Ask Anna

How to Clean the Vents Behind the Oven Door Handle

Reader Question: Do you have a hint for cleaning the vents on the oven door that are behind the handle? I have tried small paint brushes, Q-Tips, toothbrushes, and it never looks clean. Wondered if your vinegar trick from window tracks might work. Any more ideas? Answer: Oh, I hadn’t ever thought of using a small paint brush to clean in between tight areas. That’s a great idea! But before we talk about how to clean the vents behind the oven door handle, let’s discuss what exactly is on the vents. Here is a picture of mine, which I’ve never… Read More

Vegan and Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars

Who doesn’t love a gooey, chewy chocolate chip cookie? It’s the classic that no one can resist. Warm out of the oven, melty chocolate, crispy edges, but soft in the middle. I could go for one right now. With my cup of iced coffee, sounds about right. Sometimes we’re looking for the lazy method of making a batch of chocolate chip cookies. The solution…chocolate chip cookie bars! Simply press the cookie dough into a baking pan, bake, cool and cut into squares. My recipe for this easy treat happens to be gluten, egg and dairy free. These chocolate chip bars… Read More

How to Stay Motivated when Spring Cleaning

Are you having trouble staying motivated throughout your Spring Cleaning? I know sometimes it can be hard, which is why I’m sharing 5 tips for how to stay motivated when Spring Cleaning, over at the Easy Closets Blog. To read the full post, and get all the details click HERE. To help you out here’s a cute, printable checklist to help keep you on track. If you follow these 5 tips, you will have your house cleaned for spring, you’ll have a few extra dollars in your pocket and you’ll be so proud of yourself and what you’ve accomplished! If… Read More

How to Wash and Whiten Pillows

Reader Question: How do you wash pillows? Mine are yellowed and past the point of needing it! I’m afraid the washing machine is going to make them lumpy. Please help! Answer: I’ve got some good news and some bad news. While you certainly can wash pillows and even restore their bright white (see my whitening solution below!), depending on the quality and type of pillow you own, you may or may not be able to avoid lumps. Personally I love cheap, flat pillows, but have never had good luck washing them! As you can see from the photos above, I… Read More

Spring Cleaning Tips ~ Cleaning Windows

Are you enjoying the Spring Cleaning Challenge? There’s only a few days left, then some of you are going to win some awesome prizes!!! Today we are Spring Cleaning the windows so I’m doing a round up of all the great posts the co-hosts and I have, about cleaning windows! Don’t worry, it’s not as daunting as it might seem. Inside the house We talked a little about washing windows last week, when we spring cleaned the dining room but today we are going to wash the windows in the rest of the house. We have a lot of windows… Read More

Homemade Fruit Snacks

Spring is here and that means one my favorite holidays is quickly approaching…EASTER! I love everything about this joyous time of year, well almost everything. I’m not a fan of the candy overload. I love doing Easter baskets for my kids, but I try to limit the sugary things that go in there. Coloring books, stickers, jewelry, lip balm, sunglasses, small toys are all good alternatives. But really, your kids are only looking for that something sweet! I’m sharing with you today, a nutritious treat that you can happily put in your kid’s easter baskets. Homemade fruit snacks! Don’t be… Read More

How to Update an Ugly Bathtub

Have an ugly bathtub? Here’s how to make it fabulous for less than $100! You won’t believe the before & after pictures! If you have any questions about how to update an ugly bathtub, or the products used, please CLICK HERE to review the FAQ page. ***To see my video review of how the product is holding up a year later, click HERE.*** I am so excited for this post today! I’ve been waiting for the sun to come out so I could take good “after” pictures to show you just how amazing the transformation of our PINK bathtub is!… Read More

Spring Cleaning the Dining Room & Free Checklist

It’s day #4 of the Spring Cleaning Challenge and today we are going to tackle spring cleaning the dining room! When you think about spring cleaning I’m sure you normally don’t think of the dining room but there is quite a bit to be done in there. Let’s start by getting out our checklist. For a printable version click HERE. Dusting 1. I always say dust first, from top to bottom, so you don’t get dust on things that have already been cleaned. Start by wiping down the crown molding with a damp EnviroCloth, which is my all-time favorite microfiber… Read More