Marlen Komar

Marlen is a writer first, vintage hoarder second, and donut fiend third. If you have a passion for finding the best taco joints in Chicago or want to talk about Doris Day movies, then she thinks an afternoon coffee date is in order.
    6 Things You Should Never, Ever Put Down Your Kitchen Drain
    And what to do with them instead.
    Marlen Komar
    Jan 23, 2023
    4 Simple Ways to Get Butter Stains Out of Clothes
    Get your favorite shirt or pair of jeans back to tip-top shape without permanent grease marks.
    Marlen Komar
    Jan 10, 2023
    Does Putting Aluminum Foil in Your Dishwasher Really Remove Water Stains?
    I asked a chemist to weigh in.
    Marlen Komar
    Oct 22, 2022
    We Finally Found the Best Container for Pantry Items
    There is nothing more aesthetically pleasing to me than a decanted pantry. Seeing before-and-after photos of crowded shelves filled with crinkled packages being transformed into a uniform, symmetrical storage system makes my heart sing. It’s so organized and pretty — but as anyone who has done it will tell you, it’s also impractical. Unless you shop for just yourself, few containers are large enough to hold an entire package’s contents.
    Marlen Komar
    Sep 13, 2022
    I Found the Key to Making Moving Easier and Quicker
    This trick will help save hours of work once the move begins.
    Marlen Komar
    Sep 9, 2022
    3 Window-Cleaning Tips My Polish Grandmother Taught Me
    Onions are involved.
    Marlen Komar
    Aug 30, 2022
    Here’s How to Wash Dishes When There’s No Running Water
    Perfect for camping, summer houses, van life, and more.
    Marlen Komar
    Aug 15, 2022
    Here’s How to Wash a Backpack (by Hand and in the Washing Machine!)
    The new school year is right around the corner ...
    Marlen Komar
    Jul 27, 2022
    Here’s What You Need to Know About Cleaning Your Gas or Charcoal Grill
    The key is keeping up with maintenance!
    Marlen Komar
    Jul 25, 2022
    My Mom’s Secret Strategy Totally Changed How I Feel About Cleaning
    It not only made cleaning a lot more fun, but also made me more selective and mindful of what I brought into my home.
    Marlen Komar
    Jul 18, 2022
    This Extremely Simple Rule Has Completely Changed the Way I Clean
    If you find yourself putting off the task and cleaning only once a month because you can’t scrounge up enough energy (or time!) to organize your home, this is a helpful alternative.
    Marlen Komar
    Jul 13, 2022
    The “Limbo Box” Has Helped Me Get Rid of Stuff … Without Any Regrets
    Organizing Tips from The Kitchn
    Letting go is hard!
    Marlen Komar
    Jul 3, 2022
    5 DIY Weatherproofing Tricks to Try When Using Indoor Furniture Outside
    While you can’t make all furniture weatherproof, there are some tricks to help make certain pieces more outside-ready.
    Marlen Komar
    Jun 8, 2022
    I Tried My Mom’s Technique for Keeping Baseboards Clean — And I’ll Be Using Her Method from Now On
    Cleaning Tips from The Kitchn
    She’s been a housekeeper for more than 20 years.
    Marlen Komar
    May 23, 2022
    Ready to Finally Get Organized? These Are the 5 Common Mistakes You Should Avoid.
    Organizing Tips from The Kitchn
    Declutter before you buy!
    Marlen Komar
    May 20, 2022
    8 Super-Easy Things You Can Do to Fight Off Pests Right Now
    Tips from The Kitchn
    Deter fruit flies! Repel mice! Turn cockroaches away! And more!
    Marlen Komar
    May 9, 2022
    My Grandmother’s Dust-Busting Cleaning Secret Is Too Good to Keep to Myself
    Cleaning Tips from The Kitchn
    You'll have to dust way less frequently with this tip from my Polish grandmother.
    Marlen Komar
    May 6, 2022
    My Grandmother Has Kept Her Glass Coffee Pot Spotless for Decades — Here’s How She Does It
    Cleaning Tips from The Kitchn
    It calls for two things that you definitely already have.
    Marlen Komar
    May 2, 2022
    There’s a New Trend in Open Shelving and We Are Here for It
    Trends
    Even people who don't like open shelving might like this idea!
    Marlen Komar
    Apr 15, 2022
    This 1950s Decorating Trend Is Back in Style — In a Big Way
    Trends
    Even Kate Middleton and Prince William have embraced the trend!
    Marlen Komar
    Apr 5, 2022
    I Tried My Grandmother’s Technique for Cleaning Stainless Steel — And I’ll Never Use Any Other Method
    Cleaning Tips from The Kitchn
    You’re left with a lovely sheen – and you don't have to buy any extra cleaning products!
    Marlen Komar
    Mar 25, 2022
    This $100 Gadget Is the Best Thing I’ve Ever Bought for My Kitchen. Period.
    Tools
    "I never thought, in a million years, that I’d become so obsessed with it."
    Marlen Komar
    Nov 25, 2021
    The Surprising Piece of Furniture from Your Grandparents’ House That’s Coming Back in Style
    Trends
    It's just being used a little differently these days.
    Marlen Komar
    Oct 26, 2021
    A Brief History of Depression Glass, the Gorgeous 1930s Kitchen Staple Making a Comeback
    This cheery-hued, inexpensive glassware trend is back. In a big way.
    Marlen Komar
    Sep 17, 2021
    10 Great Sources for Buying Plants Online (on a Budget)
    Shopping
    Not all plant sites are created equal.
    Marlen Komar
    May 19, 2020
    10 Things from Your Grandparents’ Kitchen That Are Back to Being Cool Again
    Tips from The Kitchn
    It's time to reconsider the hanging fruit basket!
    Marlen Komar
    Mar 6, 2020
    Why You Want a Kitchen Island Now (but Didn’t 100 Years Ago)
    The evolution of the kitchen island maps out not only how American kitchens have changed over the 20th century, but also how our lives have shifted from decade to decade.
    Marlen Komar
    Jun 9, 2019
    6 Brilliant Ways To Make Space for a Dining Table in The Smallest Living Rooms
    Small Space Living
    No space? No problem! You can still have a dining table!
    Marlen Komar
    Jun 3, 2019
    You Can Buy Houseplants Online — Here's Where to Look
    Plants in the Kitchen
    Many of these sites will even help you keep the plants alive!
    Marlen Komar
    Jun 3, 2019
    I Got on a Plane for a Cocktail & It Changed My Life
    It was midweek when I found myself staring outside the plexiglass window of my landing plane, worrying my lip as the typical Dublin rain blurred the lights of the airport. What am I doing? I asked myself as the “unbuckle seat belts” sign dinged overhead. This is not what a rational, put-together adult would do, I lectured as I wrestled my carry-on out of the overhead bin.
    Marlen Komar
    May 24, 2019
    I Only Ever Stay in Hostels. Here’s Why.
    I remember the first time I ever booked a hostel room. My dad nonchalantly informed me that he was not, in fact, Liam Neeson — ergo, he would not be taking names through Europe to find me when I got kidnapped. Fair enough, I thought. My dad’s c’est la vie attitude towards my inevitable disappearance aside, the exchange shows us that hostels sometimes get a bad rap. But for me, they’re the only places I stay when I travel.
    Marlen Komar
    May 1, 2019
    23 Ways to Use String Lights — Beyond Your Patio, That Is
    String lights, globe lights, fairy lights — no matter what you call them, they’ve proved their staying power. String lights have become the secret weapon for (professional and amateur) decorators, coming in all shapes, sizes, and colors. And, there are so many ways that you can use them to dress up a place in a modern, chic way. Here are some of our favorite ways to experiment with string lights — beyond the super-expected patio treatment, that is. 1.
    Marlen Komar
    Jun 25, 2018
    5 Smart Tips for Finding the Best Restaurants While Traveling
    Don't risk a sad meal or a tourist trap.
    Marlen Komar
    Oct 31, 2017
    I Only Ever Stay in Hostels. Here’s Why.
    I remember the first time I ever booked a hostel room. My dad nonchalantly informed me that he was not, in fact, Liam Neeson — ergo, he would not be taking names through Europe to find me when I got kidnapped. Fair enough, I thought. My dad’s c’est la vie attitude towards my inevitable disappearance aside, the exchange shows us that hostels sometimes get a bad rap. But for me, they’re the only places I stay when I travel.
    Marlen Komar
    Oct 13, 2017