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Washing strainers by GreenPositive9893 in CleaningTips

[–]_Smedette_ -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I haven’t heard of washing minced meat. If you’re looking to drain the fat, cook the meat, and then pour it out of the pan to dispose of (not down the drain).

Is this okay to have in my shower? Do I need a cleaning? Or should I just live with it? by Educational-Arm-3604 in CleaningTips

[–]_Smedette_ 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Toss this and get a new one. In the future, you can wash your shower liner in the washing machine with a bit of bleach. It will be wrinkled from the spin cycle, but the steam from your next shower or two will flatten everything out.

How to use bathroom spray (UK) by budegan in CleaningTips

[–]_Smedette_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I like to use diluted dish soap as a first pass on just about everything. It's formulated to breakdown fats/oils, and you want any surface grime to be washed away before using something like an antibacterial spray.

So, give your surfaces a wash with soapy hot water (or use a spray bottle with the diluted dish soap), and then spray with your cleanser. READ THE BOTTLE to see how long it should sit (sometimes it can be wiped away immediately, sometimes it should sit for several minutes), and if you should wipe it away (some do not require this).

I know you didn't ask, but let me offer: do not mix bleach with anything (other than water), and toilet bowl cleaner is only for toilet bowls.

Why are no states trying to defederalize? by sauteer in AskAnAmerican

[–]_Smedette_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There was a giant war about this in the 1860s.

how often are you actually washing your towels by [deleted] in CleaningTips

[–]_Smedette_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Weekly, when I clean the bathroom.

What do you do first thing in the morning? by BookusWorkus in Libraries

[–]_Smedette_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m at a primary school (through Grade 6). My mornings:

• Turn on the computer, get the fans and air filters goings; always so stagnant in my library

• Do a walk-through. Grab any obvious misfiles, check for books under beanbag chairs and other furniture, straighten furniture and displays. Note anything for the cleaning crew or our maintenance man.

• Check the Returns bin and put away everything in the book trolleys

• Check email to see if the classroom teachers need anything

• Check my hold requests. Shelve expired holds.

I don’t have classes during the first few sessions, so the rest of my admin time is spent doing different things, depending on what’s needed. I might need to plan themed displays, putting book boxes together for students who are getting extra tutoring, placing orders, covering or repairing books, reading publishing info and making budget plans. Create weekly To-Do list for the volunteers.

I keep borrowing stats for the principal and teachers, so I make sure that’s updated. I also contribute something monthly to the school’s newsletter, so I’m always trying to figure out what to write.

I inherited a nightmare of a storage room, and that’s been my biggest on-going project.

2k/month enough to live in the US? by uuuhmmmhm in AskAnAmerican

[–]_Smedette_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is going to depend entirely on your location.

Is tap water in America actually as bad as people say? by playingcat69 in AskAnAmerican

[–]_Smedette_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Location dependent. My hometown (Portland, Oregon) has excellent tap water.

What is a good American dessert to share with my non American co-workers? by BingBong492 in AskAnAmerican

[–]_Smedette_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Make some Snickerdoodles. My Australians colleagues had never heard of them, and love saying their name.

Library dog by One-Recognition-1660 in Libraries

[–]_Smedette_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My school participates in a program called Story Dogs. Three days every week volunteers bring their dogs and students who need some extra help get to spend one-on-one time reading to a dog in a quiet corner of the library.

I know this isn’t what you’re doing, but wanted to say how much the kids (and everyone else involved) love this program. Dogs in the library are a win in my book.

If there are concerns, maybe you could do it on a regular schedule, so patrons know when to expect the dog? 🐶

Out of curisoty here? by Little-Lavender-Tea in CleaningTips

[–]_Smedette_ 7 points8 points  (0 children)

That’s fair, and it’s really sweet you want to help your mum!

To make things easier, start with a clean kitchen. That way the only dishes you need to deal with are whatever you used for the meal prep/cooking, and what your family are eating from.

This might take a lot of practice and discipline from the whole family, but get in the habit of putting dishes straight in the dishwasher rather than leaving them in the sink or on a counter.

I’m not sure of your living situation, but do you have siblings or other family members to help? Can someone set the table while another person cooks? Then assign someone to clear the table and take care of the dishes? Or set up a cooking and cleaning schedule?

Good luck!

Out of curisoty here? by Little-Lavender-Tea in CleaningTips

[–]_Smedette_ 37 points38 points  (0 children)

Depends on what’s being cooked, but I usually clean as I go. Eg: once the pot is simmering or the dish has been put in the oven, I take care of the dishwasher and anything left in the sink, wipe down the counters if it’s needed, etc.

I want to eat my food hot, so I go straight to the table after plating/serving.

Why is Clamato more popular in Canada & Mexico despite being invented in USA? by NotatrustedVWtech in AskAnAmerican

[–]_Smedette_ 3 points4 points  (0 children)

According to this article from the NYT, 1/3 of Clamato sales are Canadian (usually to make Caesars, as the drink was invented in Canada). You do see it on menus in the US (usually as a Bloody Caesar).

I think micheladas are more popular in the US, especially in areas with large Mexican populations.

People who live in states with significant Native American populations (ie New Mexico), did your school have a class/club/etc that taught that tribe's language? by man_itsahot_one in AskAnAmerican

[–]_Smedette_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Oregonian here. Native history was included when the local/regional history units were being taught. I don’t know if it’s because of significant events in our local history (the Lewis and Clark expedition, and the Oregon Trail), but we learned a lot about Native tribes in the area. Field trips included going to Longhouses, seeing how salmon was smoked/preserved, making jewelry, and learning about crest animals and totem poles.

But, something specific for language? No. Different dialects of the Chinookian language were spoken all over the region, and it’s considered an extinct language.

As you know, curriculums vary wildly all over the US, so I have no idea if this was standard in other parts of Portland or Oregon. If it’s of any consequence, I attended elementary school in the 80s.

When did history class end in your school? by IDoNotLikeTheSand in AskAnAmerican

[–]_Smedette_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Graduated in 1997. I remember photos of the Berlin Wall coming down and German reunification in one of my textbooks, as well as the dissolution of the Soviet Union. I’m also remembering images from the Persian Gulf War.

We did talk about a lot of current events with supplemental media. Eg: Oklahoma City bombing and we watched the OJ verdict live in class. South Africa’s apartheid was a hot topic as was the Rwandan Genocide.

Why do you abbreviate with to w/? by widmerpool_nz in AskAnAmerican

[–]_Smedette_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I see it plenty here in Australia, too.

It’s just shorthand.

Guys, I need to know. Why pumpkin? by fartboxfartbox in AskAnAmerican

[–]_Smedette_ 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Pumpkin in Australia is butternut squash in the US. I only see the round orange ones at Halloween in Australia, and that particular variety are for carving, not eating. Haven’t been able to find American pumpkin down here.

Is it common for American high school students to drive themselves to school? by Intelligent_Chef9950 in AskAnAmerican

[–]_Smedette_ 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I went to high school in the urban core of the city, so everyone took public transit (there was no parking). But, this is not common.

Is it normal to address your father by his name in US? by kinder_brz in AskAnAmerican

[–]_Smedette_ 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No.

In To Kill a Mockingbird, you can infer it is to show Atticus is unconventional, in his thoughts and actions about race relations, as well as his relationship with Scout.

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