Everyday household chores may seem simple, but if they're done neatly and tidy, they can instantly liven up your home. For example, fry a golden, bubbling, and fragrant sunny-side-up egg, brew a pot of black coffee, organize an overflowing closet, or wax the wood floors until your cat starts to glide... To help you, we've compiled tips from experts and enthusiasts to share these 15 tips for getting chores done right.

How to maintain a cast iron pan?

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'If I could only cook in one pot for the rest of my life, it would have to be cast iron. Cast iron is incredibly efficient, durable, and can be used in any environment, whether on the stovetop or in the oven.'

—Michael Ruhlmann, food author

Because the surface heats evenly, a cast iron pan only needs a little oil to start cooking—and every time you cook, you're adding some iron to your food, making it a true workhorse of a kitchen appliance! However, because of its hard material, it can't take care of itself, so here are some tips for caring for your cast iron pan:

1. Start cooking only when the pan is hot. Unlike other non-stick pans or similar products, which require just a low heat, cast iron pans are generally placed on the stovetop over medium heat. After 3-5 minutes, heat the pan thoroughly before adding oil and ingredients.

2. Rinse with hot water immediately after cooking . After the food is out of the pot, rinse the pot immediately in running hot water. Do not use cold water, because the temperature of the outside of the cast iron pot drops faster than the inside. Cold water may cause the pot to crack or be damaged. Hot water can also naturally remove most food residues and grease.

3. Use coarse salt instead of dish soap. If any food remains after rinsing with hot water, add half a cup of coarse salt and sponge it clean. The salt won't damage the pot. You can also use a stiff brush to remove any food residue before rinsing the pot with hot water. However, dish soap is completely unnecessary! Even a small amount of soap can completely destroy the protective coating you've worked so hard to create.

4. Use linseed oil for maintenance Linseed oil will produce a 'drying oil', which is an excellent natural sealant, so it is ideal for the maintenance of cast iron pots and can form a strong protective film.

Recommended Products

Natural bristle pot brush

The brush head is made of Mexican palm fiber, which can handle synthetic chemicals, alkaline and acidic substances, and high temperatures. It can quickly and effectively clean all dishes after parties and family dinners.

How to cook perfect eggs?

Whether for breakfast or a late-night snack, a well-cooked egg can be transformed into a delicious dish. Eggs can be enjoyed as a main course or as an appetizer – not to mention they are easy to find, affordable, and fresh, nutritious ingredients available in any store or supermarket.

—Jody Williams, Bvette Gastroidik Restaurant

To cook eggs well, you first need to be able to select good eggs. Generally speaking, if the yolk falls onto the white after being cracked into a flat iron pan, and the white is sticky and naturally forms a clear round shape, the egg is relatively fresh. If the white is scattered in the pan, the egg is not fresh. Furthermore, a good box of eggs will have different sizes and colors, while only eggs produced on an assembly line are of uniform standard size.

1. [Fried Eggs] Pour the oil first, then turn on the heat. This allows you to adjust the cooking temperature to prevent burning. Once the oil starts to bubble or sizzle, you're ready to cook. The size of the pan you choose depends on how many eggs you're frying at once; try no more than four at a time. For a perfectly sunny-side-up egg, cover the pan and simmer over medium-low heat for about three minutes after the egg whites turn opaque for the best results.

2. [Scrambled Eggs] Turn off the heat before they set. When small curds appear and the rest of the ingredients are uniform but loose and not yet fully set, turn off the heat and stir in some butter. Continue to simmer the ingredients in the remaining heat until you remove them from the pan. This will create scrambled eggs that are as smooth and creamy as butter!

3. [Water-Poached Eggs] Add salt and white vinegar to help them set . A deeper pot allows for more even cooking of the eggs. Sprinkle some salt and a teaspoon of white vinegar to help the eggs set. Crack the eggs into a separate egg pan. When the water is almost boiling, stir the egg whites in a clockwise motion until they completely envelop the yolk. Gently add one egg every 10 seconds. Use a slotted spoon to remove the thin film of egg white for a firm, cooked egg.

English clay egg stand

▲ This is a British-made ceramic rack with air holes that can better protect eggs, delay temperature rise in a hot and humid environment, and prevent bacterial growth.

How to clean your home environment?

Your household cleaners contribute to the amount and composition of chemical toxins you inhale into your lungs, swallow down your gullet, and absorb into your skin every day. The best way to understand what's in your cleaner is to make your own. Unlike petroleum-based cleaners, homemade cleaners are versatile, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly. Try making your own and reduce pollution for yourself, your family, and the environment around you.

—Lindsay Coulter, Green Queen Fund

The most challenging areas of your home are your bathroom and kitchen, often plagued by mold and grease. Commercially available detergents are mostly refined, and chemical toxins are easily absorbed into clothing, skin, and even into the lungs and esophagus. It's time to DIY a pollution-free, natural cleaner!

1. DIY Non-Toxic Natural Cleaners (5 Key Recipes)

Baking soda : A mild natural alkaline ingredient with excellent cleaning properties, deodorizing properties, and the ability to break down grease in water; baking soda that is not completely dissolved in water can also be used as an abrasive for further cleaning and polishing.

White vinegar : This mild acid kills bacteria, disinfects, and removes grease. It's also a deodorizer, and its strong odor disappears as the surface dries.

Liquid Castile Soap : Made from a blend of vegetable oils, such as olive, coconut, and jojoba. It removes insoluble particles, such as grease, and requires only water.

Olive/Coconut/Jojoba Oil : Moisturizing, use it on leather furniture or apply it to wooden cutting boards, it works just like you would apply skincare on your face.

Essential oils/vanilla/orange peel/lemon : The main purpose of these substances is to add fragrance, and sometimes they also play a role. For example, tea tree essential oil has antibacterial ingredients, and lemon juice can enhance the detergency of soap.

2. [Kitchen] Area: Targeted Treatment

Deodorizing: 1/4 part baking soda to 2 parts water

General stains: juice of 1/2 lemon + 2 spoons of salt

Coffee/tea stains: 4 parts baking soda to 4 parts water, soaking the utensils is more effective

Moisturizing Wooden Cutting Boards: Apply Olive Oil

3. [Toilet] Area: Targeted Treatment

Toilet cleaning : Pour 1/2 cup of white vinegar into the toilet, wait for about 15 minutes and then flush. Sprinkle some baking soda to clean it and make it exceptionally clean.

To remove stains : Mix 1 part soap with 3 parts water, mix thoroughly, then add baking soda to make a spray. Spray it on the surface of bathtubs, tiles, and sinks, and rub it with a small brush. It has strong stain removal ability.

Stone/floor surface cleaning : Mix one teaspoon of Castile soap with 4 liters of water and clean

Clean mirrors and sinks : Mix 1 part white vinegar to 1 part water to make a cleaning solution

To combat mildew : Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with 1-2 drops of essential oil and Castile soap to create a thick detergent. Apply to the mildewed surface, wait for about 15 minutes, and then wipe clean with a damp cloth.

4. [Living Room] Area Targeted Treatment

Odor removal : If there is an unpleasant odor on carpets, pet beds, sofa covers, trash cans, etc., you can sprinkle baking soda on them and vacuum them after 15 minutes to remove the stubborn odor.

Disinfection : Mix 1 cup of water with 1 cup of white vinegar and 1 teaspoon of olive oil, then add a little lemon juice. Soak a rag in the mixture and wipe other household items. If the smell of white vinegar is too strong, add a few drops of essential oils to alleviate it. You can also add fresh spices such as mint, rosemary, lavender, or thyme.

Japanese cleaning brush

Whether it's floors or kettles, this brush easily handles your cleaning needs. The bristles are made from coconut palm fiber, which contains natural oils that prevent mold and spoilage. You can also polish the brush with a grindstone to adjust its softness for different uses.

How to organize a messy closet?

The key to organizing your clothes can be summed up in three simple words: clean, cotton, and discard. Make sure your clothes are clean before adding them to your wardrobe, use cotton covers or other breathable materials to store them, and discard clothes that are faded, need repairs, or are moth-eaten.

—Hilary Justin, 'Happy and Naughty' ready-to-wear designer

Everyone's wardrobe is different, both in size and clutter. Open up your closet and do a thorough and honest assessment: Do you really need those jeans you haven't worn since 2012? Is that sweater just hanging around for nostalgia? Here are a few tips to help you get organized:

1. Clear out your stockpiles . Get rid of those old clothes that have become tangled. If you haven't touched these clothes in a while, try to keep them simple with basic pieces. Throw away the rest or donate them to charity.

2. Make good use of hangers . Sort your hangers by shape, size, and material. For example, wooden hangers are more stable, while hangers with small clips can be used to hang pants and skirts. Group your clothes by type and color. This method not only makes it easier to find items but also allows you to choose clothes more quickly on weekday mornings.

3. Proper Storage: Even the most extensive wardrobes won't be enough without the right storage plan. Before reorganizing your clothes, follow these tips to ensure they're organized more effectively.

Sweaters : Hang cedar branches on hangers or place cedar chips between sweaters and other cashmere items. The natural scent of rosin repels insects and is much more pleasant than camphor. Make sure all sweaters are stacked; never hang them, as this can cause them to lose their shape over time.

Pants & Skirts : Keep pants and skirts neat and stylish by hanging them on hangers with small clips. Skirts can be hung by the waistband. Longer pants can be folded in half and clipped when hanging to prevent fraying of the fabric and prevent creases from becoming difficult to smooth out.

4. Throw away plastic products. Plastic covers can easily cause clothes to mold or be eaten by moths. However, if the clothes have just been dry-cleaned, remove the plastic cover immediately after taking them home. The chemicals attached to the plastic cover during the dry cleaning process can also damage delicate fabrics. Cotton and other breathable covers can protect some expensive materials.

Cedar hangers and shoe wedges

Create a cedar-scented wardrobe with these hangers, whose fragrance repels insects and deodorizes. The hangers are durable enough to hold even the heaviest garments. The shoe wedges are specially designed at the toe and heel to prevent them from deforming.

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