Make perfume last longer

Dab some petroleum jelly on your pulse before spraying your favorite perfume. The texture of the jelly attracts and locks in fragrance molecules on your skin for the entire day.

Fireplace cleanup

To prevent flaky ash particles from rising when you are cleaning a fireplace, break tea bags open, after making your tea, and sprinkle over dirty fireplace remains. The damp leaves will settle the ashes, making your job much easier.

Restore plastic objects

To improve the look of dull plastic items (as such plastic toys), spray the pieces with a thin coat of automotive vinyl protector. The silicone-based liquid creates an invisible shield that hides marks and scratches, restoring shine.

Fingerprints on pictures

To erase fingerprints from pictures, just dab some rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball and carefully wipe away the marks. This procedure will evaporate the oily residue without damaging the prints' glossy finish.

Home hair-coloring error

If you made a mistake with the tones of your hair color, just wash your hair once or twice with a strong dandruff shampoo. The zinc in the foams will open up cuticles, allowing hair to release color.

Kitchen drapes care

Keep kitchen curtains clean by spraying them with starch. The resulting crisp surface repels grease and prevents dust from adhering to the fabric.

Water stains on wooden furniture

Rub some mayonnaise right onto the stains with a paper towel and let sit overnight. Next day, wipe with a clean damp cloth. The mayo soaks in and absorbs water from the marks, dissolving them and restoring the furniture.

Fog-proof eyeglasses

Keep eyeglasses from clouding when changes in temperature happen (while cooking or during winter time, for example). Pour a drop of dishwashing liquid on both sides of the lenses and rub them clean with a soft cloth. If your activities make them cloudy very often, do this every other day to make sure they will always be clean.

Grass stains on clothes

Apply enough liquid dish soap to cover the stains and rub into the fabric using your fingers. Let sit for a while (60 to 90 minutes), then rinse with cold water and wash normally. The degreaser in soap breaks apart ground-in chlorophyll proteins that cause the marks.

The best time to shop

Go shopping in the morning to guarantee you will make smart purchasing decisions! Judgment and processing skills are at their sharpest in the AM. Besides buying what is really right for you, you will have the best selection to choose from since you will be among the first customers of the day.

Keep mice away

Place a peppermint tea bag in each corner of mice favorite spots. They register the strong menthol smell as an olfactory panic alarm.

Cleaning a shower drain

Use a long crochet hook to unclog your shower drain. The hook can pick up hair and other stuff that gets stuck too far down for fingers to reach.

Scratches on wooden furniture

Break a walnut, pecan or Brazil nut in half and wipe the mark with the nut's flesh in the direction of the scratch. Rub your finger back and forth over the area until it is warm. The body heat makes the wood expand a little to absorb the nut's oil, which will restore the wood's sheen.

Outlet shopping

Outlet discounts average only about 30% off the full price. To get really good deals, buy only out-of-season items and pay close attention to tags. An item categorized "first quality" is equivalent to one you would find in a regular store; otherwise, the garment was manufactured specifically for the outlet and most likely is of inferior quality. Practicing this behavior, you avoid surprises, such as finding the same item on sale at the mall for a price cheaper than what you have paid at the outlet.

Organizing linens

Do not waste time searching through a packed linen closet when you need to change your bedding. Simply store each set of sheets in a matching pillow-case and get your hands on the right ones in seconds.

Lipstick stains on clothes

To remove lipstick stain from a washable fabric (cotton, rayon etc.), cover the stain with a dab of petroleum jelly, let it sit for about 5 minutes and wash as usual. The glycerin breaks down the oil-based stain without damaging the fabric.

Improvise a measuring tool

Anytime you are shopping and find an item that you want to buy but the measurements in the package are missing, use a dollar bill to figure out its dimensions. The bill is 6 1/8” long and about 2 1/5” wide. Write down these numbers on the bill and keep it in your wallet forever. You will have a handy measuring device to help you size up anything you need.

Hard-water stains

To remove hard-water stains from sinks and their metal fixtures, use a sponge to dab some full-strength fabric softener on the areas. Let sit for about 15 minutes, then wipe with a damp cloth. The softener’s fatty acids quickly dissolve the alkaline stains in porcelain and metal, and the clear coating that remains on the surfaces will prevent mineral and soap residue from sticking.

Cleaning paintbrushes

To prevent paintbrushes from stiffening after use, soak them for 3 to 5 minutes in a bucket filled with hot water and a couple drops of fabric softener. Rinse and wipe dry.

Streaked windows

Fill a bucket with a gallon of hand-hot water and stir in 2 capfuls of fabric softener. Dip a sponge in the solution, squeeze it out slightly, then use it to wash the windows. Wipe dry with a lint-free cloth.

Neutralize car odors

To freshen your car, combine 2 tsp of liquid fabric softener and 1 quart of water, pour into a spray bottle, shake, and then lightly spritz the seats and carpets. Allow to dry completely.

Laundry soapsuds overflow

If your washing machine is overflowing with suds, due to the use of too much soap, pour a capful of fabric softener into the washer. The acidic pH level of the softener neutralizes the alkaline detergent, dissolving suds on contact.

Speed dusting time

Next time you dust, use a cloth dampened with a dab of fabric softener. The lubricant makes the debris adhere to the cloth, picking up all particles on surfaces. The product will also leave behind an invisible layer that will prevent dust and grime from sticking to furniture.