Clean Wood Cabinets, DIY Makeup Brush Cleaners & Preserve Apples

Author

Joan Clark
January 19, 2026

Hi there,

Wintertime is the season for preserving what matters and refreshing the spaces where life happens. Whether you're tackling kitchen surfaces or extending the life of fresh produce, small acts of care make a big difference.

In today's issue:

  • Clean Wood Cabinets Without Damaging the Finish

  • Preserving Apples So They Stay Crisp for Months

  • Simple DIY Cleaners for Makeup Brushes

  • And more…

CLEANING

We discovered that most wood cabinets only need warm water and a soft cloth to look brand new again; no fancy cleaners required. After testing 7+ different techniques in real kitchens, we found the tricks that actually work without damaging the finish or wasting time.

CLEANING

We used to think makeup brush cleaning required expensive solutions until we found that olive oil and dish soap from the kitchen cabinet work better than most store-bought formulas. These 12 ridiculously simple recipes take less than five minutes to mix and will transform crusty, bacteria-laden brushes into tools that glide across skin like new.

TIP OF THE DAY

Does your porcelain sink look dull even after scrubbing?

White vinegar restores shine by dissolving mineral deposits and soap scum that make porcelain look cloudy. Soak paper towels in undiluted white vinegar and press them against the sides and bottom of the sink.

Wait 15 minutes, then remove the towels and scrub with a non-abrasive sponge. Rinse with cold water and buff dry.

FOOD STORAGE

Apple trees can produce up to 400 pounds of fruit in a single season, which is why generations of home cooks have perfected the art of keeping apples fresh long past harvest. We've gathered seven innovative methods that turn a bushel of apples into months of pies, sauces, and snacks.

A NEWSLETTER WE LOVE
The PlotThey sell packaged “food.” We grow tomatoes. A weekly newsletter for new gardeners learning to grow food.
FUN FACT

Table Saws Were Originally Too Dangerous for Men

Early 19th-century factories assigned table saws to women because managers believed men lacked the patience for precise cuts. Women operated the machines in mills and furniture shops, feeding boards through blades for 12-hour shifts.

The assumption flipped only after unions lobbied to reclassify sawing as heavy labor, restricting it to male workers by the 1850s.

THANK YOU!

Your home deserves care that doesn't feel like a chore . Whether you're buffing cabinets to a shine, stashing apples for months, or scrubbing makeup brushes back to life, these tricks turn tedious tasks into quick wins.

Here's to keeping things fresh and clean,

Tipsbulletin Newsletter Team

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