Laminate Lament

Dear Home-Ec 101,

Hi! I hope you lovely gals can help me…

My husband and I are remodeling a house, and we installed laminate, faux wood floors. We probably did it backwards, because since installing the floors, we’ve had plumbers and tilers in…and now the floors are filthy! We need advice on how to clean them. The manufacturer (Shaw *cough*) were of no help at all; they provided no tips other than encouraging us to buy their “special” laminate-cleaning product. They never addressed the fact that we’re talking about a lot of dust, drywall, and grime here. You can’t get laminate flooring fully wet, so regular mopping is out. We have a layer of remodeling dust that seemingly won’t be phased by a broom and Swiffer Wet. Also, we’re talking about an entire houseful of laminate flooring. Can you help?

Laminerd

Ivy says:

I’ve used several methods to clean my laminate flooring and I don’t have a clear favorite way to clean them. It seems to get randomly streaky even with methods I’ve used before that worked just fine. I know, weird. Here are the two methods I’ve used that seem to work the best, though.

For really dirty floors, first vacuum thoroughly using the bare floor setting on your vacuum cleaner. Then get a mop bucket, rags,  and well diluted vinegar.   Get down on your hands and knees to wash and dry the floor. Just make sure you’re wringing out the wet rag thoroughly so it’s not soaking wet. If the floor is particularly grimy be prepared to go through a few rags.  Some wet is fine, though, since you’re immediately wiping the floor dry - just be sure not to get it soaking wet. The only problem I’ve had with this is sometimes the floor ends up streaky. I’ve heard it’s because of the hard water in my area, so if you live in a hard water area, try using distilled water.

The other thing I’ve found that works really well is Windex. My only concern is while it works for my flooring, it may not for yours- test an inconspicuous spot before doing the whole floor. I’ve found that Windex works really well, without leaving streaks.  During mud season, when my floors are really dirty, I’ll do the vinegar and water routine and then go over it with Windex to keep the streakies away.

Good luck!

Win It: Zosephine Diaper Bag

Heather says:

Hurray, it’s contest time!  I am very excited to announce the launch of our newest giveaway.  A Kyoto Diaper Bag by Zosephine Diaper Bags. First, head over to Home Ec 101 reviews to see what I think of the bag and why you’ll want it even if you are past the diaper days, then head back here to enter.

All done? Wonderful.

To enter* comment and link back to this post from your own blog. What? You don’t have a blog? Then email this information to your friends who may be interested. Remember the more people who hear about and enter these giveaways the more likely we will be able to host more in the future. The comments will close at 6am EDT Saturday  morning and the selection will be done by random number generation and posted by 12 noon EDT on Saturday April 5. Please be sure to use a valid e-mail address when commenting.

Good luck!

*We are sorry, but this contest is only open to residents of the US and Canada.

Back to Basics: Dilled Salmon

Heather says:

I have updated this dilled salmon from an old baked salmon recipe that used mayonnaise.  Those who know me are not the least bit surprised.  Fish is much more delicate than chicken, pork, or beef.  I will not be giving a specific cook time as oven temperatures vary and the thickness of your fillets will make a difference, too.  The thinner the fillet the shorter the cook time.  If you use a metal baking sheet your cook time will be shorter than if you use a ceramic baking dish.  Raw salmon has a translucent appearance; cooked salmon will be opaque and will flake (seperate into pieces) easily with a fork. Overcooked salmon will be dry and less flavorful.

Dilled Salmon with Garlic

• 1 lb salmon
• 1/3 cup plain yogurt (Be absolutely sure to use plain and not flavored yogurt.)
• 1 clove garlic - minced
• 1/2 tsp dried dill
•  1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper
• salt to taste

Preheat the oven 400°F.  Stir together the yogurt, garlic, dill, and ground pepper.  Place the salmon skin down and smear the yogurt mixture across the salmon.  Bake until the fish flakes easily with a fork. Don’t judge by the sauce, slice it and look at the flesh.  Check the fish after 10 minutes, unless you are baking especially thick salmon it should be done by 15.

Yields 4 servings.

Did I Stain My Stainless?

Dear Home Ec 101,

I have a stainless steel pan that has acquired a brownish/bronzish color all over the bottom of the inside of the pan. What is this, is it bad, and can it be gotten rid of? I like shiny things.

Signed,

~Maggie Magpie

Heather says:

I love my stainless steel, the only downside is they occasionally need a little more love than a nonstick pan.  The brownish stain you are seeing is really just a thin layer of cooked oils or the propellant from a cooking spray such as Pam.  Once heated to high temperatures oils can become quite sticky, in fact plastic can be made from vegetable oils. The properties that will give us this greener alternative to petroleum are the same ones that make it a bear to clean off your cookware.

Some will recommend baking powder applied as a paste.  This technique may require some elbow grease.

As usual I am recommending Bar Keepers Friend, the active ingredient is oxalic acid which is commonly found in foods.  The acidic properties helps loosen the crud (yes, my technical term of the day).  Wet the pan, sprinkle the powder, and use a damp rag to scrub.  Follow up by washing as usual.  This product can be found in most big box stores near the abrasive cleaners, it isn’t quite as flashy as the well known brands so look carefully to be sure it isn’t hiding on the top or bottom shelf.

If you don’t have Bar Keepers Friend on hand, try heating a solution of soapy water over medium heat and then using a nylon scraper or a scouring pad to remove the residue. Salt also makes a great abbrasive in a pinch.
Good luck!

Submit your questions to helpme@home-ec101.com 

Spring Cleaning: bedrooms

Ivy says:

 Thanks to commenter Sandy, I am getting back on track with the spring cleaning posts. I totally have blogging ADD. I’ll be chugging along with something and then suddenly- “Look! A puppy!”

So, today we’ll talk about spring cleaning your bedrooms. Here we go, wheee!

• I like to start with the closets. I toss everything except the clothes out of the closet and try to get rid of about half the stuff that’s in there, if possible. Eventually, you’ll get your clutter level down so low that there is mostly essential items in there, but you’ll still find stuff you don’t need, guaranteed.
• Then take all the clothes out of the closet and get rid of anything that doesn’t fit, you hate, or is stained or torn.
• Once you have everything out of the closet, dust the walls, ceiling and light fixtures, wash the baseboards, and vacuum. Then put everything back in there.
• Take your comforter off the bed and then dust the fan and/or light fixtures. The reason I say take the comforter off is because funky dust is easily washed off sheets, but depending on the laundry instructions for your comforter, it may not easily be washed off. If you do have a washable comforter, take your comforter off and wash it, store it, or whatever you do with it in the spring.
• Take the sheets, dust ruffle, and any other extraneous stuff you have on your bed and wash them. Put pillows out in the sun to air out.
• Pull all the furniture away from the walls and wash the baseboards and use your edging tool on your vacuum cleaner to clean where the wall and carpet meet.
• If your curtains can be washed, take them down and wash them. If not, do a thorough vacuuming of your curtains. Wash the windows, too!
• Thoroughly dust the walls and furniture. Remember: top to bottom!
• Empty the trash in your room.
• Move all the furniture back and vacuum the entire room.
• Clean out your nightstands. Get rid of anything you don’t need.
• Put clean sheets on your bed.

Enjoy your fresh, clean bedroom!

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