Household Tips

Household Tips
Easy Eyeglass Fixer: Do you find yourself always tightening the screws on your eyeglasses? To prevent the screws from loosening, apply a small drop of clear nail polish to the threads of the screws before tightening them.
Remove Permanent Marker Stains: If you have a permanent marker stain on your counters or tupperware, just use hand sanitizer to get the stain out. It will take that permanent marker right off the surface.
Polish Your Jewelry: Yet another side of Alka Seltzer! Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse jewelry for two minutes. The wonders of Alka Seltzer work yet again!
Clean Mirrors With What?: Use air-freshener to clean mirrors. It does a good job AND leaves a lovely smell to the shine. Kill two birds with one stone.
Ants, Ants, Ants Everywhere: Have an ant problem? Create a barrier between the ants and your house with chalk. It is said that ants will never cross a chalk like. Still skeptical? Get out your chalk and draw a line on the floor where the ants tend to march and see for your self.

Dusting Artificial Flowers Made Easy: To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag and add the flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all the dust and dirt and leave your artificial flowers looking like new! Works like a charm!
Make Candles Last Longer: Believe it or not, there is a way to make candles last longer. Place candles in the freezer for at least 3 hours prior to burning, the coldness will slow the melting.
Keep Clothes Smelling Fresh: Love that fresh-out-of-the-dryer smell? Place fabric softener sheets in dresser drawers and your clothes will keep that freshly-washed smell for weeks to come. You can also do this with towels and linens.
Great Smells Without The Candles: Spray a bit of perfume on the lightbulb in any room to create a lovely light scent in the room when the light is turned on. This is an great and easy way to leave a subtle scent in your favorite room without all the fuss.
Rid Window Streaks: Fed up with streaky windows? Straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean. But don't wash windows on a sunny day because they will dry too quickly and streak defeating the purpose for washing the windows.
Blood Stains On Clothes: Cut yourself AND ruin a new shirt? Not to worry! Your finger will heal and to mend your shirt just pour a little hydrogen peroxide on a cloth and proceed to dab off every drop of blood. Works every time!
Permanent Marker Too Permanent For You?: Wanting to get rid of permanent marker on appliances or countertops? Put a little rubbing alcohol on paper towel and it will wipe the marks away.
Clean Your Microwave: Spring cleaning time!!! Place a wet towel in the microwave for 30 seconds to loosen up those pesky stains.
Make Batteries Last Longer: Heat drains out battery power. To help them last longer place them in the refrigerator! Keep new batteries in original package, or place them in a plastic bag to fight against moisture. Remove the batteries from the refrigerator 2 hours before using.

Fire! Fire!: Not all households have fire extinguishers, so when dealing with grease and electrical fires, splashing water everywhere will just spread the fire, instead put our small fires with baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda over the fire until extinguished.
Homemade Drain Cleaner: Have a tough drain and in a pinch? Use a homemade drain cleaner by using baking soda and vinegar. Pour 1/4 cup baking soda into the drain and follow with 1/2 cup vinegar.
The Cleaning Liquid That Doubles As Bug Killer: If menacing bees, wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets get in your home and you can't find the insecticide, try a spray of Formula 409. The cleaning liquid that doubles as bug killer and insects drop to the ground instantly.
Rust Cleaner: Does well water leave your tub looking dank and rusty? Forget those expensive rust removers, Coca-Cola is the answer. Just saturate an abrasive sponge with Coca-Cola and scrub the rust stain. The phosphoric acid in the coke is what gets the job done.
No Mess Ice Packs: Sprained ankle, soar back? Next time you need a quick ice pack, grab a bag of frozen vegetables out of your freezer -- no watery leaks from a plastic baggie!
Gross Mildew Ruining Your Bathtime?: Use a homemade mildew remover to bring your bathtub back to serenity. Combine 1 cup water with 1-1/2 tbsp. bleach and use with sponge to remove mildew from walls and ceilings.
Smart Ways To Re-use Grocery Bags: Are plastic grocery bags taking over your house? Re-use plastic grocery bags as bathroom trash bags. Store these grocery bags in a gallon milk jug with a 3-inch hole cut out of the side of the jug. Stuff them in as you get them. Take one out as needed - works just like a tissue box.
Get Rid Of Crayon Marks: Crayon marks on walls? "Erase" these crayon masterpieces with a damp rag dipped in baking soda. The markes will come off with little effort. It works wonderfully!

No More Sticky Garlic: To avoid garlic from sticking to your knife while mincing, place a few drops of oil, olive or vegetable, over the garlic. The oil will coat the garlic leaving your knife free to do its job.
Defrost Naturally: A better way to defrost frozen meats is to place the individual bag(s) in a bowl of luke warm water for 20-60 minutes, depending on size and quantity. This isn't as quick as the the microwave, but at least you don't risk cooking half the meat before the rest of it thaws. Plus, defrosting naturally cuts electricity costs!
Easy Minced Onion: If you don't cut off the root of the onion, you won't have problems with crying. Also cut a grid in the top of the onion (not to the root), then lay on its side and slice. Instant minced onion.
Prevent Tears From Cutting Onions: Place onions in refrigerator before peeling to prevent crying when cutting onions. And remember to always breathe through your mouth (never your nose), this will also help.
Over Salting Fixer: Today, we have many distrations, especially when we're trying to cook a meal. If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato. It absorbs the excess salt for an instant "fix me up"!
Keep Ice Cream Fresh, Longer: Before closing container, push plastic wrap down on top of the remaining ice cream. This isolates the cream from air which causes the gumming and ice crystals.
Quick Ice Cubes: Having guests over and no ice cubes? Fill your ice tray with hot water rather than cold water to make ice faster.
Rock Hard Brown Sugar?: Accidentally left the bag of brown sugar open and now have a big brown rock? Place a slice of bread in hardened brown sugar to soften it back up!
Juicier Lemons: Four tablespoons of lemon juice doesn't mean you have to buy four lemons. To get the most juice out of fresh lemons, bring them to room temperature and roll them under your palm against the kitchen counter before squeezing. You can also insert and twist a fork in the lemon while squeezing the juices out.

Peel Garlic With Ease: Fresh garlic is the best...when you finally get it peeled. Zap garlic cloves in the microwave for 15 seconds; the skins slip right off.
Keeping It Hot: A roast will stay for an hour or longer if you double wrap it in foil or ten or more thicknesses of newspaper.
Celery and Lettuce: Store in refrigerator in paper bags instead of plastic. Leave the outside leaves and stalks on until ready to use.
Onions: Wrap onions individually in foil to keep them from becoming soft or sprouting.
Cheese: Wrap cheese in a vinegar-damped cloth to keep it from drying out.
Brown Sugar: Wrap brown sugar in plastic bag and store in refrigerator in a coffee can with a snap-on lid.
Cocoa: Store cocoa in a glass jar in a dry and cool place.
Cakes: Putting half an apple in the cake box will keep cake moist.
Ice Cream: Prevent gooey film on ice cream by laying a piece of waxed paper directly over the ice cream before resealing the carton.
Lemons: Lemons will be juicier if stored in a sealed jar of water in the refrigerator.
Vegetables with Tops: Remove the tops on carrots, beets, etc. before storing.