can clean the front and back of each slat in one wipe.

And it’s a whole lot faster than cleaning blinds with a rag. Trust me.

27. Sticker and Label Residue

There’s nothing like finding a perfectly good jar in the cabinet, except using it for something and then washing it to start all over again. If it has price tag remnants, pour some white vinegar (straight) on the adhesive residue and allow to soak for a few minutes.

Adhesive residue from labels and stickers comes off glass, plastic, metal, finished surfaces, etc. much easier when treated with white vinegar. And white vinegar won’t scratch surfaces like some products.

28. Light Rust Spots

If the rust on your tools is merely superficial, soak them in white vinegar for several hours or overnight (I typically let them sit all night) and then gently scrub them using steel wool or a brush. Rust spots on small items like tools and cabinet hardware or around your sink drain can be treated the same way.

After washing, make sure items are thoroughly dry otherwise you’ll be treating new rust right away. Vinegar won’t help items that are rusted to the bone, but it’s amazing how much of an effect vinegar has on items with light rust that has begun to take hold.

29. Chrome Fixtures

Dull chrome faucets and hardware like towel bars will sparkle with a quick wipe with a cloth dampened with white vinegar. Fingerprints, hard water marks and other blemishes wipe right off leaving no residue and without scratching.

Wipe dry with a clean cloth for a shiny finish.

Chrome is pretty forgiving when it comes to cleaning. As long as there are no water spots reflecting back at you, chances are no one will be able to tell whether you gave it a deep clean.

If you’re short on time, spray some vinegar on the chrome and give it a good buff with a dry rag. Your bathroom will look like you cleaned the whole bathroom thoroughly – who knows?

Bonus Tip: Those old cotton socks? With my teens there are lots of unmatched socks around the house.

Don’t throw them away, keep them around for handy cleaning tools. Slip one over your hand for cleaning blinds (above).

Use them for other cleaning tasks, etc. Great way to repurpose items around the house.

30. Crayon Marks on Walls

We’ve all seen them – little doodles on walls from our young kids. Sometimes, they manage to get marks on walls that were conveniently tucked behind pieces of furniture for years.

Try as you might, crayon marks are not budging with soap and water. Try rubbing a little undiluted white vinegar on them with a rag instead.

The acidity will attract the wax in the crayon marks. Be sure to rub gently.

Depending on the type of paint and finish you have, vinegar can potentially damage them, though most latex paints hold up just fine to vinegar. It’s always best to test it out first though.

No more repainting the living room just because your toddler wanted to get creative.

31. Paintbrush Revival

Think that brush is toast? Give it another shot by placing it into a pot of boiling white vinegar and letting it soak for a few minutes.

Take it out and rub the bristles with your fingers and watch that dried-up paint come right off. Finish up by rinsing your brush in some warm water.

Boiling white vinegar works well with water-based (like latex) paints. For oil-based paints, you may still need a commercial solvent.

At least, boiling white vinegar is an option before investing in more brushes.

32. Drain Deodorizer

Between thorough cleans of your drains, try to keep them fresh-smelling by pouring in half a cup of baking soda followed by a cup of white vinegar. Allow the mixture to fizz for a few minutes then pour in hot water to wash everything down.

The white vinegar/baking soda mixture will help to rid any funky smell and work out any buildup within the drain. It won’t unclog it but it’s a nifty deodorizing hack that’ll keep those drains in tip-top shape between thorough cleans.

I always thought this was strange, too, but after using this method a few times I realized that sinks do collect soap, food, and in the case of bathroom sinks, hair in the pipes. After enough builds up, it can start to smell.

The baking soda/vinegar combo takes care of this in about thirty seconds.

33. Natural Air Freshener

We’d been frying food and cooking fish, and Gigi hates when things like this linger, as she will stick her nose everywhere and make a rude and unpleasant sound if the smell of cooking has lingered, because she is very dramatic. Instead of reaching for an air freshener that just masks odors with chemicals, I added white vinegar to a small pot of water along with a few slices of lemon, and simmered them together.

It’s amazing. The vinegar absorbs the odors from the food, while the lemon adds a fresh, non-chemical scent.

It’s great to absorb the odor instead of masking it.

As I read on, I found that white vinegar can take the place of pretty much anything I have under my kitchen sink. Considering that those bottles run anywhere from three to eight bucks each, I thought that sounded like a great idea.

Vinegar is inexpensive, readily available, and it’s safe to let your kiddos or pets roam freely even if you’ve just mopped with vinegar. I don’t have to worry about potentially harmful chemicals from commercial cleaners wafting off the solution.

It’s such an easy product to keep around the house, because it is inexpensive, readily available, and a little goes a long way. Start by using vinegar as your window cleaner, which is the easiest product to make the switch on, in my opinion.

Then, maybe try swapping out your multi-surface cleaner next. It’s easy to incorporate natural cleaning tips little by little.

Where to start:

Read through 33 Vintage Cleaning Tips That Beat Modern Shortcuts, since this is what got me interested in the idea.

I can’t say I’ve had a good experience with cutting boards. I remember the bamboo one that warped in 6 months. Or the cheap plastic one that slid off the counter every single time I tried to chop something. Or the gorgeous wooden one that I still wash by hand like it’s a family heirloom. I guess it might just become one.

After years in the kitchen doing everything from Sunday meal prep that takes up the entire kitchen to weeknight casserole construction, I have experience and developed strong opinions on what actually works. The nine cutting boards I have listed on Amazon have thousands of reviews and are perfect for daily use, meat boards, cheese boards, and for making your protein color coding dreams come true!

What Actually Matters in a Cutting Board

A short explanation about the materials before the list, as the materials affect the performance of the board in all other areas.

Plastic vs. Wood: The Real Answer

The FDA recommends plastic cutting boards for cutting raw meat and poultry because they are non-porous and can be washed in the dishwasher. While plastic boards can go in the dishwasher, wood boards cannot because they need oiling that hinders cracking. The high grain density of wooden cutting boards makes them naturally antibacterial. A well maintained wooden board compared to a poorly maintained plastic one will be an antibacterial board compared to the plastic one. A poorly maintained wooden board will be more antibacterial than a deeply scored and poorly maintained plastic board.

The smartest kitchens use both plastic for raw protein and wood for veggies, bread, and cheese.

Bamboo vs. Acacia Wood

Bamboo is grass, not wood. Because bamboo cutting boards are tougher than most wooden boards, they show less knife scarring. The downside is that bamboo boards are harder on your knife blades. Acacia wood is in the middle: denser than pine or maple, but softer than bamboo. This means that acacia wood cutting boards are easier on knife edges while still standing up to everyday use.

The Features Worth Paying For

• Juice grooves — Juice grooves prevent liquid from running off the board onto the counter. They matter most when cutting meat, citrus, or tomatoes.
• Non-slip feet or edges — A cutting board that slides is a safety issue. Look for rubber feet, a non-slip border, or a damp towel underneath.
• Reversible design — Both sides usable means twice the surface life before a board needs replacing.
• Dishwasher safe — Only applies to plastic boards. Wood and bamboo should always be hand-washed.

No. 01

Best Everyday Workhorse

Gorilla Grip BPA-Free Cutting Board Set of 3

51,900 reviews don’t lie — this is the one that actually stays on the counter.

Check out Pricing on Amazon →

What to Know
The non-slip border is what separates this from every other plastic board — it grips the counter without a mat underneath, which matters when you’re pressing down hard on a butternut squash or breaking down a whole chicken. BPA-free and dishwasher safe, the set of three gives you one for raw meat, one for produce, and a spare. The black colorway doesn’t show knife marks the way white boards do, which is a genuinely useful thing nobody mentions. At 51,900+ reviews with a 4.6 rating, this is one of the most-validated kitchen purchases on Amazon.

No. 02

Best for Meal Prep

FARBERWARE Extra-Large 15×20 Inch Cutting Board

When you’re prepping a week’s worth of vegetables, you need a surface that doesn’t feel like a postage stamp.

Check Pricing on Amazon →

What to Know
At 15×20 inches, this is genuinely large — enough to cut, sort, and stage an entire recipe’s worth of ingredients without running out of room. The juice groove runs around the full perimeter, not just one end, which catches runoff from every direction. Dishwasher safe plastic, non-slip surface, and Farberware’s name behind it. This is the board I’d put in front of anyone who does serious meal prep on Sundays — it handles volume without complaint. It holds a 4.6-star rating across 19,000+ reviews and carries the Amazon’s Choice badge.

No. 03

Best Budget Pick

FARBERWARE Large Cutting Board with Handle

Under $8, 19,000 reviews, dishwasher safe. The case for not overcomplicating this.

View Pricing on Amazon →

What to Know
Sometimes the right answer is just a sturdy, no-frills plastic board that you don’t have to think about. This one has a handle for easy maneuvering, dishwasher-safe plastic, and 19,000 reviews backing it up. It gets bought 6,000 times a month — that’s not a fluke. The handle is genuinely useful for sliding cut food directly into a pan without the transfer step. If you want one board that does the job and costs less than a latte, this is it.

No. 04

Best Bamboo Option

Royal Craft Wood Bamboo Cutting Board Set

53,800 reviews, deep juice grooves, and a look that actually works for serving too.

See Pricing on Amazon →

What to Know
Bamboo is harder than most wood, which makes it more resistant to knife scarring and easier to keep looking clean. The tradeoff is that bamboo is also harder on knife edges over time — so this is a better choice for vegetables, bread, and cheese than for daily meat prep. The deep juice grooves here are well-designed and actually catch liquid rather than pooling at a shallow angle. At 53,800+ reviews this is one of the most-reviewed cutting board sets on Amazon. Hand wash only and occasional oiling keeps it going for years.

No. 05

Best Non-Toxic Wood

Ziruma Acacia Wood Cutting Board

FSC certified, conditioned with beeswax and flaxseed oil — no mineral oil anywhere near it.

View pricing on Amazon →

What to Know
Most cutting board manufacturers condition their wood with food-grade mineral oil, which is petroleum-derived and food-safe — but plenty of people prefer to avoid it. Ziruma uses beeswax, flaxseed oil, and lemon oil instead. The FSC certification means the acacia is sustainably sourced. At 16×11 inches and nearly an inch thick, this is a serious board — heavy enough to stay put without rubber feet. Bought 1,000 times last month despite costing nearly $40, which says something about the people who prioritize what’s on their board over what the board is made with.

No. 06

Best Premium Wood

Sonder Los Angeles Acacia Cutting Board Set

10,600 reviews, 4.7 stars, comes gift-boxed. The one that looks like it belongs on a cooking show.

Check the price on Amazon →

What to Know
Edge-grain acacia construction means the wood runs parallel to the cutting surface — this is the standard for most wood boards and is a good balance of knife-friendliness and durability. End-grain boards (wood running perpendicular, like a traditional butcher block) are gentler on knives but harder to find and more expensive. Sonder’s set comes in 14×10 and 12×8 sizes, arrives in a gift box, and has the kind of rich grain pattern that makes it genuinely pretty to look at on a counter. This doubles as a charcuterie board — put it out at a party and people ask where you got it.

No. 07

Best for Food Safety

Cooler Kitchen Color-Coded Flexible Mats (Set of 6)

One color for each food group. Cross-contamination prevention you can actually stick to.

Check Pricing on Amazon →

What to Know
Cross-contamination between raw meat and produce is one of the leading causes of foodborne illness at home. Color-coded cutting boards are the most practical solution — each color corresponds to a food type (red for meat, green for produce, yellow for poultry, etc.) and the food icons printed on each mat eliminate any guessing. Flexible mats fold into a funnel shape for transferring cut ingredients directly to a pan. BPA-free, dishwasher safe, 16,200 reviews. At under $12 for six boards, this is the most cost-effective food safety upgrade in the kitchen.

No. 08

Best Set Value

Empune Extra Large Cutting Board Set of 3

Three sizes, juice grooves, easy-grip handles, dark grey. The upgrade from the basic plastic set.

View Pricing on Amazon →

What to Know
This set steps up from a basic plastic board by adding actual grip handles, deeper juice grooves, and a size range that covers everything from quick fruit prep to a full roast. The dark grey color reads as intentional rather than clinical — these don’t look like cafeteria equipment. Dishwasher safe, BPA-free, and at 4,700 reviews the quality is consistent. The handles are genuinely useful for people who like to slide cut food into a skillet without a second utensil.

No. 09

Best for Gift-Giving

SMIRLY Acacia Wood Cutting Board Set of 3 with Holder

15,000 reviews, comes with a stand. The one that looks like it costs twice what it does.

View Pricing on Amazon →

What to Know
The holder is the differentiator here — three boards displayed upright on a stand look organized and intentional, not just stacked in a drawer. Acacia wood with juice grooves on each board, three sizes for different tasks. At 15,000 reviews and 4.5 stars this is a genuinely well-rated set, not a viral gimmick. The grain patterns vary board to board, which is characteristic of solid acacia and actually adds to the aesthetic. Oil occasionally with food-grade mineral oil or beeswax and these will last years.

How to Choose the Right Cutting Board for Your Kitchen

What size cutting board do you actually need?

The most useful size for daily cooking is 12 x 10 inches. If smaller boards are used, then it becomes frustrating to keep everything contained on the board, as ingredients are pushed off the sides repeatedly. For meal prep or cooking larger pieces of meat, the ideal size is within the range of 15 x 12 up to 15 x 20 inches. A good rule of thumb is that your cutting board should be at least as wide as your longest kitchen knife.

Is wood or plastic better for cutting boards?

The FDA recommends plastic boards since they are non-absorbent, and dishwasher safe. The FDA also suggests using plastic for raw meat, poultry, and seafood. For veggies, cheese, and bread, boards made of wood are preferable as they are more blade-friendly, and wood (especially acacia and maple) has natural antibacterial properties. Best case scenario, you have one plastic board for proteins, and one wooden board for everything else.

Are bamboo cutting boards good for knives?

Because bamboo is so strong, the cutting boards made from it are durable and resistant to scoring. Bamboo is hard on the edges of your knives, though. Bamboo cutting boards, when compared to others, are probably better for cutting vegetables, fruits, and bread, rather than for daily prep work involving meats and very sharp knives.

How do you clean and care for a wood cutting board?

Wooden cutting boards need to be washed by hand. Use hot water with soap, and dry the board immediately. Do not soak them, and do not wash them in the dishwasher, as the wood may crack and warp due to the water. For sanitizing, rub down the cutting board with lemon halves and some coarsely ground salt, and rinse. The boards need to be oiled once a month or when the wood appears dry. For this, you can use food safe mineral oil. It is better if you do not use olive oil or vegetable oil, as they can become rancid.

How do you prevent cross-contamination with cutting boards?

The best practice is to use color codes. Different color mats can be selected for different types of boards. For instance, red can be used for raw meat, yellow for raw poultry, green for vegetables, and blue or white for cooked food. These mats can help you cut down on some of the cognitive load, as they have pictures of food on each mat. After each use, boards should be washed using soap and hot water. Any score-marked boards that can’t be cleaned should be disposed of.

How long do cutting boards last?

Plastic cutting boards need to be replaced when the first deep knife marks go all the way down to the surface. These cuts trap bacteria and can’t be cleaned away, even with soap and hot water. Wood and acacia boards, with the right care, can last up to 10 years or more. Flexible cutting board mats last 1–3 years with typical use.

The Bottom Line

Having a great cutting board can make almost any recipe easier to follow, and picking the right one ultimately depends on what food you’re cutting. Still, it isn’t the end of the world if you just have one. The Gorilla Grip Board Set is a good starter option for every cook. You receive three boards with a slip-resistant border along with 51,900 other satisfied customers who have left positive feedback, so you know it works. For a wood alternative, the Sonder Los Angeles Acacia Board Set is a nice option that is regularly highly rated. Lastly, if you need to handle a food safety issue (and to be honest, we all do), the most practical choice you can make from this list are the color-coded flexible cutting mats.

All nine boards can be found on Amazon with Prime delivery. Prices change — see each link above for current prices.

When my husband walks into the kitchen around 5:00, we have a ravenous 15 year old that walks through the kitchen door as soon as he walks through the front, he’s sure that I must have done SO MUCH in the kitchen because it SMELLS LIKE I MUST HAVE BEEN COOKING FOR HOURS. But all I really did was chuck everything into the slow cooker and walked away.

As I’m sure you know by now, my teens are growing like weeds and have appetites to match, especially my 18 year old…he eats like he’s on a college football team, if you will…which he’s not. I’m not sure what’s worse: their appetites or their heights.

Here’s 29 Slow Cooker Dinners that they love and devour. There’s beef, chicken, soups, side dishes…the works.

And yes, my teens are giving them all a THUMBS UP which is pretty much the highest compliment they’ll give me for cooking.

Disorganized as I am, I’m surprised if I make it to the 4:00 hour without thinking about what’s for dinner. So if you’re looking for some easy and delicious ideas for Slow Cooker Dinners, this is a great collection.

Slow Cooker Beef Dinners

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Our family loves a good pot roast in the fall. My husband begs for it pretty much every fall.

All you have to do is chuck a chuck roast, potatoes, carrots, beef broth…and a few other things in the slow cooker and let them mingle for eight hours. The potatoes and carrots soak up the goodness of the roast and it falls apart with a fork.

It’s divine.

Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff

What better way to stay in the comfort food spirit than with tender strips of beef swimming in a creamy, mushroomy sauce served over egg noodles?! It may seem like a lot of work, but the slow cooker does pretty much all of it (except the boiling of the noodles) for you.

My kids have been loving this dish since they’ve been little.

Simple Crock Pot Beef and Noodles Recipe

Nothing too flashy with this crockpot classic, just beef, egg noodles and broth. If you lived in Iowa on a typical Tuesday night, you’d understand how much comfort this recipe brings me.

My kids lovingly refer to it as “noodle soup”, and I’ve yet to correct them in all the years we’ve made it.

Crockpot Lasagna

Ok, you’re going to have to forgive me, because I’m about to reveal one of those tiny life-changing food secrets, you DO NOT HAVE TO BOIL LASAGNA NOODLES before assembling a lasagna in your crockpot. Yep, lasagna noodles go right into the slow cooker with the rest of the meaty, saucy, ricotta, mozzarella laden goodness that makes lasagna so fantastic.

Scoop it out of the crock and it will hold its shape. Serve with some garlic bread, a 3 minute salad and you’ve got yourself one heck of an effortless and delicious dinner.

My family loves this recipe, you’re going to love it too.

Crockpot Baked Spaghetti

All the elements of great baked spaghetti, meaty red sauce and bubbly, melty cheese, but none of the baking. The noodles soak up all of that tasty sauce and make for a hearty and satisfying dinner for the whole family.

Another one of those recipes that barely takes any effort to make but yields tons of yummy food.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Falls right off the bone. This slow cooker pulled pork recipe is a definite family favorite around here.

A simple blend of spices coats the pork shoulder and after slow cooking in its own juices, the pork comes out so tender and falls off the bone in shreds that can be slathered in bbq sauce. Great piled high on a bun, poured over rice or even stuffed in quesadillas the next day, this recipe is a summer staple around here.

Philly Cheese Steak Crock Pot Recipe

Thin-sliced beef, onions, peppers, and spices simmer away in the Crock Pot until fall-apart tender. Next, this Philly cheese steak Crock Pot recipe calls for piling the meaty goodness on a hoagie roll along with lots of melted provolone cheese.

Oh man. My now-18 year old once managed to eat 3 in a sitting, and yes, I measured them in my hand.

Yikes, talk about an appetite. But seriously, if your kiddo’s appetites are anything like mine were, these sandwiches are the answer.

Leave all of the hard work to your slow cooker and enjoy putting together some melt-your-face-off cheesesteak hoagies.

Crock Pot French Dip Sandwiches

Nothing says comfort like juicy, tender, slow-cooked roast beef piled high on a crusty roll. Throw in some of that beefy au jus broth and suddenly you’ve got yourself one heck of a sandwich.

Leave your beef in the crock pot all day and come home to French Dip Sandwiches that are begging to be carved or shredded. They look like you spent hours slaving over them but trust me, these sandwiches take zero-efforts.

My husband is still under that impression too. Perfect for company.

Crock Pot Maid Rites (Iowa Loose Meat Sandwiches)

If you live in Iowa, I’m betting you’ve had a Maid Rite sandwich, also known as a Loose Meat sandwich. These are the ultimate in comfort food sandwiches: seasoned ground beef piled high on a soft bun along with a dollop of mustard and pickles.

Maid Rites are incredibly easy to make in a slow cooker too. Skip all of that standing at the stove and make them for a crowd.

Shredded Beef Enchiladas: Crock Pot Dinner

Here’s a fun tip: next time your recipe calls for ground beef, try using a tender, shredded beef instead. Throw your beef roast into the slow cooker, let it simmer away for hours and take it out once it’s fork-tender.

Next, shred the beef and follow the rest of your recipe. It’s crazy how much more flavorful and tender these Shredded Beef Enchiladas are versus ground beef.

Hours in the slow cooker followed by 20 minutes in the oven. Easy peasy.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork Enchiladas Recipe with Poblano Cream Sauce

These slow cooker pulled pork enchiladas will be your new favorite. The crockpot does all of the work and makes the most tender, flavorful, delicious pulled pork.

It’s rolled into a tortilla, smothered in the most incredible, rich, creamy poblano cream sauce that’s perfectly balanced with spice. It’s like having “dinner at a fancy restaurant” except YOU make it in your own home and it’s SO MUCH EASIER than you think it could be.

Get the Pulled Pork Enchiladas with Poblano Cream Sauce recipe.

Slow Cooker Pork Roast

This slow cooker pork roast recipe is so easy. Seasoned with garlic, rosemary, and salt, it’s cooked until fork-tender and delicious.

Spoon some of those pork roast cooking juices over the meat and the veggies. Get the Slow Cooker Pork Roast recipe.

Slow Cooker Chicken Dinners

Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos

This Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos recipe is a family favorite. All you do is place chicken breasts in the crockpot to cook on low for several hours with salsa and taco seasoning.

Shred with 2 forks and serve on tortillas or make chicken taco rice bowls. We love these in my house with cheese and sour cream.

Get the Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos recipe. This one is a favorite of my 15 year old to make when I am on the phone all day back-to-back with meetings/calls.

Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken Recipe

This easy Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. Just combine all of the ingredients into a crockpot and let it cook until the chicken is tender.

Made with pineapple, soy sauce, brown sugar & more. Serve over rice.

Get the Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken recipe. This is another recipe that elevates the typical weekday meal.

My kids fight over those pieces of sweet and soft, caramelized pineapple.

Crockpot Chicken Sandwiches (Crack Chicken)

This recipe uses all pantry staples that are already in your kitchen. The shredded chicken is mixed with cream cheese, ranch seasoning and bacon and put on a sandwich.

Everyone will be coming back for seconds and thirds. There is something about this recipe that makes everyone reach back for another with a guilty grin on their face.

This recipe is crazy delicious!!

Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Pasta

This recipe is rich and delicious. We’re talking pasta, cream cheese, ranch, bacon, chicken…

YUM!! This recipe does require another pot besides your slow cooker for cooking the pasta.

However, you will be thankful for the effort it takes to make it. When the kids walk into the kitchen and go “oh, what’s that?” I’m betting it won’t be a suspicious look.

It’ll be an eager look.

Crock Pot Chicken Fajitas

Another easy slow cooker meal. Simply place the chicken, peppers, onions, and seasonings in your Crock Pot and let it do its thing.

During cooking, the peppers get nice and sweet and the chicken absorbs all of that yummy seasoning. Take out of slow cooker and shred chicken breasts.

Serve with warm tortillas, cheese, and let everyone fight for who gets to add their favorite toppings!! Easy recipe and easy clean up.

Buffalo Chicken Crock Pot Sandwiches

My oldest loves these sandwiches!! She also loves adding the spicy shredded chicken to anything, nachos, rice bowl, you name it.

The chicken simmers in the slow cooker with the buffalo sauce until tender. Remove and shred.

Serve on a bun and drizzle with ranch or blue cheese. Adjust heat by adding more hot sauce, and I used a medium heat.

Crescent Roll Crack Chicken Recipe

Flaky crescent rolls stuffed with the most delicious creamy chicken and ranch filling. Pop them in the oven until golden and voila… dinner.

These rolls may resemble a snack, however, these babies are dinner!! This is by far, hands-down the quickest recipe that disappears from its cooking vessel!!

These rolls won’t last long. Trust me!!

Crack Chicken Instant Pot Recipe

This is an Instant Pot recipe using the word ‘crack’. I had to share it with you!!

If you love the above mentioned slow cooker recipe, this recipe is perfect for you!!

This one’s super easy to make in the pressure cooker in under 30 minutes start to finish and tastes like it was cooking all day! Crack Chicken is loaded with cream cheese, ranch, and bacon – seriously amazing flavors.

Try this recipe for sandwiches, in wraps, or eat it straight out of the crockpot.

Huli Huli Pressure Cooker Chicken

If you’ve never had Huli Huli chicken you’re missing out. It’s a Hawaiian style of chicken with a sweet, tangy, amazing sauce.

The recipe is super easy to make, and it’s so delicious. The sauce has such great depth of flavor and the chicken is super tender.

Serve over rice for a fantastic combo.

White Chicken Chili

White chicken chili is one of my favorite comfort foods. This recipe couldn’t be easier to make and tastes like you’ve slaved over it forever. Shredded chicken, white beans, green chiles, and broth simmer until thick and creamy. Serve with a dollop of sour cream, lots of shredded pepper jack cheese, and cornbread on the side. Yum.

Slow Cooker Soups and Chilis

I’m not sure what’s more comforting than a pot of soup or chili. These are some of my favorite crockpot soup and chili recipes.

Make them on gloomy days or days that the family’s stuck inside working on homework, they’re sure to be requested again and again.

Crockpot Enchilada Soup

All the tastes of enchiladas in a comforting, easy to make soup. Chicken, black beans, corn, enchilada sauce, and broth come together to make the most delicious crockpot enchilada soup recipe.

Serve with tortilla strips, shredded cheese, and sour cream. This soup reheats well and tastes even better the next day.

Crockpot Beef Barley Soup

Beef, barley, carrots, and celery simmered in a rich, tasty broth make this crockpot beef barley soup so comforting and filling. The barley really thickens as it cooks to make it more like a stew, perfect for a complete meal in a bowl.

Wondering what else to make in your slow cooker? This easy-to-make white bean turkey chili recipe is a perfect answer.

White Bean Turkey Chili

Leaner than its beefy cousin, this delicious, easy White Bean Turkey Chili still fills us up thanks to a generous helping of protein from turkey and white beans, but it is so hearty no one is eating a second dinner to fill up. Combine turkey, white beans, green chiles and a slew of spices in a pot and let it simmer.

Serve over rice or enjoy it alongside a green salad. We like to add some fresh squeezed lime juice and top with crushed tortilla chips.

You might think the kids are not into turkey chili, but trust us on this one, our family was skeptical at first, too, but they’re requesting it now.

Slow Cooker Tortilla Soup Dinner Recipe

I’ve been making this deliciously tangy Slow Cooker Tortilla Soup since before my kids reached double digits. Combine chicken, chicken broth, diced tomatoes, black beans, corn, cumin and chili powder in the crock pot.

Serve with lots of shredded cheese and crispy tortilla strips (non-negotiables) and sour cream.

Slow Cooker Sides

Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes

This Crockpot Cheesy Potato recipe was a huge hit with my family and is perfect as a crockpot side dish recipe to bring to a potluck alongside beefy dishes. Just combine a bag of frozen diced potatoes, cream of chicken soup, sour cream and LOTS of shredded cheddar cheese.

My husband considers this recipe its own food group.

How to Make Crock Pot Baked Potatoes

Make these deliciously crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside Crock Pot Baked Potatoes whenever you crave baked potatoes. Wrap potatoes in foil and leave them in the slow cooker for a few hours, eliminating any need to pay attention to the clock while you’re waiting for baked potatoes in the oven.

Crockpot Ravioli Casserole

This deliciously cheesy and beefy Crockpot Ravioli Casserole is one of those super-easy slow cooker dinner recipes that takes about 10 minutes of actual work on your end. Simply add your favorite jarred marinara, frozen ravioli, ground beef and lots of mozzarella cheese and cook until heated through and melty.

Serve with garlic bread, of course, and consider yourself a hero in your kids’ eyes. They request this one all the time.

Bookmark these 29 simple slow-cooker recipes or pin individual recipes that catch your eye. These are the recipes I return to time and time again, they’ve been dinner lifesavers many times in my house.

Pop some ingredients in that slow-cooker at 9am and you’ll have your dinner plan covered and will thank yourself at 5pm.

P.S. Sunday dinner prep and a chalkboard menu like anyone else does is just crazy.

I admire those who do but am content to admit that I’m not that girl.

It can be baked, cooked in the crockpot, cooked in the Instant Pot, sheet-panned – you name it. So, let’s talk chicken!

Now, my husband doesn’t care if we have the same three meals over and over – he’ll eat anything – but my two teenagers are incredibly picky eaters, so I’m always searching for easy and reliable meals that everyone enjoys. These are a few of my favorite baked and casserole chicken dinners that are reliable favorites in our home.

Chicken is so easy to cook and make into delicious weeknight meals. If you’ve got about 45 minutes on a Tuesday evening, one of these recipes would work well for dinner.

Baked and Casserole Chicken Dinners

Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole. It’s a crowd-pleaser. There is never any of this casserole leftover. It checks all the kid-approval boxes: chicken, bacon, ranch, and baked cheese. This is the meal that I managed to make on a tiring Friday evening when I had zero energy, yet, it made me look like I spent more effort than I did. This casserole looks and tastes hearty but comes together effortlessly. Try this recipe: Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole.

Easy Chicken Tetrazzini

Baked pasta + chicken + cheese + a creamy sauce = YUM. It’s easy to make, cut the prep time in half using a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, delicious, AND it’s a winner as leftover for the next day’s lunch because it heats up so well.

Try this recipe: Easy Chicken Tetrazzini.

Chicken Bacon Fettuccine Alfredo Casserole

This one’s a bit more work but still easier than it looks. It’s another crowd-pleaser – chicken, bacon, AND fettuccine alfredo all baked into a casserole so you can serve a crowd and NOT stand at the stove!

Try this recipe: Chicken Bacon Fettuccine Alfredo Casserole.

This casserole is a weekly rotation at our house. My teens will eat it EVERY WEEK but I need variety.

Easy Chicken Casserole with Stuffing

Nothing like some Thanksgiving fare in the middle of the week. Layering on some chicken and stuffing and popping it in the oven until the top is crispy and golden-brown is super satisfying.

You could make your own stuffing from scratch but honestly, who has time for that on a school night? Grab some boxed stuffing and move on with your life.

Easy Italian Pasta & Chicken Dish

All the goodness of chicken and pasta tossed with olive oil and Italian seasonings. Throw together this recipe in NO TIME.

Serve it up with some salad and garlic bread and dinner will be done before your husband notices how quick dinner was. Keep it a secret.

Crack Chicken Instant Pot Recipe

Cream cheese, bacon, ranch seasoning, chicken…what’s not to love?! Throw it all together and let your electric pressure cooker do its thing for just 15 minutes.

The chicken will be so tender that you’ll be able to shred it right out of the pot. Serve it over rice, on a bun, in a tortilla…you name it.

Crescent Roll Crack Chicken Recipe

All the goodness of Crack Chicken wrapped up in flakey crescent rolls. Pop them in the oven until crispy and golden-brown and enjoy.

This is an easy-to-grab recipe that is perfect for a quick dinner or maybe even on a game night. This is an easy grab n’ go recipe that even teens will devour!

I cannot rave enough about these. They are SO easy and delicious.

Even our pet Gigi begs for these by standing right underneath the cooling rack waiting patiently. Gigi is an amazing pet, and everything revolves around food.

Huli Huli Pressure Cooker Chicken

Huli huli chicken is a Hawaiian style chicken dish that is coated with a deliciously tasty glaze with a strong ginger soy flavor. We have eaten this recipe several times before, but I love making it in the pressure cooker because it’s foolproof tender goodness.

We love this served with white rice and fresh sliced pineapple. We were in such a rut the past two weeks of the same dinner after dinner, and this brightened our Wednesday night.

The Best Marinade for Chicken Drumsticks

Chicken legs/drumsticks are one of the cheapest cuts of meat, and this marinade is amazing. It’s savory, a little sweet and super tasty.

You can grill them if you’re lucky enough to be outside, or you can pop them in the oven if you’re unlucky enough to have Iowa weather. My teenagers vie for the last chicken leg.

Chili’s Chicken Crispers Copycat Recipe

Chicken crispers are a must-have item on Chili’s menu, and this recipe will save you a fortune over buying them. This recipe makes enough to have chicken crispers, a side of fries and a salad.

That’s a whole meal and a heck of a lot cheaper than buying them. Add dipping sauce and you’re golden.

My 18 year old proclaims these are better than the ones from the restaurant.

Crockpot and Slow Cooker Chicken

Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken Recipe

Another recipe where you throw everything into a crockpot in the morning and walk away. This recipe is delicious and requires minimal effort.

The pineapple juice and soy sauce create a sweet and tangy glaze and it’s delicious when served over rice.

This recipe is so easy to make and tastes like you spent hours making it, which is NEVER. You’ll be in heaven when you bite into this amazing sweet and savory chicken that tastes like you’re eating food that was pulled directly off of the grill.

When I know that my energy will be depleted by 5pm, which happens more often than I would like, I’ll make this crockpot recipe before dropping the kiddos off at school in the morning. It’s my #1 go-to meal when I’m running on empty.

Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos

Simply season the chicken and add it and salsa to the crockpot and cook away. Later, you’ll shred the chicken and have a taco bar where each member of the family can create their own tacos with “you do it yourself” toppings.

This is key with our two teens because they have COMPLETELY opposing ideas of what belongs on a taco.

Crockpot Chicken Sandwiches (Crack Chicken)

Shredded chicken + cream cheese + ranch + cheddar + bacon all piled high on a bun = HEAVEN. I like to make these into little sandwiches that are perfect for sharing.

You can easily make a ton of them to make it stretch if you’re feeding a crowd at one of our get-togethers over the weekend. Many people ask me for this recipe after having it.

Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Pasta

Another one with ranch, cream cheese, and bacon. It’s a meal that will satisfy your heart’s desires and has absolutely NO fussing over a stove when everyone comes to dinner hungry.

Creamy, hearty, and delicious. My 15 year old requested that we make this “every Thursday.”

Buffalo Chicken Crock Pot Sandwiches

Pulled chicken + buffalo sauce + ranch = yum, yum, yum. Serve it on a hoagie roll or sub.

You can also adjust the spiciness of the sandwiches depending on who you’re trying to please. My husband is a sucker for anything with a hint of buffalo.

Crock Pot Chicken Fajitas

Chicken, peppers, onions, and spices cook in the Crock Pot for a few hours leaving them ready to shred and pile into tortillas with your favorite fajita toppings. Sour cream, cheese, guacamole, salsa, yum!

You’ll love the aroma this recipe fills your kitchen with, like a Mexican restaurant.

See what I mean? These kid-friendly slow cooker chicken recipes are perfect for hectic weeknights when the last thing you want to do is spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

Chicken Soups and Chilis

White Chicken Chili

Great northern beans, shredded chicken, and green chilis make up this deliciously creamy White Chicken Chili recipe. It’s ready in less than an hour, and I’ve been making this recipe for years, it’s a definite sign of fall for us.

Serve with a dollop of sour cream and top with shredded cheese and crushed tortilla chips. Also perfect to have left-over for the next days lunch.

Copycat Panera Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

This recipe for Chicken and Wild Rice Soup tastes just like Panera’s version and will save you from spending $12 for a bowl. Loaded with chicken, wild rice and veggies swimming in a thick, creamy broth.

Make a big batch on Sunday and you’re set with lunches for most of the week.

Chicken Noodle Soup Recipe

A favorite for sick days or just a grey and rainy day. Takes about 45 minutes to prepare, made with pantry staples, chicken, carrots, celery, onions, egg noodles, broth, etc.

Nothing like the canned version.

Chicken Salads and Sandwiches

Best Ever Chicken Salad

This is our favorite recipe for Chicken Salad. Great for sandwiches or serve in lettuce cups!

This one’s a fan-favorite because it’s the perfect combination of creamy but not too mayonnaise-y. It’s nothing like any other chicken salad you’ve ever had.

Serve in croissants, on top of crackers, or just eat it right out of the bowl. Bonus points because it’s EASY to make, easy to pack up, and easy to clean up afterwards.

Sheet Pan Oven Quesadillas

Oh, quesadillas, how do I love thee. Making them in the oven, though, is genius.

You know how making quesadillas can be tedious? You can’t really make them all at once, you have to keep flipping them, and by the time everyone is eating, they aren’t crispy and melty any more?

Well, instead, load them up on a sheet pan, pop them in the oven, and voila: crispy, melty perfection. Bonus points for the fact that nobody’s standing over your shoulder asking if hers is ready yet.

I’ve been using these recipes time and time again this year. From crockpot meals to 30 minute casseroles, these are the ultimate solutions to getting a delicious chicken dinner on the table.

I promise there’s something in here you’re going to love.

These recipes make dinnertime simple. Grab a few or all of them, print them out and have them handy so you can whip up an easy, delicious, and filling meal that will keep dinner-time from being stressful.

Chicken Dinner Questions, Answered

Should I stock breasts or thighs for these recipes?

You can use whichever works for you in these recipes. Generally speaking, thighs are less expensive per pound and will withstand the rigors of long, slow-cooker cooking without drying out, but chicken breasts work wonderfully for casseroles and shredded chicken for sandwiches.

My general rule of thumb is to buy a ton of chicken, like double what we need, when it’s on sale and freeze it. I empty the chicken into gallon-size freezer bags, press them flat, and keep them in the freezer.

Saves me tons of time and effort when I’m rushing around trying to get to school on time.

Which of these work with a rotisserie chicken?

Almost all of them. Rotisserie chicken is the BEST when it comes to saving time because it is perfect for making into sandwiches or tossing into casseroles and soups.

If you’re looking to save money, buy a rotisserie chicken on Sunday and freeze half for later!

You can use a store-bought rotisserie chicken in place of cooked chicken for the tetrazzini or the stuffing casserole, or in chicken salad or this wild rice soup. It cuts the time down to twenty minutes.

However, I would NEVER suggest using rotisserie chicken or any pre-cooked chicken in a crockpot recipe. There’s no need to cook it, and it ends up really dry.

Kinda defeats the purpose of crockpot cooking, huh?

What’s the safest way to thaw chicken on a weeknight?

Leave the chicken in the bag, seal tightly, and submerge in cold water to defrost faster (change water once). Should take about an hour for a pound of chicken.

Moms of the past loved to leave the meat out on the counter to thaw, but you just can’t do that anymore. That said, nearly all of my slow cooker recipes will cook fine if you add the chicken while it’s still partially frozen.

Just make sure to cook on low.

How do I keep chicken dinners from feeling repetitive?

My family loves chicken. We have it twice a week without fail.

How do you avoid repetition? By switching between casseroles, crockpot dishes and soups.

If you call it chicken TACO night one night, chicken CASSEROLE night another night, chicken SOUP night yet another night…your family won’t realize they’re eating chicken over and over.

I was in the kitchen at noon wondering if I should start on appetizers for a get together this weekend. This is me, if someone texts me at noon saying there’s a party at 4.

Our parties are casual and cream cheese based foods rule our party prep.

My list of Party Appetizers has lots of great recipes including dips, and HOT dips are my favorite, salsas and other crowd pleasers that can be pulled together quickly and can include bacon and cheese, guaranteed to please my teenagers, and anything else, well, not bacon, my goldendoodle Gigi wants to devour.

No matter what I make for game days or holidays or just because its a casual weekend, you are sure to find a few of the finger foods from my Party Appetizers post that have been tried and true for me in past parties. Appetizers are an occasion food.

Make them craveable! Save the obligatory and blah for another time.

Of course there’s lots of dips here because cream cheese always abounds in my refrigerator. I’ve included recipes using inexpensive shortcuts like canned beans and canned chili.

There’s a Neiman Marcus Million Dollar Dip that shows up at every church potluck in Iowa. There’s an easy-to-make crab dip using imitation crab that Gigi, the food-seeking opportunistic goldendoodle, tries to steal when she thinks I’m not looking.

You’ll find dips made with cocktail wieners, little smokies, rotisserie chicken, bacon, spinach, jalapeño poppers, pepperoni…there’s lots of variety in this post.

Buffalo Chicken Dip is the ultimate game day appetizer. Shredded rotisserie chicken, cream cheese, ranch dressing and a touch of Frank’s hot sauce comes together for a seriously addictive buffalo chicken dip. Serve warm with tortilla chips or celery.

Pepperoni Pizza Dip Recipe is a party-friendly take on a favorite, this easy-to-make pepperoni pizza dip is made with cream cheese, pizza sauce, mozzarella and pepperoni and is the perfect alternative to a whole pizza when hosting a party or get-together. Serve warm with breadsticks or slices of toasted baguette.

Crock Pot Spinach and Artichoke Dip is where you’ll be making this creamy, gooey, melty cheese spinach and artichoke dip again and again. It’s super easy and frees up the oven because it cooks in your crock pot and will stay warm without being watched during your party. Serve with pita chips or slices of baguette.

Neiman Marcus Million Dollar Dip

A dreamy mix of cream cheese, cheddar, green onion, bacon, and sliced almonds makes this Million Dollar Dip a hit at parties. Serve chilled and take advantage of it being a fantastic make-ahead dip.

Baked Crab Rangoon Dip

If you’re looking for an easier way to serve crab rangoon at your next party, try this easy-to-make Baked Crab Rangoon Dip recipe. It’s creamy and cheesy and much easier than individual wontons.

Serve with wonton chips or your favorite cracker.

Easy Queso Crockpot Dip Recipe

All you need is a crock pot, some Rotel and a block of Velveeta to make this easy queso recipe.

No more bringing the party dip that sits on the counter and goes home as full as it came in. These dips are tried and true favorites that are loved by all.

When it comes to dips, I’m a little basic. Give me something with cream cheese in it and I’m happy.

Throw in some bacon and you’re golden. But for all you dip lovers out there, I’ve rounded up some of our family’s absolute favorite easy dips recipes to take to parties.

These dips will be a hit at your next party or get-together.

Game Day Dip Recipes

Copycat Chili’s Skillet Queso is this copycat Chili’s skillet queso recipe is SO good. You’ll never believe that you made queso at home. It’s seasoned just right, has a creamy consistency and can be made on the stovetop in less than 20 minutes. Last year’s super bowl my husband polished off most of the pan before halftime.

Real Cheese Queso Dip

This queso dip is creamy, flavorful, and made with REAL shredded cheese. It takes 5 extra minutes of stirring, but is SO worth it.

No processed cheese in a loaf here friends.

Jalapeno Popper Dip – If you’re looking for a crowd-pleasing appetizer recipe, look no further than this deliciously cheesy and creamy Jalapeño Poppers Dip. It’s a family tradition around our house now to have it out on every game night because my 15 year old requests it. It’s cheesy, creamy, a bit spicy and incredibly addicting.

Easy to make and always a crowd pleaser!

Corn and Black Bean Salsa

The best of both worlds: easy and delicious! Made with canned corn and black beans, fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime, this salsa recipe can be enjoyed all seasons long.

Add avocado to make it creamier.

This salsa recipe is a winner!

Crab Dip with Cream Cheese

A super easy crab dip made with cream cheese, perfect for entertaining. Use imitation crab to save money.

Serve with crackers. Better the next day!

Make ahead crab dip for holiday parties!

Dips for Parties

Easy Baked Bean Dip Recipe

Baked bean dip is the perfect party food. It’s like a baked beans on toast, except in dip form.

Warm, comforting, filling, perfect.

Seven Layer Dip

You know the one! Make this classic party recipe in a clear container or a 9×13 pan so everyone can see the pretty refried beans, sour cream, guacamole, cheese, tomato, olives and green onion layers.

Layered Taco Dip

The star of the show is the taco seasoning in this easy and delicious dip recipe that reminds us of a classic seven layer bean dip, except with a more taco-y theme. When we make this dip we never have leftovers!

Party Party Dip Recipe

The ultimate party dip to bring to potlucks. Serve cold with chips, veggies or crackers.

Bacon Wrapped Pickle Dip Recipe

Sweet, savory, salty, rich, tangy…there’s so many ways to describe this dip that would make my teen’s eyes bulge with excitement at the word BACON. If you’re going to make this recipe you’ll want to have chips on hand – sturdy ones that can hold the dip, preferably ruffled chips.

Canned Tomato Salsa (Restaurant Style)

Easy, delicious, restaurant-style salsa recipe made with canned tomatoes. With just a few ingredients, pureed to perfection, you’ll never guess this salsa uses canned tomatoes.

Ready in about 5 minutes with canned tomatoes, jalapeño, garlic, cilantro and lime!

Corn and Black Bean Salsa with Avocado

Quick and easy, and bursting with flavor! Avocado turns brown, so make this as close to serving time as possible, or add lime and plastic wrap pressed directly to surface of avocado.

Cranberry Jalapeño Salsa Recipe

Sweet and spicy with a hit of lime, this cranberry jalapeño salsa is an absolute winner! Takes only 10 minutes!

Serve over a block of cream cheese with a pile of crackers next to it!

Watermelon Mango Salsa

Sweet and spicy Watermelon Mango Salsa with lime and jalapeños! Serve with chips or over grilled chicken or fish!

Perfect for summer and can be made the same day.

Finger Foods and Snacks

Baked wonton chips

These baked wonton wrapper chips are so easy to make! Coat in oil, bake about 10 minutes and you’ve got the perfect chip to go with your favorite dips.

They’re much easier and cheaper than I thought they’d be to make. Serve with crab rangoon dip.

Grape Jelly Meatball Recipe

Only two ingredients in these Grape Jelly Meatballs! Grape jelly and chili sauce simmered with meatballs make an amazing combination!

Uses a slow cooker making it easy to serve at parties.

Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies Appetizer Recipe

Bacon Wrapped Little Smokies with brown sugar are an easy sheet pan appetizer that disappear off the plate before you know it! My teenagers LOVE these and we often times make a double batch. Bacon is ALWAYS a winner!

Easy Bruschetta Recipe

Easy Bruschetta recipe is a tasty appetizer made with tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil and other flavorful ingredients. Serve on toasted baguette slices.

Can be made ahead but toast and top right before serving.

Homemade Soft Pretzel Bites

These homemade soft pretzel bites are so good! They take a little more work, so I typically save these for special occasions.

Serve warm with cheese sauce or mustard. Trust me when I say the extra effort is worth it!

Spicy Ranch Pretzels (Dot’s Homestyle Copycat)

Easy to make with only a few ingredients, these Spicy Ranch Pretzels are the perfect combination of salty, a little sweet and have just the right amount of spice! Great for a Super Bowl party and can be made ahead.

Store in airtight container and they’ll last several days. Crunchy and addictively delicious.

My goldendoodle, Gigi, will circle the container hoping I’ll give her one. They’re that good!

I promise, there will NEVER be leftovers when you make any of these – they’re that good!

Super Bowl parties, or any kind of get-together really, aren’t complete without a few easy-to-make appetizers. Serve these party-favorite dips alongside some easy-to-make sliders and deviled eggs and you’ll be the hostess with the mostess.

PS, these appetizer recipes are ones I’ve made and/or will make again. They’re a handful of the MANY crowd-pleasers I’ve shared over the years on the blog.

You’ll find others featured throughout the site.

What’s YOUR go-to crowd pleasing recipe to serve?

And then comes the twenty-minute shrug around “what do you want for dinner” if there is no dinner plan.

Thankfully, my husband hovers around me saying he’d be happy to help with anything, all the while failing to see the cutting board six inches from his elbow, and I’m usually gracious enough to accept a few offers. But if I’m being honest, there’s a good chance my mental burnout is preventing me from being able to do much of anything complicated in the kitchen.

Enter the glorious crockpot and these ridiculously delicious Crock Pot Friday Night Meals that will save you.

1. Crock Pot Maid Rites (Iowa Loose Meat Sandwiches)

Get the Crock Pot Maid Rites recipe.

Since we’re from Iowa, Maid Rites hold a special place in our family’s hearts. All you do is load up meat in the crock pot in the morning and wait for magic in the evening.

Then you plop the meat onto a bun with mustard, pickles and cheese. My teenagers ask for Maid Rites on occasion and are always pleased with them.

2. Crockpot Lasagna

Get the Crockpot Lasagna recipe.

If you’re anything like me, lasagna is NOT a one pot meal. Between the pot for boiling noodles, the pan for the meat sauce, the dish for the ricotta mixture, the lasagna pan and all of the dishes you need to prepare all of the components… lasagna is a lot of pots and pans.

But not anymore. With this Crockpot Lasagna, you just plop your ingredients directly into the Crock Pot and enjoy a delicious lasagna just like you’re used to, minus a zillion dishes to wash.

My daughter has even likened this dish to lasagna you’d get in a restaurant.

3. Slow Cooker Pot Roast

Get the Slow Cooker Pot Roast recipe.

Friday nights are prime pot roast nights in our house. It’s comforting and familiar.

It reminds us of simpler times. And it’s another crock pot meal.

Pot roast just screams Friday night dinner to me. The beef, potatoes, and carrots are cooked low and slow, fall apart with a fork, and swim in the most delicious, savory broth.

Start this recipe before you walk out the door for work and you’re golden for Friday night dinner. Plus, your entire house will smell incredible.

4. Philly Cheese Steak Crock Pot Recipe

All of the flavors of a delicious cheesesteak without the hassle of trying to get the beef sliced just right and watching over your pan. This crock pot cheesesteak recipe is one of those amazing slow cooker recipes that takes about FIVE minutes to make and tastes like you slaved over it for hours.

Tender, perfectly seasoned meat falls apart and goes on a hoagie roll and gets blanketed with melty provolone…can’t beat that for less than the cost of takeout. By two o’clock my dog, Gigi, is stationed by the crock pot hoping for a morsel of Philly Cheesesteak goodness.

5. Crock Pot French Dip Sandwiches

The roast beef falls apart and swims in the most delicious, savory broth. At six o’clock, you’ll be the picture of perfection while the French Dip sandwiches come together.

Who could guess that the crock pot did all of the hard work? These sandwiches need to be dunked in the au jus.

Trust me…you’ll thank me later. This recipe has been added to my husband’s top five list of meals I’ve ever made, not a difficult feat to accomplish.

6. Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken

This crockpot recipe for Hawaiian Chicken is perfect for those Friday nights when you’re looking for something with some flavor. The tangy pineapple sauce is sweet and savory and the chicken is perfectly cooked.

Serve it over rice and dinner is a breeze. The unique flavors of Hawaiian Chicken make it taste like a special occasion.

It reminds me of takeout and is such an easy weeknight meal.

“The pineapple chicken.” Those are the exact words that escape their little mouths. And yes, Pineapple Chicken is one of our go-to slow cooker Friday night recipes.

It’s a meal they know by name and ask for by name. In my book that means success.

7. Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Tender pork simmered to perfection, slathered in smoky barbecue sauce and piled high onto soft buns. This Slow Cooker Pulled Pork recipe is an easy family favorite.

Just toss everything into the slow cooker in the morning, shred the meat in the afternoon and “serve it three different ways” when you get home. Serve it on a bun, over a baked potato or pile it high on nachos.

One slow-cooker meal to satisfy everyone’s requests without cooking three different dinners.

8. Beef Stroganoff in Crock Pot

Tender beef simmers hands-free in a rich, creamy, mushroomy sauce. Serve over egg noodles and pass the bread for sopping up any extra sauce.

It tastes like you worked hard preparing it, when really you did nothing but let your crock pot shine. Taking credit for preparing this easy crock pot recipe is a parent’s privilege.

Enjoy!

9. Buffalo Chicken Crock Pot Sandwiches

Spicy shredded chicken piled high on a bun with a dollop of creamy ranch or blue cheese dressing is a combo you have to try. These easy slow-cooker sandwiches take about 5 minutes of your precious Friday night dinner prep time.

My son likes them with some coleslaw piled high for a cool, crunchy addition that offsets the heat of the chicken perfectly.

10. Crack Chicken (Instant Pot)

I get it…it’s delicious.

Crack chicken combines two of my favorite foods – chicken and bacon. The recipe is creamy, cheesy, delicious.

Crack chicken can be served over rice, on a bun, in a wrap, or simply eaten out of the bowl with a fork. This version uses the Instant Pot making it super simple and quick.

This recipe has to be on this list because it’s SO GOOD. The combination of chicken, cream cheese, ranch, and bacon is perfect.

I made this recipe over a holiday and took it to my mom’s house. She texted me three times asking me if I left something out of the recipe.

It’s that good.

11. Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

Some nights just call for sloppy joes. These Philly cheesesteak sloppy joes take that classic hamburger based recipe and kick it up a notch.

All of the flavors of cheesesteaks – meat, peppers, onions, cheese – on a soft bun. They’re the perfect Friday night meal when you didn’t plan on making dinner.

My son – the teenager who communicates mainly in shrugs and one-syllable grunting sounds – will say, “can we have it again tomorrow,” when he’s done with his plate. That’s good enough praise from him.

12. Walking Tacos

Walking Tacos have been our Friday night football game dinner for several years now. They’re easy to customize, crowd pleaser, and there’s NO CLEAN UP.

Once you’ve eaten all of your seasoned taco meat, cheese, sour cream and other fixin’s you just toss the bag. Done.

They’re perfect for casual Friday nights whether it’s a football game, a movie night, a game night, or just a random Friday.

13. Taco Crescent Bake

When you want taco meat and cheese and a side of carbs, this is the recipe for you. This recipe only takes 20 minutes start to finish, including baking time, and comes out bubbly and golden.

Serve with salsa, sour cream, guacamole or all three and cut pizza style. YUM!

I just wanted to shout out how much I LOVE using pre-made crescent roll dough in recipes. Especially on nights where I’m running a tad too short on time but still want to make something that will have the family wondering where I learned to make such an awesome meal.

14. Sheet Pan Oven Quesadillas

The only thing better than quesadillas is SHEET PAN quesadillas. Basically, instead of cooking them individually , you lay out all of the quesadilla fixins’ on a sheet pan and pop ’em in the oven.

Then, you pull them out, slice into wedges and serve up with your favorite toppings like salsa and sour cream. They’re super easy to make even for larger groups and require very little babysitting.

Bonus: you won’t be eating dinner alone, cold, when everyone else is done.

15. Steak Fajitas (Restaurant Style)

If you’re anything like us, there’s nothing like serving up fajitas on a Friday night, or any other night for that matter. Sliced steak + peppers and onions seared to perfection + tortillas and guacamole to top it all off = restaurant style steak fajitas, minus the restaurant.

It does require a little more work, like slicing and searing meat, but it’s such an awesome dinner to make. Especially for my husband who LOVES fajitas.

You just can’t go wrong serving up something special because it shows them you care and says “we deserve a nice Friday” all at once.

16. Crock Pot Chicken Fajitas

If fajitas sound like they’re calling your name, but you’d prefer to use the trusty crock pot…we’ve got you covered. Chicken, peppers, and onions simmer away all day long making “build your own” fajitas possible at dinnertime.

Everyone chooses their own fillings and picks from the toppings including tortillas, sour cream, guacamole, shredded cheese, and more. Trust me when I say this is the number one meal to make when you KNOW dinner will result in arguments.

Especially since each and everyone loves their own fajita build differently.

17. Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

Chicken + crispy bacon + ranch + baked cheese = amazing. Especially in casserole form.

This one’s so easy to make ahead of time, perfect for a crazy busy week. My kids could eat this every single night of the week, so I’m glad we save it for Fridays; it’s too good to serve more than once a week.

18. Crockpot Ravioli Casserole

Another family favorite. Just layer it in your Crockpot and go.

This is my go-to recipe on Fridays that I haven’t planned ahead for AND the teens have practice. Seriously, you just layer frozen ravioli and sauce and cheese.

Done! About 10 minutes of hands on time tops.

19. Crockpot Baked Spaghetti

Spaghetti + meat sauce + cheese. Sounds like your typical Friday night recipe, doesn’t it?

Well, with this recipe you throw them all in your Crockpot instead. The spaghetti picks up all the amazing flavors of the sauce, giving it a completely different taste than making it on the stove top.

You can leave this cooking all day long, which is perfect for those crazy busy weeks. Now, I’ll be honest, I was hesitant to try this one.

I thought cooking pasta in a Crockpot would result in the worst-tasting spaghetti in history. But, I was wrong.

It’s kind of like spaghetti casserole because of how the pasta picks up all of the sauce while it’s cooking. Definitely a recipe that was worth a try.

20. Homemade Alfredo Sauce

Okay, this recipe isn’t technically an entire meal… But, I’ve found that we eat fettuccine alfredo about once a week, so it seemed appropriate to include it.

This recipe just covers how to make the alfredo sauce: toss it with fettuccine noodles and you’re in business. We’ll occasionally add in some grilled chicken as well.

The whole recipe takes about 15 minutes on the stove, not counting the time to boil the fettuccine, of course. Trust me when I say that alfredo sauce couldn’t be easier to make.

Once you try it, I’m sure you’ll never go back to that jarred stuff again either, as this stuff is SO much better.

Scratch-made alfredo is ridiculously easy to make with just three ingredients: butter, cream and parmesan and goes together SO much quicker than you think it will. Trust me on this one…once you make it from scratch, you will never look at jarred alfredo the same again.

It’s an “a-ha!” moment.

21. Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Pasta

It’s ranch-y, creamy, cheesy, BACON-y pasta and it’s made in the SLOW COOKER?! What’s not to love?!

This recipe is one of those recipes that my kids ask for by name and it’s a winner for easy, creamy, kid-approved Friday night dinners.

22. White Bean Turkey Chili

If you’ve been searching for a recipe that incorporates white beans with ground turkey, look no further than this deliciously spiced and perfectly seasoned White Bean Turkey Chili. Hearty yet light, it’s a winner.

Add some shredded cheese, a dollop of sour cream and some tortilla chips and dinner is SERVED. It also makes an awesome leftover the next day.

This is a regular in our house in May and September months when we’re not quite ready to give up on chili yet, but want something a tad lighter than beef chili.

23. Copycat Panera Chicken and Wild Rice Soup

This Copycat Panera Chicken and Wild Rice Soup is rich, creamy, thick, deliciously textured goodness. Make this easy-to-make chicken and wild rice soup at home, save money AND make a HUGE pot of soup in comparison to the small bowl you’d purchase from Panera.

Serve it up with some grilled cheese or those leftover crusty sourdough loaves and I promise you won’t believe the difference in price and simplicity.

24. Beef Stew

If you’re craving hearty comfort on Friday night, try out this recipe for Beef Stew.

Beef stew is another crowd-pleaser with tender chunks of beef and vegetables, especially carrots and potatoes, simmering in a thick and savory broth. It’s another slow cooker recipe, but I promise it’s going to smell AMAZING all afternoon.

25. Biscuits and Gravy Casserole

Can you believe that teenagers LOVE breakfast for dinner?! And while breakfast is NOT my favorite meal to cook, biscuits and gravy is the exception.

With fluffy biscuits layered over savory sausage gravy, this casserole bakes up in one dish and is practically begging to be served. It’s a bit of a special occasion meal, since breakfast for dinner always feels special, yet is easier than easy.

Friday night dinners are supposed to make everyone happy. No one wants to complain about dinner, no one wants to be unhappy, and most importantly NO ONE wants to be exhausted from making said dinner.

That’s where these easy Friday night dinner recipes come in. Almost half of them are slow cooker recipes, which means that you get to load up a crock in the morning and walk away.

Friday nights have been easier now that I’ve taken advantage of my slow cooker. It’s one of those appliances that makes me think, “I have my life together” when I’m making a recipe in it.

I typically eat dinner in relative silence around here, but Friday is going to be different. We’re going to ooh and ahh over dinner, comment on how wonderful it smells, and appreciate what’s being served.

Save this post and come back later this week when you start planning out your menu.

Friday Night Questions, Answered

Which of these can I start the morning of?

If it’s a slow cooker recipe then yes. Load up the crock before you take off for the school run.

You may need to add a couple ingredients before dinner, like potatoes into the beef stew above, but you’ll be shocked at how little work is involved by dinnertime.

Which ones work when the kids have friends over?

Any of them that are build-your-own style. This is a fail-proof way to accommodate unexpected extra teenagers.

Walking tacos, sheet pan quesadillas, crockpot fajitas are all great. Everybody can build their own plate and visiting kids won’t tell you they don’t like something but will go out of their way to get the things they DO like.

What’s the cheapest dinner on this list?

Walking tacos are hands-down the winner. You have chips, buy a pound of beef and seasonings and use up random toppings from the fridge.

Maid rites and baked spaghetti are also super-cheap options. Friday is already expensive since it’s end-of-the-week/end-of-the-grocery-budget dinners so I like to have some super-cheap options up my sleeve.

How do I rotate these without a spreadsheet?

Honestly, pick three, one sheet pan meal, one crockpot meal and one breakfast-for-dinner. Repeat them until you’re sick of one, then pick another sheet pan meal, or whatever needs replacing.

You’ll be surprised how long three will last, you can go a whole month on one set with no complaints and I’m usually the first to say we need something different. That’s the beauty of these dishes though, you don’t need a different meal EVERY Friday.

Getting rid of decisions is key.

However, we’re getting so caught up in all of this and trying to keep up with recipes suggested by algorithms, and obsessing over newfangled contraptions, that we’re missing the tried-and-true gems. The kind of gems only grandmothers and other members of a more practical generation know, who didn’t have sous vide machines at their beck and call but made do just fine with a trusty cast iron.

I’ve been collecting these everyday cooking tricks for years. Some have been passed down to me by my own mother, others I’ve discovered at 11 PM on the internet, trying to rescue some horrible mistake.

Some of them have been labeled as wacky by my own teenagers. Some have been frowned upon by my own husband, who insists salt belongs in a shaker, thank you, and only there.

But they’re all legit tips I use all the time as a mom, wife, and everyday home cook. Here are 24 everyday cooking hacks you wish you’d have known sooner.

1. SALT YOUR PASTA WATER UNTIL IT TASTES LIKE THE SEA

Salt your pasta water aggressively. Seriously, it should be saltier than the ocean.

Your husband may ask “Is that too much?” Mine has asked this at least once per boil for 15 of our 17 years of marriage despite having witnessed me cook pasta thousands of times. He’ll stop asking once he realizes that properly salting your pasta is crucial to its flavor.

Salt penetrates the pasta, seasons it throughout, and even changes the way it cooks. And, despite popular belief, salting pasta water will NOT make the meal too salty.

Trust me. Underseasoned pasta water leads to underseasoned pasta.

2. SAVE A CUP OF PASTA WATER BEFORE YOU DRAIN

When you’re boiling pasta, skim off a cup of the starchy water before you drain the pot. This is great to add to a basic tomato sauce to help the sauce adhere to your pasta, resulting in a creamier, silkier texture.

I always have a coffee mug sitting by my stove as a reminder to do this because there are still times I forget. For a decade I never once saved pasta water and suffered suboptimal pasta as a result.

3. REST YOUR MEAT BEFORE YOU CUT IT

Allow meat to rest after cooking. The proteins relax during the five-to-ten-minute resting period and the juices redistribute within the meat.

If you cut into it too soon after cooking, all of the delicious juices will flow out on your cutting board. Rested meat is juicier and requires zero additional work on your part.

4. PUT A WOODEN SPOON ACROSS THE BOILING POT

This is a grandma-approved, tried-and-true, totally-not-scientific cooking tip that I learned from my mother and have been using ever since. When the spoon lays across your pot, bubbles pop as they reach it.

Why? Because a dry wooden spoon breaks the surface tension of the bubble and thus causes them to pop.

You have a few precious seconds to get to the pot and turn down the flame before the bubbles rise up past the spoon. My teenagers are tough to impress, but they were impressed by this trick.

5. USE COLD BUTTER FOR FLAKY PIE CRUST

The secret to good pie is cold butter. Really.

That’s it. Cold.

Butter.

Keep your butter cold. Warm, malleable butter leads to super-smooth pie crust. Smooth pie crust is mealy pie crust. Cubed, cold butter will lead to little air pockets within the dough. Those pockets will trap steam in the oven. Steam-filled pockets yield flaky pie crust. Some folks will say to use frozen butter and grate it directly into the dough. That’s fine, but I’ve never done that. It’s worked fine with just straight-out-of-the-fridge butter. Then again, I’ve made pie crust a total of about four times in my life. Your mileage may vary.

6. ADD A PINCH OF BAKING SODA TO TOMATO SAUCE

Tomato sauce made with canned tomatoes can be pretty darn acidic. Rather than adding sugar, which can work well, but isn’t my preference, add a teeny, tiny pinch of baking soda. Like, 1/8 tsp teeny tiny. You’ll see it bubble up a bit as it hits the simmering tomatoes. That’s normal. Add it, stir, taste. Voila, less acidic. This trick saved a batch of Sunday sauce the other day. My husband had a double-helping and didn’t speak during dinner. High praise indeed.

7. TOAST YOUR SPICES IN A DRY PAN FIRST

Before adding whole or ground spices, such as chili powder, cumin, and coriander, warm them up in a small amount of oil or a dry pan for 30 seconds. This releases the volatile oils in spices and makes them more flavorful. Bonus: You may be surprised how many of the spices in your cabinet aren’t completely spent yet. My spice collection dates back to 2022 at the earliest. Shake them on a pan over medium heat, requiring no oil necessary, and sniff. If you get a whiff of anything, those volatile oils are still lurking, waiting to be released. Use those spices. If nothing happens? Trash them with a clear conscience and stop by Aldi for more.

8. CRACK EGGS ON A FLAT SURFACE, NOT THE BOWL EDGE

Old-school home cooks know to crack your eggs on a flat surface, not on the edge of a bowl. It takes some re-training, and only about a week, but it’s worth it. You can actually see the difference: An egg cracked on a flat surface cracks evenly. One cracked on a rougher surface, like the edge of a bowl, has a more jagged crack. Those little jagged bits lead to tiny flakes of eggshell in your bowl. Trust me, I’ve done both ways on purpose. You’ll never do it on purpose again.

My teenagers, however, still insist on being bowl-edge crackers. I pick my battles.

9. SHARPEN YOUR KNIFE WITH THE BOTTOM OF A CERAMIC MUG

The ring around the bottom of the base of most ceramic cups is unglazed and provides a helpful rough surface for quickly re-sharpening knives. Run your blade over the ring, using a low angle with the mug, a few times on each side and enjoy your improved sharpness.

My mom showed me this trick ages ago and I’m so glad she did. My collection of knives is large and varied but universally mediocre. Whenever my knives start to make cooking dinner more of a chore than it needs to be I pull out a coffee mug and whet away.

This method isn’t a replacement for a more thorough sharpening session but it’s handy to know and saves me from pulling out a honing tool every time.

10. KEEP BUTTER ON THE COUNTER IN A BUTTER CROCK

Fresh-tasting butter will keep in a butter crock on the counter for up to 30 days. There’s a small amount of water in the bottom of the container which seals out air. Refresh the water every few days. This method of storage predates refrigerators, so you can be assured of its efficacy.

I’ve been using a butter crock for 3 years now. Butter stays perfectly spreadable so you can skip standing it on the counter to soften or microwaving it, which never achieves satisfactory results. Cold butter hacked across warm toast is an unnecessary travail and with a crock there’s no reason for anyone to ever suffer through it again.

11. FREEZE LEFTOVER TOMATO PASTE IN TABLESPOON PORTIONS

Recipes call for 1-2 tablespoons of tomato paste. What are you supposed to do with the other half of the can?

Next time you open a can of paste, drop tablespoonsfuls onto a sheet pan lined with parchment and pop the pan in the freezer. Later, pop the hardened balls into a ziploc freezer bag and pull out just one each time you need it.

Easy-peasy.

I’ve wasted about forty cans of tomato paste in my lifetime before I came up with a workable system. Smug city.

12. PUT ONIONS IN THE FREEZER FOR 15 MINUTES BEFORE CUTTING

Cutting an onion causes cellular walls to break and release gas. The gas makes us cry.

Putting onions in the freezer doesn’t stop this phenomenon from happening but does slow down the gas release because of the chill. Freezing doesn’t affect the flavour or texture of onions but can make a huge difference to the degree of tears caused by cutting them up.

Especially helpful for contact lens wearers like myself.

I was in my late 30s before I learned this little gem and have been kicking myself for wasting precious tears on onions for all of those years.

13. ADD A BREAD HEEL TO YOUR BROWN SUGAR TO KEEP IT SOFT

If you’ve ever pulled up the lid of brown sugar only to find a rock-hard block instead of soft, fluffy sugar you’ll understand this tip. Brown sugar hardens when it loses moisture.

Rather than resorting to scraping sugar out of said rock at 7 in the morning when you need some for your cookies, toss a slice of bread in the container and the moisture from the bread will transfer to the sugar and keep it nice and soft indefinitely, replacing the bread slice every couple days.

My husband claims microwaving brown sugar works just as well, but I feel smug about keeping my brown sugar perfectly moistened. So you’re going to have to ignore his practicality.

14. USE A RUBBER BAND FOR SLIPPERY JAR LIDS

You know those jars that no matter how hard you try, the lid just won’t budge? Rather than resorting to hot water or a dish towel, try slipping a thick rubber band around the lid.

The extra traction helps tremendously in gaining a better grip.

My husband considers himself the Jar Man around here, though he has been thoroughly outshone by rubber bands, but I stand by rubber bands’ stellar track record. They also usually exist in every junk drawer already so are free.

15. DEGLAZE THE PAN — THOSE BROWN BITS ARE THE BEST PART

Fond is the French word used to describe the deliciously tasty and very flavorful browned or nearly scorched remnants of food left at the bottom of a pan after sautéing vegetables or searing meat. Deglazing a pan is as simple as adding wine, broth, or even water to a pan after meat is removed and scraping up all that yummy browned stuff with a wooden spoon.

Voila! An incredible topping or pan sauce took 90 seconds and you get to pat yourself on the back for being an amazing chef.

16. STORE FRESH HERBS LIKE FLOWERS

The next time you buy a beautiful, aromatic, expensive bunch of cilantro and realize that you’ll use one tablespoon and waste the rest…don’t you dare. Put that $3 cilantro stem end down in a glass with an inch of water and pop it with a plastic bag loosely draped over the top into your refrigerator.

Cilantro and parsley will stay fresh for two to three weeks with this method. Basil is best stored in a glass of water on your counter at room temp.

This is an old wives’ tale that was commonly practiced before plastic clamshell containers were invented. Cilantro stays alive and kicking with this method, but my hubris allows basil to die a tragic, aromatic death on my counter because I can’t be bothered to add this herb to my rotation.

17. USE THE WOODEN SKEWER TEST FOR CAKES

Rather than purchase a probe thermometer to test for cake doneness, use an old fashioned toothpick test. Remove cake from the oven, plunge a wooden pick in the center of your cake and remove.

If the pick comes out with a few moist crumbs attached your cake is done. Wet batter = bake longer.

Super dry pick = maybe baked a minute too long. You can always find a small box of wooden picks for $2, which will also come in handy for my daughter’s craft projects and cheese skewers at parties.

They live in my baking drawer and get used often.

18. SEASON IN LAYERS, NOT JUST AT THE END

Seasoning food as it cooks and then finishing it with butter is part of what separates average food from amazing food. Adding salt and other seasonings at various points throughout cooking – on your sauteing onions, your protein, your sauce, etc., and not just at the end – builds up layers of flavor.

When food is seasoned only at the end, the salt just sits on top of the dish instead of permeating all of it.

The old-school chefs were trained to season as they cooked and did so instinctively. I’ve adopted this habit, along with finishing many savory items with a little butter.

19. PUT A DAMP PAPER TOWEL OVER LEFTOVER DISHES BEFORE REHEATING

This trick came into being long before anyone thought to sell microwave-safe lids. It keeps pasta from becoming gluey and helps rice, saucy entrees, etc. to reconstitute instead of drying out.

I’ve been doing this for so long that I’m shocked when I get a bowl of leftovers back from the nuke that doesn’t have a dried-out ring of food around the sides, meaning it was foolishly uncovered during reheating.

I tell my kids this trick, but they’ll do what they want. Teenagers.

20. SQUEEZE LEMON OVER CUT FRUIT TO PREVENT BROWNING

This is another pre-modern tip that’s still super-useful. The acid will keep apples, bananas, avocados and other brownable items from discoloring for hours without making them taste like lemon.

My kids find it amusing when I do this – they think it’s funny to watch their mother squeeze lemon over a bowl of bananas.

21. USE A POTATO TO FIX OVER-SALTED SOUP

When a soup or other liquid-based recipe has too much salt, peel a raw potato and add it whole. Allow the soup to simmer with the potato for 15 minutes; the potato will absorb some of the salt and make the soup more palatable.

Remove the potato and proceed to serve.

The potato trick has saved at least three iterations of my oversalted chicken soup, and that’s just this year. And I oversalt food often enough, especially if I’m feeling rushed.

22. LET GARLIC REST AFTER MINCING

Garlic is another case where understanding the science makes the tip easier to remember. When you crush or chop garlic cells, they release an enzyme (alliinase) that produces a sulfur-containing compound (allicin) responsible for the distinctive aroma and flavor of garlic.

That chemical process takes place over about 10 minutes.

Bottom line: Garlic tastes more flavorful the longer you allow it to rest after chopping. So now I know why I’ve been mincing the garlic before anything else whenever I cook.

It’s to allow it to rest.

23. KEEP A PARMESAN RIND IN THE FREEZER

The rind of Parmesan, or any good-quality hard cheese, is delicious to cook with. Add it to soups or stews or simmer it in tomato sauces.

It will lend a piquant richness to anything you add it to. It won’t necessarily melt away; think of it as an aromatic seasoning.

Old-school Italian chefs were too thrifty to throw away cheese rinds, so why should we? Save them in a freezer bag.

24. ADD BUTTER AT THE VERY END

Have you ever wondered what makes restaurant-tasting food taste, well, restaurant-y? Chances are one of those things is finishing with a knob of cold butter.

To do this, take the pan of risotto or pan sauce or sautéed vegetables off the heat and stir in a pat of cold butter. This will lend a sheen to the food and mellow the overall flavor.

My teenagers describe it thusly: It’s like those fancy restaurants add butter to everything. We call it “adding a little butter at the end”; the French have a term for this technique, too: “monter au beurre.” Either way, you’ll be able to describe it when someone asks why your food tastes so darned good.

In the scheme of things, that’s a lot of tips and tricks, but they’re all things that have been around forever. It’s amazing how many of our grandmothers’ ways of doing things still work.

But some tricks from Grandma’s day stuck around because they’re awesome. And because professional chefs use them.

And because you already have everything you need to use them. Not all tips and tricks from Grandma’s day are worth resurrecting, as some are outdated only because better options have arisen, but some tricks from another era exist for another reason: lack of better options.

We’ve collected some grandma-approved, chef-endorsed tips and tricks, including saving your pasta water, wielding the mighty rubber band, and never throwing away a parmesan rind again, that you should incorporate into your regular cooking rotation as soon as humanly possible. Pick two or three that sound interesting, implement them into your cooking.

Of course, no one will be the wiser as to why your food is so tasty—it’ll just be a mystery. So, when asked about the sudden improvement in your cooking, we suggest you credit your improved culinary prowess to nothing more than cooking more often.

Save your secrets.

We can order groceries (Instacart) and food through Uber Eats, Grub Hub, and Door Dash right from our phones. Food preservation methods used by our ancestors have been forgotten since living off the land is foreign to many of us.

My Sunday ritual of throwing away a head of celery still surprises me…but, nonetheless, I throw away that vegetable every single week. My grandma knew how to store food.

She could keep onions in a panty hose for 6 months and knew how to keep the buggers out of her flour. Our ancestors were ingenious and could feed their families through the winter without stepping foot into a grocery store.

It involved salt, sand, fat and lots of items stored in the basement. Check out these 31 food storage methods from another time that can be used today.

You’ll be surprised by some of them and may pick up a trick or two. Who knows, you may even cut back on wasting some heads of celery.

1. BURY CARROTS IN DAMP SAND

Remove the greens from freshly-picked carrots. Place them in a bucket or other container with a lid, nestled in slightly-damp play sand, making sure the carrots don’t touch each other.

Store in a cold area around 35-40 degrees, and carrots will stay fresh and crisp for 4-6 months. Last year when I received a giant and inexpensive bag of carrots and had nowhere in the refrigerator to store them, I used this method and was astonished to pull a carrot out three months later only to find that it was still perfectly fresh.

2. STORE EGGS IN WATERGLASS (PICKLING LIME)

This one freaked out my kids. Waterglassing eggs is an age-old method of egg preservation.

Freshly-laid eggs that have not been washed or otherwise altered and are not cracked can be submerged in a solution of pickling lime to keep them fresh at room temperature for up to two years. To waterglass eggs, dissolve 1 oz. of pickling lime for each quart of cool water, then submerge eggs in airtight glass or ceramic containers.

Store at room temperature. The lime forms a protective layer around the pores of the egg, keeping bacteria and air from reaching the egg.

Store-bought eggs will not preserve this way because they are washed and lose their protective coating. Only waterglass farm-fresh eggs with intact shells that came directly from the coop and always cook them well before consumption.

3. HANG ONIONS IN OLD PANTYHOSE

This is a method I’ve seen recently, but it’s nothing new around our house. My mother does it and I’m pretty sure my grandmother did as well.

Slip one onion into the foot of a pair of pantyhose, then tie a knot in the pantyhose between the first and second onions. Continue slipping more onions onto the pantyhose, tying a knot after each one.

Hang in a cool, dry place and your onions will last up to 6 months. The trick is that each onion has its own mini-chamber for airflow.

Genius!

4. WRAP APPLES IN NEWSPAPER

Apples emit gases as they age, which encourages other apples to spoil. To maximize the storage life of your apples, wrap each one individually in newspaper.

Last year we received a bushel of free apples from a friend’s orchard. Being too tired to put in the work, I did NOT wrap them individually.

By Christmas, every single one was soft and brown. If stored individually-wrapped in a box in a cool area and checked weekly to remove any bad apples, you can keep apples in storage until March.

5. BRAID GARLIC FOR THE PANTRY

Once the necks of the garlic are dry, cure fresh garlic for two weeks and then braid the stalks together like pigtails. The garlic will be good for six to nine months without being refrigerated if you hang the braid in a dark pantry.

Just snip a head off whenever a recipe calls for it.

6. DRY HERBS UPSIDE DOWN IN BUNCHES

Once the dew has dried, cut the herbs and bundle them with twine. Then hang them upside down in a dark, dry area.

In two to three weeks, the leaves will dry and crumble easily. Strip them into jars so you can season your dishes year-round.

I started doing this every time I get home from the farmers market and have to deal with giant bunches of basil and parsley I can’t use before they go bad. Now I can’t bring myself to buy a $4 bottle of dried herbs.

The girls walk by the bundles of herbs hanging in the laundry room like that’s a normal thing. Which, in my house, it now is.

7. STORE POTATOES IN THE DARK (AND CURE THEM FIRST)

Potatoes should NEVER be stored next to onions. After harvesting, potatoes should be cured for two weeks in a dark, cool area so the skins will toughen.

Then, potatoes will keep for about 3 months instead of going bad in 2 weeks. Light turns them green and bitter.

Heat makes them sprout. Store them in a cardboard box, paper grocery bags, burlap sacks, etc.

Potatoes dislike light, warmth, and onions. No need for a root cellar, a basement, garage, or unheated pantry is fine.

8. MAKE SAUERKRAUT IN A CROCK

To make kraut: chop up a head of cabbage and mix it thoroughly with 1.5 tablespoons of salt. Pound with a meat tenderizer or wooden spoon to release the liquid, and there should be enough to cover the cabbage.

Put into a crock or large glass bowl or jar and cover with a plate to keep cabbage under the liquid. Cover the crock with a towel and let it sit on your counter for 2-4 weeks.

9. SALT-CURE BACON AT HOME

Cover a slab of pork belly in a mixture of kosher salt, brown sugar and pink curing salt, then leave it in the fridge for a week, turning it everyday. Rinse it off, cold-smoke it or fake it in the oven at a low temp and eat bacon for months to come.

For about nine bucks you can buy a package of bacon at the grocery store, but you’ll never eat another one after you try bacon you made yourself. Invest a weekend in bacon-curing and thank me later.

10. WAX-DIP CHEESE FOR AGING

Melt some food grade cheese wax in a double boiler and paint a thin coat over a block of sharp cheddar or gouda cheese. Then store it somewhere cool (basement, etc) and you’ll be amazed how much better your cheese will taste, how much longer it’ll last and how easy it is to prevent the growth of mold.

Cheeses stored this way will retain their moisture and develop in flavor for months (even years!) at a time.

11. CONFIT MEAT IN ITS OWN FAT

Confit is a preservation method where meats like duck legs, pork shoulders and chicken thighs are cooked in fat then stored under a blanket of fat to block out the air in the refrigerator. Simply scoop the cooked meat out of the pan and into a jar, cover them back up with the fat and store ’em in the refrigerator.

12. STORE BROWN SUGAR WITH A SLICE OF APPLE

Have you ever dug around in a hardened, compressed cube of brown sugar with a butter knife hoping to unearth enough for your banana bread recipe? If so, I pity you.

Instead, next time you notice your brown sugar has dried out, place a slice of apple or even bread in the container and seal it. The slice of apple will give up its moisture to the sugar and soften it right up, staying effective for weeks.

You’ll just have to replace the slice every couple of weeks or so. You’re welcome.

I wasted 35 years of my life before I learned this trick.

13. WRAP CELERY IN FOIL

The reason your celery goes limp in less than a week is because the plastic bag traps moisture while also restricting ethylene gas from escaping. For a crispier celery that can also last for a longer period of time, try wrapping your bunch in foil and put in the fridge.

This will keep it fresh for around 3-4 weeks.

I tried this out on a head of celery that I forgot about for two weeks, and it was still in great condition! The celery in the plastic bag next to it, however, had reached a level of sadness that I didn’t even think was possible for vegetables.

14. FREEZE NUTS TO STOP RANCIDITY

Nuts are loaded with natural oils which can turn rancid surprisingly quickly when they’re stored in a bowl in the pantry. The longer they’re kept at room temperature the worse this problem gets.

Refrigerating extends their lives but freezing them means you’ll be able to pull out a bag of pine nuts, pecans, almonds, or walnuts and use them long after their counter-top stashed counterparts have given up the ghost. I know this is true.

I’m a firm believer in freezing nuts now. Portion them into freezer bags so you can just take out as many as you need to bake with.

15. STORE FLOUR WITH A BAY LEAF

There are oils present in dried bay leaves that help to deter pesky flour weevils. By adding two or three of these leaves to bags of flour, sugar, or dried beans, you’ll be helping to ensure they remain weevil-free.

16. HANG CURED HAMS IN A COOL CELLAR

Hams get saltier the longer you keep them. The flavor of the salt does mellow after a couple days, but overall, the flavor is better the longer you leave them.

This is how country hams are made in the south. It’s basically the same process used to make Italian prosciutto.

17. PICKLE EGGS IN VINEGAR BRINE

Hard boil and peel eggs then submerge in a mixture of vinegar, water, salt, sugar, and seasonings. They get that adorable pink color and soak up all of the brine.

They’ll keep for 3-4 months in the refrigerator. Pickled eggs are a traditional lunchbox food, and were formerly a staple in dive bars.

18. LARD-SEAL COOKED MEAT (POTTED MEAT)

Cook meat and shred or slice. Pack into a jar or crock and cover with melted lard.

The lard will create an anaerobic seal when it cools and hardens, preserving the meat. This was a very popular way to stretch that Sunday roast until Thursday before refrigeration came along.

Serve on toast.

19. BURY CABBAGE HEADS IN THE GARDEN

This is an amazing method that has been used by folks for ages. Right before hard freezes, dig up cabbages (roots still attached), dig a shallow trench outside, place cabbages upside down, cover with straw, then cover with a tarp.

This method will keep your cabbages fresh for 2-3 months. The ground stays warmer than the air.

My grandmother did this every fall, and every year the neighbors were mystified as to how she still had fresh cabbages so much longer than they did. They must’ve thought she had a secret garden gnome.

20. SMOKE MEAT FOR THE LONG HAUL

Smoked meats include jerky, summer sausage, other sausages, and hams. Cold smoking is the process that adds that distinctive flavor and adds preserving properties that allow meats to last longer than usual.

Meat will be cured, usually with salt, and cold-smoked then can be kept to dry in a cool place for weeks or even months. My husband loves to smoke meats.

In fact, each fall, he likes to dedicate an entire weekend to the process.

21. STORE SQUASH IN A SINGLE LAYER

Winter squash such as butternut and acorn should be stored in a cool and dry place in which they will not touch one another. You can lay them on a shelf in your basement or pantry, making sure to place space between each squash.

If one starts to rot, and they are touching, the rot will spread quickly. If cured properly, winter squash can last 4 to 6 months.

This is what every farmhouse pantry had wooden shelves on the walls for. Squash needs space.

I lay mine out on the basement workbench like very lumpy guests at a dinner party.

I was going to title this, Store your teenage hand-me-downs in the basement in a single layer. But, alas, that won’t do for squash.

22. MAKE PEMMICAN

Pemmican is a mixture of pulverized, dried meat and fat, and sometimes dried berries, that was commonly eaten by fur traders and native peoples. It’s like an original protein bar and can be preserved for years.

23. KEEP A SPRINGHOUSE

This is my favorite. If you happen to have a spring on your property, you can build a small structure over the spring and utilize it for refrigeration.

Cold, 50-degree water runs through the springhouse year-round and helps keep items like crocks of butter, milk, cheese, etc. This is a common sight in older homesteads and some are still functional after 150 years.

My husband has been informed of my dream to have a springhouse someday.

24. STORE COOKIES WITH A SLICE OF BREAD

Have you ever wondered why cookies go stale? It’s because they lose their moisture.

To combat this, store cookies with a piece of bread in the cookie tin. The cookies will absorb the moisture from the bread.

The bread will get stale but your cookies will be extra soft and yummy. Replace the bread every few days.

My teens inhale cookies so fast that I think this hack might be unnecessary in my house.

25. LAYER BEETS IN SAWDUST

This is an old-fashioned way to store beets. But basically, you’ll be using wood shavings/saw dust that’s been moistened slightly to store your beets in wooden crates in a cold basement or root cellar.

Beets can be stored this way for 4-6 months and remain firm. We tend to think of beets as a throw away veggie long before their expiration date has actually been met.

26. CAN WITH A BOILING WATER BATH

Pickles, jams, salsas and fruits are high-acid foods which means that you can process them in jars in a boiling water bath and they’ll be good to pull from your shelf for a year or more. Once the ‘ping’ has been accomplished, which happens when the lid has been successfully sealed, your food is ready to join the mason jar brigade.

My grandmother had the coolest looking pantry ever with a whole wall of multi-colored mason jars. I’m working on mine now and will surely one day recreate her masterpiece.

27. PRESSURE CAN LOW-ACID FOODS

Meats, soups, beans, plain vegetables are examples of foods that are not acidic and cannot be preserved in a water bath canner. In order for canning to be successful, the process needs to kill off any bad botulism spores and that requires a higher temp than can be accomplished in a water bath canner.

A pressure canner achieves these higher temps (240 degrees) and your food is then good to be stored for years. I know pressure canning takes more effort, a special and expensive pot, but eating homemade chili in February is well worth it.

Now, who wants to come help me get my pressure canner out of the basement, where it’s sharing space with a pile of Amazon boxes?

28. KEEP APPLES AWAY FROM POTATOES (THE SPROUTING KILLER)

Potatoes are highly susceptible to ethylene gas given off by apples so keep them stored separately, and I use my garage as my root cellar, potatoes by the back door and apples by the freezer, otherwise those spuds will sprout more quickly and your apples will be less than stellar and a bit mealy.

29. DEHYDRATE FRUIT ON SCREENS

You can dehydrate apples, pears, peaches, plums and other fruits by laying the slices on screens/racks in the sun or in your oven set on a very low temperature. Store them in jars and enjoy them out of hand for a year.

They’re much more economical to make than to buy and you know there’s not any sugar, preservatives or mystery oil added. My kids will inhale a jar of dehydrated apples in two days.

30. STORE BUTTER IN SALT WATER (BUTTER CROCK)

If you’ve never used a butter crock, this is a game-changer. Basically, you keep the butter covered with a thin layer of salted cold water which creates an air barrier around the butter.

The bacteria doesn’t like the salty environment either. It’s amazing.

As long as there’s salted water over it, the butter will keep indefinitely, AND it’s always soft and spreadable. It costs twenty bucks, and ours lives on the counter all year.

It’s wonderful to be able to pull out the butter and not have it shred our bread because it’s been sitting in the refrigerator.

31. LACTO-FERMENT PICKLES IN A CROCK

This one’s a bit more complicated: basically, it’s an ancient method of pickling cucumbers where beneficial bacteria turn them sour and preserve them naturally, not through the use of vinegar and canning. They keep for months in the refrigerator and taste incredible, being way more interesting and brighter than the sad, shelf-stable kind from the store, and they’re loaded with gut-healthy live cultures.

All you need are cucumbers, brine, some dill and garlic and then you have to leave them be for weeks.

All of these ideas come down to the same concept: control the air, temperature, and humidity, and you can store foods longer than you’d imagine. That’s what your fridge does automatically, and for only about two weeks.

Using pantyhose for your onions, a leftover butter container, and adding bay leaves to your flour costs nothing and will last six months. Wrapping your celery in tin foil will keep it crisp.

Placing a piece of apple in your brown sugar will keep it from turning into a rock. There’s a container that will allow you to keep butter in a crock on your COUNTER.

These are all skills that have been (unfortunately) lost. Other foods can be stored for much longer periods of time by learning other preservation methods: canning, smoking, crock pot fermenting…these would be more appropriate as a weekend project and certainly take a bit of doing.

But they’re methods and skills that should be remembered and learned.

These old-fashioned food preservation hacks will definitely come in handy around our house this winter.

Traditional food preservation methods are easier than you’d think. You don’t even need a root cellar.

Try them out this fall and enjoy your food longer.

I have many acquaintances that shudder at the very thought of seasoning packets and paying the markup for them. Some of them have the following spice blends memorized and make them regularly at home.

All of them call for common, easy-to-find spices, not prepackaged spice mixes with lots of mystery ingredients. Mix up a batch, since they’re pennies to make, and keep them on hand.

They’ll keep for months if stored in an airtight container. Making them during your Sunday prep saves heaps of time and energy during the week.

Store-bought seasoning mixes are convenient, but it’s so easy to make your own at home. From fajita to pumpkin spice to curry powder, we’ve got recipes for all of them.

1. All-Purpose House Seasoning

2 tbsp garlic powder

2 tbsp onion powder

2 tbsp paprika

2 tbsp kosher salt

2 tbsp black pepper

Mix well. Store in an airtight container.

This is good for just about anything including eggs, potatoes, roasted vegetables, ground beef, etc.

2. Old-Fashioned Poultry Seasoning

1 tbsp each of dried sage, thyme and marjoram

2 tsp dried rosemary

1 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

Mix well. Store in an airtight container.

Use anywhere you would call for commercial poultry seasoning including recipes for chicken and turkey and in gravies and stuffings.

3. Homemade Chili Powder

2 tbsp paprika

1 tbsp ground cumin

1 tbsp garlic powder

1 tbsp onion powder

1 tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1/2 tsp black pepper

Stir well. Store in an airtight container.

Great in chili or as the basis for taco meat.

4. DIY Taco Seasoning

2 tbsp chili powder

1 tbsp ground cumin

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Stir well. Store in an airtight container.

Use 2 tbsp per pound of meat. Makes about the same as 4 packets of taco seasoning.

5. Old Bay-Style Seasoning

2 tbsp celery salt

1 tbsp paprika

1 tsp dry mustard powder

1 tsp black pepper

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1/4 tsp ground ginger

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

a pinch each of ground cinnamon, ground allspice, ground cloves, ground mace

Use it anytime you’d use Old Bay, especially on shrimp, crab, and fried potatoes.

6. Homemade Italian Seasoning

2 tbsp basil

2 tbsp oregano

1 tbsp thyme

1 tbsp rosemary

1 tbsp marjoram

1 tsp parsley

1 tsp garlic powder

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

Use on focaccia before baking, in meatballs, pasta sauce, pretty much anywhere you’d use the store-bought spice blend.

7. Old-Fashioned Onion Soup Mix

1 cup dried minced onion

1 tbsp onion powder

1 tbsp parsley flakes

2 tsp beef bouillon powder

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp black pepper

Use to make classic onion soup from scratch, or anywhere else you’d reach for a Lipton onion soup mix packet, where 3 Tbsp of the seasoning equals a packet. Also great in dips, casseroles, on a slow cooker roast, etc.

8. Homemade Ranch Seasoning

3 tbsp dried parsley

1 tbsp dried dill

1 tbsp garlic powder

1 tbsp onion powder

2 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp black pepper

Mix with sour cream for a simple and addictive dip. Also use to coat chicken, potatoes, etc. before roasting.

9. Classic Dry BBQ Rub

3 tbsp brown sugar

2 tbsp paprika

1 tbsp kosher salt

1 tbsp black pepper

1 tbsp garlic powder

1 tbsp onion powder

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp mustard powder

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

A basic rub that’s great on ribs and pork shoulder, although I’ve used it on chicken thighs, too.

10. Homemade Cajun Seasoning

2 tbsp paprika

1 tbsp garlic powder

1 tbsp onion powder

1 tbsp oregano

1 tbsp thyme

1 tbsp black pepper

1 tsp cayenne pepper

1 tsp salt

1 tsp white pepper

Great on chicken, seafood, vegetables, eggs, pretty much anything. Use it on Cajun chicken and rice.

Not super spicy.

11. Apple Pie Spice

4 tbsp cinnamon

2 tsp nutmeg

1 1/2 tsp allspice

1/8 tsp cloves

Great anywhere you’d reach for “cinnamon and spices.” Use it in apple pie, apple sauce, oatmeal, etc.

12. Pumpkin Pie Spice

3 tbsp cinnamon

2 tsp ground ginger

2 tsp nutmeg

1 1/2 tsp allspice

1 1/2 tsp ground cloves

Use on pumpkin pie, of course, but also pumpkin bread, muffins, latte, etc.

13. Homemade Lemon Pepper Seasoning

2 tbsp lemon zest powder or very finely ground dried lemon peel

2 tbsp black pepper

1 tbsp salt

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

Store in an airtight container. Great on fish and lighter dishes of chicken.

14. Old-Fashioned Pickling Spice

2 tablespoons of mustard seed

1 tablespoon coriander seed

1 tablespoon dill seed

1 tablespoon of whole allspice

1 tablespoon of peppercorns

1 teaspoon of cloves

1 teaspoon of ginger

1 cinnamon stick, small and broken into pieces

2 bay leaves, broken into pieces

Combine ingredients. Store in airtight container. Use 1-2 tablespoons of pickling spice per quart of brine. Great for making pickled cucumbers or pickled green beans, but also tasty when pickling eggs.

15. Homemade Fajita Seasoning

2 tbsp chili powder

1 tbsp paprika

1 tbsp ground cumin

1 tbsp garlic powder

1 tbsp onion powder

1 tsp ground oregano

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Mix all ingredients. Use on chicken for chicken fajitas. It’s also delicious on roasted peppers and onions. Store in airtight container.

16. Classic Steak Seasoning

2 tablespoons of kosher salt

1 tablespoon of coarse black pepper

1 tablespoon of garlic powder

1 tablespoon of onion powder

1 teaspoon of paprika

1 teaspoon of ground coriander

1/2 teaspoon of mustard powder

Combine ingredients and store in airtight container. Rub or press seasoning onto steaks, then let sit for about half an hour before cooking. Can also be used on burgers.

17. Old-Fashioned Curry Powder

2 tbsp coriander, ground

1 tbsp ground turmeric

1 tbsp ground cumin

2 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp mustard powder

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

1/4 tsp cayenne

Mix well and store in an airtight container. This is a mild curry spice blend that’s perfect for adding to rice, curries, etc.

18. Homemade Sloppy Joe Seasoning

2 tbsp brown sugar

1 tbsp chili powder

1 tbsp onion powder

1 tbsp garlic powder

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp mustard powder

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp ground black pepper

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Combine ingredients. Store in airtight container. This amount seasons a pound of ground beef. Also add tomato paste and a dash of Worcestershire sauce.

19. Old-Fashioned Celery Salt

3 tbsp celery seed

2 tbsp kosher salt

Mix well. Store in airtight container.

Celery seed should be finely ground before combining with salt. Store in an airtight container.

Try it on potato salad, deviled eggs or use it to salt the rim of a glass when making bloody marys.

20. Homemade Gingerbread Spice

2 tbsp ground cinnamon

1 tbsp ground ginger

1 tsp ground cloves

1 tsp ground allspice

1 tsp ground nutmeg

Shake well to combine. Use in gingerbread cookies, gingerbread quick breads or in your next batch of homemade granola.

21. Homemade Southwest Seasoning

2 tbsp chili powder

1 tbsp ground cumin

1 tbsp paprika

1 tbsp garlic powder

1 tbsp onion powder

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Shake well to combine. This seasoning has a bit less bite than taco seasoning and is a bit more smokey.

Use on chicken, roasted veggies, black beans, etc.

22. Old-Fashioned Popcorn Seasoning

2 tbsp nutritional yeast

1 tbsp parmesan cheese grated, or 1 tbsp of cheese powder

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp black pepper

Shake well to combine and sprinkle on buttered popcorn immediately after popping. Seasoning sticks best to fresh, hot, buttered popcorn.

For an easier version just mix together some salt, garlic powder and paprika.

23. Homemade Meatloaf Seasoning

1 tbsp onion powder

1 tbsp garlic powder

1 tbsp dried parsley flakes

1 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp dried sage

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp ground black pepper

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp mustard powder

Shake to combine. Add seasoning mix to two pounds of ground beef and continue adding egg, breadcrumbs, etc.

You can also use this spice blend in your homemade burgers.

24. Homemade Mulling Spice

2 cinnamon sticks, broken into smaller pieces

1 tbsp whole cloves

1 tbsp allspice berries

1 tbsp whole cardamom pods

1 tsp dried orange peel

1 tsp dried lemon peel

1 whole nutmeg, cracked

Combine and store in small jar. When ready to simmer apple cider add a few tablespoons of spices wrapped in cheesecloth and simmer for 20 minutes.

Remove spices before drinking.

25. Homemade All-Purpose Meat Rub

2 tbsp brown sugar

2 tbsp paprika

1 tbsp kosher salt

1 tbsp black pepper

1 tbsp garlic powder

1 tbsp onion powder

1 tsp mustard powder

1 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp ground cumin

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

You can make all of these rubs in less than ten minutes and they’ll keep for months if you store them in airtight jars in your spice cabinet. There’s one rub I think is fantastic on anything, including chicken, pork, beef, etc.

The difference between a meal that’s cheap and boring versus one that’s enjoyable comes down to seasoning. Start with a “house seasoning” and make a few international rubs based on the foods you like to cook.

We’re pretty sure that while some “old last day of school traditions” may have been better left in the past, many are worth reviving. These days it seems that parents are more apt to print out a cute chalkboard to hang in their kid’s face or send them off with this sweet paper countdown, but we’re here to tell you about traditions that required NO planning, NO props and NO advance arrangement.

Those adorable exit doors? Yep, kids sprinted through them with gusto.

We’re pretty sure these tried & true traditions have lost steam and shine in recent years, but we’d be shocked if there was a kid alive that DIDN’T love doing these things. Sometimes the classics are classics for a reason.

They’re simple, easy, effective, fun, relevant to all generations and require no effort.

1. WALKING HOME INSTEAD OF GETTING PICKED UP

There were no tracking apps and no line of parents waiting by the curb to scoop their child up and drive them home. We were free.

And not just for the rest of the afternoon, for the next three months.

2. SIGNING EACH OTHER’S T-SHIRTS WITH A SHARPIE

Remember the last day of school? The excitement?

The freedom? The knowledge that summer was HERE?

You’d put on a plain, white tee-shirt and pass it around the classroom to have everyone write their name and a little doodle if they wanted on them. We may not always get yearbooks but they were never as nostalgic and treasured as your very own classmate-signed shirt that you wore to bed for the entire time during the summer.

3. THE TEACHER LETTING YOU WATCH A MOVIE THE LAST WEEK

In the last week of school, worksheets were tossed aside and teachers would bring in the TV cart and allow us to watch Homeward Bound, Beethoven or The Sandlot. The lights would be turned down and we’d settle in.

It was glorious.

4. CLEANING OUT YOUR LOCKER AND CARRYING IT ALL HOME

All of your possessions that you shoved into your locker in September and forgot about came out on the last day of school. Your sweatshirt that you haven’t needed since October.

Your half-used notebooks. Things you’ve completely forgotten existed.

You’d cram it all into your backpack or tote and carry it all home, smelling of forgotten items that had possibly started to rot. It was a badge of honor.

5. TRADING PHONE NUMBERS ON NOTEBOOK PAPER

We’d scramble and trade numbers, which we’d dutifully write down on a piece of notebook paper and fold up, as we ran out of class before the final bell rang.

6. ICE CREAM RIGHT AFTER SCHOOL

Whether we made it to an ice cream shop walking home, waited by the curb for the ice cream truck, raced into Dairy Queen piled into each minivan we could get into or stole a forgotten, hastily-unwrapped bar from our own freezers, ice cream was the only thing on our minds.

7. RUNNING OUT THE FRONT DOORS WHEN THE BELL RANG

Lockers banging shut, backpacks being chucked aside and us running out of the front doors SCREAMING our heads off and running into each other in the yard and school parking lot. It was glorious.

8. STAYING OUTSIDE UNTIL IT GOT DARK THAT FIRST NIGHT

Somehow our parents gave us an extra-special pass on curfews that very first night of summer break. Maybe some of us played games in the street, maybe some of us congregated on porches, maybe some of us rode our bikes around the neighborhood.

Whatever we were doing, it was glorious and carefree. We played or rode around the block until the streetlights came on, maybe even a little after.

9. A CLASSROOM PARTY WITH HOMEMADE FOOD

Somehow, and we’ll never know how or why, there was a party in our classroom. Someone’s mom had made Rice Krispies Treats and there were bags of potato chips and two-liter bottles of soda.

There were no waivers or permission slips for food-related activities, no one was allergic to anything and nobody questioned why there was a pile of potato chips sitting on top of the teacher’s desk. We danced around to popular tunes for forty-five glorious minutes.

It’s hard to imagine such parties happening in classrooms today, considering all the food-related restrictions, permission slips and consent forms, complete with multiple rules and regulations, that come with any type of food-related event today.

10. PROMISING TO WRITE LETTERS OVER THE SUMMER

Before we left that very last day we exchanged addresses and promised that we’d write letters during the summer and catch up on everything. Most of us forgot all about it.

But some of us wrote letters, for weeks, months, years.

11. THE NEIGHBORHOOD BIKE RIDE THAT FIRST AFTERNOON

The summer stretched out ahead of us, infinite, promising, full of adventure. It was going to be an awesome summer.

We just knew it.

12. MAKING SUMMER PLANS WITH FRIENDS FACE TO FACE

There was no group text. If you wanted to do anything together this summer, you made those plans in person on the last day of school.

“Let’s meet at the pool on Tuesday,” “Come over Thursday morning.” “We’re doing fireworks at my grandparents’ house.” It’s incredible to me that anyone remembered all of these plans. But you did.

And if you didn’t, well, tough luck. There was no text thread you could go back and check.

Making plans took commitment, intentionality.

13. STAYING UP LATE BECAUSE IT WAS FINALLY SUMMER

Summer vacation’s first night was special. You could stay up an hour later than normal, your parents graciously informed you as you climbed into bed.

No one was going to drag you out of bed in the morning. That meant you could stay up as long as you wanted.

You might stay up later than you’d been permitted to. You might stay up reading or watching television or just staring at the wall, enjoying your freedom.

14. THE SUMMER READING LIST FROM THE LIBRARY

Some kids signed up for summer reading at their local branch of the public library. It was nice and air-conditioned in there, and there was a big fluffy carpeted area for babies and toddlers.

Summer reading lists didn’t require applications and had no repercussions for not completing them, and were not required for entrance into the next grade the following September. And they didn’t award points.

15. TELLING YOUR TEACHER YOU’D MISS THEM — AND MEANING IT

You’ll pull up a chair to her desk on your way out and tell your teacher you’ll miss them, and mean it. Teachers rarely received an online shout-out or formal evaluation from their students, so they were left to rely on memory to know who truly meant it.

16. RIDING YOUR BIKE TO SCHOOL ON THE LAST DAY

It’s OK to race. In fact, everyone does.

You make it home just as fast as you can because your backpack contains every item that used to reside in your locker. It’s a mad dash down the streets and bike paths.

17. WATCHING THE CLOCK DURING THE LAST PERIOD

No matter what’s being taught, somewhere around noon all bets are off. All of a sudden, all 40 sets of eyes in the classroom fixated on the second hand on the clock.

If the teacher’s gaze falls in our direction, everyone will loudly count down the final 10 minutes and sigh in unison as the hand reaches 12. Summer has begun.

18. GETTING YOUR REPORT CARD AND IMMEDIATELY LOSING IT

After all that staring at clocks, you’re going to be receiving report cards today. About half the kids in your graduating class will somehow manage to lose theirs before they get home.

But, honestly, grades aren’t going to matter today. It’s the amount of days attended that’s going to impress your parents.

You made it.

19. SCRAMBLING TO RETURN LIBRARY BOOKS BEFORE THE DEADLINE

Out of nowhere, you remember that you have some library books you need to return. Somehow, you’ve been holding onto up to four of those babies for months.

Luckily, it’s the last day and the librarian is feeling extra jolly. She scans them in without blinking and wishes you happy summer without charging a dime.

20. THE TEACHER READING ALOUD ONE LAST TIME

Whether it’s something she’s been reading every Friday or a short story she’s been saving especially for today, your teacher is going to read aloud to you one last time. Maybe it’s been every day after lunch.

Whatever it is, you’re going to remember it as she draws it to a close and it’s weirdly silent in the room.

21. EMPTYING YOUR DESK INTO A PAPER GROCERY BAG

Summer means emptying out your desk. It’s important that it’s a paper grocery bag.

Elementary-aged students were given grocery bags to pack up anything they wanted to take home from their desks. Glue sticks, old tests, crayon stubs, random erasers, etc.

Moms sat at kitchen tables going through these bags of items and throwing most of it away.

22. STOPPING AT THE CORNER STORE ON THE WALK HOME

There was no ceremony involved, it was just an opportunity to celebrate that it was the last day. Students would stop in on the walk home either individually or together and buy whatever they wanted: a bag of chips, a candy bar, a drink, etc.

I don’t know what they spent, probably a dollar or two or their remaining pocket change.

23. THE TEACHER GIVING OUT CANDY AT THE END

Teachers would leave a bowl of cheap grocery store candy like Starbursts, Dum Dums, and Jolly Ranchers by the door as kids exited for the last time. It was a cute way for teachers and students to say goodbye to each other for the summer.

24. SKIPPING THE AFTER-SCHOOL ROUTINE ENTIRELY

There is NO homework to be done on the last day of school. There are no nagging parents saying things like “go do your homework” or “you should start studying for your upcoming exam.” There’s no after-school activities/practices to attend and no tutors to call and cancel.

It’s one afternoon, ONE, where kids can relax and enjoy themselves without worry.

25. SIGNING YEARBOOKS IN THE HALLWAY BETWEEN CLASSES

The last day of school was devoted to collecting signatures from all of your classmates, teachers, school janitors and cafeteria workers in your yearbook. As classes changed throughout the day, you raced down the halls and begged or demanded signatures.

It was an exercise of status and popularity. The kid with the completely-filled yearbook was popular while the kid with the empty yearbook left countless opportunities on the table.

26. FIELD DAY THE WEEK BEFORE AS THE REAL KICKOFF

While the last day of school marked the end of the school year, it wasn’t a particularly exciting affair. But that’s OK.

After all, we survived Field Day the week prior and were too exhausted and sunburned from parachutes, relay races in the grass and water balloons to muster excitement for another day. Field Day was our real kick-off party into summer.

27. MAKING A POPSICLE RUN WITH THE NEIGHBORHOOD KIDS

Either we pooled our pennies together and made a run to the corner store to purchase popsicles or a neighborhood mom had popsicles waiting for us on her porch. Either way, we sat on curbsides, driveways, front porches or lawns eating popsicles with neighborhood kids and contemplating all of the fun we were going to have during our break.

28. THE LAST DAY WALK AROUND THE BUILDING WITH YOUR FRIENDS

Especially in 8th grade and your senior year of high school, there’s that sense of closure on the last day of school. It’s a quiet, contemplative walk through the halls and cafeteria.

Peers hug goodbye and look through lockers one last time.

29. CALLING YOUR BEST FRIEND THE SECOND YOU GOT HOME

Once you made it home from school, whether by foot, bike, school bus or your dad’s pickup truck, you rushed in, closed the door and grabbed the telephone to call your best friend and ask if she was coming over. Depending on the mercy of each individual parent, you’d either get in trouble after ten minutes for staying on the phone too long or be dragged away from the receiver several hours later.

30. FALLING ASLEEP THAT NIGHT THINKING ABOUT THE WHOLE SUMMER AHEAD

Summer vacation starts off with that night spent staring at the ceiling contemplating everything you want to happen before September rolls around. For one magical night, we escaped bedtime, homework and alarm clocks.

My gaze then wandered back down the shelf and landed on a box of stale saltine crackers and a jar of peanut butter that expired in 2022.

It was a humbling moment for me to say the least. We got through the storm.

We always do. But it made me realize that Iowa weather, especially in the Winter and Spring, can be extremely fickle.

We needed to be better prepared for emergencies in case we weren’t able to get out of the house.

Emergencies are scary. Emergencies can be a weather event, financial, even a loss of employment.

Emergencies are the times that you can’t leave the house, can’t make it to the grocery store and money is tight. Emergencies are unpredictable.

But if you’re prepared, have an emergency food pantry, it makes dealing with an emergency a whole lot easier and helps us feel like we’re retaining our sanity and dignity.

I’m going to share with you my emergency food pantry items that we always keep on hand. You’re not going to find buckets of freeze-dried, military-style MREs here.

Nope. Nor will you find 50-gallon buckets of wheat berries.

No sirree. What you WILL find is a list of common grocery store items that we purchase on a regular basis anyway that will be eaten by my family and not tossed aside if we had to rely on our emergency pantry.

So here is my Emergency Food Pantry list…

1. White Rice

Properly stored in a food-grade bucket, white rice has a shelf-life of about 25 years. Rice is an inexpensive and versatile food.

It can be added to salads, soups, stir-fries, used in casseroles and so much more. I’d recommend a 20 pound bag to ensure your family will be well-fed.

2. Dried Pasta

This is another item that is easy to keep on hand as it lasts a long time as long as you have a few pounds in rotation so you use it before it goes bad, is inexpensive and will be embraced by your children without complaint. Have a couple of different shapes on hand such as penne, spaghetti, and rotini, to help ward off dinnertime despair.

3. Rolled Oats

Rolled oats will last up to 2 years in an emergency. They can be used for hot cereal, baking, adding to your own granola recipes and can stretch your ground meat.

It’s more economical and creates less trash to purchase a large canister than individual packets.

4. All-Purpose Flour

You can make so many things from scratch using AP Flour including breads, pancakes, biscuits, etc. It makes a good coating for meats if you’re doing some frying, can be used to thicken gravies, soups and more.

Keep in an airtight container, like a bin with the flour in a bag, to keep out bugs and protect from humidity.

5. Cornmeal

Cornmeal will last about a year if you store it in an airtight container. You can use it to make cornbread, polenta*, thicken soups, make batters, etc. *In case you’ve never had polenta my husband had two bowls back in February.

Neither my husband nor I had ever had it before, but he devoured it. It’s very hearty and filling.

6. Instant Mashed Potatoes

Another item that’s versatile and lasts a long time. All you need is hot water to prepare a quick and filling meal.

You can also use these to thicken soups or stews if needed. They last several years so make sure to have some of these on hand.

Add some canned butter or some powdered milk for a tasty treat.

7. Crackers

I know crackers may not sound like an emergency food to some, but I’m sure you’d be happy to have a few of these stashed away in case of an emergency. These can be used as a bread alternative, dipped in peanut butter (another pantry staple), layered with canned fish, etc.

They are a comfort item and would be welcomed when times are lean. Have an assortment of crackers including buttery rounds, saltines, whole grain, etc.

Just like with peanut butter these will eventually go stale due to the amount of fat so make sure to check the expiration dates on your emergency stash.

8. Canned Tuna

High protein

No cooking required

Can be stored under normal conditions for 2-5 years

I know that canned tuna isn’t exactly exciting, but when your teenagers are willing to eat canned tuna straight from the can, you know that item belongs in your emergency food pantry. Use it straight from the can, pile it onto a cracker, add it to a salad, or layer it over pasta.

It’s quick, easy, and nutritious.

9. Canned Chicken

I know that canned chicken has a bad rap, but I’m telling you, once you try it, you’ll be converted. It’s one of the quickest, easiest sources of protein out there.

Add it to a casserole, a soup, a pasta dish or eat it on a cracker with some hot sauce. Keep a few (I suggest 4-6) cans of chicken in the pantry and I promise you’ll be thankful you did.

High protein

Lasts for several years in pantry

10. Canned Salmon

This one’s a little more expensive than its counterpart, canned tuna, but it has similar storage guidelines and lasts just as long. Plus, canned salmon is an amazing source of calcium and omega-3’s.

Use it in salmon patties, toss it into salads, stir it into pasta, or just enjoy it with some crackers.

High protein

Great source of omega-3’s

Lasts several years

11. Canned Beans

Canned beans are an inexpensive source of protein and an incredibly versatile item to keep on hand. Add them to tacos, toss them onto a salad, throw them into a soup or stir them into rice.

Kidney beans, chickpeas, black beans, pinto beans, navy beans…the list goes on and on. Stock up on canned beans and you’ll never worry about getting enough fiber and protein.

Inexpensive source of protein

No soaking required

Lasts several years

12. Dried Lentils

Lentils are an inexpensive, about two dollars a bag, versatile, high-protein item that can be added to an amazing number of dishes. Use lentils in taco filling, toss them into soups and stews or add them to pasta sauce.

Unlike other dried beans, lentils don’t need to be soaked. Just give them a rinse and cook them for 20 minutes and you’re ready to eat.

Store them in a tight-sealed container and they’ll last a year.

High protein

Inexpensive

Versatile

13. Peanut Butter

Peanut butter. It’s such an easy one.

It lasts up to two years in the pantry though it just needs to be refrigerated once it’s opened, it’s full of healthy fats and protein, and it’s one of the rare emergency items that can be eaten by the spoonful, straight from the container. Keep at least two or three big jars on hand.

14. Canned Tomatoes

Whether in the form of diced, crushed, or otherwise chopped-up tins, canned tomatoes are one of the best sources of flavor and nutrition on a budget. They last 2-5 years on the pantry shelf and can be added to a number of meals, from a quick pasta sauce to soups to chili to a shakshuka to a quick braise over some other source of protein.

I always have at least a dozen cans of diced or crushed tomatoes in my pantry at any given time.

15. Canned Tomato Paste

Similarly to canned tomatoes, canned tomato paste, which only takes a couple tablespoons to liven up a drab plate of pasta or rice, lasts several years and comes in teeny, tiny tins, meaning you can tuck a bunch of them away in a crack in the pantry.

16. Canned Corn

If you’re anything like my kids, you probably already love corn. It’s one of the few foods that can be considered a side dish on its own, simply heat and add some butter, but can also be tossed into a number of dishes like soups, rice, chili, and tacos.

Because it fits into so many recipes, it’s a pantry item that will get rotated in and out of your emergency supply easily.

17. Canned Green Beans

I can’t think of a better use of emergency prep money than canned green beans. They last for years, cost next to nothing, and are one of the only sources of actual veggies that will store well on the pantry shelf for an emergency situation.

Who wants to live on starches and protein for days upon days? Morale would plummet.

18. Canned Fruit

And I’m not just talking about fruit snacks, although those are always a hit with my kids. During tough times, teens’ food expectations are pretty basic, so a ‘real treat’ will go a long way.

Consider canned pears, peaches, mandarin oranges, pineapple… any fruit will do. Not only are they a morale booster, they’re also loaded with vitamin C and sugar.

19. Canned Coconut Milk

Canned Coconut Milk can be stored for 18 months to 2 years and is a great addition to an emergency food pantry. This tasty ingredient is a favorite of those who are dairy-free because it adds a nice, creamy texture to dishes.

Try using coconut milk in soups, rice dishes and curries. It’s delicious stirred into oatmeal, too.

Adding coconut milk to your emergency food storage is an easy way to jazz up meals that can be made using emergency supplies.

20. Canned Soup

Plain ol’ chicken noodle soup, minestrone, tomato, you-name-it soup will be welcomed during an emergency. Especially if there’s a pot of it, nice and hot, waiting to be eaten.

Add some rice or pasta to make it a more substantial meal. One of the best things about adding canned soup to an emergency food storage is that you can eat it on a regular basis to keep the supply fresh.

21. Chicken or Vegetable Bouillon Cubes

Another item on the list of foods to stock up on for an emergency are bouillon cubes. Just add hot water to make a tasty chicken or vegetable broth that can be used to make gravies, sauces, soups or added to rice or pasta dishes.

Bouillon Cubes keep for two years and take up very little storage space.

22. Soy Sauce

Soy Sauce adds an earthy umami flavor to rice, noodle dishes, meat dishes, stir fries, marinades and more. Stock up on soy sauce and use it to enhance dishes made with your emergency supplies so dinner will be a meal, and not just rations.

An unopened bottle of soy sauce will keep for years. Once opened, soy sauce will keep on the pantry shelf for months.

23. Hot Sauce

Hot sauce will last 3-5 years in an unopened container and several months after it is opened without being stored in the fridge. Eating the same foods day after day during an emergency would be a challenge and a hot sauce would help.

Tabasco, Frank’s and Cholula are great additions to your emergency pantry.

24. Salt

Believe it or not, salt is an item that many home preppers overlook. Meals made with canned or preserved foods do not taste very good without it.

Salt is an absolute necessity to cook and prepare basic foods. Iodized salt is very inexpensive and will never expire.

Keep at least 2 large containers of salt in your food storage at all times.

25. Sugar

Sugar is another item that lasts indefinitely as long as it’s stored in an airtight container. Sugar is a pantry item that can be used for so much besides just sweetening your morning cup of coffee.

Baking, sweetening hot oatmeal, preserving foods and making simple syrups are just a few of the items that require a supply of sugar in your pantry. Sugar also lifts the spirits when life becomes difficult and your emergency sugar stash will come in handy if you decide to bake a batch of sugar cookies or make a single-serving cake in a mug.

Keep at least 5 lbs of sugar on hand at all times.

26. Honey

Honey also lasts forever. Archaeologists have discovered pots of honey that are more than 3,000 years old in Egyptian tombs and the honey is still edible.

Honey can be used to sweeten drinks, replace sugar in many baked goods, soothe a sore throat and can be used to treat wounds. Having a large container of honey in your emergency food pantry is a great idea especially if you can work through what you have on hand before it’s needed which would keep the supply fresh and organic.

27. Vegetable Oil or Canola Oil

You can’t cook without fat! Vegetable or canola oil is inexpensive and very versatile.

It’s great for frying, baking, sautéing and making salad dressings. Oil has a shelf life of 1-2 years.

Keep at least 1 large container in your pantry at all times and replace it once it’s been opened.

28. Olive Oil

Olive oil lasts about 18 months to 2 years, depending on the bottle, and adds so much more flavor to food. Use it for a finishing oil, simple vinaigrettes, roasting veggies, drizzled over pasta…the options are endless.

29. Apple Cider Vinegar

A few bottles of apple cider vinegar only cost a few dollars at most grocery stores and will last almost indefinitely. ACV is the base for many salad dressings, enhances soups and sauces, rinses hair, helps with digestion, and cleans.

This inexpensive item is incredibly useful.

30. Baking Powder and Baking Soda

If you have flour, sugar, oil, and baking powder, you have pancakes. Add baking soda and a splash of vinegar and you have cake.

BP and BS are the items that will take your emergency foods from “we have food” to “we have meals” status. Baking soda also cleans, deodorizes, and scrubs for little to no cost.

31. Powdered Milk

Powdered milk isn’t glamorous, but can last anywhere from 2-10 years depending on storage. It’s nice to have on hand in case of an emergency for baking, in a bowl of cereal, added to coffee, etc.

We love having some on hand for snowy days for cereal. It’s a great addition to oatmeal, macaroni and cheese, baked goods, and cream soups.

32. Evaporated Milk

Like powdered milk, canned evaporated milk is an easy, economical item to add to your pantry. The shelf-life is only about 1 year, but you’ll be surprised how versatile evaporated milk is compared to powdered.

We keep a 6 pack in our pantry and use them in soups and sauces, baked goods, mashed potatoes…any recipe that calls for milk or even heavy cream. Having a six-pack in the pantry makes it easy to rotate them out into everyday items.

33. Coffee and Tea

Coffee and tea is a morale-booster. Store coffee in an airtight container in your freezer for longevity.

Freeze tea bags as well. We use a couple of mason jars to keep tea and coffee in the freezer.

We rotate out coffee/tea as needed.

If there was a fire and you could save one item from your food storage, coffee or food, what would you save? Coffee, obviously.

Coffee has many health benefits including calming nerves and reducing stress. During an extended stay-at-home period coffee would be my grounding item of normalcy and sanity.

Stock up on coffee, tea, anything. Tea will keep YEARS and coffee MONTHS.

Check your pantries. Chances are you have tea way past its expiration and coffee that is a couple of months past its prime.

Stock up on more.

34. Multivitamins

Depending on the foods you’re eating during an emergency situation they may not always be the most nutritious. This is where multivitamins can help.

Have a bottle in your emergency food pantry but remember to change that bottle out yearly. Remember, perfection has gone out the window during an emergency, your goal is simply to keep your family fed, healthy, and functioning.

35. Comfort Food, Whatever That Means for Your Family

This item doesn’t necessarily have to be nutritious but is necessary for morale. Each family should have at least one item in their emergency food pantry guidelines list that’s dedicated to morale.

In our family it would be brownie mix, Nutella, or microwave popcorn. It could be candy, a favorite breakfast cereal, Nutella, whatever brings a smile to your family’s face during a trying circumstance.

Don’t knock anyone for keeping a couple of these items in their pantry because it’s priceless to hand one of these goodies to your child who has gone through hardships. It will mean so much more to them than the item’s actual worth.

And then there’s that day that an ice storm hits out of the blue. Are you going to be glad you have a well-stocked emergency food supply?

Or are you going to wish you had something besides expired peanut butter? Which one of those do WE want to be?

Building a well-stocked emergency food supply does NOT have to happen in one shopping trip. In fact, that’s not what we’re encouraging at all.

That would be a lot like panic-buying or hoarding. Each time you go to the grocery store, pick up a couple items from the checklist.

Next time maybe pick up 5. Maybe another trip you’ll pick up 10 items.

Little-by-little, those shelves in your pantry are going to be FILLED with great items.

Emergencies happen…chaos happens…jobs get affected…storms happen…be READY. Your household CAN be self-sufficient.

I hope this list of inexpensive and helpful items gives you some ideas on what to add to your pantry.

Especially in the kitchen. Somehow, meals were prepared and families were fed.

With nary an excess of pots and pans and very little waste.

And in our own kitchens today, facing sky-high grocery bills and crazy schedules, those lessons from grandma’s kitchen are worth remembering. Especially now that those infamous questions begin: What’s for dinner?!?!?!?!, despite standing smack-dab in front of an open fridge.

Here are just a few grandma’s kitchen strategies that I try to follow:

1. Clean As You Cook

After mixing up that batch of banana bread, grandma washed out that bowl right away. Wiped down the counter.

Put away the flour, sugar, butter, vanilla. All while the bread was baking.

By the time the timer went off, there wasn’t much of a mess to clean up. And when I don’t follow this strategy, my kitchen starts to resemble the aftermath of a cooking competition.

You know…with someone screaming, CHOPPAHHH!!

2. Keep a Pot of Soup Going

In days gone by, there was always a pot of soup on the stove. Into this forgiving dish went leftover broth, potatoes, rice, legumes, vegetables, meat.

Whatever needed using up. It saved money and energy.

Answered the eternal what’s for lunch? And eliminated trips to the market.

And even though I am not always successful at keeping a pot of soup on the stove, it’s such a time and energy saver when it is simmering away. Especially when hubby and the teens think I spent hours preparing it.

Which, um…I didn’t. But they think it’s nice.

And that’s what counts.

3. Save Bacon Grease

You will always find a little glass jar in grandma’s fridge. Holding precious bacon grease.

Used to make eggs, cornbread, potatoes, vegetables…delicious. I do the same.

And try to remember to bring said jar out when cooking said delectable fare.

Bacon grease takes perfectly acceptable food and makes it delicious. My grandmas always kept some on hand for sprinkling into recipes, and now, you can even buy it at the grocery store in a jar.

4. Always Have Pantry Staples

Flour, rice, beans, pasta, canned tomatoes, broth, potatoes, eggs, oats, etc. When the basic necessities are in place, it’s easier to save money and not have to make mad-dash grocery store runs.

It’s easier to avoid impulse purchases when you’re not stressed out about missing items.

5. Use Leftovers Creatively

Have some extra chicken? Throw together a casserole or simmer a soup.

Mashed potatoes? Make some potato cakes.

Bread getting a little too crunchy? Croutons or bread pudding.

Getting creative with leftovers reduces waste in your kitchen. My family either eats what’s left or I’ll package some for a quick and easy lunch.

Nothing goes to waste – somebody’s midnight snack always benefits.

6. Keep the Counters Clear

Grandmas always kept their counters pretty clear. It’s much easier to make your way around a kitchen when the counters are cleared off, not to mention, you actually have space to prepare food when necessary.

And it just puts a damper on the whole hectic attitude in a kitchen. Give yourself permission to spend five minutes clearing off the counters of cups and snack wrappers and mail – trust me – your kitchen will seem less chaotic.

7. Bake Simple Things From Scratch

If you have the necessary ingredients on hand, it’s easy to whip up some simple muffins or biscuits or pancakes or cookies. Not only do they smell wonderful, they’ll save you money.

Nothing beats homemade treats, and you’ll never again be able to look at store-bought versions the same way.

8. Dry Dishes While You Cook

There’s something relaxing and productive about wiping down dishes as they accumulate in the sink. It’s such a simple thing to do, but it saves so much time later on.

Try it!

9. Use What You Have First

Older generations took inventory of what they had on hand before hitting the grocery store. Meals were planned around what was on hand rather than planning meals and buying everything needed for the week.

Food waste was frowned upon and avoided.

Save yourself some cash and take inventory of your refrigerator, freezer, and pantry. Check the freezer, especially, before heading to the store.

You might be surprised by what’s already stashed away and ready to pull out for dinner.

10. Keep a Kitchen Towel Nearby

Having a towel within arm’s reach comes in really handy while cooking. Use it for wiping spills, drying hands, grabbing a hot pan, etc.

My family goes through paper towels like there’s no tomorrow, so I’m trying to find ways to curb our use. Having a few kitchen towels on hand is one way we’re working on cutting back.

11. Prep Ingredients Before Cooking

Have you ever felt a surge of panic halfway through a recipe because you’re unsure if you’ve added an ingredient? Or perhaps you’re unsure if a recipe calls for cups of chopped onion or teaspoons?

Preparing all your ingredients before firing up the burners eliminates confusion and unnecessary trips to the pantry. It makes cooking simpler, easier, and less stressful.

12. Save Glass Jars

Before other fancy storage containers were made, leftover food was stashed in glass jars. Those same jars were also used to store cooking grease, dry goods, homemade salad dressings, and more.

Glass jars are sturdy, easy to see through, and can be used again and again.

13. Make Big Batches

Grandma’s generation was frugal, which extended to mealtime. Casseroles, soups, and chilis were made in abundance to last more than one day.

Making a batch of spaghetti sauce might have meant there was soup or chili in their near future, too.

No matter what dish you’re cooking, consider making extra. You’ll be thankful later on for having something on hand.

Cooking a meal once so you can eat it twice is a lot like winning the lottery, and it is a dream come true. You’re saving money AND time.

14. Keep Fruit Visible

Grandmas understood the power of keeping fruit and other healthy foods easily accessible. Leave a bowl of fruit out on the counter, and you’ll be amazed how much more fruit and other healthy snacks your family will eat!

Despite being able to smell a bag of chips in the closet, three rooms away, my teens still somehow manage to miss the bowl of bananas on the counter. Adults, too.

15. Start Dinner Early

Did you need to pull out some meat to thaw in the fridge or chop some veggies for dinner? Do it earlier in the day, when you have more time and aren’t stressed.

You’ll be grateful you got it done when you’re making dinner at 5:30, before everyone gets hungry and cranky.

16. Keep Meals Simple

Grandmas didn’t worry about perfection, because they wanted to feed the family, not win any cooking awards. Meals were often a meat, a couple of veggies, potatoes, bread.

Soup. Casseroles.

Pasta. Life has gotten quite a bit more complicated in the realm of cooking, and we’re lucky to have so many options, but does it really need to be so?

Who needs twelve ingredients and garnishes you can’t eat?!

17. Label Leftovers

Previous generations were less likely to have leftovers because there were fewer options in their pantries, but when there were leftovers, they kept track. If you’ve got leftovers, label them with the date and toss them in the fridge.

That way you’ll know which one has to be eaten first. Ignoring your leftovers leads to refrigerator management issues like those crazy science experiments in the back.

18. Sweep the Kitchen Every Night

Did your grandma ever let the kitchen get dirty? Nope.

The floor was swept every night to avoid attracting any pesky bugs and keep the kitchen in tip-top shape. It’s amazing walking into a swept, organized kitchen every morning; your whole day starts out a lot less chaotic.

If you have little ones or a pet like Gigi who drops crumbs and sheds like crazy, sweeping every day is key.

19. Freeze Extra Food Before It Goes Bad

Older generations were much better at using their freezers effectively. Freezing fruit, meats, vegetables, leftovers, soups – anything – saved time and money.

Try stocking up on something, even bread, and putting it away – just be sure to label it, to avoid any “What on earth is this?” situations later.

20. Keep a Few “Emergency Meals” Ready

On those crazy, hectic, totally unexpected days that happen to me more than I’d like, it’s nice to be able to whip up a basic, simple meal that won’t take too much thought or effort. A basic pasta dish, a casserole or crock pot dish from ingredients already in the pantry, some canned soup, grilled cheese sandwiches or eggs and toast – some sort of simple food that’s easy to whip up will save a ton of money, since ordering takeout isn’t exactly budget-friendly.

21. Taste Food While Cooking

Soups, sauces, stews, casseroles, basically any dish that calls for a variety of seasoning can benefit from “taste tests” throughout the cooking process. Grandmothers never really worried about exact measurements of salt and pepper – they just made sure the food tasted the way it should.

22. Keep the Sink Empty When Possible

I’m not always successful at this, but emptying out the sink each night really helps the kitchen feel more orderly, and it eliminates one of those little stresses when getting up in the morning. It’s easier to tackle smaller piles of dishes, so if it’s at all feasible to get through them before bed, it’s a habit worth implementing.

23. Use Real Plates for Everyday Meals

Paper plates and plastic utensils can be fine for company or special circumstances, but everyday meals are far more enjoyable and less wasteful when eaten off actual dishes and with real utensils. It’s another way to make mealtime more special and give it a bit of importance.

24. Keep Homemade Food Ready for Snacking

Commercially prepared snacks are convenient and tasty, but it’s much more budget-friendly to whip up healthy snacks that will store well – muffins, hard-cooked eggs, fruit, veggie sticks, soups, cookies, casseroles, you name it. Pulling out a few veggies and chopping them up can keep them fresher and more readily available for snacking throughout the week.

Preparing food and snacks ahead of time can make hectic days much easier. How often have you stood in the middle of your own kitchen declaring there was “nothing to eat” when there’s plenty to eat all around you?!

25. Sit Down and Eat Together

Older generations were much more intentional about eating together. The food itself wasn’t nearly as important as eating together.

They understood that the kitchen is the heart of a home and the table is a place to come together, connect, and make memories. It doesn’t have to be perfect and it doesn’t always mean you’ll have plenty of uninterrupted time together, but take advantage of the times you can sit down and enjoy something together, phones, crumbs, pets, dirty dishes, and all.

It might be the best use of your time in your busy home.

In addition to being veteran cooks, previous generations were forward-thinkers. They saved time, avoided kitchen mishaps, and cooked delicious meals because they implemented these nifty tricks into their weekly and daily routines.

Which ones have been missing from your kitchen?

Not all of these habits need to become lifelong endeavors so pick and choose what appeals to you and try them out. Who knows because you may find a couple of them to be new and much-appreciated traditions.

Nope. You could totally do what my grandma did and wipe it down with white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle and call it a day.

Cleaning has become a hackable industry, which is hilarious because cleaning is what my grandmother didn’t think deserved hacks. She cleaned the majority of her house with hot water and vinegar, except where acid could ruin natural stones like granite and marble, and that was that.

The amount of things in her cupboard that constituted “cleaning supplies” would shock you.

So with inflationary pressure on household budgets, it’s worth remembering that in the great hackable industry of cleaning, grandma knew best. Here are some of her methods that have proven themselves time and time again.

1. Use Vinegar to Cut Grease

It’s amazing how much better vinegar and water cleans sticky grease in a kitchen than most commercial products. There’s never any sticky residue afterwards and vinegar is much cheaper than fancy products.

2. Sprinkle Baking Soda on Carpets Before Vacuuming

My husband somehow manages to miss crumbs when vacuuming, so I’ve started sprinkling carpets and rugs with baking soda before we vacuum. This was grandma’s carpet deodorizer as well, and it’s the best.

Just let it sit for about 15 minutes and vacuum. We have Gigi the Goldendoodle leaving her own fluff tumbleweeds around the house and two teenagers, so I’m grateful for baking soda’s deodorizing powers.

At least now when I open their bedroom doors it’s an indescribable odd smell instead of an indescribable odd smell PLUS Mountain Thunderstorm Breeze Explosion carpet cleaner.

3. Clean Windows With Newspaper

Grab a couple of black-and-white pages from the paper, crumple them up, and spritz on some white vinegar or your favorite glass cleaner and get cleaning. Who knew grandma was onto something back then?

Newspaper is one of my favorite cleaning items to use around the house, especially around holidays when we receive an abundance of free advertising. One of its most helpful cleaning uses is for windows.

Wiping windows down with crumpled newspaper leaves fewer streaks and uses less lint-producing paper towels. Combine newspaper with a squirt of glass cleaner or a vinegar and water solution, and you’ve got sparkling windows.

Use black-and-white pages, not the glossy inserts, for the best results. Also, if you’re wearing a cute white sweater, beware of black-and-white newsies smudging your sleeves.

4. Salt Removes Fresh Stains

An old cleaning hack is sprinkling spills immediately with table salt, rubbing them in with a clean cloth. This trick worked particularly well on red wine stains.

Salt is great to use on fresh stains because it helps absorb some of the spill and keeps it from setting into the fibers as deeply as it may. This trick won’t help old stains but can be helpful if applied quickly.

Which, let’s be honest, is exactly when we always have a spill. You finally get guests seated just in time for dinner and BAM!

Holiday parties are notorious for this, as well.

5. Air Out the House Daily

Past homemakers often left their windows cracked or fully open, even in cold weather, to let in some fresh air. Opening your home to the elements helps combat cooking smells and gives your home a less-stuffy feel.

Modern homes are more energy-efficient (read: tightly-sealed) which is helpful in many ways. One downside though is that smells stay in the home.

Open up that window for ten minutes daily for fresher-smelling air. Bonus points if Gigi the dog is happy that someone remembered that her side of the window is great entertainment too!

6. Use Lemon to Freshen Garbage Disposals

To get a funky garbage disposal fresh, put some small pieces of lemon rind in, turn on cold water and the garbage disposal, letting the lemons be ground up. The citrusy smell from the lemons counteracts any funk.

You can also drop in some ice to help with build-up.

Bonus points if you’re cooking with lemons at the time. Multitasking.

Bonus points squared if you’re making lemonade. Multitasking squared.

7. Boil Water and Lemon to Freshen the Kitchen

Boil water in a pot with a few lemon slices and/or orange peels in it for a wonderfully summer-y scent all over your home! Cloves work well, too.

This is helpful if you fry a lot, cook fish often, or if you’re me, who manages to occasionally burn dinner, which is another excuse entirely.

8. Use Toothpaste to Polish Small Scratches

Plain white toothpaste can be rubbed onto small scratches on certain kinds of silver, glass, and shoes to take the marks out. The key is that toothpaste contains abrasives that will polish the offending item and take out small marks.

This trick also works on watch faces that are okay with a little toothpaste. Check online to make sure toothpaste is a-okay for the item you’re using it on, and always test a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn’t dull finishes, etc.

9. Clean Cast Iron With Salt

This is similar to using toothpaste to polish items, as the key is the abrasion that salt provides. Salt is gentle enough to clean cast iron, which needs to be babied like a needy houseplant, and won’t remove the seasoning.

Cast iron enthusiasts swear by cleaning with salt instead of soap and water. Simply sprinkle coarse salt into the still-warm skillet and rub around using a paper or cloth towel, concentrating on stuck-on areas.

Gently rinse the pan out, making sure it’s dry before applying a thin film of cooking oil and storing.

10. Dry Laundry Outside When Possible

Get out that clothesline or drying rack, grab some clothespins, and get your laundry drying in the great outdoors. Not only will outdoor air remove any pesky smells from your sheets or clothes, the sun will help to make whites brighter, as well.

While this is less necessary today since many people do have access to dryers, vintage homemakers would hang laundry outside to air-dry frequently. It’s true, hanging sheets or towels out during pollen season might mean dealing with allergens in your bed, but there’s nothing like sinking into freshly washed and sun-dried sheets or wrapping up in a fluffy, bright, freshly-dried towel.

11. Use Baking Soda to Scrub Sinks

If you’re looking for a simple and effective way to clean your sink, try sprinkling some baking soda on your wet sponge or washcloth and give your sink a good scrubbing. Baking soda is a mild abrasive that won’t scratch porcelain or stainless steel sinks.

This age-old cleaning hack cuts through stains, grime, and other gunk quickly and doesn’t fill your kitchen with harsh fumes. Simply wet the sink, sprinkle baking soda, scrub, and then rinse away.

12. Polish Wood Furniture With Simple Ingredients

Homemakers in the past often made their own furniture polish. You can create your own, too.

All you need is a cloth, some white vinegar, and mineral or olive oil. Wring out your cloth until it’s barely damp, add a few drops of oil and vinegar to the rag and start wiping away fingerprints and dust.

The vinegar cuts through the dirt, and the oil helps restore shine to your wooden treasures. Different wood and finishes may react differently to this method, so it’s always best to test an inconspicuous spot before polishing away.

13. Keep Cleaning Rags Instead of Wasting Paper Towels

Chances are, you’re purchasing paper towels on the regular and tossing them after use. Save money and the environment by investing in reusable rags for cleaning.

Grab that old shirt that doesn’t fit anymore, towels that are starting to show signs of wear and tear, or other fabric remnants and cut them into squares. You’ll be shocked at how effective and absorbent rags are.

Not only are rags stronger and longer-lasting than paper towels, but it’s more convenient to have a stack of them by the sink, too.

I am a big believer in assigning specific cloths to specific chores. For instance, I like to have one for kitchen spills, a few for dusting, and another for bathroom cleaning.

Some days, my organized cleaning basket is more of a jumble of various cloths, but I’m working on it.

14. Use Hot Water for Greasy Dishes

This tip from the olden days is especially helpful if you’re not a fan of washing dishes. Rather than standing at the sink trying to get oily dishes clean, soak them in hot, soapy water first.

Grease breaks down easier in hot water and will make your task go much faster.

15. Dust From Top to Bottom

Traditional homemakers understood that it’s more efficient to start from the top and work your way down when cleaning. Rather than vacuuming first and then dusting, which will result in settling dust on your now-clean floors, get out your trusty duster or microfiber cleaning towel and your vacuuming tool of choice and work your way from top to bottom.

You’ll thank them for this one.

16. Use Ice Cubes to Lift Carpet Dents

Have you ever dragged a piece of furniture across your carpet and left an indent? Fill them with ice cubes.

The fibers will absorb the moisture as it melts. Then gently brush them up with a spoon or stiff bristle brush.

Voila! Like new.

17. Clean as You Cook

I am a huge fan of cleaning as you cook. It can save so much time and energy later and helps avoid major cleaning.

Rather than allowing dishes and messes to accumulate, put away the recipe and get out some dish soap, a sponge, and damp cloth and make use of downtime, like waiting for pasta to boil, by cleaning off a few bowls and wiping down counters. This can be applied to other projects in the home, as well.

18. Use Vinegar to Remove Hard Water Spots

If you’re looking for a natural alternative to commercial cleaners to remove hard water spots, reach for white vinegar and a paper towel or washcloth. Simply apply the vinegar to the spots and wipe away.

A mixture of water and vinegar will dissolve hard water build-up and leave your shower heads and faucets shining. You can spray the solution and give fixtures a light scrubbing, but I’ve seen hints suggesting soaking a rag or paper towel and wrapping it around the fixture.

Give the solution a few moments to break down the build-up, then wipe off. You don’t have to use expensive specialty sprays for this job, as vintage homemakers got by just fine with vinegar.

19. Sweep the Kitchen Every Night

No matter how diligent you are, the kitchen gets dirty. Between the foot traffic from kids and pets and the inevitable crumbly or sticky items that fall out of cabinets or cooking pots, the floor will collect items worthy of the broom and dustpan.

Give the kitchen a good sweep at night, and enjoy a spotless kitchen the next morning while avoiding attracting pesky critters to food scraps.

I’m a firm believer in this because Gigi sheds about 17 lbs of fluff and doohickies a week. Sweeping daily is a must.

20. Wash Walls Occasionally

Windows are notorious for collecting dirt, but did you know walls collect their share of dust and grime too? Smoke residue, fingerprints, dust, and cooking residue mean walls are bombarded daily and usually escape a good cleaning.

Next time the sun pours into your home and illuminates the dirt, consider a good scrubbing with a rag and mild dishwashing liquid mixed into warm water. Test an inconspicuous area first to ensure your paint is washable.

21. Use Cornstarch for Greasy Spots

Combine cornstarch and a soft brush or vacuum to remove greasy spots.

For a grease stain on fabric or upholstery, sprinkle with cornstarch to remove the oils from the stain. This will prevent the stain from setting in.

Let it sit for a bit and brush/vacuum off the cornstarch before laundering as normal. Again, the sooner the better.

I’m sure that’s been said before but you’ll get the quickest stain removal with immediate attention to a fresh oil stain. My immediate is about 20 minutes though.

22. Keep Shoes Off Inside

This is the most basic, old fashioned cleaning tip in the book, but it saves SO much time in the long run. Fewer messes to clean up equals less sweeping and mopping.

You can totally will-power yourself to make sure to keep your own shoes by the door. Getting everyone else to comply could take a shoe rack or an eye-rolling-worthy entryway mat.

Teens will make tracks inside anyway.

23. Shine Stainless Steel With a Tiny Bit of Oil

Did you know restaurants use mineral oil to clean their stainless steel appliances? Add a few drops of mineral or cooking oil onto a soft cloth and rub in circular motions until shiny.

Older generation women did this regularly with cooking oil. It saves you from having to purchase a stainless steel cleaner and helps hide fingerprints.

Use just a few drops otherwise your fridge will be slippery and attract more fingerprints.

24. Use Club Soda on Some Fresh Fabric Stains

Blot fresh stains with a clean cloth and club soda. The bubbles from the club soda can help remove stains.

It’s not a cure-all stain remover, but it can help you gain some time.

Dab gently, as this prevents smearing the stain around

Stay calm is easier said than done.

Find clean towels, which is also easier said than done.

25. Rotate Mattresses Regularly

If you’re anything like me, you can pretty much guarantee that I’m going to forget to rotate our mattress. This is a task that takes two people, but is well worth the effort.

Not only does it extend the life of your mattress, but also allows you to get into the area underneath it to vacuum or pick up that dollar you’ve been searching for since 2022. It’s amazing what’s hiding under there.

Just check your mattress’s care instructions because some mattresses should not be flipped.

26. Use Curtains to Control Dust and Heat

If you don’t have shades or curtains in your home, I highly recommend adding some. Not only will they help to block out drafts, dust, and sunlight, they also keep the sun from fading things.

Closing your curtains on sunny days will keep rooms from overheating, saving you a few dollars on your energy bill.

27. Keep Cleaning Supplies Simple

Grandmas know how to keep on top of cleaning. My grandmother could clean out an entire home with a couple bottles of cleaner that you can get for a few dollars.

Spoiler alert, white vinegar and baking soda make the list, along with elbow grease. If you know what I’m saying.

In all seriousness, most homes are drowning in cleaning products that promise to fix any issue in a snap. We’re overwhelmed with options and end up purchasing too many different products for tasks that could be completed with dish soap, bleach (diluted), vinegar, baking soda, hot water, and a desire to get it done.

28. Clean the Fridge Before Grocery Day

I don’t know about you, but it’s amazing to me what ends up forgotten about in our fridge. That’s why I think it’s a great idea to clean out your fridge before grocery shopping.

Not only will it provide more space for new items, it’ll prevent us from purchasing things we’ve already got. It’ll save those questionable leftovers that may not get used again.

And maybe save a few expired ketchup bottles from their lonely existence on the door.

29. Use Pillowcases to Clean Ceiling Fans

Despite their lofty perch, ceiling fans collect an incredible amount of dust. To clean, slip an old pillowcase over each fan blade, and slowly pull the case off.

The dust will fall into the pillowcase rather than clouding the air and creating a bigger mess for you to deal with.

30. Let Cleaning Products Sit Before Scrubbing

Previous generations of housewives understood the power of chemistry. Soap, vinegar, store-bought cleaning sprays, a paste of baking soda and water, they all need time to work into dirt and grime before they’ll really do their thing.

Instead of immediately digging a stubborn stain out by brute force, allow the situation to simmer for a while. Save yourself a headache and a trip to the medicine cabinet for muscle relaxers, especially when it comes to kitchen and bathroom cleaning.

Let the chemical do most of the work. All you’ll have to do is stir and wait.

31. Use Sunshine to Help Freshen Fabrics

I LOVE taking my sheets off my body and slipping into warm, fresh, outdoor-dried sheets. Unfortunately, my piles of dishes aren’t usually given the same outdoor treatment…

But back to sheets and blankets. Pillows and rugs.

It’s amazing how much of the freshening job warm sunshine and fresh air do for you. If it’s a gorgeous day, take advantage and drag anything fabric-ish out onto the patio.

Enjoy how wonderfully your pillows smell afterwards, you’ll be surprised how many funky odors can be eliminated this way.

32. Tackle Small Messes Immediately

This goes without saying, I know. But it’s amazing how quickly Mt.

Laundrymore starts to build. Or how dirty dishes multiply if we don’t at least rinse them as soon as possible.

Taking care of smaller messes as they occur saves us from marathon, rage-filled cleaning sessions down the road.

33. Stick to a Simple Cleaning Routine

I like to keep it simple, daily tasks that must be performed to maintain a certain level of tidiness (for example, washing dishes), larger projects that get taken care of on a weekly basis like scrubbing the bathroom, and larger projects that need to be tackled seasonally, like deep-cleaning the fridge. Whatever system works for you, try to create a plan and stick with it.

And remember: It’s okay if your house isn’t picture-perfect. As long as your home isn’t driving you crazy, you’re doing just fine!

Vintage homemakers had their systems in place before things got crazy. Today, crazy is perfectly normal, but implementing reliable habits, though perfection is not required, can help.

Assigning tiny tasks to be completed daily, a deeper cleaning session weekly and a larger overhaul seasonally helped vintage housekeepers calm the madness. Making the bed, wiping the counters, sweeping the floors and putting away random items are a few examples.

Calm is the goal, especially with teens, pets, snackers and a laundry basket that seems to have taken a holiday.

With a husband who takes my culinary prowess for granted, two ravenous teens and a very snack aware goldendoodle by the name of Gigi, I’m always looking for ways to save on groceries. Here are some ideas that have stood the test of time.

1. Shop Your Kitchen Before You Shop the Store

Make a game of checking your food situation before you go to the grocery store. Open your refrigerator and freezer.

Raid your pantry. Look at the back of the cupboards and on the high shelves.

Get a sense of what you have on hand. This will prevent impulse buys (like that jar of mustard when you already have too much), and will jog your memory as to what you need to pick up (like the fact that you are actually out of coffee and eggs).

After taking stock, make a list of what is needed, so you are spending your money wisely. Stir-fry with the bag of frozen peas (only about half remaining) and pound of ground beef; garlic toast with the last loaf of bread.

2. Plan Meals Around What Needs Using First

Traditional homemakers saved money by planning meals that utilized foods that needed to be used. Rather than creating a meal plan from scratch, flip the process on its ear and decide what needs to be used.

Create your meal plan from there. Those bell peppers are getting a little leathery?

Make fajitas. Spinach got a little sad in the crisper drawer?

Add it to eggs. Made too much chicken?

Create chicken soup. Wasting food was tantamount to throwing money in the trash and planned meals helped to alleviate this problem.

3. Keep a Running Grocery List

The old-time homemakers always kept a list of groceries on hand that was updated as items were used up, which was reviewed before heading to the store. This prevents you from spending money on things like flour and other staples, while also avoiding overbuying items “just in case.” My phone has a grocery list app that I find useful, though a regular notepad will work fine too.

Leaving it near your fridge, pantry, or wherever else is convenient will serve you well. Trust me on this one: I’ve wasted money because I thought I had everything I needed…but didn’t, or vice versa.

Additions add up fast.

4. Never Shop Hungry

Never ever shop hungry. Hunger leads to emotional decisions that result in impulse purchases of chocolate chip cookie dough, exotic cheeses, and all manner of snack foods.

Have a piece of toast or a banana before heading out if needed. Hungry shoppers are also more likely to give in to sale items they may not necessarily need, but…hey, it’s on sale!

5. Check the Unit Price

Did you know bigger is not always better? Larger sized items are not always the cheapest.

Check the price per pound, ounce, number of items, and so forth. It will let you know how much a pound/ounce/etc. of an item will cost and save you money in the long run.

It’s amazing how many times the bigger item costs more per ounce/pound/etc. than its counterpart. Especially with name brand items.

This tip is especially helpful when shopping for staples like cereal, rice, pasta, paper products, cleaning products, and the like.

6. Buy Store Brands When They Make Sense

Not every store brand item is comparable to its name brand counterpart…but a surprising amount are. I’m talking paper towels, aluminum foil, frozen fruits, peanut butter, canned goods, and many other items here.

Try out the store brand. If you like it, keep using it.

If you don’t…well, at least you tried. You might be surprised.

You can save a few bucks here and there by using store-brand flour, sugar, oats, canned tomatoes, frozen veggies, etc. I’ve never noticed a difference in these items.

Nor has my family. No one’s noticed when we’ve substituted store-brand ingredients in their lunch, soup, casserole, etc.

If anyone complains about store-brand items at my house, we’ll gladly assign them cooking duties next time and see if they have complaints after that.

7. Stretch Meat Instead of Making It the Whole Meal

Stretching meat, fruits, vegetables, etc. isn’t new. In fact, past generations of resourceful homemakers stretched foods to make them go further.

Meals were frequently comprised of meat + rice/pasta/potatoes + vegetables, meat + beans, meat + vegetables, meat + broth, etc. instead of a giant helping of meat. These days, meat is an ingredient in chili or tacos or stuffed peppers or pasta sauce or soup instead of being the focus of a meal.

One pound of ground beef goes a long way in any of the aforementioned dishes. Especially helpful when trying to feed growing appetites of your teenagers.

8. Use Leftovers on Purpose

This goes hand-in-hand with stretching foods. Roast chicken?

Save the carcass for soup. Have extra chicken?

Pot pies. Have extra-extra chicken?

Chicken sandwiches. Cook rice?

Save some and turn it into a side or fried rice another time. Soups and casseroles can be stretched with leftovers, too.

In our house, I’ll usually put the leftovers in a container I can see so it’s not lost in the depths of the fridge, label it and pray. Usually, they make their way into a lunch.

Other times they mysteriously vanish. Teenagers have huge appetites and bedrooms adjacent to the fridge, so…

9. Cook Once, Eat Twice

You can cook extra chicken, rice, roast veggies, soup, beans, etc. and save half of it to make another meal down the road. It takes some foresight to make sure you’re going to use what you’ve saved, but it does help with cooking, cleaning, and budgeting.

Roast extra potatoes if you’ve got your oven on anyway. Freeze them.

You’ll be thankful for them later. Same goes for browning extra meat to freeze for another use.

10. Keep a Price Memory

Old-school homemakers kept track of what they spent. If you’re into spreadsheets, have at it.

If not, that’s ok. But try to have an idea of the regular price of groceries.

Then, when you see an item you use on sale, you’ll be able to tell if it’s a good price. There may be times when something is marked down, but it’s not as low as you’ve seen it before.

By having a sense of the regular price of things, you’ll be able to tell if an advertised sale is a true sale. You can go as far as keep track of sale prices on items you use frequently – eggs, butter, coffee, chicken, pasta, certain produce items, etc.

But you don’t need to keep track of everything. Just try to have a general price awareness.

11. Stock Up Slowly

How many times have you cleaned out your pantry to find expired foods you never use? Instead of going on a food-buying spree and stuffing your pantry with things, consider stocking up little by little.

That can of soup on sale, that carton of eggs or that loaf of bread goes beyond your family’s current need? Buy one and put it away.

Soon enough, you’ll have a food reserve to call on when the budget is tight, life gets busy or you’re in need of a quick dinner. Stock up on your family’s favorite staple foods.

Some ideas include pasta, rice, beans, chicken, canned chicken, broth, canned tuna, oats, frozen veggies and flour. Just remember: Only purchase foods your family eats.

Buying foods you’ll never use doesn’t save money… It wastes it!

12. Shop the Sales, But Do Not Let Sales Boss You Around

The old-fashioned homemaker used to meal plan with the sales, but not to the extent that the sales dictated the menu. So, when the chicken thighs are on sale at your local supermarket, take the sales flyer home and look through it for a few things you can cook this week that make good use of chicken thighs.

Don’t buy the chicken thighs if your family won’t eat them! It’s not a bargain if you’re not going to use the item.

Ditto if there’s a sale on fancy crackers you’ve been meaning to try, but you’ve got to buy milk and laundry detergent this week. Pass on the crackers.

13. Learn the Markdowns

Some stores mark down dairy, meat, baked goods, and produce at certain times. Veteran shoppers know the drill.

If you can use discounted items right away or freeze them, you’ll save some serious money. Banana muffins when the bananas are discounted and brown, space in your freezer for that mark-down roast, a pot on the stove for a veggie soup using discounted veggies…

14. Freeze Food Before It Turns

Old-school homemakers relied on their freezers, and you should, too. Berries, bread, butter, broth, cooked beans, casseroles, meat, cookie dough, many foods do well in the freezer.

You can stretch your dollars by freezing food that’s getting nippy, but the key is freezing it while it’s still good and not when you’re not really sure if it’s still good. Slice that loaf of bread before it goes in the freezer.

Separate meats into portions. Label things so you’re not playing kitchen roulette later.

15. Save Vegetable Scraps for Broth

Many home cooks kept celery ends in the fridge and added them to soups and stews for flavor. Take her idea a step further by saving carrot peels, celery ends, parsley stems, onion pieces, clean, good parts of veggies, in a plastic bag in your freezer.

When you fill a bag, cover the pieces with water in a large pot and add salt and pepper, plus other seasonings if desired, and simmer. Strain the broth and use in place of packaged broth to add flavor to soups, rice, casseroles, sauces, etc.

Freeze any extra broth. This is an easy way to stretch your food budget.

Don’t add anything rotten or gross-tasting, like excess cabbage that would make for funky stock, to your bag, but Gigi would eat anything so the sky’s the limit for her!

16. Buy Whole Ingredients Instead of Too Many Convenience Foods

Old-school homemakers made a lot of things from scratch because they knew how and because that’s just how they did things. Cooking skills aren’t required to make money-saving purchases.

Flour, eggs, oats, potatoes, rice, beans, meat, fruits, veggies, many more examples, whole foods make multiple meals and stretch farther than pre-made foods that are convenient but costly. You can’t and shouldn’t prepare everything from scratch all the time, but it’s helpful to keep an eye on your budget.

Buy a variety of basic ingredients and enjoy a variety of foods for less.

And no, this does not mean you have to make every single thing from scratch. Some nights we still heat up a frozen pizza, which is perfectly okay when it’s paired with a salad.

It’s just that using basic ingredients instead of packaged foods stretches the budget and increases meal options.

17. Make a Few Meatless Meals

Many traditional homemakers served several meatless meals a week, such as baked beans and cornbread, a big baked potato, vegetable soup with bread, macaroni and canned tomatoes, eggs and toast, grilled cheese and tomato soup, etc. Meatless meals are easy ways to save money each week, as long as everyone is satisfied.

My teens are extremely aware of foods that are “too light” so we make sure there is enough protein/fat/seasoning/etc. so everyone is satisfied and doesn’t feel deprived.

18. Keep a Pantry Meal List

I’m terrible about forgetting all of the meals that can be made with items we typically keep on hand. And because deciding on dinner is one of life’s most pressing questions I’ve written down a few examples to refer to when needed.

Some of our go-tos include fried rice, chili, loaded baked potatoes, bean soup, pasta with canned tomatoes, pancakes, and tuna melts. Write down a few options that utilize items you keep on hand or in the freezer and post them where you’ll be able to see them often.

19. Use Cash or a Firm Budget

It’s amazing how much easier it is to spend only what’s necessary when paying with cash. Once the cash runs out, spending stops.

Cards, Debits, and other forms of payment make money an amorphous concept. If you prefer to shop without actual cash, plan exactly how much you’ll be spending and round-up prices as you walk the aisles to keep track of spending.

20. Avoid Too Many Last-Minute Store Runs

Traditional homemakers planned meals based upon items they had on hand because it was easier to avoid additional shopping excursions. It’s amazing how many unplanned items get added when we return to the grocery store for an overlooked ingredient.

Plan ahead as much as possible to avoid additional and more expensive store trips.

This happens more than I would like to admit. You go to the store for milk and end up with chips, a candle, shampoo, seasonal mugs, grapes, etc.

Save yourself the expense and guilt-trip of wasting food by having powdered milk, veggie soup in the freezer, broth, bread, etc. to tide you over until your next regularly-scheduled shopping trip.

21. Use Every Bit of the Chicken

If you’re not one of those people who thinks nothing of buying a rotisserie chicken from the store, this tip is probably old hat to you. However, if you’re anything like me, you’ll be surprised how satisfying and convenient it is to buy a whole chicken, or even just leg quarters.

Not only will you have plenty of meat for dinner, but you’ll have leftovers for chicken on top of rice, chicken salad, chicken in a casserole, etc. Then, after picking the meat off the carcass, you’ll be able to make homemade stock.

Nothing goes to waste, and it’s a project that is completed quickly.

22. Store Food Properly As Soon As You Get Home

The key to making your food last is to “put away” your groceries in a timely and appropriate fashion as soon as you get them home. Some fruits and vegetables need to be washed and dried before they’re placed into the refrigerator.

Dry goods are best stored in airtight containers. Take advantage of your freezer.

Sort through your pantry and put older items in front of newer ones to make sure everything is used in a timely fashion. Divide meats into easy-to-grab portions before freezing.

By implementing a few of these tips, you’ll find yourself tossing rotten veggies less often.

23. Keep a Soup Night

Old-school homemakers did this regularly, and it’s an old-fashioned tip for saving money on groceries because it can be done with ingredients you probably already have. Use up random veggies in the refrigerator.

Have some chicken stock on hand. Find a few of your family’s favorite soup recipes and designate a certain night as Soup Night.

Serve with some crusty bread and dinner is done!

We love soup in our family. Soup night is a great way to use up leftovers, make a little meat go further and incorporate those veggies that have been hanging on by a thread.

It’s easy to feed a family with soups and stews, and they can be combined with bread or crackers, rice, potatoes, etc. for a complete meal. Even on nights I’m looking for something really simple, soup is perfect.

Chicken, some broth, chopped up carrots, noodles, salt, pepper, done.

24. Bake Simple Treats Instead of Buying Them All

I’m sure we’re all aware that it is less expensive to bake at home than purchase packaged goods. Besides, your house will smell wonderful.

However, you don’t want to turn your home into a bakery. Simple items like cookies, muffins, quick breads or an easy cake will save money, and a batch will last “a few days” if your teens can be stopped, as we’ve known teeners that will inhale a batch of cookies in one afternoon.

Bake one batch and use for snacks throughout the week. There’s no need to bake everyday.

25. Repurpose Stale Bread

Old bread can be made into breadcrumbs, croutons, bread pudding, french toast, casseroles, used in stuffings, etc. Keep a bag in the freezer for bread ends, odd pieces, etc.

Then, when you have enough in the bag, pull out what’s needed and run through a food processor for breadcrumbs, or dice up and transform into croutons.

26. Know Which Foods Are Worth Buying in Bulk

The old-school homemakers knew which foods were worth buying in bulk. Yes, it is less expensive to purchase some items in bulk, but only if you actually use them AND have room for them.

Buying rice in bulk sounds good if you actually use that much and have room for it. Stock up on foods like rice, oats, flour, sugar, pasta, beans, toilet paper and certain frozen items.

Choose only those things your family uses on a regular basis. Bulk buys make sense only if they’re staples.

There’s no savings in a giant bag of lentils if lentils aren’t a staple.

27. Make Do Before You Buy More

This one’s my favorite. When something’s missing from a recipe, use what’s on hand.

Plain yogurt in place of sour cream. Milk with a dash of acid in place of buttermilk.

Dried herbs when fresh are called for. Crushed-up saltines when it calls for breadcrumbs.

Do everything in your power to avoid a special errand to the grocery store for something you might use only once, if that.

In addition to saving money on forgotten ingredients, this saves you from overbuying and wasting. Imagine a stay-at-home parent investing precious energy into a large-scale cooking project, only to find herself short of an important ingredient.

Rather than don her best blouse and brave the drizzle to make a special errand to the grocery store, she rummaged around the house, found a solution, and was on her way. That’s the spirit.

Smart homemakers are creative; they’re able to make do. This means less waste and a manageable pantry even as food costs escalate.

These are only a handful of the many money-saving food ideas that previous generations utilized.

And that’s the idea, right? Saving money shouldn’t be miserable.

It should make sense.

Gray hairs. Wrinkles.

Creaky joints. Not springing out of bed with ease.

It’s one of those topics that can leave you feeling a bit queasy. But somehow, for me, I’ve discovered that getting older has been oddly liberating.

Lighter. Freeing.

Somehow, expectations have fallen away and stressors have dwindled. And the older I’ve gotten, the more I’ve begun to enjoy being older.

After compiling 31 things I like about getting older, I wanted to share some of my favorites with you.

1. You Stop Caring What Everyone Thinks

Somewhere between caring for tiny, helpless babies and zipping up lunchboxes for much larger children who are able to feed themselves, I stopped worrying about other people’s thoughts and opinions. This is probably the single most liberating thing that’s happened as I’ve gotten older.

I used to sit and rehash every interaction, viewing them over and over like football highlights. Now?

I know that most people are worried about themselves and what I think of them isn’t at the top of anyone’s to-do list. And that’s OK.

2. You Finally Know Yourself

I know what makes me happy. I know that decorative pillows are OK.

I know what makes me sad. I know that my daughter might say her mommy is “so bossy” (sorry!) But I’m OK with that, too.

3. Saying No Becomes Easy

This is closely related to the above. There’s something empowering about accepting that you can be unhappy with things and still OK.

No more pretending to love complicated recipes. No more feeling like you have to go out to noisy, bustling restaurants.

No more wanting to say yes to everyone’s requests and feeling guilty when you don’t. No more inventing complex excuses.

Now? Now it’s, “I’m just going to do what works for me.”

And because you’ve narrowed your likes and dislikes down to a science, saying, “I can’t” or, “I don’t want to” is much easier.

4. You Value Your Time More

You know your time is short, so you stop spending it on what doesn’t matter, such as other people, responsibilities and making fitted sheets.

5. You Care Less About Trends

Complicated hairstyles and uncomfortable or outrageously expensive clothes are a thing of the past. You care about classic looks because they’re easier and more comfortable.

You can be stylish, but you’re not going to tolerate being uncomfortable.

6. Your Confidence Grows Naturally

Confidence grows naturally with experience. You may not realize it’s happening, but you’ve become comfortable with your own skin.

You’re less concerned with seeking approval because you’re more secure in who you are.

7. You Appreciate the Little Things

A clean kitchen. A hot cup of coffee.

An empty calendar with no plans. You may not realize it at the time, but these are the little luxuries of life.

They may not make a big difference to others, but you’ve learned to appreciate how wonderful it feels to live a peaceful, quiet life.

8. You Let Go of Perfection

Perfection is an ideal, but life is anything but perfect. You’ve seen and experienced the messy side of life and realize perfection is unnecessary.

You’ve stopped stressing over trivial details like perfectly folding a fitted sheet and realize it’s okay to make mistakes. You’re more laid-back and amused by situations that used to cause anxiety.

9. Your Circle Gets Smaller and Better

You don’t have an open-door policy for friends, family, and acquaintances. Instead, you surround yourself with supportive, uplifting individuals.

You don’t waste your limited time and energy holding grudges or tolerating drama.

10. You Stop Comparing Yourself

This is easier said than done, especially with social media making it seem like everyone else has it all together, but you realize these people are presenting an image that isn’t necessarily real. Everyone has a different experience with life, so hopefully, you can accept there’s no sense in comparing your journey with someone else.

11. You Embrace Comfort

If you’re home, you’re wearing comfy clothes. You’re not afraid to show up looking unkempt to the mailbox or garbage cans because it’s quicker and more convenient.

You’ve realized the importance of feeling good over looking good.

12. You Trust Your Instincts

There was a time you second-guessed your gut. Now, you’re learning to trust your instincts and realize you’ve been right all along.

13. You Don’t Need Approval

You know what works for you. You stop looking for validation.

14. You Laugh More

Now when something used to make you stressed, you just laugh. Sometimes it’s funny, sometimes you just laugh because you have nothing else to do.

15. You’re More Financially Aware

You’re not reckless with money, but you’re more aware and thoughtful.

16. You Let Things Go Faster

Holding a grudge is a lot of work and I just don’t want to waste that kind of time. It’s just much easier to forget about it.

17. You Enjoy Your Own Company

This one is huge. I love that we can chill without all the planning and all the noise.

A quiet night in sounds amazing.

18. You Focus on What Matters

You don’t care about small stuff and you care about big stuff like your family, your health, and your mental health.

19. You Accept Your Body

Your body is not what it was twenty years ago, and it’s going to look different. But your body has taken you places, seen things and experienced so much more than you realize.

It’s deserving of appreciation, no matter what.

20. You Stop Over-Explaining

The amount of times you’ve had to explain yourself diminishes, and so do the amount of times you want to explain yourself. Your decisions don’t have to be justified to anyone else – “Because I said so” now applies to you.

21. You Sleep Better (When You Actually Get Sleep)

No matter how you feel about sleeping, you probably agree that sleep is super underrated when you finally get it.

22. You Care Less About “Stuff”

The things you wanted when you were younger don’t appeal to you in the same way now. Reflection, experiences, and memories are all so much more important to you now.

23. You’re More Selective with Energy

You’ve given away energy before, but now that you’ve seen what’s possible, you’re a little more protective of your energy.

24. You Stop Trying to Fix Everything

This is such a freeing feeling. There are things in life that are beyond our control, and realizing this is both scary and empowering.

25. You Appreciate Real Conversations

Small talk has become increasingly less enjoyable as you’d much rather spend your limited socializing on relationships and interactions that matter to you. You appreciate others who want the same.

26. You Let Yourself Rest

Rest is a human right, and you’re allowed to take a step back and stop. It’s necessary and important.

27. You Accept Change More Easily

Change is still scary to you, but you are learning that it’s better to go along with it than cling to it.

28. You Find Joy in Simplicity

The chaos in your life scares you, and that’s why peace means so much to you. It’s why simple things mean so much to you.

That’s why you’re carving out time for them.

29. You Speak Your Mind

You’re not holding back anymore. That’s good.

30. You Realize You’re Stronger Than You Thought

It gets harder but you get harder too. Fewer things rattle you when you’ve survived so many others.

31. You Finally Feel… Free

There is no expectation. There is no pressure.

There is nothing you have to prove. You have worked hard for this stage of life.

Growing older means feeling free, being free of expectations, pressure, judgement. Free of needing to prove your worth.

Free in a way that wrinkles and crow’s feet will never compare to.

Here’s to feeling OK with things. Here’s to being OK with not liking things.

Here’s to hoping that one day, when my kids read this, they’ll know that they can expect to enjoy feeling OK with not feeling OK.

When my kids graduated from the I-still-need-you-to-cut-my-pancakes years of their lives, I became aware that midlife, an ambiguous concept that could mean 40 to some people and 50 to others, has certain things attached to it. It brings understanding.

It also provides me with a list of things I wish somebody had told me sooner. Here are a couple of things to celebrate with your evening glass of wine as you think back over what you have discovered so far about life…

1. Your Time Is Actually Valuable

I once thought that my time was infinitely renewable. I volunteered at my children’s schools more than was physically possible.

I made a point of doing everything in a single trip.

Now I take very good care of my time since there is no way to get it back.

2. Saying “No” Is Not Rude

I used to say yes when I meant no. Then sit on the floor in front of the mountain of unfolded laundry thinking about that particular situation and how differently it would have gone down had I said no.

Now, if you invite me to something I don’t want to do, I’ll tell you I can’t make it and I won’t feel guilty. No need to provide a paragraph’s worth of explanation.

It’s freeing.

3. Friendships Change, and That’s Okay

Some of them stay constant. Some wilt away like the neglected ficus in the corner of your living room.

But as priorities and interests change, so will some of your friendships. It’s not a failing; it’s life.

And there’ll be new friends along the way at just the right time.

4. You Don’t Need Everyone to Like You

Women over 55 say this is one of the biggest lessons of their lives. And they’re right.

It’s a load off.

I spent my 20s and 30s obsessing over my appearance. Critiquing my face.

Studying my body in the mirror like it was an audition. As if everyone was waiting for me to nail the role of me.

But you know what? Some people like your take-it-or-leave-it attitude and some don’t.

That’s okay. Once you accept that, you’ll be shocked to see how much of your energy you’re saving by no longer trying to win people over.

5. Your Body Is Not the Enemy

Your body will surprise and shock and disappoint and thrill you. It will bear beautiful children and nurture them and deal with their tantrums and lift them onto your shoulders and carry them to the bathroom when they’re too tired to walk.

It will feel strained and stretched, and it will feel free and happy. Your body will carry you through life, so treat it nicely.

Wear comfy pants. They’re comfy.

And they’re pants.

6. Sunscreen Is Non-Negotiable

Those tiny blemishes that didn’t faze you in your 30s will be impossible to miss later on down the line. Wear sunscreen.

It’s not makeup, it’s insurance.

7. Money Matters More Than You Think

I’m naturally frugal, so money has always been more of a priority for me. But it’s important for anyone to educate themselves on finances and build a habit of saving and investing.

There is a certain empowerment and independence that comes from being able to rely on yourself financially, especially in dire circumstances.

8. Comparison Is a Waste of Time

Someone is going to have a bigger house. Someone else will post pictures of their immaculate kitchen.

Someone will make it look like life is perfect. You could waste away your entire existence comparing yourself to others and I promise you one thing, it will suck the joy right out of your life.

9. Your Kids Don’t Need Perfection

While it’s good to have a sense of planning and structure, I think it’s more important for kids to see that you’re happy to be present. They’ll remember the impromptu movie and snack-filled evenings and the silly family dance parties and inside jokes way more than the carefully planned trips and activities, though they’re nice, too.

10. Marriage Takes Effort and Humor

My husband STILL has no idea where half of the stuff in our kitchen goes. This is one of those silly marriage battles that I refuse to engage in.

Sometimes, you just have to put a label on the drawer.

11. Rest Is Not Lazy

I used to feel guilty when I sat down or took time to rest. Somehow, in my mind, resting was equated to lazy and therefore, equated to failure.

Resting rejuvenates us, though, and we’re much nicer to be around when we’re well-rested.

12. Trends Come and Go

Somehow it’s taken me this long in life to realize that trends are great to experiment with now and then, but classics are best. There’s nothing worse than having a super-cute outfit on and refusing to wear your super-warm coat because it ruins the outfit.

13. Your Health Is Everything

This is another thing you don’t appreciate until something goes wrong. Going to doctor’s appointments, eating well, getting some kind of regular exercise, staying hydrated…these are the most important things.

14. You Can Always Start Over

There’s no deadline for anything. Turns out 40 and 50 are fantastic times of life where you’re learning who you are.

Starting a new career, hobby, or attitude can happen at any age.

15. Not Everything Needs a Reaction

One of my biggest goals is to not react to everything. It’s okay to stay quiet instead of responding to everything that happens.

Peace is priceless, and winning arguments with my husband can wait til tomorrow…or next week…or never.

16. A Clean Kitchen Really Does Matter

I love that when I walk into my kitchen in the morning it’s empty. It’s such a small win, but it helps get me in a good mood for my first cup of coffee!

17. You’ll Care Less About “Stuff”

It seems like as you get older, your opinion of possessions diminishes a bit. I’m still working on this, but I’m getting there.

18. Confidence Comes Later

I like who I am now. This is weird to think, because I didn’t use to.

Confidence is something that builds with time, and it’s something you don’t really feel when you walk into your 20s. But it does come.

Slowly, then all at once, it comes.

19. You Don’t Have to Explain Yourself

It is so freeing to make decisions on your own and to never feel like you have to justify them to anyone.

20. Little Joys Matter Most

The furthest thing from what we thought would make us happy is probably what makes us happy now. Small pleasures like drinking coffee on a lovely morning, taking a walk outdoors beat major accomplishments nearly every time.

All of those impulse purchases and random things eventually desensitize us, making experiences the most highly-valued element of life.

21. Your Circle Gets Smaller—and Better

I think that’s an inevitable part of growing up, but also something we choose. There’s just so much to be gained by investing in quality relationships, especially when our tolerance for drama decreases.

22. You’ll Wish You Took More Photos

Of course we know that picture-perfect isn’t real-life perfect. We’re constantly snapping pics of the perfect, forgetting to document all of the beautiful and authentic.

The crazy moments will eventually fade without documentation. Capture the kids laughing and the messy kitchen and the crazy hat you’re wearing.

They’re moments you’ll be thankful you captured.

23. It’s Okay to Outgrow Things

Jobs, mindsets, habits, lifestyles…we have to grow beyond what’s comfortable. That’s the only way to grow at all.

24. You Know More Than You Think

So much of life is just connecting the dots and trusting your gut. All those past experiences helped to teach you what works for you and what doesn’t.

25. Laughter Is Essential

Things go wrong sometimes, and all you can do is laugh and move on. There’s something about a good laugh in the face of adversity that keeps us mentally healthy.

It’s hard to take anything too seriously after a good chuckle. Everyone needs a different outlet for life’s curveballs—laughter is mine.

26. Your Opinion Matters

I doubted myself for a long time. Now I make my voice heard.

Everyone’s voice matters and is worth making heard.

27. Happiness Looks Different for Everyone

Everyone has their own idea of what makes them happy. It’s okay if what brings happiness to others wouldn’t do the same for you.

28. You’re Stronger Than You Realize

You may not realize it, but life throws tons of challenges your way, and you continue to adapt and move forward. You may not realize it because your growth is gradual and easy to miss.

But you’re stronger than you think. And so are all of us.

29. It All Goes Faster Than You Think

Life is constantly changing. You have to realize that those changes can be amazing, scary, and/or upsetting.

But they’re all pieces of life. Your children are growing so quickly and years are zipping by faster than you realize.

The days when your husband can’t figure out where the spatulas live, the kitchen isn’t the most beautiful sight to behold, and your to-do list isn’t crossed off in full aren’t a reflection of your inadequacies. Those days will someday be your favorite memories.

More importantly, you’re being more successful than you realize.

And that’s okay.

However, I am fortunate enough to have two best friends, one in her early 50s and another in her late 50s, that I speak to almost daily. And the conversation we have ranges from what are you having for dinner to what is the point of it all while maintaining a level of calm and confidence and thriving-ness in life that I aspire to one day attain and am envious of now.

It is reassuring to realize that the crazy of worrying about if we’ve done all of the loads of teen-age laundry yet and arguing over who is going to load the dishwasher isn’t it all. And with this in mind I thought it would be fun to ask around and see what I’ve learned about making your 50s fabulous, or at least what others think makes someone’s 50s fabulous.

So here are a few gems that have been shared with me. Enjoy.

1. YOU CARE WAY LESS ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE THINK

Random people’s opinions don’t faze them. If they said something weird during a conversation and then start thinking about what they said afterwards?

Unlikely to happen. They have edited their list of whose opinion matters down to a short list of people and invest their emotional energy accordingly.

2. YOUR CIRCLE GETS SMALLER (AND WAY BETTER)

They are enjoying deep friendships. Friendships out of obligation have been culled from their lives.

Friends that bring drama aren’t welcome. My two friends are examples of women I enjoy spending time with who are unfazed by what random people think of them.

I’m beginning this process myself and feel like I’ve made some great edits to my own circle lately.

3. YOU STOP APOLOGIZING FOR EXISTING

One of the things I notice about women that have passed through middle age that impresses me is their ability to be assertive without being rude. They are done with compulsive apologizing for taking up space, asking questions, whatever.

They are more likely to just say what they mean than worry about how it will be received. I’m working on this.

4. YOU ACTUALLY KNOW WHAT YOU LIKE

Pretending to like things you don’t? Nope, doesn’t happen.

I like this mindset. One of my friends told me that she stopped ordering things at restaurants that sounded fancy.

She now orders what she really wants. Feels like growth that I want to have.

5. QUIET BECOMES A LUXURY

As a parent of two children and a dog, I’ve always craved quiet. But it used to be that if no one was talking for long enough I’d start to feel like something was wrong.

Now that my kids are older I’m starting to realize that quiet is a precious commodity that should be appreciated.

6. YOU SPEND MONEY DIFFERENTLY

I’ve been frugal my whole life, but I’m starting to realize that there are ways I’d like to invest in nice things. Not necessarily spending less, just spending wiser.

7. TIME FEELS MORE VALUABLE

Whereas previously time was abundant and there was always room for one more thing, now time is precious and protected. They both mentioned that they’re more protective of their time and energy and make sure to carve out spaces to do things that fill them back up instead of activities that leave them feeling depleted.

8. BOUNDARIES GET STRONGER

Where once the word no would’ve been followed by an over-explanation and a lot of “but if you really want to I could…” statements, now the word no stands strong and proud. A complete sentence on its own.

Period. (hi, it’s me)

9. YOU LET GO OF GRUDGES FASTER

If you’re mad or disappointed, you might sulk for a day or so, but ultimately you realize that holding onto negativity only weighs you down and you’d rather be at peace. They both mentioned that you realize that most things aren’t worth losing sleep over.

10. SIMPLE THINGS ACTUALLY FEEL SPECIAL

You realize that experiences mean more than things. Why buy something to sit in the back of your closet/drawer and be forgotten?

Instead, invest in experiences. Also, you begin to find joy in the simplest of things, enjoying your morning cup of coffee in a nice, clean, quiet kitchen.

(Bonus: you don’t have to re-heat your cup of coffee three times because you rushed through your morning.)

11. YOU’RE MORE COMFORTABLE IN YOUR OWN SKIN

The pressure to fit some sort of beauty or lifestyle norm diminishes and instead you realize that self-assurance and acceptance is so much more attractive and less exhausting.

12. COMPARISON STARTS TO FADE

People over 50 are much less likely to compare their behind-the-scenes to someone else’s highlight reel on a regular basis. Attention is more focused on making ourselves as happy as we can.

Trends in the moment, news, social media crazes…these things still exist of course, but aren’t dictating how people over 50 are living their lives. We’re marching to the beat of our own drummers.

13. HEALTH BECOMES A PRIORITY

I’ve seen couples who are incredibly focused on being healthy. Not in a crazy, out-of-control, crazy-diet and crazy-exercise kind of way, but in a let’s-focus-on-being-healthy-everyday kind of way.

And, they’re enthusiastic about it. I love that.

I’m envious of their energy and vitality. I appreciate others’ good habits.

And, I’m happy for them. I wish I could take it all in like they do.

It’s freeing.

14. MORNINGS FEEL CALMER

There is less rushing. Things happen on purpose now.

This means you actually enjoy that cup of coffee instead of reheating it three times.

15. TRENDS STOP MATTERING

They don’t know what they are and don’t care. Being able to ignore trends = freedom.

16. YOU LISTEN MORE, REACT LESS

Wisdom means you can appreciate the small things you didn’t used to catch. They think situations through, not react on emotion alone.

This means conversations are less emotional and more calm and meaningful.

17. YOU KNOW WHEN TO REST

I’m not sure I believe I deserve rest unless I’ve earned it. But my friends over 50 understand the importance of rest, recognizing that rest is essential and not just for when we’ve worked hard for it.

18. YOU LAUGH MORE (AND LOUDER)

We laugh louder and easier. Less inhibited.

Less guarded. More of the time.

19. YOU STOP TRYING TO FIX EVERYONE

This is still a work in progress for me, but my friends over 50 understand the importance of non-interference. We can breathe a little easier without everyone’s problems on our shoulders.

We create mental space that allows for clarity and ease.

20. YOU TRUST YOURSELF

We question ourselves less. We’ve been around the block a few times and are pretty confident we’re doing what’s right.

Which makes decisions easier.

21. HOME BECOMES YOUR FAVORITE PLACE

You don’t always want to go out. You’re good with staying in.

You create a beautiful, clutter-free, peaceful environment just for you. And it’s perfect.

22. PERFECTION ISN’T THE GOAL ANYMORE

Peace is the goal. Which means less stress and frustration.

More intentionality, beauty, purpose, and meaning.

23. YOU APPRECIATE HOW FAR YOU’VE COME

Gratitude is automatic. Problems don’t seem like problems.

Patience abounds.

24. YOU’RE LESS REACTIVE

It’s amazing how peaceful life can be when we’re not reacting to everything. When we keep our eye on the big picture and don’t allow little irritations to take us under.

When we release the need to be in control.

25. EXPERIENCES MATTER MORE THAN STUFF

You value time spent with loved ones more than things. And a bonus: Less stuff to manage.

26. PEOPLE COME TO YOU FOR ADVICE

It is a good thing to be valued for your life experience, because you’ve been there, done that.

27. YOU ACCEPT WHAT YOU CAN’T CONTROL

I know I’m still working on this one myself, but there is just something so peaceful about not worrying about the things that are out of your control. It’s unexpected, really.

You let go of the reins and feel peace.

28. YOUR HOME FEELS MORE INTENTIONAL

Everything has a purpose. It’s comfortable, has less stuff and the vibe when you walk into their houses is immediate relaxation.

29. CONVERSATIONS GET DEEPER

Small talk is fine, but it’s nothing compared to a conversation so deep, you’ll be thinking about it for days.

30. PATIENCE COMES EASIER

Well, easier is a strong word. But I’ll take any progress I can get.

31. GRATITUDE BECOMES SECOND NATURE

People in their 50s notice the little good things and appreciate them. It changes the way they move through their day.

32. THE SMALL STUFF STAYS SMALL

50-somethings zoom out enough to see the bigger picture so petty stuff doesn’t get the better of them and waste precious energy.

33. YOU BUILD A LIFE THAT FITS YOU

There’s less focus on doing something just because they think they’re supposed to and more thought given to what feels right for them. It shows up in almost everything they do.

34. REST FEELS DESERVED (BECAUSE IT IS)

Rest is something you can do without apology, overthinking it, guilt, etc. I’m looking forward to this level of peace.

35. RELATIONSHIPS FEEL MORE MEANINGFUL

They save their energy for the people that matter to them and only those people.

36. CONTENTMENT REPLACES CONSTANT WANTING

Wanting bigger/better/newer things isn’t a priority. Contentment is its own kind of power.

37. YOU FINALLY FEEL LIKE YOURSELF AGAIN

Some of my friends are already in their 50s and have told me that this is the best version of them. After all the life-building and kid-rearing chaos… they FINALLY feel like themselves again.

Their life is so much calmer. So much more confident.

Clear. I’m not rushing towards 50.

But I’m definitely excited for it. We all need something great to look forward to, and for me, it’s life post-50.

It seems like they stand the test of time for good reason. They just plain work.

1. KEEP A JAR OF BACON GREASE

I am horrible at sticking with things. One thing I do religiously, however, is save my bacon grease.

It’s such an easy thing to do and the flavoring possibilities are endless. My mother did it and I’m certain my grandmother did, too.

You can fry eggs in it, saute potatoes, vegetables, etc. The options are endless.

And, it’s FREE. Just keep a jar in the fridge and scoop some out whenever you’d like to add a little smoky flavoring to whatever you’re cooking.

My teens are horrified at the very thought of cooking with this, but they devour anything made with it.

2. ADD A PINCH OF SALT TO SWEET DISHES

Believe me when I say that just a teeny pinch of salt makes your sweet treats taste sweeter. Salt balances the sugar creating a perfectly proportioned flavoring.

Try adding a pinch to your next batch of chocolate chip cookies, trust me, you’ll be glad you did.

3. SOAK POTS AND PANS RIGHT AWAY

I usually try to soak the pots and pans right away, but, if I let them sit I definitely wish I’d follow this tip more often. Fill your sink with hot water and soak away.

It takes some of the bite out of having to scrub and scrub away at stuck on food.

4. USE VINEGAR FOR CLEANING

There are lots of commercial products out there for cleaning, but, if you’re trying to save money, vinegar is the answer. Mix some up in a spray bottle and enjoy a chemical-free way to dissolve grease, clean, deodorize and more.

It’s inexpensive and has many uses.

5. STORE HERBS IN WATER LIKE FLOWERS

If you buy herbs at the store and don’t use them all right away, snip the stems, place in a cup of water and cover with a plastic baggie loosely. They’ll stay much longer this way.

Just like flowers.

6. ALWAYS PREHEAT YOUR OVEN

You may not think it’s necessary, but, it is. Especially for baking.

If you’re cooking meat, you’ll find that preheating helps cook evenly as well. Preheating ensures that your oven is an even heat throughout.

That means better texture and being able to trust how long it will take to “finish” what you’re cooking.

7. USE ICE WATER FOR CRISP VEGGIES

Limp lettuce or sad-looking carrots? Soak them in ice water.

Trust me, it’s amazing.

8. PEEL GARLIC BY CRUSHING IT

Place the side of your chef’s knife over the garlic clove and give it a whack. Voila, easily-peeled garlic.

9. KEEP A RUNNING GROCERY LIST

Stick a list on the fridge and add items as soon as you realize you’re low.

10. SAVE VEGETABLE SCRAPS FOR BROTH

Instead of tossing the end of an onion, carrot peels, celery ends and other vegetable leftovers, store them in a bag in the freezer. When you have enough, boil them in water to make a basic veggie broth.

11. USE LEMON TO BRIGHTEN FLAVORS

A little fresh lemon juice can perk up chicken, veggies, soups, and pretty much anything.

12. DRY MEAT BEFORE COOKING

Pat meat dry before searing, grilling or broiling to ensure good browning. Surface moisture prevents crispy, flavorful crusts.

13. KEEP BUTTER SOFT IN A DISH

This is such a simple tip but saves me SO much time and frustration. Keeping a dish of butter in the pantry means it’s always spreadable and ready to slather on toast without ripping it to pieces.

14. USE WOODEN SPOONS TO PREVENT BOIL-OVERS

This one blew my mind. Lay a wooden spoon across the top of a pot of boiling water and it will NOT boil-over.

I have no idea how this works. Try it yourself.

15. CLEAN AS YOU GO

I know, I know…it’s annoying. However, if you take a few moments to clean as you cook, you’ll be thanking yourself when you go to clean up afterwards.

I can NEVER remember to clean as I cook. However, when I try, I’m forever grateful because it means less of a hassle to do dishes later on, especially if I’m cooking in PJ’s.

Washing cutting boards, spoons and other implements as you use them means less dishes all together. Also, dirty dishes soak better after being used.

If you really try to tackle the sink while dinner is cooking, you’ll be rewarded with an empty dish drainer later on.

16. TASTE AS YOU COOK

By tasting as you cook you’ll be able to tweak the recipe to ensure that it’ll be tasty. There’s nothing worse than serving up a dish you know isn’t seasoned correctly.

17. USE BAKING SODA FOR ODORS

Baking soda is one of the least expensive solutions to odors around your house. Line the bottom of your trashcan with a small amount of baking soda, keep an open box in your fridge, and use it to scrub your cutting board after cutting up garlic or fish.

18. LET MEAT REST BEFORE CUTTING

Especially with a juicy, tasty steak, let meat rest for a few moments after removing from heat so that the juices don’t run everywhere. The meat will also re-absorb some of these tasty juices, making each bite better.

19. FREEZE LEFTOVER BREAD

Save money by freezing any bread that’s on its way to becoming stale. Pull out only what you need and pop it in the toaster.

It’ll taste just as tasty, and you’re saving food and money by not throwing away bread.

20. USE SALT TO CLEAN CAST IRON

There’s nothing worse than ruining a good cast-iron skillet. Avoid dish-soap when cleaning your cast-iron, and instead give the skillet a good scrub with salt and a splash of cooking oil.

21. KEEP KNIVES SHARP

In addition to being safer to use, a sharp knife will make your job a whole lot easier and more efficient. Try using a dull knife to cut through a head of lettuce and you’ll soon realize the importance of keeping knives in tip-top shape.

22. STORE ONIONS IN A COOL, DRY PLACE

Store onions in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight instead of leaving them in a plastic bag in a random corner of your kitchen.

23. USE LEFTOVERS CREATIVELY

When in doubt about leftover ingredients, mix ’em together into a casserole or soup. Not only is it a great money saver, it’ll take some of the pressure off of coming up with dinner ideas night after night.

24. ADD PASTA WATER TO SAUCE

This is the solution to a problem I had for way too long. Instead of mysteriously sliding off of your noodles, your sauce will cling to pasta like never before thanks to the starchy water from boiling them.

25. KEEP A WELL-STOCKED PANTRY

If you always have the basic staples on hand, whipping up a last-minute meal is as easy as 1-2-3. Not to mention, it takes the temptation of ordering takeout completely off of the table.

26. USE A DAMP CLOTH UNDER CUTTING BOARDS

My kitchen is anything but zen. There’s noise, there’s clutter, and if it weren’t for some tried and true kitchen hacks, cooking would be impossible.

A dampened dish towel under the cutting board keeps it in place. That’s all.

But it works like a charm.

27. DON’T OVERCROWD THE PAN

Nothing worse than food that didn’t brown because there was just too much in the pan, causing it to steam. Plus, it’s harder to stir ingredients evenly.

Invest in a bigger pan if necessary or cook foods in batches.

28. LABEL AND DATE FOOD

This is another tip I know seems really basic, but you’d be surprised how many “what is this?” foods there are in my fridge if I didn’t do it. Labeling foods as you store them and dating them will save you so much confusion down the road.

Just write it right on the container. Easy!

29. COOK WITH LOVE (YES, REALLY)

This is my favorite cooking tip of them all. Food really does taste so much better when you’re having fun preparing it.

Old fashioned, right? These are the most basic cooking tips, but they’ll definitely help you to cook up a storm, make dinnertime easier and save your sanity.

A marshmallow in the jar of brown sugar. Here’s why these and a couple of other irrational happiness-inducing kitchen tricks are worth adopting.

Between a teenage son who can inhale four pounds of chicken in one sitting and my need to enjoy cooking as much as possible, meal prep can get crazy. Lucky for me, a handful of simple tricks have eased the burden.

1. FREEZE HERBS IN OLIVE OIL

I love cooking with herbs but they’re pricey and often last no more than three days after I bring them home. Instead of watching them turn to mush, I chop them up and freeze them in an ice tray with olive oil.

When sauteing veggies I throw a couple of herb-filled olive oil squares into the pot. Problem solved.

And bonus: It saves money.

2. USE A DAMP PAPER TOWEL UNDER YOUR CUTTING BOARD

Slippery cutting boards make for sketchy knife work. Slip a dampened paper towel under your cutting board for a stable and much more safe chopping experience.

3. MICROWAVE CITRUS BEFORE JUICING

Get more juice with less effort by zapping citrus in the microwave for a few seconds before squeezing.

4. PEEL GARLIC WITH A JAR SHAKE

Take cloves of garlic and shake ’em up in a closed jar until your arms give out. When you open that baby, those skins will be as good as peeled.

It’s a lot of fun, it’s therapeutic and my kids like to volunteer to shake dinner into existence.

5. STORE BROWN SUGAR WITH A MARSHMALLOW

Any baker knows the struggle: You head to the pantry for a cup of brown sugar only to find a brick. Leave a marshmallow in your brown sugar for extended fluffiness.

Trust me. This trick has stood the test of time in my own kitchen.

Meal prepping with a side of moral support from our goldendoodle, Gigi.

6. USE A SPOON TO PEEL GINGER

Trust me. You’ll be so much happier and there’s less waste.

7. KEEP SALAD GREENS FRESH WITH PAPER TOWELS

No one likes to open a container of greens to find a soggy mess. Simply place some paper towels at the bottom of the container to keep them fresher for longer.

It’s that easy to save money and food! Feels like responsible adulting.

8. GRATE COLD BUTTER FOR BAKING

Who wants to wait around for softened butter when you can just pull it from the fridge and grate it away?

9. CRACK EGGS ON A FLAT SURFACE

By tapping eggs on a flat surface, not the rim of a bowl, you’ll avoid shards of egg shell falling into your bowl.

10. USE KITCHEN SHEARS FOR EVERYTHING

These little gems save dishes and are so much easier to use than a knife in many applications. From snipping herbs, cutting pizza, portioning cooked meats and more.

11. FREEZE LEFTOVER WINE FOR COOKING

Rather than decanting that half-empty bottle of wine and saving it in the fridge, pour it into an ice cube tray, freeze, and transfer to a storage bag in the freezer. Next time you’re making a recipe that calls for half a cup of white wine, you’ve got it in the freezer!

12. KEEP A “SCRAP BAG” FOR VEGGIES

Whenever I’m prepping veggies in the kitchen, I save the ends and scraps in a bag in the freezer. Once it’s full, I simmer them in a pot to make veggie stock.

Save yourself a trip to the store and a few dollars and make your own.

13. USE ICE WATER FOR CRISP VEGGIES

The next time you reach for that slightly less-than-crispy broccoli from the crisper, plunge them into ice water to bring them back to life. It’ll surprise you how effective this tip is!

14. TOAST SPICES BEFORE USING

Give yourself an aromatherapy moment in your kitchen by dry-toasting your spices before adding them to recipes. You can do this with cumin, cinnamon, cardamom, coriander, or pretty much any ground spice.

Warm them over medium-low heat for a few minutes, stirring frequently. It’ll bring out flavor and make your entire house smell incredible.

15. USE A MUFFIN TIN FOR PORTIONING

For taco night, use a muffin tin for toppings. Use muffin tins to organize ingredients before cooking, portion desserts, make mini frittatas or egg bites, or portion out taco toppings.

It will bring order to your crazy taco night.

16. STORE ONIONS IN PANTYHOSE

It looks ridiculous, but it works.

17. USE DENTAL FLOSS TO CUT SOFT FOODS

When you’re trying to slice soft foods like cheese and cake, they can get a little squished. Cut them beautifully and without compressing them using dental floss.

Just make sure it’s unflavored. Mint-flavored floss + food = ick.

18. KEEP A GARBAGE BOWL WHILE COOKING

Have a bowl of scraps right next to you as you cook. Trust me, it’ll make the whole process easier, quicker, and require less exertion.

19. FREEZE COFFEE FOR ICED DRINKS

I love iced coffee, but it always ends up getting watered down with ice. So now I freeze coffee in an ice cube tray when I have extra.

Genius!

20. USE A POTATO TO FIX SALTY SOUP

If you made a batch of soup and realized that you added WAY too much salt, toss in a peeled potato to help balance out the dish.

21. ROLL CITRUS TO GET MORE JUICE

Give a lemon a good roll on the counter, firmly pressing down with your palm, before juicing to loosen up the fruit. It makes it sooo much easier to juice and will yield more.

22. USE BINDER CLIPS TO SEAL BAGS

Binder clips seal bags like a champ and can totally replace any bag clips in your kitchen, saving you from having to buy more.

23. LABEL LEFTOVERS WITH DATES

Yes, it’s tedious, but it will save you so much trouble down the line. ‘How long has this been in here?’ will never cross your lips again. Just grab a piece of tape and a pen and you’re good to go.

24. USE A SLOW COOKER LINER

I resisted getting slow cooker liners for the longest. But now I use them all of the time.

It makes cleaning up SO MUCH easier. Dishes are a whole other issue to begin with (“someone else lives here too.”) and I hate to add to that problem more than necessary.

Two extremely boring tips that I’m sure have been said before, but still very true nonetheless.

25. FREEZE DOUGH FOR LATER

This is a great option when you want to preserve your hard work. Having a bag of dough in the freezer is great for nights where I’m feeling a certain way.

It saves me from having to do any of the hard work.

26. USE A FORK TO JUICE CITRUS

Who knew?! Once you’ve stabbed your fork into a piece of citrus, twist, then squeeze and you’ll be shocked at the amount of juice you receive.

It’s easier and saves me from investing in a juice gadget.

27. CLEAN AS YOU GO

This one is self-explanatory but trust me. It’s easier to wipe off the counters and wash a couple of dishes as opposed to facing an onslaught of dirty dishes and sticky counters.

It makes the whole process less daunting and cooking becomes a lot more enjoyable. It would be nice if I could say my family helps with the cleanup.

More on that in another post…

That’s my list. Admittedly using these hacks doesn’t actually make me a better cook.

They do however make me feel like I’m on top of things and have some semblance of an organized kitchen. And as I’m using them I’m sure whispering, “I planned this.”

These are just a handful of kitchen tips and tricks that make my life easier. They help me feel organized and competent instead of feeling like my cooking is getting away from me.

It doesn’t have to be a “full on show”. There are lots of little tricks you can use in the kitchen to make the process easier, quicker, more enjoyable.

They will take the hard work out of cooking. These are all tricks and methods that work in my (chaotic) home so I’m sure they’ll work for you too.

I have approximately 63,789 photos of Drew on my phone. Not because I’m struggling to determine which of his pictures are the absolute BEST.

It’s because I’m struggling with the fact that in THREE DAYS he’s going to walk across a high school graduation stage…and in fourteen weeks he’ll be loading his life up to spend his college years TWO HOURS away.

If you’re the mama of a high school senior right now…and you’re feeling a tad overwhelmed and unsure of all the things we need to make sure happen between now and graduation…between now and their big move to college…between now and never again…take heart. There are thousands of us in this boat with you.

It’s strange, the summer before a child heads off to college. It’s a countdown, but it’s not.

It’s every day, and somehow, maybe, it’s not. Somehow, maybe, we’re blessed to have another trip to the grocery store with them…another Tuesday morning breakfast together…another Sunday.

But we can’t help counting. And the counting makes us spiral.

And we want to do it ALL, see them OFF in style. Fill their last few months with us together to the brim with memories.

We’ve got to soak up every minute, savor every moment. And then it hits us, “we need to get EVERYTHING done before August,” and…overwhelm sets in.

So to quell my unfocused panic just a tad, and to help quell yours as well, I made a list of ideas for things to do with your senior this summer. It’s not prescriptive, there are little things and large things.

Some you can do right away, others better suited for July. Some will mesh with your kiddo perfectly, others not so much.

It’s not even meant to be accomplished in its entirety (all forty items), just pick and choose. But if you’re like me, who tends to lay awake at night wishing there was SOMETHING specific she could DO instead of aimlessly rifling through pinterest hoping inspiration strikes a la: THIS is the thing we should do next!, maybe a list will help.

Take a peek at my list of Things to do with your high school senior this summer.

P.S., if you’re feeling extra overcome with emotion today, just know you’re not alone…

THE CONVERSATIONS YOU WON’T REGRET HAVING

1. TELL HIM YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY OF HIM AS A KID.

Tell him one favorite memory. Choose one favorite memory of him as a child – him trying to feed cereal to the dog when he was 4, him coming home from kindergarten and telling you about the time some kid, Henry, …, him falling asleep during a movie and snuggling up against you, and your inability to move for the next two hours.

Tell him one before he leaves for college. He’ll roll his eyes.

But he’ll remember it forever.

2. ASK HIM WHAT HE’S NERVOUS ABOUT. THEN DON’T FIX IT.

Tell your son you want to know what he’s most worried about regarding college. Don’t solve his problems.

Don’t reassure him. Just say “yeah, that makes sense.” This is the hardest thing for a parent to do: not solve his problems.

After eighteen years of solving scraped knees and homework problems and friendship difficulties, resisting that urge won’t be easy. But trust us, he’ll tell you more when he realizes you’re not going to solve or reassure.

3. TELL HIM THE ONE THING ABOUT BEING AN ADULT YOU WISH SOMEONE HAD TOLD YOU.

Yes, he’s going to pretend he isn’t interested or doesn’t hear you but he’s listening and will hear every word you say. Maybe how to manage debt.

How to recover from a bad day. How to react to his own dumb decisions.

For me, it’s the realization that NOBODY has a clue what they’re doing.

4. APOLOGIZE FOR SOMETHING SPECIFIC YOU’VE NEVER APOLOGIZED FOR.

If there’s something you realize you should have apologized for but never have, now’s the time. Yes, “I’m sorry for any time I let you down,” is nice.

It won’t be remembered. Apologizing for nothing is the same as not apologizing.

Own up to something specific. “I’m sorry I yelled at you about the dishwasher in 9th grade.

That wasn’t your fault.” Your son will be surprised. He’s been keeping score, and remembers exactly what happened.

Say it before he leaves for college.

5. TELL HIM WHAT YOU’RE PROUD OF ABOUT WHO HE IS, NOT WHAT HE’S DONE.

Tell him how proud you are of who he is rather than what he’s done. Tell him about a time he was kind when no one was watching.

Tell him you appreciate his sense of humor with his friends and his patience with the younger kids. Sure, it’s nice to praise your son for his great grades, his sports teams and his awards.

But as your son makes his way out the door to start his next phase, college, take a moment to praise who he is.

6. HAVE THE “IF SOMETHING HAPPENS” CONVERSATION.

What will he do if he runs out of money? Gets sick?

Has problems with his roommate? Give him your doctor’s phone number.

Practice the fire drill. It’s not interesting right now.

But come October, when it needs to be done, he’ll be grateful.

ADVENTURES, BIG AND SMALL

7. TAKE A ROAD TRIP. EVEN JUST AN HOUR AWAY.

Pack a novel that will hold his interest until arrival. Put together a playlist.

Pack some snacks. Take a road trip with your son.

It can be as close as an hour away. All you need is time in the car, cruising down a highway at 65 and talking about various topics as you gaze out the windshield that he probably wouldn’t talk about sitting across a kitchen table from you.

You can always take a road trip with your son once he’s in college, but you’ll have a unique opportunity to do so before he goes. Take advantage of it.

8. WALK HIS COLLEGE CAMPUS TOGETHER ONE MORE TIME BEFORE MOVE-IN.

It might seem redundant since you’ve probably already made the trip there once or twice, but taking him back to the college to wander around again will help him imagine it’s going to be his home away from home. Stop in front of his dorm, locate the dining hall, cruise by the library, eat in the college town.

Make it an event, and remind him that although he’s going to love living there, he can always count on us.

9. TAKE HIM TO YOUR FAVORITE RESTAURANT FROM WHEN HE WAS LITTLE.

Go to that restaurant where you took him after his first T-ball game or the pizza place around the corner from your first home together. Ordering the same thing will spark dozens of memories for both of you.

Grab some kleenex, as it can be incredibly moving.

10. GO TO A CONCERT. HIS MUSIC, NOT YOURS.

Get him tickets to see his favorite artist, the one he’s been obsessed with in the car the past two years. Don’t grumble about the expense, either.

Buy two. This memory will last ten years: him, at 18, about to leave for college, really enjoying his favorite music, and YOU, braving the middle of a bunch of teen moshers without once mentioning the insanely-loud volume.

Go ahead, enter his world. Let him choose.

Make memories.

11. SPEND A WHOLE DAY OUTDOORS WITH NO AGENDA.

When’s the last time you and yours had a day with no schedule? Spend a whole day at a state park or the pool or beach or lake.

Just a few hours spent outside with family and friends. No agenda, no responsibilities, no plans, no phones.

Books are ok. Relaxation is encouraged.

Do it again, for your son, before he heads off to college.

12. HAVE A “YES DAY.” HE PICKS. YOU GO.

“YES DAY.” If you have a son who is about to leave for college, give him control of your entire day’s plans. Let him choose where you’ll have breakfast and lunch, what you’ll do during the day, and where you’ll have dinner.

Yes, you will go along with his plans (within reason; sorry, no, you are NOT buying a motorcycle). It will break your heart a little and make you thankful at the same time as you get a peek at the man he’s going to become.

13. THE GROCERY STORE RUN PLUS A QUICK LUNCH.

If there’s a son who is about to leave for college, get him to go grocery shopping with his mother and eat lunch. My mother and I used to do that, and the trips were an excuse for conversation.

Often, guys need an occasion like that for talking to their moms. Some of the very best memories in my life happened next to a pile of grapefruits in a grocery store.

KEEPSAKES AND THINGS TO HOLD ONTO

14. WRITE HIM A LETTER TO OPEN IN HIS DORM ROOM.

Imagine him reading it. He’s alone, sitting on his twin bed, and your words are making him smile and reflect.

Imagine that image. After talking with him and saying goodbye, write down your favorite memories with him, your hopes and fears for him, your dreams for him.

Write down everything you wish you could tell him but lack the courage. Write down hard truths.

Seal the letter. On the day you take him to college, tuck the letter into his suitcase.

Just believe me.

15. MAKE A “MOM’S RECIPES” NOTEBOOK.

By his sophomore year, it’ll be his favorite thing. Start a recipe notebook for your son.

Include recipes for your favorite family meals and special dishes, such as his favorite chicken for his birthday, your tried and true chili recipe, your meatballs. Title it “MOM’S RECIPES”, add helpful hints (“Don’t burn the garlic.”) and personal comments (“I always add extra cheese.”) in the margins.

He’ll appreciate your advice more than you know.

16. TAKE A PHOTO ON THE FRONT PORCH IN THE SAME SPOT YOU’VE TAKEN THEM IN FOR YEARS.

Kindergarten, first day of school, 1st grade, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, junior high, high school, graduation, leaving for college. He’ll roll his eyes.

He’ll groan. But he’ll let you.

Then you’ll take the college photo and put it right next to that first kindergarten photo and you’ll cry during your Wednesday commute to work for the rest of your life. It’s worth it.

17. RECORD A VIDEO OF HIS VOICE ANSWERING A FEW QUESTIONS.

It doesn’t have to be an interview. Hand him your phone and ask him a few questions and record his answers.

What’s his fondest memory from childhood? What piece of advice would he give to his younger self?

What’s a secret about himself that nobody else knows? Save the file.

It may be priceless to listen to down the road, especially once his voice starts changing. Here’s to all of your sons heading off to college.

18. FRAME SOMETHING OF HIS OLD WORK FOR HIS DORM.

It will go on the wall of his dorm. We’re talking second-grade art projects, school assignments that feature him, middle school pictures he didn’t even know you’d saved.

Pick something nostalgic and sentimental. Frame it.

Wrap it. Drop it into the pile of goodies he’ll take with him to college.

He’ll pretend to be embarrassed, but he’ll love it. Trust me.

19. MAKE A MEMORY JAR FROM FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

We also ask his extended community, like aunts, grandparents, his coach, and his best friend’s mom, what their favorite memory with him is. We print them out, fold them up and put them in a mason jar, maybe with a ribbon tied around it.

We save that for either his graduation party or college move-in day. He’ll go through them all.

Guaranteed. And so will you.

20. PRINT ACTUAL PHYSICAL PHOTOS FOR AN ALBUM HE CAN TAKE TO COLLEGE.

His roomies will be so green with envy that his MOMMY made him a photo album! Take him to Walgreens to print pics, it’s less than 30 cents each on paper.

Pick 30 pics from different times of his life. Get an album and assemble it.

Slip it into his suitcase as a surprise when he leaves for college. He’ll be so proud to show it off and you’ll walk away from this knowing you’ve done something special for your son!

LIFE SKILLS TO SEND HIM OFF WITH

21. TEACH HIM LAUNDRY. FOR REAL THIS TIME.

“I showed him when he was 12” is NOT adequate preparation for doing laundry in college. Show him again.

Make him do a load under your tutelage before he leaves. Explain how to sort whites from darks (and what to do with that new red shirt), how to determine the proper dryer setting and how much detergent to use.

Yes, he will roll his eyes at you. But in October he’ll call and ask you how to get this-or-that stain out and you’ll be so smug.

22. TEACH HIM FIVE ACTUAL MEALS.

Teach him five genuine meals. It’s an excuse to stand at the stove together having casual side conversations.

He’ll think he’s just helping make dinner. In two years, he’ll be able to make these meals well enough to impress.

More importantly, though, he’ll be able to survive. Here’s my list: Eggs, made a couple of different ways (scrambled, egg sandwich), Pasta with an actual sauce (not just tossed in butter), Basic stir fry, Grilled cheese sandwich and canned tomato soup, Sheet pan chicken with vegetables.

23. WALK HIM THROUGH A REAL BUDGET.

By November of his first year of college, his roommate is going to be broke and he is going to be thanking you. Before he leaves for college, sit down with your son and walk through what a budget looks like.

Yes, he is going to roll his eyes and act bored and disinterested and resistant but do it anyways. Look at how much money he has to work with.

What’s in his checking account? Map out the money that will be coming in (job, financial aid, allowance, etc.) and the money that needs to go out (gas, food, sundries, etc.).

Sit down together and make a plan as to how he’s going to track his budget. A simple Google Sheet can work.

It’s a lot easier to make sure he’s not blowing his budget when it’s concrete and can’t allow for spending $400 on eating out in one weekend.

24. SHOW HIM HOW TO MAKE A DOCTOR’S APPOINTMENT AND REFILL A PRESCRIPTION.

Chances are your son has never once made a doctor’s appointment by himself. Take him to the doctor’s office and show him how to find the health center on campus and what steps he needs to take to make an appointment.

While he’s there, explain insurance and how to get prescription refilled before he leaves for school.

25. TEACH HIM TO WRITE A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL.

Your son may think that a good email consists of writing “hey” and typing in all lowercase, just like he’s done for the past four years when texting. Explain to your son that an informative subject line, personalized greeting, succinct introduction, specific request, courteous conclusion, and full name is what constitutes an appropriate email that would be suitable for sending to his advisor, boss, and professors.

Teach him now, before September.

26. BASIC CAR STUFF.

Teach him some basic auto maintenance. Whether or not your son has his own vehicle, make sure he knows what to do if he’s running low on gas, how long he can drive his car before an oil change, how to recognize what’s up with those little lights in the dashboard, how to determine whether or not his tires are properly inflated, how to jump-start a car, and how to change a tire.

He’s guaranteed to need help with at least two of those items within his first six months. Save yourself the aggravation down the road by giving him a lesson now.

27. HOW TO MEND A BUTTON AND USE IRON-ON HEM TAPE.

Another item on my list that I plan to work into this summer’s activities is teaching my son how to fix a missing button and how to use hem tape. He will probably never pick up a needle and thread again, but I’m certain that at some point, there’s going to be a frantic scramble to locate a button for his dress shirt as he’s getting ready for a special occasion.

At that moment, I’m betting he’ll think back to his wise ol’ Mama showing him how to fix that pesky missing button. All it takes is a needle, thread, hem tape and 5 minutes.

LAST WEEK RITUALS

28. ONE FINAL FAMILY DINNER WITH ALL HIS FAVORITES.

This year during the summer I’m going to make sure we have a special meal together before my son leaves for college. Make the meal about him.

Serve the foods HE likes. Set the pretty dishes out on the dining room table.

Light some candles. Take some pictures.

Eat slowly. Enjoy it.

Who knows what kinds of small side dishes and three meats might be involved?! His departure will be a milestone that changes the rhythms of the house forever.

Honor that!

29. TAKE A “BEFORE I LEAVE” PHOTO ON THE PORCH.

During move-in week take a picture of your son on the porch with his book bag with the car loaded up. Capture the excitement.

We take lots of graduation photos but few of the leaving-for-college shots. Print it out and display it on a shelf alongside his first-day of kindergarten photo.

Talk about them together forever.

30. GIVE HIM A SMALL TOKEN FOR HIS WALLET.

Before your son goes off to college, tuck a token of love into his wallet. It doesn’t need to be more than a penny from the year he was born, a note with a single encouraging statement, or a small, laminated photograph of the two of you together.

College can become overwhelming by October, and this token will provide him with a sense of your love. It may not be something he thinks about everyday, but he’ll feel its presence, and that’s all that’s necessary to provide some comfort.

31. HELP HIM PACK. SLOWLY. NOT THE NIGHT BEFORE.

Help him pack – but take your time. Don’t leave it to the last minute.

Start a week in advance, make a list of what’s required and tick off the list. Start with those items that have the greatest emotional impact – leave the more practical bits of equipment to last.

Lay them out on his bed – the framed pictures, the photo albums, letters, his recipe box and other mementoes of childhood – and work through them at a leisurely pace. As you do so the things that need saying, but which have yet to be said, will surface.

32. THE DRIVE TO DROP HIM OFF. LET IT BE QUIET SOMETIMES.

The car trip should include driving songs and food. Let it be loud and rowdy, but be ok with quiet.

Don’t bombard your son with questions about what he packed. Don’t hand him a binder of life advice from the passenger seat of a moving car.

Be ok with moments of silence. Resist the temptation to fill them.

Sit back, look out the window, enjoy the moment with him. You both understand its significance without saying anything.

33. DON’T RUSH THE GOODBYE IN THE PARKING LOT.

Get in the car and cry. Cry all you want halfway down the road.

If you’re one of the rare few who manages to get through a trip to campus without shedding a tear, make sure to get home and let it all out. This summer when I pull into that parking lot I’m not going to rush it.

Neither should you. Don’t try to diminish it.

Embrace how hard it is. Stay a little longer than you think you should.

Hug him. Hold him.

Tell him you love him. Tell him how proud you are.

Don’t pretend it’s “fine”. Let it be what it is.

THE ORDINARY MOMENTS THAT ARE ACTUALLY THE WHOLE THING

34. SIT ON THE COUCH AND WATCH HIS SHOW WITH HIM.

My goal for the summer, before he leaves for college, is to spend as much time on that couch with him, watching TV, as I can. So here’s what I’m going to do.

Whatever show he likes to watch I’m going to watch. Even if it’s awful.

Even if it makes no sense. I will hold my tongue on those 47 questions I have.

I will not critique the program. And, at appropriate times, I will laugh.

Because in five years I’m not going to remember what show we watched. But I’m going to remember sitting on the couch with my son, in the summer before he left for college.

The show is an excuse to sit on the couch. The point is watching TV together.

35. MAKE HIM BREAKFAST ON A RANDOM TUESDAY.

I especially loved cooking for him at age 9. Anything I cooked that we’d eat together delighted him.

This summer, before my son heads off to college, I’m going to make him breakfast on an unassuming Tuesday morning. Eggs.

Pancakes. Maybe french toast.

He’ll be up early, I’m sure of that. We’ll eat and enjoy the moment.

No photos will be taken, nothing will be posted. But when he’s living in college, he’ll remember that Tuesday morning and so will I.

Take the time to enjoy these moments with your kiddos.

36. DRIVE HIM SOMEWHERE HE’S PERFECTLY CAPABLE OF DRIVING HIMSELF.

During this summer, before my son leaves for college, I’m going to offer to drive him somewhere—even though he’s perfectly capable of driving himself. He may find the notion a little strange.

But he won’t know that I’ll be taking the long way there. That twelve-minute drive will generate more conversation between us than I’ve had with him during three days under the same roof.

37. LET HIM SLEEP UNTIL NOON AND DON’T WAKE HIM.

Let him sleep until noon. Summer is his time to decompress and relax.

Don’t bust through his door to wake him. Instead, go through your usual morning activities, make yourself a cup of coffee and enjoy the quiet on the couch.

Your day with him will begin when he shuffles into the kitchen at noon. In three months that bedroom will be empty, that bed won’t be his.

Enjoy every single moment you have while it is.

38. COOK DINNER TOGETHER. NO PHONES AT THE TABLE.

Make dinner with him, even if you don’t feel like it. Especially if you’re predicting it’s going to be awkward.

Make it something easy – pasta, tacos, grilled cheese. Spend 30 minutes side-by-side in the kitchen preparing dinner.

Then sit down together and eat. Turn off your phone.

Leave it off the table. Play some music.

Talk. Enjoy one another.

Chances are, if you can overcome your pride, you’ll have the best conversation you’ve had together in weeks. Trust me, you’ll miss those moments in September.

39. TAKE A WALK AFTER DINNER. NO AGENDA.

Tell him you want to take a walk with him. Go for a walk in your neighborhood or just around the block after dinner before he leaves for college.

After about eight minutes of walking, conversation comes much easier. It doesn’t have to be a work-out, it doesn’t have to be productive.

Soon, your son will tell you things during this walk he wouldn’t tell you any other way. Leave the headphones at home.

Walk together, no destination in mind, no agenda.

40. SIT IN HIS ROOM SOMETIMES. JUST BECAUSE.

When he goes to a friend’s house, or goes to work, or goes out in the evening, go in and sit on his unmade bed and take in his room. Take in all of it, the posters and trophies and clothes on the floor, his life in miniature.

Memorize it, because when he leaves it won’t look like that again. …and that’s okay.

OK SO ABOUT THOSE COLLAGE BOARDS.

Today is the 30th of April. My son leaves home in 14 weeks.

The collage boards for his graduation party, happening in 3 days, are leaning against the wall in our dining room, incomplete, waiting for me to figure out which photographs to use. I’ve been avoiding them because they represent something I’m not ready to acknowledge.

The fact that raising him is complete.

I wrote a list of 40 ideas. Somewhere around idea #23 it dawned on me that none of them were really about collage boards.

They’re about grabbing hold of a car ride or a breakfast date or a concert together or a quick goodbye hug in the school’s parking lot and realizing that soon they’ll be impossible. Soon will be in a few weekends when summer evaporates and we’ll be in the throes of goodbye.

It’s a list meant to prod us to say yes to those moments. Not plan.

Not put them on the calendar. Not elaborate, complicated adventures.

Just pick one of the suggestions and do it. Today.

No big deal. Pick one and go.

That’s it.

Pick one idea and text him, hey, let’s grab lunch this week, just us.

Go grab that moment. Today.

I have an 18-year-old and a 15-year-old, so I'm supposed to be well past the 'bored' years. But here I am, on a Tuesday afternoon, drafting a list of 'things to do when overly bored.' I mean, at this point it feels like some sort of conditioned response. You can't just shrug off a time in your life where a toddler obsessed with the word 'bored' would yell, 'Mom, I'm BORED' eight-seven times before lunch. That's an experience that stays with you.

On a Tuesday at about 2:47 PM, my kids would start to tell me one by one, then all at once, that they were BORED. Not like, sort of bored, or a little bit bored. They are bored in the most soul-sucking, world-ending way. “Mom, my LIFE is over” kind of bored. They had at one point at least 4,000 toys, an entire backyard, an iPad, and I’m pretty sure I even bought them a real trampoline. None of that mattered. The only one who could rescue them was me, apparently. Dad was on a “work call” and I’m 78% convinced that it was a podcast.

Picture me. A mother. At 2:48 PM on a Tuesday, I am searching "what to do when bored" as if I'm a reality show contestant whose only reward is peace and quiet.

I made this list because I have BEEN there. I survived 47 consecutive snow day. I lived through what felt like a biblical week long stomach bug. I distracted a four year old in a doctors office with a hair tie and pure will. I'm qualified to make this list. I am over qualified. My kids are now 15 and 18 and the complaints about boredom have officially stopped. They've been replaced by a very quiet house, which I would have, frankly, paid cash money for in 2015.

Here are 55 real, actual things you can try when you’re bored. Some are for the kids. Some are for you (because your boredom was real too, I see you). Some are for the dog (yes, the dog was bored too, I could SEE it in his eyes). All of them are tried and tested. All of them got us through and will get you out of the doom-scroll spiral that we both know is the actual reason you’re on this article.

Get your coffee. Or your wine. Or perhaps a coffee with a little bit of wine. I'm not your boss. Let's go.

55 Things To Do When You’re Bored At Home

1. Take a walk around the block.

The answer to my fears, embarrassingly enough, was simple – shoes, outside, and walking. The clarity, gossip from the neighbors, and the moment of peace from being unreachable. Healing. Kids are optional.

2. Bake cookies from scratch.

Not the Slice-and-Bake. I love the Slice-and-Bake. But on bored days we did the real thing. Flour everywhere. Kids "helping." A vague feeling that someone put in the salt twice. The cookies turned out ugly, yet somehow amazing, and I was a Pinterest mom for about 11 minutes.

3. Build a blanket fort that takes up your entire living room.

Every single blanket, pillow, and dining room chair went into construction. When we were done, it wasn't just a living room, it was a construction project. Monument. Kids loved it. I loved it. I wasn't taking it down for 48 hours and my husband said nothing, because he KNEW.

4. Have a kitchen dance party.

Pick a Spotify playlist like '2007 BANGERS' and blast it up so loud your neighbors text you Dance like no one's watching, especially because no one REALLY is Watching. Your kids are too embarrassed to see this. This is therapy. This is exercise. This is a whole vibe.

5. Do an actual sheet mask.

Not a speedy five-minute one. The entire 20-minute, strange-looking, “mommy why” scenario. Go into the bathro, close the door, and drink something cold. When you come out with that cool, dewy main character look, you will be a different PERSON.

6. Try a recipe you’ve been pinning for two years.

You know the type. The 'premium' soup. The 'simple' sourdough. The lemon ricotta pasta from that influencer you hate, but for some reason, you trust. Today's the day. Look it up. Make it. Take a terrible picture. Just tell yourself it's self-care.

7. Watch a movie you loved as a kid.

13 Going On 30, The Princess Diaries, and Now and Then are great options if you want to feel EMOTIONAL. Something rewatches as a kid in the 90s on a snow day is super healing. It probably fixes something deep in my soul, even if I can't explain it scientifically.

8. Reorganize your spice cabinet.

I know how this sounds. But there is an unhinged joy in throwing out that jar of cumin from 2019 and getting all of your spices in matching jars. You will feel like a Real Adult. You'll feel like Khloé Kardashian. You'll send a pic to your sister.

9. Read an actual book.

Not your phone. Not a blog. A book. With actual pages. I know, who has the time? But we all have time to scroll for 47 minutes about a celebrity divorce. Direct that energy to chapter one of something good and your brain will weep with gratitude.

10. Do a puzzle on the kitchen table.

Set out a 500-piece puzzle. Do three pieces every time you go by. By Saturday, you've finished the puzzle, and the kids think they're geniuses too. Glue it together and hang it in the garage like a trophy. Win.

11. Plant something. Anything.

A container of basil. A strange type of succulent. A little tomato plant from Lowe's that looks sad. The act of placing a living creature into dirt and making a commitment to it does something to a woman's nerves. In addition, if the plant survives, you have basil. Free basil, ladies.

12. Call a friend you haven’t talked to in months.

Yes, like how an animal would do it in the 1990s. Smash the phone, catch up on everything, spill the tea on everyone, laugh until you snort, and immediately plan a wine night. You will feel SEEN, and that is the most underrated mom feeling in the world.

13. Do gentle yoga in your living room.

Find a 20-minute YouTube video that says “for stress” or “for moms” or “for women who slept three hours.” Do it on the floor with your toddler sitting on your back. Any way you did it, you stretched, and that counts. You are basically Gisele.

14. Declutter ONE single drawer.

Don't clean the entire house. You will spiral. Just clean one drawer. The junk drawer. The makeup drawer. The drawer full of Tupperware. Empty it. Sort it. Throw the junk out. Then close the drawer and relax. Tomorrow you can do another drawer.

15. Make a vision board.

Gather some magazines, scissors, a glue stick, and a poster board. Cut out pictures of what you want. Whether it’s vacations, kitchens, abs, or peace. Glue it down and hang it up. Not saying this works, but my friend did it and now she’s in Tulum.

16. Make a real photo album.

Not a digital one! Order prints from your camera roll. It costs about eleven dollars. Put the photos in a physical book. Your kids will FREAK. They will look at the book for hours. You'll look like Mother of the Year. It's EASY!

17. Journal.

Just give it a try. Write three sentences. Write about what you ate. Write about something that annoys you. Write about something you are thankful for. That's all you have to do. Do this for a week and you'll be just like Carrie Bradshaw, if Carrie had three kids and a Costco membership.

18. Take a bath. With a candle. With a book. With a snack.

Your time is precious. Please, for the love of all that is holy, lock your door, and tell your family that you've gone missing. They'll manage. They survived without you for far longer, and they can for another 35 minutes. When you're done, you'll be revitalized. Wipe the sweat from your brow, as the water was hot, the lights were dim, and the snacks were calling. You will come out changed.

19. Learn a TikTok dance with your kids.

You will look silly. Your back will hurt. Your tweens will say "Mom, no," then they will love it. Choose a slow one. Practice for 20 minutes. Record it. Don't post it. Or do, I'm not your boss.

20. Try a new hairstyle.

A messy bun is not a hair style, it’s literally a coping mechanism. Do something different. Try a French braid, a claw clip with bangs out, or a scarf headband like your a 1960’s housewife. Your husband will NOTICE for once. Your friends will text you. Reinvention is free.

21. Picnic in the backyard.

You can even call your 12-square-foot patio a backyard. Throw out a blanket, pack a sandwich, and get eaten outside. Your kids will feel like they're living in a fairy tale, while you can experience a hallmark movie. Plus, the dog will love it as well, so it's a win for everyone.

22. Make homemade pizza for dinner.

You can buy the dough at Trader Joe's and set up a toppings bar for people to create whatever they want. It's a little bit wild but it's a fun way to spend an evening. There's a lot of cleanup, but the happiness a child gets from making their own pizza is priceless.

23. Color in an adult coloring book.

Grab some colored pencils from Target for about four bucks. Go to your kitchen table, grab a coffee, and color a mandala. Your blood pressure will hit rock bottom. You will finally comprehend why your grandma was always so calm. It’s been coloring all along.

24. Karaoke night.

Play YouTube karaoke and let the family loose. Sing "Total Eclipse of the Heart." Watch your seven-year-old slaughter "Let It Go." It might be the best evening you have had all month. There will be pictures. There will be tears. There will be ice cream after.

25. Indoor scavenger hunt.

Here are some items your kids can search for in the house:
1. A spoon
2. A shoe
3. A toothbrush
4. A cup
5. A book
6. A sock
7. A toy
8. A dog
9. A towel
10. A remote
11. A board game
12. An umbrella
13. A potted plant
14. A hat
15. A phone

26. Make playdough from scratch.

Salt, flour, cream of tartar and water playdough recipe takes ten minutes to make and kids think you're a wizard. The mess is contained and it lasts for a week. The dopamine hit is real. Five stars

27. Throw a tea party.

Real cookies. Real cups. And maybe even a hat. The snacks will even get your kid to join. Use the special mugs no one ever uses because they’re “special.” Today is special. Today is a Tuesday and we are SURVIVING.

28. Write actual thank-you notes.

Take out the stationery you purchased three Christmases ago. Write to people who deserve your thanks. A friend. A teacher. Your mom. Like an old-timey lady. See how it boomerangs joy back to you in 48 hours. It’s a real thing.

29. Give yourself a real manicure.

Move back your cuticles and file the nails. After that, there are two more coats and a top coat. Then you get to wait twenty minutes with your hands out and do nothing at all while the paint dries. Like a royal. Choose a color you normally wouldn't. It goes away in four days anyway.

30. Make a no-bake dessert.

Rice Krispie treats, no-bake cookies, and those chocolate-peanut butter cookies on the back of the oatmeal box. Quick, easy, and border-line unhealthy. You'll be a hero by 4 p.m! The kids can even help make them, and they'll be so proud!

31. Pajama day. Officially.

Announce it as an official holiday: pajama day. It’s a day where no one in the house gets a change of clothing, including you! There will be movies, snacks, and blankets. Meals will be replaced with all day snacking. It’s the most revitalizing activity a family can do, PLUS, it’s completely free! Who doesn’t love free?

32. Make a digital photo book on Shutterfly.

Make a book from your last 12 months of photos! They offer huge discounts on these books, about 50% off every couple of weeks. You will cry, your kids will cry, your mom will cry when you gift one for her birthday. It's all teary!

33. Visit the library.

The library is a fantastic resource that offers incredible free services. Your library card gives you access to unlimited entertainment and allows you to check out books to take home. You can also attend story time and craft hour for free at most libraries. Some even give out free passes to museums. If you don't already have a library card, you should get one today.

34. Board game tournament.

Get every game from your closet. Duel style. Single elimination. Winner chooses dinner. The competitive edge will entertain everyone for hours, and you'll be laughing harder than you have all week. Monopoly is forbidden. We're not here to end our marriage.

35. Toilet paper roll crafts.

Place empty rolls in a container. Add some markers, glue, googly eyes, paper scraps, and walk away. Kids go insane. They will make entire civilizations and bug-eyed creatures. Pinterest moms know, and so do you.

36. Sundae bar.

For eight dollars, you can buy ice cream with three toppings, whipped cream, and cherries, and set it up as a buffet. The children will think they've stepped into an amusement park. Film the event; they'll remember it for the next fifteen years.

37. Try a new workout video on YouTube.

Pick whichever 20-minute workout by Caroline Girvan or Heather Robertson you need to do. You’re going to hate every second of it, but you’re going to love yourself for it after the workout. You’ll be able to text your sister, ‘I worked out’ and you’ll feel insufferable, but in the best way possible.

38. Make slime.

I know it sounds horrible, and it feels like a war crime against your carpet, but maybe do it on the kitchen counter instead. It will involve glue, baking soda, contact lens solution, and food coloring. The kids will go insane. You will too, but silently in your little corner with with an ice cold glass of something.

39. Lego challenge.

Set your timer for 30 minutes. The winner is whoever builds the most creative structure. Prize? Picking the next show for family movie night. Motivation will be UNHINGED. Kids will be focused and silent. You will be able to enjoy your own thoughts. Pure bliss.

40. Make a time capsule.

Get a shoebox, decorate it, and write letters to your future selves. You could put a picture of your school, a tiny toy, a little note about what you did on that day, and a drawing. Tape the box shut and plan to open it in five years. You will DIE LAUGHING. This is the kind of stuff kids remember forever. Mom of the year.

41. Speed-clean one room.

Get a bag ready to declutter (to donate or trash before you start), put on a song you love, set your timer for 15 minutes, and positively GO! You won't stop, and you won't think. Just put stuff from your floor to your bag. You will feel amazing after your time is up. You'll feel like Beyonce in a Mom Uniform! Best of all, your room will be between 70 and 80% better.

42. Watch a documentary.

If you have anxiety, don't pick a true crime one. Go for something interesting instead, like chefs, queens, or octopuses (or is it octopi?). You'll learn a lot! And you'll feel really smart. You'll spend the whole night telling your husband random facts, and he'll act interested. As he should!

43. Plan your dream vacation.

And if you really aren't going, get out some paper and a pencil and some fun little stickers to create a vision board. Set it up on your wall as a fun little place to inspire you to actually take this trip. Now you have a place to put your flight and hotel info as well as fun restaurants you've found along the way and as they say, Manifest, baby!

44. Smoothie bar morning.

Frozen fruits, yogurt, juice, and a few add-ins. For this one, let the kids build their own. They'll put in whatever they want, including things that shouldn't go together, and drink it with pride. You can sneak spinach into yours and feel healthy. Everyone is winning!

45. Tie-dye old white t-shirts.

Imagine some $5 packs of white tees from Target with a tie-dye kit. Set it out on the patio and let the chaos begin. The shirts will be ugly and everyone will be proud. You’ll have summer pajamas for the whole family and a memory the kids will reference for years to come.

46. Make friendship bracelets.

Embroidery floss and a YouTube tutorial. For two hours you can enjoy blissful silence while you braid the strings. The finished product is cute, the experience is meditative. You’ll feel like a true artist when you gift them to family. Live the dream.

47. Write a letter to your future self.

Get some paper. Address an envelope to yourself and write to your future self. Write about what your life is like now and what you would like it to be like in a year. Seal it and write "Open April 2027" on the front. Next April, open the envelope and have an emotional moment. It will be worth it.

48. Try a 10-minute meditation.

Take advantage of Calm's free version, or check out the YouTube video titled "For Moms Who Can't Even." Sit, breathe, and do your best not to think about the laundry. If you fail, that's okay. Just keep trying. The act of trying itself is a victory.

49. Reorganize your closet.

Pull everything out. Try everything on. Donate what you haven't fit into since 2019. Color code what’s left. Step back. It’s a BOUTIQUE. It’s a CAPSULE WARDROBE. You’re practically a fashion influencer now.

50. Listen to a podcast while you fold laundry.

A true crime podcast, an episode of Smartless, or something equally juicy? Folding clothes? Entertaining your brain? The two-birds-one-stone of it all is true galaxy brain motherhood.

51. Make a bucket list.

From big things and small things, to silly things. Things you want to do this year, this decade, or in this lifetime. Write them down. Stick them on the fridge. Half the magic is in writing them, the other half is in crossing them off.

52. Bake bread.

Yes, real bread. Just like in the olden days. You will be one with the colonial women because this is going to be great. Watch it rise, watch it bake, and take in the smell of the house. There is no smell on this earth that is better than the smell of fresh baked bread on a Tuesday afternoon.

53. Sit and watch the sunset.

You can do this from your porch, driveway, or even a parking lot. Just sit and watch the clouds and sky. Leave your phone inside, and do not make any plans. Just spend five minutes. It is free therapy. Would recommend.

54. Themed movie night.

Choose a film. Pair the food. Movie about Italy? Pair with pasta and Italian soda. Movie at the beach? Goldfish and lemonade. The little ones will be shocked. You'll have the feel of an event organizer. The TikTok girls will be mad that you came up with the idea first.

55. Take a nap.

Absolutely! If you can, try to take a break. You could spend 20 minutes, 90 minutes, napping on your couch, on your bed, or even with a kid on top of you. Taking a nap is a productive use of your time and will help recharge your battery. I can guarantee that the world will not fall apart in a mere 20 minutes.

The Real Truth About Boredom

Here's what I figured out somewhere along the way. Boredom was never the enemy. It's just your brain saying, "hey lady, we have not done a single new thing in three weeks and we are SHRIVELING." It's a signal. A nudge. A little fairy on your shoulder whispering, bake the cookies, take the bath, take the nap.

Next time you, your kids or friends, your dogs, or yourself feel bored, don't panic. you can just choose a numbered activity. Pick number fourteen cause that drawer has been mocking you for ages. Pick number eighteen cause you've EARNED IT. Pick number fifty five cause YES naps count. Naps are a love language, and always will be.

You can bookmark this list. You can send this to a friend. You can tell another mom you saw this on Pinterest and fake write it yourself. I won't tell.

And one more thing, because I have to say it. My kids are 15 and 18 now. The bored years went by fast. Faster than anyone told me they would. The toddler asking for a tea party is gone. The kid who needed 47 toilet paper rolls and a glue stick is gone. Use the list. Use it now. While they're still asking.

Let your mind rest. You can do it.

How to Make Crock Pot Baked Potatoes

These easy crock pot baked potatoes have fluffy insides and perfectly seasoned, slightly crispy skins. Only 3 ingredients and easy to make.

Why I Started Making Them This Way

I first tried making baked potatoes in my slow cooker during the summer, wanting to make potatoes and not turn on the oven. I was pleasantly surprised with the result.

So much so, that I made them three more times that month.

Now, I’ll still bake them in the oven from time to time. But, on a hot summer’s day or when the oven is in use for something else, I’ll make them in my slow cooker.

Especially when I have a hectic morning and don’t want to think about dinner.

Why the Slow Cooker Gets the Skin Right

There’s no active cooking involved. It doesn’t heat up the whole kitchen like an oven.

And it leaves your oven free to make something else if needed.

I’m sure you’ve seen slow cooker baked potato recipes that add water or call for wrapping the potatoes in foil. I’m here to tell you that neither of those things is necessary.

Potatoes will cook perfectly fine in a slow cooker without any added water, as they will steam with their own moisture. And, leaving them out of foil allows the skin to get slightly crispy, meaning it will NOT get soggy.

Crispy-skinned, perfectly-cooked potatoes make the best of baked potatoes. And the best part: They’re incredibly easy to make, even in bulk.

Three Ingredients — and Why Russets Are the Only Choice

Wondering how many crock pot baked potatoes you can fit in a slow cooker? A 6-quart slow cooker will fit 4 pounds of potatoes (or about 6 to 8 medium-sized potatoes).

If you’re cooking for a crowd, fire up two slow cookers to make as many potatoes as you’d like.

• Russet potatoes
• Olive oil (about 2 tablespoons is plenty)
• Kosher salt (don’t go easy!)

Save your oven space, especially during holidays, when the oven is necessary for casseroles, roasts and holiday dinners, by cooking your spuds in the slow cooker. Bonus: Grills work great for baked potatoes, too, if your ovens are at capacity.

Stick with russets for classic baked potatoes. Yukon golds are creamier and red potatoes are small and waxy; neither of these options will yield the best baked potatoes.

Pro tip: Choose potatoes that are all similar in size so they’ll cook at the same rate; otherwise, your smaller potatoes will be overcooked once the larger potatoes are done.

How to Make Crock Pot Baked Potatoes

Step 1: Prep the Potatoes

Scrub the potatoes under running water. You’ll be shocked how dirty potatoes can be — you’ll watch them go from drab to shiny as you wash them.

Then, dry the potatoes with a clean towel.

Step 2: Oil and Season

Coat each potato generously with olive oil, massaging it over the entire surface of the potato. The more thoroughly you coat them with olive oil, the better: Rather than crisp up in the crock pot, un-oiled potatoes will steam and have limp, sad skins.

Olive oil is best — better than melted butter, even — because salt penetrates and seasons it better than other options (like vegetable oil).

Next, shower them with kosher salt. Be sure to season the potatoes generously: Baked potato skins are a big part of baked potatoes, and without seasoning, they’ll be bland and starchy.

This is the step that can be easy to skimp on or rush through, but it’s important. A well-seasoned potato skin is one of the best parts of a perfectly-cooked potato.

Step 3: Into the Slow Cooker

Put the potatoes into the slow cooker without any foil or water. Do not line the slow cooker with foil, add water, or wrap the potatoes in foil.

Trust me, the potatoes have plenty of moisture; adding more will result in potatoes that are too soft.

Try to get the potatoes into the slow cooker in a single layer with little to no overlap, if possible. Again, you want to give the potatoes plenty of space to allow the heat to circulate.

Definitely don’t stack them.

Step 4: Cook and Check for Doneness

Cook on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8 hours. When you think they’re close to being done, test one by sliding a fork into the thickest part.

If it slides in easily, your potatoes are ready. They won’t look like oven-baked potatoes, they’ll be a bit shriveled, but the insides will be perfectly fluffy.

If it doesn’t slide in easily, cook an additional 30 minutes and test again.

Five Non-Negotiables for These to Come Out Right

• Pierce the potatoes all the way around
• Coat all sides with olive oil and salt
• Pick potatoes that are similar in size, as smaller potatoes will be done before larger potatoes
• Don’t cover the potatoes in foil, line the crock with foil, or add water, trust me on this.
• Give the potatoes enough room to allow the heat to circulate, don’t stack.

What to Load on Top

• Classic Loaded Baked Potato: butter, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, crumbled bacon, green onions or chives.
• Chili Baked Potato – Spoon some canned or homemade chili onto the potato along with shredded cheese and a dollop of sour cream. An easy, complete dinner.
• Broccoli and Cheese – My kids like their potatoes topped with steamed broccoli covered with cheddar cheese sauce or just melted, shredded cheddar cheese. A filling, yummy combo.
• Simple and Good – If you rubbed your potatoes with olive oil before baking and seasoned them, I’d just add butter and salt and enjoy.

Some other topping ideas include salsa and cheese, refried beans, green chile sauce, sauteed vegetables, gravy, etc. etc. The toppings are half the fun of baked potatoes and they’re a great opportunity to be creative or just go with the tried-and-true toppings your family loves.

The wrinkly skin of these babies might surprise you, as potatoes made in the slow cooker don’t always have the appearance of traditionally baked potatoes, but don’t be fooled; they’re perfectly cooked and fluffy inside.

These make a great option to feed the crowd, too. Set out a variety of toppings and set up a baked potato bar.

What to Serve Alongside

I like to serve slow cooker baked potatoes alongside some sort of meat, such as grilled/pan-seared steak, rotisserie/baked chicken, pork chops, ribs, but that’s just me. There are so many topping options you could easily make these potatoes a meal.

How to Store Them and What to Do With Leftovers

Slow cooker baked potatoes will keep for up to 4 days in the refrigerator. Make sure they’ve completely cooled before placing them in an airtight container or wrapping them tightly with aluminum foil.

You can reheat in the microwave by pricking the potato’s skin with a fork and microwaving for 2-3 minutes, turning over halfway through cooking, or wrap them in foil and bake in a 350° oven for about 15-20 minutes, which is my preferred reheating method as they taste better this way, though they take longer.

Can I make them ahead of time?

Yes! These crock pot baked potatoes can be made ahead of time.

You can make them a day ahead of time, store them in the fridge, then reheat them in the oven wrapped in foil when you’re ready to serve them.

Can I use red potatoes?

No. Red potatoes are much smaller and more waxy.

Russets work best.

Four Easy Changes Worth Knowing

Make these slow cooker baked potatoes creamier: Use Yukon Gold potatoes instead of russets for a denser, creamier potato.

Want more flavor? Use melted butter instead of oil.

Technically you CAN use butter in place of the oil. But the crockpot baked potatoes are cooking on LOW for a LONG time (6-8 hours), and I’ve had mixed results with the butter sometimes burning during cooking.

Avocado oil, vegetable oil, and olive oil all work well here.

Spice up the skins: Mix garlic powder or other seasonings into the oil to rub onto the skins. It’s a nice way to add another layer of flavor.

Other potatoes: If using smaller baby potatoes or smaller russet potatoes, they’ll likely be done sooner. Check at 2-3 hours on high, 4-5 on low.

Crock Pot Baked Potatoes FAQ

Can you cook potatoes in a crock pot WITHOUT water?

You can and should make these in a DRY slow cooker with no water needed. Adding water will steam-cook them, resulting in white, soft, soggy skins.

Can you put foil in the slow cooker?

Technically, yes, but I wouldn’t recommend it. For best results, bake them unwrapped in a dry slow cooker for better potato skins.

Foil will keep the potatoes from developing their best skins.

How to use leftover baked potatoes

Blend into chunky potato soup: Mash together with some leftover roast chicken, a little cream, some green onions, chives, parsley, salt, pepper. Top with croutons.

Make a breakfast scramble: Dice and toss into a skillet with eggs, cheese, green onions, chives.

Or try twice-baked potatoes.

Test for doneness by inserting a fork into the thickest part of the potato. If it doesn’t go right through like it’s cutting into soft butter, return potatoes to slow cooker for another 30 minutes and retest.

An underdone center will ruin these.

Can I make these with sweet potatoes?

Yes! Follow this recipe and cook times exactly as written.

Sweet potatoes make an awesome version of baked potatoes. The skins become super sweet and salty and a little bit caramelized.

Yum!

How many potatoes fit in a slow cooker?

A 6 quart slow cooker will fit about 4 pounds of potatoes. More than that and you’re going to get mixed results since they’re going to be cooking unevenly.

If you’d like to make a bigger batch, either enlist the help of a second slow cooker or cook potatoes in shifts.

Can I leave the Crock Pot potatoes on warm after they’re done?

If dinner’s not ready, remove the potatoes and reheat later. Leaving them longer than 1 hour on warm will negatively impact the texture of the potatoes.

Other Slow Cooker Dinners Worth Making

Pork Chop and Hash Brown Casserole – Layers of creamy, cheesy hashbrowns meet up with pork chops baked right in the casserole dish.

Crock Pot Beef and Noodles – Shredded beef + egg noodles = yum. Chuck roast cooks low and slow, then is mixed with beef broth and cooked with thick egg noodles.

Cheesy Potato Bake – Creamy hashbrowns, cheddar cheese & cream of chicken soup come together for the easiest and tastiest side dish ever.

Print

Crock Pot Baked Potatoes

Hands-off slow cooker baked potatoes with fluffy centers and seasoned skins, no oven needed.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine American

Keyword crock pot baked potatoes, slow cooker baked potatoes

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 4 hours hours

Total Time 4 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Servings 8 servings

Calories 200kcal

Equipment

• Slow cooker (6-quart recommended)
• Vegetable scrubber or washcloth
• Fork or knife

Ingredients

• 4 pounds russet potatoes about 6 to 8 medium
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt to taste

Instructions

• Scrub potatoes clean and dry well.
• Pierce each potato several times with a fork or knife.
• Rub potatoes all over with olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt.
• Place potatoes directly in the slow cooker with no foil and no water.
• Cook on High for 3 to 4 hours or Low for 6 to 8 hours, until a fork slides in easily.
• Serve hot with butter, sour cream, cheese, bacon, chives, or your favorite toppings.

Notes

Choose potatoes that are close in size so they finish at the same time. Do not add water and do not wrap the potatoes in foil; the dry slow cooker method gives better skin texture. Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheat in the microwave or oven.

Mother’s Day Brunch Recipes that are easy to make. Mothers deserve easy & relaxing days.

I don’t know about your family, but in our family Mother’s Day doesn’t have to be overly complicated. A few years ago, I realized that since moms take care of everyone else all year, Mother’s Day doesn’t and shouldn’t have to be stressful.

So, I’ve taken it upon myself to find the EASIEST Mother’s Day recipes for brunch.

All of these recipes are favorites of mine & are ones that I’ve tested out in my own kitchen.

The best part about them? You won’t be buried in dishes & can actually ENJOY Mother’s Day brunch because they are easy to make ahead of time.

The BEST Easy Cinnamon Roll Recipe

these rolls can be made the night before & can sit in the fridge until you’re ready to bake them up on Mother’s Day morning.

Easy Breakfast Casserole Recipe

this casserole feeds a crowd & takes only 10 minutes to prepare, leaving ALL of the hard work up to your oven.

Butterscotch Coffee Cake Recipe

coffee + butterscotch coffee cake = the PERFECT morning combo that is elegant, but definitely NOT stressful.

Biscuits and Gravy Casserole

save yourself from juggling pans on the stove & let your oven do all of the hard work when you make this casserole on Mother’s Day morning for brunch.

Easy Breakfast Pizza Recipe

if your family is anything like mine, we are looking for ways to branch out from your typical breakfast fare. This recipe will do just that.

Quick & Easy Breakfast Casserole Quiche Recipe

prepare this casserole the night before, pop it in the oven while everyone is grabbing their morning coffee & be impressed with your fancy brunch. This quiche is perfect for those with different dietary needs too.

Spinach and Artichoke Dip Crock Pot Recipe

you’ll be thanking your slow cooker for keeping this dip nice & cozy throughout brunch.

Real Cheese Queso Dip Appetizer Recipe

Broccoli Salad Recipe

This recipe has become a family fave over the years. It’s great to encourage healthy eating.

This broccoli salad is super crunchy and tasty. This recipe tastes even better the next day, making it the perfect make ahead brunch dish.

Homemade Soft Pretzels Recipe Appetizer

Who doesn’t love soft, chewy pretzel bites?! The coarse salt on top adds the perfect touch.

These are also another great make ahead appetizer, let the dough rise overnight in the refrigerator and voila’ you’ll be able to spend more time with your guests and less time in the kitchen.

Breakfast Sausage Casserole Recipe

Looking for a hearty, tasty, make ahead casserole recipe to serve as a main course? Look no further than this tasty breakfast casserole recipe.

It’s great for big crowds.

Deviled Egg Pasta Salad

The perfect combo of two of our faves, deviled eggs and pasta salad. Another great option for a delicious and easy-to-make brunch recipe.

Chill in the fridge to serve.

Pumpkin & Bran Muffins

This is a healthy and delicious option for your brunch spread. Make these muffins one day ahead and place in a basket at brunch.

We hope these recipes will be helpful when planning your brunches this weekend. The food is an excuse to get together and spend quality time with family, so sit down and enjoy.

What is YOUR favorite Mother’s Day brunch recipe?!

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at Coupon Cravings!!

Thanks to the #watertok TikTok trend, I’m totally inspired to revamp the flavor packets stash in my cupboard! Ready to find out how to keep your hydration game fun and flavorful? Here are my top picks for water mixes and their combos to keep you refreshed and hydrated all summer long!

BONUS Money-Saving Hack: Get a reusable water bottle that you’re obsessed with so that you will want to take it everywhere you go!

Get Drink Mix Packets HERE on Walmart.com

Get Free Shipping at Walmart.com with a Free Walmart+ Trial Membership

Are Drink Mixes for Water Healthy?

When it comes to water flavor packets, the scoop is pretty straightforward—many are a fantastic choice for jazzing up your daily H2O without piling on the calories or sugar. Look for mixes that are low in sugar or sugar-free, and those that ditch the artificial sweeteners and colors. These options can be a fantastic way to keep you hydrated and happy, especially if plain water doesn’t excite your taste buds.

However, like with anything, moderation is key. Some mixes might have additives or sugars that you’d want to keep an eye on, especially if you’re sipping multiple packets a day. Checking the ingredients list is your best bet to ensure you’re choosing the healthiest options for your lifestyle.

So, yes, water mixes can be part of a healthy hydration strategy—just opt for the cleaner options and enjoy the flavor boost they bring to your water bottle!

Water Mix Flavor Names Included in our Free Printable HERE:

Is Drinking Water with Sugar-Free Flavor Packets Good For You?

Drinking water with sugar-free flavor packets can definitely be a good choice, especially if it helps you drink more water throughout the day! These packets usually use sweeteners that don’t add calories, making them a great alternative for those looking to manage their calorie intake or cut down on sugar.

However, it’s also wise to consider what’s in those packets beyond just the lack of sugar. Some sugar-free options might contain artificial sweeteners, preservatives, or other additives that some people prefer to avoid. While these ingredients are generally recognized as safe in moderate amounts, everyone’s body reacts differently, so it’s important to pay attention to how these mixes make you feel.

If they help you stay hydrated, and you enjoy them without any adverse effects, they can certainly be a part of a healthy hydration routine. Just make sure to keep an eye on the ingredients list, and maybe rotate them with plenty of plain water to keep things balanced!

What Does Flavored Water Do to Your Body? (Lemons for Example)

Flavored water, whether it’s infused with real lemons or lemon flavoring, can be a fantastic way to boost your hydration game while offering some extra perks for your body.

Lemon-infused water, in particular, is a powerhouse. Adding fresh lemon slices to your water not only jazzes up the taste but also infuses it with natural vitamins and antioxidants. Lemons are famously high in vitamin C, which boosts your immune system and skin health. They also have a natural diuretic effect, which helps your body flush out toxins more efficiently.

If you want your water to taste like the lemonade you know, consider adding a true citrus product like True Lemon. I find mine at my Walmart stores.

As for lemon-flavored water packets, they often mimic the taste of lemons without the actual fruit. These can be beneficial if they encourage you to drink more water throughout the day, especially for those who might not always have fresh fruit handy. However, it’s good to check the ingredients for any artificial additives or sweeteners, which might not offer the same health benefits as real lemons.

In both cases, adding a lemony twist to your water can elevate your hydration and make your daily water intake a lot more enjoyable. Just remember, the more natural the source, the better the benefits!

If I am not adding flavor packets, how do I make fruit-infused water?

Making real fruit-infused water is a refreshing and simple way to spice up your hydration routine without any artificial ingredients or sweeteners.

Here’s how to create your own delicious fruit-infused water with simple ingredients:

• 1. Choose Your Fruit: Almost any fruit will work, but the most popular choices include lemons, limes, oranges, berries, and cucumbers. You can also experiment with herbs like mint or basil for an extra zing.
• 2. Prepare the Fruit: Wash your fruit thoroughly. Slice it thin enough so that the flavors can easily infuse into the water. Berries can be left whole or halved, while citrus fruits are best sliced or cut into wedges.
• 3. Combine and Infuse: Fill a pitcher or a large jar with cold water. Add the sliced fruits and herbs into the water. Use a spoon or a muddler to gently crush the fruit and herbs a bit to release their flavors.
• 4. Let It Sit: Let the mixture sit for a few hours in the refrigerator to infuse. The longer it sits, the more flavorful the water will become. For best results, let it infuse for about 3 to 4 hours or even overnight.
• 5. Serve and Enjoy: Once the water has reached your desired level of flavor, it’s ready to drink. You can strain out the fruits and herbs or leave them in to enjoy along with the water.
• 6. Refill: Don’t throw away the fruit after one use— you can often refill the container with water a few times before the flavors begin to diminish.

Creating fruit-infused water is a fun and healthy way to stay hydrated, and it allows you to play around with different flavor combinations based on your preferences and seasonal fruits. It’s a natural, sweet treat that feels indulgent without any of the guilt!

That was years ago. These days I plan ahead, I keep a rotation of dinners we all actually like, and I lean hard on recipes that are simple enough to pull off on a Tuesday after a long day. Over the years I’ve built up a pretty solid collection of go-to weeknight dinners — and I’ve rounded up 50 of my favorites right here so you’ve always got somewhere to start when that “what’s for dinner?” panic hits at 5pm.

These are real recipes that have been made in my actual kitchen and eaten by my actual family. Some take 20 minutes, some cook all day in the crockpot, some are sheet pan situations where you just throw everything in the oven and walk away. That’s my bar for putting them on this list — if my people ate it and asked for it again, it’s in.

Wendy’s Copycat Chili Recipe

If you’ve ever sat in a Wendy’s parking lot with a paper cup of chili and thought “I could probably make this at home,” you were right. This copycat recipe nails the flavor so well it’s almost uncanny — the combination of ground beef, kidney beans, tomato sauce, and a very specific blend of spices makes something that tastes exactly like what you’d get through the drive-through, except you made a whole pot of it for a fraction of the cost.

What I love about this recipe is how far it stretches. Chili is one of those magical meals you can serve for dinner, pack for lunch the next day, pour over baked potatoes or hot dogs, or pile on top of Fritos for a quick Frito pie. You could realistically feed your family twice off one pot and still have leftovers.

My husband is legitimately obsessed with Wendy’s chili. He was skeptical when I told him I was making a copycat version at home, but after the first bowl he admitted it was better than the original. That is the highest praise he gives for anything I cook and I will absolutely be bragging about it forever.

Get the full recipe here.

Beef and Cheese Enchiladas

Beef and cheese enchiladas are one of those dinners I can make completely on autopilot at this point, which makes them absolutely perfect for weeknights. Ground beef, refried beans, enchilada sauce, and lots of cheese — rolled up in flour tortillas and baked until bubbly and golden on top. Simple ingredients, huge payoff.

The refried beans are actually the secret to making these really satisfying. They give the filling a creaminess that holds everything together and makes each enchilada feel genuinely substantial. I’ve made these without the beans and they’re fine, but with the beans they go from good to great.

This is a dinner that requires zero drama and produces zero leftovers at my house. I usually make a big pan and there’s never anything left. If you want to make it even easier on yourself, prep the filling earlier in the day and just assemble and bake when you’re ready for dinner.

Get the full recipe here.

Shredded Beef Enchiladas: Crock Pot Dinner

These shredded beef enchiladas are the more impressive older sibling of the ground beef version. A chuck roast spends the day in the crockpot until it’s fall-apart tender, then you shred it and use it as the filling for enchiladas smothered in red sauce and melted cheese. The crockpot does the heavy lifting — you just do the fun part at the end.

The slow-cooked shredded beef has a depth of flavor that you simply can’t get from ground beef. It’s richer, more tender, and feels like a restaurant-quality filling. This is the recipe I make when I want weeknight dinner to feel like more of an event without actually spending more time in the kitchen.

Yes, there’s more assembly involved than a standard dump-and-go crockpot meal, but once the beef is shredded the rolling goes pretty fast. I usually do this on days I work from home when I have a little more flexibility. The results are absolutely worth the extra step and the table always gets quiet in the best way.

Get the full recipe here.

Easy, Inexpensive Mongolian Beef

Mongolian beef is one of those takeout staples that seems like it would be complicated to make at home, but it’s actually incredibly straightforward. Flank steak sliced thin, coated in cornstarch, and cooked in a sweet soy-ginger sauce until it’s sticky and glossy and completely irresistible over white rice.

This version is inexpensive and comes together in about 20 minutes once your prep is done. The sauce is the star — soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, ginger, and a little hoisin come together into something that tastes like you absolutely paid someone to make it. My family thinks we ordered takeout every time I put this on the table.

I’ve started playing along and telling them it came from a restaurant, which makes them appreciate it even more. The reality is it cost me about a third of what takeout would and I made it in my pajamas, so honestly everyone wins. This one is in the permanent weeknight rotation and has been for years.

Get the full recipe here.

Easy Pulled Beef Sandwich Recipe

A chuck roast braised low and slow in a mixture of beef broth and Coca-Cola until it practically shreds itself — this pulled beef is one of the most versatile things I make in my crockpot. Pile it on hoagie rolls, stuff it in quesadillas, serve it over mashed potatoes. Whatever you do with it, it’s going to be delicious.

The Coca-Cola isn’t something you can taste in the final product, but it tenderizes the meat beautifully and adds a subtle sweetness to the braising liquid that makes the beef incredibly flavorful. It’s one of those technique things that sounds a little unusual until you taste the result and then you completely understand.

One roast feeds my family dinner and usually gives us enough for at least two more meals throughout the week. I’ll do beef sandwiches the first night, then use the leftovers for tacos or loaded baked potatoes later. It’s one of the best uses of a crockpot I know and the cost per serving is genuinely impressive.

Get the full recipe here.

Beef Stroganoff in Crock Pot

Beef stroganoff is the kind of dinner that feels fancy enough to be special but is actually completely effortless when you let the crockpot do the work. Tender strips of beef in a creamy mushroom sauce served over egg noodles — this is real comfort food at its very best, and it asks almost nothing of you.

The key to getting that rich, velvety sauce is adding the sour cream at the very end, off the heat, so it doesn’t curdle. Everything else goes in the crockpot in the morning and cooks all day. By the time you walk in the door, your whole house smells incredible and dinner is essentially done.

I’ve made this recipe enough times that my family starts requesting it in October and doesn’t stop until the crockpot gets put away in the spring. It’s cold-weather comfort food at its finest, and the egg noodles are the perfect vehicle for all that creamy, savory sauce. One of my all-time favorites.

Get the full recipe here.

Philly Cheese Steak Crock Pot Recipe

Everything you love about a Philly cheesesteak — the tender beef, the sweet peppers and onions, the melted provolone — without having to stand at the stove. A beef round steak with Italian seasoning, peppers, and onions slow cooks all day until it’s incredibly tender and deeply flavorful. Then you pile it onto hoagie rolls and broil with cheese for one minute.

When it’s done, you have a legitimate cheesesteak experience that you made in your own kitchen for a fraction of restaurant prices. The beef shreds beautifully and the peppers and onions get soft and sweet and caramelized from the long cook time. It’s one of those recipes where the slow cooker does something the stovetop simply cannot replicate.

My husband puts this in his top five dinners I make, which is high praise considering how many dinners I’ve made over the years. He grew up eating real Philly cheesesteaks and he still insists this one holds up. That kind of endorsement is what keeps a recipe in the permanent rotation at our house.

Get the full recipe here.

Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes

What happens when you combine a sloppy joe with a Philly cheesesteak? Something that sounds a little chaotic but is actually one of the most crowd-pleasing sandwiches I’ve ever made. Ground beef cooked with peppers, onions, and Worcestershire sauce in a savory, slightly saucy mixture, piled onto toasted buns and topped with melted provolone.

This whole dinner comes together in about 30 minutes and uses ingredients you most likely already have on hand. The Worcestershire sauce and beef broth give the filling a real depth of flavor that makes it taste like something you’d order at a restaurant rather than something you threw together on a Tuesday night after a long day.

My kids fight over the last one every single time I make this. I’ve started making extra because the math never works out in my favor if I don’t. It’s messy, it’s cheesy, and it’s exactly the kind of dinner a busy weeknight calls for. On the table in 30 minutes and everyone is happy.

Get the full recipe here.

Philly Cheese Steak Sliders

These sliders take everything great about a Philly cheesesteak and pack it into a Hawaiian roll, then bake the whole pan together until the cheese is perfectly melted and the tops are golden and buttery. They work for weeknight dinner, game day, or feeding a crowd — honestly any occasion where people are hungry and you want something that disappears fast.

Shaved steak, caramelized peppers and onions, and melted provolone all tucked into those soft, slightly sweet rolls is a combination that is almost impossible to stop eating. I’ve made two pans for a group of eight people and there wasn’t a single slider left. They go that fast.

The butter-herb topping that gets brushed over the rolls before baking is what takes these from good to outstanding. It soaks into the tops as they bake and makes them so rich and fragrant and flavorful. If you’re feeding a crowd, double the recipe — you will absolutely be glad you did.

Get the full recipe here.

Beef Burrito Casserole Dinner Recipe

All the flavors of a beef burrito in one easy casserole — ground beef, refried beans, flour tortillas, salsa, sour cream, and cheese layered together and baked until bubbly. This is the dinner I reach for when I want something that feels put-together but takes about 20 minutes of actual effort.

The layering is what makes this feel special. The tortillas soften as they absorb the flavors around them, and when you scoop it out, you get a little of everything in every bite — creamy beans, seasoned beef, melted cheese. It’s like a deconstructed burrito that’s somehow even more satisfying than the original.

This casserole reheats beautifully, which makes it one of my favorite make-ahead dinners. I’ll put it together earlier in the day and just bake it when we’re ready to eat, or make a full pan on Sunday and heat up portions throughout the week. It keeps well and tastes just as good the next day.

Get the full recipe here.

Beef and Noodle Casserole Recipe

Ground beef, egg noodles, cream cheese, and a tomato-based sauce baked together into a bubbling, cheesy casserole that is the definition of weeknight comfort food. This recipe takes familiar pantry ingredients and turns them into something that tastes like way more effort than it actually is.

The cream cheese is what sets this apart from a basic beef noodle bake. It adds a richness and subtle creaminess to the sauce that makes every bite feel really satisfying. Combined with shredded cheddar on top that gets golden in the oven, this casserole hits all the right notes — creamy, cheesy, hearty, comforting.

My family cleans the pan every time. I serve it with a simple green salad and garlic bread and it feels like a complete, real dinner on the table without a lot of fuss. This is one I come back to again and again especially in the fall and winter when I want something warm and filling that practically makes itself.

Get the full recipe here.

Beef Stew Recipe

There are a handful of recipes in my life that I consider close to perfect, and this beef stew is one of them. Chunks of beef, carrots, potatoes, and celery slow cooked in a rich, savory broth all day in the crockpot — the kind of dinner that makes your whole house smell so incredible that your family starts asking what’s for dinner around 2pm.

The key to great beef stew is browning the beef first before it goes in the crockpot. It takes an extra five minutes but adds a depth of flavor to the broth that you simply can’t get by skipping the step. The Worcestershire sauce and tomato paste in the broth add richness that makes the stew taste like it’s been simmering for hours — because it has.

This is a non-negotiable in my fall and winter rotation. I make it on Sundays when the temperature drops and it sets the tone for the whole week. Serve it with crusty bread for dipping and you have one of the most satisfying meals imaginable. One of the truly great ones in my recipe collection.

Get the full recipe here.

Instant Pot Mongolian Beef with Fried Rice

The Instant Pot makes Mongolian beef with fried rice possible on even the most chaotic weeknights. The beef cooks tender in the pressure cooker in that sticky, sweet soy-ginger sauce, and the fried rice comes together right alongside it for a complete meal that feels like takeout but costs a fraction of what delivery would.

What makes this recipe so useful is that you’re getting the main dish and the side dish in one coordinated process — less cleanup, less time spent juggling multiple pots, and the whole meal is done in under 30 minutes. It tastes like something you ordered from a really good restaurant and I mean that genuinely.

This is one of my most-used Instant Pot recipes without question. Every time I make it I’m reminded of how much that kitchen gadget has changed weeknight cooking at our house. If you’re looking for a good reason to use your Instant Pot more, this is it.

Get the full recipe here.

Easy Chicken Casserole with Stuffing

This casserole has been in my regular dinner rotation for so many years it feels like an old friend. Chicken, cream of chicken soup, sour cream, and Stovetop stuffing baked together into something cozy and completely satisfying that comes together with almost no effort at all. Humble ingredients that add up to something genuinely wonderful.

The stuffing on top bakes into a beautiful golden crust while the chicken and creamy sauce underneath stay soft and moist. Every scoop has that perfect combination of textures — tender chicken, rich cream sauce, and a slightly crisp stuffing topping — that makes it so incredibly craveable.

I’ve brought this to potlucks, made it for sick friends, served it for church dinners, and made it on random Tuesdays when I just need an easy win. It works in every situation and it always gets eaten enthusiastically. If you’re looking for a go-to casserole that is genuinely simple and genuinely good, this is the one.

Get the full recipe here.

Crock Pot Chicken Chili Recipe

White chicken chili made with great northern beans and a creamy broth is one of my all-time favorite dinners. Chicken breasts go in the crockpot with chicken broth, white beans, green chiles, onion, and a simple spice blend, and by dinnertime you have a bowl of something really, genuinely wonderful that tastes far more complex than the effort involved.

Unlike red chili, white chicken chili is mild enough for the whole family but still deeply flavorful and satisfying. A spoonful of cream cheese stirred in at the end makes the broth creamy and rich without being heavy. I serve it topped with shredded Monterey Jack, a dollop of sour cream, and jalapeño slices for the adults.

This is probably my most-requested fall dinner. My kids eat it without complaint, my husband adds hot sauce to his, and I’m happy because it took me about eight minutes of active work to put together. Cornbread on the side and dinner is completely, happily handled.

Get the full recipe here.

Easy Italian Pasta & Chicken Dish Recipe

Rotini pasta, cubed chicken, jarred Alfredo sauce, and mozzarella cheese baked together into a creamy, cheesy pasta dish that is legitimately one of the easiest dinners in my arsenal. This is the recipe I make when I’m tired and hungry and need something that feels like a real dinner but requires almost zero thought.

Italian seasoning and garlic powder give this a big flavor punch that makes it taste more complex than the ingredient list suggests. You can use rotisserie chicken here if you want to cut down on prep time even further — it works beautifully and makes dinner even faster on those nights when you’re truly running on empty.

I’ve made this for potlucks, for new mothers who need a meal dropped off, and for my own family on nights when I just need something reliable. It always gets eaten, always gets complimented, and takes me about 15 minutes of actual work. That’s my definition of a perfect recipe.

Get the full recipe here.

Crockpot Chicken Sandwiches

Ranch-seasoned chicken with cream cheese and bacon, slow cooked all day and then shredded and piled onto buns — crack chicken sandwiches are in my permanent top five most-made dinners. The name is accurate. Once you make these, you completely understand why people are so obsessed with this combination.

Three main ingredients go in the crockpot in the morning — chicken, cream cheese, and a packet of ranch seasoning — and you come home to something that’s already pulled and perfectly seasoned and ready to go. Stir in some cooked, crumbled bacon at the end and pile it onto soft buns.

My family eats these without a single complaint, which in a house with picky kids and strong opinions about everything is genuinely impressive. I serve them with a simple coleslaw on the side or just some chips and call it dinner. Easy, cheap, and absolutely delicious every single time without fail.

Get the full recipe here.

Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos

Chicken breasts, a packet of taco seasoning, and a can of Rotel — into the crockpot they go. By dinnertime you have tender, perfectly seasoned shredded chicken that can become tacos, quesadillas, nachos, burrito bowls, or whatever your family is in the mood for. This is my Tuesday morning lifesaver, made at least twice a month.

The beauty of this recipe is its total flexibility. The chicken is well-seasoned on its own, but it works as a base for just about anything. Set out taco shells and toppings for a traditional taco night, put out tortillas and let everyone build quesadillas, or serve it simply over rice with avocado. Every version is great.

I’ve made this probably a hundred times and it has never once failed me. The chicken shreds incredibly easily after cooking in the crockpot all day, and the Rotel adds just the right amount of tomato flavor and mild heat. This is one of those dump-and-go recipes that delivers far more than what you put into it.

Get the full recipe here.

Buffalo Chicken Crock Pot Sandwiches

Three ingredients — chicken, cream cheese, and Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Sauce — go into the crockpot in the morning and come out as the most incredible spicy, creamy shredded chicken you can imagine. Pile it on buns or serve it on top of baked potatoes. Either way, it’s spicy, creamy, and gone before you can blink.

The cream cheese mellows the heat from the buffalo sauce and makes the filling rich and creamy without being overpowering. If your family likes things on the milder side, use less buffalo sauce; if they love heat, add more. It’s an easy ratio to adjust and the result is always outstanding.

I’ve served this at parties, tailgates, and regular Tuesday dinners, and it always gets compliments and recipe requests. Something about buffalo chicken just gets people excited. This version is so easy and so good that once you make it, it earns a permanent spot in the rotation without any debate.

Get the full recipe here.

Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken Recipe

Sweet, sticky pineapple-soy chicken that slow cooks all day and is served over rice with sesame seeds and green onions — this Hawaiian chicken is one of those recipes that makes dinner feel a little special on an ordinary weeknight. The sauce is a perfect balance of sweet and savory and the chicken gets so tender it practically melts.

Pineapple juice, soy sauce, brown sugar, and garlic are the base of the sauce, and as it cooks all day it reduces slightly and coats the chicken beautifully. If you want a thicker sauce, stir in a cornstarch slurry at the end and cook on high for about fifteen minutes. It’s a simple step that makes a noticeable difference.

This is one that earns real compliments. When I serve it over a mound of white rice with sesame seeds on top, it genuinely looks like restaurant food. My kids love the sweetness of the pineapple sauce, my husband loves how easy it is for me to make on a weeknight, and I love that everyone is happy. Everyone wins.

Get the full recipe here.

Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Pasta

The name crack chicken gets used a lot, but this pasta version is the most addictive thing I’ve made with it. Chicken, cream cheese, ranch seasoning, cheddar, and bacon all combined with pasta in the slow cooker into a cheesy, creamy, completely irresistible dinner that my kids have requested more times than any other meal I cook.

The pasta gets added toward the end of the cooking time and absorbs all that creamy, ranch-flavored sauce as it finishes. By the time it’s done, everything is coated in this rich, cheesy mixture that is genuinely hard to stop eating. I always make a full pot and I always run out. Every single time.

I’ve made this for family dinners, potlucks, and church events, and it gets the same reaction every time — immediate quiet because everyone is too busy eating to talk. If you haven’t tried crack chicken pasta yet, this recipe is the place to start. Just make sure you have enough for seconds.

Get the full recipe here.

Chicken Bacon Ranch Casserole

Chicken, bacon, ranch seasoning, Velveeta, and spaghetti baked together in a casserole that sounds a little unusual until you taste it. Then you completely understand why this one earns a permanent spot in the rotation. It’s cheesy, savory, a little smoky from the bacon, and completely satisfying in every bite.

Velveeta gets a bad reputation sometimes, but in casseroles like this it is genuinely the right tool for the job. It melts completely into the sauce and gives you that smooth, creamy, stick-to-the-noodles consistency that makes every bite rich and satisfying. Combined with real cheddar on top, you get the best of both worlds.

I was skeptical the first time I made this. The ingredient list is a little unconventional. But the first bite converted me completely and I’ve been making it ever since. This recipe has been a reader favorite for years and it continues to be one I reach for whenever I need something that I know will be eaten without any drama.

Get the full recipe here.

Easy Chicken Tetrazzini

Tetrazzini sounds like something you’d order at a fancy Italian restaurant, but it’s actually one of the most approachable baked pasta dishes you can make at home. Shredded chicken, thin spaghetti, a creamy Parmesan sauce, and a buttery breadcrumb topping — all baked together until golden and bubbling and completely irresistible.

This is a great way to use up leftover rotisserie chicken, which makes it even faster to put together on a weeknight. The sauce comes together in about ten minutes on the stovetop, then you combine everything, top with breadcrumbs and Parmesan, and bake. The result is pure comfort food that feels elevated without being the least bit difficult.

My family loves this dinner and it feeds a crowd easily. I’ve made it for regular Tuesday dinners, church potlucks, and for friends who needed meals dropped off. It travels well, reheats well, and gets eaten enthusiastically every single time. That’s a recipe that has absolutely earned its place in the permanent rotation.

Get the full recipe here.

Crack Chicken Instant Pot Recipe

For the days when you forgot to start the crockpot, the Instant Pot is here to save dinner. This crack chicken recipe gives you the same creamy, ranch-seasoned, cheesy shredded chicken in a fraction of the time — we’re talking ready in under 30 minutes from start to plate. It is a genuine dinner emergency rescue.

Chicken breasts, cream cheese, and ranch seasoning go into the Instant Pot, pressure cook for 15 minutes, shred, stir in cheddar and bacon, and you’re done. Pile it on buns, serve it over rice, stuff it into baked potatoes — it works beautifully every way you serve it.

This recipe has saved my dinner plans on more occasions than I can count. When the afternoon gets away from me and I realize I never started anything, the Instant Pot crack chicken is what I turn to. Fast, easy, and reliably delicious — exactly what a weeknight rescue recipe needs to be.

Get the full recipe here.

Easy Chicken Bacon Fettuccine Alfredo Casserole

This casserole takes chicken fettuccine Alfredo — already a crowd-pleaser — and makes it even better by adding bacon and baking everything together in the oven. The result is a creamy, rich pasta dish with a slightly golden top and a flavor combination that makes everyone at the table genuinely happy.

You can make this with homemade Alfredo sauce or jarred — either works well. The bacon brings a smoky saltiness that plays beautifully against the creamy sauce, and the baking step gives you those slightly chewy edges and golden top that you just can’t get from pasta cooked on the stovetop alone. It’s worth the extra step.

My sister asked me for this recipe the first time I made it for her, which is one of my all-time best recipe endorsements. I’ve been making it ever since and it never disappoints. If your family likes Alfredo anything, they are absolutely going to love this casserole.

Get the full recipe here.

Cheesy Tortellini Casserole Recipe

Cheese tortellini layered with Alfredo sauce and marinara, topped with mozzarella and baked until hot and bubbly with a golden, melted cheese top — this is one of those six-ingredient dinners that delivers way above its weight class. It tastes like something you spent real time on, and you absolutely did not.

The combination of creamy Alfredo and tangy marinara in the same dish creates a sauce that is more interesting than either one would be on its own. Every bite of the tortellini is coated in this slightly creamy, slightly tomatoey blend that is genuinely craveable. The cheese pull when you scoop it out is deeply satisfying.

This casserole goes together in about ten minutes of prep and bakes in under 30. I make it when I want a dinner that feels like more than just pasta but don’t have the time or energy for something elaborate. It’s become a regular in my rotation and one of the recipes I recommend most when people ask for easy weeknight ideas.

Get the full recipe here.

Four Cheese Baked Mostaccioli Recipe

This is the pasta dish I make when I want to really impress people. Mostaccioli pasta baked with Italian sausage, ground beef, and four kinds of cheese in a rich, deeply seasoned tomato sauce — it’s a complete meal in one pan that tastes like Sunday dinner even if you’re making it on a Wednesday night.

The four-cheese combination is what makes this special. Ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, and Romano all contribute something different to the final dish. Together they create a richness and complexity that makes this feel more sophisticated than a regular baked pasta, even though the process itself is really very straightforward.

This is my go-to when I’m feeding a crowd, hosting family, or just want a dinner that generates real enthusiasm at the table. It feeds a lot of people, holds well in the oven if timing gets tricky, and reheats beautifully the next day. One of my personal all-time favorites in this entire collection.

Get the full recipe here.

Spaghetti Casserole Dinner Recipe

This spaghetti casserole has a secret ingredient that raises some eyebrows the first time people hear it — cream cheese and cottage cheese mixed right into the pasta before baking. It sounds unusual, I know. But the texture and flavor that combination creates is genuinely special, and this recipe converts skeptics every single time.

The cream cheese and cottage cheese layer creates an almost lasagna-like interior that makes the casserole far more satisfying than regular baked spaghetti. Combined with seasoned ground beef and tomato sauce on top and melted cheddar across the whole thing, every bite is rich, layered, and really, really good.

Just make this. I know the ingredient list might give you a moment’s pause, but trust the process. I’ve served it at potlucks where people have asked what restaurant I got it from. When I tell them it’s a simple casserole I threw together, they always ask for the recipe. It’s one of the hidden gems in my collection.

Get the full recipe here.

Crockpot Baked Spaghetti

Baked spaghetti in the crockpot sounds like it shouldn’t work, but it absolutely does. Layers of spaghetti, meat sauce, cream cheese, and mozzarella all slow cook together into a rich, cheesy pasta situation that my kids consider one of the best dinners I make. If your family likes spaghetti, this version takes it to a completely different level.

The layering is what makes this special. The cream cheese softens and blends into the pasta and sauce as it cooks, creating a creaminess throughout that regular baked spaghetti simply doesn’t have. The mozzarella on top melts into a gooey, stretchy layer that makes every scoop feel indulgent and satisfying.

This is a great recipe for busy families because you can set it up in the morning and let it do its thing all day. By dinnertime you have a complete meal that’s been slowly perfecting itself for hours. Serve it with garlic bread and a salad and dinner is completely handled without any last-minute scrambling.

Get the full recipe here.

Crockpot Lasagna Easy Dinner Recipe

I was skeptical about crockpot lasagna for an embarrassingly long time. Then I made it and realized I had been missing out. No boiling noodles, no layering in a hot pan, no timing gymnastics — just layers of lasagna in the crockpot that come out tender, cheesy, and completely delicious.

The noodles cook right in the crockpot, softening as they absorb the sauce and moisture from the meat and cheese layers. They don’t come out with crispy edges like oven lasagna does, but in exchange you get perfectly cooked noodles every time with essentially zero effort on a weeknight morning.

My family thinks I spent hours on this. I will never tell them the truth. This is my secret weapon dinner for nights when I want something that feels impressive but isn’t going to cost me more than ten minutes of actual work. Set-it-and-forget-it lasagna is real and it is genuinely wonderful.

Get the full recipe here.

Crockpot Ravioli Casserole Recipe

Frozen ravioli, Italian sausage, jarred pasta sauce, and mozzarella — layered in the crockpot and cooked until everything is bubbling and hot and the cheese is perfectly melted. This might be the easiest four-ingredient dinner I make on a regular basis, and it tastes like something that took real effort.

The ravioli cooks right in the crockpot without any pre-boiling, which is one of my favorite things about this recipe. By the time it’s done, the pasta has absorbed some of the sauce and each ravioli is tender and full of flavor. The Italian sausage adds a savory richness that makes this feel like a hearty, complete meal.

On nights when I have absolutely no mental energy left for cooking, this is what I make. Layer it, turn it on, walk away. Dinner is handled. I am a genuine advocate for recipes that require minimal brainpower and still deliver a result that your family is happy about, and this one does exactly that.

Get the full recipe here.

Easy Tuna Noodle Casserole Recipe

Tuna noodle casserole has been feeding families for generations, and there’s a reason it never goes away — it’s cheap, fast, filling, and kid-friendly in a way that very few meals are. This version uses macaroni and cheese as the base, which makes it even easier and even more popular with the under-ten crowd.

Cream of celery soup, tuna, and peas mixed into mac and cheese, topped with crushed potato chips and baked until crispy and golden on top. The potato chip topping sounds like a gimmick but it absolutely isn’t — it adds crunch and salt and something fun that makes this casserole feel special rather than just practical.

This is a budget meal that doesn’t feel like one. I make it on weeks when I’m trying to keep grocery costs in check and it never feels like deprivation — it just feels like a cozy, familiar dinner that everyone eats happily. If you grew up on tuna casserole, this version will take you right back.

Get the full recipe here.

Walking Tacos

Walking tacos are exactly what they sound like — a bag of Doritos split open down the side and loaded with seasoned ground beef, shredded cheese, lettuce, tomato, and sour cream. You eat it with a fork right from the bag, and yes, it is every bit as fun as it sounds.

Kids absolutely lose their minds for walking tacos. There’s something about the eating experience — customizing your own bag, the Dorito-taco flavor combination, the novelty of eating out of a chip bag — that makes this dinner feel like an event. I make it on Friday nights when everyone’s in a good mood and nobody wants to do dishes.

Walking tacos are also endlessly customizable. Use Cool Ranch Doritos instead of Nacho Cheese for a different flavor spin, swap in refried beans for a vegetarian option, or set out a whole topping bar and let everyone go. It’s the most fun dinner in my regular rotation, no question.

Get the full recipe here.

Weeknight Deep-Dish Taco Squares Casserole Recipe

This taco squares casserole is a recipe I’ve been making for years and it has a certain nostalgic, old-school quality that I genuinely love. Bisquick crust, seasoned ground beef, a creamy sour cream layer, and plenty of cheese baked into squares that deliver everything taco night could be in easy casserole form.

The Bisquick crust bakes into something slightly bready and soft, like a deep-dish pizza crust but lighter and a little fluffier. The layers above it are all the familiar taco flavors — beef, cheese, tomato, sour cream — and the whole thing is sliced into squares and served topped with fresh lettuce and salsa.

This is a recipe that wins over picky eaters without much effort. The familiar taco flavors in a casserole format feel approachable and fun, and it’s one of those dinners that disappears fast. I’ve been making this since my oldest was little and it’s one of those family favorites that has genuinely stood the test of time.

Get the full recipe here.

Pork Shoulder Slow Cooker Enchiladas with Poblano Cream Sauce

This is the recipe I make when I want dinner to feel genuinely special. Slow-cooked pork shoulder shredded and rolled into enchiladas, then smothered in a smoky, creamy poblano cream sauce that is unlike any enchilada sauce you’ve ever had from a jar. It tastes like something you’d order at a really exceptional Mexican restaurant.

The poblano cream sauce is what makes this dish memorable and completely worth making. Roasted poblano peppers blended with cream, garlic, and chicken broth into something luxuriously silky and full of subtle, smoky heat. Once you make this sauce you will find other things to put it on — it’s that good on its own.

Yes, this takes more effort than most of my weeknight recipes, but so much of it is hands-off slow cooker time. The active work is maybe 20-25 minutes total. If you have a weekend day to make the pork ahead of time, you can assemble the enchiladas on a weeknight and it becomes very manageable. Absolutely, completely worth it.

Get the full recipe here.

Taco Crescent Bake

Crescent roll dough pressed into the bottom of a baking dish, topped with seasoned ground beef, shredded cheese, and Rotel, then baked until golden and bubbly — and then piled with crushed Doritos, lettuce, sour cream, and all your favorite taco toppings. Taco night reimagined in the best possible way.

The crescent roll base is buttery and soft and creates the perfect foundation for all those taco toppings. My kids are obsessed with this dinner because it hits all the same notes as taco night but somehow feels even more fun. The Doritos on top add crunch that makes every bite genuinely exciting.

This comes together in about 25 minutes from start to finish and tastes like you planned something really fun. I put it in the oven, set out the toppings in little bowls, and by the time it comes out everyone is gathered and ready and dinner is completely done. A weeknight winner, every time.

Get the full recipe here.

Steak Fajitas Restaurant Style

These steak fajitas taste exactly like what you’d get at your favorite Mexican restaurant, and they’re surprisingly achievable on a weeknight. Flat iron steak marinated in a bold combination of lime juice, garlic, cumin, and chili powder, then cooked hot and fast with colorful peppers and sweet onions until everything is perfectly caramelized and fragrant.

The marinade does most of the work here, and even an hour of marinating time makes a significant difference in the flavor and tenderness of the steak. If you have more time, marinate overnight — the result will be even better. The key to getting that restaurant-quality sear is a very hot pan and not overcrowding, so the meat sears rather than steams.

Set out warm tortillas, shredded cheese, sour cream, guacamole, and salsa, and let everyone build their own. There’s something about fajita night where the whole table feels lively and engaged and happy. This is one of those dinners that’s more than just food — it’s cheaper and honestly more fun than going out.

Get the full recipe here.

Mexican Shrimp Fajitas Recipe

Shrimp fajitas are one of those dinners that feels special and a little indulgent but comes together in about 15 minutes. Shrimp seasoned with cumin, smoked paprika, garlic, and lime, cooked with colorful bell peppers and onions until everything is perfectly caramelized and fragrant. Gorgeous to look at and absolutely delicious to eat.

Shrimp cooks so fast that the active cooking time here is maybe eight to ten minutes once everything is prepped and your pan is hot. The trick is not to overcook the shrimp — they go from perfect to rubbery very quickly, so pull them the moment they’re pink and opaque. A hot pan and quick attention are all you need.

Serve these in warm flour tortillas with avocado, cotija cheese, a squeeze of fresh lime, and a little sour cream. This dinner looks stunning — the bright colors of the peppers and the pink shrimp make it genuinely beautiful on the plate. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a treat even on a regular Tuesday night.

Get the full recipe here.

Crockpot Enchilada Soup

All the flavors of enchiladas in a warm, filling soup that practically makes itself in the crockpot. Chicken, beans, corn, enchilada sauce, and chicken broth come together into something that smells so incredible cooking all day that you start getting genuinely hungry around 2pm and find yourself setting the table by 4.

This soup is deeply satisfying in a way that’s surprising for something this simple to put together. The enchilada sauce gives the broth a rich, slightly smoky flavor that makes the whole thing taste like real, made-from-scratch Mexican food. The beans add body and protein that make it filling enough to be a complete meal on its own.

I top mine with shredded Monterey Jack, a spoonful of sour cream, a handful of tortilla chips, and a few sliced jalapeños. Serve it with warm cornbread on the side and you have a dinner that is cozy, satisfying, and genuinely excellent. This one goes on the fall and winter rotation every year without question.

Get the full recipe here.

Sheet Pan Oven Quesadillas

Making quesadillas one at a time in a skillet while the rest of your family waits is a thing of the past once you discover oven quesadillas on a sheet pan. Line them up, bake, and have a whole batch ready at the same time. This method has completely transformed quesadilla night at our house and I will never go back.

The oven gives you a perfectly crisp, golden exterior on both sides without any flipping or babysitting. You can fit four to six quesadillas on a sheet pan at once and they’re all done at the same time, which means you actually get to eat with your family instead of standing at the stove for twenty minutes.

Use whatever fillings your family loves — cheese and chicken, black beans and corn, peppers and steak. The sheet pan method works for all of them. Set out sour cream, guacamole, and salsa and call it dinner. Fast, fun, and my kids request this one at least once a week.

Get the full recipe here.

Pork Chop and Hashbrown Casserole Dinner Recipe

Pork chops baked right on top of a creamy, cheesy hashbrown casserole — this is one-pan dinner at its most satisfying. Everything goes in the same baking dish, goes in the oven, and comes out an hour later as a complete meal. This is the kind of old-school casserole recipe that exists for a very good reason.

The hashbrown base is creamy and rich from cream of mushroom soup, sour cream, and cheddar cheese, and as the pork chops bake on top, their juices drip down into the hashbrowns and add even more flavor. The pork comes out tender and the hashbrowns underneath are soft and creamy and completely indulgent.

This is a budget-friendly dinner that absolutely does not taste like one. Pork chops are affordable, frozen hashbrowns are affordable, and the whole thing makes a meal that feels hearty and substantial without any fuss. I’ve been making this for years and it remains one of my family’s most-requested dinners.

Get the full recipe here.

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

If there’s one recipe that defines slow cooker cooking for me, it’s pot roast. A chuck roast with carrots, potatoes, and onions cooked low and slow all day in a savory broth until everything is fork-tender and the house smells like the best thing you’ve ever walked into — this is the recipe.

The key to perfect slow cooker pot roast is searing the beef first. It takes an extra five minutes but creates a crust that keeps the juices locked in and adds a depth of flavor to the braising liquid that you simply cannot get by skipping it. The resulting broth makes the most incredible natural gravy with no extra work required.

This is my Sunday dinner recipe, my cold-weather recipe, my “it’s been a rough week and we all need something warm and nourishing” recipe. It goes together in ten minutes in the morning and by dinnertime you have something genuinely beautiful on the table. One of the very best things I make, period.

Get the full recipe here.

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

Pulled pork from the slow cooker is one of the best bang-for-your-buck meals I know. A pork shoulder rubbed with a smoky, savory spice blend and slow cooked for eight to ten hours until it’s fall-apart tender and shreds with just two forks. Make it once and eat off it for days in a completely different way each time.

The first night it’s pulled pork sandwiches with coleslaw. The second night it’s BBQ nachos or loaded baked potatoes. The third time it appears it’s in quesadillas or tacos or fried rice. One slow cooker of pork can fuel an entire week of lunches and dinners, which makes it one of the most practical things I cook.

You need very little active time for this recipe — the rub takes five minutes, then the crockpot does all the work while you live your life. The meat is incredibly flavorful and moist, and it keeps beautifully in the refrigerator all week. This is the kind of recipe that makes you feel like you really have your act together.

Get the full recipe here.

Maid Rite Recipe in the Crock Pot

If you’re from Iowa, you already know exactly what a Maid Rite is and you’re already excited. If you’re not from here, let me introduce you: a loose meat sandwich where seasoned ground beef is spooned onto a hamburger bun and eaten like a sloppy joe but without any sauce. Simple, unpretentious, and completely delicious.

This crockpot version makes it even more hands-off. The ground beef simmers all day in a simple mixture of beef broth and seasonings, developing a deep, savory flavor you just can’t get from quickly browning it on the stove. The texture is perfectly crumbly and loose, exactly the way a Maid Rite should be.

My kids have loved these since they were little. We pile them on soft hamburger buns with mustard, pickles, and onions — very Iowa style — and the table gets quiet in the best way. If you’ve never had a loose meat sandwich, this is your gateway. You’ll understand immediately why it’s a Midwest classic.

Get the full recipe here.

Slow Cooker Pork Roast Dinner Recipe

This slow cooker pork roast in a balsamic-honey glaze is what I make when I want a dinner that feels elevated and impressive but requires almost no effort at all. The combination of balsamic vinegar, honey, garlic, and thyme creates a glaze that is tangy, sweet, and deeply savory all at once — and it smells incredible.

A pork loin or pork shoulder goes in the crockpot with the glaze and slow cooks until it’s incredibly tender and infused with all those flavors. By the time it’s done, the glaze has reduced around it into something that’s almost like a concentrated sauce — rich and complex and really special on a plate.

This is the recipe I reach for when we have people over or when I want a dinner that feels like real effort on a night when I didn’t put in real effort. Serve it with mashed potatoes or roasted vegetables and the whole meal looks like something from a cooking show. The crockpot did most of the work; I just accepted the compliments.

Get the full recipe here.

Hot Ham and Cheese Rolls

These hot ham and cheese rolls are one of the easiest, most crowd-pleasing dinners in my whole collection. Hawaiian rolls stuffed with deli ham and sliced cheese, brushed with a simple butter mixture and baked until warm and golden and perfectly melty. Ten minutes of prep, twenty minutes in the oven, and everyone is extremely happy.

The butter mixture is what elevates these from just ham and cheese rolls to something really special — Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, poppy seeds, and onion powder all mixed with melted butter and brushed generously over the tops before baking. As they cook, that butter soaks into the rolls and makes them rich and fragrant and impossible to resist.

My kids go absolutely crazy for these every single time. I’ve made them for regular Tuesday dinners, birthday parties, Super Bowl spreads, and potlucks, and they disappear instantly every time. If you have picky eaters in your house, make these. They will become instant fans.

Get the full recipe here.

Foil Packet Dinner: Shrimp Boil Packets

Everything you love about a shrimp boil — plump shrimp, andouille sausage, sweet corn, and red potatoes — packaged into individual foil packets and baked in the oven or on the grill. No big pot, no straining, no mess. Each person gets their own packet and the whole thing feels fun and festive even on a completely regular Tuesday.

The seasoning is everything here. Old Bay, garlic, butter, and a squeeze of lemon coat everything in the packet as it steams together. The corn absorbs the butter and seasoning, the shrimp stay perfectly tender, the sausage crisps slightly at the edges, and the potatoes cook through until soft. Every single element is exactly right.

This is a summer dinner staple at our house. I make it on the grill when the weather is nice and in the oven when it isn’t, and it’s perfect both ways. The zero cleanup is genuinely one of my favorite things about it — open the packets at the table, eat directly from them, throw away the foil. Nothing else to wash.

Get the full recipe here.

Easy Homemade Pizza Dough

Once you make your own pizza dough, going back to frozen pizza or delivery feels like a real step backward. This recipe is straightforward and reliable, and it produces a dough that bakes up with crispy edges, a chewy center, and a flavor that no frozen crust has ever come close to replicating.

Pizza night at our house has become one of my favorite family traditions, and it all started with this dough recipe. Everyone gets their own mini pizza to top however they want — which solves the “I don’t want that topping” problem permanently and makes dinner genuinely fun. Kids who help make their food eat their food, and this is the best example of that rule I know.

The dough comes together in about ten minutes and needs about an hour to rise, so plan ahead. The actual baking takes twelve to fifteen minutes at high heat, and what comes out is better than most pizza you could order. It’s one of those Friday night traditions that the whole family looks forward to all week long.

Get the full recipe here.

Homemade Baked Potato Soup Recipe

Thick, creamy, loaded baked potato soup topped with shredded cheddar, crispy bacon, sour cream, and green onions — this is the soup I make the second the temperature drops in the fall. It’s everything you want from a baked potato in a warm, comforting bowl, and I don’t stop making it until spring arrives.

The soup gets its creaminess from a combination of mashed potato chunks, heavy cream, and cheddar cheese. Some recipes come out too thin or too thick — this one hits exactly the right consistency. Creamy and velvety but still substantial enough to be a full meal rather than just a starter you eat before the real dinner.

My family requests this constantly from October through March. I serve it with warm rolls or crusty bread for dipping, and that combination is genuinely one of the coziest meals I know. If you love baked potatoes, this soup will become one of your most treasured cold-weather recipes.

Get the full recipe here.

Slow Cooker Tortilla Soup

This tortilla soup has been on my blog practically since the beginning, which tells you everything you need to know about how much I trust it. Chicken, black beans, corn, Rotel tomatoes, ranch dressing mix, and taco seasoning all dumped in the crockpot in the morning. By dinner you have a deeply flavorful, satisfying soup that tastes like way more effort than five minutes of prep.

The ranch dressing mix is what makes this recipe different from other tortilla soups. It’s not something you’d expect to see, but it works perfectly — it adds a subtle herbaceous depth to the broth that makes the whole thing taste complex and carefully seasoned even though you basically just opened some cans.

I top mine with crushed tortilla chips, shredded Monterey Jack, sour cream, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. The toppings are part of what makes this soup great — they add texture and freshness to the warm, hearty broth underneath. Make a big pot and eat it all week. It gets better the next day.

Get the full recipe here.

There you go — 50 dinners to pull from the next time your brain goes completely blank at 4:30pm. Bookmark this page, save your favorites, and come back whenever you need a fresh idea. If you make any of these I’d genuinely love to hear about it in the comments — and if you find a new family favorite in here, even better. That’s exactly why I put this list together. Happy cooking!

40 Unforgettable Crockpot and Slow Cooker Recipes

I didn’t become a crockpot person until I was a few years into motherhood and completely drowning in the 5 o’clock chaos — you know, that window where everyone is hungry, homework needs to happen, and you haven’t even thought about dinner yet.

A friend of mine made a pot roast one winter that had been going all day in her slow cooker and I remember standing in her kitchen thinking: I need this in my life immediately.

That was the start of something beautiful. I’d be lying if I said my crockpot wasn’t the most-used appliance in my kitchen by a mile. It’s done more for my sanity as a working mom than I can even put into words. I dump stuff in before work, and dinner is just… there. Done. Like magic, except it’s not magic, it’s just low and slow heat and a little bit of planning.

I’ve made every single recipe in this roundup. Some of them I’ve been making for years. Some became instant favorites the first time I made them. I’ve pulled together 40 of my very best crockpot and slow cooker recipes including dinners, soups, sides, dips, desserts, and even a drink — so you’ve got everything you need in one spot. Bookmark this page. You’re going to come back to it a lot.

Slow Cooker Beef Recipes

Slow Cooker Pot Roast

This is the recipe that started it all for me, honestly. Chuck roast, carrots, potatoes, a couple of packets — and eight hours later you have a dinner that tastes like you spent all day in the kitchen. My husband still requests this almost every week from October through March. Get the recipe here.

Beef Stroganoff in Crock Pot Dinner Recipe

Creamy, rich, and the kind of meal that makes everyone go quiet at the dinner table because they’re too busy eating to talk. Serve this over egg noodles and just try not to go back for seconds. Spoiler: you won’t be able to. Get the recipe here.

Beef Stroganoff in Crock Pot

This is a slightly different take on my stroganoff using golden mushroom soup and cream cheese for a sauce that is just *chef’s kiss*. When I can’t decide which version to make, I honestly just make both. No regrets. Get the recipe here.

Simple Crock Pot Beef and Noodles Recipe

Growing up in the Midwest, beef and noodles is practically a love language. This version uses chuck roast cooked until it falls apart, then tossed with thick Reames egg noodles. Pure nostalgia in a bowl — and my kids devour it every single time. Get the recipe here.

Shredded Beef Enchiladas: Crock Pot Dinner

The slow cooker does 90% of the work here — all you have to do is roll the beef into tortillas and top with sauce and cheese. We make these on taco nights when I want something a little more special than the usual, and they never disappoint. Get the recipe here.

Philly Cheese Steak Crock Pot Recipe

Shredded beef, peppers, onions, provolone — all the good stuff from your favorite Philly cheesesteak, minus the trip to a restaurant. Load it onto hoagie buns and call it done. This one is a serious crowd-pleaser. Get the recipe here.

Maid Rite Recipe in the Crock Pot

If you’re from Iowa, you already know. If you’re not — a Maid Rite is a loose meat sandwich and it is everything. This crockpot version is so easy and makes a huge batch. Perfect for feeding a crowd or just feeding my family twice this week, no judgment. Get the recipe here.

French Dip Crock Pot Dinner Recipe

The au jus from this recipe alone is worth making it. Tender slow-cooked chuck roast on hoagie rolls with provolone, dipped into that savory broth — my husband says this is one of his top five dinners I make. High praise considering the competition. Get the recipe here.

Crockpot Beef Barley Soup Recipe

There’s something about beef barley soup on a cold Iowa day that just hits differently. Stew meat, barley, vegetables, and the most gorgeous rich broth — this one takes all day and is worth every hour of it. Get the recipe here.

Slow Cooker Chicken Recipes

Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken Recipe

Sweet, sticky, and the whole family fights over the last serving — this pineapple-soy glazed chicken is one of my most-made recipes, full stop. Serve it over white rice and dinner is on the table in about two minutes of actual work. Get the recipe here.

Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Pasta

It’s called crack chicken for a reason and I am not going to pretend otherwise. Cheesy, ranch-flavored, creamy chicken pasta that my kids ask for literally every week. I’ve made this more times than I can count and I still look forward to it every single time. Get the recipe here.

Crockpot Chicken Sandwiches

Ranch seasoning, cream cheese, bacon, and shredded chicken — pile it onto a bun and try to stop at one. This recipe gets made at least twice a month at our house, and for good reason. It’s easy, it’s cheap, and everyone inhales it. Get the recipe here.

Buffalo Chicken Crock Pot Sandwiches Easy Dinner Recipe

Three ingredients. That’s it. Chicken, cream cheese, and Frank’s Buffalo Sauce — and what comes out is the most insanely good shredded chicken for sandwiches, wraps, or honestly just eaten straight from the pot. No shame. Get the recipe here.

Pulled Chicken Recipe for Crockpot Shredded Chicken Tacos

My go-to for taco Tuesday when I remembered at 7am that I hadn’t planned dinner. Chicken, taco seasoning, Rotel — into the crockpot it goes. By dinner you’ve got the most flavorful shredded chicken for tacos, quesadillas, rice bowls, whatever. Get the recipe here.

Crock Pot Chicken Chili Recipe

White chicken chili with great northern beans and a creamy broth — this is one of those soups that feels lighter than regular chili but is still totally filling and satisfying. I serve it with cornbread and it’s a complete meal that everyone in my family actually likes. That alone makes it a winner. Get the recipe here.

Crock Pot Chicken Chili Dinner Recipe

Crock Pot Chicken Fajitas

Chicken, peppers, onions, taco seasoning — low and slow all day until everything is tender and fragrant and your whole house smells like a restaurant. Just warm up some tortillas and dinner is done. My kids pile these high with all the toppings. Get the recipe here.

Crockpot Pasta & Casseroles

Crockpot Lasagna Easy Dinner Recipe

I was skeptical about crockpot lasagna for an embarrassingly long time. Then I made it. No boiling noodles, no fussing with layers in a hot oven, and the result is bubbling cheesy lasagna that my family thinks I slaved over. I’ll never tell them the truth. Get the recipe here.

Crockpot Baked Spaghetti

Layers of pasta, meat sauce, cream cheese, and mozzarella all cooked low and slow together into this gloriously cheesy baked spaghetti situation. If your kids are picky eaters, make this. It works every single time. Get the recipe here.

Crockpot Ravioli Casserole Recipe

Frozen ravioli + Italian sausage + jarred pasta sauce = one of the easiest dinners you will ever put on the table. I am a big fan of recipes that require almost no brainpower, and this is absolutely one of them. Dump it in and walk away. Get the recipe here.

Slow Cooker Soups & Stews

Slow Cooker Tortilla Soup Dinner Recipe

This tortilla soup has been on my blog since basically the beginning and it has never stopped being a staple in my rotation. Chicken, beans, corn, Rotel, taco seasoning, ranch dressing mix — dump and go. The toppings are half the fun, so don’t skip the sour cream and chips. Get the recipe here.

Crockpot Enchilada Soup

Everything you love about enchiladas in soup form, with way less effort. This is one of those dinners that smells so good cooking all day that you start getting hungry for it around 2pm. Serve it with warm tortilla chips and a lime wedge. Get the recipe here.

Crockpot Side Dishes

Crockpot Cheesy Potatoes

Ask me what I bring to every potluck and holiday dinner and the answer is always going to be these cheesy potatoes. Creamy hashbrowns, cheese, sour cream — cooked in the crockpot so I’m not even stressing about oven space. They disappear before anything else on the table. Get the recipe here.

How to Make Crock Pot Baked Potatoes

I know it sounds too simple to even be a recipe, but this changed my life a little bit. Perfect fluffy baked potatoes made in the crockpot — no foil, no oven. Frees up so much space when you’re making a big dinner. Get the recipe here.

Crockpot Dips & Appetizers

Easy Queso Crockpot Dip Recipe

Hot, melty queso that stays warm all party long because it’s sitting right there in your crockpot. This is the only way I make queso for a crowd anymore. Set it out with a bag of chips and watch it disappear in about ten minutes. Get the recipe here.

Spinach and Artichoke Dip Crock Pot Recipe

My all-time favorite party dip, made even better because the crockpot keeps it perfectly warm and melty the entire time your guests are there. No more cold, congealed dip halfway through the party — just creamy, cheesy perfection from start to finish. Get the recipe here.

Slow Cooker Pork Recipes

Slow Cooker Pulled Pork

This is one of those recipes that makes you feel like a genius. A pork roast, barbecue sauce, and a handful of seasonings go into the slow cooker and come out as the most tender, flavorful pulled pork that works on sandwiches, nachos, baked potatoes, pizza — literally everything. Get the recipe here.

Slow Cooker Pork Roast Dinner Recipe

A balsamic and honey glaze makes this pork roast anything but ordinary. It’s one of those dinners that looks and tastes impressive but the crockpot did literally all the work. I love recipes that make me look like I tried harder than I did. Get the recipe here.

Pork Shoulder Slow Cooker Enchiladas with Poblano Cream Sauce

This one is a step up from your average weeknight enchilada. The pork cooks all day and practically shreds itself, and that poblano cream sauce? It’s smoky, creamy, and honestly something I could eat with a spoon. A little extra effort on the sauce is absolutely worth it. Get the recipe here.

Pork Shoulder Slow Cooker Recipe

The beauty of a good slow cooker pork shoulder is that you make it once and eat it three different ways. Tacos Monday, rice bowls Tuesday, sandwiches Wednesday. I call this “cooking once, eating like a queen all week.” Get the recipe here.

Crockpot Desserts & Candy

Two Hour Crockpot Lava Cake Dessert Recipe

Warm, gooey chocolate cake in the crockpot — two hours and it’s done. I serve this with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and everyone at the table acts like I did something extraordinary. The secret is that it basically made itself. Get the recipe here.

Crock Pot Pumpkin Dump Cake Recipe

Fall in a crockpot, basically. Pumpkin, cake mix, butter, and caramel cooked together into the coziest, most delicious warm dessert. Serve it with whipped cream and eat it outside by a fire pit if you can. If not, your couch works too. Get the recipe here.

Crock Pot Apple Crisp Recipe

Tender cinnamon apples under a buttery, golden crisp topping — this apple crisp in the crockpot is such an easy fall dessert. I make it on Sunday afternoons when the house is starting to feel like autumn and we want something warm to eat while watching football. Get the recipe here.

Crock Pot Chocolate Peanut Clusters

Three ingredients, no candy thermometer, no fuss. These chocolate peanut clusters basically make themselves in the crockpot and look gorgeous on a holiday treat tray. I make multiple batches every December and give them as gifts. People think I’m so thoughtful. I just have a crockpot. Get the recipe here.

Chocolate Turtles Crockpot Candy

Chocolate, caramel, pecans — classic turtle candy made in the crockpot. These look like they came from a fancy candy shop and they’re so easy it almost feels like cheating. Make a double batch because they will be gone faster than you think. Get the recipe here.

White Chocolate Crockpot Candy Recipe

White chocolate and peanuts melted together in the slow cooker — simple, inexpensive, and makes a massive batch. This is what I bring to every holiday cookie exchange and people always ask me for the recipe. When I tell them how easy it is, they don’t quite believe me. Get the recipe here.

Crock Pot Chocolate Almond Clusters

These are a step up from the peanut clusters — raw almonds in a three-chocolate blend that looks genuinely fancy and requires basically zero skill to pull off. A great option if you want to gift something that looks like you bought it at a chocolatier. Get the recipe here.

Crock Pot Chocolate Covered Cashew Clusters

Buttery cashews, rich chocolate, three ingredients total. My sister-in-law requested these specifically for Christmas this year and honestly I was flattered. They’re that good — and they honestly couldn’t be simpler to make. Get the recipe here.

Crockpot Candy Dr. Seuss Grinch Cookies

Green crockpot candy clusters topped with a little candy heart — the most fun holiday treat in this whole roundup, hands down. My kids make these with me every December and honestly I enjoy it just as much as they do. They look adorable on a cookie tray. Get the recipe here.

Crockpot Drinks

Crockpot Hot Chocolate

Made with real chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and heavy cream — this crockpot hot chocolate is the real deal. Not a packet in sight. I make this for holiday parties and it stays warm all night in the crockpot. People have asked me if I bought it from somewhere. That’s always a good sign. Get the recipe here.

Alright, there you have it — 40 crockpot and slow cooker recipes that have all been tested in my actual kitchen, eaten by my actual family, and made over and over again because they’re just that good. Whether you’re a crockpot veteran or you just pulled yours out of the back of the cabinet after a year of ignoring it (no judgment, we’ve all been there) — I hope this list gives you plenty to work with.

If you’re hosting one of those holiday get-togethers, a bottle from Wine Express pairs nicely with whatever’s bubbling in the crockpot — one less thing to plan.

If you make any of these, come find me over on Coupon please come back and let me know how it went! And pin your favorites to save for later — you’re going to want to come back to this list on a busy Tuesday when you have zero dinner ideas and a crockpot just sitting there waiting to save the day.

Homemade Alfredo Sauce

Alfredo sauce is one of those things you’d be crazy NOT to make at home. It’s easier and tastes infinitely better than any jarred alfredo sauce out there.

Homemade alfredo sauce in 15 minutes?! It’s true, friends.

There’s absolutely no excuse NOT to make it from scratch. Seriously.

This recipe for homemade alfredo sauce comes together faster than your pasta boils!

Why This One Works for Real Life

My family loves alfredo. Whenever we have it, the kids devour the entire plate.

It’s easy enough to whip together on a weeknight and you’ll NEVER reach for store-bought alfredo again after trying this recipe.

• Real Life Tip: Although fettuccine is a traditional pasta shape used to serve alfredo sauce, penne is MUCH easier for my kids to eat. Use whichever shape you prefer.

Ingredient Breakdown

• 1/4 cup salted butter, because you NEED real butter for this recipe. You’ll want to melt it down over medium-low heat and watch it so it doesn’t brown. Do NOT use unsalted butter or margarine.
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream – I prefer the kind that’s at least 36% fat content. This ingredient does a lot of work in this recipe, helping to bring all of the flavors together. As the sauce simmers, the heavy cream reduces, thickens and combines with the butter to create the luscious body of this alfredo recipe. Do NOT try to “lighten” the recipe with half-and-half or milk. It will NOT work. You’re likely to end up with a broken, curdled mess.
• 3/4 cup grated or shredded parmesan cheese – it’s important to use fresh-shredded cheese here. Pre-shredded parmesan in a can is powdered and has additives that help to prevent clumping. These additives will result in a grainy, chalky alfredo sauce that can’t be rescued.
• 1/4 cup salted butter
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3/4 cup shredded parmesan cheese
• In a large saucepan, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add heavy cream and parmesan and whisk to combine. Cook, stirring frequently, until parmesan has melted and sauce has slightly thickened. Serve immediately.

Alfredo sauce comes together so quickly that I recommend boiling your pasta, preparing your protein and getting your table set before beginning.

How to Make It

• Melt butter in a pan over medium-low heat, watching closely because it will brown quickly. Pour in heavy whipping cream and raise the heat to medium. Simmer for several minutes until it reaches a boil. It will be boiling, but gently – you’ll see small, steady bubbles. Add parmesan cheese, reduce heat, and cook while whisking for about 10 minutes until cheese is melted. The sauce will be very smooth. Take pan off the burner and let it sit 3-5 minutes before combining with pasta. It will appear a little runny, but will thicken as it sits. Combine with drained, still warm pasta immediately after making.
• fettuccine has wide noodles for catching alfredo sauce, but my family loves it over penne as well because it’s easier to eat (think kids).
• sear chicken breast seasoned with McCormick’s Montreal Chicken, slice, and lay on top of pasta.
• shrimp sauteed in a mixture of garlic and butter is a classic addition as well.

Can I make ahead? How should I store alfredo sauce?

You can store leftover sauce with pasta in an air-tight container in the fridge for 3 days. To reheat, place in a small saucepan and heat on LOW.

Add some milk or heavy whipping cream, whisking while heating until warmed throughout. Do not microwave at high heat as it will become oily and lose its emulsification.

Do not attempt to freeze, as it will thaw out oily and chunky. Freezing isn’t kind to cream-based sauces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my alfredo sauce too thin?

There are possible reasons for this. One, the sauce needs more time on the stove to melt the parmesan completely.

Make sure to give it at least 10 minutes while whisking the sauce constantly. The parmesan should melt and the sauce should be smooth, not lumpy or clumpy.

Two, once removed from the heat it needs 3-5 minutes to thicken a little. Don’t be fooled into leaving on the heat too long which will ruin the sauce.

Alfredo sauce may appear thin right after cooking, but will thicken when allowed to sit off the heat for 3-5 minutes. If your alfredo sauce is still thin after allowing to sit off heat, cook on low heat an additional 2-3 minutes, whisking constantly, and allow to sit off heat again to thicken.

This means that it did not thicken/reduce enough while it was cooking.

Can I add pasta water to my alfredo sauce?

If the alfredo sauce seems too thick after tossing with pasta, you can always loosen it up with some of the reserved pasta water, reserving 1 cup before draining pasta.

Why is my alfredo sauce grainy?

Powdered cheese does not melt as smoothly. There are additives in canister cheese to keep from clumping and these additives can make your sauce feel gritty.

It won’t go away no matter how long you whisk. Also, heat causes cheese to seize up so make sure that your burner is set to medium-low.

Using a fresh grated parmesan cheese will help as will storing shredded parmesan cheese in the fridge.

Can I use half-and-half instead of cream?

You can, however, it won’t be as flavorful or thick and will separate more easily so cook on a lower heat to compensate. Cream makes all the difference in homemade sauces.

Can I add garlic?

This is not traditional, however, you could always sauté 1-2 cloves of garlic in the butter before adding in the cream for an amazing flavor. Make sure that it does not brown.

Can I use a different kind of cheese?

The best alfredo sauce is made with freshly grated parmesan cheese. Try to avoid powdered cheese.

How much pasta does this alfredo sauce recipe cover?

This recipe makes enough alfredo sauce for 4-5 servings of pasta. Want more?

Just double the recipe. Keep the ingredients in the same proportion.

Is this sauce like Olive Garden alfredo sauce?

I am not exactly sure what’s in Olive Garden sauce, however, it’s a cream, butter, and parmesan base just like this recipe so it’s 90% there. This recipe takes about 15 minutes and will be your new weeknight go-to recipe.

Related Recipes

Chicken Bacon Fettuccine Alfredo Casserole, representing all of the goodness of fettuccine alfredo baked into a casserole and topped with crispy bacon.

Crockpot Ravioli Casserole, being an easy slow cooker casserole recipe with ravioli and creamy sauce that is perfect for busy weeknights or entertaining.

Print

Homemade Alfredo Sauce

Simple homemade Alfredo sauce made with salted butter, heavy whipping cream, and Parmesan cheese.

Course Dinner

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time 10 minutes minutes

Rest Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 15 minutes minutes

Servings 4 servings

Author Kate Sorensen

Equipment

• Saucepan
• Whisk

Ingredients

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup salted butter
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• cooked pasta for serving

Instructions

Instructions

• Melt the salted butter in a saucepan over medium-low heat. Stay close so it does not brown.
• Add the heavy whipping cream and whisk until it reaches a gentle rolling boil.
• Add the Parmesan cheese and whisk consistently for about 10 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth and slightly thickened.
• Remove from heat and let the sauce stand for 3 to 5 minutes so it tightens up.
• Pour over cooked, drained pasta and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

Notes

Use heavy whipping cream, not milk or half-and-half, so the sauce thickens and stays smooth. Skip powdered Parmesan because it can make the sauce grainy. Have the pasta ready before starting because the sauce comes together quickly. Let the sauce stand for a few minutes off heat before judging the thickness.

Philly Cheese Steak Crock Pot Recipe

Nothing beats a Philly Cheese Steak piled high with peppers and onions, melted provolone, and all that amazing flavor. Make them in the crock pot and you’ll be rewarded for letting time and temperature do the cooking.

Why This One Works on Busy Days

• The combination of peppers, onions, and that little packet of Italian seasoning creates a symphony of flavor. The flavors meld over the course of the 8 hours of cooking and result in something way bigger than the sum of its parts. It’s great to have an easy meal that tastes like it took forever.
• The meat falls apart with a fork. We love the tender meat piled high on a hoagie with provolone that’s been broiled for color and flavor. The provolone is fantastic on these and we’d highly recommend it.
• It makes a lot. There’s easily enough for 6 sandwiches (see below).

What We Eat These With

• If you’re feeling indulgent, we suggest putting frozen fries in the oven or making some crispy potato wedges to bake while you’re broiling the hoagies.
• Coleslaw adds some creaminess and crunch to a meal. We always like something like that with our sandwiches to balance out all that meat and provolone.
• In the cold weather months (and it is FALL, people), half a sandwich and some tomato soup sounds pretty dang perfect to us. We’ve even had these with French Onion Soup.

How It Keeps and What to Do With Leftovers

• The meat and veggie combo will last for 4 days in the fridge. Store away from your buns and cheese and make sure everything is in an airtight container.
• To reheat, we’d suggest transferring what you need to a saucepan and warming over medium-low heat. You can also microwave in 60 second intervals. Assemble the sandwiches and broil as directed.
• You can freeze the meat and veggie combo in a ziptop bag for up to 3 months. Move to fridge, let it thaw, and reheat as directed. Assemble sandwiches as directed.

Crock Pot Philly Cheese Steak FAQ

Do I have to brown the meat first?

We love the color and flavor browning adds to meat before slow cooking. Just 5 minutes of cooking adds tons of flavor and those little browned, toasty bits you can’t get from cooking meat that’s gone into the crock pot raw.

We’d suggest taking that small extra step for optimal flavor.

Instead of cooking the beef raw in the crock pot, I like to brown it first for added color and flavor. Place a large, heavy pan over high heat.

When it’s screaming hot, add the beef in a single layer. Sear for just a few minutes and remove to slow cooker.

Repeat with remaining beef.

Can I use a different cut of beef?

• Round steak is the most commonly used and the least expensive. Its dense, tough muscles and connective tissues lend themselves well to long cooking on the low heat of a crockpot, during which they soften and break down.
• Chuck roast is more marbled with fat and has a richer flavor. It takes longer to cook, 8 hours in my opinion, but shreds more easily.
• Flank steak will take less time to cook, and I’d check it after 6 hours.

Can I cook this on high instead of low?

You can also make this recipe on HIGH in the slow cooker, reducing the cooking time to 4-5 hours, or less for flank steak.

What if I don’t have Italian dressing mix?

Want to change it up a bit?

Use a different type of dressing to season your slow cooker cheesesteak beef. For example, ranch is delicious.

Or, if you’re out of Italian seasoning, you can make your own by combining 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp sugar, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1 tsp onion powder, 1 tsp dried oregano and 1 tsp dried basil.

Can I make this for a crowd?

If you’re entertaining, double this recipe in at least a 6 quart crockpot and leave it on the low setting. Set out all of the fixins’ for your guests to fix their own cheesesteaks.

Perfect for game day.

What cheese is most authentic?

Traditional Philly Cheesesteaks are made with Cheez Whiz or American cheese. However, provolone is the most popular choice for making Philly Cheesesteak at home, and the one I prefer.

If you want to broil your sandwiches, American cheese will melt the easiest. Either way, no one will be complaining about the tender, savory, perfectly-seasoned beef in their homemade cheesesteak.

Other Slow Cooker Beef Dinners Worth Making

• Philly Cheesesteak Sloppy Joes – use ground beef and enjoy classic cheesesteak flavor, minus the fuss. Perfect for a speedy weeknight meal.
• Philly Cheese Steak Sliders – miniature Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches perfect for entertaining.
• Crock Pot French Dip Sandwiches – tender beef sandwiches and au jus for dipping, all made in your Crock Pot.
• Crock Pot Beef Stroganoff – slow cooker beef and creamy sauce served over egg noodles; comfort food perfection.
• Slow Cooker Crack Chicken Pasta – salty, tangy ranch chicken with a pile of cheese and pasta; a family favorite, all made in your slow cooker.

This crockpot cheesesteak recipe makes an easy, flavorful, slow-cooked meal that’s ready to eat in about eight hours.

Print

Philly Cheese Steak Crock Pot Recipe

Slow cooker sliced beef with peppers, onion, Italian dressing seasoning, provolone, and hoagie buns.

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword philly cheese steak crock pot, slow cooker cheesesteak

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 8 hours hours

Total Time 8 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Servings 6 sandwiches

Author Kate

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 to 3 pounds beef round steak sliced thin
• 2 green peppers sliced thin
• 1 onion sliced thin
• 1 envelope dry Italian dressing mix
• 2 cups beef stock
• 2 teaspoons black pepper
• 3 teaspoons garlic salt
• 6 hoagie buns
• 12 slices provolone cheese

Instructions

• Spray the crock pot with cooking spray.
• Cut beef round steak into thin slices and brown briefly in a hot pan for color.
• Add browned beef, green peppers, onion, beef stock, garlic salt, black pepper, and Italian dressing mix to the crock pot. Stir to combine.
• Cover and cook on Low for 8 hours, until beef is tender.
• Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.
• Spoon the beef and vegetable mixture onto sliced hoagie buns.
• Top each sandwich with 2 slices of provolone cheese, overlapping as needed.
• Bake at 350°F or broil on low for a few minutes, just until the cheese melts.
• Serve warm.

Notes

Brown the beef briefly before slow cooking if you have time; it adds more flavor than adding raw beef straight to the crock pot. Use a slotted spoon when filling buns so they do not get soggy. The beef mixture can be made a day ahead and reheated before assembling sandwiches. Leftovers keep refrigerated for up to 4 days.

Crockpot Ravioli Casserole

The Dinner That Makes Life Easier

This super-easy crockpot ravioli casserole is a weeknight lifesaver. This crockpot meal comes together in minutes and tastes like you slaved over a lasagna for hours.

How to Make Crockpot Ravioli Casserole

I cannot believe I haven’t shared this super-easy crockpot recipe before. This ravioli casserole is such an easy meal that comes together quickly, tastes incredible, and is perfect for those times life gets crazy and you’re looking for an easy weeknight recipe that doesn’t take forever to make.

One busy evening, this came together with leftovers and stuff we always have on hand. As soon as my family took one bite, they asked me what was so different this time around…

It was amazing. Seconds were mandatory.

Ingredients for Crockpot Ravioli Casserole

This is another one of those ridiculously easy crockpot recipes. Four ingredients: frozen ravioli, a jar of sauce, sausage, and mozzarella cheese.

Done. This is one of those meals I know I can count on, which is why I always have a bag of ravioli in the freezer waiting to be turned into a meal.

Crockpot Ravioli Casserole Recipe:

• Brown the sausage in a skillet, breaking it into tiny pieces as you cook. Make sure to drain it really well. If you don’t do this part, the casserole will be super-greasy.
• Remove the insert from your crockpot and coat with non-stick cooking spray. This will help with cleaning up as well as preventing cheese from sticking in spots as it melts.
• Return the insert to your crockpot and pour a little of the jarred sauce in the bottom, spreading it into a thin layer. This will help with moisture and will prevent sticking.
• Add a layer of ravioli spread out evenly, followed by sausage, and mozzarella cheese. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
• Cook on low for 3.5 hours or high for 1 hour 45 minutes, though if your crockpot cooks on the hotter side, keep an eye on it at this point. It’s done when ravioli are cooked through, the cheese is melty throughout, and it appears to be mostly set.
• Allow casserole to rest 10 minutes before scooping to serve. This will allow the casserole to set up and make scooping much easier.

Garlic bread or dinner rolls would be the perfect accompaniment to this casserole, something to soak up all that glorious sauce. Or, keep it really simple and serve up a quick, easy, green salad.

Can I Gift this Dish?

Yes! This is the ultimate giftable casserole.

It’s easy to bring to someone else’s home, it will feed an entire family, and doesn’t call for any instructions. It’s a great option if a friend or family member has a new baby, has had surgery, or is having a really rough week in general.

Just show up with this beauty and leave them to enjoy.

Can I Change up this Recipe?

If you want to sneak in a few veggies, you can add in some frozen, chopped spinach. Be sure to thaw the spinach out, then squeeze out as much water as possible, or your casserole might turn out a little watery.

For protein, you can use ground beef, ground turkey, or shredded rotisserie chicken. The rotisserie chicken is an easy way to save some time, but doesn’t pack the same flavor punch as the sausage, so make sure to make a tasty sauce to compensate.

If using ground beef or ground turkey, add some Italian Seasoning and garlic powder to keep that robust flavor. For vegetarian, omit the meat and double the cheese, or substitute spinach-and-cheese ravioli.

Use mozz and provolone if possible, the ultimate combo for a killer cheese pull. Want to take it up a notch?

Whisk a few tablespoons of cream cheese into the pasta sauce to give it a creamier, richer flavor, more like those baked pastas you see at restaurants.

How It Keeps and How to Reheat It

Cover any leftovers and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Honestly, these kinds of casseroles often taste even better the next day, I’d say leave it in the fridge at least a day or two if you can.

To reheat, nuke an individual portion in the microwave, adding a teaspoon of the pasta sauce or a small splash of water to any portions that seem a little on the drier side, or pop a larger portion in a 350 degrees F oven, covered in foil, until heated through. Enjoy!

You can cook the sausage ahead of time and keep it in the fridge. Otherwise, I’d assemble it right before cooking.

The texture of the dish is better when you don’t leave the frozen ravioli sitting in the sauce too long, as they’ll just get all soft and sad.

Three Ways to Use What’s Left

The best part about a dish like this is you can enjoy the leftovers in so many different ways. Here are my favorites:

Pasta Bake. Spread out leftovers in a 375° F preheated oven in an oven-safe casserole dish.

Add a little extra marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese and bake for about 20 minutes, until bubbly and crispy-edged!

Pasta Soup. My kids LOVE this option.

Just dump leftovers straight from the fridge into a big pot on the stove and cover with beef or chicken broth. Add some extra veggies like spinach or even some diced tomatoes if you have them on hand.

Simmer on the stove until ravioli are heated through and serve up a big, hearty bowl of ravioli soup. You can also add some extra water right into the crockpot and re-heat straight there, but the soup option is a change-up that’s easy to make and worth trying out.

Straight out of the fridge. Just add a little extra sauce or water and heat through on low.

How to Make It Lighter

Ground Turkey instead of Italian Sausage – season it with Italian Seasoning, garlic powder, and even a little fennel if you have it.

Part-Skim Mozzarella Cheese – it will melt and cover your casserole just as good as whole-milk mozzarella but with less fat.

Add in some veggies – I love to add frozen spinach for some hidden veggies that won’t impact the flavor. Thaw and squeeze out the liquid and sprinkle between the two layers.

Crockpot Ravioli FAQ

Can I use fresh ravioli instead of frozen?

I use frozen ravioli for this recipe. Fresh refrigerated ravioli cooks too fast and falls apart.

Save it for boiling.

What size Crock Pot does this recipe make?

This recipe will fit in a 6-qt Crock Pot programmable cooker without crowding/squishing. Mine even has a timer and automatically shifts to WARM once it’s finished.

What kind of marinara do you recommend?

With only four main ingredients in this recipe, quality counts! Rao’s is worth the price for its thick texture and amazing flavor.

Other Easy Dinners Worth Having in Rotation

• Funeral Potatoes — the ultimate cheesy potato side dish for when you need something that makes people happy
• Crock Pot Beef and Noodles — tender beef slow-cooked until it falls apart, tossed with egg noodles
• Crockpot Lasagna — the full lasagna treatment in the slow cooker

This crockpot ravioli casserole comes together in no time, is bursting with cheesy goodness, and is the perfect slow cooker family dinner. Print Recipe Pin Recipe Course Dinner Cuisine American Servings 6 servings Equipment slow cooker skillet Ingredients 20 ounces frozen ravioli 24 ounces pasta sauce 1 pound ground italian sausage 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese Instructions In a skillet, brown sausage.

Transfer to slow cooker. Top with frozen ravioli, pasta sauce, and cheese.

Cover and cook on low for 3.5 hours or on high for about 1 hour 45 minutes. Notes Can you double this recipe?

You could try. Just make sure to have a large enough slow cooker for the amount of ingredients so it will cook correctly.

Is fresh or frozen ravioli better for crockpot ravioli casserole? We find that the frozen ravioli holds its shape the best.

The fresh tends to get a little too soft for us. Is the casserole watery?

This can be the result of a couple of things. One, the pasta sauce you’re using might be a little on the thin side.

Two, the ravioli may have started to defrost before it was added to the recipe. Always keep the ravioli frozen until you’re ready to add them.

Should you cook the casserole on low or on high? This recipe will taste better if you cook it on low.

However, we know that life gets busy, so if you’re in a hurry, feel free to cook it on high. Do you need to brown the sausage before adding to casserole?

Yes. You’ll end up with too much of a mess otherwise and will get a pool of grease at the top of the casserole.

How large of a slow cooker should I use for crockpot ravioli casserole? We’ve made this recipe in a 6 quart crockpot.

Easy Crockpot Ravioli Casserole

This recipe for Crockpot Ravioli Casserole is a meal I make when we’re in a hurry and have to eat in shifts. It holds well and comes together easily.

It’s a favorite with the kids.

Grease slow cooker insert. Spread a thin layer of marinara sauce over the bottom of the slow cooker.

Brown sausage and drain. Arrange half of the ravioli over the sauce.

Top with half of the meat and half of the shredded mozzarella cheese. Add remaining pasta and repeat layers.

Cover and cook on LOW about 3-1/2 hours or HIGH about 1:45, or until pasta is tender and cheese is melted. Allow casserole to sit about 10 minutes before serving.

Serve in scooped portions.

Block Mozzarella Melts Better Than Bagged

Like a lot of casseroles, the secret to great Crockpot ravioli is the cheese. Hand-shredding a block of mozzarella takes two extra minutes, but it’s worth it.

Bagged shredded mozzarella has an additive to prevent clumping that prevents melting and makes it less stretchy. Sure, save yourself time and use bagged shredded when you’re busy, I totally do it myself, but you’ll get a better result shredding your own.

The Sauce Jar Question

You can use a super-expensive artisanal sauce if you want. Honestly, I think that’s silly.

This is a casserole that will be cooking for 3 1/2 hours alongside flavorful Italian sausage, I think that’s going to bring up any budget-friendly jarred marinara to great heights. That said, a little red pepper flakes and teaspoon of Italian Seasoning helps too.

Timing It Around Practice Pickup

This casserole holds well on WARM for an hour or so. After that the ravioli get a little mushy and some of the edges get a little overdone.

You could scoop some into a covered container and have stragglers microwave their own.

Which Bag of Ravioli to Buy

Cheese-filled ravioli holds up better than meat-filled in my opinion. Meat-filled tastes a little grainy after four hours in the slow cooker.

Also, Aldi has a really big bag of ravioli that’s super-convenient for this recipe. So is Costco’s three-pound bag of ravioli.

Save some money too.

No Crockpot Free? The 9×13 Version

When my Crockpot is spoken for, I’ll also make these in a greased 9×13 pan. Assemble just as directed and bake, covered with foil, at 375 degrees for 40 minutes.

Uncover and bake another 10 minutes or until cheese is browned. The edges are much crisper when baked.

There’s a faction in my house that likes them better this way. They’re wrong, but I’ll allow it.

Print

Crockpot Ravioli Casserole

Lazy slow cooker ravioli casserole layered with frozen ravioli, browned Italian sausage, pasta sauce, and mozzarella cheese.

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 3 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Rest Time 10 minutes minutes

Total Time 3 hours hours 40 minutes minutes

Servings 6 servings

Author Kate Sorensen

Equipment

• Slow cooker
• Skillet

Ingredients

Ingredients

• 20 ounces frozen ravioli
• 24 ounces pasta sauce
• 1 pound ground Italian sausage
• 4 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

Instructions

Instructions

• Brown the Italian sausage in a skillet, breaking it into crumbles. Drain well.
• Spray the slow cooker insert with cooking spray.
• Spread a thin layer of sauce in the bottom of the slow cooker.
• Layer half the frozen ravioli, half the sausage, sauce, and mozzarella. Repeat layers one more time.
• Cover and cook on low for about 3 1/2 hours or high for about 1 hour 45 minutes, until ravioli is tender and cheese is melted.
• Let sit for about 10 minutes before serving so the layers scoop cleanly.

Notes

Use frozen ravioli, not fresh, so it holds up in the slow cooker. Brown and drain the sausage first so the casserole does not get greasy. Grease the crockpot insert because melted cheese sticks around the edges. Rest briefly before serving for cleaner scoops.

Crock Pot Maid Rites (Iowa Loose Meat Sandwiches)

The secret to Iowa’s iconic Maid-Rite has been closely guarded since 1926 with franchisees signing NDAs, but Iowans have been consuming them since childhood and trying to decipher the recipe ever since. After years of recipe testing and lots of Maid-Rite munching, I’ve come close.

This slow cooker version of a classic Iowa Loose Meat Sandwich is super easy and tastes just like the real thing.

Iowa Loose Meat Sandwiches are an Iowa classic. Also known as Maid Rites, after the Iowa-based Maid-Rite restaurant chain, loose meat sandwiches have been a casual-but-iconic Iowa dish since the restaurant began in 1926.

I’ve lived in Iowa all of my life, so I’ve eaten Maid Rites during sporting events and childhood adventures, during ordinary Tuesday afternoons and birthday parties. For me, they’re nostalgic and comforting.

They’re Iowa.

Loose Meat vs. Sloppy Joe: Not the Same Thing

What are Maid Rites? A perfectly-seasoned mound of finely-ground beef piled on top of a bun and dressed simply with mustard, ketchup and pickles.

No tomato, no sauce, no peppers and no onion soup mix.

It’s similar to a sloppy joe sandwich, but instead of relying on a sweet, tangy and slightly-thick sauce, which is pretty darned tasty on its own, loose meat sandwiches let the seasoned and slow-cooked beef speak for itself.

The braised, fluffy meat has a unique texture that’s not unlike ground meat…except…better. Every crumb is seasoned, tender, flavorful, perfectly-braised perfection.

And they’re so good, falling-apart isn’t a bad word here.

In fact, because loose meat sandwiches lack a cohesive sauce that glues the sandwich together, Maid-Rite devotees either eat them with forks or bend over their wax-paper wrapped sandwiches to catch each precious crumb that dares fall from the bun.

Why the Timing Works

Making a loose meat sandwich might sound weird: Why cook raw meat in liquid? But this recipe uses a simple technique that produces perfectly-cooked meat with a tender, fluffy texture: cooking the meat at a low temp with lots of love and attention.

The longer you cook the meat and break it apart, the smaller and fluffier each crumb will be, no larger than a tiny pea. It takes a couple of hours, but you’ll be rewarded for your efforts.

Brown Sugar and Vinegar: these ingredients really make this recipe sing. The brown sugar adds a certain sweetness and the vinegar adds some acidity which rounds out all of the flavors.

Together, they add another dimension to make sure that this doesn’t just taste like seasoned beef.

This recipe doubles REALLY WELL. At graduation parties, I’ll make a quadruple batch and keep it nice n’ warm in my crock pot and let everyone help themselves, usually, it’s eaten up and I rarely have any left over.

Be sure to cook with the lid OFF after the first hour, not covered. This allows the liquid to reduce and evaporate, concentrating the flavors.

Trust me.

What Each Ingredient Does (and Why This List Is This List)

Ground Beef

• This recipe calls for a LEAN ground beef, 90/10, 93/7. Why? If the fat content is too high, all of that fat will render during the long (over 3 hour) cooking time and will NOT cook off, so your end result will be pretty greasy. With a LEAN ground beef, the meat itself will cook in the braising liquid and soak up some of the liquid, rather than cook in fat.
• Do not brown the beef. Why? You want to throw it all in there RAW, browning will make a crust on the meat and it won’t slow-braise down. Trust me.

Beef Base AND Chicken Base

• You’ll notice that I’m using beef AND chicken base here. Why? When you use beef base by itself, it’s good, it’s rich, but it’s pretty one dimensional. Adding the chicken base lightens it up and adds a certain brightness that makes it more well-rounded and full of layers of flavors.
• I love to use bases that come in paste form rather than bouillon cubes, it’s easier to control how much salt you’re adding and they mix into liquids much more easily.

2 lbs lean ground beef (uncooked weight)

• 1 cup warm water

3/4 tablespoon dried minced onion

1 1/2 tablespoons light brown sugar, packed into measuring spoon

• 3/4 teaspoon beef base, such as low sodium Better Than Bouillon
• ¾ teaspoon low-sodium chicken base, such as Better Than Bouillon
• 1½ tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1½ tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• ¾ tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
• 8 hamburger buns, toasted or warmed
• Ketchup, mustard, and pickles for serving

Apple Cider Vinegar

Nobody’s going to take a bite of this and think “vinegar.” It helps to cut through the richness of the beef and also tenderizes the meat. More than three hours after you add the tablespoon and a half, you won’t notice any sourness at all.

Brown Sugar

In order for your dish to be great, it’s important to balance the savory-ness of beef bases with sweet and acid. Brown sugar complements vinegar really well for this reason.

Do not substitute white sugar if you don’t have brown on hand, because molasses adds another dimension to the recipe.

Worcestershire and Soy Sauce

More savoriness. The beef and chicken bases provide some umami, Worcestershire sauce brings salty savoriness but also a tangy fermented flavor, and then there’s soy sauce to finish off the trio.

Dried Minced Onion

Dried minced onion will completely incorporate into the ground beef, meaning its flavor will be there, but you won’t notice chunks of onion. If you plan on using fresh onion, make sure to dice it really small to avoid large pieces of onion throughout the beef.

What to Know Before You Start

• This recipe will take 3-4 hours from start to finish, but requires your attention periodically. You’ll need to break up large clumps of beef, stir, etc.
• Once the beef and spice mixture is in your slow cooker it’ll cook on high for 1 hour and low for 2.5-3 hours uncovered. If there’s a lot of liquid after three hours, cook another 30 minutes. You’re looking for a moist, finely crumbled consistency.
• Use low-sodium chicken and beef base if you can. As the liquid in the recipe cooks off the bases become concentrated and can be too salty if you start with a regular-strength product.
• When you make this recipe I’m hoping you’ll be thinking, “this is really good, why is this so good?” That’s exactly what happens with mine.

How to Make Iowa Loose Meat Sandwiches

• In a medium-size bowl, use your hands to form the beef into golf-ball-sized chunks and transfer to a slow cooker set to high. Breaking up the beef at this point allows the seasoning liquid to penetrate it well.
• MIX SEASONING LIQUID. In a large measuring cup, whisk together warm water, onion seasoning, brown sugar, beef base, chicken base, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, and soy sauce until brown sugar dissolves. Pour over beef and use your hands to crumble meat to coat well. Cover and cook on high for 1 hour.
• UNCOVER AND COOK. Remove lid, using a meat chopper or the back of a sturdy spatula, break up beef until very fine. Cook uncovered on low for 2½–3 hours, removing lid and breaking up beef into smaller and smaller crumbles, smaller than a pea, every 30 to 45 minutes, stirring and declumping any large pieces with the meat chopper or sturdy spatula. The beef will be cooked through, grayish-brown color throughout, finely crumbled with a slight sheen from fat, and any excess liquid will have cooked off. Scoop beef generously onto warm hamburger buns and serve with ketchup, mustard, and pickles on the side.

Tips That Actually Make a Difference

• For these Iowa loose meat sandwiches, a leaner meat will make for less grease. We recommend a ground beef that’s 90/10 or even 93/7. It will be plenty juicy and not greasy on a bun. If you must use ground beef that’s 80/20, remove excess grease with a spoon after the meat is cooked through for 1 hour before crumbling.
• Cooking on LOW with the SLOW COOKER LID OFF for 2½–3 hours allows any excess liquid to cook off. Skipping this will result in beef with excess liquid, leading to a more boiled taste, and will leave it lacking the perfect, slightly loose but not drippy texture with concentrated flavor.

Maid Rite FAQ

What is a maid rite?

The original Maid-Rite, started back in 1926 in Muscatine, Iowa, is a loose meat sandwich that has been around for close to 100 years. Their recipe is so secret that they require their employees to sign a confidentiality agreement and season their meat in another location.

A Maid-Rite is basically seasoned loose meat in a bun and comes with ketchup, mustard, and pickles on the side. It’s slightly different than a sloppy joe in that there is no tomato sauce in it.

Why do you stir the meat?

Stirring the meat helps the liquid to cook out evenly. If the meat isn’t stirred, some of it will be too dry and some will be soupy.

Stirring will also help to separate any meat that might start to form into larger pieces.

Can I use ground turkey?

Yes, but know that turkey is a bit lighter and not as rich. To help with that I would add another splash of worcestershire sauce to compensate.

Ground pork would also work well in this recipe and would make a richer and slightly fattier sandwich.

What kind of meat do you use?

Any kind of ground meat will work in this recipe but leaner cuts do best. Too much of the fat will go into the liquid and not all of it will make its way back into the meat.

Why does mine still have a lot of liquid in it after cooking for 3 hours uncovered?

All slow cookers are a bit different and cook at different intensities so it’s possible yours may need more cooking. Continue to cook and check it every 30 minutes or so to make sure the meat doesn’t overcook.

You want it to be moist, not soupy. You can also pop it on high (still uncovered) for the last 30-60 minutes to help with evaporation.

Can I make ahead and keep warm?

Once the meat is cooked you can place your slow cooker on the ‘warm’ setting and have everyone serve themselves. I did that for about 2 hours and it stayed perfectly moist.

I’ve made quadruple batches for graduation parties. It’s perfect for entertaining.

Other Slow Cooker Sandwich Dinners Worth Making

These Crockpot Crack Chicken Sandwiches have shredded chicken tossed with cream cheese, ranch, and cheddar for an unbelievably delicious sandwich. It’s a party in a crock pot.

Print

Crock Pot Maid Rites

Iowa-style loose meat sandwiches made in the slow cooker with finely crumbled seasoned ground beef.

Course Dinner

Cuisine American

Keyword crock pot maid rites, loose meat sandwich, maid rite recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time 4 hours hours

Total Time 4 hours hours 10 minutes minutes

Servings 8 sandwiches

Author Kate

Ingredients

• 2 pounds lean ground beef uncooked
• 1 cup warm water
• 3/4 tablespoon dried minced onion
• 1 1/2 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon low-sodium beef base
• 3/4 teaspoon low-sodium chicken base
• 1 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 1/2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 3/4 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
• 8 hamburger buns
• Ketchup mustard, and pickles, for serving

Instructions

• Set slow cooker to High. Add ground beef and break it into smaller chunks.
• In a measuring cup, combine warm water, dried onion, brown sugar, beef base, chicken base, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire, and soy sauce. Stir until dissolved.
• Pour seasoning liquid over the beef and stir until the meat is coated.
• Cover and cook on High for 1 hour.
• Remove lid and break the meat into very small crumbles with a meat chopper or firm spatula.
• Turn slow cooker to Low and cook uncovered for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally and breaking up any clumps.
• Continue cooking until most liquid has evaporated and the beef is finely crumbled with a glossy sheen.
• Serve a generous spoonful on warm hamburger buns with ketchup, mustard, pickles, or other toppings.

Notes

Use lean ground beef, ideally 90/10 or 93/7, so the meat stays juicy without getting greasy. Do not skip the uncovered cook-down because that step concentrates the flavor and creates the loose meat texture. Leftover meat keeps refrigerated for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months. Reheat with a splash of broth or water.

White Bean Turkey Chili

This easy-to-make White Bean Turkey Chili recipe has it all. It’s a recipe you’ll be able to make all year long and love.

The Backstory on This One

On a snowy November day at a work retreat in Galena, Illinois, a large pot of White Bean Turkey Chili was the star of the show as coworkers mingled and sought refuge from the weather. My boss’s wife made the recipe and it’s been in rotation in my own home ever since, particularly after Thanksgiving.

What Goes In and Why the Order Matters

One lb. turkey, either ground or shredded

One of the great things about this recipe is the flexibility of using either ground or shredded turkey. On a weeknight when you’re hoping to make a hearty dinner that requires little attention, use ground turkey.

Brown it right there in the pot before adding the remaining ingredients and walk away for 2 hours. Or, after Thanksgiving, skip the browning step and dump some of those leftover birds into the pot and allow them to soak up some of the flavors of this dish.

Either way it’s delicious.

I find regular ground turkey does best in this recipe as opposed to ground turkey breast as the latter gets a bit dried out during the simmering process.

2 cans Great Northern beans, drained and rinsed

Draining and rinsing the beans allows you to have better control over the amount of salt in this recipe. As the beans soften, the chili thickens a bit as well.

7 oz. can of chopped green chilies

This is what makes it a chili and not turkey soup. You’re looking for something on the mild side.

Those little green chilies pack a punch that has a bit of heat and a smoky flavor. This is a feature, not a bug.

4 cups chicken broth (or 3 if you prefer it less soup-y)

I like using a low sodium broth in recipes as there’s still plenty of sodium coming from the chilies and spices. This way you’re in control of how much salt goes into this recipe.

Spices: Cumin, Oregano, Cayenne, Black Pepper

• Cumin is the spice used in the largest amount in this recipe because its earthy, warm flavor pairs perfectly with beans, turkey, and all of the other spices.
• The combination of cumin, oregano, black pepper, and cayenne will compliment the sour cream, beans, and turkey beautifully. Do not skip these.
• If serving to those with spice intolerances, you can reduce the cayenne to 1/4 teaspoon, but do not skip.
• Let that onion soften up for a couple of minutes (2-3) before adding the rest of the liquidy ingredients and be sure to finely mince those garlic cloves, we’re building our base.

Add sour cream at the end of cooking and stir. Makes for a nice, light, not-too-heavy finish.

Stir in sour cream and shredded cheese, season to taste, serve with cornbread on the side, and dig in.

What We Put Out on the Counter

• Shredded monterey jack or pepper jack cheese
• Sour cream
• Fritos or tortilla chips
• Cilantro
• Sliced jalapeños
• Limes

White Bean Turkey Chili FAQ

How long does White Bean Turkey Chili last in the fridge?

White Bean Turkey Chili will last up to 4 days in an airtight container in the fridge. You’ll need to add a little chicken broth to loosen up the chili because it will get pretty thick in storage.

Add broth and stir until desired consistency is reached. Never allow the chili to reach a boil after sour cream has been added.

Can I freeze White Bean Turkey Chili?

Yes, White Bean Turkey Chili will keep for up to 3 months in an airtight, freezer-safe container in the freezer. Sour cream should be left out.

Once the chili is thawed and heated through, stir in sour cream. Never allow the chili to come to a boil after sour cream has been added.

Can I use chicken instead of turkey?

Absolutely. One pound of boneless, skinless chicken breast or chicken thighs would work.

Chicken thighs will maintain a tender texture throughout the cooking process, chicken breast may be a little drier, but will work just fine. You could even add a rotisserie chicken towards the end of cooking.

Can I make this in the crock pot?

Yes, add all ingredients except sour cream to a crock pot. Cover and cook on low for 6-8 hours or high for 3-4.

Shut off crock pot, stir in sour cream and serve.

Is it spicy?

The 1/2 teaspoon of cayenne provides a warm, spicy kick, but it’s not spicy-spicy. Serve sliced jalapeños on the side and allow people to season as desired.

Why does my white chili turn out watery?

Make sure you’re draining the beans really well before adding them to the chili. If it’s still a little thinner than you’d like, mash 1 cup of the beans and stir them back into the chili.

They’ll thicken it up and it will not affect the flavor. Also make sure you allow it to simmer long enough.

Why shouldn’t I boil the chili after adding sour cream?

The one rule you must follow in this recipe is that when sour cream is added to the broth, it will turn grainy after about 30 seconds of boiling. The proteins in sour cream separate at boiling temps resulting in a curdled appearance.

Not pretty AND it doesn’t taste right either. Add sour cream at the end, turn off heat and serve.

Tips for the best white bean turkey chili:

• Take your time letting the chili simmer and build flavors. It will make a difference in taste.
• Sour cream can’t boil or it will curdle, be sure to remove from heat source and stir in sour cream. Watch as the broth changes from a gorgeous gold to a pale and silky consistency. It’s beautiful.

Other Soups and Slow Cooker Dinners Worth Keeping on Rotation

• Crockpot Ravioli Casserole is a super easy and delicious slow cooker recipe. Hands-off dinner.
• Simple Crock Pot Beef and Noodles is a delicious, heart-warming meal on a cold night.
• Crock Pot Spinach and Artichoke Dip is a party-favorite slow cooker recipe.

Print

White Bean Turkey Chili

White bean turkey chili with onion, garlic, green chiles, cumin, oregano, cayenne, chicken broth, northern beans, and sour cream.

Course Soup

Cuisine American

Keyword turkey chili, white bean turkey chili

Prep Time 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time 2 hours hours

Total Time 2 hours hours 15 minutes minutes

Servings 8 servings

Author Kate

Ingredients

• 1/2 onion chopped
• 3 garlic cloves minced
• 1 pound shredded or cooked turkey or ground turkey
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 7- ounce can chopped green chiles
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 2 cans Northern white beans drained and rinsed
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• Jack cheese Fritos, and jalapeños, for serving

Instructions

• Combine onion, garlic, turkey, cumin, oregano, cayenne, pepper, green chiles, chicken broth, and drained beans in a pot or slow cooker.
• Simmer on the stove for 2 hours, or cook in the slow cooker on Low for 4 hours.
• Just before serving, stir in sour cream.
• Do not boil after adding sour cream.
• Serve with Jack cheese, Fritos, and jalapeños on the side.
• Keep warm in the slow cooker or on Low on the stove.

Notes

Do not bring the chili to a full boil after adding sour cream or it can separate. The chili thickens as it sits; add a splash of chicken broth when reheating. Freeze before adding sour cream for the best texture, then stir in fresh sour cream after reheating. Refrigerate leftovers up to 4 days.

Biscuits and Gravy Casserole

Biscuits and gravy is one of those recipes that intimidates me for some reason. Maybe it’s that it’s a classic diner fare that can’t be replicated, maybe it’s that it’s more effort-intensive than most of my recipes, maybe it’s that I’ve only ever made it individually for myself, not for a crowd.

All of those reasons are untrue. You can replicate biscuits and gravy.

It’s easy. And, made into a casserole, it’s a breeze to feed a crowd with biscuits and gravy, and all you need is one skillet and one baking dish.

Then you can set it right in the middle of the table and let everyone serve themselves.

The Morning This Came Together and Never Left the Rotation

This recipe comes together quickly on weekend mornings and disappears quickly, especially since everyone loves the challenge of digging into the perfect combination of gravy and biscuits in every bite. And, of course, they have no idea how easy it was for me to make, meaning that I get to stand there and act impressed with myself.

What Makes This Casserole Different From Basic Biscuits and Gravy

There are two important things you need to know about this recipe.

• Make your own gravy. Okay, you can totally get by with a box of biscuits and a jar of store-bought sausage gravy, but trust me…making the sausage gravy isn’t hard, it’s deliciously better than store-bought, and tastes SO much richer and more delicious. Basically, you’re browning sausage and adding flour and whole milk. That’s it. Flour directly into the pan with the sausage to make a roux, add the milk, let it thicken. That’s it. About 10 minutes and you’ve made sausage gravy from scratch. You’re welcome.
• Layer your biscuits. If you use Pillsbury flaky biscuits and pour hot gravy over them to bake, you’ll be sad. Very sad. Those bottom-layer biscuits will be raw and sad and doughy. Don’t allow this. Instead, put the first layer in the oven for just long enough to get a head-start baking, then pull them out and pour the gravy on top. Then, add the other half of your biscuits on top of the casserole and allow them to get toasty and golden. Problem solved.

Biscuits and gravy is a recipe that lends itself to shortcuts. This casserole version only takes two pans — a skillet to cook up the sausage gravy, a baking dish to combine everything.

It’s hearty and flavorful. Here’s everything you’ll need to pull it off:

Seven Ingredients — Two That Do All the Heavy Lifting

You’ll need:

• 1 lb. breakfast sausage
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 2 1/2 cups milk
• a pinch of cayenne pepper
• salt and black pepper
• a can of flaky biscuits
• 2 tablespoons melted butter

There are seven ingredients in all, and I’d wager that two do all of the heavy lifting, sausage and biscuits. Choose wisely.

First up, that sausage. Go to the butcher counter if you have to and find a pound of sage sausage.

If you have to settle for tube sausage, Jimmy Dean original or hot is fine. If you’re feeling particularly brave, swap out the sage for a spicy breakfast sausage.

Avoid “mild Italian” at all costs. The fennel will totally screw with the flavor.

Next up, biscuits. Grab a can of Pillsbury flaky.

You’ll thank me.

Now on to the remaining ingredients. Use whole milk if you have it.

The richness adds body to the gravy. Two percent will still work but the end result won’t be as rich.

Avoid skim, your gravy will be too thin to adequately coat the biscuits.

Add the pinch of cayenne. You won’t really notice it in the gravy, just a hint of heat.

The gravy will fall flat without it, trust me. Season aggressively with kosher salt and black pepper, use lots of the latter.

Biscuits and gravy demands a lot of pepper. Taste the gravy before adding it to the baking dish and add more pepper and/or salt if needed.

Last but definitely not least, make sure to cook that flour along with the sausage for a full minute. It’s imperative that the flour gets cooked and loses its raw flavor.

Toasted flour has a nuttier taste. Trust me here.

In the end, biscuits and gravy is a recipe that begs for aggressive seasoning. Add more than you think it calls for, especially black pepper.

That’s what gives biscuits and gravy its namesake flavor.

How to Make Biscuits and Gravy Casserole

Cut biscuits into quarters or even sixths before layering into casserole. You can use a lot of different kinds of biscuits.

Flaky biscuits separate into layers, but they are great in this recipe. You can use buttermilk biscuits or Grands biscuits, which makes it heartier and a bit thicker.

Just avoid crescent rolls – gravy + crescent rolls = mush. Trust me.

Step 1: Brown the Sausage

Preheat oven to 375°. Spray a large baking dish with cooking spray.

Cook sausage in a large skillet over medium-high heat until thoroughly browned. Use a wooden spoon to break sausage up into smaller pieces as it browns, making sure it’s browned, not gray.

Drain fat, leaving some in the pan to make the roux.

Step 2: Make the Gravy