He needs one of those old fashioned poker eyeshades!

I thank my lucky stars that we are located in an old dorm, and it is far cheaper for us to each have individual offices than it is to knock down walls. ALmost everyone, from student worker to Dean has an individual office, exactly the size of a nurse's dorm room in the 1950's

He's getting a special monitor umbrella and a screen for the monitor itself. For the shiny white desk, maybe a tablecloth would do to cut the glare?

Those were all store brands, though. I think (though the article didn't say, and I don't have data to point to right now) that brand names are okay. MAYBE.

I've actually read the opposite - that store brand vitamins are the most reliable (because the stores have WAY more to lose by falsifying labels than the supplement makers).

I've actually read the opposite - that store brand vitamins are the most reliable (because the stores have WAY more to lose by falsifying labels than the supplement makers).

That would make sense, but the article was just about store brands. Sketchy all around.

ION, I need hints from Heloise or her nearest substitute: if stuff has collected on your stove's drip pans because you are not super committed to cleaning them on the regular, and then one night you try to boil water and the drip pan starts smoking so much the smoke alarm goes off and you have to open the back door and turn on a fan to air out the house, what's the best way to clean the damn drip pans? Barkeeper's Friend? Vinegar?

Asking for a friend.

I buy new drip pans.

But you could try a paste of Dawn and Oxyclean, because Dawn Takes Grease Out of Your Way, and Oxyclean has some grit to it?

Or possibly Oven Cleaner, and put them in the oven overnight?

I need to deal with the drip pan in the back right burner, but that's the burner that's most awkward and it never gets used.

I suppose I should just clean the whole damned stove top.

Teppy, tell your friend to cake the drip pans with baking soda then pour vinegar over them. Let soak a while. Scrub a layer off. Lather, rinse repeat. Unless one likes how Barkeeper's Friend feels on one's skin. Cuz it'll do the job, but it's not particularly friendly to my hands.

ETA: If it is mostly grease, and there is some Simply Green lying about (and one does not despise the scent of it), soak it on there full strength for half an hour, rinse with water to see how much comes off, and go after the rest with baking soda.

Steph, tell your friend that drip pans are cheap enough to replace when they're so dirty they're a fire hazard. There's no sense in wasting time soaking and scrubbing them.

Then tell your friend to wrap the new drip pans in aluminum foil for really easy cleanup if he or she is still not committed to cleaning them on the regular.

Your friend looks an awful lot like you.

Or possibly Oven Cleaner, and put them in the oven overnight?

It's so sweet that you think we have my friend has oven cleaner. (My method of cleaning the oven is as follows: [1] wait until it catches fire; [2] husband orders me out of the kitchen; [3] husband cleans oven; [4] profit!)

Teppy, tell your friend to cake the drip pans with baking soda then pour vinegar over them. Let soak a while. Scrub a layer off. Lather, rinse repeat. Unless one likes how Barkeeper's Friend feels on one's skin. Cuz it'll do the job, but it's not particularly friendly to my hands.

They are currently sitting in a paste of Barkeeper's Friend, but my friend may switch to baking soda and vinegar if she ever, ever finishes editing these goddamn articles.

Then tell your friend to wrap the new drip pans in aluminum foil for really easy cleanup if he or she is still not committed to cleaning them on the regular.

I need to do this. I'm a terribly messy cook.