The stress inducing preparations for the seemingly endless rounds of parties – from the kids’ Christmas parties in school to the Noche Buena and Media Noche Feasts is enough to sap the energy of even the most upbeat supermom. With the holidays now over, it’s back to the old grind with regular chores that are challenging to multitasking career women-slash-domestic divas. Help in on hand however, with these 10 practical, energy-and-time saving tips from Electrolux that will make you more efficient this 2016.
1. Plan and prepare meals and trips to the grocery.
Nothing can be more irritating than to find that you have missed out on an important ingredient for that recipe you’ve been wanting to try. Solution: carefully plan to ensure that you have everything that you need, and when you need it. This saves you from unnecessary trips to and from the supermarket when you forget an ingredient or two. Better still, set your budget – make an inventory, organize your recipes, create your menus, and schedule your shopping.
2. Freeze your meals.
Considering the number of people who hardly have enough to eat, food wastage can be troubling to the conscience. So prevent any wastage by storing leftovers properly in a tight lid container, putting a label on them, and freezing them. That way, you do not need to throw away leftovers. Properly frozen meals in an Electrolux NutriFresh™ Refrigerator can last up to two months without losing their taste and texture.
3. Maximize your rice cooker.
Many have discovered that the ordinary, humble rice cooker can actually go beyond its initial purpose. Electrolux rice cookers most specially are designed with a 4-in-1 cooking feature that keeps dishes warm, cooks soups and porridge, and steams dishes. If you don’t have the space for a full stove or a large kitchen in your living space, it might be just what you need for your next potluck weekend.
4. Maintain the quality of your carpets with a vacuum cleaner.
Spills on the carpet are unavoidable with kids running around, not to mention entertaining guests with hearty parties. However, the abrasive rubbing of stains will only cause the fiber to mat. The smart way is to use a wet-dry vacuum cleaner such as the Electrolux Wet and Dry Z931 vacuum cleaner to remove the dirt around the stain. Then try soaking up the stain with a wet towel pressed repeatedly onto it. Repeat the process with a dry towel to ensure that all the liquid has been absorbed.
5. Steam your clothes for a wrinkle-free finish.
One of the most challenging chores for many is ironing clothes. But did you know that leaving your un-ironed shirt hanging in the bathroom while you take a hot shower will practically get all the wrinkles out? Or better yet, treat yourself to an Electrolux UltraMix™ Front Load Washing Machine with a Refresh Cycle program that removes creases and folds and naturally de-wrinkles your clothes. Less time for laundry, more time for the family!
6. Use the floss.
Aside from using it to remove bits caught between your teeth, un-waxed dental floss can also be your trusty kitchen helper – as a slicer for cakes and soft cheeses, or to tie-up poultry and rolled meats.
7. Run no more.
Glamming up can be made easier with this little trick: Make your stockings last longer by spritzing a little hairspray to avoid getting runs in them. The sticky residue will hold the fabric together, and stressful moments with an unsightly gash in your stockings will be the last thing on your mind.
8. Upcycle!
Turn ordinary moments into fun bonding sessions with the kids through upcycling. With the holidays now over, those used Christmas wrappers can still make for colorful decorations in scrapbooks and school projects. Make handmade dolls from old materials like socks, buttons and hairpins; or upcycle an old dress into a pretty apron. By being creative and resourceful, you will soon learn that the possibilities are endless.
9. Clean your refrigerator with salt.
Now is the perfect time to clear the clutter in your refrigerator after the rush of hams, fruitcakes, wines, and all the goodies you needed for the Christmas holiday feasts. A simple but effective way to clean your fridge is by mixing a handful of salt with about three liters of warm water. The mixture is chemical free and gentle on sensitive surfaces.
10. Wine things up!
Make parties and ordinary days special by serving richer wines. How? By freezing some grapes and popping them in glasses to keep the wine cold without watering it down. Better yet, store your wine in the Electrolux Vino Wine Cooler to ensure perfectly served wine any time. You can also freeze leftover wines in ice-cube trays for reuse when preparing meat dishes and spaghetti sauces.
With Electrolux appliances, you can do more with less at home – giving you more time to spend quality time with the family and less time spent for the chores. Plus, you can save more and spend less, and achieve more wellness because there is less stress and worry.
To know more about Electrolux, visit www.electrolux.com.ph or follow @ElectroluxPH on Twitter and Instagram and www.facebook.com/thelittlewhitebook on Facebook.
