8 Things You Should Never Clean With Vinegar
Vinegar is a great cleaner for a lot of jobs, but not for everything. These eight surfaces can be dulled, etched or damaged by it.
That Little Hole in Your Pot Handle Isn’t Just for Hanging
Most pots and pans have a small hole at the end of the handle. It’s there for hanging, but cooks use it for a second trick that keeps the counter clean.
Green Spots on Your Potatoes: Is It Safe to Eat Them?
A potato with green patches under the skin looks odd, and it’s worth paying attention to. Here’s what the green means and when to cut it off or toss the potato.
Those Little Tabs on the End of the Foil Box Have a Job (Most of Us Never Used Them)
The foil roll that jumps out of the box every time you pull? Many foil and plastic wrap boxes have a built-in fix printed right on the end.
Is It Safe to Put Hot Food Straight Into the Fridge? My Mother Always Said No
Many of us were taught to let leftovers cool on the stove first. Here’s what food-safety experts say today, and the one trick for a big pot of soup.
How to Remove Hard Water Spots From a Glass Shower Door (and Keep Them Off)
Cloudy white spots on the shower glass come from minerals in the water, not from dirt. Warm vinegar lifts them off. Here’s the method and the 10-second habit that keeps them away.
My 5-Minute Lemon Trick for a Dirty Microwave (No Scrubbing)
Dried-on splatters inside the microwave wipe right off after a few minutes of lemon steam. Here’s how to do it safely.
How Long Does It Take to Thaw a Turkey? The Fridge Math Most People Get Wrong
A frozen turkey needs a lot more time in the fridge than most of us think. Here’s the simple rule, a chart by size, and what to do if you started too late.
Can You Leave Butter Out on the Counter? Here’s the Honest Answer
Grandma’s butter dish sat on the table every day of her life. Is soft butter on the counter safe, and for how long? Here’s what to know.
I Told My Sister I’m Not Driving Four Hours for Thanksgiving This Year. This Is What Happened
Every year we packed the car and drove four hours each way. This year I said I was staying home. Here’s how the family took it, and the fair plan we came up with.