No need to scrub every corner of your blender. Fill it with warm, soapy water and give it a whirl: the spinning soapy water washes off the sides and the hard-to-clean blades in 30 seconds flat. If that alone isn't enough, add some ice and salt to scrub off stubborn, stuck-on bits.
Four Tricks to Mess-Proof Your Holiday Baking
The inevitable result of holiday parties is the cleanup afterward, but with a few shortcuts you can mess-proof and stress-proof your holiday cooking and baking, and get back to spending time with friends and family.
Blend Your Blender Clean
Wash Baking Tools in a Laundry Bag
Small, awkward items like measuring spoons, pipettes, and cookie cutters are easy to lose in the dishwasher. Toss them into the same laundry bag you use for delicates, lay it on the top or bottom rack, and they'll stay put while the cycle runs.
Prevent Batter Splatter With a Paper Plate Shield
Poke two holes into a paper plate using the shafts of the beater, then insert the beaters into your handheld mixer through the holes. The plate acts as a splash guard, preventing batter from flying around the kitchen as you mix.
Grease Pans Over the Dishwasher
Open the dishwasher, lay your pan on the top rack, and spritz with cooking spray there. Any overspray goes straight into the dishwasher to be washed away in the next load, instead of onto your countertops.
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