Spring Scrub Down!

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Spring Scrub Down!

By Courtesy Cooking with Paula Deen Magazine March/April 2011

Time for a Spring Scrub-Down!

The need to clean hidden areas of your kitchen (think exhaust fan and garbage disposal!) comes around once a year just like tax time. Spring is a great time to tackle these tougher jobs, and with Paula’s tips, you’ll find most of the cleaners you’ll need in your fridge or pantry.

Ways to Clean with Baking Soda…
Mix it with warm water to clean the inside of the fridge or other appliances.
Blend 4 parts baking soda and 1 part Borax for a nonabrasive scouring powder.

Ways to Clean with White Vinegar…
Add 2 to 3 tablespoons to your dishwasher detergent to cut the grease on dishes.
Make a paste of vinegar and baking soda to clean a stainless steel sink.
Mix it with water, and run it through the coffeepot for a good inside-out cleaning.
Freeze vinegar in ice cube trays, and grind the cubs in the sink disposal.

Ways to Clean with Lemons…
Sanitize wooden cutting boards by rubbing them with lemon juice, then let them set overnight. Wash and rinse.
Use lemon juice on chrome faucets and appliances, then buff ‘til they shine!
Sprinkle the cut side of a lemon half with salt, and use it to clean the inside of copper cookware.
Cut a whole lemon in quarters, and grind it in the garbage disposal to disinfect and deodorize it. (Paula’s favorite!)

“I always keep plenty of lemons, vinegar, and baking soda in my kitchen because they pull double duty- I can cook or clean with ‘em!” - Paula

Freshen the Fridge
Paula says four simple steps make this big job more manageable.
1. Pull out all the food and throw away out-of-date items
2. Wash drawers and shelves, and then wipe down the interior with warm soapy water.
3. Use soap and bleach (and latex gloves!) to clean and sanitize the drip pan, if you have one, underneath the fridge.
4. Vacuum any coils in the back or underneath.

Grease Be Gone!
The grimiest cleaning jobs in the kitchen are the exhaust fan blades, housing, and filter; underneath the stop top; and the oven. For these jobs, Paula finds that the fastest way to cut the sticky mess is to squirt the surfaces with Greased Lightning, an all-purpose cleaner originally created to help mechanics mop up car grease. Just wear latex gloves, and grab a roll of paper towels to wipe away grease. Then wipe with a damp sponge and dry.

Cleaning with Ketchup?
Rubbing ketchup on dirty copper-bottomed pots will restore the shine.

Need more kitchen help? Subscribe to Cooking with Paula Deen Magazine today!

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Reader Comments:

I have your pots+pans.I was wonderning do I wash them in baking soda before I use them.

By DENISE MABE on December 29, 2012

I LOVE PAULA DEEN SHE IS A KIND,GRACIOUS LADY.SHE IS AN INSPIRATION TO A LOT OF PEOPLE.I WOULD LOVE TO SEE HER AGAIN.

By JUDY PATRICK on April 17, 2012

Hello Miss Paula, I made your Tilapia Po'Boys with Homemade Tartar Sauce & OMGoodness! I have never seen my children eat fish like that! All I can say is THANK YOU for this recipe! It's definately a keeper! My husband and I made them twice in one week...(SUPER EASY!)we ALL loved it. I recommend it to everyone! Look it up & try it! You won't be disappointed!

By Hollie on April 29, 2011

One little chore I try to do weekly by using vinegar or Grease Lightening is to clean the top of the refrigerator because it seems to develop a greasy surface, from just normal cooking, and any dust in the air clings to the grease making a dark, dirty film. Often people overlook that area because it's not easily seen but if you have any tall men or guests in the house it is quite noticeable to them. Besides looking bad - who wants to open the refrigerator when the top is in an unsanitary condition? Love your kitchen helps, Paula! Thank you!

By Susan Figueroa on April 22, 2011

I just Love You Miss Dean...I aspire to be just like you..I hope when I complete culinary school,I will be as professional and respectable as you...many blessings..the chocolate covered Paula Deen..(Jus kidding!!!)lol

By ERICA D HARRIS on April 21, 2011

Just love you Paula Deen. I especially like the "Oprah" where you helped the little guy who had lost his brother. Happy Easter, lovely lady!

By Anonymous on April 20, 2011

Thanks for the tips...btw I have used greased lightening for years and it is the greatest. Try washing your walls with regular cleaner then afterwards spray greased lightening on same area and you will be amazed how much more grime comes off. Thanks Paula PS/ Just bought your country cooking cookbokk and just love it

By Deb Smolka on April 18, 2011

It is always a joy to hear from Paula. She is a very smart and down he lady. I admire her very much. U have come a long way baby. God bless you and your family.

By Anonymous on April 18, 2011

putting used teabags down the disposal helps reduce rusting..just remember to pull out the string (never use those pyramid looking bags that are plastic..just the paper fiber filterbags).

By Ann on April 18, 2011

I'm having a large gathering this summer and decided to start now with finding a good pork barbecue recipe. I started with Paula's Barbecue Pork Sandwiches and will search no farther. Even my husband gave it 5 stars!

By Jean Dauernheim on April 18, 2011

I have read all your books and watch your cooking shows all the time. Got to come see you live in Atlanta a few years ago; I really enjoyed it! You are such an inspiration. I like the tips you gave and I have used most of them! They really do work. I love your magazine and your beautiful home. Love your furniture line too. Let's just say I really like all your endeavors!!!!!!!!!

By wanda.lee on April 18, 2011

By Theresa on March 29, 2011

I just made Bobby's goulash - a double batch, one for tonight and one for the freezer. My husband and I just love it. It takes practically no time at all to make it when you have nothing else to do !! I've been making this when I first saw it in your cookbook, and I've seen you "cook" it several times on TV - Thanks Paula.

By Mary Ann on March 29, 2011

I love the passion she has for cooking, the way she smiles and how she raised her family. I love cooking and for me watching Paula in the kitchen is refreshing.

By Dorca Bello on March 29, 2011

To keep your stainless steel sink clean & shining: Every night when you finish the dishes, take a dry cloth and wipe it down to remove all water. It will look nice all the time.

By Kathy Roberts on March 29, 2011

and all-purpose cleaner originally created to help mechanics mop...... and should be an.

By Anonymous on March 29, 2011

Pauladeen.com

Spring Scrub Down!