How to Make Crispy Bacon in the Oven Without the Grease Mess

I stopped cooking bacon on the stove three years ago and I will never go back. It was a Saturday […]

How to Keep Brown Sugar Soft Forever

I once spent ten minutes stabbing a brick of brown sugar with a butter knife. It was December 23rd, I […]

Get Soap Scum Off Shower Curtains Without Taking Them Down and Scrubbing

I avoided cleaning my shower curtain liner for six months because taking it down, scrubbing it in the tub, and […]

How to Keep Your Fresh Cut Flowers Alive Longer in Summer Heat

I bought a gorgeous bouquet of sunflowers and zinnias from the farmers market three Saturdays ago. By Sunday afternoon in […]

How to Deep Clean Your Mattress in Under an Hour

I am going to say something gross: I did not clean my mattress once in the first four years I […]

Get Your Air Conditioner Ready for Summer or Risk It Dying on the Hottest Day

Two summers ago, on the hottest day of the year — 97°F with humidity so thick you could chew the […]

Why a French Press Makes Better Coffee Than a Drip Machine

I used a drip coffee maker for a decade. The same Mr. Coffee machine, on a timer, every morning at […]

How to Ripen Avocados in 10 Minutes Without Ruining Them

I have ruined more avocados than I want to admit. You know the drill. You buy four on Saturday, they […]

Clean Grimy Kitchen Cabinet Doors Without Damaging Wood

The cabinets above my stove had a layer of grease so thick you could write your name in it. I […]

The Sandpaper Trick for Sharpening Scissors at Home

I used to throw away kitchen scissors when they got dull. Three or four pairs a year, just into the […]