Old-Fashioned Housekeeping Hacks That *Actually* Work — And Why

Jalapeño Aioli

Let's start things off with a little spice, shall we? This zesty, zingy aioli gets infused with jalapeños, garlic, cilantro, and lime juice to form the most delicious flavor.

Super Easy Garlic Aioli

Let’s start off with the most mainstream, common version of aioli you’re likely to find. This easy-to-make recipe contains only five ingredients: mayo, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Like all aioli creations, this sauce is perfect for adding to sandwiches and burgers, and will also take your fries to a *whole* new level.

Cilantro Lime Aioli

Aioli recipes are *delish* on a quesadilla or another Mexican-inspired meal. The flavors of cilantro and lime pair with all kinds of flavorful (and spicy) foods.

Rosemary Aioli

Paired here with meatballs, rosemary aioli is a bit more herbaceous. The flavors of rosemary go well with meats. We also recommend serving this sauce on the sandwich portion of a hearty soup-and-sammie meal.

Pesto Aioli

Use some store-bought or homemade pesto to mix into thick mayo, and you have yourself an exceptional (and easy!) aioli recipe.

Truffle Aioli

One bite of this rich aioli recipe, and you'll be hooked. It's especially tasty alongside some fries!

Basic Homemade Aioli

This pick is as straightforward as aioli gets. If you're looking to hone your kitchen craft with more homemade dips and sauces, this aioli recipe is a great place to start.

Roasted Garlic Aioli

Here’s another crowd-pleasing garlic aioli recipe for you. Pro tip: roast the garlic by cutting it in half, placing the middle side down on a piece of foil, drizzling with olive oil, and roasting for about 30 minutes. You’ll unlock a super-rich flavor that you just can’t get with raw garlic.

Roasted Red Pepper Aioli

Looking for something a little... tangier? This roasted red pepper aioli will definitely do the trick. It combines the flavors of traditional aioli and red peppers with mustard, lemon juice, and sun-dried tomatoes for a condiment with kick!

Vegan Caper Aioli

Aioli recipes can be healthy — just ask this vegan caper aoil mixture. Salty capers meet mellowed-out mayo in this plant-based recipe.

5-Ingredient Chipotle Aioli

This baby is spicy – and it also happens to be totally vegan. The “mayo” is made from soaked and blended cashews, while the flavor itself comes from fresh chipotle peppers.

Magic Aioli Sauce

You'll just have to trust us on this one – this aioli recipe holds pure magic. It's dreamy and bright, meaning it's the perfect pair to hefty, salty potato wedges and the like. Each dip will leave you wanting more and more!

Gochujang Aioli

Gochujang, a spicy Korean chili and soybean paste, gets the aioli treatment, resulting in a spectacularly spicy spread that can be used across dishes from sandwiches to loaded fries. All we can say is bring on all the spicy aioli recipes!

Smoked Paprika Aioli

When shopping for paprika, go for a spice labeled “smoked paprika” or “sweet paprika.” Plain-old paprika tends to be a lot less flavorful. In the case of this pick, though, you’ll combine smoked paprika with a bit of cumin to achieve a rich, spicy flavor in your aioli recipe.

Chipotle Lime Aioli

We’ve already covered aioli with lime and aioli with chipotle peppers — but this mouthwatering recipe combines the two. Bonus points for serving these with healthy and delicious sweet potato fries!

Dijon-Thyme Aioli

This rich aioli is a sweet potato's BFF.

Lemon-Dill Aioli Sauce

Not so much into the peppery, spicy sauces? Keep things light and fresh with this lemon and dill-flavored creation. When prepping this aioli, be sure to bring your egg yolks to room temperature, or you may have some trouble getting them to mix with the rest of the sauce.

Vegan Egg-Free Aioli

Here’s another one for the plant-based eaters out there. The secret ingredient in this recipe is aquafaba... that is, chickpea water. You can store this mixture for up to seven days in a covered container, so it’s great for making ahead (meal prep FTW!) and taking to work.

Chimichurri Aioli

Chimichurri is often slathered on meats, and this aioli is just as – if not more – versatile. It shares a number of ingredients with traditional chimichurri sauce — a few of the stand-outs are cilantro, onion, lime juice, and jalapeño!

Spicy Lemon Aioli

For a dip with more kick, this spicy lemon aioli strikes the ideal balance between tangy and zesty.

Roasted Garlic Saffron Aioli

Saffron brings a muted, yet deep flavor to this blend that was crafted to pair with feta fries. It's one of the tastiest aioli recipes we've had!

Easy Lemon Aioli

When we say this recipe is easy, that’s kind of an understatement. There are literally two steps: whisk everything together, then allow it to chill in the fridge for 30 minutes. It’s *that* simple.

Creole Aioli

All the best parts of creole cookin' falvor are included in this aioli. Make sure you've got a lot of spices on your hands, or else this spicy pick won't quite hit the same.

Skinny Sriracha Aioli

What makes this Sriracha-infused aioli skinny, exactly? Instead of regular mayonnaise, you’ll sub in light mayo and Greek yogurt for a lower-fat, protein-packed alternative.

Garlic Avocado Aioli

All those classic garlic aioli recipes we’ve shared above are fabulous, but adding some avocado can be a *total* game-changer. With this recipe, you’ll whip some fresh avo right into the mixture, adding creamy texture and stellar flavor.

Lemon Parsley Aioli

This lemon-parsley combo is decidedly British-inspired and perfect for dipping. It showcases the flavors of mayo, parsley, lemon, Dijon mustard, and garlic. Bonus points for serving it with fried blue cheese olives, as shown here.

Vegan Roasted Red Pepper Aioli

If you’re interested in a red pepper flavor, but want to steer clear of animal products (or dairy in general), try this vegan version. You’ll sub in cashews (processed with water, of course) for mayo, keeping it dairy-free and super healthy.

Basil Garlic Aioli

If you’re a big pesto fan, you’ll adore this basil-garlic sauce. In addition to being a perfect addition to French fries, it would also go great on any kind of Italian-inspired sammie, such as an eggplant Parm or meatball sub. (via Self Proclaimed Foodie)

Roasted Garlic Chipotle Aioli

See those eggs in the background? That’s because this recipe has you making mayo from scratch. It doesn’t get more wholesome than that. You’ll bring the eggs to room temperature before processing them with additional yolks, lemon juice, and garlic, and adding olive oil toward the end of the process.

Super Garlicky Aioli

We thought we’d round off our list with another classic iteration of aioli. This garlic-infused version is perfect for all your aioli needs, but we *especially* love it with French fries and a glass of white wine. Cheers!

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!

Keiko Agena has a complicated relationship with 'Gilmore Girls' character Lane Kim.

“I think what [the role] was for people was different than what it was for me,” she tells Juliet Litman on an episode of the Dear Felicity rewatch podcast (via People). “In a weird way, I feel like I want to honor the experience that people had from the show, and what it meant to them, especially young Asian people, because I get that comment a lot, about what it was like for them to see someone like that on screen.”

And it's no surprise that as much as Gilmore Girls viewers love Lane, Keiko "[loves] her too. I can tell, when I meet someone who knows Gilmore Girls or who loves Lane, it's like, I recognize that love. I see that you love that person."

But it's possible to hold two conflicting emotions at the same time, and although Lane Kim was an incredibly special role at the time, there are some things Keiko would do differently today. “The best thing is to have a Korean American writer [and a] Korean American actor,” she says. “I don't think that that role, cast that way, would happen today. But at that time, in 2000, it was such a different time that I definitely know I wouldn't have said no or pulled myself out of that situation at that time...Now it's just a mix of just having gratitude for having gone through that experience and having that experience.”

Keiko Agena also keeps in touch with two very special 'Gilmore Girls' costars!

And one aspect of Gilmore Girls that Keiko Agena is thankful for is her relationship with the Gilmore Girls cast! And there are two costars in particular she frequently keeps in contact with: John Cabrera (who played Brian) and Sean Gunn (who starred as Kirk).

“There is this kind of lovely nostalgia for that time, and yet also we have years since then,” she says. “I [have] gone to both of their weddings. Our friendship is part Gilmore Girls and appreciation for that crazy time, and then part just like a million other things that are just like friends.”

I was totally surprised to learn she keeps in contact with John and Sean (supposedly) more regularly than Alexis Bledel, but it makes sense when you remember Keiko, John, and Sean are all around the same age — and Alexis is 7 years younger. Hopefully we get another Gilmore Girls reunion to see our favorite television BFF's reunite!