Especially for tips related with personal care…

Check with your doctor before using any tip that could have any effect on your health!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Banana Peel Day!




From outdoor care to helping you to whiten your teeth, banana peels have awesome alternative uses that many people are not aware of...

Teeth whitener

Use the inside of banana peels to whiten your teeth. Rub the peels in a circular motion across your teeth for about 2 minutes, on a daily basis. The effects should be seen in as little as 2 weeks.

Wart curative

Rub the wart with the inside of a banana peel. The potassium-rich peel is supposed to get rid of growth.

Ointment for your knee

Rubbing scrapped knees with the inside of a banana peel will help promote healing.

Houseplant cleaner

Wipe your houseplant leaves down with the inside of a banana peel to remove dirt and leave a shine.

Leather polish

Use the inside of a de-stringed banana peel for a quick shoe shine. Finish up with a buff using a soft cloth or paper towel. The same technique is said to work for silver too.

Banana as fertilizer

Dry out leftover banana peels over the winter months. In the spring grind them up with a food processor or blender and use them as mulch when transplanting new plants or seedlings to give them a boost. If you do not feel like drying out and processing the peels, you can just bury them in your compost pile.

Protect your garden

Aphids are small bugs that feed on plants. To detract them from your garden, bury dried or cut-up bananas peels a few inches deep around the base of your rosebushes.

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Prep basil in half the time

Cutting basil into thin strips always seems to take forever. Reduce prep stress by stacking about 6 or 7 leaves, rolling into a cigar shape, and then slicing the "cigar" crosswise.

Hide anchovies in a sauce

Anchovies lend a rich flavor to sauces, but many people do not like the idea of eating them. Keep your secret ingredient safe by using a garlic masher to mince them. The tiny pieces will separate and melt into the hot oil much easier than if the anchovies were just tossed into the pan.

Keep your food hot

As soon as you pull your dish from the oven, wrap it in foil, then insulate with newspaper and a second foil layer. When it is time to eat, unwrap and enjoy the hot dish.

Ready-to-go poached eggs

Avoid the last-minute process of poaching eggs by doing it early. Then submerge eggs in ice water and refrigerate (they will keep for up to 8 hours). Transfer eggs to a skillet of simmering water and reheat 2 minutes.

Sparkling smile

Add a drop of red food coloring to your mouthwash and swish for 45 seconds. Food coloring cannot adhere to teeth's enamel, and intensifies the pink of your tongue and gums, making teeth appear whiter by contrast.

Necklace knots

To keep necklaces and bracelets knot-free, thread each piece through a drinking straw and attach the clasp to the other end.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Bypass automated phone systems

After you dial an 800 number, answer the first prompt (usually requesting your account or order number) to identify yourself as a customer. If the next round of options does not offer "speak to a representative", push 0 then *, # or 9 (one at a time) until you get connected. This increases your chance of being directed to a live operator by at least 50%.

Creamy crab dip

Pasteurized crabmeat comes already shelled, but it is best to pick through it to check for any wayward shards. For perfect picking, separate the meat over a metal bowl. You will hear if any shells hit the metal.

Fluffy pancakes

Ensure your pancakes puff up by separating the eggs and beating the whites to form stiff peaks. Fold the whites into the pancake batter until just combined.

Velvety-smooth melted chocolate

If you do not have a double broiler, instead of microwaving the chocolate mixture, craft a boiler yourself. Place a glass bowl over a saucepan of simmering water, making sure the bowl’s bottom does not touch the water. Add chopped chocolate and stir until melted.

Buttery and crispy puff pastry

Dock, or pierce, the surface of the thawed dough with a fork. The holes help deflate the layers, ensuring the crust bakes up flaky but flat.

Stubborn stains

Set the garment on a clean white washcloth, stain facing down. Apply a spot remover to the opposite side of the fabric. As the solution works its way through the fibers, it pushes the stain onto the washcloth.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Salt Day #5!



How many ways can you use salt? Thousands... Salt is one of the most versatile nonmetallic mineral! Here are just a few of the many ways you can put salt to good use in your home...

Set color when you dye fabric

Soak the garment for an hour in 1/2 gallon of water to which you have added 1/2 cup vinegar and 1/2 cup salt, then rinse. If rinse water has any color in it, repeat. Use only on single-colored fabric.

Clean a dirty iron bottom

Sprinkle a little salt on a piece of paper and run the hot iron over it to remove rough, sticky spots.

Tackle mildew or rust stains

Moisten stained spots with a mixture of lemon juice and salt, then spread the item in the sun for bleaching. Rinse and dry.

Remove blood stains

Soak the stained cloth in cold saltwater, then launder in warm, soapy water and boil after the wash. Use only on cotton, linen, or other natural fibers that can take high heat.

Remove perspiration stains

Add 4tbsp of salt to one quart of hot water and sponge the fabric with the solution until stains fade.

Untangle Christmas tree lights

Your lights are a tangled mess and you cannot tell where one strand ends and another begins. Just plug one of the ends into an electrical outlet. When the bulbs of a single strand are lit, you can easily separate that string from the others.

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Keep cleaners away from toddler

Hang a clear plastic shoe rack on the inside of a closet door to stash cleaning products. The clear compartments will help you find what you need, and you will avoid clutter under sinks.

Save a wet cell phone

Remove the battery and blow-dry the inside of the phone with a hair dryer. The blast of air reaches crevices that a towel cannot touch, preventing damage caused by moisture.

Loose knobs on your drawers

Remove the knob and coat its screw with clear nail polish. Insert the drawer pull while the screw is still wet. As the polish dries, it glues the screw to the hole, ensuring the knob stays put.

Mistaking your hair color

When you unwrapped the towel from around your head, you discovered that your hair does not look as you expected. Before the color sets, wash it twice with dandruff shampoo. The product opens hair follicles during the first scrubbing, and the second wash ensures the color molecules are released from your locks before they have time to take hold.

Blueberry pancakes

If you do not like the grayish-blue cast the batter takes on once blueberries are mixed in, toss the rinsed-and-dried berries in flour before adding them to it. The flour locks in moisture and creates enough friction to keep berries suspended in the batter, no matter how much you stir.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Stretch your knee-high leather boots

Fill several heavy-duty resealable plastic freezer bags with water and stuff them into your boots. Put each boot in a kitchen garbage bag and pop in the freezer for 24 hours. Water expands as it freezes, so your boots will stretch as well.

Clean old books

Sprinkle talcum powder between the pages of musty books, then wrap each one in a small paper bag and store for a few months. The talc absorbs stale smells while the bag collects odor-causing moisture. When you take them out of the wrapping and brush off the powder, they will smell like new again.

Revive bows and ribbons

Your used box toppers, bows and ribbons that you have been saving from gifts over the years look crumpled. Toss them in the dryer with a damp washcloth for 2 minutes on the fluff cycle. The low heat combined with moisture will expand the plastic ribbons to their original shape.

Longer-lasting Christmas tree

Instead of watering a fresh-cut Christmas tree, fill its water bowl with ice cubes. Two trays equals about a quart of water, which is sufficient for an average tree. You will eliminate spilling and splashing, plus keep the tree hydrated all day long, and extend its indoor life.

Drip-proof your gravy boat

No matter how careful you are, it is hard to pour gravy without leaving tell-tale signs. Protect your linens by rubbing a dab of butter over the spout of the gravy boat. The fat provides a barrier to stop the sauce in its tracks and send it back into the vessel.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Keep fish fresh longer

Place fish in an ice-filled colander set over a bowl, then put it at the back of the refrigerator on the bottom shelf (coldest part of the fridge). This re-creates the climate in which your fishmonger keeps the seafood fresh.

Seed jalapeños in seconds

Keep your skin sting-free when cleaning the red-hot peppers by using a grapefruit spoon. Its toothed edges are ragged enough to catch and remove all seeds, and you will not need to use your fingers.

Perfect homemade piecrust

Instead of rolling out the dough, shaping it and praying that it holds together when you transfer it to the pie plate, try to refrigerate the dough overnight, or freeze for 30 minutes. Once hard, use a box grater to shred, and then transfer the pieces to the plate, press and bake. Your piecrust will be tender and flaky.

Chili mixed with sour cream

To prevent cream from curdling, stir 1tsp cornstarch into 1/4 cup sour cream before adding to chili. The starch acts as a binder and keeps cream creamy.

Crumbling blue cheese

When you buy blue cheese in a wedge and crumble it at home, it always sticks to your fingers. Next time, freeze the wedge for 20 minutes beforehand. You will be able to break it into pieces without leaving its mark on your hands.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Remove soap scum from shower door

While showering, pour some of your shampoo on a moistened washcloth and use it to rub the doors. The alcohol-derived detergents in hair cleansers cut through oils, while the citric acid dissolves calcium and magnesium deposits.

Reseal vinyl floor

Place a piece of brown paper (you can cut from a grocery bag) on the area that you need to fix, and press with a clothes iron set to low. Then place a heavy object on the area overnight to help the floor stay flat as the adhesive resets.

Perfect picture placement

To create a perfect display of frames on the wall, start by cutting out patterns from tissue paper or magazines that are the size of each frame. Using straight pins, attach the swatches to where you would like the pictures to hang. Then replace the pins with nails, remove the paper and hang your frames.

Revive windshield wipers

If your wiper blades are spreading rain and snow across your windshield instead of whisking them off, rub the rough stuff along each blade with sandpaper to remove smudge-causing residue.

Look younger in a photo

Position yourself above a white object, like a tablecloth. The light in the room reflects back onto your face, creating a youthful glow and a sparkle in your eyes.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Tips for the Holidays!




... stay warm and cozy,



and have lots of fun!...

Gifting at your office holiday party

The general etiquette is to only gift people who work for you (assistants, interns etc.), not those who rank higher than you. Consider giving a bank gift card or a gift certificate to their favorite restaurant. For co-workers, if there is no office tradition, it is fine to skip gifts. If you feel like spreading some holiday cheer, you can always leave out holiday candies or snacks on your desk.

Receiving and carrying your presents

When you travel for the holidays, bring an empty duffel bag in your suitcase to transport the gifts you have received home. You cannot forget that you are going to get presents as well.

Buying presents to be handled far away

Shop for gifts online to avoid baggage fees (you can easily get free shipping during the holiday season). Request the online store to deliver your packages directly to the location where you will be going to spend your holidays and give presents away.

Travelling during the holidays

To get cheap flights, book them at least 60 days in advance. If you cannot plan in advance, and have to buy last minute tickets, fly on the holiday instead of before. Often, the lowest fares go to travelers willing to fly on the holiday itself.

Embellish your dinner for the holidays

Use white plates! Food always looks better on them, especially during the holiday season. You can set the table the day before, iron your linens, and whatever you do, do not use paper napkins.

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Homemade spa treatment for hands

If you wash your dishes in the sink, try this homemade treat. Apply a thick coat of hand cream, put on rubber gloves and then wash the dishes. It will work just like a mini spa and your hands will be smooth and silky even in winter.

Odor in trash cans

Place a couple of dryer sheets (even used ones work) in the bottom of the trash can to absorb spills and mask odors.

Deep fryer with leftover oil

Let the oil cool completely, and then empty it into a plastic container with a lid, such as an empty margarine or cottage-cheese tub. Cover and find a "hazardous" waste location to dump it. You can also try to drop it off at a local restaurant, which should already have a correct destination to its large quantities. Never dump fat down the drain, since it can cause clogs. Plus, liquid and solid fats do not break down easily, an issue if you have a septic system.

Rust-prone citrus zesters

Do not wash these nifty tools in water. "Dry-clean" a zester by placing it on or near a heat source, such as a still-warm oven or stovetop, or even a downdraft exhaust fan in the kitchen. The stuck-on lemon rind will eventually dry out, after which you can brush it off with a clean toothbrush.

Narrow champagne flutes

Bend a pipe cleaner in half, insert it deep into the crevice, rotate, and remove. Alternatively, use a baby-bottle brush. Wash the flutes in hot, soapy water. Dry with a microfiber cloth, which will not leave lint or tiny fibers behind on the glass.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Toaster-oven drips and splotches

Before you clean any part of the toaster oven, unplug it. Try to attack spills while they are still warm. Some toaster ovens have a nonstick interior, which can be cleaned with a nonabrasive cloth soaked in warm water. To clean up cheese or tomato sauce that has baked onto the coils, first let the heating unit cool, then wipe with a damp cloth. Never immerse a toaster oven in water.

Food trapped in the holes of a colander

Use a pipe cleaner and a sponge to scrub away any stubborn remnants left in the holes.

Cooked-on egg

Add a bit of water to the skillet and return it to the heat for a few minutes. This will loosen the egg and allow you to wipe out the pan effortlessly.

Stains burned onto casserole pans

Fill the pan with warm water, add a fresh dryer sheet to the bottom of the pan, and let soak for 15 minutes. Wash and rinse thoroughly. Alternatively, fill the pan with hot water, add a handful of baking soda, and soak for the same amount of time. Scrub with the abrasive side of a scrubber sponge, rinse, and then wash.

Stovetop splatters

As soon as the stove has cooled enough to touch (but is not so cool that the spill has hardened), wipe away the mess. Cover dried-on spills with a wet, soapy dish cloth and let it sit. Use the cloth to wipe up the softened spill. For stubborn, neglected messes, make a paste of three parts baking soda to one part water. Apply to the spill, leave on for 10 minutes, and wipe away with a damp paper towel.

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Burned-on sugar

To clean burned sugar from your pots and pans, pour in some boiling water, stir to loosen, and pour out. Repeat until all the sugar disappears.

Cleaning milk scum

Cream sauces, custards, and other cooked-milk mixtures nearly always adhere to pans. To clean them, fill the pot with warm water and add several tablespoons of baking soda or a powdered cleanser. Bring to a boil and let boil until the scorched milk loosens and floats to the surface.

Freezer spills

To clean up a leak, use an ice scraper (the same kind you would use on an ice-covered windshield) to loosen the splattered contents, and gently scrub with a wet, warm microfiber cloth.

Refrigerator spills

For liquids (pickle juice, milk etc.), simply place a microfiber cloth on the spill and wipe it up. If the jam jar has left a ring on the refrigerator shelf, wet the cloth with warm water and gently scrub the jam away. To get rid of meat and poultry juices, use paper towels soaked with a diluted solution of bleach and water, since juices from meats can carry bacterial contaminants that can remain trapped in cloth dish towels and microfiber towels.

Stains on plastic storage containers

Tomato sauce and other acidic foods leave stains on plastic that even the dishwasher will not remove. Set those plastic pieces out in the sun to naturally bleach the stains away (for stubborn spots, rub lemon juice first). Baking soda also works well in bleaching color out of plastic, and it helps get rid of strong odors.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Grease splatters on walls and backsplashes

Try an all-purpose cleaner that has the word "degreaser" on the label. Spray it directly on the spot and wipe clean with a paper towel. This is effective on walls painted with semi-gloss or high-gloss paint. Beware that flat paint is not as forgiving, since it will absorb every splash.

Mold in bathroom

Run the bathroom exhaust fan or crack open a window while you shower, and for at least 10 minutes afterward, to prevent mold buildup.

Spotty porcelain pieces

Fill a stained porcelain serving dish or sink with warm water, then drop in several denture-cleaning tablets and stains will dissolve like magic.

Clean a dirty grater

To make grater cleanup a breeze, spray it with nonstick cooking spray before grating cheese and the residue will wipe right off.

Cooking the perfect rice

Use the proportion 1/2 cup rice to 1 cup water (for brown rice, change to 1/2 cup rice to 1 1/4 cup water). Adjust your rice-to-water ratio accordingly for larger portions. Never stir your rice, otherwise you will activate starch and make it gloppy. Always salt the water used to cook it, or else you will have a bland result. Let it sit covered for 10 minutes after it is cooked, and then fluff with a fork.

Friday, December 9, 2011

Salt Day #4!




How many ways can you use salt? Thousands... Salt is one of the most versatile nonmetallic mineral! Here are just a few of the many ways you can put salt to good use in your home...

Brighten colors

Wash colored curtains or washable fiber rugs in a saltwater solution to brighten the colors. Brighten faded rugs and carpets by rubbing them briskly with a cloth that has been dipped in a strong saltwater solution and wrung out.

Dry clothes in the winter

Use salt, in the final laundry rinse, to prevent clothes from freezing, if you use an outdoor clothes line in the winter.

Extra bubbles in your laundry

If someone overfills laundry with soap, you can eliminate excess suds with a sprinkle of salt.

Attack wine spills

If you drop wine on your cotton or linen tablecloth, blot up as much as possible and immediately cover the wine with a pile of salt, which will help pull the remaining wine away from the fiber. Later, soak the tablecloth in cold water for 30 minutes before laundering.

Clean a glass coffee pot

Add salt and ice cubes to a coffee pot, swirl around vigorously, and rinse. The salt scours the bottom, and the ice helps to agitate it more for a better scrub.

Clean rust

Mix salt and cream of tartar with just enough water to make a paste. Rub on rust, let dry, brush off and buff with a dry, soft cloth. You can also use the same method with a mix of salt and lemon.

Clean brass or copper

Mix equal parts of salt, flour, and vinegar to make a paste, and rub the paste on the metal. After letting it sit for an hour, clean with a soft cloth or brush and buff with a dry cloth.

Clean refrigerators

A mix of salt and soda water can be used to wipe out and deodorize the inside of your refrigerator, a nice way to keep chemical-y cleaners away from your food.

Clean stained cups

Mix salt with a dab of dish soap to make a soft scrub for stubborn coffee and tea stains.

Clean greasy pan

Cast-iron skillets can be cleaned with a good sprinkling of salt and paper towels.

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Storing extension cords

Eliminate the tangle of unused extension cords by storing each one in a piece of pipe insulation foam tubing with a slit along one side. Simply fold the cord to size, insert it, and label the foam to indicate the length of the cord enclosed.

Organize scarves

Keep your scarves/pashminas all organized and in plain view by using everyday shower curtain rings to hang them off your clothes bar, or in a cluster on the door.

Left over wallpaper

You just finished a remodel and have extra pieces of wallpaper. Cut them into rectangular pieces to line the insides of your kitchen or bathroom drawers. Regular liners are often boring and muted, and wallpaper will bring some color into your storage spaces.

Protect your china and plates

Use coffee filters as scratch guards. Large filters, or even paper plates, are just right for cradling dishes without adding bulk while still avoiding chips and nicks. Alternate plates and inserts, and then carefully store in the cabinet.

Cleaning vegetable drawers

Newspaper is a very absorbent product, because it has to hold ink. It can also absorb all sorts of moisture, including the musty results of odors found in your refrigerator's vegetable drawers. Take a page of newspaper folded into squares and tuck it into the corner of your fridge for an overnight fix.

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Prevent "cookie spread"

It seems that no matter how far apart you space your cookies, thin mixtures often spread once in the oven. Try dusting the baking sheet with flour after greasing.

Velvety cheese sauce

To prevent your cheese dip from being lumpy, stir in a few drizzles of white wine. The beverage contains tartaric acid, which puts a stop to stringing and lumping.

Cleaning vinyl flooring

Use a soft cloth or mop with a mix of one-half cup of ammonia per gallon of water. Sweep or vacuum frequently. Do not use detergents, abrasive cleansers, mop-and-shine products, or paste wax, all of which leave a film on the shiny waxlike finish applied by the manufacturer. Rub scuff marks with a nylon pad, sponge, or soft nylon brush dampened with the ammonia solution or isopropyl alcohol.

Stay hydrated to prevent hemorrhoids

Water is a key element of producing a soft stool which in turn reduces the pain of hemorrhoids. Drinking enough water can also help prevent them. In addition, you should avoid or limit alcohol and caffeine intake. Both alcohol and caffeine promote the loss of water from your body, which can cause hard stools and increase pain.

Relief hemorrhoids

Several types of over-the-counter (nonprescription) products offer quick relief of hemorrhoid symptoms. These include hemorrhoid creams, gels, foams, suppositories, and pads that contain hydrocortisone, witch hazel, or a constricting or numbing medication (such as, Preparation H, TUCKS Medicated Pads, and Lanacane). Oral medications that can help reduce inflammation and pain include acetaminophen (Tylenol), aspirin, and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin).

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Prevent hemorrhoids during and right after pregnancy

To keep you and your baby safe, you should talk to your health care provider about any symptoms you may have, such as rectal pain and itching, before trying any self-care treatments or products. One simple treatment when you are pregnant is lying on your left side when resting or sleeping to help reduce pressure on certain veins that can lead to vein swelling and hemorrhoids.

Avoid development of hemorrhoids

In the morning you may not feel like you always have the time to sit down and use the bathroom. While it is not necessary have a bowel movement in the morning, it is important not to put off having a bowel movement when you feel the urge. Delaying defecation can lead to constipation as well as aggravate and encourage the development of hemorrhoids.

Get exercise to prevent hemorrhoids

Exercise is a key component of preventing and treating hemorrhoids. If your daily life or job includes sitting for long periods of time, be sure to get up and move around for a few minutes every hour or so. Be aware that certain physical activities should be avoided, including sitting for long periods on the toilet, heavy lifting, and anal intercourse, all of which can increase the risk and worsen symptoms.

More fiber to reduce hemorrhoids pain

Fiber helps you avoid constipation and straining to pass a bowel movement, both primary risk factors for developing hemorrhoids. It also helps to reduce pain by making the stool soft and easier to pass. Some high fiber foods include fruits, vegetables, legumes (beans), bran, and whole-grain cereals and breads.

Use water therapeutically for hemorrhoids

Water can be very soothing to inflamed, painful and itchy hemorrhoids. You may get relief from applying cold compresses or soaking your rectal area in warm water for about 10 minutes several times a day.

Monday, December 5, 2011

Cleaning plastic-laminate flooring

Use a well-wrung-out cloth or mop with a mix of one cup of vinegar per gallon of water. Sweep or vacuum frequently. Do not wet mop, since water can seep into the seams and cause buckling. Do not use soap-based detergents, wax-based products, or mop-and-shine products, which leave a dull film. Do not use abrasive cleansers, which can scratch the finish. For tough stains, rub gently with isopropyl alcohol and a cloth. For greasy stains, use ammonia and a damp cloth.

Cleaning hardwood flooring

Use a well-wrung-out cloth, sponge, or mop, with a few drops of dish-washing liquid or all-purpose cleanser and warm water. Sweep or vacuum frequently to remove grit. Do not wet mop, since water will damage the finish. Do not apply wax to a floor coated with urethane or polyurethane. Do not apply sprays or oils meant for wood furniture; they will make floors slippery. For tough stains, scrub gently with a nylon pad dampened with dishwashing liquid.

Cleaning cork flooring

Use a cloth, sponge, or mop that has been wrung out, with a few drops of dishwashing liquid or all-purpose cleanser and warm water. Sweep or vacuum frequently; grit can scratch the cork's finish. Do not wet mop, since water and other standing liquids will damage the floor. For tough stains, scrub gently with a mop dampened with dishwashing liquid.

Cleaning mirrors

Use a microfiber cloth with plain water. For extremely dirty mirrors, make a solution of one part vinegar to one part warm water and use a squeegee. Keep water or the vinegar solution away from the edge of a mirror; moisture can seep behind the glass and cause damage. Rub tough streaks with crumpled newspaper and the vinegar solution.

Cleaning stainless steel

Use a soft cloth with a mix of 4tbsp of baking soda dissolved in one quart of water. Wipe dry with a clean cloth and polish with a dry cloth. Immediately wipe up acidic spills, like lemon and tomato, which can discolor the finish. Do not use abrasive cleansers or bleach, which can pit the surface. Remove streaks and water spots with a cloth dampened with isopropyl alcohol and let air-dry.

Friday, December 2, 2011

Salt Day #3!



How many ways can you use salt? Thousands... Salt is one of the most versatile nonmetallic mineral! Here are just a few of the many ways you can put salt to good use in your home...

Remove water rings

Gently rub a thin paste of salt and vegetable oil on the white marks caused by beverage glasses and hot dishes on wooden tables.

Clean sink drains

Pour salt mixed with hot water down the kitchen sink regularly to deodorize and keep grease from building up.

Basic soft scrub

For a basic soft scrub, make a paste with lots of salt, baking soda and dish soap and use on appliances, enamel, porcelain etc.

Tame a wild barbecue

Toss a bit of salt on flames from food dripping in barbecue grills to reduce the flames and calm the smoke without cooling the coals (like water does).

De-ice sidewalks and driveways

Lightly sprinkle rock salt on walks and driveways to keep snow and ice from bonding to the pavement and allow for easier shoveling/scraping. But do not overdo it; use the salt sensibly to avoid damage to plants and paws.

Kill poison ivy

Mix three pounds of salt with a gallon of soapy water (use a gentle dish soap) and apply to leaves and stems with a sprayer, avoiding any plant life that you want to keep.

Repair walls

To fill nail holes, fix chips or other small dings in white sheet-rock or plaster walls, mix 2tbsp salt and 2tbsp cornstarch, then add enough water (about 5tsp) to make a thick paste. Use the paste to fill the holes.

Make play dough

Use 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup salt, 1 cup water, 2tbsp oil, and 2tbsp cream of tartar. Stir together flour, cream of tartar, salt, and oil, and slowly add water. Cook over medium heat stirring frequently until dough becomes stiff. Spread onto wax paper and let cool. Knead the dough with your hands until it reaches a good dough consistency.

Arrange artificial flowers

Artificial flowers can be held in place by pouring salt into the vase, adding a little cold water and then arranging the flowers. The salt become solid as it dries and holds the flowers in place.

Keep cut flowers fresh

A dash of salt added to the water in a flower vase will keep cut flowers fresh longer. You can also try an aspirin or a dash of sugar for the same effect.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Cleaning porcelain and enameled cast iron

Use a soft cloth or sponge with a few drops of dishwashing liquid and warm water. Do not use abrasive pads, abrasive cleansers, or wire brushes; dirt can settle into the scratches they make. For tough stains, scrub with a soft nylon brush and undiluted all-purpose cleanser or a paste of baking soda and water.

Cleaning hardwood cabinets

Use a well-wrung-out cloth or sponge with a few drops of dishwashing liquid or all-purpose cleanser and warm water. Scouring pads or powdered cleansers can damage the finish. To remove grease, rub gently with a solution of dishwashing liquid and warm water. Buff lightly with a cloth.

Cleaning plastic-laminate countertops and cabinets

Use a dampened sponge, cloth, or soft nylon pad or brush A few drops or a spray of all-purpose cleanser. Rinse with a clean, damp cloth. Do not use a dripping-wet cloth near seams. Do not use abrasive cleansers, steel wool, or stiff brushes, which can scratch the finish. For tough stains, apply undiluted all-purpose cleanser, let stand, and then blot with a dampened cloth.

Cleaning glass

Use plain water and a microfiber cloth. For extremely dirty windows, make a solution of one part vinegar to one part warm water and use a squeegee. To reduce streaking, do not clean windows in the heat of the day. For tough stains, rub with crumpled newspaper and the vinegar solution.

Cleaning solid surfaces

On solid surfaces, such as corian or avonite, use a damp sponge, cloth, or soft nylon pad or brush with a few drops or a spray of all-purpose cleanser. Occasionally wipe matte-finish sinks with a solution of 1tsp nonchlorine bleach and one quart hot water. For tough stains rub matte finishes with a dampened green erasing pad and baking soda. For satin finishes, use a white erasing pad and undiluted all-purpose cleanser. For high-gloss finishes, use a one-part-vinegar to one-part-warm-water solution and a soft cloth.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Cleaning soapstone surface

Use a soft cloth or sponge with a few drops of dishwashing liquid or all-purpose cleanser and warm water. Rub with mineral oil every couple of weeks during the first year to help the stone oxidize evenly. Oil every two months after that. Soapstone resists water, chemicals, and acids, so it rarely stains. Small scratches can be removed with fine sandpaper.

Avoid deep stains on natural stones

For granite, apply a penetrating sealer every two to three years; for marble every year; for slate every two years. For limestone, apply a sealer to countertops every year and to floors every two years.

Cleaning natural stones

For granite, limestone, marble, slate or soapstone, use a cloth, sponge, or mop, with a few drops of dishwashing liquid and warm water. Sweep or vacuum surfaces regularly. Rinse and dry with a clean, soft cloth. Avoid abrasive cleansers, ammonia, nonchlorine bleach, vinegar or lemon-based cleansers, since they can scratch, dull, or etch the surface.

Cleaning ceramic tile

For glazed tiles, mop with a mix of one capful of isopropyl alcohol in one gallon of water. For unglazed tile, like terra-cotta, mop with water and a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Rinse with water and a clean mop (or cloth). Avoid oil soaps or ammonia, which will yellow grout. Avoid vinegar, which will damage grout. For tough stains, use a scraper or putty knife to remove stubborn debris. Use a nylon scrubbing pad dampened with dishwashing liquid to remove stains from grout. Apply grout sealer twice a year to prevent stains.

Boost your immunity before you fly

Yogurt is cultured with lactic acid, which strengthen the digestive system and the entire immune system. Stock up on a brand of yogurt that contains plenty of live cultures, and eat yogurt every day for a few days before you fly. A drinkable yogurt makes a super-healthy and convenient preflight or in-flight snack. If you really dislike yogurt or cannot eat dairy, take a probiotic supplement, but remember to refrigerate it to preserve the live cultures. Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, especially dark leafy greens like kale and brightly, and colored fruits such as berries.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Prevent congestion in a plane

The lack of humidity inside an airplane sucks moisture from the tissues of the nose and mouth, compromising the body's natural defense system. Stock your carry-on with a bottle of nasal saline spray, and use it before you fly to irrigate and moisturize the delicate membranes inside your nose. If you have a cold, take an oral decongestant about 30 minutes before boarding. If you have allergies, take your allergy medication an hour before flying.

Prevent ear pain when taking a flight

Activating the muscles in your jaw helps open up the Eustachian tubes. Pack gum and hard candy so you have something to suck or chew during takeoff and landing. Yawning and swallowing also helps relieve the pressure. If you have this problem frequently, invest in filtered earplugs, which work to gradually equalize the pressure on your eardrums.

Beware the bar when you travel by plane

Alcohol is extremely dehydrating, so drinking prior to or on a flight, combined with the low cabin humidity, lowers your resistance to cold and flu germs. Order a seltzer water or soda instead of alcohol. If your reason for drinking is to relax and sleep, there are healthier alternatives, such as taking melatonin or a sleeping pill or drinking chamomile tea. Most sleep aids take about an hour to work, so take your remedy of choice about 30 to 60 minutes prior to boarding.

Pack a blanket and pillow to fly

Always carry a light, foldable blanket and a neck pillow (inflatable to save space) in your carry-on. Using your own blanket and pillow not only helps you sleep germ-free but can also save your back and neck from pain.

Prevent dry eyes when traveling by plane

When your eyes are dry, do not rub them with your hands. Touching your eyes is one of the primary means of transmitting cold and flu viruses. Wash your hands frequently and thoroughly and avoid touching your eyes. If you wear contact lenses, remove them before boarding and wear your glasses on the plane.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Stay hydrated when flying

Carry an empty water bottle through security. Fill it at the water fountain as soon as you are through, and then drink up and hydrate before you fly and during the flight. Once on the plane, do not be shy about asking the attendant to fill your bottle for you.

Using a public restroom

Most people know not to touch a public toilet seat any more than necessary. Flushing also transmits germs, and the closer you stand to the toilet, the more you are in risk. Use a public restroom as infrequently as possible, since it is impossible to stand more than a couple of feet away. Close the lid before flushing, using a paper towel between your hand and the lid and handle. And wash your hands thoroughly after flushing, using a paper towel to turn off the faucet.

Recover your carpet

Use a fork to gently fluff plush carpet fibers back to their original height, removing dents left by heavy furniture.

Coffee grinder cleaner

Mill a handful of grains in your grinder and the fine particles will absorb stale odors and clean out residual grounds and oil. Discard the rice and wipe clean.

Broom as long distance duster

To dust crown moldings, place a microfiber rag over the broom's bristles and secure with a rubber band. Then use the long handle to dust areas that your arms cannot reach.

Friday, November 25, 2011

Salt Day #2!


How many ways can you use salt? Thousands... Salt is one of the most versatile nonmetallic mineral! Here are just a few of the many ways you can put salt to good use in your home...

Drip-proof candles

If you soak new candles in a strong salt solution for a few hours, then dry them well, they will not drip as much when you burn them.

Extinguish grease fires

Keep a box of salt near your stove and oven, and if a grease fire flares up, douse the flames with salt (never use water on grease fires; it will splatter the burning grease). When salt is applied to fire, it acts like a heat sink and dissipates the heat from the fire. It also forms an oxygen-excluding crust to smother the fire.

Deter ants

Sprinkle salt at doorways, window sills, and anywhere else ants sneak into your house. Ants do not like to walk on salt.

Ease throat pain

Mix salt and warm water, gargle to relieve a sore throat.

Have an exfoliating massage

After bathing and while still wet give yourself a massage with dry salt. It freshens skin and boosts circulation.

Treat mosquito bites and poison ivy

A saltwater soak can do wonders for that special mosquito-bite itch. A poultice of salt mixed with olive oil can help as well.

Relieve bee-sting pain

Immediately dampen area and pack on a small pile of salt to reduce pain and swelling.

Ease mouth problems

For cankers, abscesses, and other mouth sores, rinse your mouth with a weak solution of warm saltwater several times a day.

Rinse your mouth

Mix equal parts salt and baking soda in water for a fresh and deodorizing mouth rinse.

Clean teeth

Use one part fine salt to two parts baking soda, dip your toothbrush in the mix and brush as usual. You can also use the same mix dissolved in water for orthodontic appliances.

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!!!

Look at everything in your life as a gift, a bless from your God!




Today you will find some tips to help you to accomplish your perfect Thanksgiving dinner...

Undercooked bird

If, after carving, parts of your turkey are undercooked, microwave them for a minute or two. It will work fine and nobody will notice it.

Turkey gravy

After the turkey has roasted an hour, add about 2 cups of water to the bottom of the pan. This is the beginning of your gravy or natural pan juices.

Checking cooking temperature

Use a meat thermometer to check turkey. The breast meat cooks first, but it is still attached to the bird while it waits for the dark meat to finish. Insert thermometer in the dark meat, which takes the longest to cook. Make sure that desired temperature is reached.

Defrosting ingredients

In case you forget this important task of your Thanksgiving dinner, you can try to speed the defrosting process. If your turkey is small (up to 10 pounds), place it (still wrapped) in a sink filled with cold water, and change the water every 30 minutes. That can take about 5 to 6 hours to defrost. If defrosting is not possible, just buy a fresh turkey.

Review your “to do” list

Check your recipes the day before Thanksgiving, and if you have the energy, chop some onions, celery, carrots, and hold them in the refrigerator in zip bags. Check if cooking tools and serving dishes need washing.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Storing carrots

When you buy prepackaged carrots, by the time you get a chance to use them, they have become bitter. When enclosed in plastic, carrots release terpenoid, a chemical that reduces their sweetness and toughens their texture. Next time you buy them, store in the crisper as soon as you get home and they will stay savory until you decide to use them.

Perfect noodle soup

When you make your noodle soup a day ahead, very often the pasta absorbs all the broth. Next time, cook the noodles but keep them separate from the soup until ready to serve. Then just spoon some pasta into each bowl and top with the hot broth. This will warm the noodles and ensure they keep their al dente texture.

Buying grapefruit and other citrus

Choose the ones you want by sight and texture and narrow down your picks to two. Grab a fruit in each hand and take home the one that feels heavier. The weightier one is usually the juiciest, freshest and sweetest.

Stale and dry biscuit

The biscuits that you made yesterday are already hard, dry and inedible. Reheat them in a closed, water-soaked paper bag for 5 minutes in a 350F degree oven. The wet bag will lock in moisture and produce fluffy and tasty biscuits.

Do things yourself

Do not pay for a pro unless you really need one. You can get free do-it-yourself lessons at some home improvement stores, and you can find tons of information online.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Be energy efficient

Turn off lights and unplug devices you are not using. Make cheap efficiency improvements like sealing leaks and adding insulation.

Eat healthy and save money

To save big on fruits and vegetables, grow your own food or shop at a local farmer's market.

Saving in a hotel stay

Book a hotel room with a kitchen and spend less eating out. Better idea? Swap houses with someone else and do not pay anything for vacation lodging.

Eating out

When you eat out, get a to-go box. Dividing a meal in two will make both the price and your waistline more attractive.

Carry your own food and drink

When going to work or in a short trip, whatever you can bring with you is not just cheaper, it is usually better.

Friday, November 18, 2011

Salt Day #1!




How many ways can you use salt? Thousands... Salt is one of the most versatile nonmetallic mineral! Here are just a few of the many ways you can put salt to good use in your home...

Extend toothbrush life

Soak toothbrushes in salt water before your first use. They will last longer.

Save the bottom of your oven

If a pie or casserole bubbles over in the oven, put a handful of salt on top of the spill. It will not smoke and smell, and it will bake into a crust that makes the baked-on mess much easier to clean when it has cooled.

Extend cheese life

Prevent mold on cheese by wrapping it in a cloth moistened with saltwater before refrigerating.

Reach high peaks

Add a tiny pinch of salt when beating egg whites or whipping cream for quicker, higher peaks.

Remove odors from hands

Rub your hands and fingers with a salt and vinegar combo and rinse well.

Prevent cake icing crystals

A little salt added to cake icings prevents them from sugaring.

Shell nuts more easily

Soak pecans and walnuts in salt water for several hours before shelling to make it easier to remove the meat.

Prevent fruits from browning

Most of us use lemon or vinegar to stop peeled apples and pears from browning, but you can also drop them in lightly salted water to help them keep their color.

Set poached eggs

Because salt increases the temperature of boiling water, it helps to set the whites more quickly when eggs are dropped into the water for poaching.

Test egg freshness

Put 2tsp of salt in a cup of water and place an egg in it. A fresh egg will sink, an older egg will float. This does not mean a floating egg is rotten, just more mature. Crack the egg into a bowl and examine it for any funky odor or appearance.

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Keep maintenance up to date

When it comes to your car, house, and body, small expenses now are better than giant ones later. Do not skip any maintenance to try to save money.

Plan your schedule well

This may mean doing everything all on one day (in one central area) or doing certain things when you are headed in a certain direction. You will save time and money.

Swap items with your friends

Exchange movies, games, and books to keep entertainment costs down. You can also share more practical things, from tools to carpools.

Get rid of “old” to place “new”

Before you buy something new, make an effort to sell something old. It helps offset the cost and creates more space. It can also lower storage costs.

Check for coupons online

Print coupons before buying anything at all. But do not allow a coupon or any other attractive deal to convince you to buy something you were not planning to.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Shopping bargain

If something is expensive, always negotiate. Not just on cars and TVs, but on everything from your credit card interest to doctor visits.

Take advantage of the competition

Always get several price quotes (including fees and perks) and see who really wants your business.

Use a list to shop

You will always save money by reducing impulse buys. Have a list in your pocket and go straight to what you need.

Shop when you are happy

Do not shop when you are hungry or sad. In either case, you are predisposed to bite off more than you can chew.

Create a "want" waiting list

Before making purchases, make a list with all items that you really want but can wait for you to actually have. After 30 days, you might find you changed your mind or the item's price has dropped.

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Shop out of season

Usually items out of season are much cheaper. Shop for decorations after the holiday is over. Get back-to-school items in the winter, winter wear in the spring, and patio furniture in the fall.

Avoid “new” when “used” will do

From cars to clothes to computers, help your budget and the planet by buying pre-owned in very good condition.

Do gift shopping year-round

You can buy almost all your presents on sale or clearance. Just keep track of who is getting what so you do not mix things up or buy too many gifts.

Do not buy when you can get for free

For books, use the library. For long distance phone calls, try Skype. For checking accounts, go for credit unions with no extra fees.

Keeping kids well behaved in a plane

Every parent's worst nightmare is the embarrassment they feel when their child acts up and disturbs passengers (at least, it should be). Bring distractions with you and occupy your toddler. You can do so with activities such as drawing a picture, reading a book, or watching a movie on your laptop (with headphones).

Monday, November 14, 2011

Help yourself at the airport

Travel with a stroller longer than it is truly necessary. This will provide your toddler a place to take naps while enable parents to use it as a luggage cart. Strollers can be checked at the gate for no charge.

Carrying a car seat when flying

Many parents just dump their car seats off at the curb or carry it through the airport and check it at the gate. Either way, you are at risk of it being soiled or damaged unless you pack it in a duffel bag and check it in the terminal. Airlines do not charge for a checked bag containing child safety equipment like a car seat.

You and your child in an airplane

Always try for an empty seat. Reserve the window and aisle seats, leaving a middle seat open. At best, you will have an empty seat between you and your child, and at worst, you will have to offer someone else the window or aisle.

Flying with children

Buy a seat restraint. Since children older than 2 must have their own seat, parents are left to provide a safe and comfortable arrangement. You could bring an approved car seat, but cares harness can be very successful. It is simple, compact and FAA-certified. In addition to safety, the idea is that in a harness, children feel they are in a familiar place (like their car seat), and they will more easily adapt to the airplane environment.

Basic stomach bug

If you are vomiting, do not ingest anything for 4 to 6 hours. Then try a little water or flat ginger ale (carbonation can upset your tummy). The sugars in soda are easily digestible, and ginger is known to help nausea. Next, try adding in bland carbs like saltines and protein such as grilled chicken (fat should be the last thing you add). If the problem is diarrhea, do not take an antidiarrheal. It tends to plug you up and keep the toxins that are making you sick in your body longer. Hydration is key. Sip a bottle or two of reduced-sugar Gatorade or coconut water, which replace electrolytes better than water.

Friday, November 11, 2011

Beeswax Day!




Often used in the cosmetic, food and pharmaceutical industries, beeswax is a great non-toxic product to keep around the house for different kind of projects. It can be purchased in hardware stores or craft stores in block form.

Non-toxic beeswax compound

Melt, under low temperature, one part beeswax, shaved or cut into small pieces, over a hot plate or in double-boiler. After wax is melted, remove from heat and add in an equal part of pharmaceutical grade mineral oil. Mix well and let it cool to a creamy consistency. Use mixture: 1) to condition and waterproof boots, saddles, bags or other leather products by rubbing into the leather with a dry, clean cloth, working it in well along seams. Let dry, then buff to shine; 2) to coat hand tools, shovels, cast iron pieces to prevent rust from forming. This includes treating wood handles to preserve and protect them from degrading; 3) as a wood finish on bare wood. Apply paste with a cotton rag, working it into the grain, then buff.

Sewing easily

Run your sewing thread against a block of beeswax a few times. It will slide through the fabric easier and prevent longer threads from tangling.

Sticking drawers or windows

Try rubbing the stub of a beeswax candle or block along the edges of the door and tracks.

Beeswax candles

They are a good alternative for individuals with sensitivity to smoke and intense fragrances. Beeswax candles have a brighter flame and burn cleaner and longer than common paraffin wax candles. Churches often burn them because they smoke and drip much less.

Rusted nuts or bolts

Drip a little melted beeswax on rusted nuts or bolts to remove them more easily. When screwing into new wood, try dipping screws into liquid wax to reduce the risk of splitting or cracking wood.

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Minor burn

For a small burn, blistery kind you get from touching a hot baking sheet or flatiron, not a burn that covers a large area of your skin or is peeling off. Run the affected skin under cool water and pop some ibuprofen, which will help with inflammation and pain. Next, apply one percent hydrocortisone cream or aloe gel. Dabbing a washcloth soaked in cold whole milk on the burn also works great. The combination of fat and protein in the milk is very soothing. Then cover the burn with a bandage.

Average skin cut

If your cut is less than about a quarter inch deep and not a gusher, first, apply pressure until the bleeding stops, then rinse the cut with plain warm water to flush it out. If the wound is really dirty, it is OK to use a gentle antibacterial soap. Dab dry, and cover the cut with a Band-Aid. That is it. The trick is "do not put anything on a cut that you would not put in your eye". Uncover the wound after 24 to 48 hours. The more air it gets, the faster it will heal.

Cleaning stainless steel grills

Clean your stainless steel grill almost in the same way you would clean any other grill, but: never use an abrasive cleaner on it; be aware that excessive high heat discolors stainless steel; acidic sauces and marinades will corrode metals; moisture is your enemy, so always cover your grill.

Cleaning gas grills

The knob on your grill labeled "clean" does not actually clean your grill. It is intended to allow the user to pre-heat the grill before cleaning, which makes the job easier. The heat loosens or burns off encrusted food and warms residual grease. Once you have scraped and cleaned your grate, remove layers of lava rock/briquettes and the metal plates. Clean all of the pieces with warm soapy water. Allow them to dry and replace in sequence. Hook up your propane again, remembering to check for cracks in the connector line. Heat it up to burn off any soapy residue.

Cleaning charcoal grills

Once you have finished cooking, but before the coals cool, use a stiff wire brush and scraper to remove encrusted food from the grate. Before starting up the next time, scoop out any remaining ash. At least once a month, wash the entire grill with baking soda or another mild abrasive.

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Uneven tanning

Massage plain baking soda onto damp skin with small, gentle circular motions. Baking soda will slough off freshly dyed cells and reveal untanned skin underneath.

Prevent post-waxing irritation

Do not schedule a waxing within 3 days of the start of your period, when skin tends to be extra sensitive.

Puffy eyes

To help prevent puffy eyes, support up your head on two pillows when you go to sleep. Gravity is your friend when it comes to fluid retention.

Smooth away pillow wrinkles on your face

Splash warm water on your skin, then massage in a moisturizer. The warm water enhances blood flow to the area, and moisturizer rehydrates it.

Cover up gray hair

To hide a few grays, swipe mascara that matches the rest of your hair onto it. You can also try adding volume when you style. Apply some volumizing spray onto the roots of the gray sections before you blow-dry, or back-comb sections to get them to stand away from your scalp. Flat hair makes grays even more noticeable.

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

The fastest way to dry hair

First apply mousse, which will coat the hair shafts and prevent them from absorbing more water. Then flip your head over, or clip the top up, and aim the dryer at the bottom layers first. Once the bottom layers are dry, use a brush to help dry and smooth the top layers. This technique will cut drying time by about a third.

Grow out a bad haircut

First try washing and restyling your hair yourself. Then rely on accessories to help you through the growing-out phase. A headband or a barrette can hold back too-short bangs, and a ponytail or a loose bun can camouflage too-flippy layers.

Fix a streaky tan

Sweep a cotton ball soaked in 100 percent lemon juice over stripy areas. Citric acid from the lemon is a natural skin lightener and exfoliator, smoothing away unevenly applied tanner by sloughing off overly tanned skin cells.

Repair a torn nail

Cut a tiny piece of paper from a tea bag (it should be big enough to cover the entire tear), apply a drop of nail glue to the paper (Krazy Glue also works), then press it on top of the tear. Allow the glue to dry, then gently file the top of the paper so that it is smooth and flush with the nail.

Soothe post-waxing irritation

Apply a 1 percent hydrocortisone cream to red zones right after waxing. It calms inflammation, quells itchiness, and reduces redness.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Depuff eyes

Wrap a bag of frozen vegetables in a thin towel and place it over your eyes for 10 minutes. The cold of the bag stimulates circulation under the eyes, which helps bring down that fluid. Bag of vegetables conforms to the contours of the face (peas or corn works best).

Minimize a facial flush

Place a cool, wet towel on the back of your neck. It will constricts those blood vessels, numbs the nerve endings there, and helps lower your body temperature quickly. Splashing cold water on your face will have the same effect.

Dry nail polish

Allow nails to air-dry for 2 minutes, then submerge your hands in a bowl of ice-cold water for about 3 minutes. The cold water freeze-dries polish, sealing and hardening it quickly.

Quilt templates

You use the traditional cardboard template for your quilt projects, but it looks damaged from repeated cutting. Cut a fresh template from the cover of a plastic loose-leaf binder or coffee-can lid. The resistant material ensures flawless quilts, square after square.

Frozen car lock

Warm the car key with a match or lighter, wearing gloves so the key does not burn your fingers. The heat is temporarily stored in the metal and will defrost the mechanism faster.

Friday, November 4, 2011

Hair Dryer Day #2!




Handheld hair dryers are perfect for hairdos but they can also be used in other surprising ways around the house. Here are a handful of them...

Keep a hot compress hot

If you have trouble keeping a hot compress hot, keep your hair dryer by you and reheat as necessary.

Removing bandages

Removing bandages sometimes can hurt more than the wound, so soften the adhesive with a hair dryer first to ease the rip.

Cleaning window screens

When your window screen collects dust and pollen, blow it with your hair dryer to send the dust away.

Frozen windows and locks

Winter can bring frozen windows and locks. Thaw them with a hair dryer and make opening easier.

Odor in wet shoes

Wet boots, shoes, and sneakers can take on a terrible odor if left to dry slowly. Alleviate that by drying them with your hair dryer.

Iron wrinkles in fabric

Spot iron wrinkles by lightly dampening the area and then heating the wrinkles with your hair dryer.

Crayon marks on the walls

Use your hair dryer to heat the crayon marks until softened, and then scrub with hot water and detergent.

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Re-adhere peeling wood

The veneer on your furniture is peeling at the edges, and you cannot lift the top layer far enough to insert glue without cracking the wood. Flatten a plastic drinking straw, fold it in half and pour glue into one of the two halves, slipping that half under the veneer. Straighten the straw, then blow through the other end. This will pour the right amount of adhesive into the tight spot. When finished, weigh down the area with a heavy book.

Winter car window cleaner

For a glass cleaner that will not freeze, pour 2 cups water, ½ cup vinegar and ¼ cup rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle. Spritz on windows, then clear frost as usual. The alcohol lowers the freezing point of the concoction, melting away ice, while vinegar dissolves dirt, leaving no streaks.

Get your pet to sleep at his bed

To persuade your canine to use his own bed, store it in the hamper with your worn clothes for a few days. Dogs are attracted to their owner’s scent and will settle for things that smell like you.

Revive absorbency in towels

After repeated use, fabric softener starts to leave a waxy film on cloth, creating a slippery feel and decreasing absorbency. Next laundry, skip the softener and pour 1/2 cup baking soda into the washing machine before you add the linens. Baking soda will dissolve any residue and naturally soft the fibers of the fabric.

Laminate countertop scratches

Grab car wax from the garage. Using a damp, clean cotton towel, rub the polish on the surface in a circular motion. Let dry to a haze, then buff with a clean towel.

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Heartburn pain

Make ginger tea, combining 1 cup boiling water and 1tsp freshly grated gingerroot, then savor with small sips. Ginger helps muscles relax, keeping stomach acid under control.

Soothe overworked feet

Rub some mentholated ointment (like VapoRub) onto your feet. Then wear a pair of cotton socks and rest your tired soles. The menthol will cool stressed skin and gently numb pain.

Blemish eraser

To get rid of a problem pimple, crush 1 aspirin tablet and add 2 to 4 drops of lemon juice to form a paste. Apply to the blemish and let sit for 20 minutes. Dead skin cells and trapped oil will loose and can be rinsed away.

Fresh-tasting frozen shrimp

Soak shrimp for 10 minutes in a brine of 1 cup boiling water, 3 cups cold water and 1/3 cup salt for every pound of shrimp. The water plumps them up while the salt leaches out any unwanted freezer flavors.

Spongy mushrooms

Prevent mushrooms from becoming mushy before use, by dividing them into piles and wrapping each bunch in paper towels. They should stay firm in the crisper for a week.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Marinate steak in half the time

Add kiwifruits to the liquid to speed up the marinating process. Kiwifruits contain actinidin, an enzyme that helps break down proteins. Just 30 minutes later, the meat is ready to cook.

Ensure baking quality

Next time you bake with acidic ingredients, test the quality of your baking soda first. Stir the product into vinegar, and if it foams, it is still active, if not, you can toss the box.

Keep cookbook pages in place

Prevent cookbook pages from flipping over while you try to stir and chop at the same time. Use a glass baking dish as a paperweight. The heavy bakeware holds the pages down, while the clear surface makes it a snap to see the next step.

Cook a tastier stew

Before adding broth and vegetables to the meat, dust the beef cubes with flour and sear in a heavy-bottom pot without stirring. Browning the beef seals in flavor and juices while the flour thickens the mixture.

Faster ice cubes

Put the kettle on, boil water and pour it into the ice cube trays. Since boiling water has already begun to evaporate, it freezes faster than cold water. Boiling water also cures cubes of the cloudy appearance common to cubes made with tap water.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Hair Dryer Day #1!




Handheld hair dryers are perfect for hairdos but they can also be used in other surprising ways around the house. Here are a handful of them…

Hard-to-dust items

Use a hair dryer to dust hard-to-dust items. The air will blow the dust somewhere else, but hopefully somewhere else that is easier to dust.

Removing contact paper

Remove contact paper from shelves by heating it with the hair dryer and gently working the edges up. Also works for bumper stickers and other rogue sticky things.

Jammed ice-makers

Automatic ice-makers can get jammed with frozen ice. Relieve that with a long blast of hot air from your hair dryer to melt unwanted icebergs.

Defrosting a freezer

Some people use pots of boiling water to quicken freezer defrosting, but a hot hair dryer works even more quickly. Be careful of puddles of water and the dryer, though!

Scooping ice cream

Running an ice cream scoop under hot water helps, but you can also try using a hair dryer on the carton to soften ice cream for easy scooping.

Unstick cake from pan

If your cake will not unstick from the cake pan, use your hair dryer on the bottom of the pan then invert it, it should drop right out.

Icing your cake

If you need to quickly set the icing on a cake, the air and heat of a hair dryer can quicken up the process.

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Killing bedbugs

Freeze infested sheets, backpacks or other items to 23 degrees Fahrenheit or less for at least 5 days. Cold temperature will kill the bugs.

Removing gum

Remove gum stuck to clothes or hair by putting ice on the spot or freezing the clothing, then use a butter knife to pop off the frozen gum.

House odors

Clear the air in your house by boiling a pot of water with a mix of citrus peels and sweet spices, and beat chemical air fresheners that often contain petrochemicals and carcinogens.

Cleaning drains

To prevent drains in your home from getting clogged, pour a pot of boiling water down each one to keep them clear. Do it in a regular basis (monthly is fine), and if you want, you can add some salt or sodium carbonate to the boiling water.

Clean microwave grime

Boil 4tbsp of lemon juice in a cup of water for about 5 minutes. Use a wide bowl to allow lots of steam to condense on the microwave. After carefully taking out the bowl, wipe out splattered stains.

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Wrapping paper leftover

To prevent used wrapping paper from unrolling and tearing in storage, cut the legs off old pairs of panty hose and then store the tubes inside. The stretchy nylon keeps paper tightly rolled.

Blemishes on the wall

Mix some baking soda with a bit of water. Rub the solution over problem areas (tape marks, pinholes etc) using a dry cloth. When turned into a paste, the mild, slightly abrasive baking soda fills in small holes in the wall’s surface as it buffs away smudges and spots.

Match watts when lighting a house

A 60-watt bulb here, a 75-watt one there, an eco-friendly model screwed in for good measure… When you have a different kind of bulb in each lamp, it throws everything off, subtly manipulating the eye and forming strange shadows. Note: the lower the wattage, the more forgiving the light.

Add a little twinkle to a room

Shiny decorative accents, like a subtle metallic lamp shade, an antique silver base, a crystal chandelier, or a well-positioned mirror, reflect a radiant, dappled light that gives any room a special glow.

Lighting your home

Place all lamps at waist level or higher to better illuminate a room, accentuate features, and "fill in" faces. Always avoid direct overhead lighting, which creates Frankenstein-like shadows.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Overripe fruit

The minute you see your fruit going bad, wash it, slice it, peel it (in the case of bananas) and freeze it in resealable bags. You will have instant smoothie or pie makings anytime!

Remove stains from wooden cutting boards

Sprinkle the board with salt rubbing it with lemon. For more stubborn stains, try an abrasive antibacterial kitchen cleaner and scouring pad. For the toughest, reach for sandpaper. And of course wash thoroughly afterward!

Soften hardened brown sugar

Place the sugar in a bowl, cover the sugar with a double layer of wet paper towels, and then cover the bowl with foil or plastic wrap and let it stand overnight.

Refresh crystallized honey

Let the jar or bottle of honey sit for 15 minutes in boiling water that has cooled for five minutes.

Cleaning burnt pots

Spray pots with oven cleaner and leave them for a couple of hours and the grime will wipe right off. It works for stainless kettles as well.

Monday, October 24, 2011

Remove egg shells dropped into eggs

Wet your finger with water before attempting to fish it out. You will be shocked at how easily it can be grabbed and eliminated.

Open stubborn pistachios

Take one half of a shell, stick it into even the littlest opening of an unopened pistachio, and turn the shell half like a key. The pistachio will pop right open!

Protecting skin from sun damage

Dark chocolate help protect the skin from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. They are rich in flavonoids and antioxidants that could prevent wrinkles and cut the risk of skin cancer caused by exposure to sunlight.

Boosting your vision

Omega-3 fatty acids in olive oil help prevent age-related macular degeneration. About 7tbsp per week is already enough to prevent early AMD.

Getting rid of dandruff

Use a shampoo that contains tea tree oil to reduce dandruff and improve the itchiness and greasiness of scalp. You can also safely add a small amount of tea tree oil to your own shampoo to get a similar effect, but no more than a few teaspoons per bottle, to prevent over drying of your scalp.

Friday, October 21, 2011

Toothpaste Day #2!



The same ingredients that help to whiten, brighten, deodorize, remove stains, protect enamel and polish our teeth can also work wonders on many other alternative uses. Try out the following tips and watch the results!

Burned crust on irons

The silica in toothpaste gently grinds away this rusty-looking layer on the plate of the iron.

Deodorize baby bottles

If baby bottles develop a sour-milk smell, a good cleaning with some white toothpaste and a bottle scrubber will clean away residue and deodorize. RINSE WELL!

Tidy up piano keys

Piano keys retain oil from the skin, which then attracts dust and dirt. Clean away grime gently with a damp, lint-free cloth and white toothpaste. After rubbing in the toothpaste, wipe the keys clean with a second lint-free cloth.

Make silver sparkle

Rub white toothpaste onto jewelry or any other silver piece, and wipe clean with a soft cloth. Make diamonds shine by giving them a gentle scrub using a toothbrush, white toothpaste, and a little water. Rinse thoroughly to remove all traces of toothpaste. DO NOT USE THIS TIP ON PEARLS!

Crayon stains on painted walls

Rub a damp cloth with white toothpaste gently on the marked-up wall and watch the marks disappear.

Spruce up dirty shoes

This tip works great on running shoes or scuffed-up leather shoes. Apply white toothpaste directly to the dirty or scuffed area, then scrub with a brush and wipe clean.

Removing stains

For clothes, apply white toothpaste directly to the stain and rub quickly until the spot is gone, then wash as usual (note that using a whitening toothpaste on colors can sometimes bleach the fabric). For carpet stain, apply white toothpaste to it and scrub it with an abrasive brush, then rinse immediately.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Eliminating canker sores

Apply some aloe vera gel to help repair damaged tissues, to decrease or prevent inflammation and control pain. Sores will heal faster.

Shrinking hemorrhoids

Apply some witch hazel to the area, which is a natural astringent already used as ingredient in many hemorrhoids OTC treatment, but may dry out delicate tissue. So, also apply some cream, such as Vaseline or A+D ointment, to moisturize the skin.

Calming irritated skin

To get relief, place a cup of baking soda under a running bath tap so it dissolves completely, and then soak in the water for about 30 minutes.

Soothing insect bites

Make a paste with a crushed antacid tablet, a pinch of oatmeal (also a skin soother), and water and apply it to the skin. Effervescent antacid tablets provide quicker relief from pain and itching.

Keep hair waves bouncy

Sleep on a satin pillowcase to help keep your hair from getting matted, tangled, and frizzy. Cotton cases tend to have coarser texture, which can rough up your hair.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Beat bad breath

Always floss; clean your tongue with your toothbrush (or a tongue scraper); go sugar-free with gum and mints (bacteria tend to ferment sugar which leads to odors); avoid a dry mouth (saliva contains protective enzymes that help kill bad bacteria); chew on a few cardamom seeds instead of mints and gum.

Stinky clothes

Combat mild odors in fabric by adding a cup of baking soda each to your machine’s wash and rinse cycles. If odors persist, dilute 3tbsp of salt (to help kill bacteria) in a quart of warm water and soak the garment for at least one hour. Rinse and wash as usual.

Mineral deposits in water heater

When heated, calcium turns into insoluble calcite, lining pipes and water tanks. Even a thin film can increase energy consumption by 10%. To avoid that, place one small ceramic magnet on each side of the freshwater intake pipe so they are directly across from each other. Secure with tape to prevent shifting. Magnetized water molecules create a force field that blocks the formation of rocklike deposits.

Rusty steel wool

After using a pad, place it in a resealable plastic bag and store it in the freezer until you need it again. The cool air freezes the moisture, stopping rust. Then, just thaw the scrubber under warm water before using.

Clean and shine wood surfaces

Combine 2 parts lemon juice with 1 part olive oil in a spray bottle. Spray on the wood surface and wipe dry with a soft cloth. The citric acid from juice gently dissolves dirt while the oil prevents the wood from drying out.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Hanger bending in the closet

Cut a slit down the entire length of an empty paper-towel tube. Slip the cardboard roll around the hanger bar and drape pants over it.

Perfect caulking

Dip a finger in soapy water before running it along the caulk. Though the moisture helps, the soap is the key. It lets your finger glide smoothly over the silicone without it sticking to your skin.

Younger-looking hands

Next time you make rice for dinner, let the cooking water cool, then soak your hands in it for 10 minutes. The fiber in rice helps cell regeneration, and nutrients increase production of collagen.

Extend your pants at the waist

You ate a little too much and your pants are feeling a bit snug at the waist. Grab a rubber band and unbutton your pants. Feed the band through the buttonhole and then through itself. Then loop the band around the button to secure.

Snag on sweater

Use a crochet hook to pull the loose yarn through to the underside of the garment, and turn the sweater inside out. Make a loop out of the yarn and pull the loose end through to create a small knot. Dab the spot with clear nail polish and let it dry before turning right side out.

Friday, October 14, 2011

Toothpaste Day #1!



The same ingredients that help to whiten, brighten, deodorize, remove stains, protect enamel and polish our teeth can also work wonders on many other alternative uses. Try out the following tips and watch the results!

Scrub away stinky smells

Garlic, fish, onion, and other pungent foods can permeate the skin cells on our hands. Scrubbing hands and fingertips briefly with toothpaste removes all traces of smelly odors.

Keep hair in place

If you are out of regular hair gel, try gel toothpaste to style and hold an extreme hair creation. Gel toothpastes contain the same water-soluble polymers that many hair gels are made of.

Clean up your fingernails

For cleaner, shinier, and stronger nails, simply scrub the underneath and tops of fingernails with a toothbrush and white toothpaste.

Decrease the size of a facial blemish

Apply a tiny dot of white toothpaste to the affected area at night before bed. Wash it off in the morning.

Soothe a stinging burn

For minor burns that do not involve an open wound, white toothpaste can deliver temporary cooling relief. Apply it delicately to the affected area immediately after a burn develops preventing the wound from weeping or opening.

Irritation from bug bites, sores, and blisters

Relieve skin irritation applying a drop of white toothpaste (overnight) to a bug bite or insect sting to stop the itching and decrease any swelling. When applied to sores or blisters, it dries them up, allowing the wound to heal faster.

Scrape marks on glass tabletops

Using your fingertips, rub a dab of white toothpaste over the scratches, let it dry, and rub clean with a lint-free cloth. Mild abrasives that make teeth sparkle also buff away scrapes and restore shine to glass.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Tiny spaces

Use fewer but larger pieces of furniture with clean lines to open the space up. Many small pieces in a small room can overcrowd and clutter the space.

Design your floor

If you do not like rugs or carpets, try to include a pattern into the existing floor by installing different colors of wood boards, ceramic tiles or other flooring material. If you have a low budget, you can even try a different design, painting simple stripes or using stencils.

Storage for nail tools

Use your old glasses case to make a storage box for the emergency kit you use to keep your nails gorgeous. It can perfectly fit an emery board, cuticle scissors and nail clippers.

Make an open floor plan united

Give each room its own character, using a flowing color scheme for both, the walls and the décor. Pick fabrics and rugs with several different colors, as long as you highlight one color as the primary shade in one space and a secondary shade as the primary in another.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Make bread crumbs

If you do not have a food processor, do not waste your unsliced stale bread. Run them across a box grater, and use your bread crumbs to make your favorite dishes.

Make ceilings look taller

If you do not have crown molding, paint the ceiling a slightly lighter shade of the wall color, which will trick your eye into thinking that it is higher. If you do have crown molding, paint vertical stripes on the wall for an instant boost of height.

Easy way to core pineapples

Place pineapple on its side and slice it. Put a large biscuit cutter over one slice, pressing down to make a perfect circle and removing the skin at the same time. Repeat with the remaining slices. Use a 1 1/2" cutter to remove the inner core in the same manner.

Tall ceilings

The normal rule of thumb is to hang art 60 inches from the finished floor to the middle of the image, but when you are dealing with really tall spaces you may consider hanging collection of art instead of a single picture.

Sweet tomatoes year-round

To give your tomatoes a sweeter taste and juicer texture, bake them whole for about 30 minutes in a 350F oven. As they cook, the sugars in the fruit caramelize. Just cool, chop and toss them in any dish you want.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Eco-friendly decorating

There are fashionable options that allow you to respect the earth when you decorate your home. Buying antiques is a good example, but you can also check furniture retailers offering upholstered goods made with Forest Stewardship Council certified wood frames, soy-based fillers and naturally dyed upholstery.

Tender breast meat

When cooking a whole chicken, the breast meat dries out by the time the thighs are cooked. To get moist all over the bird, place ice cubes in the pan and set the bird breast side down on top. Let sit 20 minutes, turn the chicken over, discarding the cubes, and roast as usual. The breast meat will take longer to heat and will not dry out.

Reducing your sauce to delicious

Your recipe calls for reducing a sauce down to 1 cup. Sometimes eyeballing works but you want a more exact way to measure that. Before cooking, pour 1 cup water into a pot, stand a wooden spoon handle in the pot, mark the level with food coloring and discard the water. Next time you make sauce, use the spoon to measure the amount.

Home décor trends under budget

Embrace the newest color trend through throw pillows, blankets and other changeable items without having to repaint an entire room. Color trends can change often and few have the energy and money to constantly redesign.

Test for fresh green beans

Before bagging them at market, bend a bean. If it snaps, it is fresh and tender. If it can be folded, give them a pass and choose another vegetable.

Monday, October 10, 2011

Go green with back-to-school swap

Host a back-to-school swap with other moms, with kids the same gender as yours but different ages, for an annual clothes swap. Also trade toys and books and save some money.

Back to school basic supplies

Check supermarket weekly circulars for great deals on basic supplies (pens, loose-leaf paper etc), and get your weekly grocery shopping done at the same time. You will save time and also money in gas.

Back to school gear

Hold off buying trendier gear for the kids. They may love a version they found before school time, but once they start school and see their friends using another kind, they will beg you to upgrade them.

Sleep more deeply

Fill your pillows with lavender flower scent. Lavender increases deep slow-wave sleep, and helps people with mild insomnia.

Revive your libido

The smell of baby powder, cucumber or licorice, has been shown to turn women on, increasing vaginal blood flow by 13%.

Friday, October 7, 2011

Vinegar Day #3!




There are tons of other applications for this product beyond using it as an ingredient in your kitchen! Vinegar is also well-known as a great all-purpose cleaner!

Polish patent leather accessories

Give them a rub with a white vinegar-soaked cloth. Buff them with a dry one.

Clean the microwave

Fill a microwave-safe bowl with 2 cups water and half cup white vinegar. Heat it on full power for 3-4 minutes until it comes to a boil. Keep the door closed for a few minutes longer to let the steam fill the microwave, loosening the grime. Remove the bowl (carefully!) and wipe down interior walls with a clean sponge.

Disinfect wood cutting boards

Wipe down wood boards with a wash of white vinegar.

Clean grills

Spray white vinegar on a ball of tin foil, and then use it to give the grate a firm scrub.

Clean paintbrushes

Soak paintbrushes in white vinegar for an hour before simmering them on the stove to remove hardened paint. Drain and rinse.

Polish linoleum floors

Add 1 cup of white vinegar for every gallon of water you use to wash your linoleum floor.

Make a toilet sparkle

Pour in a cup or two of white vinegar and let it sit there overnight before scrubbing with a toilet brush next day.

Clean a grimy showerhead

To get rid of scum, fill a Ziploc with half cup of baking soda and 1 cup white vinegar and tie it around the showerhead. Let it sit for an hour, until the bubbling has stopped. Remove the bag and run the shower as usual.

Clean the shower door

Spray them down with white vinegar pre-shower, or post (after you have squeegeed the glass) to remove hard water deposits.

Clean grout

Pour on some white vinegar, let it hang out for a few minutes, and buff with an old toothbrush.

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Save space in a master bedroom

Your first consideration should be to minimize the bed. A bold headboard, rather than a space-sucking style with rails and footboard, will allow room for a seating area or extra storage.

Quick fix for stale muffins

When muffins get dried out and crumbly, use 2tbsp of milk to brush them and heat in a 300F oven for 6 minutes, or until warmed through.

Find good deals online

Browse craigslist.org for top-quality stuff on the cheap, and you can be a seller too.

Crank up your workout

Sniffing peppermint vapors can give you more motivation, energy, speed, and confidence. Some athletes use peppermint inhalers, and at one time Reebok even built a peppermint smell into some sports bras.

Soothe menstrual cramps

Get a daily 15-minute abdominal massage with essential oils for 1 week before your period. The smell of essential oils can decrease discomfort by half.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Fight a headache

Use less medication! The aroma of lavender or peppermint, can easy a headache and make you feel better.

Improve learning

Sniff rosemary and feel more alert next time you watch a presentation or deal with a new software program that drives you crazy.

To calm down

The smell of oranges before some people, and lavender before others, make them feel less anxious, more positive and calmer.

Resist a snack attack

Sniff a green apple (banana and peppermint work well too) or another favorite scent. A fragrance you love can help manage cravings.

Fruit flies

Put some beer in a cup, cut the corner off of a sandwich bag and place the cut corner in the cup; folding the rest around the cup and securing with a rubber band. Place the cup in the bin and say good bye to little flying guys.

Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Polish pots

Because of beer's slight acidity, it can help boost shine without staining the metal like a higher-acidity liquid would. Try a not noticeable test spot first: dampen a soft towel with beer, and buff.

Marinate meat and mushrooms

Beer is slightly acidic and works as a great tenderizer that is not as acidic in flavor as wine or vinegar based marinades. Use a hearty-flavored beer like a stout or barley wine, poke a few holes in the meat or mushrooms, add any other herbs or spices, and allow marinating in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight.

Slugs and snails in the garden

Bury a clean container (like an empty juice carton cut length-wise in half) in the area where you have seen the pests, so that the top is about one-half inch higher than ground level, and pour in leftover beer. Slugs and snails will fall in, and drown.

Exterminate weeds

Soak weeds with a mixture of half water and half vinegar (you can use the leftover vinegar from a jar of pickles), and they will be dead a few days later. This is a good method for exterminating weeds with long taproots.

Prevent weeds from growing

At the end of winter, sprinkle some salt on gravel garden paths to keep weeds from coming up in the spring. Salt also makes a good weed barrier along lawn edgings and other places you cannot reach with a lawn mower. Apply it carefully, because it will erode concrete surfaces and can leave the ground infertile for a long time.

Monday, October 3, 2011

Eliminate weeds

Cover low-growing weeds such as clover and crabgrass with several layers of newspaper. The lack of sunlight will exterminate them. Similarly, put down layers of newspaper (it is biodegradable) and then cover them with mulch. This is a highly effective way of keeping weeds from sprouting up, and it helps the soil retain moisture.

Dry out weeds

When cooking potatoes or pasta, repurpose the boiling water by draining the pot directly onto the weeds in your yard, herb garden and patio. A splash of scalding water will shrivel even the toughest weeds in a couple of days.

Pulling weeds

Some weeds are much tougher to pull than others. Try watering the area directly around the weed or pulling weeds after a rainstorm, when the ground is softer. Also, insert a knife blade, screwdriver or "dandelion puller" alongside the deep root and pry it loose a little before pulling.

Scrape marks on dark wood

Make a paste of 2 parts instant coffee to 1 part water and apply to marks with a soft cloth. The more you dab, the darker the stain. Wipe excess with a clean rag.

Stubborn stains in carpet

Place a clean wet terry-cloth towel on the spot and press it with an iron set on high, alternately pushing down on the iron and moving it back and forth. Rewet the towel and check the stain every 15 seconds until it is gone. The moisture from the cloth liquefy the dye while the steam dry it out of the fibers.

Friday, September 30, 2011

Vinegar Day #2!



There are tons of other applications for this product beyond using it as an ingredient in your kitchen! Vinegar is also well-known as a great all-purpose cleaner!

Shine porcelain sinks

A bit of white vinegar and a good scrub should leave them sparkling.

Clean can openers

Scrub the wheel of your can opener with white vinegar using an old toothbrush.

Deter ant infestations

Spray white vinegar outside doorways and windowsills, and anywhere you see a trail of critters.

Treat tupperware stains and odor

Wipe the containers with a white vinegar-saturated cloth.

Remove stains on aluminum pots

Fill pot with 1 cup vinegar and 1 cup water and let it boil. Rinse with water.

Remove stains in coffee cups

Create a paste using of equal parts white vinegar and salt (or baking soda), and scrub gently before rinsing.

Get rid of lime deposits on your tea kettle

Fill the kettle with vinegar and let it boil. Allow it to cool, and rinse with water.

To make old glassware sparkle

To get rid of the cloudy effect, wrap a white vinegar-soaked towel around the glass and let it sit. Remove and rinse with hot water.

Bust oven grease

If you have got grease spots on the oven door, pour some white vinegar directly on the stains, let it sit for 15 minutes, and wipe away with a sponge.

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Repair plastic toys

Grab a metal butter knife and heat the blade over a flame until it is very hot. Immediately run it over both broken ends of the toy, hold the parts together for a few seconds, and let it cool. The heat will not burn the plastic but will melt it just enough so the pieces fuse together.

Sewing buttons

Place a toothpick against the shirt (under the button) as you sew the garment. Keeping the button a slight distance from the fabric ensures the clasp will not be too tight against the shirt, so you will sidestep that gathered effect and the thread’s give will make the button easier to fasten.

Shoveling snow

If warmer temperatures are making the snow stick to the shovel, coat the blade with cooking spray before putting it to work. The lubricant makes the shovel's surface slick, so snow glides right off.

Secure online shopping

To ensure every website you visit is secure, sneak a peek at the address bar of your browser after arriving at a page that prompts you to enter personal data. Secure sites change from "http" to "https".

Blister pain

Wet a cotton ball with mouthwash and apply to the broken skin. The thymol in mouthwash acts as an antiseptic to prevent infection and encourage healing.

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Broken lipstick

Remove the broken piece with a tissue, then wave a lit match beneath it. Once the lipstick softens, put it back on the base, spin the tube down and pop it in the fridge for 5 minutes to set the mold.

Wrinkles in fabric

Use a curling iron to straighten wrinkles in your ribbons and fabric belts.

Stainless-steel scratches

To minimize a scratch on stainless steel, try steel wool. Rub it gently in line with the grain until marks disappear. Afterwards, you can try spraying a wax-based aerosol spray to polish.

Cleaning wall splatters

There are basically two kinds of stains on painted walls: oil and waterborne. Take a wet cloth or paper towel to the waterborne ones (wine, Jell-O, ketchup, mustard, smashed mosquitoes etc.). For oily stains (cooking grease, crayon etc.), try using a little mild dishwashing soap mixed in with water, and then rinsing with water.

Cleaning cast iron pan

To clean a cast-iron pan, add 2tbsp of oil and place on medium heat. Once the pan is heated, pour in 3tbsp of salt. Next, using a tong to hold a paper towel, scour until clean. Rinse and coat with vegetable oil to cure.

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Mop up tile

To clean tile floors or a backsplash, mix half a cup of baking soda into two gallons of water, and then scrub with a string mop or sponge.

Uncooked spaghetti as frosting protector

Poke a few stiff pieces of the uncooked pasta in the surface and sides of a dessert before wrapping it for easy transport.

Egg cleanup

Sop up a spilled egg by sprinkling salt over the mess. Wait 2 minutes and wipe it up.

Food-container deodorizer

Stuff a balled-up piece of newspaper into a plastic container that has developed a funk, and let it sit overnight. By morning the paper will have absorbed the offending smell.

Dishwasher cleaner

Clean lime deposits and iron stains inside the dishwasher by pouring a packet of lemonade Kool-Aid (the only flavor that works) into the detergent cup and running the (empty) dishwasher. The citric acid in the mix wipes out stains.

Monday, September 26, 2011

Floor scratches filler

Repair hardwood floors by rubbing shelled walnuts into shallow scratches. Their natural oils help hide the flaws.

Freezer freshener

Trade frostbite funk for a more pleasing freezer scent and wipe the inside of the icebox with a vanilla extract dampened cotton pad.

Dank basement

Cut an onion in half, place it on a plate and leave it out overnight. Once the initial salad-bar aroma dissipates, you will have a fresh (non-oniony) atmosphere in your basement.

Jar deodorizer

Deodorize smelly glass jars by washing them with a mixture of 1tsp powdered mustard and 1 quart warm water.

Laundry brightener

Instead of bleach, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of lemon juice to the wash cycle to brighter up those fading whites.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Vinegar Day #1!

There are tons of other applications for this product beyond using it as an ingredient in your kitchen! Vinegar is also well-known as a great all-purpose cleaner!

Clean the dishwasher

To remove soap build-up and odors from the dishwasher, once a month, pour 1 cup of vinegar into an empty dishwasher and run the machine through its entire cycle.

Clean and disinfect the fridge

Use a mixture of half water, half vinegar to wipe down the interior shelves and walls of your refrigerator.

Disinfect countertops

Wipe down surfaces with a rag dipped in vinegar.

Deodorize the garbage disposal

Make ice cubes out of vinegar. Run the disposal with a few vinegar ice cubes and cold water.

Deodorize the sink

Pour 1 cup baking soda, followed by 1 cup hot vinegar, down the drain. Let sit for at least 5 minutes, and then rinse with hot water.

More efficient laundry

When your laundry day comes around, throw in a capful of white vinegar. Your colors will come out bolder and your whites, whiter. If you have recently had an encounter with a skunk, it will take more than a capful.

Grass stains

Mix 1/3 cup white vinegar and 2/3 cup water. Apply the solution to the stain and blot with a clean cloth. Repeat this process until you have removed as much green as possible, and then launder as usual.

Break bad bonds

Having trouble getting that annoying sticky label residue off a product? Vinegar can be used as a solvent to dissolve many common adhesives. It is also good at cutting grease.

Fight bacteria in produce

Vinegar can help remove bacteria and pesticide residues from fruits and veggies. Mix 3 parts water to 1 part white vinegar, and dispense in a spray bottle. Apply to produce and then rinse with water.

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Sticker remover

A little hot air from a hair dryer quickly loosens price labels, with zero fingernail-chipping frustration.

Clothespin as cord keeper

The secret to keeping a retractable cord from rewinding too soon is to clip the cord near the opening.

Garbage disposal deodorizer

Keep your disposal smelling fresh by dropping a few citrus peels down the drain and flipping the switch.

Bottle and vase cleaners

Use broken eggshells to clean the hard-to-reach places in bottles and vases. Drop some crushed shells in the bottle, add warm water and a drop of dishwashing liquid, and give it a good swirl.

Remove gunk from the soleplate of an iron

With the setting on low, rub the iron over a dryer sheet until the residue disappears, and you are left with a pristine press.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Cooking spray as candlestick cleaner

Spray the inside of a votive holder with a thin coating before dropping in a tea light. After the candle has burned down, the remaining wax will slip out.

Tarnish prevention

Slow the tarnish on your good silver by tying up a few moisture-absorbing pieces of chalk in cheesecloth and store them with your cutlery for shinier flatware.

Car wax as a polisher

Polish faucets, sinks, tile and shower doors with car wax, which leaves behind a protective barrier against water and soap buildup.

Aluminum foil as scrubber

To get baked-on food off a glass pan or an oven rack, use dishwashing liquid and a ball of foil in place of a steel-wool soap pad. It is one way to recycle those used but perfectly good pieces of foil you hate to throw out.

Better flavor for ground turkey

Ground turkey is healthier for your recipe, but does not taste as good as your original ingredient. To get a better flavor, add 1 beef bouillon cube in the cooking liquid. It adds the missing flavor without upping the calories or fat.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

For clean cut celery

To get neat slices of celery, use the straight center section of the knife to cut it, instead of the curved tip.

Perfect shape for burgers

To prevent your burgers from looking domed (when the centers puff) after they are ready, make and indentation in the middle of each patty before cooking them in the grill.

Refresh an artificial flower bouquet

If silk flowers are dusty and started to smell bad, tie the stems together with a rubber band, place them in the dryer along with a scented fabric-softener sheet, and tumble-dry (low heat) for 5 minutes.

Keep dog’s water cold

Crush a few fresh mint leaves and toss them into dog’s water dish (be sure your pet likes the taste). The menthol in the herb sends a “cold” signal to the dog’s brain, creating a cooling sensation. Water in bowl will smell better as well.

Lining cake pans

Trace the pan on parchment paper and cut the shape. Fold the paper in half twice (lengthwise, then widthwise), place the point in the center of the pan, unfold the liner and just snip off any excess paper.

Monday, September 19, 2011

Save your gravy

When you are slicing your London broil, place your cutting board inside a large rimmed baking sheet. The juice from the meat will run into the pan, and then you can just pour it straight into a saucepot to make perfect gravy.

Storing winter wear

Plastic bags can yellow your winter woolens. To put them away for next year, cut a small hole in the top of an old pillowcase and slip them over the hanger, keeping your clothes fresh, and dust and mold-free.

Fuss-free molten cakes

To transfer the batter to ramekins without making a mess, first pour the batter into a resealable plastic bag, then snip the corner and squeeze the mixture into each cup.

Keeping beets fresh

Keep the roots fresh by trimming off all but 1 inch of the stems before placing them in a bag and storing them in the crisper.

Beautiful deviled eggs

To ensure that the yolks will be centered, store raw eggs upside down (or heavy side up) in the carton. Since the yolks cannot fall completely to the narrow end, they will settle in the center. Once hard-boiled, peeled and halved, the eggs will be perfect for filling.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Microwave Day #2!

A few more things you can do in a microwave you may not know yet...

REMINDERS: always use “microwave safe” cookware; before heating liquids (without any solid ingredient inside), make sure you know the risks of “superheating liquids in MW”; if any items catch fire inside a MW, switch it off and keep its door closed; do not run an empty MW; and be aware that IS NOT SAFE TO USE:
• Cold storage containers, such as margarine tubs, cottage cheese, yogurt cartons etc.
• Brown paper bags and newspapers.
• Foam-insulated cups, bowls, plates or trays.
• Aluminum foil (some specific situations are safe but it is better not to take risks).
• Food cooked in any container or packaging that has warped or melted during heating.
• Any metallic object, such as metal pans, china with metallic paint or trim, Chinese take-out containers with metal handles, metal twist-ties on package wrapping etc.

Make homemade popcorn

Place 1/2 cup popcorn kernels in a large microwave-safe bowl with 1tbsp olive or canola oil. Cover with a microwave-safe plate and microwave on high (power level 10) until the majority of the kernels have popped, 3 to 5 minutes.

Make apple sauce

In a microwave-safe bowl, combine 1 pound peeled and diced apples with 1/4 cup water, 2tsp sugar, and 1/8tsp cinnamon. Cover and microwave on high (power level 10) until the apples are tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Mash with a fork or potato masher.

Toast pine nuts and sliced almonds

Spread nuts on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high (power level 10) in 1 minute intervals, tossing in between, until beginning to turn golden, 4 to 5 minutes.

Warm tortillas

Wrap tortillas in a damp paper towel. Microwave on high (power level 10) for 40 seconds to 1 minute.

Toast bread crumbs and coconut

Spread them out on a plate and heat in microwave on high for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring every minute. Keep in mind that they will continue to toast for about a minute after removal.

Get more juice from citrus fruits

A lemon or lime taken straight from the refrigerator is harder to juice than one left at room temperature or warmed slightly. To get the most juice, microwave citrus fruits for 20 seconds before squeezing.

Roasting garlic

Slice off the top of the head to reveal all the cloves. Place the head in a small, deep dish, season with salt and pepper, and drizzle with 2tbsp of good olive oil. Spoon 2tbsp of water into the bottom of the dish, cover it with plastic wrap, and cook in microwave at medium power for 7 minutes. Let stand for a few minutes before unwrapping.