Tips For Stress-Free Meal Cleanup

Monday, March 1, 2004

orner Clear Things Up Quickly: Tips For Stress-free Meal Cleanup (NAPSA)—Whetherit’s a holiday gathering, Sunday brunch or your weekly family dinner, cleanup doesn’t have to dominate yourday, if you plan ahead. Laura Dellutri, also known as the Healthy Housekeeper and authorof “Speed Cleaning 101,” has some helpful tips to make mealtime cleanup a snap. Protect your table surface from spills and other stains. Place an inexpensive liner underneath your tablecloth, so if spills occur, the liquid doesn’t penetrate into the wood. If you are having small children at the party, a messis almost inevitable. Protect your chairs by purchasing inexpensive plastic seat covers to keep the fabric intact. They cost as little as $10 at homestores. * Candles are great for creating a warm mood. If you use candles on your table setting, keep the wicks short to prevent the flames from getting too high or hot and to prevent wax from dripping on yourtablecloth. Set a table that shines. Make sure your drinking glasses are clear of cloudiness. Fine damage to the surface of glassware, known as etching, appears after multiple cycles in the dishwasher and cannot be removed. Etching can easily be prevented by regularly using Cascade with Shine Shield, which helps neutralize the harsh effects that can cause etching. * Don’t be afraid to use cloth Sparkling glasses add some shineto the table. napkins—they can actually help prevent a mess. Choose oversized cloth napkins, so your guests keep scraps in the napkin and not on the floor. Keep a lint brush/roller stowed near your table. Then, before serving dessert, if breadcrumbs and other table scraps make your table look messy, use the lint brush/roller to clear away the crumbs. Use your dishwasher. Instead of hand washing your dishes, you can spend more time with your family or guests. And it won’t break the bank; according to www.homemadesimple.com, on average, you can wash a load of dishes in your dishwasherfor less than the cost of a postage stamp. With these easy tips, mealtime cleanup can be simple and stressfree.

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