Thrifty Thursday: Speed Cleaning in Your Kitchen

Distilled white vinegar is one of the best grease eliminators around. Here's how to put it to good use.

Grease: After frying, wash off grease splatters with a sponge dipped in undiluted white vinegar. Rinse with another sponge soaked in cold water, then dry with a soft cloth.

Dishwashing Liquid: Pour 3 to 4 tablespoons white vinegar into your dishwashing liquid bottle and give it a few shakes. The vinegar will increase the detergent's grease-fighting capabilities and make it last longer.

Frying Pans: Boiling 2 cups vinegar in your pans for 10 minutes will keep food from sticking to it for several months at a time.

Stainless-Steel Cookware: Remove burned-on grease and food by mixing 1 cup distilled cinegar in enough water to cover he material (if it's near the top of a large pot, you may need to increase the amount of vinegar). Boil for 5 minutes. The material should come off with some mild scrubbing.

Broiler Pan: Get blackened, cooked-on grease off by softening it up with a solution of 1 cup cider vinegar and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Apply the mixture while the pan is still hot, and let it sit for an hour or so. The grime will slide of with a light scrubbing.

Kitchen Table or Counter: Eliminate grease stains by wiping them with a cloth dampened in a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water.

Hot Plate: Does it look more like a grease pan? To get it back in shape, wash it with a sponge dipped in full-strength white vinegar.

Oven & Grates on Gas Stoves: Fight grease buildups in your oven by wiping the inside with a sponge soaked in full-strength white vinegar once a week.