Spring Cleaning Kitchen Hacks & Tasty Snacks

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by SUNSET Produce. As always, all opinions here are my own. 

You know what I love almost as much as cooking/baking? Organization & cleaning. All it takes is a stroll down the home storage aisle to set my heart aflutter, and I'm not at all ashamed to say so.

There's no better time than springtime to "clean up your act", whether it's clearing out the cobwebs in your home, straightening up your surroundings or cleaning up your diet. I don't know about you, but when my environment is organized, so are my thoughts and world, and it's quite literally a breath of fresh air to tidy things up both inside and out!

If you feel the same way I do, then I have GREAT news: My friends at SUNSET Produce are giving away weekly prize packs that will help you reach your orderly objectives! Here's what they've got on standby:

• Week 1: Container Store Gift Card $100
• Week 2: Chemical free cleaning products gift pack $100
• Week 3: Merry Maids Gift Card $100
• Grand Prize: Neato Vacuum - $600

I cannot make any guarantees that I will not show up on your doorstep trying to nab these prizes from you, sweepstakes winners!

I know it's a bummer that not everyone will win one of the fantastic prizes I've mentioned above, but chin up! Around here, I like to make sure that everyone goes home with a little party favor, so I've teamed up with SUNSET and a few other fabulous bloggers to help them create the ultimate organizational e-book featuring 30 Kitchen Hacks and Tasty Snacks! It is filled to the brim with tips, tricks and recipes that will help you keep your home, kitchen and diet squeaky clean and it's totally FREE. {So many, "Why didn't I think of that???" moments!}

See? You can't lose.

Because I like you so much {and am always geeky-excited about cleaning and organizing}, I'm giving you a sneak peek and sharing 5 of those tips right here. My favorite part? Using items you probably already have in your fridge and pantry to create green solutions for your home.

Here are 5 hacks to get your spring on track!

Hack 1: Citrus Scrubber Lemon & Baking Soda make a great multipurpose scrub that you can use all over the house! Simply cut a lemon in half and dip the cut side into a bit of baking soda {or sprinkle baking soda over larger surfaces}, polish away grime and odors, then wipe down with a damp cloth. It’s a completely food-safe way to clean everything from countertops and fixtures to cutting boards and refrigerator shelves.

Hack 2: DIY Chemical-Free Cleaning Spray. Your pantry and produce drawer have everything you need to make a simple, non-toxic spray that also sanitizes. Save citrus peels from lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruits and place them in a wide-mouth jar with a lid. Fill ¾ of the way with white vinegar and the rest of the way with water. Let the citrus peels steep in the vinegar solution for 1-2 weeks to infuse with their scented oils, then strain the liquid into a store-bought spray bottle. Use the spray for household cleaning and sanitizing; the acid in vinegar naturally kills many household germs and the citrus oils act as a cleaning solvent to help get things sparkling.

Hack 3: “Clear” Cooking Instructions. Clear, airtight food storage containers make for a beautiful, organized pantry, but what happens when you pour products into them and toss the original box or bag? You might not remember the cook time or be able to differentiate between Cake Flour and Self Rising! Curb confusion by clipping the instructions and either taping them to the outside of the container or underneath the lid so you’re never left in a bind. For similar looking products, label containers with re-writeable stickers that identify their contents.

Hack 4: Leftover Lifesaver. Have you ever saved leftover food or opened products only to come across the container in the fridge, not sure of how long it’s been hanging out? Here’s an easy hack that will eliminate wasteful tossing of questionable remnants: Keep a dry erase marker handy in the kitchen and mark food storage lids with the date as soon as you fill them. The markers work on most lids and the writing scrubs right off with a little soap and water.

Hack 5: Fresh Scents at your Disposal. Garbage disposals work hard and get stinky. Make your own freshening solutions by freezing white vinegar and citrus peel ice cubes. Just place a few pieces of citrus peel in each well, cover with vinegar and freeze until solid. When ready to use, toss a few cubes down the drain as you run the disposal. The hard ice helps to remove gunk from blades, while the vinegar kills smelly bacteria and the citrus peels leave a fresh scent.

You can find these and tons more smart hacks by heading over here & entering the Hello Spring! sweepstakes; once you do, you'll get a chance to download the e-book! 

Now, roll up your sleeves and get to cleaning! Wishing you a fresh and sparkling spring!