Science Geek Gets Clean

Today I'm in the kitchen, but I'm not cookin'. I'm cleanin'.

Cleaning my jewelry, that is.

I have a box full of lovely sterling silver jewelry that is, to put it gently, horribly discolored and gross looking. Every time I see my pretty necklace with the silver beads I think, "What a beautiful bauble! Or at least it used to be." Then I feel mopey and sad and choose a less wonderful (but also less dingy) accessory to wear in its place.

But no more, people. No more! You see, I cleaned my sterling silver jewelry with baking soda. I'll give you the instructions below, but first, a word of wisdom: Before you try this at home with your all-time favorite bracelet in the history of the world, test it out with less-special sterling silver jewelry. Make sure you're happy with the results and then continue on to the good stuff. Now, here it goes...

How To Clean Sterling Silver Jewelry with Baking Soda
Courtesy of eHow.com

1.) Fill your kettle and set it on the stove to boil. (Or just microwave some water. Whatevs.)
2.) Line a glass baking dish (make sure it has sides) with a slightly crumpled piece of aluminum foil.

3.) Lay your sterling silver jewelry on the aluminum foil.
4.) Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the jewelry.

5.) Pour boiling water over the jewelry until it is covered. Alka Seltzer-like bubbles will start dancing off your jewelry, and you'll be assaulted with a serious rotten-egg smell. Apparently this is just the release of sulfuric gases. So, don't fret. (But do feel free to plug your nose.)

6.) Gently stir around the jewelry to ensure all the surfaces have come in contact with the aluminum.
7.) Rinse the jewelry under tap water, taking great care that it doesn't fall down the drain and disappear forever.
8.) Dry jewelry with a soft towel.
9.) Enjoy all the compliments you receive on your super-sparkly accessories! 

Squeaky Clean by Lady of the House

When I have the luxury of a trip to the grocery store that includes my husband, I usually clear off to sniff bars of soap and read the detergent labels. I have a total thing for products, okay, an absolute weakness. I realized we had a situation when I discovered not two, but three different bottles of dish soap under the kitchen sink, four all-purpose cleansers, and a bounty of solvents that would make even Mr. Clean's ugly head spin.

A detox was in order. The typical shift from commercial-grade toxic cleansers, or a greening wasn't the plan, I needed to silence all the cheery, organic and typographically yummy labels beckoning me over and over again. Enter Casabella, an empty spray bottle, a few handy cloths and the recipe to remedy all the grocery store bottle-huffing.

So here's how it works. It's simple. You'll need a spray bottle and a few things from around the house.

1. For general surface cleaning: Baking soda -- 2 tablespoons to 16 ounces of warm water

2. To hit your windows and mirrors: Distilled White Vinegar -- 1 teaspoon to 16 ounces of warm water

3. To disinfect: Tea Tree Oil -- 10-20 drops to 16 ounces of warm water

(The recipes above come from Casabella's handy TIPS found on their website

Keep house sensibly, safely, and save your pennies for vacation.

Happy Spring cleaning, lovelies!!

xoxo

{ Lady of the House }

One Man's Trash by Lady of the House

City living isn't synonymous with oodles of storage, or space for that matter. Add to this fact a personal disdain for clutter and a husband raised by total pack rats, and you've got yourself a recipe for minimalism bordering on the brink of austere. We revel in trips to the Good Will, perform regular closet clean-outs, and pride ourselves on our ability to purge.

Next week we are moving for the third time in three years, so with all the packing and taking stock of things, I have donating on the brain. As we head into Spring, you may be gearing up for your own big purge. Here are a few places, ready and waiting to take your donations. You'll be ridding yourself of unwanted items, but you may wind up feeling charitable, environmentally friendly and perhaps changed.

About to hit that white sale? The Wisconsin Humane Society is in need of your old bath towels. (And that's exactly what you'll tell your husband when he asks why you spent $400 at Pottery Barn. "The homeless puppies were in need, honey!")

It can be a horrible head ache wrangling all the cords, cards, discs and electronic debris that we seem to accumulate. Far worse than the 3 computer monitors taking up space in your garage is the fact that most people just toss them in the trash. Electronic waste is no joke. Give thought to what you're throwing away, or better yet, recycle it. This local company offers electronic recycling. Or put an ad on Craigslist. Maybe your old laptop is the perfect thing for a student in need.

Did you know the Boys and Girls Clubs of America want your old sports equipment? They do! Get your children involved in the clean out, and make the donation together.

Free up some room in your closet and make a girl's day with the donation of your party dresses. The Cinderella Project sends underprivileged girls to prom with your help. So seriously. Are you going to wear it again?

A good catch-all is the Good Will or Salvation Army, and if you keep a designated donation box near by, it's easy to fill up and drop it off each month. You'll be an expert in no time.

xoxo

Lady of the House