The tree is down. The parties are over, and it’s time to tackle fire and ice: Clean up the oven and clean out the freezer. Not the most fun activities, but ones that have to be done. And it is not like you have any caroling to do.

If you have had a busy holiday season and have done lots of cooking, your stove needs a once over. Mine sure does! I approach this like I’m detailing a car. Gather rags, toothpicks, cotton swabs and any little implements that will get into all the crevices. An eraser sponge comes in handy, too. For cleaning solution, I use a little strong degreaser and a lot of elbow grease.