Smoothie perfection

Keep an ice tray filled with orange juice in the freezer and use fruity ice cubes to replace regular ones in a smoothie recipe that asks for a frosty texture. Plain ice cubes usually reduces the drink’s tangy flavor.

Unmold cake from a pan

When your cake cools and gets stuck in a metal pan, carefully rotate the pan over low heat on the stove top for a few seconds. This process will melt the grease that was initially spread on the bottom of the pan, helping you to remove the confection without breaking it.

Make perfect muffins

Hold a 2 3/4" round cookie cutter over each muffin cup while sprinkling the topping. The cutter fits perfectly over the cup and prevents messy muffins and dirty kitchen counter tops.

Refresh your fridge

To keep your refrigerator fresh and free of odors, cut an orange in half and remove the pulp. Fill it with some salt and place it on a plate in a quiet spot inside the appliance. The salt will absorb odors while the orange shell releases a nice citrus scent.

Working with a hammer

To protect your fingers from hammer hits, run a piece of sandpaper over the tool’s head to roughen up the metallic surface, adding grip and friction to it. Over time hammer’s head becomes smooth, which makes it more likely to slip when hitting the nail.

Helping your confidence

When going to an event where you do not know many people, try this trick. Stop at the entrance, choose a spot on the back wall and give a little wave. You will look comfortable and self-assured, and nobody will realize who you were waving to.

Enhance your eyelash

Blast your eyelash curler with a hair dryer for about 15 seconds before using. The heat will turn the tool into a mini curling iron that will make your lashes prettier.

Quick fix for frizzy hair

Lather a little bit of soap between your hands and work your fingers through your hair. Soap negative ions will neutralize static.

Keep dogs well behaved

To stop your dog from begging at your party, spread a thin layer of peanut butter or soft cheese on the edges and knots of his favorite bone and give it to him. This will keep him busy for a while.

Cleaning cat’s litter box

Just flush the litter box with very hot water. The high temperature will disinfect the plastic but leave enough cat scent to guarantee your pet’s interest in the same box.

Relieve poison ivy itch

Dampen a black tea bag and apply to the itchy area for about 15 minutes. Tannins in tea will reduce tenderness, swelling and itchiness.

Cleaning dog’s ears

Mix equal parts of vinegar and warm water and place a few drops directly in the dog’s ear canal. Massage the fur at the base of the ear for about 1 minute and use a cotton ball to clean and dry the inner ear.

De-fur clothing easily

Rub an unused dryer sheet on the clothes in a circular motion. The positive particles will eliminate static and remove all the pet hair.

Clean dirt from shoes

Sprinkle some cornstarch onto the sole of each shoe. The powder will absorb any moisture, turning the mess into dried flakes that are easy to clean.

Easy to open magnetic cabinets

If your cabinet doors have magnetic strips that are too strong, stick a piece of clear tape over them. This will lessen the magnetic pull, letting you open the doors effortlessly.

Secure stuffed animal’s button eyes

Keep buttons in place for good by sewing the eye back and applying a coat of clear nail polish to the thread. Let it dry. The hardened polish will prevent the threads from breaking.

Remove sticky tar from a car

Spread some Russian dressing over the black tar. Let it sit for 5 minutes and wipe it all off with a clean cloth.