---HOUSEHOLD HINTS---
TOMATO JUICE STAIN:
I just stumbled onto this problem solver this week. We went to lunch with friends and I had a BLT. Natuarally, I got a big blob of tomato juice on my favorite polyester/cotton white blouse. My friend, Wanda Fellows told me that cold water
would take it out.
It dimmed it, but didn’t remove it. After it hung there for a while, I was brushing my teeth and I thought “I’ll just try some toothpaste.” I was using Colgate’s Tartar Control plus Whitening toothpasts, I scrubbed the stain with some of it--directly from the tube. The stain was still visible, so I figured it didn’t work either, but I just left the blouse hanging on the towel rack.
The next time I looked at the blouse, it was perfectly white--no stain remaining. I donÂ’t really know how long it took for the stain to be removed, but it worked.
BLEACHING POLYESTER/COTTON:
Never, but NEVER use bleach on polyester/cotton fabric. I learned the hard way by trying to bleach a white dress of my baby daughterÂ’s. After bleaching, her white dress was an awful yellow which never came out. That was a long time ago, but I havenÂ’t forgotten the lesson I learned.
TO KILL ROACHES
In a large bowl, mix 16 ounces of boric acid, 1 cup of flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 1 chopped small onion (optional), and 1/2 cup shortening. Add water, a small amount at the time, to form a soft dough.
Shape into small balls (1/2” diameter) and place throughout the house in places normally inhabited by roaches, but out of the reach of children and pets. Roaches like dark places--this is where they normally live, coming out only after it is dark.
Recipe from Myrl Cooper Rainey, BasilÂ’s aunt.
Unable To Sleep
If you have problems getting to sleep when crickets come calling in the middle of the night, here is a sure cure. Put a wet towell or wash cloth in your kitchen or bathroom sink at night, and you'll find your noisy "neighbors" hiding there in the morning.
How To Shine Patent Leather Handbags And Shoes
These items can look like new if you will take a soft cloth and apply regular milk to the surface. Rub briskly until the surface looks like new>
To Avoid Slips and falls on Stairs
Obtain some nonslip strips normally used in bathtubs and apply to your steps or stairs. This works great in wet weather.
Snow Removal Tip
Before you start to shovel snow each winter apply a coat of regular floor wax to your snow shovel. The wax helps prevent rust and also helps the snow slide off without sticking. When the cold season is over treat your snow shovels this way for the next season.
Its Easy to Read Your Rain Guage
Make sure your gauge is emty then put in a few drops of food coloring. Even if the color dries it will still show enough color when it rains to make it easy to read the rainfall amount.
Leg Coasters for Your Porch Furniture
A quick solution for missing coaster caps is soda bottle caps.
Thes caps fit nicely on most furniture and can be replaced the next time you finish a bottle of pop.
Cleaning Your Barbecue Grill
Before retiring for the evening after a nice barbecue, place the grill rack on the lawn just before you retire. During the night the dew will combine with the enzymes in the grass to loosen any burned-on grease. Try it with even messy oven racks too.
Removal of Plastic Bags Melted on your Toaster of Coffee Pot
If and when this happens rub some petroleum jelly on the spot, reheat the appliance and use a paper towel to rub off the plastic and the printing.
Moth Problem When Storing Woolens
When placing these items in storage roll or pack newspapers in with the wollen items.
Treatment for Bee Stings
If you are stung by a bee apply a slice of onion to the spot and hold it there for a minute or two. It does the trick!.
Make your own Window Cleaning Solution
To make your own cleaning mixture that is much less expensive
than commercial solution, add 1/2 cup of rubbing alcohol to one quart of water. Use it in a pail or pour into a spray bottle.
It works!!.
How to keep Shower Doors Shiny and Clear
Use a soft cloth moistened with baby oil and wipe the inside surface. This will prevent scum build-up from dust and soap. It will also help prevent hard water spots for several months.
"Dry Clean" Your Dog in the Winter
To clean your dog during the winter months rub baking soda in its fur. Cover the entire body. Brush out excess soda with the use of a regular dog brush or an old hair brush.
Hanging a Picture on Plaster Walls
You can make this task much easier if you will heat the nail with a small flame before driving into wall. This will prevent the plaster from chipping or cracking.
Make Your Own Bookmarks
In an emergence cut the corners from used envelopes and place them over the corners of your pages to identify the page you want.
To Reduce Cat Hair
Gently rub a damp paper towel or soft cloth over your cat. It will collect the loose hair and also remove surface dirt and dust.
Remove Candle Wax from Carpeting
Place a brown paper bag over the spilled wax then gently run a warm iron over the brown paper. In stubborn situations you may need to repeat the operation.
Sticky Tops on Tubes of Glue
To prevent this problem in the first place remove the cap and coat the screw threads with petroleum jelly. Be sure to cover the entire rim area. It also works on paint cans.
The following hints and ideas come from Heloise and are found either in her book or in her Newspapere articles. At any rate they are worth repeating here.
To put life back into your sheer window curtains follow these instructions.
Fill a cleansink with cool water and add one (1) cup of Epsom salts. Mix the water thoroughly until the salts are completely disolved.
Now submerge those lifeless curtains in the sink and make certain
every inch gets good and wet. Pull the curtains out (no need to wring them out) and hang themover a bathtub or shower until dry.
That's all there is to it.
Rid you pans of stuck on food
Add a heapiung tablespoon or two of baking soda and about onethird cup of vinegar to one inch of hot water in the pan.
Let themixture stand for 5 to 10 minutes,then wash the pan with detergent and water.
Suggestions on how to save big bucks now that energy costs are on the rise across the country.
1. Go to your hardward store and ask about purchasing an insulation blanket for your hot water heater. The heaviest users of power in your home is your hot water heater and cooking range.
2. Consider converting your incadescent light bulbs to fluorescent. You will use much less energy and have the same amount of light.
3. Teach your family to always turn off lights when no longer required. If you could measure, you would be amazed at how much energy is wasted this way.
4. When rinsing your hands always try to use cold water. It's better for your skin and saves power. Why, because each time you turn on the hot water faucet your hot water heater comes on thereby using excess fuel.
5. It is also a good idea to inspect the weather proofing materail around your doors and windows and replace it if necessary.
6. Turn off burners on your range when not in use and learn to use low heat cooking when possible.
Note: The first time my husband and I implemented these energy saving tips we cut our monthly bill by 50%.
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