A dishwasher can finish a hot wash cycle with clean plates and still release an unpleasant smell when the door opens. Running another empty cycle or adding vinegar may seem like the answer, but neither will remove food scraps trapped in a part of the Continue Reading

Cornstarch usually goes into sauces, soups, and desserts, where it helps thicken liquids. Adding it to a window cleaner seems unusual, especially when vinegar already has a reputation for removing residue from glass. But a homemade cleaning formula Continue Reading

Rust on a cast-iron skillet can make a dependable pan look ready for the trash, especially when orange patches spread across the cooking surface. But light surface rust doesn't necessarily mean the iron is damaged beyond repair. A raw potato and a Continue Reading

An open box of baking soda is a familiar sight inside refrigerators, usually placed on a shelf to help control food odors. But absorbing smells and removing the residue that causes them are different jobs. Baking soda can also be dissolved in water Continue Reading

Bananas don't need chocolate, caramel sauce, or a complicated dessert recipe to develop a candy-like coating. A sprinkle of brown sugar and cinnamon, followed by a few minutes on a hot grill, turns their soft surface golden and gives the fruit a Continue Reading

Brown patches can remain on a baking sheet after the crumbs and fresh grease have washed away. Repeated oven use can leave a stubborn film of baked-on oil, making baking soda seem like the next thing to reach for. But does a paste that helps Continue Reading