GENERAL HINTS

GENERAL HINTS

Thursday January 29, 2009 12:17:05 PM

A fresh smelling home can help lift your spirits and help you feel better even on rough days. Unfortunately, daily life can leave your home smelling not so fresh. Fried foods and pets are just a couple of things out of many that can spoil a fresh smelling home.

A good trick when you go away on vacation is to place a baggie with a few ice cubes in the freezer. If a power failure occurs while you are gone and the food thaws and then refreezes you will know about it when you get home.

A mixture of one teaspoon of liquid detergent and 1 teaspoon of distilled vinegar in a pint of lukewarm water will remove non-oily stains from carpets. Apply it to the stain with a soft brush or towel and rub gently. Rinse with a towel moistened with clean water and blot dry. Repeat this procedure until the stain is gone. Then dry quickly, using a fan or hair dryer. This should be done as soon as the stain is discovered.

A new straw broom will last longer if you soak it in hot, heavily salted water before you use it for the first time.

Ants, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march.

A one-pound can of boric acid compound can effectively keep a house cockroach-free for one year. It will not kill roaches as rapidly as some pesticides, but it has by far the longest lasting effect. Sprinkle it in cracks, crevices, under sinks and in other dark places.

Add a couple tablespoons of common bleach to your humidifier twice a week. The bleach will clean off slime and scale, kill bacteria, and make parts last longer. You can add a couple drops of fragrance to scent the bleach, if desired.

Air Fresheners: When stick-on air fresheners lose their odour, remove the plastic top. Soak the felt in boiling hot water for several seconds. Place it on a paper towel to absorb most of the water. Replace the felt and lid. Or just run them under hot water briefly. They last and last and last if you do this every couple days.

Alka Seltzer :

Clean a vase - to remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets.

Polish jewellery - drop two Alka-Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewellery for two minutes.

Clean a thermos bottle - fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka-Seltzer tablets, and let soak for an hour or longer, if necessary).

Unclog a drain - clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka-Seltzer tablets down the drain followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar. Wait a few minutes, and then run the hot water.

Always use a piece that you have torn by hand and be sure to tear toward the wrong side of the wallpaper. This will make the patch nearly invisible.

An inexpensive paintbrush, it gets to all the hard-to-reach dust specks, and it takes a lot less time.

Another popular method is to leave a cup of baking soda or a slice of lemon in the fridge at all times.

Ants, ants, ants everywhere ... Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march. See for yourself.

Ants: For a non-toxic ant repellent, drip lemon juice into floor boards, window sills, cracks in the walls, or any other place where ants appear.

Anything looks good in a frame and mat board. Display your children's art work.

As an added bonus, if you're using a cast iron skillet, use cooking wine instead. This will "season" the skillet with a great flavouring!

Ashtrays: This works for all except crystal or glass ashtrays. Coat the surface with your favourite furniture polish. The protective coating will allow build up to rinse out.

Attach a stick-on air freshener in your favourite scent to the top of one of the blades on your ceiling fan. Turn on the fan (use the “low” setting so as not to dislodge the freshener) to circulate the fragrance throughout the room.

Baby food jars - Fill with salt or cornmeal and use for paperweight, use for crafts, and for storing small items. Use for individual Jar Mix. Decorate jar, glue on ribbon, and attach gift tag with instructions.

Baked on food: fill container with water, add a Bounce softener sheet and the static from the Bounce will cause the baked on food to adhere to it.

Remove Soap Scum & Soap Film

SHOWER SCREEN CLEANER

¼ cup methylated spirit

¼ cup kerosene

½ cup fabric softener

1 teaspoon eucalyptus oil

2 cups cold water

Rinse out a cloth in warm water, add a dash of mixture to cloth and rub over shower screen surface. Brush up with a soft dry cloth. Bottle and label left over mixture and shake well before using again.

Soap scum is the film left behind on our shower and tub walls once we're done bathing.

Because it's made up of body oils, soap and minerals, it's especially difficult to remove. The result is a disgusting grey film or ring.

Most people don't notice the build up until hours after their bath or shower. By that time the soap scum is hard and difficult to remove. If your

shower has been taken over by soap scum, perhaps these handy tips will help.

Soap scum is a situation that's best tackled immediately. As soon as your shower or bath is over, wipe the entire area down with a squeegee or cloth.

If you catch the soap scum before it hardens, it's easier to remove and there's less build up.

If you keep the walls dry, mildew won't creep up on you. Some people also rub the walls of their shower and tubs with a furniture or car wax paste to prevent soap scum from building up. Be forewarned though, if you'd rather not have a serious accident, it's best not to rub any type of slippery substance on your shower floors.

Below is a list of some great home soap scum removal remedies. All of these are guaranteed to make your walls shine: One part ammonia and two parts water make a spray solution rivalling anything one can find in the supermarket. Spray onto your tiles and wipe away.

Another great spray is warm vinegar. Heat some up in the microwave and pour it into a spray bottle. Spray and wipe.

Baking soda and water mixed into a paste make a gritty scrub for tile walls. Rub it on, leave it for 30 minutes and remove with a damp sponge.

Dryer sheets also make a wonderful soap scum removal product. Use a dry sheet to rub wet shower walls and a damp sheet to rub dry shower walls. Either way, your problem is solved.

If this isn't enough to do the trick, browse your supermarket aisles for the product that works best for your needs. Read all labels carefully and be sure to follow directions.

If soap scum is a frequent problem for you, you might consider switching from a bar soap to a gel soap. The bar soap contains talc, a main ingredient in the build-up one finds on shower doors and walls. Prevention is key, however. Wipe down the walls after each shower or bath, and you're bound to have tile and glass that is soap scum free.

Bath tub film can be removed by wiping with vinegar and then with soda. Rinse clean with water.

Bathmats: Instead of throwing away old towels, cut out the best parts and stitch them together to make a bath mat. Bay leaves will ant proof your pantry.

Be cool. Things like plates don't have to match. Put interesting colours and textures together, and enjoy the variety.

Before arranging a bouquet of dried flowers, mist them with water, then place in a plastic bag for 30 minutes. They'll be less brittle and much more manageable.

Before storing blankets for the summer, wash them and add 2 cups of mothballs to the rinse water.

Bicycles: To identify a bicycle, even though the serial number may have been filed off, roll a file card around a pencil. Remove the bicycle's seat post and drop the card into the bicycle frame. It can easily be removed as proof of ownership.

BIRO MARKS ON LEATHER Spray with hairspray and then wipe off. Or wipe with cotton wool dipped in eucalyptus.

Blankets: When space is tight, store blankets by laying them out smoothly between the mattress and springs of a bed. Body paint-use Crisco mixed with food colouring. Heat the Crisco in the microwave, pour into an empty film container and mix with the food colour of your choice!

Body paint-use Crisco mixed with food colouring. Heat the Crisco in the microwave, pour into an empty film container and mix with the food colour of your choice!

BOOKS AND BOOK CASES: Dust, then rub with a soft cloth dipped in vinegar or lemon essence. To prevent mildew leave space at the back of them for air to circulate. Clean and polish the shelves with eucalyptus. Brass: Coat freshly-polished brass with wood finishing oil. It makes the shine last three times as long. When you are ready to clean the brass again, remove the oil by wiping the surface with a little paint thinner on a soft, cotton cloth. You are now ready to polish and re-oil the brass.

BROKEN CANDLES - Melt them down to make new candles. Add broken crayons for colour.

Candles nowadays can be richly scented. I like the ones in jars because you can simply remove the lid to release the aroma of the candle rather than burn it.

Candles will last a lot longer if placed in the freezer for at least 3 hours prior to burning.

Candles: To mend a candle that has broken, hold the two pieces under very hot water to melt the wax, and then press the two parts together. To mend a candle that has broken, hold the two pieces under very hot water to melt the wax, and then press the two parts together. Save the stubs of candles in a coffee can. Melt all the scraps together. Insert a wick to make a new candle. Use a piece of raw spaghetti to light candles. This prevents burned fingers. To keep candles looking new, rub a soft cloth dampened with rubbing alcohol over the stems. Store candles in the freezer. They will burn longer and drip less. To remove candle wax from upholstery or carpet: After wax hardens, scrape up excess with a dull knife. Place a white paper towel over the remaining wax. Place a warm iron over the paper towel and press gently. Repeat until all the wax is transferred to the paper towel. If the wax was coloured and leaves a stain, pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a rag; gently dab the stain. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkali’s or bleaches) with a cup of lukewarm water. Blot. Use a piece of raw spaghetti to light candles. This prevents burned fingers.

BROKEN LIGHT GLOBES: Remove them from socket by pressing a large potato into the jagged glass.

Brooms: A new straw broom will last longer if you soak it in hot, heavily salted water before you use it for the first time.

Buy a cheap serrated knife and keep it just for cutting tomatoes.

Can't get rid of a lingering smell in the kitchen? Try baking some orange peels in the oven at 350 degrees. Bake for about 15 minutes.

Car air fresheners aren't only for cars... hang them from lamp switches, kitchen cupboard knobs or other egg cartons - Use to make seed starter trays. If you use the heavy cardboard trays, you can compost the cardboard when you pop the seedling out, or you could bury it next to the seedling to decompose.

CAR CARE: Polish car chrome. Apply full strength. Clean rust from tools, bolts, and spigots. Soak the rusted tool, bolt, or spigot in undiluted.

CAR: When the windows fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth!

Carpets: To repair damage from cigarette burns, cut undamaged threads from the corner of the carpet or an inconspicuous place. Glue them into the burn hole. Cover with paper towels and a book to dry for 24 hours.

Cassettes Tapes: A speck of clear nail polish will splice cassette tapes.

Cement Floors: To prevent painted cement floors from peeling, before you paint them again, pour a bottle of white vinegar in a bucket and "paint" your floors with it first. After the vinegar dries, apply a coat of paint. This will work on most metal surfaces, also. This will work on most metal surfaces, also.

Check the lighting in your home. Lower the wattage when possible.

Chemical Company. The product began from a search for a rust preventative.

Chewing Gum: Have you ever had kids get chewing gum stuck in their hair? Don’t try and brush it out. It will only matt it in. My grandmother told me to take some peanut butter and rub it in good and let it set just for a little while. The oil in the peanut butter breaks down the gum base and you can comb it and the gum.

Chewing gum: To remove chewing gum from clothes or carpet, hold a plastic bag filled with ice cubes over the gum to harden it. When nice and hard, pick off the gum carefully out of the child's hair pretty. Just comb it down little by little. It really works great.

Chicken always dry it thoroughly? Cook with skin on to seal in juices, and then remove.

Chrome: To polish chrome, take a small sheet of aluminium foil and turn the shiniest side out. Dampen the chrome with water and polish with the foil. The foil will turn black, but your chrome will shine.

Clean a dirty BBQ with newspaper.

Clean eyeglasses by wiping each lens with a drop of vinegar.

Clean food encrusted cast iron pots and pans with oven cleaner. Spray it on, let it stand one hour, then wash with hot soapy water and dry.

Clean soap scum, mildew, and grime from bathtub, tile, and shower curtains. Simply wipe the surface with Vinegar and rinse with water.

Cleaning windows again: Metho, kero &, water in equal parts and if using bore or dam water add some ammonia too.

Cleaning windows by using undiluted Vinegar in a spray bottle. Dry off with newspaper.

Cleaning Woodwork: Did you know that cold tea will clean woodwork? Give it a try!

Close doors to rooms that don't need to be heated, like closets, storage rooms, etc. Close the heating vent in unused rooms.

Close your drapes at night to help cold air from getting in.

COCA COLA - CURE FOR RUST: Forget those expensive rust removers. 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.

Coca-Cola: To clean a toilet: Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the toilet bowl and.......Let the "real thing" sit for one hour, then flush clean. The citric acid in

Coke removes stains from vitreous china.

To remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers: Rub the bumper with a crumpled-up piece of Reynolds Wrap aluminium foil dipped in Coca-Cola.

To clean corrosion from car battery terminals: Pour a can of Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble away the corrosion.

To loosen a rusted bolt: Applying a cloth soaked in Coca-Cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes.

Cockroaches/Silverfish: An effective pesticide is to use a 50-50 mixture of boric acid and sugar every night for about 10 days. Sprinkle on wiped-dry sinks, drain boards, tubs, showers, around pipes, and behind baseboards. Keep children and pets away. A 500g of boric acid compound can effectively keep a house cockroach-free for one year. It will not kill roaches as rapidly as some pesticides, but it has by far the longest lasting effect. Sprinkle it in cracks, crevices, under sinks and in other dark places.

Coffee cans (big ones) - Make toy "stilts"! Poke holes (with a can opener) on either side of the can and thread a jump rope through and they can walk on the cans while holding the jump ropes.

Coffee filters - Use to clean and polish, or as a replacement for cheesecloth, paper towels, and napkins.

Cookies that seem to spread? Try cooling baking sheet between batches and chilling dough before sliding formed cookies into the oven. (of course these would only be fat free and sugar free cookies)

COOKING OIL ON TILES: Remove with a wet cloth with a teaspoon of cloudy ammonia on it.

Cooking spray will also remove paint, and grease from your hands! Keep a can in your garage for your hubby.

Cooking spray will dry finger nail polish.

Copper: To clean copper pans, cover with tomato sauce (ketchup) leave for 10 minutes, then rinse off. Repeat if necessary.

Corrosion may be removed from showerheads or faucets by soaking them in diluted distilled vinegar overnight. This may be easily accomplished by saturating a terry cloth towel in vinegar and wrapping it around the showerhead or taps.

Cover Up from the rain for emergencies keeps a couple of new plastic garbage bags in your car! Cut a hole in the bottom of the bag for your head and cut openings in the sides.

Crayon marks on walls? This worked wonderfully! A damp rag, dipped in baking soda. Comes off with little effort and Crayon on the wall - Colgate toothpaste and brush it!

Cut the top off empty milk jugs, and use to store bathroom cleaning accessories. Use to hold your toilet brush cleaner, and then just discard when dirty.

Cut up old, worn clothes for cleaning rags. Use old socks for washrags. Place them over your hand for easy dusting.

Dab essential or aroma oil onto light bulbs; when they are turned on, the heat of the bulb will release the aroma.

Decorate jar, glue on ribbon, and attach gift tag with instructions.

Decorate large oatmeal containers and other similar empty containers with contact paper, pictures, etc; and use for storage of smaller items.

Defog a bathroom mirror by rubbing with a cloth dipped in equal parts glycerine and methylated spirits.

Deodorize a room filled with cigarette smoke or paint fumes. Place a small bowl of vinegar in the room.

Deodorize the air. Vinegar is a natural air freshener when sprayed in a room.

Did you burn your favourite pan? Put 1/2 cup of baking soda in the pan and fill it 1/2 full with water. Set the pan on the stove, and let boil, till the burnt particles float to the top! That's what I call a self cleaning pan!

Dirt and grime can be easily removed from woodwork with a solution of 1 cup of ammonia, 1/2 cup of distilled vinegar, and 1/4 cup of baking soda in a cup of warm water. This solution will not dull the finish or leave streaks.

Dirty grout - use Listerine.

Display your children's art work.

Disposing of grease and fat from foods. I save the jars and lids that I get whenever I purchase tomato sauce and mayonnaise. When I have bacon drippings or old oil from fried foods, I pour the fat into these jars. When the jar gets full, I put the top back on and put the jar in the trash. This will prevent your drains from being clogged with this oil and keep your trash cans from getting messy inside.

Do you have an old piano bench but no piano? You can make a lovely coffee table. Remove the sea and fill in the hinge marks with plastic wood. Now, you can fill this with anything you like-a collection of paperweights, small dolls, whatever. Cover with a glass top, cut to fit the dimensions of the bench.

Do you have coffee, tea or cigarette burns on your china and ceramic ware? Just rub the stained sections with a damp cloth that has been dipped in baking soda!

Have stuck food on your casserole dishes? Fill with boiling water and add 3 tablespoons of baking soda or salt and let sit for an hour.

Don't toss out week old carrots and celery that have wilted. Use them to make broth; simmer veggies until the fall apart, strain and refrigerate the liquid - or freeze for up to 2 months.

Drains: For clogged drains, pour in equal amounts of baking soda and salt. Follow that with a pot of boiling water, and flush with cold water to keep them open.

Drawers: If drawers stick, rub a bar of ordinary hand soap across the runners to make them glide smoothly.

Drippings or old oil from fried foods, I pour the fat into these jars. When the jar gets full, I put the top back on and put the jar in the trash. This will prevent your drains.

Dry flowers with borax and cornmeal.

Dry Mustard will remove onion odours from your hands or cutting board. Rub in, then rinse off.

Dusting: Wear old cotton gloves to dust with instead of carrying a rag around. If you can't shake your dust mop outside, shake it inside a large paper bag.

Dustpans: Wax them and the dirt will slide right out. And wax them and the dirt will slide right out.

Easy eyeglass protection... To prevent the screws in eyeglasses from loosening, apply a small drop of Maybelline Crystal Clear Nail Polish to the threads of the screws before tightening them.

Eliminate musty odour by pouring three or four capfuls of bottled lemon juice into the water.

Ever get those leather shoes drenched in a sudden downpour? Protect their shape and guard against shrinkage by stuffing wet footwear with newspaper before leaving them to dry.

Faucets: To polish, place a dab or two of toothpaste on a wet sponge and rub the faucets and handles briskly, then rinse them with clear water.

Fireplace: Before cleaning ashes out, mist the ashes with a spray bottle filled with water. This prevents the ashes from flying all over.

Flashlights: Store your flashlight in the refrigerator to make batteries last longer. Fleas in your carpet? Use 20 Mule Team Borax - sprinkle and let stand for 24 hours.

Flies or bees bothering you: Spray them with hairspray and they will take a quick dive.

Floor Cleaner: Floors (tile): I use alcohol, just 1/2 cup in a bucket of water gives the floor a beautiful shine; I also use it for mirrors and bathrooms faucets.

Flowers will keep longer if you place an old cent in and some sugar.

Foggy Windshield don’t you hate having a foggy windshield? Go to your stationery store and buy a chalkboard eraser. Keep the eraser in your glove compartment of your car.

For an inexpensive toy storage system, try plastic buckets. They are colourful and can be purchased for around $1 each. Try one bucket for Lego, one for toy animals, one for toy cars, one for doll accessories, etc. It is easy to throw all the bits and pieces into the correct bucket. Bring down a different one each day for your child.

For icy door steps in freezing temperatures: get warm water and put Dawn dishwashing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't refreeze.

For icy door steps in freezing temperatures: get warm water and put Dawn dishwashing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't refreeze. (Wish I had known this for the last 60+ years!)

For those hard to open jars just wrap a rubber band around the lid as many times as it takes to make it tight, then twist.

For your arms: In case of a sudden rain storm, just put the bag over your body! Not fashionable, I agree, but it will protect your clothing and you from getting drenched! You can also use a small garbage bad over your head (not over your face, of course)

Frisbees - Use as paper plate holders at a picnic.

Frosted Windows want to make your windows "frosted" for more privacy? Add 1 tablespoon of Epsom Salt to 1 cup beer. Brush on the window! Let dry. To remove the frost, wash off with ammonia! This is really neat. Just remember to cover any wood or furniture nearby, because this drips!

Furniture Water Spot Remover: Gently apply toothpaste with a soft damp cloth.

Furniture: To remove water stains from wood furniture, blot and rub with a soft cloth if it is a fresh stain. Otherwise, rub in well a mixture of mayonnaise and cigarette ashes. Let it stand a little while before removing.

GLASS, WINDOWS, MIRRORS ETC: Dissolve a little camphor in water. It cleans well and deters flies and other insects from alighting on the glass.

Glue some felt weather stripping underneath the rockers! Should stop some of the creaking, too!

GREASE FAT OR OIL ON FURNITURE: Cover thickly with talcum powder then cover the area with tissue paper. Heat the tissues with an iron.

MARKS ON TABLES FROM WET GLASSES ETC: Wipe off with toothpaste on a soft cloth.

Hangers: To make sturdy hangers for heavy items, tape two or three wire hangers together.

Have a drain in your sink that is clogged? Pour 1/2 cup of baking soda over the drain, and then pour a cup of vinegar over it. Let set for a minute till it foams, then run your hot water or pour boiling water down the drain! You may need to repeat the process. Have a squeaky door hinge? Get a can of lubricating oil and some paper and cloth. Hold the paper or cloth near the squeaky hinge.. Put a few drops of oil at the top of the hinge and let the oil run in and down by moving the hinge back and forth. Wipe off the excess oil! No more squeaks.

Have a musty, smelly lunch box? Even after washing? Try putting a piece of white bread that has been soaked in white vinegar in the lunch box and close it up. Leave it closed overnight.

Have scuff marks on your vinyl luggage? Try rubbing lemon extract over the area Have grease stains on your carpet? Shake some cornstarch over the grease stain and let set there overnight or at least 8 hours.

Have silver? Polish it to a shine with a soft cloth and some dampened baking.

Have wooden floors? Tired of your rocking chair making marks on those shiny floors?

Having trouble getting that road grime off the windshield? Try removing it with a cloth that has been soaked in a cola drink.

Help to pack out your own children's stockings by making a whole videotape of their favourite television programs, icing cookies with their initials and making up little craft boxes containing paper, glue, sticky shapes, oddments of wool for hair and felt cut into shapes for eyes, mouths, noses etc. To clean your iron, sprinkle salt heavily on a piece of fabric. Iron over the salt at high temp. Make sure you have steam off. Face will shine clean in a few minutes.

Hold that needle in place with a magnet refrigerator clip!

Humidifier: To prevent lime deposits from building up, drop an old copper scouring pad into the water container. Add a couple tablespoons of common bleach to your humidifier twice a week. The bleach will clean off slime and scale, kill bacteria, and make parts last longer. You can add a couple drops of fragrance to scent the bleach, if desired. Eliminate musty odour by pouring three or four capfuls of bottled lemon juice into the water.

Hydrogen peroxide is very good for removing blood stains. The fresher the easier of course, but even dried blood comes out with a little effort. The hydrogen peroxide seems to do no damage to any fabric I've tried it on.

I asked her what she was going to do with all that corn starch. She said she was a professional window cleaner and it was the best thing she'd ever found to make the windows sparkle. Just dilute a little bit of corn starch in a bucket to make a 'milky' solution. Take a clean terry cloth and dip into solution, wipe over mirror or window. Then take an old clean & dry terry cloth and wipe excess. Turn cloth over to dry the side and 'polish' off. Use about a quart spray bottle & put in about a tablespoon of cornstarch in it...and then fill up about ½ full. Shake until mixed and 'milky white". If you want more, just add more water, but add more cornstarch, too. It doesn't have to be thick.

Have you ever made gravy with cornstarch? It does a wonderful job on inside and outside car windows and mirrors. Also, I clean the computer screen and TV screens with it.

Ice: Ice freezes quicker if you use warm water instead of cold.

Ice on indents on carpets etc will disappear if you freeze the area then brush off ice.

If a desk or bureau drawer sticks, you can get it to glide smoothly by rubbing it's runners with fine grain sandpaper, then a candle or piece of soap.

If it's not too cold outside, open the front and back door of your home to air out any stale air.

If screws become loose and is no longer holding firm, saturate a cotton ball with Elmer's glue. Push the entire cotton ball into the hole. Allow dry at least 24 hours and reinsert the screw gently with a screw driver.

If silver polish dries out, add some warm water and stir until creamy. It will work like new.

If the cloudiness hasn't gone through to the wood, the cloudiness can be removed by rubbing the wood with soft lint less cloth wrung out from a solution of 1 tablespoon of distilled vinegar in a quart of luke warm water. Complete the job by wiping the surface with a soft dry cloth.

If the vase or other item has a very narrow neck, break up the denture tablet first.

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"!

If you can, buy your ice cream in big 2 gallon buckets. They can be used for all kinds of storage, from food to toys, as well as sand buckets for children.

If you can't shake your dust mop outside, shake it inside a large paper bag.

If you have a baby starting on solids and have trouble getting small portions of meat fine enough, just buy a good cut of meat, cut into cubes then freeze and grate while frozen. Cook as required.

If you have a garbage gobbler and you notice it is starting to get a little smelly, chop up a lemon and put it through. It clears away the smell and also leaves your sink smelling lemony without the use of chemicals.

If you have an inquisitive child who may turn your microwave on accidentally, keep a cup of water in it so that if he/she does turn it on, there will be no harm done to the microwave – or the child.

If you have items in storage areas with empty space, fill them with smaller items, and label them. Try to group things in a logical manner. Keep a master list on your computer.

If you have problem opening jars: Try using latex dishwashing gloves.

If you tend to run short of space when hanging the clothes out to dry, hang the garments between two parallel lines rather than along them.

If you're replacing the windows or are happen to see and old window frame that someone is planning to throw out, keep it and use it for a picture frame. Or you can make it into an inexpensive, but beautiful mirror.

Instead of using toothpicks to keep food together when cooking, try using long thin spaghetti broken into pieces. By the time the food is cooked, the spaghetti is ready to eat as well and you don't need to pull toothpicks out of your food.

Iron: To clean the bottom of the iron, sprinkle salt on the ironing board and iron back and forth. Turn off the heat and let sit for five minutes. Transfer carrots to cold water, then drain. Slide skins off with fingers, no peeler necessary.

Jewellery: Use a plastic ice cube tray to hold earrings.

Junk Mail - Put it through paper shredder and use as packing material when shipping gifts.

Keep extra plastic bags stored in another plastic bag.

Keep silver from tarnishing. Store silver in zippered plastic food bags, to keep out air and moisture. Wrap pieces first in soft cloth or anti-tarnish flannel bags, to help prevent scratches. Avoid using newspaper or rubber bands to wrap silver. Both contain carbon, which reacts with silver, turning it black and pitting surfaces.

Keep sneaker Kleenex boxes - Store plastic grocery store bags in them. You can then grab the bag just like you grab a tissue out of the box.

Keep sneakers and canvas shoes spotless with carpet shampoo. Simply dip an old toothbrush in the shampoo and rub in the canvas until it gets foamy. Wipe away the shampoo - and dirt - with a clean cloth.

Keep your cut flowers longer! Want to keep your cut flowers for a longer period of time? Especially those beautiful roses you will be getting on Valentines Day? Take 2 tablespoons of white vinegar and 2 tablespoons of sugar and mix in a quart of water. Use this water in your flower vase. It should extend the life of your flowers for a few days longer! And, before you place the flowers in the vase, be sure to cut each stem at the bottom at an angle.

Keeping Furniture Shining: Furniture: I use a duster for a quick dust, but once a week I use wax to keep it shining.

Kill germs on bathroom fixtures by using one part vinegar to one part water in a spray bottle.

Leaky Toilet Test Here is a test to see if you have a leaking toilet: Add food colouring to the toilet tank (not the toilet bowl) Do not flush for 30 minutes. If the water in the toilet bowl changes colour, you have a leaking toilet.

Leather articles can be cleaned with a mixture of distilled vinegar and linseed oil. Rub the mixture into the leather and then polish with a soft cloth.

Leather: To remove alcohol stains, clean the leather with saddle soap. Then apply a scuff-type liquid shoe polish, trying to match the colour. Test a small spot first.

Leave it on the stains for about 3 hours. Buff the entire sink in the paste with a damp cloth, then rinse.

Lefty Lucy, Righty Tightly ever have trouble remembering which way to turn a screw? remember this old saying "Lefty Lucy, Righty Tighty" It sure works for me! They taught his to my daughter when she had classes in shop when in Junior High.

Lights: To locate light switches in the dark, put a dot of luminous paint on tape and stick to the switches.

Linoleum: If you have kept some of the scraps, it is easy to repair the small holes. Just throw a small piece into your blender. Mix the dust with a little clear shellac or white glue. Fill the hole with the mixture.

Lint: To remove from upholstery, use an old, clean nylon stocking.

Loosen a rusted lock with cola.

Lower your thermostat temperature a couple of degrees and wear sweaters around your house. For every degree you lower your thermostat, you save 2-3 percent on your energy bill. Make sure all your appliances are running smoothly by cleaning the filters regularly.

Make collections of rocks, shells and other things you can collect together or on trips.

MARKS ON TABLES FROM WET GLASSES ETC: Wipe off with toothpaste on a soft cloth.

MATS OR RUGS WITH CURLED UP CORNERS: Leave a wet cloth on the corner of corners overnight.

Mice: Keep a pet hamster in a cage. They and mice are natural enemies. The wild rodents will not come around when they smell a hamster.

MILDEW ON FURNITURE: Remove it using a mixture of one tablespoon of vinegar in 600ml of warm water. Wipe off and polish

POLISHING FURNITURE: Stand the polish in warm water before using. Will soak in and do a better job.

Mix together equal parts of borax and sugar. Place in cupboards where cockroaches can reach it. Should keep them away for several months. Note: Do NOT place where children or pets can reach it. It is poisonous.

Mix vinegar with linseed oil and use it to clean your wood.

MOTHS: For a natural substitute for moth balls, use dried lemon peels as a deterrent.

MOUSE PADS: - Use as a paint pallet. Use acrylic, oils, or most any paints. Wash when done, and reuse!

Newspaper - Use to clean windows, line trash cans, wrap presents.

No more scrubbing saucepan use apples or rhubarb or lemons.

Nylon mesh bags from veggies - Cut the mesh into several pieces and use for plastic scouring pads to clean your dishes. Old pillow cases - Use for laundry bag.

Odours from cooking lingering be sure to clean up the cooking mess as soon as possible; this will help the odours to dissipate sooner.

Odours from your fridge by placing a vanilla extract soaked cotton ball inside.

Odours: Fill a jar with a couple of vanilla beans. Keep the lid off. The vanilla odour will permeate the air!

Odours: You can try freezing the empty containers. You can set the containers in the sun for several hours. You can put a piece of lemon in the container and put the top on. This method might take a few days.

Old clothes - Use to make quilts, pillows, and blankets. Always save the buttons.

Old fashioned Doilies in good condition make great artwork, Frame them on a colourful mat board, and hang them on your wall.

Old pillow cases - Use for laundry bag.

Onions: 1: After cutting onions and other smelly things, when you wash your hands, use cold water, and rub a large metal or stainless steel spoon on your hands as you suds , it takes away all odour. 2: Remove the onion smell from your hands by rubbing with baking powder before washing. 3: To peel onions without tears, cover onions with boiling water before peeling.

Opening brand new jars can be a feat in itself. Well, I have found a way to make it the easiest thing to do. Instead of banging a jar of jam, pickles, etc., with a knife until it loosens up, I simply reach into the drawer and pull out the handy nutcracker. It adjusts to the size of the jar and I simply give it a good twist and off pops the lid!

Painting: When you're finished painting, pour the remaining paint back into the bucket (or an old jar if there's just a little bit left. Glue a paper plate to the bottom of the paint can. The plate should be an inch or two wider all around than the can so it can catch drips. This saves you the trouble of moving newspapers around under the can.

Pantyhose: Use for ponytail holders, to secure plants, or buffing your shoes.

Paper cut - crazy glue or Chap Stick. Glue is used instead of sutures at most hospitals lately.

Pass sliced apples through a glass of Sprite to keep them from turning brown when using them for deserts.

Patent leather will shine better if wiped with a soft cloth which has been moisten with distilled vinegar.

Peanut butter -- will get scratches out of CD's! Wipe off with a coffee filter paper. Shiny Peanut butter will remove ink from the face of dolls. When the doll clothes are hard to put on, sprinkle with corn starch and watch them slide on.

Peanut butter -- will get scratches out of CD's! Wipe off with a coffee filter paper.

Peanut butter will remove ink from the face of dolls.

Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops (like store receipt BLUE!) rubbing alcohol on paper towel.

Pill Bottles - Use to carry pins, vitamins, or fill it with Vaseline to use as lip gloss.

Place garment stain side down on paper towels and dab cleaner on stain using a paper or terry-cloth towel. Check paper towels underneath and move frequently so there's always a clean area under the stain to absorb ink. Let area dry and check it. If ink remains, treat with pre-wash spray and launder. Before drying, check again. Still visible: Repeat steps.

Place fabric softener sheets in dresser drawers and your clothes will smell freshly washed for weeks to come. You can also do this with towels and linen.

Plastic Bags: Before discarding plastic bags, tie them up in knots to ensure that animals or children cannot entangle themselves. Plastic can be cleaned and made anti-static by wiping down with a solution of 1 tablespoon of distilled vinegar to 1 gallon of water. This will cut down on the plastics' tendency to attract dust.

Plastic grocery bags - Donate to local Salvation Army. They deliver Meals on Wheels to elderly and are a non profit organization and need bags to put food in to deliver.

POLISHING FURNITURE: Stand the polish in warm water before using. Will soak in and do a better job.

Pour baking soda down drain then follow it with the vinegar. After fizzing stops flush the drain with boiling water.

Pour old baking soda from the refrigerator down your drain to freshen.

Preserving a newspaper clipping - large bottle of club soda and ½ cup of milk of magnesia, soak for 20 min and let dry, will last for many years!

Preserving a newspaper clipping - use a large bottle of club soda and cup of milk of magnesia, soak for 20 min and let dry, will last for years!

Prevent patching plaster from drying by adding one tablespoon vinegar to the water when mixing to slow the drying time.

PREVENT VENEERED FURNITURE CRACKING: Rub in warm linseed oil.

Price Tags: To remove price tag sheets, sponge hot vinegar onto the price sheets liberally. Scrape gently. Continue applying vinegar until the sheet is gone.

Protect your buttons! Every time I buy a new garment, I put a dab of clear nail polish on the back of the buttons. I never lose a button and it works a treat on kids' clothes.

Rats & Mice: Exterminate by setting out shallow pans of non-diet cola. The rodents love the sugary liquid; drink it greedily and within a few days they will die. They evidently cannot burp, so the carbonation bloats their bodies and kills them. It's an inexpensive solution and is safe to use around pets and farm animals.

Remove bugs from your bumper bar with cooking oil.

Remove decals or bumper stickers by soaking a cloth in Vinegar and cover the decal or bumper sticker for several minutes until the vinegar soaks in. The decals and bumper stickers should peel off easily.

Remove labels off glassware etc. - rub with peanut butter! Crayon on the wall - Colgate toothpaste and brush it!

Remove odours from your fridge by placing a vanilla extract soaked cotton ball inside. Another popular method is to leave a cup of baking soda or a slice of lemon in the fridge at all times.

Remove stain on leather lounge: Leather is porous so it has probably soaked in the dye. I would try glycerine based saddle soap and a very extra soft toothbrush and scrub it in small circles. As long as it's smooth leather and not suede. It may darker the leather a little bit, so try just a tiny bit of soap. Enough so that it will lather a little bit. I like Leather New liquid glycerine saddle soap.

Remove water spots from stainless steel sinks by wiping the sink with a couple of drops of cooking oil on a paper towel.

REMOVING STICKERS: Spray with any pre-wash preparation, wait 15 minutes and wipe off.

Reopening envelope: If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Works for stamps also.

Repel cockroaches use cucumber skin.

Re-route your washing machine hoses so that your water drains outside for use in watering your landscaping.

Re-whiten kitchen appliances that have yellowed with age by mixing 1/2 cup bleach, 1/4 cup baking soda and 4 cups warm water. Wipe on and let set for 15 minutes. Rinse; repeat if necessary.

Rinse or let stand before emptying, for sparkling results. If the vase or other item has a very narrow neck, break up the denture tablet first.

Rust Stains: Cover the rust stain with lemon juice followed by salt. Let it dry for an hour, preferably in the sun. Rinse and wash.

Sauce a little bland? Try a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and/or a dash of hot red-pepper sauce.

Saw Blades: To make sawing easier, rub a little kerosene on the blade of your hand saw. It will act as a lubricant.

Scissors: To sharpen blunt scissors, simply cut through a piece of coarse sandpaper several times.

Scratched glass makes them like new with furniture polish.

Scratches: To cover scratches on dark wood furniture, make a thick paste of instant coffee and a little water. Rub it into the nicks and scratches.

Screws: To help screws screw in more easily, push them into a bar of hand soap before inserting. If screws become loose and is no longer holding firm, saturate a cotton ball with Elmer's glue. Push the entire cotton ball into the hole. Allow dry at least 24 hours and reinsert the screw gently with a screw driver. To prevent screws from coming loose, put a drop or two of clear nail polish into the hole before you finish tightening the screw.

Sealed envelope - Put in the freezer for a few hours, then slide a knife under the flap. The envelope can then be resealed.

Security: Find an old standard or oversized hardcover book. Cut out about a 6-inch x 4" hole in the pages, leaving facing pages front and back. Hide whatever you want in the book, and put it back on the bookshelf. Septic Tanks: To aid your septic tank in doing its job, wash or flush a box of baking soda down the drains every couple weeks. This helps to maintain and restore the pH of a septic tank. A good pH allows bacteria to break down and liquefy, which helps to prevent problems like backing up and clogging.

Shelf liner: Leave a 1-inch square of backing on each corner of Contact paper. The paper will lie flat, and it will be easier to remove when you want to change it.

SHOE POLISH OR SCRATCH MARKS ON LINO: Eucalyptus oil on a soft cloth.

Shoes: If you're at the office and discover that your shoes need a shine. Rub in a bit of hand cream and buff with a tissue.

Shoulder Pads - Use them to make padded hangers. Just sew a pad on each end of the Sticking bicycle chain -- use no-stick cooking spray. Just sew a pad on each end of the hanger.

Shower Doors: To clean glass shower doors, wipe them clean with any furniture polish that has lemon oil. If the film is extremely heavy, use a steel wool pad soaked in dishwashing liquid to make the glass sparkle.

Shower Heads: To clean mineral deposits, boil the shower head once a month in a mild solution of white vinegar and water.

Shower Stalls: To remove heavy shower stall film rub lightly with a plain piece of dry fine steel wool (not the soap-filled variety). Try a patch first to be sure it isn't scratching the tile. If it is, you should use a finer piece of steel wool. As you scour the tile, you will see the scum coming right off. Wash down after the job is completed.

Silence squeaky metal bed springs with a coat of spray on furniture wax.

Silver Polish: Use the inside skin of a banana.

Sinks: To clean a stainless steel sink, make a thick paste of baking soda and water. Leave it on the stains for about 3 hours. Buff the entire sink in the paste with a damp cloth, then rinse. Use a sponge soaked with vinegar to give stainless steel sinks a shine.

Small holes can be repaired by using a little clear nail polish to seal the hole. It will be almost invisible.

SMELLY CUPBOARDS: Two tablespoons of cloudy ammonia in a basin of water. Leave in cupboard overnight.

SMELLY SINKS OR DRAINS: Put a tablespoon of car soda down the plug hole, add a half cup of vinegar and quickly put the plug in. It will froth up and remove the substances causing the smell.

Snow Shovels: Spray non-stick vegetable spray on the snow shovel and the snow will slide off it easily.

Soak a cotton ball with essential or aroma oil, perfume or vanilla and put it into your clean vacuum bag or canister. When you vacuum, it will release the scent.

Soak a paint brush in hot vinegar, and then wash out with warm, sudsy water to soften it up.

Soak new propane lantern wicks in vinegar for several hours. Let dry before using. Will burn longer and brighter.

Soap and stain build up can be removed from chrome and plastic fixtures if they are cleaned with a mixture of 1 teaspoon of salt and 2 tablespoons of distilled vinegar.

Soap dish: Use a sponge (and it's washable).

Soap scraps - Mix with water to make soap jelly. Put in sock, mesh, or used pantyhose to use in bath or for scenting drawers.

Soap Wrapper - Place it inside your shoe cabinet or shoe box. It's a cheap way of filling the air with a nice smell.

Socks - Use in crafts, to hold soaps, or to wash car.

Something starts burning and sticks to bottom of pan? Don't stir!!! Remove unburnt food to another pot and keep going.

Sponging away grease and dirt with a sponge dipped in distilled vinegar will keep exhaust fan grills, air-conditioner blades and grills dust free.

Spots caused by cola-based soft drinks can be removed from 100 percent cotton, cotton polyester and permanent press fabrics if done so with in 24 hours. To do it, sponge distilled vinegar directly onto the stain and rub away the spots. Then clean according to the directions on the manufacturer’s care tag.

Spray a bit of perfume on the light bulb in any room to create a lovely light scent in each room when the light is turned on. Place fabric softener sheets in dresser drawers and your clothes will smell freshly washed for weeks to come. You can also do this with towels and linen.

Spray the bathroom fixtures and floor, then wipe clean.

Spray your Tupperware with non-stick cooking spray before pouring in tomato-based.

Stain off driveway-use cat litter.

Stained carpet, use a little ammonia.

STAINLESS STEEL: Will shine if rubbed with soda water.

STAINS ON LAMINATES AND WHITE TOPPED STOVES: Rub on a thick paste of bicarbonate of soda and water. Remove after an hour.

Stains: To remove stains from polyester clothing, rub in a little white toothpaste, then rinse the garment.

Stay-Free Maxi Pads - clean window, floors, just stick to the palm of Your hands and work! Can also be used as a knee pad & a pamper to absorb carpet stains.

Sterling Silver: After cleaning and drying thoroughly, wrap sterling silver in foil, then in a tea towel and store in a cardboard box. This will keep it sparkling.

Sticking bicycle chain -- use Pam no-stick cooking spray.

STICKING DRAWERS: Lubricate tracks and guides with soap.

Sticky label residue: 1: To remove sticky label residue, spray with WD-40, let sit a few minutes, rub the residue off and wash item normally. 2: To remove residue left by sticky labels, gently rub with a little eucalyptus oil on a soft cloth.

Storage: Use strong glue to glue small jars to the insides of cabinet doors. Then use the jars to store whatever small items you like. Screw the lid on after filling.

Store candles in the freezer. They will burn longer and drip less.

Store extra blankets in pillow shams that you can set on sofas and beds.

Store plastic wrap in refrigerator - it will prevent it from sticking.

Store puff in a margarine tub with a small amount of flour for quick dusting jobs.

Store toys with small parts, such as Lego, in mesh or stocking bags. That way, children can easily see the part they want and so straight to it and they won't need to tip the whole bag out just to find one little piece.

Straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean. Don't wash windows on a sunny day. They will dry too quickly and will probably streak.

Stress buster - preferably for a work group - take a roll of scotch tape and a packet of straws and build a tower without talking to each other! Save glass jars with the lids. Punch holes in the lids. Fill the jars with potpourri and screw the lids on.

Stress buster - preferably for a work group - take a roll of scotch tape and a packet of straws and build a tower without talking to each other!

Stubborn rings resulting from wet glasses being placed on wood furniture may be removed by rubbing with a mixture of equal parts of distilled vinegar and olive oil. Rub with the grain and polish for the best results.

Stubborn stains can be removed from the toilet by spraying them with vinegar and brushing vigorously. The bowl may be deodorized by adding 3 cups of distilled vinegar. Allow it to remain for a half hour, then flush.

Studs: To find studs in the wall, start from the corner and tap lightly with a hammer. The wall will sound hollow between studs. Most studs are placed 16 to 24 inches apart. When one is located, the rest are easy to find.

Surround yourself with the things you love. Things that have sentimental value are of far more worth than any art objects.

Swimming Pools: To avoid slips on the ladder, apply adhesive-backed rubber flowers made for bathtubs.

TEA AND COFFEE STAINS: Wipe off with a few drops of ammonia in a cup of water.

Tea Bags - Deodorize stuffy rooms. Mix one quart brewed Lipton tea and four tablespoons Lemon, strain through a Mr. Coffee filter, and store in empty spray bottles.

Tea Bags - Polish black lacquer. Wash black lacquer pieces with strong brewed Lipton tea, then wipe dry with a soft cloth.

Tea Bags - Clean varnished woodwork. Cold Lipton tea is a good cleaning agent for any kind of woodwork.

Tennis ball - Split it and hide your valuables inside.

The acid from the tomatoes soothe the pain and brings the boil to a head. Try one bucket for Lego, one for toy animals, one for toy cars, one for doll accessories, etc. It is easy to throw all the bits and pieces into the correct bucket. Bring down a different one each day for your child.

The best thing for removing stains from laminated benches is toothpaste. Just put a small amount on a damp cloth, gently rub the stain.

The colours in carpets and rugs will often look like they have taken a new lease on life if they are brushed with a mixture of 1 cup of vinegar in water.

The milk will turn blue, you may have to repeat it a couple of times. But it works like magic. You will not believe your eyes.

The pressure from all the water will help clear the drain.

They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy. Transfer your jelly to a small plastic squeeze bottle--no messier, sticky jars or knives. This also works well for homemade salad dressing.

This will keep your good knives sharp much longer.

Throw a few lemon peels into the winter file to give your house a fresh, citrus fragrance. .

Throw old candle stubs into your fire kindling and use them as starters.

Throw rugs: to prevent them from bunching up, put double-edged masking tape on the corners of the under-surface of the rugs.

Tired of cleaning bathroom mildew rub car wax on it and try again in a year.

To add a pleasant scent to a room while at the same time removing an unpleasant odour, add cardamom or other fragrant spice to a bowl of distilled vinegar and place in the warmest corner of the room.

To aid in washing dishes, add a tablespoon of baking soda to your soapy water--it softens hands while cutting through grease.

To avoid tears when peeling onions, slice first, then slip the bands of skin off.

To clean a badly burnt saucepan, sprinkle well with salt and turn upside down in the sun. The burn will peel off.

To clean a glass fireplace screen, wait until the morning after the fire. Dampen a paper towel with water, dip it in the cold ashes, and rub the glass with it. Wipe the glass with a clean paper towel or old newspaper. Toss used towels or newspaper into the fireplace to kindle the next fire.

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!

To clean copper pans, cover with tomato sauce (ketchup) leave for 10 minutes, then rinse off. Repeat if necessary.

To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stove top.

Spray your Tupperware with non-stick cooking spray before pouring in tomato based sauces and there won't be any stains.

To keep FRESH FLOWERS longer Add a little Clorox, or 2 Bayer aspirin, or just use 7-up instead of water.

To get rid of itch from mosquito bites, try applying soap on the area and you will experience instant relief.

To get rid of water marks caused by setting a wet glass on a polished surface, smear spot with a thick coating of Vaseline and leave for two days. Wipe off and the stain will have vanished.

To clean a badly burnt saucepan, sprinkle well with salt and turn upside down in the sun. The burn will peel off.

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!

To keep fresh flowers longer use 2 aspirin, or just use 7-up instead of water. Wine stains, pour on the Morton salt and watch it absorb into the salt.

To keep from using expensive wax removers on your vinyl kitchen floors, use club soda and restore the shine. It also works on carpets to remove stains.

To keep goggles and glasses from fogging, coat with Colgate toothpaste.

To keep your drains running smoothly- in addition to any chemicals you might put into them, fill up the basin with hot water periodically, and then let it run down all at once. To save on electric and water only run your dishwasher when full. When adding dishes take a handful of baking soda and sprinkle the dishes and bottom of dishwasher to absorb odours. When you run the dishwasher there is no need to add detergent to the first cycle receptacle only to the 2nd one that stays shut until the second cycle starts. The baking soda will take the place of the detergent in the first cycle.

To keep your drains running smoothly- in addition to any chemicals you might put into them, fill up the basin with hot water periodically, and then let it run down all at once. The pressure from all the water will help clear the drain.

To loosen old glue around rungs and joints of tables and chairs under repair, apply distilled vinegar with a small oil can.

To make ink flow, place tip in warm water for ½ hour, then scribble while still warm.

To make sure your toddler doesn't slip and fall in his new shoes, improve the traction by lightly scratching the soles with a piece of sandpaper.

To make your dishwasher sparkle like new, run 1 normal washing cycle using Tang, instead of detergent. (The dishwasher should be empty when doing this).

To make your home smell warm and welcoming, sprinkle cinnamon on a piece of aluminium foil, place inside a warm oven - and leave the door open. (Even if you don't bake, this makes your house smell so good a Christmas)

To mend a candle that has broken, hold the two pieces under very hot water to melt the wax, and then press the two parts together.

To prevent screws from coming loose, put a drop or two of clear nail polish into the hole before you finish tightening the screw.

To remove a build up of soap scum from shower walls and doors - without endlessly scrubbing - simply sponge on full strength, liquid dishwasher gel, and then rinse.

To remove a registration sticker from a car window, scrunch up a piece of plastic cling wrap, wet it then rub over sticker and presto - off it comes!

To remove candle wax from upholstery or carpet: After wax hardens, scrape up excess with a dull knife. Place a white paper towel over the remaining wax. Place a warm iron over the paper towel and press gently. Repeat until all the wax is transferred to the paper towel. If the wax was coloured and leaves a stain, pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a rag; gently dab the stain. Mix one teaspoon of a neutral detergent (a mild detergent containing no alkalies or bleaches) with a cup of lukewarm water. Blot.

To remove indentations caused by furniture rearrangement, apply moisture from a steam iron and brush the nap of the carpet.

To remove old glue before re-gluing wooden items, try incorporating hot vinegar.

To remove residue left by sticky labels, gently rub with a little eucalyptus oil on a soft cloth. To aid in washing dishes, add a tablespoon of baking soda to your soapy water; it softens hands while cutting through grease.

To remove stains from wooden furniture, rub toothpaste into the stain, and then wipe it off.

To remove sticky label residue, spray with WD-40, let sit a few minutes, rub the residue off and wash item normally.

To remove wax - Take a paper towel and iron it over the wax stain, it will absorb into the towel.

To save on electric and water only run your dishwasher when full. When adding dishes take a handful of baking soda and sprinkle the dishes and bottom of dishwasher to absorb odours. When you run the dishwasher there is no need to add detergent to the first cycle receptacle only to the 2nd one that stays shut until the second cycle starts. The baking soda will take the place of the detergent in the first cycle.

To sharpen blunt scissors, simply cut through a piece of coarse sandpaper several times.

To stop wooden Satay sticks from burning on a BBQ, soak them in hot water for 20 minutes before skewering the ingredients.

Toilet Bowl cleaner: 1 Cup vinegar. Pour into toilet bowl and let stay overnight. Scour with a toilet bowl brush the next day. (Never mix bleach with other cleansers!)

Toilet Bowl: To remove stains, use regular laundry bleach. If stains are above the water level, soak paper towels in the bleach and plaster them over the stain.

Toilet Bowls: Denture tablets are also good for removing some hard water scale and rust stains from toilet bowls. Simply drop 2 or 3 tablets in the toilet and let them sit for a few hours. You should notice some improvement in the appearance of the toilet bowl.

Tomato acid dulls the edges of knives making them dangerous and a nuisance to use. To aid in washing dishes, add a tablespoon of baking soda to your soapy water--it softens hands while cutting through grease.

Tomato sauce brightens copper.

Tool boxes: To keep rust out, slip a piece of charcoal or chalk or a moth ball into the toolbox.

Tools to have around the house: Oil Can, Pliers, screw drivers (regular and Phillips head) and a hammer. This is about all you will need for easy fix its, along with the usual nails, tacks and picture hangers.

Tools: Clean tools with a little steel wool to remove any rust that may be on them. Then coat them with a thin layer of petroleum jelly. They will never rust again.

Try one bucket for Lego, one for toy animals, one for toy cars, one for doll accessories, etc. It is easy to throw all the bits and pieces into the correct bucket. Bring down a different one each day for your child.

Turn a chicken bone into rubber by soaking it in a glass of vinegar for three days. It will bend like rubber.

Unclog a shower head by unscrewing it, remove the rubber washer, place the head in a pot filled with equal parts Vinegar and water, bring to a boil, then simmer for five minutes.

Unclogging Drains: 1/4 Cup baking soda ½ Cup vinegar.

Use a Maxi-Pad in your cap as a sweat band!

Use a piece of raw spaghetti to light candles. This prevents burned fingers.

Use a pipe cleaner dipped in silver polish to remove tarnish from between silver fork tines.

Use air-freshener to clean mirrors. It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine.

Use an empty can of hairspray or deodorant to put scrunches and/or hair ties around and uses the lid for hair clips – it's tidier than throwing them into a drawer and it's also reusing a product that you would ordinarily throw out.

Use colourful toy building blocks as handles on children's dressers.

Use empty luggage to store blankets, seasonal clothes, or gift items purchased in advance during sales.

Use empty plastic milk jugs, filled with water, in the freezer to fill dead air space.

Use empty toilet paper roll to store appliance cords. It keeps them neat and you can write on the roll what appliance it belongs to.

Use lemon extract to remove price tag sheets. Apply salad oil. Let set for a while, and then scrape away.

Use lifesavers candy to hold candles in place on your next birthday cake! !

Use old dryer sheets to dust. Place them on the bottom of garbage cans and other areas of the house to eliminate odours.

Use old pantyhose to hang onions and potatoes in your pantry. Store in leg section, with knots in between vegetables. Hang from the ceiling.

Use old shower curtains to cover wood stored outside.

Use to make extra ice cubes or to freeze soup stock and gravy.

Use turpentine to try to remove as Liquid paper is very difficult to shift.

Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal for inside windows. This way you can tell which side has the streaks.

Use vinegar in the steam cleaner to reduce soap bubbles.

Vacuum: Place Bi-carbonate soda inside.

Vanilla, never tired it myself but a friend of mine who lives in the country gets the field mice often said she used the vanilla glade plug ins in every room and hadn't seen a one this past winter. Don't know if the vanilla had anything to do with it or they just found a different house this year.

Varnished wood often takes on a cloudy appearance.

Vases: Clean vases with narrow necks by dampening the inside of the base with water and adding toilet bowl cleaner. Let stand for 10 minutes and stains will disappear.

VINEGAR: Keep car windows frost free. Coat the windows the night before with a solution of three parts vinegar to one part water.

Vinegar: Banish unpleasant odours.

Vinegar: Cleans brass copper and pewter.

Vinegar: Dissolves chewing gum.

Vinegar: Lifts stains on carpet.

Vinegar: Polish Chrome on car.

Vinegar: Removes ink stains.

VINYL TILES: for loose vinyl tiles, place a slightly damp cloth over the loose tile. Set iron on "hot" and "iron" the loose tile. The tile adhesive will soon soften. Remove the cloth, lay a dry rag over the tile, and set a pile of heavy books on the tile for about 3 hours.

Vodka: Fill a sixteen-ounce trigger-spray bottle and spray bees or wasps to kill them.

Vodka: To clean your eyeglasses, simply wipe the lenses with a soft, clean cloth dampened with vodka. The alcohol in the vodka cleans the glass and kills germs.

Vodka: Vodka: Prolong the life of razors by filling a cup with vodka and letting your safety razor blade soak in the alcohol after shaving. The vodka disinfects the blade and prevents rusting.

Vodka. To clean the caulking around bathtubs and showers, fill a trigger-spray bottle with vodka, spray the caulking, let set five minutes and wash clean. The alcohol in the vodka kills mould and mildew.

Wallpaper books/samples - Use to make book covers, decorative envelopes, or wrapping paper. Or make your own beautiful envelopes: take apart any envelope you have, and trace the pattern onto the back side of the wallpaper, then fold and glue or tape.

Wallpaper: If a small area is coming loose, apply a think coating of rubber cement to both the back of the paper and to the wall surface.

Wallpaper: If you need to make a patch for your wallpaper, never cut out a piece. Have Grease Stains on your wallpaper? Try mixing corn starch and water and make into a paste. Rub on with a soft, clean cloth. Test this in an inconspicuous area first.

Watering Houseplants: Have Houseplants? Have snow in your yard? Get some snow place in a pail or pitcher. Let melt and use the melted snow to water your plants! Did you know that snow has minerals in it that plants love?

WD 40 It was created in 1953 by three technicians at the San Diego Rocket.

"Cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers.

Attract fish. Spray a LITTLE on live bait or lures - catch big one in no time.

Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly! !

Camouflages scratches in ceramic and marble floors.

Cleans and lubricates guitar strings.

Florida's favourite use was "cleans and removes love bugs from grills and bumpers.

For those nasty tar and scuff marks on flooring; It doesn't seem to harm the finish, and you won't have to scrub nearly as hard get them off. Just remember to open some windows if you have a lot of marks .Bug guts will eat away the finish on your car if not removed quickly!

Gets oil spots off concrete driveways.

Gives a children's play gym slide a shine for a super fast slide.

Gives floors that 'just-waxed' sheen without making them slippery.

I have even heard of folks spraying it on their arms, hands, knees to relieve arthritis pain.

If you sprayed WD-40 on the distributor cap, it would displace the moisture and allow the car to start.

If you sprayed WD-40 on the distributor cap, it would displace the moisture and allow the car to start.WD-40.

Sticky tape smudges (sticky label tape), is also a lovely perfume and air freshener! Sprayed liberally on every hinge in the house, it leaves that distinctive clean fresh scent for up to two days!

It removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor!

Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.

Keeps scissors working smoothly.

Loosens stubborn zippers.

Lubricates gear shift and mower deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers.

Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes.

Lubricates prosthetic limbs. WD-40: Keeps pigeons off the balcony (they hate the smell)

Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open.

Lubricates wheel sprockets on tricycles, wagons and bicycles for easy handling.

One fellow claims spraying it on fishing lures attracts fish.

Removes all traces of duct tape.

Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards in vehicles, as well as vinyl bumpers.

Restores and cleans roof racks on vehicles.

Rids rocking chairs and swings of squeaky noises.

Spraying an umbrella stem makes it easier to open and close.

Also spray it on wasps nests -- they'll be unable to move.

Keeps bathroom mirror from fogging.

Keeps ceramic/terra cotta garden pots from oxidizing.

Keeps flies off cows.

Keeps glass shower doors free of water spots.

Keeps pigeons off balcony. (they hate smell)

Keeps rust from forming on saws and saw blades, and other tools.

Keeps scissors working smoothly.

Keeps shower doors water spot free.

Known for its ability to remove leftover tape smudges (sticky label tape), is also a lovely perfume and air freshener! Sprayed liberally on very hinge in the house, it leaves that distinctive clean fresh scent for up to two days!

Loosens stubborn zippers.

Lubricates and stops squeaks in electric fans.

Lubricates fan belts on washers and dryers and keeps them running smoothly.

Lubricates gear shift and mower-deck lever for ease of handling on riding mowers.

Lubricates noisy door hinges on vehicles and doors in homes.

Lubricates prosthetic limbs.

Lubricates tracks in sticking home windows and makes them easier to open.

Lubricates wheel sprockets on tri-cycles, wagons and bicycles for easy handling.

Protects silver from tarnishing.

Protects the Statue of Liberty from the elements.

Removes all traces of duct tape.

Removes crayon from walls.

Removes dirt and grime from the barbecue grill.

Removes grime from barbecue grills.

Removes lipstick stains.

Removes splattered grease on stove.

Removes stains on stainless sinks.

Removes tomato stains from clothing.

Restores and cleans chalkboards.

Restores and cleans padded leather dashboards and vinyl bumpers.

Restores roof racks on vehicles.

Rids swings of squeaky noises..

Saturate the lipstick spots with WD-40 and re-wash. Presto! Lipstick is gone!

Seriously though, it removes black scuff marks from the kitchen floor! Use WD-40 for that nasty tar and scuff marks on flooring. It doesn't seem to harm the finish, and you won't have to scrub nearly as hard to get them off. Just remember to open some windows if you have a lot of marks.

Spray umbrella stem - easier to open.

Spraying it on arms, hands, and knees to relieve arthritis pain..

Stops squeaks in electric fans.

Untangles jewellery chains.

Use it for fire ant bites. It takes the sting away immediately, and stops the itch.

Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal for inside windows. This way you can tell which side has the streaks. Straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean. Don't wash windows on a sunny day. They will dry too quickly and will probably streak.

Wearing a pair of latex dishwashing gloves makes opening jars easy as pie.

When a saucepan is burnt, sprinkle with bicarbonate of soda, add a small amount of water and heat – allow standing for 20 minutes if badly burnt. Then use egg flip to lift off and wash normally.

When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn's natural sweetness.

When changing your Doona cover, use a peg to hold each corner as you place the Doona inside the cover.

When cleaning glass, newspaper works better than paper towels and they are less expensive too!

When starting your garden seedlings indoors, plant the seeds in egg shell halves. Simply crack the shells around the roots of your plants and transplant them outdoors. The shell is a natural fertilizer.

When the doll clothes are hard to put on, sprinkle with corn starch and watch them slide on.

When using an oil-based paint, keep a bottle of nail polish remover handy. Clean up spatters by dabbing with remover on a cotton ball.

When using silver polish, add a few drops of ammonia. If silver polish dries out, add some warm water and stir until creamy. It will work like new. Use a pipe cleaner dipped in silver polish to remove tarnish from between silver fork tines.

When you boil potatoes, always save the water. Use it in soups and stews, or cool it and use it to fertilize your house plants.

When you buy new glassware, plates and bowls, remove the sticky price tags (and glue residue) by wiping with mineral spirits on a cotton ball. Simple and fast: Of course the faster the better. Soak in cold water immediately; remember hot water will set the stain.

When you buy your furniture, try to buy items that can be used in several rooms. Certain tables, chairs, lamps, etc. will never be wasted if you can move them around.

Whenever you purchase steel-wool pads, immediately take a pair of scissors and cut each pad into halves. This saves money by cutting your cost in half (you won't go through the pads so quickly due to rust) and it also sharpens your scissors!

Wicker furniture: Clean wicker furniture by spraying dusting or furniture polish onto an inexpensive paintbrush. It gets to all the hard-to-reach dust specks, and it takes a lot less time.

Window/Glass Cleaner ½ tsp liquid soap 3 tablespoons vinegar, 2 cups water. If the windows are VERY dirty...then make it a little thicker to loosen the grit as on outside windows. I don't have exact measurements. I just mix it, use it and dispose of the unused portion! Make up a fresh solution each time you need it. Costs only pennies compared to what commercial glass cleaners cost and does a much better job. You can use a spray bottle, a pitcher, a cup or whatever!! Just stir, or shake to mix. OR you add the cornstarch to cold water in a measuring cup or small bowl. It would be a thicker consistency to thicken broth for gravy. I don't think you will make it too thick; it wouldn't spray out of the sprayer. And even if you use a spray bottle that the sprayer doesn't work - as most of mine are. Just pour some out on the first 'wet' spreading cloth then Buff Dry. The idea is to have a 'white film' on the mirror or glass. Just be SURE that you use a DRY cloth to 'buff' off the film.

Windows: Small holes can be repaired by using a little clear nail polish to seal the hole. It will be almost invisible.

Wood panelling may be cleaned with a mixture of1 ounce of olive oil and 2 ounces of distilled vinegar in 1 quart of warm water. Moisten a soft cloth with the solution and wipe the panelling. The yellowing is then removed by wiping with a soft, dry cloth.

Wrap celery in aluminium foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.

Zip lock bags - Wash and rinse bags, and then store them in the freezer to prevent mildew.