·       For cleaning glassware add a few tablespoons of vinegar to dishwater to help cut the grease and leave your glasses sparkling. Never scour expensive glassware with an abrasive.

·       Cleaning all the grease and grime inside your oven is always a tough task. For a non-self-cleaning oven set the oven temperature to low for about 20 minutes and then turn off. Then place a small dish of ammonia on the top shelf. Place a large pan of boiling water on the bottom shelf and let it set overnight. In the morning open the oven and let it air out for a while before washing with soap and water. The hardest baked on grease will wash off quite easily.

·       To get rid of refrigerator of odors pour a box of baking soda onto a pan and place it on a bottom shelf inside the fridge. Remove it after approximately twenty four hours and your refrigerator will have a fresh smell again.

·       To clear microwave odors and splattered food particles drop a lemon wedge into a cup of water and boil inside the microwave for a few minutes. The food particles will easily wipe off.

·       To remove melted wax from tablecloths, place a clean brown paper bag over the wax stain. Gently pass a warm iron over the sack. The heat from the iron will melt the wax and the paper sack will absorb the wax.

·       Wash table linen and napkins in a separate wash load. Fill the washing machine with warm water and add a half cup of bleach before putting in the items. The weak bleach mixture will take out any grease stains without fading your table linens.

Good luck with your end of holiday cleanup. Just think, when the holiday season rolls around next year it may not be your turn to be the host. However, you may want to pass along these tips to the lucky family member.