PSA #1127R--Regarding Burned-On Food

Have you ever left a pan on the stove too long and burned the food? Have you scrubbed and scrubbed only to have the burned mess refuse to budge? Have you thrown pans away in disgust?

I have good news for you! This PSA will change your life. Or at least save a pan or two.

I have enameled cookware. I LOVE my cookware. There have been times, though that I've forgotten my pot on the stove and the food burned. Let's just say I got distracted. (Read: On the computer again!)

The last time that happened, my favorite pot was severely scorched and black on the inside. I called the company begging for help. The lovely lady on the other end said, "Well, here's what I recommend." I did what she said and it WORKED!!! The enamel was clean and white like I'd just bought it.

I've been cooking and reheating on the top of our wood stove lately. It's free heat, you know! Two days ago I used my Corelle bowls to heat supper. I put the food in one bowl and turned another bowl upside down to make a cover. The fire was a little hotter than I thought (and I got "distracted" again), and some of the food burned.

I soaked the bowl in hot water and a little soap. I scraped and then ran it through the dishwasher, and there was still BLACK inside the bowls.

Then I remembered "The Trick." I used it, and the bowls are pristine again! I now share it with you as . . .

Public Service Announcement #1127R (my birthdate and initial!):

• Cover the burned area with hot water.
• Pour in about a teaspoon or so of bleach.
• Let sit for at least 24 hours.
• IF needed (my bowls were completely white), scrub what's left a bit with a non-scratching sponge.
• If not completely gone, soak another 24 hours and repeat.

It works!

My Laundry Detergent Recipe

I got this from a couple of places, originally, but I streamlined it after several batches.

I prefer the liquid. There are recipes for dry laundry detergent, too. The following recipe fills five empty jugs. I prefer to use recycled detergent jugs because the cap measures the perfect amount and it has that special "neck" to direct the liquid back into the jug from the replaced cap.


The Recipe

Ingredients:
3/4 Cup grated soap (I use Ivory 'cause it's cheap!)
1 Cup Borax
1 Cup Washing SODA

(NOTES: I shred the entire bar of soap using my grater and store in a jar. I premix the washing soda and borax so that I don't have to do it each time. Mix them half and half and then just scoop out 2 cups of the mix.)

Directions:

1. Place 3/4 C of grated soap into large pot big enough to hold four gallons of liquid.
2. Add 12 cups of hot water to pot to dissolve soap and put on stove using medium heat.
3. After soap is dissolved, add borax/soda mix. Stir until dissolved. Remove from heat.
4. Add 8 more cups of hot water (to make sure everything is GOOD and dissolved!).
5. Add 2 gallons plus 12 cups of cold water. Stir.
6. Cover and let sit 24 hours to "gel." It will have the consistency of egg white mixed in water.
7. Use 1/2 Cup per washload. That is the size of the cap on the recycled detergent jugs. Measure yours, just in case.

I find that it cleans our clothes very well. We don't have any grease/oil situations. I also cannot stand the smell of commercial detergents. This is gentle on the skin and leaves no scent. Just "clean."

Cleaning Recipes

I haven't bought commercial cleaners in years. Well, mostly. I still use dishwasher detergent. I tried the natural recipes and my dishwasher HATED them. I tried three times, then I just conceded to the dishwasher. I don't want to hurt the feelings of my maid, do I?

Other things, however, are cheaper and WAY better for you to use.

Here are my favorites:

Sink cleanser: (I have all porcelain sinks) Baking Soda

Window Cleaner:

1/4 Cup white vinegar
1/2 teaspooon liquid hand soap
1 3/4 Cup water
5-8 drops of essential oil (I use lavendar most of the time, but tangerine and peppermint are nice, too)

Put in spray bottle. Put one in each bathroom and in the kitchen.

(I found this note online and thought I'd include it here--just in case it's true: I recently bought new windows for my home and was warned not use ammonia or vinegar or I would be removing the energy efficient UV properties of the the glass.)

Disinfectant Cleaner:

8 ounces of water
25 drops of lemon essential oil (Smells GREAT!)

Put in spray bottle.

Floor Cleaner:

1/2 Cup vinegar
1 gallon hot water
Several drops of any essential oil

Mix in mop bucket.

Furniture Polish:

1 Cup mineral oil (food grade, available in drugstores)

20 drops lemon essential oil

Mix and pour into container. Apply to rag and rub into wood after dusting. Mineral oil does not go rancid like vegetable oils do. You CAN use vegetable oil in this recipe, but you'll need to make a fresh batch for each polishing time. (I've used olive oil as well.)

NOTE: Use a small amount and rub and buff thoroughly. I used too much and didn't buff enough on one table and it was "tacky" feeling. I took a clean cloth and rubbed it in completely and it was fine.