solutions getting organized • one-dish dinners • beauty shortcuts • speed-cleaning tips

It’s simple to give the gift that’s all about making life easier.

To give Real Simple as a gift, visit www.realsimple.com or call 1.800.881.1172 CONTENTS

multitasking life food 62 new uses • 2 money made easy • 7 one-pot wonders • 10 Learn how everyday items can Nine common (but vexing) These delicious dishes require do surprising new tricks. money dilemmas solved. just a single skillet or stockpot.

home beauty All materials in this booklet are the property of clean by the clock • 15 make up time • 20 realsimple magazine. Cover photograph by Quick solutions for every Simplify your beauty routine Ellen Silverman. Back room in your house. with easy shortcuts. photograph by Mark Lund. MULTITASKING

62 extraordinary uses for ordinary things

On any given day, you may be juggling upwards of half-a-dozen roles: short- order cook, chauffeur, sleepover chaperone, and, oh yeah, wife, friend, and full-fledged member of the workforce. Sometimes it seems as if Multitask- ing is your middle name. Well, guess what: You’re not alone. In every room of your house, from the bedroom to the laundry room, not-so-ordinary household items are going above and beyond the call of duty to make the things you do every day just a little bit easier. Now, that’s good company.

WRITTEN BY VALERIE RAINS PHOTOGRAPHS BY MARK LUND REAL SIMPLE 2 MULTITASKING

kitchen In less time than it takes to heat up last night’s leftovers, ordinary kitchen items can step up to the plate in plenty of unexpected ways.

wine bottle or cork ice-cube tray uncooked spaghetti colander • Use as bookends. A pair of • Cut cookie dough. Roll the • Keep cakes intact. Push a • Shoo flies. Invert the colan- bottles, with or without the dough flat, then press an piece of spaghetti into the top der and use it as a bug tent contents, can hold a small upside-down ice-cube tray of a cake to keep plastic wrap over burgers and buns during library together. into it for a dozen or more or a soft box lid from smudg- a cookout. • Organize jewelry. Poke stud identical treats. Use trays with ing the frosting. • Create a casual luminaria. earrings into a cork and toss it different shapes (stars, hearts) • Mark your page in a cookbook Place tealights or votives in your travel bag. for miniature holiday cookies. with a single slender stick. inside a metal version. • Replace a rolling pin. Roll Tip: This works best with trays • Spear hors d’oeuvres on • Wash your delicates. Don’t piecrust or pizza dough flat with outer rims that don’t party platters. This works throw lingerie into the sink for with a wine bottle. extend higher than the inner best for cold fare, like cherry hand washing. Peroxide from • Keep your boots up. Slide dividers. tomatoes and chunks of moz- some toothpastes and caustic bottles into boots when stor- • Organize desk supplies, like zarella and basil. agents from other cleansers ing them so they keep their thumbtacks and paper clips, • Light candles. When you can bleach, stain, degrade, and shape and stand up straight. or sewing notions, like but- don’t have long matches but even disintegrate delicate fab- • Pack party favors. Send tons, beads, hooks, and eyes. you do have plenty of can- rics. Instead, put the colander dinner guests home with some • Freeze extra pesto, left- dles, use a piece of spaghetti in the sink and wash the gar- of your special sauce or cock- over cooking wine, broth, and to fire them all up in one go. ments inside it. tail mix in rinsed-out bottles. sauces for cooking. Then store Also handy for lighting a can- • Make a Halloween costume. • Cap an X-Acto knife with a the cubes in freezer bags until dle in a deep holder. A stainless-steel colander is a wine cork. you’re ready to use them. perfect Martian helmet. REAL SIMPLE 3 4 REAL SIMPLE number ofstickysituations.) bodyto get partsoutofa slide itoff. trick works (This untilyou can rotate thering and sage oilontoyour finger bandage before pullingitoff. sticky parts of an adhesive baby oil over and around the and extra agony—by rubbing hairremoval—involuntary and scrub. of baby onacottonball oil be foundinthemedicinecabinet. Beholdthetransformative powers ofdentalfloss! • • • • oil baby bathroom MUL skin. apart theknot. straight pintocarefully pull the tangledarea, thenusea Massage adab ofoilonto

Slip off astuck ring. Peel off bandages. Untangle anecklace chain. from paint latex Remove Pour agenerousamount TI T AS KI N G Avoid Mas- A soakinthetubcanwash away your cares. Butthere’s to more magic

mon bunsfrom aroll. cakes, orhomemadecinna- slice any softcheeses, layer to floss unwaxed, unflavored out damagingthepicture. faces toseparate themwith- lossbetween thetwo sur f another snapshot. Work the stuck to an album page or the corner of a photo that’s a length of dentalunder floss • • • • floss dental for aquick, sturdy fix. the beadsontodentalfloss busted strand by floss inplaceofpicture wire. floss in aheavy frame, usedental lightweight artwork that’s not

Unstick aphotograph. Cut a cheesecake. Hang apainting. Save anecklace. Rescuea To hang Use Slide Slide - several feetintotheair. canister pop its lid and shoot gas pressure will make the ground. In 5 to 10 seconds, the canister upsidedown onthe replace thelid, andplacethe third full, drop inatablet, canisteruntilitisone- film into aplastic35-millimeter– then dab onbugbites. tablets inaglassofwater, • • • • tablets antacid bottom. minutes, thenbrush. such as Alka-Seltzer, wait 20 dissolving antacidtablets, minutes. andrinse. Wipe water andletitsitforseveral

Impress akid. Soothe asting. Remove astain from a vase’s Clean atoilet. Drop a tablet in a little Toss intwo Pour water Dissolve two Dissolve two

nfriueadfloors. andf on furniture orscratches ings onfurniture - wood staintoelaborate carv • • • • swabs cotton or walls, or the crevices. Use a swab to apply polish to charge time. foralonger andsustainthe connections help maintaingoodbattery phone, or alaptop. will This of acordless phone, acell contacts to cleanthebattery Use aswab dippedinalcohol them inaplasticbag. and eye shadow andsealing cotton swabs inconcealer tiny evening bag by rubbing

Take ashineto your silver. Tote touch-up makeup Keep your phonecharged. Touch uppaint on cabinets or use a swab to apply ina

5 REAL SIMPLE also preserve produce orholdCDs.also preserve It’s thestuffthatdreams are madeof. holders within arm’s reach. reach. arm’s within holders with nooverlap. separate dozens of necklaces about aninch apartandcan wooden versions have hooks rack. Many mounted tie on the pegs of a horizontally and display beads and chains • where you needit. thing right a kitchen wall- andhangevery Install the rack horizontally on • • rack tie bedroom MUL nightmares. the pegs to sort CDsor mail. the pegs tosort and use the spaces between a wooden rack lat on f a table

Organize adesktop. Keep dish towels andpot Avoid necklace-untangling necklace-untangling Avoid TI T AS

KI Sort, organize,Sort, N G andwardrobe sameitemsthatkeep yourThe bedcomfortable neatcan Place its crevices. appliance that collects dirt in machine or any other small lowcase to cover a sewing ger than aplasticbagger alone. will keep thelettucefresh lon- refrigerator. The moist cotton thing in a plastic bag in the case. andputthewhole Pat dry them inacleancottonpillow- from just-washed greens, place After shakingoffexcess water • • checkpoint. security emerge atanairport don’t get lost in a pant leg or your suitcasesothey within intimates in a pillowcase • pillowcase wraps.

Make lettuce last longer. longer. last lettuce Make Fend off dust. Keep your underwear under under underwear your Keep

When traveling, pack Use apil- plies. shaker, bartools, andtowels. liquor bottles, a cocktail organizer tostore wineand view inaclearplasticversion. socks untangledandinfull hose,your panty tights, and • • tops andthemedicinecabinet. sprays from crowding counter Keep soaps, , tonics, and • • • organizer shoe around inabox oradrawer. and cards without digging bows, tape, ribbons, scissors, the faster whenyou canfind paints, pens, and more. brushes, forholding version isperfect

Arrange gift-wrapping sup- Separate socks. bathroom. the Declutter Store supplies. art Raise thebar. Wrapping presents goes

Use asturdy Keep all A plastic A plastic - headboard for a quick update. staple inback, andprop upasa sheet over apieceofplywood, repositioning easier. loorsand make to protect f furniture underneath heavy • • • • bedsheet instant summershade. inyourset trees backyard for ners ofalarge sheettoclose- liner. awaterproof plastic it with a shower-curtain rod. Back of asheet, thenslideitonto drapery rings to one edge curtain, attach 16clip-on replace aplainvinyl shower

Move furniture. Make aheadboard. Beat theheat. Dress up abathroom. thecor Tie Placeasheet Wrap a

To - 6 REAL SIMPLE use asdumbbells. sandand bottleswith empty of aswimming area. buoys ortomarkthedeep part bottles together to use as or petwaste. to scoopupfertilizer, rock salt, use the half with the handle of anempty, cleanbottle and diagonally across the middle • • • • bottle bleach laundry room MUL a whole new appreciation for laundry day—and biceps,a wholenew great appreciation forlaundry too. down over theplants.) (Place thebottleopen-side forseedlings.greenhouse clean jug to make a miniature the bottomoffanempty,

Keep themafloat. Start ahomegym. See your garden grow. Pick upascoop. TI T AS KI N G

Cut Cut Tie empty empty Tie Fill two Slice Slice A few surprising spins on utility-room essentials can give you essentialscangive spinsonutility-room A few surprising wand refrigerator andthecabinets. refrigerator thestove orthe between objects thathave slipped vents. Also good for retrieving out-of-reach air-conditioner anduseittoadjust a hanger • • • hanger wire and panty hose orslip. and panty a skirt, your skirt orbetween long side of a wire hanger over vent sticky situations, run the own bubble solution.) one part water to make your dishdetergent and one part

Remove static cling. bubble giant a into one Bend Reach newheights. for kids (of all ages). (Use Untwist Untwist To pre- dle ofthecoil. other attachments inthemid- nozzles, and stash sprinklers, coiled garden hoseinabasket; cooler forimpromptu parties. withicetomakea and fill bag atrash the basketwith • • • • basket laundry or hailstorm. a rain- delicate plantsduring basketupsidedown overdry wash-day duty. and it’s ready to go back to basket off when you get home use it as a table. Hose the itover and basket, thenflip items to the shore in the

Protect plants. Tame thesprinkler. drinksServe al fresco. Have abeach picnic. Place alaun- Store a Store a

Tote Line follow recipes. cookbooks openwhileyou a coupleofpinstokeep one bathroom. all the towels are hanging in towel toavoid mix-upswhen clothespin to the appropriate clothespins, then attach each names (and yours) on separate have houseguests, write their through theholesinpins. Just make sure the stems pass climbing plantsinthegarden. and vines pins cansupport keep themfrom slidingoff. camisole straps to a hanger to • • • • clothespins

Don’t lose your shirt. Support your stems. Track your towels. Hold that thought. If you If you

Use - Clothes Clip 7 REAL SIMPLE eyn o te epe h dld u your out doled who people the on relying But future. financial our direct help to something, right?) mean must win scratch-ticket $5 (a fates the sometimes and friends and lies fami- our on depend we So education. formal andhow to deal with it are basically ignored in lives— But our of angel little devilishmoney—that planning? financial rookie and metic, - ’rith reading,writing, of consisted curriculum elementary-school your if nice be it Wouldn’t WRITTEN BY ERIC BY MESSINGER WRITTEN Spend? Save? Invest? At last, some straight answers to your financial dilemmas. financial your to answers straight some last, At Invest? Save? Spend? money madeeasier money GREG CLARKE GREG BY ILLUSTRATIONS KUKES MAYA BY REPORTING ADDITIONAL comfortable, well-funded retirement. big other that on count day one can you bills—so your manage to how to taxes your do money—from whether aboutto hire an accountant decisions to everyday nine on in weigh indicator.anyareadvisers Here, ures financial - fig household-debt mounting nation’s the if from you back in college, may not be much help your chores, or those who borrowed dobeer money didn’t you when even allowance weekly a R: assemble your team assemble personal savings personal upset your account. standard checking Or checking account money-market a Either start own tax return. Or your taxes accountant to do Either hire an yourself. plan your finances Or financial planner Either use a options your set upa prepare your organizeand

fpanet.org). (www. Association Planning Financial the of site the visit or referral, a for planner a with success had has who friend a Ask patterns. savings and it’s hard to be objective about your own spending income). Even retirement if you target understand personal a finance, securing or home your ing a long-term plan to meet your goals upgrad- (like conceiveand finances current yourorganizeyou Get help from a pro. a from help Get ih niie checking unlimited with what to do what to ii cek. Instead, checks. limit checking and interest money-market little offer to tend which accounts, with bother Don’t straightforward, are they If on feesandminimum balances.) checking the to account as needed. (Be aware of the bank policies funds transfer and earning here, interest, money your of most Keep rate. interest higher a has typically which account, savings money-market a to it Attach interest). hire aprofessional. then another), in work and state one in live you business; own your own (you complicated all at and easier than doing it by hand. But if your taxes are faster return a preparing make programs can get by without using an accountant. Software say,you report, to dividends and interest, tions, deduc- regular with employee salaried a you’re Financial planners can help can planners Financial open a standard account account standard a open ad sal n o low or no usually (and do your own taxes. own your do LIF If E 8 REAL SIMPLE and spending and bills manage (continued) savings personal upset your card. Or credit card Either use a deposit). of (certificate savings inaCD Or account funds inasavings non-emergency Either keep pieces as you can. Or to anotheraccount transferred weekly automatically savings Either have your options your use adebit put theextra save bits and

what to do what to won’t be inflating your credit-card balance. won’t beinflating you and account, checking your of out directly come will money The card. debit a use chases, pur your controlling or budget your to sticking trouble have you If month. every off it pay you Use a credit card credit a Use transfer through your bank. through transfer automatic regular a up set or accounts, two into paycheck,your electronicallydepositingportions yourselffirst.”companypayingdivideyourHave of waygreat a is Minnesota.Edina, “This tors,in Inves - Accredited with adviser financial principal savings. what’ssee They left,” saysKathy Longo, a peopletendpayto themselves lasttheforminof yourself against inflation. include stocks to improve your return and protect New in Yorkconsultant City.goals, long-term For financial a Diamond, Ann diversify, says to CDs and bills, treasury accounts, savings and market money- combine then soon, money foresee this youusing If goal. the fit should investment ity of extra savings that won’t be needed for for fund. needed stock a be or won’t stocks in that emergencies savings extra of ity Automatic saving is a wonderful thing, so do it. The most profitable approach is to is approach profitable most The and gain its rewards as long as as long as rewards its gain and put the major theput But the the But “Most “Most - - and spending and bills manage (continued) bills yourself. Or account your checking withdrawn from automatically payments Either have your your 401(k). extra money in Or credit cards cash to pay off Either use spare rate andnoperks. Or lot of perks interest rate but a card with ahigh Either get acredit options your write checks for invest some onewith alow what to do what to con i a ra idea, great a is account check writing. that all from cramps wrist no and stamps for office post the to trips no pros: Other California. Grove,Garden in Financial,Inspired of president Zohlen, year,”Evelyn saysa dollars of hundreds you save may option automatic-withdrawal the the penalty fees you incur each time you pay late, all “Giventime. on bills paying problem chronic Using your own planeticket.” buy and card low-rate the with “go Longo, says and trips the luggage to go with them. Otherwise, interest charges, then by all means enjoy the free rate. If you rarely miss a payment and don’t incur interest higher the at debts incurring of risk the justify don’tbe,may they as appealing as perks, il match, will Put as much money into your 401(k) as the company rate. low a with off better are people Most matching program, pay off your credit cards cards credit before investing plan. inany savings retirement your off pay program, matching 401(k) a have doesn’t company your If interest. no or little with card new a to debt the transfer to Again, renegotiate try your credit card’s rate, or on the table,” says Zohlen. “A match is free money.” debt. To dootherwise “wouldbelike leaving cash automatic bill pay from your checking checking your from pay bill automatic n ol te fcs n credit-card on focus then only and seily f o hv a have you if especially LIF The The E FOOD

one-pot wonders Toss all your ingredients into a single skillet or stockpot, let them mingle, and create a meal as deliciously complex as one you’d get if you messed up the kitchen with wall-to-wall cookware. The easy cleanup will bring you nothing but satisfaction—as will the leftovers.

RECIPES BY SARA QUESSENBERRY PHOTOGRAPHS BY WILLIAM MEPPEM STYLING BY OLGA NAIMAN REAL SIMPLE 9 FOOD

beef and shallot stew hands-on time: 25 minutes • total time: 2 hours, 25 minutes • makes 6 to 8 servings Recommended: Dutch oven or large ovenproof pot

4 pounds chuck meat, Heat oven to 300° F. Season the beef with the salt cut into 3- to 4-inch and pepper. Heat the oil in a Dutch oven or oven- pieces, or 4 pounds precut proof pot over medium-high heat. Add some of stew meat the beef to the pot and brown on all sides. Trans- 1 tablespoon kosher salt fer to a plate. Repeat with the remaining beef. 1 teaspoon black pepper Spoon off and discard all but 1 tablespoon of the 1 tablespoon olive oil drippings. Add the wine and cook, stirring and 1 bottle dry red wine scraping the bottom, for 3 minutes. Return the

1 1⁄2 pounds shallots, peeled beef to the pot along with the shallots and broth. 1 cup low-sodium Bring to a boil. Skim any foam. Add the thyme. chicken broth Cover and transfer to oven until the beef is ten- 8 sprigs fresh thyme der, about 2 hours. Spoon into individual bowls. REAL SIMPLE REAL

10 11 REAL SIMPLE hands-on time: 25 minutes time: hands-on Mexican chicken soup 12-quart pot Recommended: 12-quart F D OO 1

1 1 1 ⁄ ⁄ 1 1 3 2 2 4 ⁄ 2 4 2

tablespoon koshersalt large yellow onion, halved limes, halved avocados (3 whole chickens carrots, halved crosswise cup fresh cilantro leavescup fresh cilantro teaspoon black pepper cups long-grain whiterice cups long-grain 1 ⁄ 2 poundseach)

•

total time: 1 hour, 45 minutes 1hour, time: total cilantro andsqueezeonthelimes. and ladle the soup over the top. Sprinkle with the bowls individual into avocados the Scoop utes. meat and pepper to the broth and heat for the 3 min- Add bones. and skin the discarding meat, chicken the shred Meanwhile, minutes. 20 for and onion. Add the to rice the broth and simmer carrots the discard and Removecool. let plates; appears.that anyfoam chickensthe to Transfer off Skim hour. 1 for uncovered,gently, simmer and heat Reduce boil. a to cover. Bring to cups) pot.a 12-quart Add enough cold water (about 16 els. Place the chickens, carrots, onion, and salt in tow- paper with dry pat and chickens the Rinse

•

makes 6 to 8servings 6to makes FOOD

baked cod and chorizo hands-on time: 30 minutes • total time: 50 minutes • makes 6 to 8 servings Recommended: Large ovenproof skillet

3 tablespoons olive oil Heat oven to 400° F. Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil 6 ounces chorizo or smoked in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high sausage (such as kielbasa), heat. Add the sausage and brown on both sides. thinly sliced Add the potatoes and cook, stirring occasionally,

1 1⁄2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes for 10 minutes. Add the leeks, broth, saffron, 3⁄4 (peel first, if desired), sliced teaspoon of the salt, and 1⁄8 teaspoon of the pep- 1⁄4 inch thick per. Bring to a boil. Meanwhile, rinse the cod and 3 leeks, white and light pat it dry with paper towels. Season with the green parts only—halved remaining salt and pepper. Place it on top of the lengthwise, rinsed, and potatoes and drizzle with the remaining oil. Bake thinly sliced into half-moons until the cod is the same color throughout and 1 cup low-sodium chicken flakes easily, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with the broth parsley and transfer to individual plates.

1⁄4 teaspoon crumbled saffron threads

1 1⁄4 teaspoons kosher salt 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper 21⁄2 to 3 pounds cod fillets 1⁄2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, roughly chopped REAL SIMPLE REAL

12 FOOD

vegetable soup with Parmesan toasts hands-on time: 25 minutes • total time: 45 minutes • makes 6 to 8 servings Recommended: Large saucepan

2 green Swiss Heat oven to 350° F. Rinse and drain the Swiss chard, stems trimmed chard. Stack the leaves and slice them crosswise 3 tablespoons olive oil into 1-inch-wide strips. Heat 1 tablespoon of the 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 small butternut squash the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add (2 pounds), peeled the Swiss chard and squash and stir to coat.

and cut into 1⁄2-inch pieces Add the wine, salt, and pepper and bring to a 1 1⁄2 cups dry white wine boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer until the 1 teaspoon kosher salt squash is tender, about 15 minutes. Meanwhile,

1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper brush the baguette slices with the remaining oil. 12 to 161⁄2-inch-thick baguette Place on foil, sprinkle with the Parmesan, and slices bake until golden, 15 minutes. Ladle the soup 1 cup (4 ounces) grated into bowls and float the toasts on top. Parmesan REAL SIMPLE 13 HOME

WRITTEN BY MARIA SHOLLENBARGER PHOTOGRAPHS BY TIM EVAN COOK

clean by the clock Easy steps to tackle any room— no matter how much (or how little) time you have.

We all live in an accelerated time. It seems everything—meals, mail, music downloads, instant messages—can be accomplished in no time at all. Everything, that is, except cleaning. It seems a bit unjust that in this modern, ultra-efficient world it takes just as long for you to clean your house as it took your grandmother—or her grandmother—to clean hers. Until someone comes up with the cleaning equivalent of paying bills online (a completely dust- and grime-free house), you can at least tailor your cleaning schedule to fit, well, your schedule. Because sometimes you can do the whole spick-and-span routine and sometimes (OK, most times) you can’t, Real Simple asked a dozen housekeeping experts for tips REAL SIMPLE REAL on what to do around the house if you have 15 minutes, 30 minutes, an hour, or half a day. Now, if you could only catch up on your e-mail....

14 HOME

kitchen KP duty isn’t easy. The main culprit: grease. Before you start combatting it, move small appli- ances off the counters to ensure that bacteria won’t flourish underneath them.

15 minutes Wipe down appliances. Avoid damage by using Clean countertops and the sink. Spray disinfec- wipes made to clean the surfaces of the gadgets. tant in the sink and let it soak. “Otherwise the product won’t have time to kill all the bacteria one hour, add the following: and viruses you’re trying to remove,” says Janice Wash the cabinet fronts. Wipe from top to bot- Stewart, owner of Castle Keepers, a professional tom with a soft sponge and a solution of warm cleaning service in Charleston, South Carolina. water and dish soap. If the cabinets are wood, Meanwhile, spritz the counters with disinfec- use a wood cleanser. tant. Then scrub the sink with a sponge, rinse well, and dry. Return to the counters and wipe half a day, add the following: dry with a fresh cotton or microfiber cloth. Deep-clean appliances. To freshen the refrig- Sweep or dry-mop the floor. Make a pass using erator’s interior, clean it with a solution of 3 an electrostatic mop (like those from Swiffer) tablespoons baking soda and 4 cups warm or cloth. This will pick up dirt and and water. No self-cleaning oven? Wipe down the make wet-mopping more efficient. inside with an all-purpose cleanser. Use a plas- Clean the refrigerator handle. Wipe down this tic scraper (or an old credit card) to get bits of bacteria-friendly spot with disinfectant. food off the racks and drip pan. Dust and degrime inside and out. Remove 30 minutes, add the following: crumbs from inside cabinets with a vacuum Wet-mop the floor. A few spritzes of an all- attachment or a damp cloth. purpose cleaner and a damp microfiber mop will do the trick. “You can finish the kitchen floor in minutes—with no dirty water bucket,” Consider assigning a different-colored microfiber says Laura Dellutri, author of Speed Cleaning 101 cloth to each room of the house. That way, you can (Meredith Books, $15). avoid spread­ing germs from room to room. REAL SIMPLE 15 HOME

family room In everyone’s favorite flop spot, clutter reigns supreme. Dirt also collects quickly in this heav- ily trafficked zone, so floors and furniture need a bit of extra attention.

15 minutes cushions, then flip them to distribute wear Clear the clutter. Tour the room with a laundry evenly. Close the curtains and use a vacuum basket in tow, picking up any out-of-place attachment to clean. For blinds, wipe each slat items for redistribution later. with a damp microfiber cloth. Speed-dust at eye level. Grab two electrostatic or microfiber cloths. Rotate out the grimy cloth, half a day, add the following: or opt for quick two-handed dust-busting, says Wash the windows. To minimize streaking, use Donna Smallin, author of Cleaning Plain & Sim- a glass cleaner and a lint-free material, such as ple (Storey Publishing, $17). a cloth diaper or an old T-shirt. Graham and Fluff pillows and fold throws. These small Rosemary Haley, authors of Haley’s Cleaning adjustments result in a big visual impact. Hints (New American Library, $15), suggest cleaning with vertical strokes inside and hori- 30 minutes, add the following: zontal ones outside (or vice versa) so you’ll Vacuum or dry-mop the floor. This is time- know which side any remaining streaks are on. consuming but important. “Dirt can cut carpet Spot-clean the walls. Take off dirt, stains, and fibers and damage wood floors,” says Jeff Camp- scuffs with a damp eraser pad. bell, founder of the Clean Team, a residential Combat hidden dirt and dust. Get behind, cleaning service in Jackson, California. He rec- underneath, and on top of tall furniture with a ommends concentrating on the areas around long-handled duster. Roll back rugs and clean doorways, which harbor tracked-in dirt. the floor below.

one hour, add the following: Tackle upholstery and window treatments. Use You need to clean (or dry-clean) decorative pillow the vacuum’s brush attachment to get dust off covers only once a year. In between, spot-clean as sofas and chairs. Clean under and behind needed and plump and flip the pillows regularly. REAL SIMPLE 16 HOME

bathroom Haven of mildew and mold, this is probably your least favorite room to clean. Use flushable wipes, which make sanitizing a snap.

15 minutes one hour, add the following: Start with the sink. With flushable wipe in Damp-mop the floor. Use a wet mop with a hand, clean the sink (the room’s focal point) pivoting head to get into awkward corners and its fixtures, concentrating on the grime- between the sink, the toilet, and the tub. friendly seams where the two meet. Speed-sanitize. Grab another towelette to clean half a day, add the following: the edge of the bathtub, the toilet seat, and the Scrub down the shower and the tub. Spray the toilet exterior. Finish up by shining the mirror shower walls and the tub with all-purpose with glass cleaner and a cloth. cleaner. Scrub from the top down so the tub floor gets the full benefit of a soaking to dis- 30 minutes, add the following: solve buildup. Deep-clean the toilet. Squirt bowl cleaner Remove mildew, mold, and other stubborn bits. around the inside edge and let it sit for a few For lime scale–laden shower doors (they look minutes. While it’s soaking, use a wipe or a fresh white and murky), Dellutri recommends wip- cloth and all-purpose cleaner to clean the seat ing them down with lemon oil. To dislodge around its base and hinges. Return to the bowl mildew and mold, apply hydrogen peroxide and give stubborn rings a scrubbing with a straight from the bottle (wear rubber gloves to sponge or a brush. protect your hands). Let it soak in for five min- Deep-clean the toilet, Part II. If your bowl is utes, then scrub with a grout brush. porcelain, try rubbing a natural pumice stone (available at most hardware stores) on lime, rust, and hard-water stains. Keep the stone very moist throughout the process and it To shine faucets, Laura Dellutri recommends shouldn’t scratch. using a few drops of mineral oil after cleaning, then buffing the fixture dry with a fresh cloth. REAL SIMPLE 17 MULTITASKING

bedroom The same items that keep your bed comfortable and wardrobe neat can also preserve produce or hold CDs. It’s the stuff that dreams are made of.

tie rack pillowcase shoe organizer • Avoid necklace-untangling • Keep your underwear under • Raise the bar. Use a sturdy nightmares. Sort, organize, wraps. When traveling, pack organizer to store wine and and display beads and chains intimates in a pillowcase liquor bottles, a cocktail on the pegs of a horizontally within your suitcase so they shaker, bar tools, and towels. mounted tie rack. Many don’t get lost in a pant leg or • Store art supplies. A plastic wooden versions have hooks emerge at an airport security version is perfect for holding about an inch apart and can checkpoint. paints, pens, brushes, and more. separate dozens of necklaces • Fend off dust. Use a pil- • Declutter the bathroom. with no overlap. lowcase to cover a sewing Keep soaps, razors, tonics, and • Keep dish towels and pot machine or any other small sprays from crowding counter- holders within arm’s reach. appliance that collects dirt in tops and the medicine cabinet. Install the rack horizontally on its crevices. • Separate socks. Keep all a kitchen wall and hang every- • Make lettuce last longer. your panty hose, tights, and thing right where you need it. After shaking off excess water socks untangled and in full • Organize a desktop. Place from just-washed greens, place view in a clear plastic version. a wooden rack flat on a table them in a clean cotton pillow- • Arrange gift-wrapping sup- and use the spaces between case. Pat dry and put the whole plies. Wrapping presents goes the pegs to sort CDs or mail. thing in a plastic bag in the faster when you can find the refrigerator. The moist cotton bows, ribbons, tape, scissors, will keep the lettuce fresh lon- and cards without digging ger than a plastic bag alone. around in a box or a drawer. REAL SIMPLE 18 BEAUTY

body

what to do in the Take a cooler shower. Hot water leaves skin red and blotchy (espe- morning cially after a trip to the gym or if you have rosacea) and sets you back extra minutes in applying makeup. Streamline your underwater time. In the shower, wash your hair, then comb through conditioner (which saves you detangling later, after a towel-dry). Next, apply excess conditioner to your legs (it’s a great substitute for cream) and shave. Then lather up in the min- utes it takes your conditioner to work. Rinse and you’re done. Use multitasking products. A body wash/ lets you lather from head to toe in one step. A moisturizing body wash allows you to skip the step of applying lotion later (but if your skin is very dry, use separate products); look for a body wash with jojoba or shea butter for best results. Moisturizers with sunscreens are another great way to skip a step.

what to do at night Maintain your manicure and pedicure. If you apply a topcoat every other night to polished nails, they should look good for about seven days (toenail polish can last up to three weeks), saving you patch-up make up time time in the morning and frequent salon visits. For an ultra-low-main- tenance approach, skip the polish and smooth nails to a high shine These beauty tricks, multipurpose products, and organizing ideas will help make with a buffer. your journey out the door faster, easier, and more relaxed—every day. Tan as you moisturize. Don’t flap like a mad bird to dry a fake tan. Use Mick Jagger sang it with conviction: “Ti-i-i-ime turizing, pluck­ing, makeup, and—that evil mis- a low-dose self-tanning moisturizer before bed. is on my si-ide.” But, then, all he and most other tress of the morning—hair to contend with. Exfoliate. Invest about 10 nighttime minutes once or twice a week for men have to do (in the morning, at least) is By streamlining your routine, addressing an at-home facial mask and body scrub. You’ll look fresher, moistur- shower and shave (or not) before they’re ready beauty basics at the right times, and strategiz- izers will be absorbed faster, and with your improved complexion, to face the world. You? Well, once you’ve made ing for the long-term, you can restore sanity— you might be satisfied with less makeup. sure everyone else in your life is scrubbed, fed, even serenity—to your mornings. Who said you and dressed, there’s cleansing, shaving, mois- can’t always get what you want? long-term planning Impose a one-product policy. That is, one product per purpose, to save you (long) moments of indecision or fumbling through almost-empty WRITTEN BY JENNIFER SCHONBRUNN HINKLE bottles of conditioner looking for the perfect type. If you share a bath- PHOTOGRAPHS BY JAMES MERRELL STYLING BY MICHELE MICHAEL room or a shower, try to apply the limit to everyone. If you can’t agree REAL SIMPLE 19 BEAUTY

long-term planning (or just can’t let go), organize one shelf or shower caddy this way for what to do at night Deep-condition. A couple of nights a week, apply a nourishing mask to (continued) fast access and keep all the extras in another area of the shower or (continued) damp hair. Blow hair with a hot hair dryer, then put on a shower cap. stored away in a closet, then switch when you want variety. The heat helps the nutrients penetrate the hair. It’s worth the effort: Choose clever packaging. Tubes that stand on the dispensing end and Healthy hair has less to tame and responds better to styling. pump packs and bottles ensure quick application (and less fighting over who left the lid off again). long-term planning Script your next meeting with your hairstylist. Tell him you want a cut Banish body hair. Depending on your schedule, budget, and pain that suits your hair’s natural texture, alert him to any foibles (like a threshold, cream depilatories (which smell less noxious than they or an odd part), and have him suggest ways to style the cut used to), , laser treatments, and electrolysis can spare you without blow-drying. Write down your questions and make sure you from shaving for anywhere from a week to indefinitely. cover them before moving on to celebrity gossip. hair Maintain your color. When dying your hair, stay within two shades of your natural color to ward off obvious roots and lengthen the time what to do in the Don’t stress over second-day hair. No time to shampoo? If your hair is between touch-ups. morning long enough, smooth it into a low . If it’s not—or if it still feels Schedule your next appointment before you leave the salon. You don’t grungy—try a twist on the old-fashioned baby powder–at-the-temples want to wait until you are desperate and have to take the only appoint- tip and sprinkle a good-quality scented body powder at your hair’s ment that’s left, for an inconvenient time slot. (A good cut should last six roots to absorb oil, then brush. Time bonus: no need for perfume. to eight weeks. Color should last anywhere from four to eight weeks.) Leave it wet and accessorize. Wet hair can look “undone,” but add a makeup barrette or a hair band and you have a neat, pulled-together look. For dense or curly hair, gather it loosely at the back, twist, and secure what to do in the Stick to the basics. Skip foundation if you have only a minute or two with a claw clip. morning and instead apply a little concealer under your eyes, in shadows Use the right drying tools. A dryer 1,600 watts or higher gives you the around your nose, and on any blemishes. Follow with a lip and cheek fastest results. And don’t ditch the nozzle attachment: It directs and tint. Finish with a coat of mascara. condenses airflow and cuts drying time (for curly hair, opt for a dif- Brighten your eyes. Apply a beige shadow all over the lids and to the fuser). Try a fast-drying styling product before drying. inner corners of your eyes. It instantly brightens eyes and makes you look as if you’ve had a full eight hours of sleep (instead of three). what to do at night Style while you sleep. For , try dampening with a spritz of Try products with built-in applicators. If you prefer to wear founda- water and some , then create a high ponytail, wrapping the tion, one with an attached brush will go on faster. Compact founda- tail around itself into a . You’ll wake up with soft, loose . tions are also quicker to apply and easier to blend than liquids. Pillow-press it. If your hair is thick, poufy, or frizzy (but not oily), con- sider showering at night, then blow-drying before bed. A night of lying on your hair will iron out the kinks. REAL SIMPLE 20 BEAUTY

makeup

what to do at night Groom your . Spare yourself the pain and redness on a busy morning by stray at night, after you wash your face. Lay out makeup the night before. You may never get around to laying out your clothes, but makeup is an easier task. Choose a few key cosmetics and keep them in one container. Before going to bed, take everything out and line it up in order of use, to avoid having to dig in the morning. (Save experimenting for occasions when you have more time.) Perform daily maintenance. Take care of all your once-a-day tasks— such as flossing, pushing back cuticles, and other little grooming jobs—at night and leave mornings free for the essentials.

long-term planning Weed out what doesn’t work. No matter how expensive they were, holding on to cosmetics you don’t use is a waste of space and time. Pull out your favorites and keep them in one place. Toss the rest. If you can’t bring yourself to do that, at least put them in another drawer (maybe for Halloween). Or... Double up. Keep a duplicate set of makeup in your handbag or office drawer for those days when you have absolutely no time to apply at home. In your cleanup, you’ll probably discover extras you can use to create this set. Have it delivered. Work out which products you replace regularly—for makeup, shower, and hair—and how often you need them. Then set up a recurring order at a website, like drugstore.com, so you don’t waste time shopping for each item as the need arises. REAL SIMPLE 21