Speed through Thanksgiving cleanup

No need to scrub, scour or break a sweat this holiday, thanks to these lighteningquick tricks that’ll let you get back to the fun—fast!

Make washing easier with oil and stock

“Before putting your turkey in the pan, rub the roasting rack with vegetable oil,” says cleaning expert Mary Gagliardi. “Then pour chicken stock in the bottom of the pan to prevent the juices from burning—it makes cleaning up much easier and you get a better tasting gravy from the drippings!”

Get silverware with sparkling a “spoon jar”

Silverware can be a pain to clean, especially if it’s not dishwasher-safe. The solution: “Before dinner, fill a jar with warm water and dish soap and leave it on the counter,” says Jessica Samson of The Maids International. “After dinner, place silverware in the jar to soak so you’re not stuck scrubbing off dried- on gravy when it’s time to wash them.”

Clean pans instantly with a baking soda soak

Get cover any the pan surface sparkling with fast: 2 Tbs. “Once baking it cools, soda, 1 cup hot water and 1⁄ 4 cup vinegar,” recommends cleaning pro Derek Christian (CastleKeepers.com). “Let sit for five minutes— the chemical reaction will do all the work for you!”

Corral kitchen scraps with a garbage bowl

The easiest way to keep your kitchen spick-andspan on Turkey Day? Clean as you go, recommends Samson. Her clever how-to: “Simply line a large bowl with a plastic bag and throw all your food scraps in there as you cook,” she suggests. “Once you’re done with prep, it’s just one move into the waste bin or compost pile—you don’t even have to clean the bowl!”

Avoid baked- on gunk by skipping the spritz

“It’s a little-known fact, but if you’re using a cookie sheet, it’s best to skip canned oil sprays,” reveals Christian. “The sprays weren’t designed to be baked in an oven for long periods of time, and they often burn, turning into a hard-to-remove film.” The fix: “Just line sheets with parchment paper to prevent sticking.”