Don't throw that blackened pot away
Many of us have forgotten to turn off the coffee pot, only to return to black sludge in the bottom of the pot. You may be inclined to throw it out, pot and all! That may not be necessary.
To clean it as good as new, remove the burnt coffee as best you can, particularly from glass pots, and place several ice cubes and a bit of salt in the cooled pot. Swirl around.
Another method for removing the offending and smelly residue is to place a generous amount of baking soda in the bottom, add water and boil for a few minutes. Let it cool and clean in the usual manner.
Shelf Paper???
Resist the temptation to line kitchen cupboard shelves with contact paper or shelf paper. Contact paper curls at the edges in a short time, and crumbs can collect at the edges. Crumbs can also work their way under the shelf liners, and become an attractive hiding place for bugs. Instead, pull everything out of the cupboard from time to time, and wipe the shelves with soap and water. If you prefer a more finished surface, paint on a couple coats of semi-gloss paint.
