CUT HOLIDAY CLEANUP TIME IN HALF

■BLENDER 

Fill it one-third full with warm water and a few drops of dish-washing liquid. Run it for ten seconds. Rinse and dry.

■FINE CHINA OR GLASSWARE

Place a soft towel on the bottom of the sink as a cushion when washing.

■EGG, MILK, AND CHEESE RESIDUE

Rinse dishes with cold water first; then wash with hot water. Hot water can “cook” foods onto surfaces, making them harder to scrub.

■BOX GRATER

Rub a raw potato over the openings; rinse and dry.

■PLASTIC CONTAINERS

Wash with a solution of 4 tablespoons baking soda to 1 quart warm water to remove oil stains. Rinse and dry.

■GREASY DISHES

Add a couple of tablespoons of white vinegar to the rinse water to reduce oil buildup and make dishes sparkle.