7 Popular Cleaning Hacks That Don't Actually Work

PLUS: 3 ways to use the juice left in your pickle jar, an easy and affordable weeknight meal, and more. 3 ways to use the juice left in your pickle jar, an easy and affordable weeknight meal, and more. January 29, 2022 [View Online]( Good morning! The internet has a lot of useful information, but it also has plenty of hearsay, half-truths, and flat out lies—even when it comes to cleaning tips! In Today's Good Thing, I'm setting the record straight on 7 popular (but ineffective) cleaning hacks so you don't have to waste your time on them. Also in today’s newsletter, I’m reminiscing about my childhood bike in a new Remember When. It’s probably the coolest thing I’ve ever owned, which doesn't bode well for my current level of coolness, but what can you do? Jillee TODAY'S GOOD THING 7 Popular Cleaning Hacks That Don't Actually Work [Photos of various cleaning hacks. ]( If you're hoping to save time and effort while tidying up, these 7 cleaning hacks won't help. We’ve all heard enough cautionary tales about people being misled by falsehoods they read online to know we shouldn’t accept everything we read on the internet as fact. While not all misinformation is shared with malicious intent, I think we’d all prefer to avoid filling our heads with things that aren’t true, right? Even within the realm of household tips and tricks, I’ve noticed information circulating online that I either suspect or know from experience isn’t accurate. I learned fairly early on in my blogging career that not all cleaning, laundry, and organization tips are equally useful, and some are just plain ineffective! In order to help you separate the useful advice from the misinformation, I thought I’d do a little cleaning tips “myth-busting.” I’ve put together a list of 7 cleaning hacks I’ve seen circulating around the internet, along with explanations of why the hack doesn’t work as advertised. For each item, I’ve also included a suggestion for an effective alternative, so that you can get your cleaning hacks done correctly and get on with your day. You can see my list of cleaning hacks that don’t work at the link below. [7 Popular Cleaning Hacks That Don't Actually Work ➜]( Related • [10 Simple Household Shortcuts That Will Save You Time]( • [No Time? Here Are The Cleaning Tasks You Should (And Shouldn’t) Skip]( ⚡️QUICK TIPS⚡️ • Did you know you can clean faux flowers with table salt? Find out how it works, plus learn 10 more uses for salt. [Read more ➜]( • This mop makes cleaning my tile floors quicker and easier than I believed it could be, and it’ll do the same for you. [Read more ➜]( • Need a refresher on how to keep your masks clean? This mask cleaning and care guide has the answers you need. [Read more ➜]( COOKING Easy And Affordable Korean Ground Beef [Photos of Korean Ground Beef.]( A tangy Asian-inspired sauce sets this tasty recipe apart from other ground beef dinners. In my opinion, the value of a recipe that’s inexpensive, simple to make, and tastes great cannot be overstated. Plenty of recipes check two of those boxes, but one that checks all three is much more of a rarity. This Korean Ground Beef is one of those recipes that can boast the full trifecta of desirable qualities, making it an excellent weeknight option to keep in your back pocket. With fresh veggies and a sweet and tangy sauce, all you need to do is spoon it over rice for a meal that everyone will enjoy. Here’s how to make it: Start by chopping up 2 heads of broccoli and 2 red bell peppers, then steam or sauté them until they're cooked to your liking and set them aside. In a pan set over medium heat, cook 1 pound of lean ground beef with 3 minced cloves of garlic until the beef is browned and cooked through, then drain the excess fat from the pan. Put the pan back over medium heat and add 1/2 cup of brown sugar, 1/4 cup of soy sauce, 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger (or 1 tablespoon of minced or grated fresh ginger), plus salt and pepper to taste. Simmer the sauce and beef together for a few minutes until the sauce thickens slightly, then stir in the cooked broccoli and peppers. Serve the ground beef, veggies, and sauce over brown rice and top with sliced green onions. [See the full recipe ➜]( UNUSUAL USES 3 Ways To Use Your Leftover Pickle Juice [Photos of various uses for pickle juice.]( After eating the last pickle from the jar, don’t pour out the juice—put it to good use. 1. Vinegar Substitute. You can use pickle juice in place of vinegar in almost any recipe that calls for it. Try using it in salad dressings, soups, coleslaws, and more. In addition to providing that tangy kick, it will add additional flavor to anything you add it to. 2. Make More Pickles. Toss a handful of carrot sticks into the remaining juice and keep it in your fridge for a few days to make “quick pickled” carrots. You could also do it with thinly sliced red onions—pickled onions are great on salads and tacos. You could even put a few peeled hard-boiled eggs in to make pickled eggs. 3. Drink It. As strange as it might sound, there are plenty of good reasons to drink leftover pickle juice. Dealing with muscle cramps of any kind? Drinking pickle juice can help offset the effects of low electrolytes, which are often a factor in cramping. And as a fermented product, drinking pickle juice can also aid digestion. JILLEE'S PICK 4 Reasons Why I Love Netflix’s The Crown [A photo from the Netflix series ]( There’s not much I can say about [The Crown]( that hasn't already been said, and in some ways, the incredible popularity of the Netflix series speaks for itself. I’ll simply share a few of my favorite aspects of the show that keep me coming back for more. 1. The Performances. They’ve done a great job casting this show, and I thought Claire Foy was outstanding as the young Queen Elizabeth. When Season 3 came out, I wasn't sure I would like the new cast as much, but Olivia Colman quickly won me over as a more mature Elizabeth. (She’s also great in Broadchurch.) 2. The Lavish Production. Lavish sets and costumes are central to The Crown, so it's no wonder why it's become Netflix's most expensive production to date. The attention to detail is astonishing, and with over 7,000 costumes, it's clear no expense is being spared in the wardrobe department. 3. The Cinematography. It’s such a beautifully shot show. The muted colors and hazy light used throughout have become signatures of the show, as has the up close and personal view of the characters. You can see every detail of the production design, which makes for a very immersive experience. 4. The Music. Music plays a significant role in The Crown too, heightening the drama of the royal story. The main theme was composed by Hans Zimmer (the Pirates of the Caribbean movies, Interstellar, Inception), while his associates Rupert Gregson-Williams and Lorne Balfe have also written music for the show. All in all, I've loved all of the seasons of The Crown, but I would say that the first two seasons are probably my favorite, simply because I didn't know much about Queen Elizabeth’s younger years. I think the show is more than deserving of the acclaim it's garnered—I’d even go so far as to call it a crowning achievement. REMEMBER WHEN Schwinn Sting-Ray [A vintage photo of two kids with Schwinn Sting-Ray bikes.]( I don’t think anyone who grew up in the ‘60s or ‘70s could forget the Schwinn Sting-Ray, undoubtedly the coolest bike of the era. These motorcycle-inspired bikes hit the market in 1963 and remained in production until 1981, leaving a lasting impression on both the bicycle industry and popular culture. I was lucky enough to have a Schwinn Sting-Ray of my own when I was a kid. It was sky blue and had a sissy bar, banana seat, high-rise handlebars—the whole nine yards. I remember having my friends perched on the handlebars and giving them rides around the neighborhood. I even entered a few powder puff races on my Sting-Ray. I don’t necessarily think of myself as a big thrillseeker, but I suppose that sky blue bike must have brought it out in me, because I remember going off jumps and everything! (Not huge ones or anything, but still.) I just learned that Schwinn has a current model that's inspired by the old Sting-Ray: the Krate. Available in [Orange]( and [Coal Black](, the Krate has a lot of the vintage charm of the old Sting-Rays. And I think it’s cool that there are kids out there today who are riding around on the same bike I did (or close to it, anyway!) A FEW MORE THINGS... Very Puzzling Indeed: It’s National Puzzle Day, a celebration of puzzles of all varieties, like jigsaw, crossword, Sudoku, word search, logic puzzles, and even Rubik’s cubes. Puzzles challenge our brains by drawing on a number of cognitive skills, and these “mental workouts” can help keep our minds sharp as we age. Do your favorite kind of puzzle today to celebrate! Words Of Wisdom: “I am not induced by motives of pride, party, or resentment to espouse the doctrine of separation and independence; I am clearly, positively, and conscientiously persuaded that it is the true interest of this continent to be so.” - Thomas Paine (born January 29, 1737), making an impassioned case for American independence in his pamphlet [Common Sense]( What did you think of today's email? [Not good]( | [Just okay]( | [Loved it!]( 🏠[Visit the By Jillee Shop]( 🤗 [Join OGT Free]( Let's connect! [facebook]( [instagram]( [pinterest]( [youtube]( If you have thoughts, comments, questions or a tip or trick you'd like to share, I'd love to hear from you! My inbox is always open, so just hit "reply" and let me know what's on your mind. See you tomorrow! Sending you bright ideas and simple solutions to help you create a home and life you love. My mailing address is: One Good Thing by Jillee 841 S. 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