cleaning – Cincy Link

5 Surprising Things to Clean With Coffee in The Kitchen

cincylink — Sat, 02 Oct 2021 04:28:57 +0000

Coffee grounds are abrasive, which makes them a great cleaning scrub for pots, pans, ovens and foul-smelling fridge drawers. Scrubbing away at those tough kitchen stains can often seem like a never-ending chore, but used coffee could be the answer you're looking for. "We've all heard about lemon juice and vinegar acting as great natural cleaning products for the home, but coffee also has multiple benefits to keep your kitchen spick and span," said Polly Shearer, interiors expert at Tap Warehouse.Looking for some simple cleaning tips? Take a look at what you can do once you've had your morning caffeine fix...1. Scrubbing pans The coarse texture of ground coffee makes it ideal for scrubbing those hard-to-clean pans — and is much better for the environment than abrasive sponges. All you need to do is combine two to three teaspoons of ground coffee with warm, soapy water, and scrub the pans with a soft sponge until clean. Coffee is a natural degreaser, so your pans will be spotless in no time. 2. Cleaning the grill and ovenRemoving dirt, grease and grime from your oven is no easy feat. Having trouble getting yours clean? According to the experts at Tap Warehouse, the acidity in coffee makes it brilliant for removing tough stains. Shearer explained: "Soak your grill grates in the sink for about 45 minutes in a solution of warm water and a few spoonfuls of coffee, (even instant coffee will do), and you'll find the tough stains will melt off, leaving you with a grill that's as good as new. This also works just as well for barbecue grills."3. Fridge and trash can smellsLooking to banish lingering food smells? Kitchen trash cans and fridges are a magnet for bacteria, but coffee is another great secret ingredient that can help banish bad smells for good. To try this at home, all you need to do is place coffee grounds or a few beans in a cup in your fridge. Coffee is a great absorber of odours, so it can be used to keep your fridge smelling fresh. The same can be done with your trash can; simply place a teaspoon of coffee at the bottom before you put in the bin bag and any bad odors will fade. 4. Cleaning surfaces "Coffee is also great for removing hard-to-clean stains from tiles — mix a few teaspoons of instant coffee or used grounds with soapy water and you'll have your very own surface cleanser," Shearer said."This method can also be used on wooden surfaces that have scratches — soak a spoonful of coffee with warm water and gently rub on the surface. This will minimise the appearance of scratches and stains."5. Unblocking the sinkKitchen sink not draining? Try pouring coffee grounds into the sink followed by liquid soap and boiling water. A great way to use up old grounds, this will help clear any blockages and leave your sink odor-free in no time.

"We've all heard about lemon juice and vinegar acting as great natural cleaning products for the home, but coffee also has multiple benefits to keep your kitchen spick and span," said Polly Shearer, interiors expert at Tap Warehouse.

Looking for some simple cleaning tips? Take a look at what you can do once you've had your morning caffeine fix...

1. Scrubbing pans

The coarse texture of ground coffee makes it ideal for scrubbing those hard-to-clean pans — and is much better for the environment than abrasive sponges. All you need to do is combine two to three teaspoons of ground coffee with warm, soapy water, and scrub the pans with a soft sponge until clean. Coffee is a natural degreaser, so your pans will be spotless in no time.

Getty ImagesZaineb Louchahi / EyeEm

2. Cleaning the grill and oven

Removing dirt, grease and grime from your oven is no easy feat. Having trouble getting yours clean? According to the experts at Tap Warehouse, the acidity in coffee makes it brilliant for removing tough stains.

Shearer explained: "Soak your grill grates in the sink for about 45 minutes in a solution of warm water and a few spoonfuls of coffee, (even instant coffee will do), and you'll find the tough stains will melt off, leaving you with a grill that's as good as new. This also works just as well for barbecue grills."

3. Fridge and trash can smells

Looking to banish lingering food smells? Kitchen trash cans and fridges are a magnet for bacteria, but coffee is another great secret ingredient that can help banish bad smells for good.

To try this at home, all you need to do is place coffee grounds or a few beans in a cup in your fridge. Coffee is a great absorber of odours, so it can be used to keep your fridge smelling fresh. The same can be done with your trash can; simply place a teaspoon of coffee at the bottom before you put in the bin bag and any bad odors will fade.

4. Cleaning surfaces

"Coffee is also great for removing hard-to-clean stains from tiles — mix a few teaspoons of instant coffee or used grounds with soapy water and you'll have your very own surface cleanser," Shearer said.

"This method can also be used on wooden surfaces that have scratches — soak a spoonful of coffee with warm water and gently rub on the surface. This will minimise the appearance of scratches and stains."

5. Unblocking the sink

Kitchen sink not draining? Try pouring coffee grounds into the sink followed by liquid soap and boiling water. A great way to use up old grounds, this will help clear any blockages and leave your sink odor-free in no time.

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This is where germs hide in your house

cincylink — Sun, 12 Sep 2021 04:57:22 +0000

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Kitchen Sponge

The very sponge you use to clean your dishes may actually be home to a bevy of bacteria, including E. coli and salmonella.

PHOTO: PhotoAlto/Laurence Mouton

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Towels

If your towel isn't fresh out of the dryer after a nice, thorough wash, it's likely loaded with all sorts of bacteria. Make sure to hang that towel back up after using it, because a damp towel is a dirty towel.

PHOTO: Emilija Manevska

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Remote Control

Unfortunately, there's no off button for bacteria. Remote controls are one of the most germ-covered things in a home. Now that you know, no marathon of shows should be enough to distract you from that.

PHOTO: Jose Luis Stephens / EyeEm

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Pet Bed

The next time your pet gives you that look when you tell them to get off your bed, stay strong. In addition to ticks and fleas, your four-legged friend could be carrying MRSA, rabies or all sorts of worms. That means their personal sleeping spot needs to be washed regularly.

PHOTO: gollykim

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Microwave

When it comes to cleaning, it seems that many people have a "what happens in the microwave, stays in the microwave" philosophy. Well, that kind of attitude could be making you sick. It's important to sanitize your microwave unless you want your leftovers served with a side of E. coli.

PHOTO: EasyBuy4u

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Carpet

Allergens like pollen, dust and dust mites are all around your carpet, but it can also be home to bacteria — and every time you step foot on it, you're bringing them closer to the surface.

PHOTO: Mike Kemp

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Light Switches

Don't be left in the dark: light switches, like any other surfaces frequently touched by others, can be a launchpad for colds and viruses.

PHOTO: Khairul Fitri Mohamad / EyeEm

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Computer Keyboard

Your keyboard is covered in bacteria, especially if you're not the only one tapping away at it, so don't forget to delete those germs with a good cleaning.

PHOTO: Johner Images

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Kitchen Sink

E. coli and salmonella in your kitchen sink? What about the faucet? Remember that contaminated foods and the aforementioned bacteria hotbed, your kitchen sponge, can leave their mark wherever they go. Cleaning the surface of the sink simply isn't enough either, as many of the offenders become trapped in the drain.

PHOTO: Tatiana Dyuvbanova / EyeEm

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Toothbrush

It probably comes as no surprise that an unbrushed mouth can be home to hundreds of bacteria, but the thing you use to clean it, too? Yep! Toothbrushes can carry E. coli, staphylococcus and even fecal matter.

PHOTO: Nicole Lienemann / EyeEm

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Cutting Board

Your cutting board is a popular rest stop for food-born illness-causing bacteria, whether its wood or plastic. Always clean it thoroughly, especially after cutting raw meat and vegetables.

PHOTO: Enrique Díaz / 7cero

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Coffeemaker

Feeling awake yet? Well, staphylococcus, streptococcus and bacillus cereus are just some of the bacteria that can be living in the reservoir of your coffeemaker.

PHOTO: Dziggyfoto

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Refrigerator

Though typically thought of as something that protects our food from bacteria, a refrigerator can contain E. coli, salmonella and listeria, among others. This is especially true of the salad drawer and door handles. If it housed a food that was subject to a recall, it's extremely important to clean your entire refrigerator.

PHOTO: Caiaimage/Paul Bradbury

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Stove Knobs

Where there's food, there's the chance that the nearby surfaces are chock-full of bacteria. Even the stove knobs are susceptible to lingering germs.

PHOTO: Tetra Images

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Coffee Table

A popular destination for our remotes, phones and other bacteria-covered items, often including your feet — our coffee tables are coated with germs.

PHOTO: Cavan Images

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Salt and Pepper Shakers

Instead of seasoning your meal, you might actually be sprinkling it with rhinoviruses and influenza. So spilling the salt is the least of your worries.

PHOTO: Image by Marie LaFauci

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Water Bottles

Whether it's back from the gym, school or the office, your water bottle is teeming with enough bacteria to make you do a spit take. Throw it in the dishwasher after each use.

PHOTO: Valeriia Sviridova / EyeEm

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Pet Bowls

It's up to you whether you should let your pet lick your face— that said, you should know that the place where they eat and drink is teeming with bacteria.

PHOTO: eclipse_images

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Mattress

Having a tough time sleeping? Then definitely don't think about how your mattress is likely a frenzy of fungi, mold, dust mites and bacteria from your sweat as well as its surroundings.

PHOTO: baytunc

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Makeup Bag

You're going to need to add some color to your face after finding out what's present in your makeup bag. Typically dark, damp and with plenty to feed on, the makeup bag is a haven for harmful bacteria.

PHOTO: JuliaK

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Closets

Home to the coats, hats and gloves you use to keep yourself warm while you're out and about, your closet is the closest thing in your home to a public place. Bacteria from your travels thrive alongside those jackets you've been meaning to donate.

PHOTO: Burak Karademir

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Lunch Box

Contaminated foods and contact with dirty surfaces at school make your child's lunch box a real feeding ground for bacteria.

PHOTO: Sally Anscombe

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Washing Machine

Even when it's full of detergent, there are germs galore inside your washing machine. Children's clothes and, embarrassingly enough, all of our undergarments, fill it with all sorts of bacteria.

PHOTO: Daniel Kaesler / EyeEm

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Dishwasher

No, your dishwasher isn't safe from bacteria either. With an abundance of food particles and moisture, this is another place where germs are more than happy to gather.

PHOTO: Sally Anscombe

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Bathroom Faucet Handles

You wash your hands after using the bathroom, right? That's great! Too bad the handles you have to touch before and after your sanitizing act are covered in bacteria.

PHOTO: Tawan Boonnak / EyeEm

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Pillows

Like our mattresses, pillows take on the bacteria in the air and on our skin to make a fluffy and fertile breeding ground for germs. Sweet dreams!

PHOTO: Azri Suratmin

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Woman learning about history through gravestone rejuvenation

cincylink — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 04:07:04 +0000

BEDFORD, Va. — Millions of people are scouring the internet every day, digging deep into genealogy and learning about the generations before them. One woman has found that behind every name lies an important story.

A cemetery might not be a place that comes to mind when thinking about healing.

But for Alicia Williams, that’s exactly what Bedford, Virginia’s Longwood Cemetery is. It’s her therapy.

“It’s just more of an underground community, I mean, who hangs out in cemeteries with dead people all day," Williams said.

She recently went through a tumultuous divorce and a battle for her children.

“I had not a soul in the world that made me feel like I was good enough to exist in the world," Williams said.

This place, filled with souls Williams can only feel, became her cleanse.

“Coming out here, it was like, this stone has 120 years of dirt on it and I made it clean, so why can’t I do the same thing for myself? For my soul?” Williams said.

For almost a year, she’s been cleaning gravestones to conserve what’s there and bring these stories back to life.

“Once I get their name out and see their dates, then I can start to research them and investigative them and some of them sadly, there is not much to find out," Williams said. “Which to me makes it even more important to clean that marker because, in a lot of instances, it’s the only record that that person existed at all.”

For many, there is much more to discover. It’s why the genealogy trend is picking up. For example, Ancestry had 15 million people in its DNA network in 2019, and in just two years, that number grew to over 20 million.

Joshua Taylor, the president of the New York Genealogical and Biological Society says the accessibility factor of records and information has changed the way people approach it.

“Those are individual stories, and they are also a collective community story," Taylor said. “Getting started is easier than ever before because you can access records at home, online, in 10 minutes that could take you ten months to find.”

It’s also why eyes are glued on Williams' work.

“We are in many ways, the current generation is the most documented generation ever. In photographs, in audio or video," Taylor said.

“We live in a time where people are very passionate about restoring the historical narrative and giving a voice to people that didn’t have a voice.”

Her cleaning methods and efforts to conserve have gone viral on TikTok.

“For the most part, the thing that surprises me and still to this day, it’s been nine months now, it’s been overwhelmingly positive," Williams said.

After cleaning, she researches and discovers stories buried beneath these graves. Decades later, Williams is resurfacing this history and trying to keep their legacies alive.

“If we don’t tell as many individual stories as possible, we’re never going to get an accurate picture," Williams said. “I feel like it’s giving me the courage to slowly start to tell more of my story.”

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