Spring cleaning
Kira Zabe
February 12, 2022
Birdsong, mild temperatures, and lengthening days indicate that spring is approaching. However, the official start of spring is not until March 20th. Nevertheless, now is a good time to take advantage of the season for spring cleaning.
Where does the concept of spring cleaning actually come from?
This dates back to a time when farmers and laborers had little work in the fields and farms in the spring. The rest of the year was scheduled for fieldwork and other related tasks. Therefore, the thorough cleaning was done in the spring.
For many people, this custom remains a fixed ritual. Moreover, due to the generally worse weather, we spend more time at home and can use this time to tidy up the apartment or house.
Countless cleaners that are not necessary!
Countless bottles and tubes - what are they actually for?
Whether for the balcony, bathroom, kettle, or in retail, there seems to be a specific product for everything. But do we really need these? Or can we manage with just a few items that are usually already at home? Baking soda and citric acid are natural household substances that serve as eco-friendly, sustainable cleaning agents without harming the environment. With this article, we want to show what they are capable of and how versatile they can be.
Decluttering creates space again!
The big clean-up...
Spring is not only great for cleaning. It's also a good time to declutter and tidy up. Even though household cleaning is a recurring process, it's rare that every surface is meticulously wiped down. Moreover, over a longer period of time, quite a bit accumulates. I experience this too. Inspired by many DIY ideas, I collect toilet paper rolls, Tetra Paks, and the like, to create something great out of them later. However, often there's a lack of time or desire and whoosh, the drawer is full. Implemented results = none. Therefore, the annual generous decluttering has become a fixed ritual in spring.
Unnecessary cleaners can be easily replaced with home remedies.
Which household cleaner should I use for which surface?
Limescale stains and rings: can be effectively removed with citric acid. For this purpose, cut a lemon in half and rub the affected areas with the cut side, then let it take effect. Lemon is also an odor-neutral choice for combating limescale. If the limescale rings are a bit more stubborn and the lemon couldn't remove everything? Then household vinegar is the better choice. Do not use vinegar essence! It is too aggressive and may damage the surface.
Would you like to make a lemon household cleaner in bulk?
This recipe is very suitable:
- Several bowls of lemons
- White household vinegar (not vinegar concentrate)
Pour into a screw-top jar or a glass spray bottle and let it infuse. It's important not to use a plastic bottle! The acid will leach components from the plastic over time. You certainly don't want that on your freshly wiped surfaces, do you?
For a one-time use of a lemon cleaner, you can also squeeze a lemon. Strain the juice through a sieve into an old cleaned spray bottle and add some liquid soap or dishwashing detergent. By spraying, you can treat larger areas in a time-saving manner. The added dishwashing detergent ensures that the surface tension is broken, allowing it to work better against limescale.
Shiny Surfaces: Require a gentle cleaning agent for delicate cleaning. Baking soda is very suitable for this purpose. Make a mixture of baking soda and water and fill it into an empty spray bottle. With this, you can spray windows, refrigerators, and doors, and everything will be cleaned without streaks.
Scouring milk or scouring powder, a versatile household cleaner
Scouring milk - hype from the 70s
Scouring milk became a common household item in the 1970s and remains an indispensable cleaning product. It is available in powder or liquid form. You don't have to rely on pre-made products; it can be mixed at home with just a few ingredients.
Use this for:
- 50 gr. baking soda
- 1 tbsp citric acid
- 1 tbsp of cornstarch (as anti-caking agent)
Mix all the ingredients and store it in a jar with a screw-top lid.
Make your own toilet cleaner. Affordable and free of environmentally harmful substances.
Make your own toilet cleaner - super easy!
Toilet cleaner can also be made super quickly from 3 ingredients.
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp crystallized citric acid
- 10 ml liquid soap or dishwashing detergent
- 500 ml cold water
- about 100 ml of boiled water
- essential oil (optional)
Here's how to proceed:
Boil 100 ml of water and set aside to cool. In another pot, stir the cornstarch into 500 ml of cold water. Briefly bring the mixture to a boil, stirring constantly to prevent lumps from forming. Make sure a thick, milky substance is created. Stir citric acid into the previously boiled, cooled water. Stir until all the crystals have dissolved. Add 10 ml of dish soap. Combine the resulting liquid with the water-cornstarch mixture. Insoluble citrate forms when citric acid is heated. Therefore, make sure all liquids cool down to below 40 degrees Celsius before mixing them together. If you prefer scented toilet cleaner, you can add 5-10 drops of essential oil. Tea tree, lavender, or orange are very suitable. The cleaning effect is enhanced and the cleaner also acts against germs in the toilet. Now fill the gel into an empty bottle from the old toilet cleaner.
Clean floors with ease!
Clean floors: For this purpose, you can also make something yourself. Add baking soda and citric acid in a 1:1 ratio to the mop water and use it to clean acid-resistant floors and work surfaces. Don't forget to do a patch test in a small corner before you mop the entire floor with it for the first time. Additionally, floors should only be mopped lightly damp.
Gloves protect your hands while cleaning!
Attention please!
Do you have sensitive hands or are you particularly careful not to let your skin come into contact with any cleaning agents? Then you should also be cautious with natural home remedies and wear gloves. Because vinegar, citric acid, and the like can irritate the skin and respiratory tract.
Now you have a wealth of knowledge to tackle your spring cleaning without any purchased cleaners. Which day are you planning for it? This coming weekend? Then let's go!
You love lists and wish for one to print out? No problem! We have compiled a list that you can request from us. Write to us at info@speisekammer.app.
Speaking of decluttering
Clearing out food, hygiene products, and medications should not be an issue. Because with the managed items in your pantry app, you are always up to date. This allows for more time for things that are truly enjoyable.
If uninvited guests are spotted while thoroughly cleaning the kitchen, do not despair. In this case, our relevant blog post, which we have linked here can help. This way, you can approach the matter without panic.
Spring cleaning not just physical
Decluttering doesn't always have to refer to objects. Spring cleaning is also done in the app. This involves tidying up codes in the background and removing unnecessary legacy burdens.
We wish you lots of fun with your spring cleaning and until the next post,
your Alice
New version in open beta: What’s inside Smantry V1.25.0
We are continuously working to make Smantry even clearer, more stable, and more helpful in everyday life. That’s why we’re excited to give you a look at the next version:
Version 1.25.0 is now available in open beta.
We’re currently checking the last remaining points – if everything looks good, the update will be released very soon for all users.
Here are the most important new features.
New settings area with profile overview
The settings have been revised and made clearer.
In the new profile sectionyou’ll now find all the key information about your account in one central place – from language settings and premium features to account settings.
This way you can more quickly see which features are enabled and manage your settings more easily.
Blog preview directly on the dashboard
From now on, you’ll get the latest blog posts displayed directly in the dashboard.
This keeps you up to date on new features, updates, and tips related to Smantry at all times. The blog preview serves as a handy add-on and gives you a quick overview of news, helpful tips, and important posts about the app.
Articles are automatically merged when moved
A small but very helpful improvement:
When you move an item to another storage location and an identical item already exists there, the quantities are now merged automatically.
This ensures:
- more clarity
- fewer duplicate entries
- a cleaner inventory list
Simplified onboarding
New users in particular should be able to find their way around Smantry quickly. That’s why the onboarding process has been revised and simplified.
Getting started in the app is now even more clearly structured and guides you step by step through the most important features.
Improved email verification
We’ve also made some important improvements behind the scenes.
The email verification process has been optimized, so new accounts can be confirmed more reliably.
This ensures a more stable sign-up process and fewer issues during registration.
Additional bug fixes
In addition, various minor issues have been fixed, including the following:
- Account links
- Navigation within the app
Our goal is to make Smantry a bit more stable and pleasant with every update.
Now in open beta
Version 1.25.0 is already running in the open beta.
As soon as the final tests have been successfully completed, the update will be rolled out to all users shortly.
Many thanks to everyone in the community who regularly sends us feature requests, feedback, and bug reports. You’re helping us make Smantry better step by step. 💚
Smantry: Not perfect – but made with a lot of heart
Many of our users write to us that theyhave been looking for exactly this kind of app for a long time. At the same time, we also read reviews that say:“Good idea, but …”
And that’s exactly what we want to talk about openly today.
An app for everyday life – not for perfection
Smantry is designed to make everyday life easier: manage groceries, stay on top of things, waste less.
Your feedback shows us that this is already working well for many of you:
- Inputs are quick and straightforward
- The scanner reliably detects most products
- Editing and making changes is easy
- Our support is perceived as fast, friendly, and solution-oriented
We’re really glad to hear that – because that’s exactly what we’re building Smantry for.
Why some things are (still) not perfect
What you often don’t see from the outside: Smantry is developed by a very small team.
Right now we are 5 people, and none of us works full-time on the app. We do this alongside other projects, jobs, and commitments – with a lot of passion, but limited resources.
That doesn’t explain everything, but it provides context:
- Some functions take longer
- Technical issues (e.g. with premium activations) unfortunately happen sometimes
- Not every idea can be implemented right away
Frequently asked questions from your reviews
Why a subscription?
The subscription allows us to cover server costs, ongoing development, updates, and support in the first place. Without continuous revenue, Smantry would not be able to exist in the long term.
"Why isn’t the bug I reported being fixed?"
Sometimes there are several bugs at the same time and we have to prioritize the ones that affect core functions. That can mean that a different bug gets fixed first. We always try to resolve everything quickly – but unfortunately we can only do it step by step.
Why doesn’t Premium sometimes work right away?
Subscriptions are managed through the app stores. In rare cases, synchronization issues can occur. That’s annoying, but not intentional – our support team will always help you with this personally.
Where we want to go
Smantry is meant to get better – not just on paper, but in real everyday life.
This includes:
- more features from the web app
- better stability
- more flexibility with categories
- clearer communication
Your feedback plays a central role in this.
In conclusion
We’re not a corporation.
We’re a small team that believes in a good idea and is putting it into practice step by step.
If Smantry is helping you – even if everything isn’t perfect yet – we really appreciate your trust, your feedback, and of course a fair rating in the App Store 💛
Thank you for being part of this development.
Power outage in Berlin: Why preparation and prepping are more important today than ever
An unexpected power outage in Berlin has recently shown how quickly our daily life can become unbalanced. Traffic lights went out, card payments stopped working, and many households were suddenly without light, internet, or cooking facilities. Such events highlight: emergency preparedness and prepping are not about spreading panic, but rather a sensible and responsible preparation for real risks.
Power Outage – A Real Risk for Major Cities
Whether it's technical malfunctions, construction work, or extreme weather conditions: A Blackout or regional power outage can occur at any time. Especially in large cities like Berlin, the effects are immediately noticeable. Without electricity, many basic systems no longer function – from supermarkets to ATMs to communication.
The most important question is:
Am I prepared for this?
Prepping: Preparedness instead of fear
Prepping does not mean preparing for apocalyptic scenarios. Rather, it's about everyday readiness:
- remain capable of acting
- be able to provide for the family
- Reduce stress and uncertainty
- not be immediately dependent on external help
The power outage in Berlin demonstrates: Just a few hours without electricity can cause major problems.
Stockpiling food as a key to emergency preparedness
A well-thought-out food supply is the foundation of any emergency preparedness. Experts recommend having supplies for at least 7 to 14 days. These include:
- non-perishable food items such as rice, pasta, canned goods
- Drinking water
- long shelf-life snacks
- Baby food or special diet
- off-grid cooking options (e.g., gas stoves)
Yet many households quickly lose track: What's available? What's missing? What's about to expire?
Digital preparation with the Smantry App
Here comes the Smantry App into play – your digital companion for prepping, preparation, and stockpiling. The app helps you to plan your supplies in a structured way and to keep track at all times.
With the Smantry App you can:
- Easily capture food supplies digitally
- Define minimum quantities for emergencies
- Monitor expiration dates and prevent food waste
- prepare specifically for power outages, blackouts, and crises
- Integrating prepping step by step into daily life
This makes emergency preparedness simple, transparent, and efficient.
Prepare now instead of improvising later:
👉 Download the Smantry App and start your digital emergency preparedness today.
Power outage in Berlin as a wake-up call
The power outage in Berlin was an eye-opener for many people. It demonstrates how quickly familiar structures can collapse – and how important it is to be prepared. Those who take precautions in time remain calm, safe, and independent.
Conclusion: Take precautions now instead of reacting later
Power outages, supply shortages, and crises are part of the reality of our time. With a well-thought-out food stockpiling and digital tools like the Smantry App you can make your emergency preparedness simple and effective.
👉 Start your preparation now
Download the Smantry App and gradually build up your personal emergency preparedness – before the next power outage occurs.
Discover the app now and be prepared.
🍂 Cozy Autumn Leftover Cooking – Comfort dishes made from what's available
When the rain taps on the window and the tea cup becomes a permanent guest, the most beautiful kitchen time of the year begins: autumn. And what could be a better match than stylish leftover cooking – dishes that are not only sustainable but also truly exciting.
Autumn leftover cooking means: use instead of waste, but with a touch of sophistication. Here are some more unusual ideas to turn leftovers into small culinary highlights.
🧀 1. Pumpkin Gnocchi from leftover roasted vegetables
Do you have some leftover roasted pumpkin or sweet potato from the day before? Perfect!
Mash the vegetables, mix them with some flour, salt, and grated Parmesan, shape them into small gnocchi, and briefly cook them in salted water until they float to the surface. Then toss them in sage butter and top with chopped walnuts.
→ Tastes like Italy, looks like fine dining – and it's all made from leftovers!
🥖 2. Rustic bread salad with grapes and goat cheese
Tear stale bread into pieces, toast in olive oil until golden brown.
Add a few grapes (wrinkled ones are especially sweet), arugula or lamb's lettuce, crumbled goat cheese, and roasted hazelnuts. Mix with a dressing of balsamic vinegar, honey, and mustard.
→ A fall twist on the classic Panzanella – sweet, salty, crunchy, perfect!
🧅 3. French onion tart with leftover vegetables and puff pastry
Got some leftover puff pastry in the fridge? Make a tart out of it!
Caramelize onions in butter, add some leftover vegetables (e.g., leeks, mushrooms, or spinach). Spread on the pastry, top with a dollop of sour cream or cream cheese, and bake until golden brown.
→ Wonderfully aromatic, especially with thyme or rosemary.
🍎 4. Apple Sourdough French Toast with Vanilla Rum Butter
A piece of stale sourdough bread is soaked in a mixture of milk, egg, vanilla, and a dash of rum, fried in a pan, and served with fried apple slices and a rum butter.
→ Luxurious, yet made entirely from leftovers – perfect for a Sunday breakfast in pajamas.
🥬 5. Risotto made from leftover vegetables with lemon and herb oil
Chop the vegetable scraps finely and cook with a handful of rice into a creamy risotto.
A dash of lemon juice and some leftover herbs (parsley, basil, arugula) blended with oil make a fresh herb oil as a topping.
→ The acidity of the lemon beautifully enhances the earthy autumnal notes.
☕️ Bonus Tip: Using leftovers in a dessert glass
A few spoons of leftover compote?
Some leftover cake or cookies?
Layer it all with yogurt or mascarpone in a glass – and you have an autumnal "trifle" that looks like it came straight from a café in Copenhagen.
🍁 Conclusion
Autumnal leftover cooking is not a last resort, but a playground for creativity. When you look at ingredients with open eyes – not as leftovers, but as opportunities – small, exquisite dishes full of soul and flavor emerge.