This Simple Tip Makes Cleaning Up Broken Eggs a Breeze

Monthly: Clean Your Washing Machine

There's this common misconception that washing machines are always clean just by running loads of laundry. I learned the hard way, not true. Over time, detergent residues, fabric softener, and minerals from the water build up in your washing machine, creating a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. Yuck! To keep your clothes and linens smelling fresh and truly clean, a monthly deep clean is a must.

How to Clean It: Once a month, run an empty hot water cycle with a cup of distilled white vinegar. This will help break down any buildup inside the drum, as well as eliminate any bacteria. For front-loading machines, don’t forget to clean the rubber gasket around the door where mold loves to hide. I just did this and it was frankly, gross, but so satisfying in the end. Wipe it down with a mixture of vinegar and water, and let it air dry.

Monthly: Clean Your Dishwasher

You and your partner may argue over how you load the dishes, but have either of you actually cleaned it? Dishwashers, like washing machines, build up icky grime over time from food particles and soap scum, causing a stink and making your dishwasher work less well. A quick monthly clean can keep it in top shape.

How to Clean It: Pour a cup of vinegar inside and run a hot water cycle with no dishes. Afterward, sprinkle a bit of baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher and run another cycle. This combo will help remove lingering smells and make your dishwasher sparkle.

Biannually: Clean Your Oven

If you're not using your oven for big meals all the time, twice a year is usually enough cleaning it will need (whew!). Otherwise, every few months will do the trick. Cleaning off all that baked-on grease and food residue with a biannual clean will keep it working more efficiently and ready for your next festive feast.

How to Clean It: Create a thick paste with baking soda and water, then apply it to the inside of the oven, avoiding heating elements. Let it sit overnight, and then wipe away the grime. Finish by spraying a little vinegar to tackle any remaining residue. You can also try a store-bought oven cleaner that works in minutes like Easy-Off.

Every 3 Months: Clean Hard To Reach Places

Sometimes, it’s the places we don’t see that need the most attention: under the fridge, behind the couch, and in vents. A thorough dusting every three months will keep allergens at bay.

How to Clean: If you don't already have a robot vacuum, use a standup vacuum with a hose attachment or a microfiber cloth to reach these spots. For vents, remove covers and gently wash them in warm, soapy water. Replace disposable filters every three months too.

Weekly: Tub and Shower

My least favorite room to clean: bathrooms, which tend to build up mold and mildew quickly due to all the moisture. A quick weekly clean can prevent buildup, while a monthly deep clean will ensure everything stays sparkling and germ-free.

How to Clean: I recently discovered Rejuvenate Soap Scum Remover for my shower glass doors and it works great. For your tub and shower, you can use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar as a natural scrub. Spray the surfaces with vinegar, sprinkle baking soda over them, and scrub with a brush or simply use your favorite all-purpose cleaner like Method or Meyers. Rinse well. Also, keep a squeegee in your shower to reduce buildup over time.

Weekly: Bed Sheets

There's nothing better than climbing into your bed with freshly cleaned sheets. You should wash your bed sheets once a week, or every two weeks at most. If you sweat a lot in your sleep or suffer from major allergies, try to clean more often than that.

How to Clean: When washing your sheets, use a paraben-free and dye-free detergent like Seventh Generation or Arm & Hammer Free & Clear, especially if you have sensitive skin and wash your pillowcases and bed sheets at the same time to keep dirt at bay.

Seasonally: Windows

Cleaning your windows every fall and spring can make a huge difference in brightening your home with more natural light and help you enjoy a better view. You won't regret it!

How to Clean: Use your favorite glass cleaner or put a few drops of dish soap in a warm bucket of water. First, wipe the frames with a dry cloth or a brush to remove dust and debris. Then using a sponge, start from the top and work down to lift off dirt, fingerprints, and grime. Use a squeegee for a streak-free finish, and a clean microfiber cloth (to prevent lint) to dry any remaining water droplets around the edges.

Here's to a happy, healthy clean home! My last two tips: Bring in air-purifying plants to naturally clean your indoor air and pretty up your home. And for pots and pans that still show burnt marks, I found a sprinkling of Bar Keepers Friend with a nice scrub does the trick!

1. Lavender

Lavender in a latte is sheer heaven. I’ve DIY’ed my own lavender syrup before (it’s too easy), but you can also buy it ready-made! Any sort of syrup makes for an easy coffee upgrade, really. Brands like Jordan's Skinny Mixes and Torani are my go-to’s, and they sell a vast array of flavors to suit any taste!

2. Cinnamon

I’m convinced cinnamon belongs in everything. I put it in my protein pancakes, yogurt bowls, and cookies, but it’s also a supreme add-in for coffee and even matcha lattes! The warm flavor notes of cinnamon are also perfect for cozying up in the fall and winter.

3. Honey

Cinnamon in coffee gets even better when you put honey in the mix with cinnamon. It’s one of my pal’s absolute go-to’s in lattes (hot or iced), but it also works just as well in hot drip coffees or cold brews.

4. Oat milk

Oat milk (or milk of any kind) is a perfect coffee hack for those who can’t stand black coffee. It helps cut the sharpness and acidity of the brew, adding some creaminess and color to each sip. I find that oat milk is the best pairing for breakfast time!

5. Protein shake

In place of milk, I also really like adding a splash of a protein shake to my coffee for a dose of creaminess and flavor. The protein is just an added bonus!

I really love Koia’s protein shakes since they sell a lot of different flavors, from Cinnamon Cereal to Pumpkin Spice.

6. Brown sugar

I’ve used brown sugar many times to make a Starbucks copycat brown sugar shaken espresso right at home. I’ll simply add equal parts instant coffee and brown sugar to a mason jar with ice, shake it up, and top it off with cinnamon and milk.

If you prefer sipping on something a little less fancy, adding a spoonful to a plain hot coffee could be really delightful, too!

7. Cold foam

The final (and tastiest) coffee hack I drink on the regular is cold foam! Target sells a good range of cold foam cans in various flavors, but I’ve really come to love the salted caramel iteration. It’s perfect for topping of iced coffees for a nice mid-day treat!

Talking to Vanity Fair for her newest film Lee, Kate Winslet revealed one project she wishes fans asked about more is Iris. The 2001 film stars Kate as a young Iris Murdoch against Judi Dench's older counterpart. And for Kate, nothing was more terrifying than working with such a wonderful actress.

"People don’t really ask me about Iris. It’s such a delicate film," she says. "It was the first thing I had done after having my daughter. Going to work with a baby, I’m playing Iris Murdoch, looking to Judi Dench’s older Iris Murdoch — I was sh—ting myself."

Considering how nervous I get when I meet my heroes, I can only imagine what it was like to meet Dame Judi Dench. Talk about a dream! Another film Kate loves is Revolutionary Road, and not just because she got to reunite with Leonardo DiCaprio.

"The thing that people say is, 'You got to work with Leo again.' Then they go off on the whole Leo tangent, which I totally understand," she says of the film, which follows an ambitious couple who find themselves trapped in the reality of 1950s suburbia. "But Revolutionary Road — f—king hell, it just knocked us all sideways. Unbelievably difficult material. I was very proud of that film and what Leo and I were able to create as Frank and April. It was so brutal."

The process for getting Lee into the world sounds equally brutal, considering Kate started working on it over a decade ago. As producer, Kate tells Vanity Fair she doesn't mind the fact she's done more for the film than if she only had an acting credit. "That has felt very necessary for this film. But it’s also just really important to me," she says. "It’s important to me that people know that it’s out there and might feel compelled to go and see it."

Because it turns out, commercial success or stardom on its own doesn't actually help your movie get made! "It doesn’t matter who you are," she says. "No one’s going to go, 'Oh, I’ll just back that pony because she was in Titanic.' It doesn’t happen that way, and I never expected that. That’s really important to say."

"I've gotten older and I’ve learned more and felt more confident in myself about whether or not I could actually do it," she adds. "It’s not something I would’ve done had I not felt so passionately about the subject, and Lee was just—she wouldn’t let me go."