Ask Clean Like a Man

Enquiring minds want to find out about all sorts of housekeeping topics, and this is the place to do it.

 SEND US your questions, get your answers! (We'll print your humorous little observations, too.)

A GREAT BBQ TIP...

Hey C.L.A.M,

When I finish grilling, I turn the heat up to high and then set a timer for 3 minutes.  When the timer goes off I go back out and scrape the cooking surface with a long handled wire brush.  It removes any excess food and the high temperature eliminates any remaining bacteria. The timer is key...otherwise I might forget the grill in the hubbub of serving the food.

Steve S., Philadelphia

Hey Steve,

Cleaning grill grates IS easier when they're still warm, and your method kicks it up a notch. 

Hey C.L.A.M.,

-Stan, Houston

Hey Stan,

Before laundering, turn the sweater inside out. Use a slower, shorter wash cycle. Remove the garment from the dryer as soon as it's dry, turn right-side out, and pull it taut over a curved surface. Then go with one of three options in order of my personal preference:

• Get a comb designed for fuzz-removal at a fabric store. They're small and thin. Use brisk strokes to remove pills.
• Cut off the pills with scissors, or CAREFULLY shave them off with a safety razor.
• Use an AC/battery-operated pill shaver that works like an electric razor (Target, $11-$17).

An urban legend: adding a liberal dose of liquid fabric softener when washing sweaters is supposed to remove pilling. In my test, it didn't work very well. Why not just own high-quality cotton sweaters that don't pill - avoid fabrics like (Sophisticated Humor Alert) "pillyester" or "acrpyllic." 

Get more laundry and fabric care tips at fabriclink.com.

This is my analysis of the guy refrigerator disorder (or, how most men interact with this appliance):
1. Open door, stare, shut door.

2. Open door, stare, don't move head just a little even, and certainly don't move anything inside, shut door. Then turn around and announce, "there's no (milk, juice, soda...whatever) left."

3. Open door, take out container, look inside and determine it's old, put top back on and return it to shelf.
4. Open door, pour milk, juice, whatever, and leave just the smallest trace of it in the container, return to shelf.

-Jane Pattee Callewaert, Milwaukee

Hey Jane,
OUCH! You are a keen observer of the kind of male housekeeping behavior I'm trying to change.

Hey C.L.A.M.,
I've been trying to be a good guy and do my share of cleaning around our home for a while now. But as far as my wife is concerned, my work is never good enough. There's always a critique and a do-over by her to make it right. I'm getting frustrated...any thoughts?

-Tim, Long Beach, CA

Hey Tim,
Over half of all couples fight about housekeeping, so it's important that your spouse read this response.

• I think that women should encourage and praise men like Tim for giving housecleaning an honest shot. Nagging and nit-picking DO NOT help anything.
• Females' standards are obviously higher than those of guys, but a little patience can pay off here.
• Try to bite the bullet and give him positive feedback, along with the guidance he needs to get it right.
• Couples might also divide the housekeeping chores up so that the guy can master certain ones - like garbage duty, being in charge of the dishwasher (loading, unloading, and storing dishes), and sweeping/vacuuming floors.
• Or, each partner can be responsible for keeping certain rooms clean.

This is a chance to smooth out a serious ruffle in many relationships and live happily ever after. JUMP ON IT!

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