Paper towels, sponges, glass cleaner, dusting spray… Most of us buy the same cleaning supplies over and over without a second thought. That’s just what it takes to keep a house clean, right?

Not necessarily! A lot of those products do the same few jobs: soak up spills, wipe away smudges, and pick up dust. And one good microfiber cloth can do each of those jobs better, often with just a little water.

Microfiber is made of thousands of super-fine fibers that soak up water (as much as six times their weight!) and grab onto dust and grime instead of pushing them around. I tested dozens of different cloths before I found the waffle-weave microfiber cloths I sell in my shop. That waffle texture gives them even more surface area, so they absorb more and dry faster. They come in three sizes, and you’ll see all three at work on this list.

Here are eight things you can take off your shopping list for good.

8 Things You Can Replace With Microfiber Cloths

1. Paper Towels

Paper towels are handy for spills and quick wipe-ups, but every sheet ends up in the trash, and the roll always seems to run out when you need it most. A microfiber kitchen towel or cleaning cloth soaks up spills in seconds, and it won’t shred or leave lint behind.

I have purchased these multiple times! I have even given them as gifts. They have really helped me cut down on my paper towel use. So great for so many things. Wash beautifully!

Vicki R.

2. Cotton Dish Towels

Cotton dish towels start out fine, but after a few plates, they’re soaked, and you’re grabbing a second one. My microfiber kitchen towels keep absorbing dish after dish, and they leave your glassware free of lint and streaks.

I recently ordered the microfiber cloths, and they’re by far the best drying cloths I have ever owned. They are so absorbent and dry with practically one swipe. Much better than my cotton towels! I don’t have to reach for another towel as I used to while drying dishes or cleaning up after baking!

Diane M.

3. Sponges

Sponges stay damp between uses, which is why they start to smell sour so fast, and before long you’re tossing one and opening a new pack. Microfiber dishcloths trap and lift food bits without scratching your dishes, and they dry quickly, so they stay fresh.

Great dishcloths. These little guys definitely do the job. Much better than a regular sponge. Plus, if you wring out the dishcloth and let it air-dry, there is no smell like a sponge.

Teri P.

4. Glass Cleaner

If you’ve ever cleaned a mirror with glass cleaner and a paper towel and still ended up with streaks and lint, try two microfiber cleaning cloths and plain water instead. Dampen one cloth, wipe the glass, then buff it dry with a second cloth for a streak-free shine.

I absolutely love how easy it is to make my windows shine. I dampen the cloth, clean the window, and use a dry one to make it shine.

Mary H.

5. Stainless Steel Spray

Stainless steel appliances show every fingerprint, and a spray made just for them is one more bottle to keep buying. For everyday smudges, all you need is a microfiber cleaning cloth and a little water. Wipe in the direction of the grain, then buff with a dry part of the cloth.

I’ve been using the microfiber cleaning cloths for about a month, and so far I really like them. They get marks off stainless steel appliances with just a little water. They dry quickly and don’t show stains. I’ve washed and dried them a few times, and they look new.

Nina H.

6. Dusting Spray

Feather dusters and old rags tend to push dust around (or send it flying), which is why so many of us reach for a dusting spray to make it stick. A dry microfiber cleaning cloth traps the dust so it doesn’t end up right back on your furniture.

I haven’t had them long, but I am very impressed with them so far. I used them in my bedroom for dusting two nightstands, a dresser, and an armoire. Leaves a nice shine and I didn’t use any wax.

Sally F.

7. Lens & Screen Wipes

Lens wipes come in little packets that run out fast, and screen cleaner sprays add up too. A dry microfiber dishcloth or cleaning cloth wipes smudges off your eyeglasses, phone, tablet, computer, and TV without scratching, and the dishcloths are small enough to tuck in a purse or desk drawer. For really smeared lenses, my homemade eyeglass cleaner comes together in seconds.

Jillee’s microfiber cloths are wonderful! The smallest size (10×10”), we use for cleaning the screens of our devices (iPad, iPhone, and MacBook). We do not use sprays; we just use the dry pad. The fingerprints come off more easily than with the advertised sprays, which only smear more than they remove the prints.

B. Johnson

8. The Shower Squeegee

A squeegee is supposed to keep your shower clean, but it tends to leave drips and streaks behind. Instead, try wiping down your shower walls and glass doors with a microfiber kitchen towel or cleaning cloth after you shower. It soaks up the water and soapy residue before they can dry into water spots and soap scum, and it’s faster than a squeegee, too.

The microfiber cleaning cloths work great in the shower! We have very hard water, so I always squeegeed to save having to scrub the stains off, but these cloths work so much better! So glad I found them!

Kaylene B.

Get Every Size in One Kit

Different jobs on this list call for different sizes, which is why my Microfiber Cloth Kit is the easiest way to get started. It comes with one pack of each size. The two kitchen towels handle spills, dishes, and the shower. The four cleaning cloths take care of glass, stainless steel, and dusting. And the four dishcloths take the place of your sponges and wipe your screens clean. You get to pick the color of each size, and for the holidays, you can even choose red or green kitchen towels.

Today is the last day to get my Microfiber Cloth Kit for 40% off! It’s $32.38 (regularly $53.97) until midnight.

If you already know which size you’d use most, the individual packs are 30% off, and when you buy three packs of the same size, you’ll get a fourth pack free.

OGT Plus members save more, as always: 50% off the kit and 40% off the individual packs, plus free U.S. shipping on every order.

And remember, everything in my shop is backed by my money-back guarantee. If the cloths aren’t right for you, just reach out within 90 days for a full refund, no questions asked.

To help you protect your investment in your good towels, today I’ll be sharing 7 common things you might be doing to ruin your good towels. Even if all you do is avoid these 7 habits listed below, you can be certain that your towels will stay nicer longer!

Having a good set of bath towels is one of life’s little luxuries. Even when I’ve had a rough day, wrapping myself up in a clean, fluffy bath towel after a hot shower can improve my mood considerably! But the unfortunate thing about clean, fluffy bath towels is that they don’t always stay that way.

In fact, people frequently do things that have a negative impact on their towels, whether by shortening their lifespan or affecting their texture, absorbency, color, or smell. So if you have a set of clean, fluffy towels at home that you treasure, it’s worth learning what these bad habits are so that you can avoid them!

Related: 7 Costly Storage Mistakes and How to Fix Them

7 Ways You’re Ruining Your Towels

1. Using Too Much Detergent

You should always use the correct amount of detergent when washing your clothes, but it is particularly important for those using HE washers. Because they use less water than standard washers, it is unlikely that the rinse cycle will be able to rinse out all of the detergent from your towels if you’ve added too much of it.

That remaining detergent residue can form a buildup, making your towels less absorbent and harder to clean. Keep your towels clean and residue-free; make sure to use only the recommended amount of detergent for your load size and washer type.

2. Using Fabric Softener

Just like detergent, fabric softener can also leave a residue on your towels. It will coat the fibers with a waxy film, making them less absorbent over time. Instead of using fabric softener to keep your towels soft and fluffy, I recommend adding white vinegar to the rinse cycle instead. Vinegar is an excellent homemade fabric softener, and it prevents buildup and controls odor too!

Related: How to Make a Scented Vinegar Fabric Softener Rinse

And when you dry your towels, dryer balls can help cut down on static just like dryer sheets, but without leaving a residue behind.

3. Removing Your Makeup

Makeup is thick, highly pigmented, and tough to remove from fabric. Your washer will likely struggle to wash it out entirely from your towels, so it can quickly wear your towel out.

If you prefer to remove your makeup with a towel rather than something disposable, just make sure to rinse your towel well with warm water after each use. This extra step should help get your towel cleaner in the wash.

4. Washing Them in Hot Water

While washing towels in hot water is good for cleanliness, it’s also a quick way to fade the color of your towels. Use warm or cool water for most washes to keep your towels looking newer, longer.

(I will note that this isn’t really an issue with white towels. Feel free to wash those in hot water as often as you like!)

5. Hanging Them on Hooks

Hanging your towel to dry on a hook leaves folds in the towel, and those folds can prevent the towel from drying completely. This creates the perfect environment for mildew to grow, and no one wants that!

If you can, hang your towel on a towel bar to dry instead. The flatter the towel is as it dries, the more likely it will be to dry completely. (Don’t have a towel bar? Hang your towel over your shower curtain rod!)

6. Using Only One Set

The more you use and wash your towels, the quicker you’ll wear them out. Consider using two sets of towels instead of just one. That way, you can wash one while you use the other, giving each set a chance to “rest” in between and helping both sets of towels last longer!

7. Wiping Products on Them

Certain beauty and personal care products like whitening toothpaste and acne treatments contain ingredients that can bleach and ruin your towels. And not only that, but your towels can transfer those bleaching agents to other items in the wash!

To keep your towels looking nice and to avoid any laundry transfer catastrophes, keep these products away from your towels.

Do you have a favorite brand or style of towels?

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Between elaborate meals, gifts, parties, and everything else, the holidays are a notoriously expensive time of year! And with the holiday season just around the corner, right now is a good time to check in with your finances and recommit to frugal habits that will serve you well in the weeks and months to come.

To that end, I’ll be sharing a few simple tips regarding frugal practices you can adopt now to put yourself in a better financial position regarding future holiday spending. So without further ado, here are 9 easy ways to start being a little more frugal.

9 Quick and Easy Ways to Be More Frugal

1. Take Care

One of the easiest ways to be more frugal is to take good care of the stuff you already own! Get protective cases for pricier gadgets like smartphones and tablets to keep them safe. And take your car in for regular maintenance in order to avoid more expensive repairs down the road.

2. Drink Water

When you go out to eat, opt for a glass of water instead of a soda or a glass of wine. You can save quite a bit of money just by making this simple switch! And it’s a good switch for your health too. :-)

3. Negotiate

Call your cable, phone, and internet providers and ask if they can offer you a better price, or if there are any special offers you can take advantage of. Many customer service departments are happy to negotiate a good deal for a loyal customer!

4. Wash Sparingly

Clothing items like jeans and sweaters don’t need to be washed as often as t-shirts and underwear. Wash these items on an “as needed” basis to save a little bit on your water bill. Your clothes will also last longer, which will save you the money it would cost to replace them!

5. Choose Your Luxuries

Take a moment to list out all of your “luxury” expenses (which could include anything you don’t strictly need.) Your list could include cable TV, nail appointments, coffee shop lattes, etc. Decide which items are worth splurging on, and which might not be worth the money.

6. Ban Impulse Buys

The next time you’re about to make an impulse buy (or any purchase you didn’t plan on making), stop! Take out your phone or a notebook and make note of what the item is and where you found it. Wait one month, then evaluate your list again. If you still really want that item, it no longer counts as an impulse and you can feel free to buy it. :-)

7. The Hanger Test

Try this easy system for sorting through the clothes in your closet! Start by rehanging all the clothes in your closet so they are facing the opposite way they normally do. After you wear an item and go to hang it up again, turn it around so it faces the usual way.

At the end of one month, check out your closet. You’ll be able to clearly see what items you’re wearing and which you haven’t even touched. Take all those untouched clothes and sell them at a consignment shop for some extra cash.

8. Host a Potluck

If you are frequently going out for dinner or drinks with friends, suggest instituting a regular potluck night! Everyone can bring a dish, and you’ll have a fabulous evening with friends for much less money than a night out.

9. Use Smaller Plates

Using smaller dinner plates can be an easy way to control portion sizes and minimize food waste! It’s okay to go back for seconds if the first portion didn’t fill you up, as long as it won’t go to waste!

What’s your best tip for saving more, spending less, or living more frugally in general?

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Surprising Phone Camera Hacks

I recently read an article about snapshots you should keep in your smartphone’s photo album that I thought was quite interesting. But what I really found fascinating (and surprising) were all the OTHER great ideas included in the comments on that article!

I had no idea there were so many cool things to do with phone cameras, so I spent all afternoon reading and digesting them all. There were so many good ideas that I decided to create my own list of phone camera hacks, and that’s exactly what I’ll be sharing with you today!

Related: 11 Photos You Can Take That Will Make Your Life Easier

If you’re like me, you probably already use your phone to keep notes of things you want to remember. Writing this post helped me realize that not only is my phone camera faster and more accurate than taking notes, but the sheer number of ways you can use it is life-changing!

Check out the list below, and I think you’ll agree!

50 Uses for Your Phone’s Camera

Important Documents at Your Fingertips

1. Take pictures of the front and back of your credit cards and store them in a secure storage app on your smartphone, like Keepsafe or Lockit. Then when you’re buying things online, you can just take a look at the photos instead of having to get out your wallet.

2. Keep a photograph of your driver’s license and/or passport identification page in a secure storage app on your phone.

3. Take a picture of your wallet opened, showing just enough of each card so you can identify what each card is. Then if your wallet is ever stolen, you can refer to the photo to determine what cards you need to replace.

4. Snap a photo of your license plate for use when you are at the DMV or filling out a form for a parking pass. I can NEVER remember my license plate number when I need it, so this has been really helpful! :-)

5. Keep a photo of your pet and their ID and/or vet tags. That way you can report it immediately if your kitty or puppy goes missing, heaven forbid!

6. Take photos of your reward membership cards for store rewards programs. (Don’t forget to make sure your membership number or ID is visible in the photos!)

Remember the Things You Like

7. If you try a wine at a party or restaurant that you really like, take a photo with your smartphone! Snap a photo of the label on the wine bottle so you’ll be able to remember the brand and the year later on.

8. When you see a recipe in a magazine or on TV that you want to try out, snap a picture with your phone! Much easier than running to find a pen and paper.

9. If one of your friends or family members has a great playlist, snap a picture of the playlist using your phone.

10. When walking through the bookstore, take photos of books that interest you. Then you can check to see if they are available at your local library before committing to buying them!

11. Take pictures of your favorite makeup and hair products, including brands, product lines, and colors or shades. Then if you see them on sale somewhere, you’ll have all the info you need to buy them right then and there!

12. Use your smartphone camera to snap photos of lovely gardens, interesting yard art, and cute holiday decorations that you see when you’re out and about. You can use those photos later on as inspiration for your own home decor!

13. When you find a new artist on Pandora or Spotify that you want to remember, take a screenshot for reference later.

14. Take photos of yourself in different outfits from your closet. Then on mornings when you’re in a rush and don’t know what to wear, you can use the photos for easy reference!

15. When shopping with the kids, take photos of the toys they want for Christmas or their birthday. Then later they can go through the pictures in your phone and make their lists.

Make Shopping for Home Decor & Furnishings Easier

16. Take pictures of furnishings you are considering buying, ideally with price tag showing. Use the photos to get a second opinion from your friends or partner.

17. When you’re shopping at IKEA, skip the golf pencil and use your phone’s camera to take photos of the product tags instead. It’s quick and easy, and you won’t waste any paper!

18. Another way to use your smartphone camera at IKEA is to snap a photo of the dimensions of your car’s tailgate. That will help you decide what will fit in your car, and what won’t!

19. When moving from one apartment/home to another, take pictures of your wall art so you can remember how you had grouped. Then you can duplicate those groupings in your new place.

On Your Travels

20. While traveling, take a screenshot of any map routes you might need and save them to your phone. The photos will allow you to access the directions you need, even if you end up in remote areas with spotty cell service.

21. If you’re renting a car on your trip, take a picture of the car and its license plate. It’ll be a big help when checking in at hotels, and especially if you need to find it but can’t remember what it looks like!

22. Take pictures of each room you stay in for insurance purposes in the event of theft, fire, or other disaster.

23. When traveling out of the country, take a screenshot of a currency converter “cheat sheet.”

Food & Kitchen Ideas

24. I like to keep a dry erase board or chalkboard in the kitchen to keep a list of things that I need to get at the grocery store. Instead of transcribing it to a paper list, I just snap a photo of it with my phone before I head out to go shopping.

25. If you’re going grocery shopping for ingredients for a recipe, snap a photo of the recipe before you leave the house. You’ll be able to easily reference it while shopping, so you can be sure you have everything you need.

26. When buying from a bulk bin at the grocery store, snap a picture of any cooking instructions on the bin.

27. Take a picture of your spice drawer or rack before heading out to restock. That way you don’t end up with 5 bottles of dill, but no cinnamon! (Not that that’s ever happened to me…) ;-)

28. Take a picture of the contents of your fridge before going grocery shopping. You can refer to the photo to see what you do and don’t have.

Frequent Purchases

29. Snap a photo of your printer cartridges, making sure you can see the model numbers.

30. Take a picture of all of your appliances, including the manufacturers logos and serial numbers, for future service calls.

31. Take a picture of the cable placement on any audio/video gear before unplugging anything!

32. Take pictures of the tag, bar code, or product info for items you’re interested in buying. You can often find the exact same items online for a cheaper price.

33. Take a picture of all the hardware and software specifications on your computer screen and save it on your phone.

Help for Emergencies

34. Snap a picture of your kids when you are heading out to a crowded amusement park, mall, sporting event, etc. If anyone gets separated, the photo will help you accurately describe their hair, what they are wearing, etc.

35. Take a screen shot of your ICE (In Case of Emergency) contact information, and set the photo as the lock screen for your phone. That way if you’re in an accident and incapacitated, someone can easily access your iCE info.

36. In case of a minor fender bender, pull out your smartphone. Use the camera to document the damage, and snap pictures of insurance cards and drivers license information. It could help avoid a much more serious situation!

Stay Organized at Work & School

37. Help out your classmates or coworkers by sending them photos of relevant information if they’re late to a meeting. (If it’s a lunch meeting, text them a photo of the restaurant menu and ask if you can place an order for them!)

38. Use your phone’s camera alongside the Evernote app to get really organized. Use the Notes app to scan documents into PDF files, then upload the files to Evernote. Evernote Premium accounts have access to optical character recognition software that makes text within PDFs searchable.

39. Keep a running Shopping or To Do list while at work on a pad of paper, then before you leave, snap a photo and put it as your screensaver. Instant list that can’t be lost or misplaced!

40. A helpful tip for students is to take pictures of that particular night’s homework assignment. That way you don’t have to pack all your books home!

41. Another tip for students is to take photos of your homework before you hand it in. This is especially helpful for students with forgetful teachers that have a tendency to “misplace” schoolwork.

Keep Important Information Handy

42. Keep a photo of your home’s wireless network and password to text to visitors.

43. Keep a photo of the ever-changing monthly class schedule at your local spa, gym, recreation center, etc.

44. Take pictures of the business hours posted on the door of places you go to occasionally, like the library, post office, etc.

45. Snap a picture of the class list on the 1st day of school to help learn your child’s classmates’ names.

Miscellaneous & Silly Things

46. Take pictures of your friends with the stuff they borrow from you so you’ll remember who has what.

47. Take pictures of “Help Wanted” signs to send to your kids.

48. Take a picture of your coat check ticket if you have a tendency to lose little things!

49. Before leaving the house for a trip, take a photo of your stove, hair straightener, or coffee maker in the “OFF” position. (This prevents those “freak out” moments when you start wondering if you left it on!)

50. Keep a copy of your best “selfie” shot for emergency updates to your Facebook profile. ;-)

What else do you use your phone’s camera for?

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Back when she was a judge on The Great British Baking Show, baking queen Mary Berry’s dire warnings against “soggy bottoms” filled the bakers with pie paranoia. Because unfortunately for the bakers, a soggy bottom crust is exceedingly difficult to avoid when baking a moisture-packed fruit pie!

I don’t personally make fruit pies very often, but this time of year I can rarely resist the urge to bake a homemade apple pie. And after binge-watching several seasons of The Great British Baking Show over the past year, I wanted to ensure that I could achieve a perfectly crisp pie crust that would make Mary Berry proud!

The Secret to Making Flawless Fruit Pie Filling

In my desire to avoid a “soggy bottom,” I spent hours researching tips and tricks about making pies. Eventually, I came across a tip that seemed almost too simple, but I was intrigued enough to give it a try anyway.

It ended up working better than I could have hoped, and now it’s my secret weapon for making the perfect fruit pie filling! The secret, it turns out, is as simple as reducing the fruit juice before adding it back to the filling.

Separating the natural juices from the fruit and reducing it produces a sticky syrup that helps bind the filling together. It also adds a more concentrated fruit flavor to the filling instead of diluting it or changing its texture.

Here’s how I did it while making my apple pie, but you can use this method while making blueberry, strawberry, pear, peach, or cherry pie too!

How to Thicken a Fruit Pie Filling

Step 1 – Draw out the Liquid

Add the required amount of sugar to your sliced or chopped fruit as stated in your pie filling recipe. Add any lemon juice or other liquids that the filling calls for, then let the ingredients sit in the bowl for about one hour to draw out the liquid from the fruit.

Step 2 – Reduce the Liquid

Separate the fruit from the liquid and set the fruit aside for now. Pour the liquid into a small pot and bring it to a simmer on your stovetop.

Continue simmering the liquid until the amount is reduced by half.

Step 3 – Add It to the Pie

Let the reduced syrup sit on your stovetop while you prepare your pie. Line your pie plate with the bottom crust and add the fruit and any other ingredients your filling recipe calls for.

Just before you add the top crust, pour the reduced syrup over your pie filling. Then add the top crust and bake as usual! :-)

Bonus Tips for Perfect Pies

• Allow Steam Out. Use a lattice crust on top of your pie, or cut out part of it to create a vent. This will allow steam to escape as the pie bakes, thickening the filling and producing a crispier crust.
• Cool Pies Completely. Fruit pie fillings thicken and set as they cool. If you want your pie to stay intact while you slice it, cool it at room temperature for several hours before cutting into it.

What’s your favorite kind of fruit pie?

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The winter months come with dryness that can affect your skin, hair, respiratory system, and even your furniture, and humidifier alternatives can be a useful solution for folks who don’t own a humidifier. Static electricity and other problems caused by dry air can be a huge nuisance, and I’ll be sharing some simple solutions to wintertime dryness in this post.

But before we begin, it’s important to understand why dry air can be so problematic. Here’s a quick overview of the problems that dry air can cause, as well as the benefits of having adequate moisture in the air throughout your home.

Drawbacks of Dry Air & Benefits of Humidity

Central heating is certainly convenient, but it isn’t without problems! The heated air coming out of your vents is bone-dry, and the more you rely on it, the drier the air in your home becomes.

Constant exposure to extra-dry air can do a number on your skin, leading to itchiness, flakiness, and even painful cracking. (Ouch!) It also contributes to staticky hair, both in humans and animals, and the only real way to eliminate these issues is by finding ways to add moisture back to the air.

In addition to keeping your skin moisturized and reducing static cling, there are other benefits to increasing the humidity level in your home, including:

• Improvement of skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis
• Fewer nosebleeds
• Healthier hair
• Less snoring
• Relief from sinus conditions
• Happier, healthier houseplants
• Longer-lasting wood floors and furniture

Using a humidifier is one of the easiest ways to moisturize air in your home, and many models are affordable and easy to operate. It’s best to use distilled water in any humidifier to keep it clean and prevent bacterial growth (especially if anyone in your home is coping with allergies!)

If you don’t own or want to buy a humidifier or vaporizer, there are many alternatives you can use to humidify a room. (By the way, vaporizers and humidifiers both put moisture in the air, but vaporizers boil water to make steam, while most humidifiers put out a cool mist.) Check out 7 simple ways to humidify a room without a humidifier below!

7 Humidifier Alternatives & Homemade Humidifiers That Fight Dry Air

1. Hanging Clothes to Dry

Hang your clothes up to dry on a drying rack, over the back of a chair, or anywhere you have extra space. Your damp clothes will release moisture into the air as they dry, and you’ll save energy from not having to run the dryer. This is such a simple way to add humidity! (And as a bonus, it will make your indoor air smell like clean laundry too!)

2. Taking a Bath

The next time you finish a relaxing soak in the tub, don’t drain the water in the tub right away. Instead, leave the bathroom door open and allow the water to cool — the water vapor coming off the tub will help improve the moisture content of the dry air in your home. (Just make sure to put a safety gate in the bathroom doorway to protect small children and pets!)

3. Cooking on Your Stovetop

While using your oven can dry out the air even more, cooking on your stovetop can moisturize the air while warming up your house (or at least the kitchen.) Simmer a big pot of soup, or a kettle or pot of water, on your stovetop for a few hours to take advantage of this effect, or use some stovetop potpourri! Just be sure to keep an eye on it — the water will evaporate into the air over time, so don’t leave it unattended or let it dry out!

4. Setting out Bowls of Water

Even a bowl or vase full of water can be an effective alternative to a humidifier. Leave them out on a sunny windowsill, and evaporation will help add moisture to the air. If you have a radiator, setting an oven-safe bowl full of water on top of it can also be effective.

5. Caring for Houseplants

Ever heard of the process of transpiration? It’s the way moisture evaporates from the leaves and stems of plants, a process that can help increase the humidity in your home. It’s one of the many benefits of houseplants, so add a few more plants to your living areas for more moisturized air.

6. Using a Stove Steamer

If you have a wood-burning stove, all you need is a cast iron steamer pot as an alternative to a humidifier! Look for them online, or check out your local farm supply store. All you have to do is fill the cast iron steamer with water and place it on the top of your stove. The boiling water will produce steam that will moisturize the air!

7. Leaving Your Dishwasher Door Open

During the dry months of winter, you might want to skip or shorten the drying cycle on your dishwasher and open the door instead. You’ll be amazed at how much steam and water vapor is produced by your dishwasher, and when you open the door all that beneficial humidity will billow out into the room. (The only drawback is that you might end up with a few water spots on your dishes, but you can alleviate that by adding a small dish of vinegar to the top rack before running the machine.)

More Tips for Dry Skin

• Use a DIY oatmeal shower bag to soothe itchy skin.
• Make some homemade lotion bars so you can moisturize on the go.
• Quit the shower mistakes that are hurting your skin. 

More Tips for Stuffy Noses, Colds & Flu

• For a quick, concentrated humidifier treatment, make a steam inhaler jar for congestion. 
• Use essential oils to make a “breathe jar” to relieve congestion.
• Take an aromatic eucalyptus shower for congestion relief.
• Make a soothing vapor rub.
• Turn your tissues into aromatherapy by infusing them with essential oils to fight congestion and boost immunity.

How do you deal with dry air during the winter?

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Have you ever dug into a home-cooked meal, only to discover that it tasted a bit… off? Even if you followed the recipe to a T, it turns out that your cleaning habits could be to blame! Prepping and cooking takes time and effort, but that effort could be in vain if something is negatively impacting the taste of your food. But this scenario is totally avoidable, as long as you know a few simple tips! :-)

Today I’ll be sharing 9 common cleaning issues that can negatively affect how your food tastes. I’ll also share simple tips for fixing these issues, so you can ensure that your cooking turns out as tasty as possible!

9 Cleaning Mistakes That Can Ruin the Taste of Your Food

1. You Put off Cleaning Oven Spills

When food spills or splatters occur inside your oven, it’s easy to procrastinate cleaning them up. It’s not like it’s hurting anyone, right? But leaving splatters and spills in your oven can definitely have an affect on how your food tastes! Food spills will continue to bake and burn in your oven, and it can give off odors that can impact the taste and smell of whatever you cook next. Scrubbing your oven with Bar Keepers Friend is a quick and easy way to remove spills and splatters!

2. You Use Too Much Dishwasher Detergent

Using more detergent than necessary can make it impossible for your dishwasher to completely rinse your dishes. It could leave behind a detergent residue on your dishes that may taint the taste of whatever food you serve on them. To prevent this from happening, make sure you’re only using as much detergent as the package recommends.

3. You Don’t Rinse Surfaces Well Enough

Most cleaners you use on your kitchen surfaces don’t need to be rinsed with water, but some do! Any time you use a bleach solution when cleaning your kitchen, make sure to rinse the area thoroughly. This simple step will help prevent cleaner residue from getting transferred to your food!

4. You Put Your Garlic Press in the Dishwasher

Tossing your garlic press into your dishwasher may not be getting it as clean as you’d hope. In order to keep old garlic bits from clogging up the holes, you’re better off hand-washing your garlic press. Use an old toothbrush to get into all those nooks and crannies!

5. Your Utensils All Face the Same Way

If your utensils all face the same way in the dishwasher, they may not be getting completely clean. Spoons have a tendency to nestle together, making it hard for the dishwasher to clean the space between them. Instead, load utensils in alternating directions to help prevent them from nestling together.

6. You Put Cast Iron in the Dishwasher

Washing cast iron in your dishwasher is a big no-no! Your dishwasher will quickly remove the outer seasoned layer from a cast iron pan. An unseasoned cast iron pan will cook less evenly and be more prone to sticking, which will surely affect the taste of the foods you cook in it (here’s a quick guide to re-seasoning your cast iron skillets!) Learn how to properly clean and care for cast iron by reading my post at the link below!

Related: How to Clean and Care for Your Cast Iron Skillet

7. You Don’t Clean Food Containers Thoroughly

Plastic food storage containers can absorb the colors and smells of certain foods. The containers can then pass on that smell and taste to whatever food you happen to store next. But there’s an easy way to eliminate food residues and odors from your storage containers. Just pour a splash or two of white vinegar into the container, then fill it the rest of the way with warm water. Let it sit out for a few hours, then wash as usual. The container will be much fresher after the vinegar soak!

8. Your Grill Is Dirty

Cooking on a grill grate that is crusted with charred gunk will definitely affect the taste of your food! Be sure to scrub your grill’s grates clean before each use. You can use half an onion speared on a BBQ fork to scrub your grill grates, and it won’t leave any bristles behind!

9. Your Coffee Maker Needs Descaling

In order to keep your coffee tasting great, make sure to descale your coffee machine every once in a while! Minerals from your water can build up on the inside of the machine over time, affecting the taste of the coffee it brews. Luckily, descaling your coffee machine is easy! Just fill your coffee machine’s water reservoir with equal parts white vinegar and water. Run a brewing cycle (with no coffee or filter), then discard the water and vinegar mixture. Run the machine at least twice more with clean water each time to flush out any remaining vinegar.

Do you have a tip to add to this list? Let us know in the comments!

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