How-To

You may have already heard the common pantry organizing tricks such as placing similar ingredients together or using clear containers for dry goods. Here are some more tips you may be missing when it comes to building that well-ordered pantry you’ve always dreamed of. New Methods for Organizing A common way of organizing your pantry is the “like with like” approach. While placing similar ingredients together may be a good starting point, there may be better solutions for your kitchen. First, consider the frequency of use. Are there some spices you use more than others? Place those in an easily accessible spot. Do you have a morning routine that always revolves around coffee? Consider a coffee station with all your essentials. Another organization method you should consider is the “first in, first out” system. This method is similar to most grocery stores. If you have multiples of one item such as beverages or boxes of cereal, place them in a way that the older items will be used first. You will ultimately prevent wasting any food. Storing Foods in Jars A recent trend that is visually pleasing to look as is placing dry goods in matching glass storage jars. This process is known as decanting. Decanting typically involves moving liquid ingredients from one jar to another, but decanting for your pantry involves moving dry foods into another storage container. The process helps reduce clutter in your pantry while also providing a visual on what you have available. When doing this, be sure you are using jars appropriate to the ingredient. Is this something you will have to pour or scoop later on? If so, be sure you have a wide enough mouth on the jar that you can scoop out of if necessary. Take some time to label these ingredients with not only the name of the ingredient but with their expiration date. You will be losing the original container after all. You can use some washi tape and a permanent marker, no need for all the fancy labels. Achieving the perfect pantry takes time and is an ongoing process. A pantry will always differ depending on the needs of the kitchen. Check up with your pantry a few times a year to see what can be improved or thrown out. Sources: Organized Home

Before starting, check if your brass is solid or brass-plated. You can test this by using a magnet. If your magnet sticks, your item is brass-plated. It’s important to note this since scrubbing brass-plated items can remove the plating. Clean these items with hot, soapy water instead and dry properly. Cleaning Brass First, check how tarnished your brass is. If it’s only lightly tarnished you can use hot water with soap for sufficient results. Use a toothbrush to get in small crevices. If the brass is heavily tarnished you can use commercial cleaners but use these sparingly as they are abrasive and can scratch the surface with frequent use. Natural Cleaners You can clean brass naturally and more gently with common ingredients. Check out these ingredients below. Ketchup and Tomato Juice. The mild acid in tomatoes removes tarnish and dirt from brass. Use a soft cloth and rub the ketchup into your brass item. Rinse with warm water after and dry properly. You can also soak items in tomato juice if they are small enough. Place them in the juice for 5 minutes or longer depending how dirty they are, then rinse and dry thoroughly. Lemon Juice. Another mild acid is found in lemon juice which can effectively clean brass. If your items are lightly tarnished, cut a lemon in half and sprinkle with table salt. Rub the lemon over the brass surface then wipe with a soft cloth and buff until it shines. If your item has a heavier tarnish, create a paste with two parts cream of tartar to one part lemon juice. Apply the paste and let sit for at least 30 minutes. Be sure to rinse with warm water, and buff with a dry cloth after. You can prevent your brass from tarnishing by applying a thin coat of mineral oil. Avoid touching it as much as possible as your hands’ natural oils will increase tarnishing. Sources: HGTV

Plants may seem like just a decorative piece in a kitchen, but if growing the right ones, they can offer tastier meals and fresher cocktails. Consider adding low maintenance herbs to brighten up your kitchen space. Here’s some tips on how to start your plant collection. Pots. Plant pots can add the most character to a plant and speak to your style. Choose pots with interesting colors and shapes. Combine earthy clay pots and soothing natural sandstone for a dynamic look to your kitchen. You can also add a modern flair with classic black and white ceramic. Variety. Add a few different herbs to your kitchen that vary shape and texture. This can also make cooking easier with less runs to the grocery store. Try rosemary for an even more delicious roast chicken, or oregano for your favorite tomato sauce recipes. If you have cocktails in mind, consider easy growing mint for the most refreshing drinks. Space. If you’re short on counter space try out some hanging garden options. There are many pots on the market that will easily match your taste. It’s important to have your plants in a sunny spot in your kitchen, make sure you have a window spot that offers lots of natural light. Did you learn something new? Sound off in the comments. If you’re looking for more from Cosmo be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Sources: Apartment Therapy

Changing cabinetry can be one of the most impactful visual changes in your kitchen. Some people may think this is a weekend job, painting your cabinets is a big project you want to properly plan. Check out the most important tips below on how to create the kitchen you want, while saving yourself a headache later on. Preparation is Key Take some time to understand the kind of cabinets you have. Wood materials paint differently than laminate and should influence the paint you’re buying. Flat-front doors and drawers are easily repainted, but woodwork with raised panels, routed profiles or other architectural detailing will require more time to prep and paint (see HGTV). Be sure to remove all the drawers and their hardware. Often people try to paint their cabinets as they currently stand which will result in problems later on. Removing the doors and hardware will ensure you have a careful painting process and reduce mistakes that will eventually have to be fixed. Mark all the doors and drawers, you want to know where they go once you’re done! Be sure to tape and cover everything else in your kitchen, the last thing you want is to accidentally get paint on something else. The Importance in Sanding According to GoodHouseKeeping, even if your cabinets are in near-perfect condition, you still have to sand them so the paint will stick. Use sandpaper in the middle of the spectrum (150 or 200 grit is good) and just give all of the surfaces a quick buffing. You just want to take the surface from glossy to matte. Your cabinets can have grease and dirt not visible to the eye that you definitely want to get rid of before painting. Skipping this step will result in paint chipping and peeling down the road. There’s no need to rid all the current color on the cabinets. Be sure to pay attention to the texture of the surface. Paint with Patience As previously mentioned, painting your cabinets is a long project that requires patience. Rushing the painting process can result in visible brush strokes, smudging or smearing. Apply paint in light, thin coats. Don’t lay the brush firmly on the cabinets as this will leave streaks and create air pockets or bubbles in the paint. Allow the paint to dry for at least four hours between coats. When dry, resand all surfaces lightly to prepare them for the second coat, wipe away all sanding dust with a tack cloth, then repaint. Two coats of quality paint are usually sufficient, but you may want to add a third coat because kitchen cabinets take lots of punishment from cooking heat and day-to-day use, and wood surfaces need all the protection they can get. Looking to learn more tips and tricks for your kitchen? Be sure to give us a follow over on our Facebook and Instagram.