When we talk about how to clean an oven, we first need to clarify if we are talking about how to clean a self cleaning oven or a non-self cleaning oven. How to Clean a Self Cleaning Oven Ovens that include a self-cleaner function (also called the pyrolytic cleaning method) include an enamel coating that can be worn down or damaged if scrubbed with an abrasive cleaner. How to Use an Oven Self Cleaner Instead of using abrasive cleaners on the enamel inside of a self-cleaning oven, it's better to actually utilize the self-cleaning mechanism. Remove all of the parts inside of your oven (metal shelves or drawer) Use a silicon scraper to remove any caked on food from the sides and the bottom of your oven and wipe it down with a damp cloth Open all of the kitchen windows to make ... [Read More]
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Eco Friendly Halloween
For me, Halloween will always be synonymous with dressing up, decorating for parties with friends, and trick-or-treating. The tradition of meeting new neighbors and passing out treats to costumed kids is so much fun, but the overwhelming amount of waste associated with the holiday can also make me feel a little bit conflicted. According to this year's NRF Halloween consumer behavior survey, "...consumers plan to spend $3.2 billion on costumes (purchased by 68 percent of Halloween shoppers), $2.7 billion on decorations (74 percent), $2.6 billion on candy (95 percent) and $400 million on greeting cards (35 percent)." Unfortunately, those costumes are likely to be used only once before being discarded and Halloween decorations are commonly made from non-recyclable plastic ... [Read More]
Sustainably Sourced Thrift Store Halloween Costume Ideas
According to this year's NRF Halloween consumer behavior survey, consumers plan to spend $3.2 billion on costumes. What's unfortunate is that many of those costumes will be worn only once and/or were produced using plastic-based materials (polyester, anyone?). If you’re interested in eco-friendly Halloween costume alternatives then look no further. Below is a list of sustainable thrift store Halloween costume ideas that are cheap, easy, and a few that can easily be put together at the last minute! Before we talk about buying Halloween costumes, there are a few options to consider first. Shop your closet - If you have the basic elements of a great costume already in your closet, then there is no need to buy new! Borrow from a friend - Maybe you shopped your closet but you’re ... [Read More]
Benefits of an Essential Oil Diffuser
In this post I’m breaking down the benefits of diffusing essential oils, the different types of diffusers on the market, and the answers to questions like, “What’s the difference between a diffuser and a humidifier?” Keep reading for more! ... [Read More]
How to Clean a Dishwasher
Most of us think about cleaning the exterior of our dishwashers or at the very least, we give it a cursory wipe down. But what about the interior? Doesn’t it clean itself every time you run the dishwasher? If it were only so easy! Unfortunately dishwashers collect quite a bit of build up from food particles and hard water - the types of things you typically don’t want mixing in with your food. At first glance cleaning your dishwasher seems like a daunting task, there are so many parts and crevices in there, right? I’ve created a simple guide that will allow you efficiently clean the areas that are impacted most - my husband calls it the 80-20 rule (his favorite rule of thumb) of dishwasher cleaning. ;) ... [Read More]
Baby Registry Checklist – Essentials for the Minimalist Mom
My son is just over 8 weeks old and I finally feel like I am in a place where I might be able to offer useful baby registry checklist suggestions to other new or soon to be new moms. This list is for new moms (or dads!) who want to know what they REALLY need when baby arrives. In all honesty - you don’t need much. You could technically survive with just diapers and wipes, a few swaddle blankets, and a safe place for your baby to sleep. The rest is really just for your convenience, but your convenience matters! Below is a list of all of the items that we regularly use and nothing more. The length of this list might surprise you considering the “minimalist” title, but if you’re planning on staying active and productive (running errands, eating at restaurants, getting stuff done ... [Read More]