A Modern Guide to Cleaning Cast Iron Cookware

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Cast iron cookware has a reputation for lasting generations, but it also comes with a few cleaning myths. Maybe you’ve heard that you should never use soap on a cast iron skillet or that washing it too thoroughly will ruin its seasoning. Those warnings can make caring for cast iron seem more complicated than it needs to be.

The good news? Modern dish soaps are much gentler on cookware seasoning than the harsh lye-based soaps of the past. You can clean your cast iron with soap and water without stripping away its seasoning, as long as you dry it thoroughly and care for the surface properly.

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How to Find a Handyman You Can Trust

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The door that doesn’t quite close correctly. The loose cabinet handle. The section of drywall that needs patching. The shelf you’ve been meaning to install for six months. 

None of these projects may be large enough to justify hiring a specialized contractor. But when you add them all together, that list can become surprisingly long.

All of these small tasks that seem to multiply over time are a handyman’s bread and butter. But how do you find a handyman you can trust? Someone who can get the job done right, on time, and on budget? 

A look through your local phone book may give you one or more names to call, but finding a great handyman involves more than finding someone who can get the job done. 

The challenge is finding someone who does quality work, shows up when promised, charges a fair price, and is someone you feel comfortable allowing into your home.

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The End-of-Summer Home Reset: 10 Things to Do Before Fall Arrives

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Summer doesn’t exactly leave quietly.

After months of open windows, backyard gatherings, gardening, vacations, outdoor projects, and summer storms, your home may need a little attention before fall arrives.

And that’s OK. Your house has been busy, too.

The end of August is a great time to give your home a reset. You don’t need to deep-clean every room or tackle a dozen major projects. Instead, take a walk around your home and look at it with fresh eyes.

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How to Track Non-Routine Cleaning Tasks Around Your Home

Most homeowners follow some kind of cleaning schedule. You dust, vacuum, sweep, and mop on some kind of regular basis, but what about those cleaning tasks that are done on an irregular schedule?

For example, it’s easy to let the busy days go by without remembering to clean the dryer vent or dust the coils on your refrigerator.

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Would Your Spouse Know What to Do? Create a Home Information Hub

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If you’re the main person in your home who’s become the unofficial home manager, you know where everything is, but do others living in your home know as well?

For example, you may know when the HVAC needs servicing, where the water shutoff valve is, or what household tasks need to be done and when.

And that’s perfectly normal.

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