The Pine Journal / cleaning tips

  • Caring for Cast Iron

    Caring for Cast Iron

    It might be time to take a good look at the pots and pans you've been using for the last umpteen years. Chances are some you've got some with teflon coating. Their non-stick coating and light-weight design helped make them a popular go-to for kitchen cookware. Time for the but.. when your pans are scratched, some of the nonstick coating can flake into your food (the pan also becomes stickier). This can release toxic compounds. What is even more dangerous is cooking in a nonstick pan over high heat (this releases a chemical called perfluorooctanoic acid). With moderate use, nonstick pans last only about five years. If your pan is damaged, throw it out to be on the safe side.

    If you haven't already taken the plunge, it's time to move on over to cast iron. There are plenty of benefits:

    + For starters, once your cast iron skillet has a nice sheen to it, it’s basically nonstick. Another one of the benefits of cast iron cookware is that they are chemical-free. So they are a great alternative to nonstick pans since most contain perfluorocarbons, which is a chemical linked to cancer, developmental problems, liver damage and more. With proper care cast iron can last for generations.

    + Possibly one of the greatest cast iron skillet health benefits is that it adds iron to your food. Many people suffer from iron deficiency, and cooking with cast iron pans can help increase your iron content by as much as 20 times!

    + They are also dual purpose. Not only can you use them on the stove, but you can also use them in the oven at any temperature. They can even handle an open campfire.

    So, if you're ready to make the switch away from teflon and towards cast iron, we have the perfect Canadian company to help you take care of your cast iron and make sure it lasts forever!

    Caron & Doucet is a family owned & operated business with headquarters in the Laurentian town of Morin-Heights, Quebec, who make cast iron oil and soap to help make sure your cast iron cookware lasts.

    Here's how:

    100% Natural Cast Iron Cleaning & Seasoning Soap made using traditional soap making methods and free of sulfates, phosphates, parabens or petrochemicals! Gently cleans and maintains the natural seasoning on cast iron skillets, pans, woks & grills.

    ✓ NATURAL LIQUID SOAP | Unlike detergent based soaps, this soap is formulated with 100% natural plant-based oils that are gentle on the cast iron’s seasoning. A moisturizing & conditioning soap that is gentle enough to be used on your hands. 

    ✓ KILLS BACTERIA | Kills odor causing bacteria that can build up on the seasoning of the cast iron over time. Unlike most advice on the internet, It's a good idea to clean & wash your cast iron cookware once in a while.

    ✓ ENHANCED WITH ESSENTIAL OILS | A light scented soap made with their proprietary blend of lemongrass and rosemary essential oils that will not transfer onto food or your cast iron’s seasoning.

     

    100% Plant-Based Cast Iron Seasoning and Cleaning Oil formulated to build and maintain the best non-stick seasoning on your cast iron skillets, pans, woks and grills.

    SEASONS CAST IRON | Designed to season and condition cast iron cookware while protecting it from moisture that leads to damage and rust. Makes cleaning easier by creating a seasoning that prevents food from getting stuck.

    CLEANS & ELIMINATES ODORS | Enhanced with a proprietary blend of pure essential oils that help to naturally eliminate odor causing bacteria, without transferring onto food. Made entirely from food safe ingredients.

    ✓ DOES NOT GO RANCID | Unlike canola oil, hemp, flax seed or other types of common cooking oils, this cast iron oil will never go rancid. It is made with a solvent-less, refined coconut oil base that has had it’s long-chain fatty acids removed.

     

    Using Cast Iron Soap + Oil is just another way to protect your cookware and protect your family's health. So let's do away with the dangers of teflon and get back to nature's benefits.

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  • A Dozen Household Tips

    A Dozen Household Tips

     A recent conversation about vinegar reminded us of some simple, quick household tips that can all be done with things you have on hand. We decided to list a dozen cleaning tips that could become part of your everday rituals.. or make for a fun one-time DIY. 

    1.To wash your fruits and vegetables before you eat them, fill the sink with cool water and add some lemon juice. Leave them in this lemon juice bath for a few minutes to remove pesticides and bacteria.

    2. If you wash and store them, fruits and vegetables will go bad more quickly because of the added moisture.

    3.To kill germs on your wood cutting board, liberally sprinkle salt over the surface then rub with a fresh lemon cut in half. The salt acts as an abrasive agent to lift out dirt and germs and remove stains, the lemon juice is anti-bacterial and anti-septic.

    4.To remove the smell of onions and garlic on your hands, put some water in your stainless steel sink and rub your hands on the bottom of the sink.

    5.To stop the foamy water from overflowing when you're boiling pasta, place a wooden spoon across the top of the pot.

    6. Use white vinegar as a fabric softener: simply add 1/4 cup of white vinegar to the fabric softener dispenser. The white vinegar will act as a fabric softener and it will keep your washing machine smelling fresh and clean!

    7. Have houseplants with dusty leaves? Grab a banana, eat it or freeze it, and keep the skin. Use the skin to clean the leaves. The dust will stick right to it, and the juice is healthy for the plants!

    8. Add a few drops of dish soap to warm-hot water in your blender. Turn on the blender for a thorough clean. be sure to rinse out until no suds remain.

    9. Wipe your windshield with vinegar on cold winter nights. The next morning, your windshield should be completely clean and clear of frost, no scraping required.

    10. Remove built-up film from hard-water minerals by soaking stemware in white vinegar for five minutes. Then rinse by hand and dry with a microfiber cloth.

    11. To erase bigger scuffs in hardwood floors, add a little baking soda to a damp cloth and gently rub. Then rinse with a damp paper towel and dry.

    12. When you notice your drain is starting to clog, pour a 1/2 cup of baking soda down it, followed by a 1/2 cup of vinegar. Cover with a wet cloth for 5 minutes, then flush with hot water.

     

    Have you tried any of these cleaning hacks, or do you have one we haven't mentioned? Leave it below in the comments! We always love to hear from you!

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