Household Tips



Need to remember this ... so many clothes I thought were ruined... Chalk will remove grease stains from clothes. Simply rub the stain with chalk, then toss in the wash as normal.

Spray vinegar on windshield before a winter storm & car windows will not frost over.

Cooking Spray as Candlestick Cleaner
Celebrating by candlelight? Spray the inside of a votive holder with a thin coating before dropping in a tea light. After the candle has burned down, the remaining wax will slip out.

Use Cooking Spray as an Ice Repellent
Before clearing snow off a driveway, liberally spray both sides of a plastic or metal shovel with cooking spray. The ice will slide right off the oily surface. It's the easiest trick for smoother snow removal.
Dryer Sheet as Iron Cleaner
Remove gunk from the soleplate of an iron. With the setting on low, rub the iron over the dryer sheet until the residue disappears, and you're left with a pristine press.

Clothespin as Cord Keeper
The secret to keeping a retractable cord from rewinding too soon is to clip the cord near the opening.

Dryer Sheet as Sawdust Clearer
An easy way to keep the work area clean. Saw dust at a work station sweeps up so fast with one pass of a used fabric softener sheet.



Dryer Sheet as Scum Buster
Remove obstinate soap buildup from glass shower doors by sprinkling a few drops of water onto a used fabric-softener sheet and scrubbing

Emery Board as Eraser Saver
To revive a dried-out eraser or clean a smudged one, lightly rub it over an emery board. The board's fine grain will shave off the eraser's old top layer, leaving you with a good-as-new mistake-removing surface.

Hair Dryer as Sticker Remover
A little hot air quickly loosens price labels—with zero fingernail-chipping frustration.

Lemon as Laundry Brightener
Skip the bleach—add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of lemon juice to the wash cycle to brighter up those fading whites.

Rubber Glove as Pet Hair Remover
Put on a damp rubber dishwashing glove and run your hand over hair-covered upholstery—the hair will cling to the glove, not the sofa. Rinse off the glove in the sink (with the drain catcher in place, of course).

Rubbing Alcohol as Hairspray Remover
Lift off hair-spray residue from bathroom walls. Spray a mixture of one part rubbing alcohol, two parts water, and a dash of dishwashing liquid onto vinyl wallpaper or semigloss (not flat) paint. Wipe clean.


Rubbing Alcohol as Permanent Marker Remover
Remove permanent marker from countertops and walls. Pour a bit of alcohol onto a cotton ball and rub on the stain. (Spot test on a hidden area first.)

Aluminum Foil as Glassware Scrubber
To get baked-on food off a glass pan or an oven rack, use dishwashing liquid and a ball of foil in place of a steel-wool soap pad.

Sugar as Hand Degreaser
Cut grease on hands by rubbing them with a mixture of sugar and water.

Electric Toothbrush as Grout Scrubber
Scour bathroom crevices with a battery-powered toothbrush.

Walnut as Scratch Filler
Repair hardwood floors by rubbing shelled nuts into shallow scratches. Their natural oils help hide the flaws.

Coffee Filter as Screen Cleaner
For lint-free viewing, grab a coffee filter to wipe down dusty and staticky computer monitors and TV screens regularly.

Lemonade Kool-Aid as Dishwasher Cleaner
Clean lime deposits and iron stains inside the dishwasher by pouring a packet of lemonade Kool-Aid (the only flavor that works) into the detergent cup and running the (empty) dishwasher. The citric acid in the mix wipes out stains; you don't have to.
Laundry Bag as Dishwashing Aid
Keep mini Tupperware lids, baby-bottle caps, and other small items from falling through the dishwasher rack.

Pillowcase as Ceiling Fan Duster
Slide an old case over a fan's blade then pull the fabric back, keeping all the dust and dirt contained.

Salt as Polishing Agent
Shine brass and copper with a paste made from a few tablespoons of white vinegar and equal parts salt and flour. Apply with a soft cloth, rinse, and dry.


How To Get Rid Of Wax On Carpet


As I am sure you know by now, a wax spill can be one of the most difficult things to get out of carpet. However, if you know a few simple tricks, it does not have to be as hard as it looks.
Once the wax dries, it attaches itself to the carpet fibers and becomes a solid mass. It is at this stage, that you will begin to remove it.

Get Rid Of Hard Wax:

If you do not know how to get rid of wax on carpet, to begin, you need to remove as much of the hard wax as possible. Do not use a sharp bladed instrument, as you do not want to cut or damage the carpet fibers. Use your hands, or if you need something stronger, use an implement with a dull blade. Try to break the wax up and scrape as much as you can from the fibers. When you have completed this step, thoroughly vacuum the area to remove all the loose bits of wax.
For the next step, you will need a clean dry cloth (if necessary, you can use a paper towel). Place the cloth over the wax and run an iron (on the warm setting) over the cloth. This process will cause the wax to liquefy and adhere to the dry cloth. Once this occurs, gently lift the cloth, and if all goes right, the wax should come up with the cloth. (note: if you do not have an iron, a common hair drier can be used instead. Take caution not to hold it too close to the carpet, so that the fibers do not burn). Hopefully, the wax is now out of your carpet.
Now that you know how to get rid of wax on carpet, if the wax you spilled was colored, your problem does not end here. Often times, the coloring agent in the wax may stain your carpet. It is specifically for this reason, that we suggested that you use the iron on the warm setting, instead of high. Heat helps to set stains and hopefully, the warm setting did not let that occur.







Uses for Vinegar
In the garden
Kill weeds and grass growing in unwanted places by pouring full-strength white distilled vinegar on them. This works especially well in crevices and cracks of walkways and driveways.

Give acid-loving plants like azaleas, rhododendrons, hydrangeas and gardenias a little help by watering them with a white distilled vinegar solution now and again. A cup of white distilled vinegar to a gallon of tap water is a good mixture.

Stop ants from congregating by pouring white distilled vinegar on the area.

Discourage cats from getting into the kids’ sandbox with white distilled vinegar.

Preserve cut flowers and liven droopy ones by adding 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar and 1 teaspoon sugar to a quart of water in a vase.

Get rid of the water line in a flower vase by filling it with a solution of half water and half white distilled vinegar, or by soaking a paper towel in white distilled vinegar and stuffing it into the vase so that it is in contact with the water line.

Clean out stains and white mineral crusts in clay, glazed and plastic pots by soaking them for an hour or longer in a sink filled with a solution of half water and half white distilled vinegar.

Remove crusty rim deposits on house planters or attached saucers by soaking them for several hours in an inch of full-strength white distilled vinegar.

Clean a birdbath by scrubbing it often with undiluted white distilled vinegar. Rinse well.

Get rid of rust on spigots, tools, screws or bolts by soaking the items overnight or for several days in undiluted white distilled vinegar.

Neutralize garden lime by adding white distilled vinegar to the area.

Avoid skin problems after working in the garden by rinsing your hands in white distilled vinegar.

Increase the acidity of soil by adding white distilled vinegar to your watering can.

Eliminate anthills by pouring in white distilled vinegar.

Cure a cement pond before adding fish and plants by adding one gallon of white distilled vinegar to every 200 gallons of water. Let sit three days. Empty and rinse thoroughly.

Sanitize outdoor furniture and picnic tables with a cloth soaked in white distilled vinegar.

Kill slugs by spraying them with a mixture of 1 part water and 1 part white distilled vinegar.

To catch moths use a mixture of 2 parts white distilled vinegar and 1 part molasses. Place mixture in tin can and hang in a tree.

Keep rabbits from eating your plants. Put cotton balls soaked in white distilled vinegar in a 35mm film container. Poke a hole in the top and place in the garden.

Remove berry stains on your hands by rubbing them with white distilled vinegar.

Clean plastic patio furniture with a solution of 1 tablespoon white distilled vinegar to 1 gallon of water.

Wash fresh vegetables with a mixture of 1 tablespoon of white distilled vinegar in 1 ½ quarts of water.

When cleaning an outdoor fountain, soak the pump in white distilled vinegar to remove any mineral deposits.

Clean a hummingbird feeder with white distilled vinegar—soap or detergent can leave behind harmful residue.

Cleaning

To shine chrome sink fixtures that have a lime buildup, use a paste made of 2 tablespoons salt and 1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar.

Make your own scouring cleanser by combining 1/4 cup baking soda with 1 tablespoon liquid detergent. Add just enough white distilled vinegar to give it a thick but creamy texture.

Clean counter tops and make them smell sweet again with a cloth soaked in undiluted white distilled vinegar.

Clean and deodorize a drain by pouring in 1 cup baking soda, then one cup hot white distilled vinegar. Let this sit for 5 minutes or so, then run hot water down the drain.

Deodorize the garbage disposal by pouring in 1/2 cup baking soda and 1/2 cup hot white distilled vinegar. Let sit for 5 minutes then run hot water down the disposal.

Deodorize and clean the garbage disposal with white distilled vinegar ice cubes. Make them by freezing full-strength white distilled vinegar in an ice cube tray. Run several cubes down the disposal while flushing with cold water.

Clean the microwave by mixing 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar and 1/2 cup water in a microwave-safe bowl. Bring it to a rolling boil inside the microwave. Baked-on food will be loosened, and odors will disappear. Wipe clean.

Clean the shelves and walls of the refrigerator with a half-and-half solution of water and white distilled vinegar.

Cut the grime on the top of the refrigerator with a paper towel or cloth and full-strength white distilled vinegar.

Avoid the bad smell when you heat up a newly cleaned oven by using a sponge soaked in diluted white distilled vinegar for the final rinse.

To clean a grease splattered oven door window, saturate it with full-strength white distilled vinegar. Keep the door open for 10 to 15 minutes before wiping with a sponge.

Remove soap buildup and odors from the dishwasher
by pouring a cup of white distilled vinegar inside the empty machine and running it through a whole cycle. Do monthly.

To prevent good glassware from getting etched by minerals
, wash then spray with full-strength white distilled vinegar. Give the glasses a hot water rinse before letting them dry or drying them with a towel.

For cloudy glassware, soak paper towels or a cloth in full-strength white distilled vinegar and wrap around the inside and outside of the glass. Let sit awhile before rinsing clean.

Get rid of lime deposits in a tea kettle by adding 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar to the water and letting it sit overnight. If more drastic action is needed, boil full-strength white distilled vinegar in the kettle a few minutes, let cool and rinse with plain water.

Remove mineral deposits from coffee makers with white distilled vinegar. Fill the water reservoir with 1 cup or more of white distilled vinegar and run it through a whole cycle. Run it once or twice more with plain water to rinse clean. (Check the owners’ manual first.)

Remove stains from coffee and teacups by scrubbing them gently with equal parts of salt (or baking soda) and white distilled vinegar. Rinse clean.

For stained and smelly plastic food containers, wipe them with a cloth dampened with white distilled vinegar.

Remove odors from a lunch box by placing inside a slice of bread that has been soaked in white distilled vinegar. Leave overnight.

Remove ugly film in narrow-necked glass jars, flower vases, and bottles by letting undiluted white distilled vinegar sit in them for a few hours. Add a little rice or sand and shake vigorously to loosen stubborn stains. Repeat if necessary.

Easily clean your mini blinds by wearing pair of white cotton gloves.  Dip gloved fingers into a solution of equal parts white vinegar and warm tap water, and run your fingers across both sides of each blind.

To clean tarnished brass, copper, and pewter,
use a paste with equal amounts of white distilled vinegar and table salt.

Make a metal cleanser by adding enough white distilled vinegar to 2 tablespoons of cream of tartar to make a paste. Rub it on and let it dry on the surface. Wash it off and dry with a soft cloth.

Polish brass and copper with a mixture of 2 tablespoons of ketchup and 1 tablespoon white distilled vinegar. Rub it on with a clean cloth until dry and shiny.

Remove dark stains on an aluminum pot by boiling a mixture of 1 cup white distilled vinegar and 1 cup hot water.

Discourage ants by spraying undiluted white distilled vinegar outside doorways and windowsills, around appliances and wherever you find the pests coming in.

Get rid of fruit flies by setting out a small dish of undiluted white distilled vinegar.

Clean the wheel of a can opener using white distilled vinegar and an old toothbrush.

Remove the smell of spoiled food from a refrigerator by first rinsing the area with soap and water. Spray surfaces with full-strength white distilled vinegar and wipe them down with a damp cloth or sponge. Fill some containers with baking soda and place inside. Close the door and leave for a few days.

Wipe grease off exhaust fan grids, the inside of your oven, or anywhere grease gathers with a sponge soaked in white distilled vinegar.

To make cleaning the grill easier, spray a solution of half water and half white distilled vinegar on the cooking surface.

To remove a label, decal, or price tag, cover with a cloth soaked in white distilled vinegar. Leave the cloth on overnight and the label should slide off.

Renew sponges and dishrags by placing them in just enough water to cover them. Then add 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar. Let them soak overnight.

Get rid of calcium deposits on faucets by soaking a cloth or paper towel in white distilled vinegar and wrapping the area tightly. Let this sit for a couple of hours or overnight.

Remove soap buildup from faucets by scrubbing them with a solution of 1 part salt to 4 parts white distilled vinegar.

Rid a faucet of lime deposits by tying a plastic bag containing 1/2 to 1/3 cup of white distilled vinegar around it and leaving it there for two or three hours. If mineral deposits don’t wipe off, scrubbing with an old toothbrush should complete the job.

Shine colored porcelain sinks by scouring them with undiluted white distilled vinegar.

Rinse away soapy film on countertops with a solution of white distilled vinegar and water.

Clean grout by letting full-strength white distilled vinegar sit on it for a few minutes and scrubbing it with an old toothbrush.

Kill germs all around the bathroom with a spray of full-strength white distilled vinegar. Wipe clean with a damp cloth.

To remove grime, mildew, and scum from the tub, tile, shower curtain or door, wipe with undiluted white distilled vinegar. Rinse with water.

Spray shower doors with full-strength white distilled vinegar after you’ve squeegeed the glass, or before you step in and turn on the water. It will help release the hard water deposits so they don’t remain on the glass.

Mix up an inexpensive tile cleaner by adding 1/2 cup baking soda, 1 cup white distilled vinegar, and 1 cup ammonia to a gallon of warm water.

Get rid of stubborn bathtub film by wiping it with white distilled vinegar and then scouring with baking soda.

Soak a sponge or loofah overnight in a strong white distilled vinegar and water solution to remove dirt and slime. Rinse several times with cold water and let air dry (in the sun if possible).

Clean shower door tracks by filling them with white distilled vinegar and letting it sit for a few hours. Pour hot water into the tracks and wash and scrub away the scum with a toothbrush.

To clean a scummy showerhead, pour 1/2 cup baking soda and 1 cup white distilled vinegar into a sandwich bag and tie it around the showerhead. Let this set for an hour after the bubbling has stopped. Remove the bag and then turn on the water.

Deodorize the toilet bowl by allowing 3 cups white distilled vinegar to sit in it for about a half hour before flushing.

To make the toilet bowl sparkle, pour in a cup or more of diluted white distilled vinegar and let it sit several hours or overnight. Scrub well with the toilet brush and flush.

Freshen air in the bathroom by spraying into the air a solution of 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1 tablespoon white distilled vinegar, and 1 cup water.

Get a shining finish on a no-wax vinyl or linoleum floor by cleaning it with a solution of one cup white distilled vinegar for every gallon of water.

Apply full-strength white distilled vinegar directly to tough linoleum stains. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes before wiping it up. If that doesn’t work, apply white distilled vinegar again and then sprinkle some baking soda over the white distilled vinegar. Scrub the area with a brush or sponge. Rinse clean with water.

For an economical and environmentally friendly floor cleaner, mix a solution of 3 drops dishwashing liquid to 1/3 part white distilled vinegar, 1/3 part alcohol, and 1/3 part water. Spray sparingly and mop for a fast clean-up.

Some carpet stains can be removed with a paste of 2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar and 1/4 cup salt or baking soda. Rub into the carpet stain and let dry. Vacuum up the residue the next day. (Always test on an out-of-sight part of the carpet first).

Bring out the color in carpet by brushing it with a solution of 1 cup white distilled vinegar for every gallon of water. (Always test on an out-of-sight part of the carpet beforehand).

To reduce soap bubbles in a steam cleaner add about 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar. Use the same amount in the rinse water to remove detergent residue and make carpets stay fresh longer.

Wash indoor/outdoor carpet with a solution of 1 cup white distilled vinegar in 1 bucket of warm water. Scrub using a brush or a broom and then hose off.

Clean up pet accidents by first blotting up the area and then adding a white distilled vinegar-and-water solution. Blot until it is almost dry. Then sprinkle baking soda over the area and let it dry. Vacuum up the residue the next day.

Create your own window cleaning solution by combining 1/2 cup non-sudsy ammonia, 1 cup white distilled vinegar, and 2 tablespoons cornstarch in a gallon of water.

Remove the wax residue left by commercial window cleaners with a solution of 2 cups water, 1 cup white distilled vinegar and 1 teaspoon of liquid soap or detergent.

To remove paint from windows try using undiluted, hot white distilled vinegar. Give the solution time to soften the paint before removing with a razor edge tool.

To remove paint splatters from windows apply full-strength white distilled vinegar with a clean paintbrush.

Get rid of mildew, dust, and stale odors by wiping down walls with undiluted white distilled vinegar on a cloth or a sponge mop.

Clean woodwork and walls with a mixture of 1 cup white distilled vinegar, 1 cup baking soda, 1/2 cup ammonia and 1 gallon warm water. Wipe on with a sponge or damp—not wet—towel.

Clean wood paneling with a solution of 1/4 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar, and 2 cups warm water. Wipe on with a soft cloth.

Remove wallpaper easily by using a paint roller to wet the surface very thoroughly with a solution of equal parts white distilled vinegar and hot water. Or spray on until saturated.

Get decals off walls or doors by letting undiluted white distilled vinegar soak into them for several minutes before trying to peel them off. Repeat if necessary.

Remove white water rings from wood with a solution of equal parts white distilled vinegar and vegetable oil. Rub with the grain.

Remove fireplace soot and grime with undiluted white distilled vinegar. Use a brush to scrub and a towel to blot up the wetness and dirt.

Clean fireplace glass doors with a solution of 1 part white distilled vinegar to 2 parts water. Spray or wipe on, then wipe clean with a dry cloth.

To kill germs, spray full-strength white distilled vinegar on doorknobs and then wipe them dry.

Remove the smell of a dead mouse or other rodent (after removing all animal remnants) by wiping down the area with either white distilled vinegar or bleach. Then place a fabric softener sheet in the area to remove any lingering odors.

Never use white distilled vinegar on marble. The acid can damage the surface.

Before painting old concrete, clean with full-strength white distilled vinegar. Let it air dry.

Clean hardened paint brushes by simmering them in a pot with white distilled vinegar. Soak them first for an hour before bringing the white distilled vinegar to a simmer. Drain and rinse clean.

Remove mud and stains from plastic, fiberglass, or aluminum sports equipment by applying a paste of 1 part white distilled vinegar to 3 parts baking soda. Wipe off with soapy water and rinse with clear water.

Clean your grill by spritzing white distilled vinegar over wadded up aluminum foil and scrubbing the grill vigorously with it.

To remove film in glass baby bottles, fill with equal parts hot water and white distilled vinegar. Let sit for at least an hour. Scrub with a bottle brush.

To clean and disinfect baby toys add a good-sized splash of white distilled vinegar to soapy water.

Clean vinyl baby books or board books by wiping with white distilled vinegar. Wipe clean with a damp sponge or cloth.

Clean scissors that have become sticky (after cutting tape, for instance) with a cloth dipped in undiluted white distilled vinegar.

Clean and deodorize urine on a mattress with a white distilled vinegar and water solution. Then sprinkle the area with baking soda and let dry. Brush or vacuum the residue after it is dry to the touch.

Shine pennies by soaking them for a couple of hours or overnight in a glass or bowl of undiluted white distilled vinegar.

Laundry
Prevent lint from clinging to clothes by adding 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar to the wash cycle.

To remove soap residue that makes black clothes look dull use white distilled vinegar in your final rinse.

Get stained white socks and dingy dishcloths white again. Add 1 cup white distilled vinegar to a large pot of water, bring it to a rolling boil and drop in the articles. Let soak overnight.

Some stains on clothing and linens can be soaked out using equal parts milk and white distilled vinegar.

Before washing a mustard stain, dab with white distilled vinegar.

Attack spaghetti, barbecue, or ketchup stains
with a white distilled vinegar and water solution.

Remove perspiration odor and stains on clothing, as well as those left by deodorants, by spraying full-strength white distilled vinegar on underarm and collar areas before tossing them into the washing machine.

Forgot that you left wet laundry in the machine and it now smells moldy? Pour a few cups of white distilled vinegar in the machine and wash the clothes in hot water. Then run a normal cycle with detergent.

Remove smoky odors from clothes by filling the bathtub with very hot water and 1 cup white distilled vinegar. Hang the garments above the steaming water and shut the door so the steam can penetrate the fibers.

Keep the steam iron clean and in good working order by getting rid of mineral deposits in steam vents and spray nozzles. Fill the water chamber with a solution of equal parts white distilled vinegar and distilled water. Set it in an upright position and let it steam for about 5 minutes. When the iron is cool, rinse the tank with water, refill and shake water through the vents onto an old cloth. Test before using.

Remove scorch marks from an iron by rubbing it with a warmed-up solution of equal parts white distilled vinegar and salt. If that doesn’t work, use a cloth dampened with full-strength white distilled vinegar.

Remove musky smells from cotton clothes by sprinkling them lightly with white distilled vinegar and then pressing them.

Get water and salt stains off shoes and boots by wiping them down with a solution of equal parts white distilled vinegar and water.

Give patent leather shoes and bags a better shine by wiping them down with white distilled vinegar.

Get cleaner laundry! Add about 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar to the last rinse. The acid in white distilled vinegar is too mild to harm fabrics, yet strong enough to dissolve the alkalies in soaps and detergents. Besides removing soap, white distilled vinegar prevents yellowing, acts as a fabric softener and static cling reducer, and attacks mold and mildew.

Eliminate manufacturing chemicals from new clothes by adding 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar to the water.

Remove soap scum and clean the hoses of your washing machine with white distilled vinegar. Periodically run the machine with only a cup of white distilled vinegar in it—nothing else added to the wash cycle.

Bring out bright colors by adding 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar to the rinse cycle.

Fluff up wool or acrylic sweaters (hand- or machine-washed) and rid them of soap smell with 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar in the last rinse water.

Get rid of the tiny holes left along the hemline when you take out the hem of any garment by moistening a cloth with white distilled vinegar, placing it under the fabric and ironing.

Health
Stop insect stings and bites from itching by dabbing them with a cotton ball saturated with undiluted white distilled vinegar.

Soothe sunburn with a spray of white distilled vinegar, repeating as often as you like. Ice-cold white distilled vinegar will feel even better, and may prevent blistering and peeling.

For cuts and scrapes, use white distilled vinegar as an antiseptic.

Get rid of foot odor by washing feet well with antiseptic soap daily, then soaking them in undiluted cider vinegar for 10 minutes or so. Remember that cotton socks aid odor control more effectively than wool ones.

Clean a hairbrush by soaking in a white distilled vinegar solution.

Tone facial skin with a solution of equal parts white distilled vinegar and water.

If commercial aftershaves cause rashes and itching, try using undiluted white distilled vinegar as an aftershave lotion.

Lighten body freckles (not facial freckles) by rubbing on full-strength white distilled vinegar.

Eliminate bad breath and whiten your teeth by brushing them once or twice a week with white distilled vinegar.

Make nail polish last longer. Wipe fingernails with cotton balls dipped in white distilled vinegar before putting on nail polish.
Automotive
Keep car windows frost-free overnight in winter by coating them with a solution of 3 parts white distilled vinegar to 1 part water.

Polish car chrome with full-strength white distilled vinegar on a soft cloth.

Remove unwanted decals and bumper stickers by covering them with a cloth soaked in white distilled vinegar, or by repeatedly spraying them with full-strength white distilled vinegar. They should peel off in a couple of hours.

Rid the windshield wipers of road grime by wiping them with a white distilled vinegar-soaked cloth.

Remove the leftover odor after a rider has been carsick by leaving a bowl of white distilled vinegar overnight on the floor.

Get rid of hard water stains on your car with a rinse made from 3 parts soft water to one part white distilled vinegar.

Wipe vinyl upholstery with a mixture of equal parts white distilled vinegar and water.

Remove winter road salt residue on car carpeting by spraying with a mixture of equal parts white distilled vinegar and water, then blot with a soft towel.

Remove the hazy film that builds up on inside windows by spraying with white distilled vinegar.

Remove dirt and stains from car carpeting with a mixture of half white distilled vinegar and half water.

When doing car maintenance, soak rusty bolts and screws with white distilled vinegar to make them easier to remove.

Loosen chewing gum stuck to carpeting or upholstery by soaking it in white distilled vinegar.

Create an all-purpose window cleaner with a few ounces of white distilled vinegar in a quart of water.

Give leather upholstery an extra shine by cleaning it with hot white distilled vinegar and rinsing with soapy water.

Make your car extra shiny
by adding a few drops of white distilled vinegar to your bucket of water.

Cooking

To make basic vinaigrette salad dressing use 1 part white distilled vinegar to 4 parts oil.

Make creamy vinaigrette by adding some plain or whipped cream to a mixture of 1 part white distilled vinegar to 3 parts oil.

Tenderize meat with white distilled vinegar. Use it in marinades or when slow cooking any tough, inexpensive cuts of meat.

When poaching eggs, add a little white distilled vinegar to the water. The whites stay better formed.

For extra tenderness with boiling ribs or stew meat add a tablespoon of white distilled vinegar.

To add a zesty new taste to fresh fruits such as pears, cantaloupe, honeydew, or others, add a splash of rice or balsamic vinegar. Serve immediately to prevent the fruit from becoming mushy.

Freshen wilted vegetables by soaking them in cold water containing a spoonful or two of white distilled vinegar.

When boiling or steaming cauliflower, beets or other vegetables, add a teaspoon or two of white distilled vinegar to the water to help them keep their color. This will also improve their taste, and reduce gassy elements. This also works when cooking beans and bean dishes.

Make pasta less sticky and reduce some of its starch. Add just a dash of white distilled vinegar to the water as it cooks.

Give some extra zest to your white sauce by adding 1/2 teaspoon of white distilled vinegar.

Try cider or malt white distilled vinegar instead of ketchup with french fries—that’s how the British like to eat them. Either one is also great on fish or any fried or broiled meat.

Remove kitchen odors that come from burnt pots or when cooking certain foods by boiling a small amount of water with 1/4 cup white distilled vinegar so that the steam circulates throughout the room.

Make onion odors disappear from your hands by rubbing with white distilled vinegar.

Add moistness and taste to any chocolate cake—homemade or from a box—with a spoonful of white distilled vinegar.

To keep frosting from sugaring add a drop of white distilled vinegar. It will also help keep white frosting white and shiny.

Make perfect, fluffy meringue by adding a teaspoon of white distilled vinegar for every 3 to 4 egg whites used.

Perk up any can of soup or sauce with a teaspoon of red or white wine vinegar.

Eliminate the greasy taste in food cooked in a deep fryer by adding a dash of white distilled vinegar.

If you’ve added too much salt to a recipe, add a spoonful of white distilled vinegar and sugar to try correcting the taste.

Keep molded gelatin desserts and salads from sagging or melting in the summer heat by adding a teaspoon of white distilled vinegar for each box of gelatin used.

When making tuna salad add a dash of any herb-flavored white distilled vinegar.

Turn out great rice by adding a teaspoon of white distilled vinegar to the boiling water.

To make the perfect picnic potato salad dressing combine 1 cup mayonnaise, 3 tablespoons white distilled vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.

Olives or pimentos covered with white distilled vinegar can be kept almost indefinitely if refrigerated.

To keep eggs from cracking when boiling add a tablespoon or two of white distilled vinegar to water.



Uses for Cornmeal

1.   Kill Ants
o    On a dry day, pour corn meal on and around anthills. The ants carry the corn meal into the nest. Some types of ants eat it, but cannot digest it, and it kills them. In some cases, surrounding moisture turns it to methane gas, which descends into the nest and kills the queen. This method does not always work with fire ants.
Control Plant Fungus
o    Scatter corn meal on the leaves and under any plant that shows fungus, black spot or mildew. This works well for roses, lawn grasses and tomatoes. Repeat the treatment once each month. Do not use on very young seedlings.
Prevent Aphids
o    Sprinkle corn meal on the leaves and the ground under the plant to repel aphids. You will need to retreat at least once each month.
Protect Wooden Floors
o    For a party, scatter wooden floors with corn meal to protect against scuffing and keep them slippery enough for dancing. Just sweep it away when finished.
Occupy Children
o    Fill a flat container, with a tight fitting lid, half full for your children to play in. They can create roads for small toy cars, play with small spoons and cups or just pour it through their fingers. If it spills, just sweep it up. This will occupy a small child for some time. When finished, Mississippi State University instructs us to store corn meal in covered containers to prevent spoilage. Then it should keep for six months or more.
Prevent Weeds
o    Corn meal with gluten can prevent seeds from rooting. This will not kill existing plants, but only sprouting seeds. Spread across garden or lawn, and then add 1/4 inch of water. After watering, let it dry out completely for five days. The University of Wisconsin emphasizes that corn gluten meal acts as an herbicide, yet is safe and environmentally friendly. It will not harm insects, pets or children and it will not pollute ponds or streams.
Prevent Fungus Infections
o    Sprinkle corn meal in your shoes to prevent and treat athlete's foot and other fungus infections. The corn meal helps absorb moisture from perspiration. Because it is a mild fungicide, it will discourage fungus infections. For toenail infections, make a paste of corn meal and water and let it stand for one hour. Then soak your feet in the mixture.
Preserve Fresh Flowers
o    To dry fresh flowers, Iowa State University suggests mixing equal parts corn meal and borax in a shoebox or other container. Carefully bury the flowers in the mixture. You will have to leave the container uncovered for three weeks or until the flowers
2.   Lawn and Garden Uses
o    Cornmeal fights common lawn and garden diseases, such as damping off, algae and other fungal infections. Purchase products labeled horticultural cornmeal or granulated corn gluten meal, since these contain high amounts of corn protein, as opposed to starch-based grocery store cornmeal. In addition to preventing disease, cornmeal also enriches the overall organic makeup of the soil. Apply 20 pounds of cornmeal for every 1,000 square feet to fertilize the soil and prevent disease. As an effective anti-fungal plant spray, soak 1 cup of cornmeal in 5 gallons of water for about an hour, then strain out any solid particles and spray the liquid onto the plant's leaves.
Scrubs and Cleansers
o    Cornmeal is a common ingredient used in homemade body scrubs and cleansers. Always apply cornmeal products gently, since excessive scrubbing can break the skin. For a gentle facial cleaner, combine 2 tbsp. cornmeal with 1 tsp. minced mint leaves, 1 tsp. green tea, and 1 tbsp. plain yogurt. Steep the mint and tea together; let the mixture cool. Add the tea to the yogurt, and the cornmeal to the resulting cream. Apply the mixture to the face with circular strokes, and rinse with cool water. For an invigorating and softening foot scrub, mix 1/2 cup of cornmeal with 2 tbsp. avocado oil. Massage the mixture into your feet, and then exfoliate calloused areas with a pumice stone. Rinse and dry your feet thoroughly. Discontinue use if you have a negative reaction to cornmeal-based skin products.
Floor Cleaner
o    Cornmeal can be used to remove carpet stains and odors. Simply sprinkle the cornmeal onto your flooring, allow it to sit for as long as possible, and then vacuum over the area. For particularly difficult spots, let the cornmeal sit overnight for maximum absorption. Cornmeal can also be used to treat grease and oil stains on concrete. Sprinkle enough cornmeal over the stain to cover it, let it sit for at least two hours, and then sweep or vacuum the cornmeal up.

1.  
Disease and Fungus

o    Cornmeal can be used to combat diseases and fungus in plants. Cornmeal stimulates the growth of microorganisms that feed on the pathogens that cause many plant diseases and soil fungus. Both food and ornamental crops can benefit from cornmeal to control disease because harsh pesticides don't have to be used. This makes food and plants healthier than with pesticide use. Cornmeal can be used multiple times to control plant diseases and fungus and is not affected by rain. In fact, cornmeal needs water to activate so rainwater helps cornmeal fight diseases. Cornmeal tea can also be used to control plant diseases and fungus. Once cornmeal has been soaked in water, plant foliage can be sprayed with the mixture. Cornmeal baths can also combat toenail fungus, ear mite and skin problems, as well as ear fungus.
Algae in Water
o    Algae can become problematic in ponds and water features. Cornmeal can be used to eliminate water algae. Cornmeal contains cellulose that collects excess phosphorous found in pond or fountain water. Cornmeal also balances the chemistry of the water. Both of these things help kill off algae. Beneficial bacteria uses the carbon in cornmeal to flourish and help digest the algae. The digesting algae then provides carbon for the bacteria to flourish even further. If cornmeal is sunk to the bottom of a water feature, it works faster to kill algae. Pellet cornmeal is best for sinking in water. It is best to try to avoid killing algae too fast, however, because it can kill fish because of oxygen deprivation.
Compost
o    Compost can be beneficial to soil, especially in areas where soil nutrients are not substantial enough to support plant growth. Cornmeal can be used to simulate the growth of microbes that neutralize contaminates in the compost. Cornmeal also helps speed up the composting process. The more cornmeal that is used, the faster compost will decompose. Cornmeal also helps build up soil and fertilize plants that the compost is spread around.
Weed Control
o    Corn gluten meal, a different type of cornmeal, can be used instead of chemical plant weed and feed. The corn gluten meal creates a soil barrier so that weed seeds can't germinate. The gluten meal fertilizes wanted plants organically. The corn gluten meal works best if it is watered into the soil and then left to dry for a period of time. Corn gluten meal can be used before or after plants are planted but must be introduced to the soil before weed seeds germinate or it won't be as effective.

To Clean Stuffed Animal Toys

Place stuffed animal in a shallow pan and pour corn meal over it scrub it into the plush and let sit overnight. Shake off corn meal and brush out the plush with a bristle brush




Uses for Baking Soda

Health Uses
1. Use it as an antacid.
2. Use it as underarm deodorant by applying it with a powder puff.
3. Mix half a teaspoon with peroxide paste and use it as toothpaste.
4. Use it as a face and body scrub.
5. Add a cup to bathwater to soften your skin.
6. Relieve skin itch from insect bites and pain from sunburn.
7. Remove strong odors from your hands by rubbing them with baking soda and water.
8. Put two tablespoons in your baby’s bathwater to help relieve diaper rash.
9. Apply it on rashes, insect bites, and poison ivy irritations.
10. Take a baking soda bath to relieve skin irritations.
11. Heartburn? Take a teaspoon of baking soda mixed with one-half glass of water.
12. Freshen your mouth by gargling half a teaspoon of baking soda mixed water.
13. Relieve canker sore pain by using it as mouthwash.
14. Use it to relieve bee stings.
15. Use it to relieve windburns.
16. Apply it on jellyfish sting to draw out the venom.
17. Unblock stuffy nose by adding a teaspoon of baking soda to your vaporizer.

In the Home
18. Keep cut flowers fresh longer by adding a teaspoon to the water in the vase.
19. Put out small fires on rugs, upholstery, clothing, and wood.
20. Put an open container of baking soda in the fridge to absorb the odors.
21. Sprinkle it on your ashtrays to reduce bad odor and prevent smoldering.
22. Sprinkle it on your slippers, boots, shoes, and socks to eliminate foul odor.
23. Turn baking soda into modeling clay by combining it with one and 1/4 cups of water and one cup of cornstarch.
24. After feeding your baby, wipe his shirt with a moist cloth sprinkled with baking soda to remove the odor.
25. Wipe your windshield with it to repel rain.
26. Improve the smell of dishrags by soaking them in baking soda and water.
27. Suck it in with your vacuum cleaner to remove the odor.
28. Freshen the air by mixing baking soda with your favorite perfumed bath salts. Put the mixture in small sachet bags.
29. Restore stiff brushes by boiling them in a solution of 1/2 gallon of water, 1/4 cup of vinegar, and a cup of baking soda.
30. Put it under sinks and along basement windows to repel cockroaches and ants.
31. Scatter baking soda around flowerbeds to prevent rabbits from eating your veggies.
32. Sweeten your tomatoes by sprinkling baking soda on the soil around your tomato plants.
33. Sprinkle it onto your cat’s litter box to absorb the bad odor.
34. Sprinkle it on your pet’s comb or brush to deodorize their fur and skin.
In Cooking
35. Use it as a substitute for baking powder by mixing with it with cream of tartar or vinegar.
36. Wash fruits and vegetables with it.
37. When boiling a chicken, add a teaspoon of baking soda to the water. Feathers will come off easier, and the flesh will be clean and white.
38. Soak dried beans to a baking soda solution to make them more digestible.
39. Remove the distinctive taste of wild game by soaking it in a baking soda solution.
40. Make a sports drink by mixing it with boiled water, salt, and Kool-Aid.
41. Remove the fishy smell from your fillets by soaking the raw fish in a baking soda solution for an hour inside the fridge.
42. Make fluffier omelets by adding half a teaspoon of baking soda for every three eggs used.
43. Reduce the acid content of your tomato-based recipes by sprinkling them with a pinch of baking soda.
Cleaning Purposes
44. Add a cup to the toilet, leave it for an hour, and then flush. It will clean the toilet and absorb the odor.
45. Use it to scrub sinks, showers, plastic and porcelain tubs
46. Spray it on walls, mirrors, and countertops.
47. Add a spoonful to your dishwasher to make scrubbing dishes easier.
48. Remove grease from pots and pans.
49. Dry clean carpets and upholstered furniture by sprinkling baking soda over the fabric and gently brushing it. Leave it for an hour or overnight, then vacuum.
50. Boost your laundry detergent’s cleaning power by sprinkling a handful on dirty clothes.
51. Combine it with water to make a paste for polishing stainless steel and chrome.
52. Remove scratches and crayon marks from vinyl floors and walls.
53. Clean your shoes with it.
54. Clean garbage cans with it.
55. Use it to wash diapers.
56. Clean the fridge with it.
57. Soak brushes and combs in a baking soda solution.
58. Mix it with water to wash food and drink containers.
59. Put three tablespoons of baking soda to a quart of warm water, then use the mixture to wash marble-topped furniture.
60. Absorb it with a damp sponge, then clean Formica countertops with the sponge.
61. Use it to get rid of stale odors from cooling containers and thermos bottles.
62. Run your coffee maker with a baking soda solution, then rinse.
63. Combine with hot water to clean baby bottles.
64. Sprinkle it on barbecue grills, then rinse it off.
65. Scatter it on your greasy garage floor, scrub the floor, and rinse.
66. Remove burned-on food from a pan by soaking it in a baking soda solution for 10 minutes before washing.
67. Clean your ashtrays with a baking soda solution.
68. Keep your drains clean by putting four tablespoons of baking soda in them each week. Flush it down with hot water.
69. Clean your shower curtains by soaking them in baking soda and water.
70. Put it on a small brush to rub canvas handbags clean.
71. Use it to remove melted plastic bread wrapper from a toaster. Sprinkle baking soda on a damp rag and use the rag to clean the toaster.
72. Use it to clean your retainers and dentures.
73. Make a thick paste of baking soda and water, and used it to scrub enameled cast iron and stainless steel.
74. Mix four tablespoons of baking soda with a quart of warm water, and use it to clean the inside part of an oven.
75. Use it to unclog gas stoves.
The most amazing thing about baking soda is that it’s very cheap. You can do all these things for a very small cost. Baking soda is truly a miracle product, whether it’s used for baking or not.
add a little bit of baking soda to shampoo to rid hair and scalp of styling products build up. It also works very well to neutralize oily hair and scalp.
Mix a little baking soda with water, then apply the mixture to a corroded auto battery terminal - the corrosion will be dissolved and can then be washed away.
1 Tbsp mixed w/about 32 oz. water is good for alleviating pain from a urinary tract infection. Neutralizes the acid of the urine and helps prevent kidney infections



38 coconut oil cures!
***Add to mineral foundation powder for a great no-streak glowing foundation.
***Moisturizing Shower Scrub:  1 cup coconut oil; 1/2 cup aloe vera gel; 1/4 cup baking soda
***Frizzy Hair Remedy. After washing and conditioning, rub a small amount between palms and smooth over wet hair, style as usual
***Hair Mask: 2 Tbs olive oil, 2 Tbs coconut oil, 2 Tbs almond oil, however many punctured vitamin E tablets as you want, and some lemon juice.
***Deodorant - already blogged about
***Eye Makeup Remover - already blogged about
***Healthy “Magic Shell” ice cream topping. Melt any kind of chocolate and mix in some coconut oil. Pour it on your ice cream and it hardens just like the magic shell stuff.
***Condition your wooden cutting boards.
***Keep a little container in your purse for lip moisturizer.
***Add a spoonful to your dog or cat’s food.
***Use on your baby’s diaper rash or cradle cap.
***Use to help reduce visibility of stretch marks or to prevent stretch marks.
***For nursing mothers, use coconut oil on your nipples to prevent cracking and irritation.
***If you’re prone to nosebleeds, coat the inside of your nostrils with coconut oil regularly.
***Ear infections. Tilt your head to the side and put a few drops in (or a small chunk if you don’t want to melt it… your body heat will soon melt it).
***Homemade VapoRub:  3 Tbs. Coconut Oil – melted; 3-5 drops Tea Tree Essential Oil; 6-10 drops Rosemary Essential Oil. Place oil into a small container and add in essential oils. Then just rub on chest, under nose or on to feet.
***Insect Repellent.  Mix with peppermint, lemon balm, rosemary, or tea tree oil
***Mix with baking soda for a non-toxic “Goo Gone”.
***Got gum stuck in your hair? Try using coconut oil to remove without cutting your hair.
Use instead of WD-40.
***Mix with butter and toss your popcorn in it.
***Chocolate ‘bark’ with Virgin coconut oil
4 T. (1/4 cup) Virgin Coconut Oil
1-T. Cocoa Powder
1/4 t. lowcarb sweetener, such as stevia
2 oz sliced almonds optional
2 oz coconut flakes optional
Melt the coconut oil to a liquid LOW heat, add in cocoa powder and sweetener. Stir to combine and blend well. Blend nuts and flakes into chocolate mixture (Optional). Pour onto a plate with wax paper on it put in refrigerator or freezer on LEVEL shelf and let set 10 minutes or so. It will harden quickly and breaks up easy, put in a plastic bag and keep in refrigerator or freezer.
***Strengthening Nails. Add a drop of lavender to a little dish of coconut oil and rub it into your nails and they will be strong and lovely.
***As a treatment for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients.
***Mix it with sugar for an exfoliating sugar scrub.
***Melt a tablespoon of it and pour it into your smoothie. 1 cup full-fat yogurt, 1/2 cup strawberries, 2 Tbsp maple syrup, 1Tbsp melted coconut oil. Delicious and healthy.
***Use coconut oil as a natural guitar string lubricant and string cleaner. 
***Use coconut oil instead of the pricey toxic shampoos to get rid of lice.
***Mix garlic with coconut oil and it makes whatever you’re cooking taste buttered!
***Rub it on fresh tattooes. Helps with the healing process.
***Use coconut oil mixed with baking soda for a moisturizing and brightening facial scrub.
***Sore Throat Remedy.  If you feel a sore throat coming on, let a spoonful of coconut oil dissolve on your tongue and coat your throat. Sore throat should be gone by the next day!
***Sunscreen
Spoon 3 tbsp. of shea butter into a medium bowl. Add 6 tbsp. of coconut oil to the shea butter. Whip the two ingredients together using a wire whisk.
Add 2 tbsp. of zinc oxide to the mixture and blend with the wire whisk.
***Use it on cold sores!
***Use to condition your wooden cutting boards.
***Keep a little container in your purse for lip moisturizer.
 



How To remove watermarks From wood
Get two tablespoons of mayonnaise (more, if the stain is bigger than the average glass bottom size). Spread onto a paper towel.
  1. Place the paper towel on the stain, then press lightly, rubbing in a bit.
  2. Leave the towel on the mark for at least 15 minutes.
  3. Check under the towel too see the improvement. If there's still sign of the mark, rub more mayo into the wood. Check it again after 15 minutes.
  4. If the stain is very pronounced, you can add a bit of baking soda to the mayonnaise to make it more effective. The mixture will be grittier, and easier to rub on the surface.
When the stain is completely gone, wipe the wood with a clean paper towel. You can also apply a bit of furniture polish, to remove the mayo's scent. There's really no use crying over spilled milk, or water, in your case. Instead of doing that, why don't you just try these wonder tactics? Your wooden table may be stained now, but if you properly try these tips, you'll restore its lovely gleam.


Apply Heat

The white mark is caused by trapped moisture, which is water. It then makes sense that to eliminate it, you need to cause the water to evaporate, and the best way to do is is by directly applying heat. If you do this method properly, the stain will be gone in no time. You can use either a flat iron or a blow dryer. If you're using the iron, place a clean towel over the affected surface first. Set the iron to moderate heat, then slowly run it over the wood. Make sure the setting isn't too hot, so you won't burn your surface. Raise the towel every now and then to check on your progress. If you're afraid you'll burn yourself or the furniture with the flat iron, another option is using a blow dryer. Set the iron to low heat, and direct it at the affected area. The stain will be gone soon.

Denatured Alcohol

Alcohol can also leave marks on wooden surfaces, but if you know how to properly use it, you'll find out that it can also take out the dilemma quite effectively. First, get a clean cloth and dampen it with denatured alcohol. Very lightly pass it over the stain. The cloth should be moving, but just skimming the surface. Remember; be very careful with this tactic. Using too much denatured alcohol can damage a water-based or lacquer finish, and dissolve a shellac finish. It's a good idea to use a small amount of alcohol at first, and just keep adding some if needed. Watch closely what happens. If you're not sure whether alcohol is compatible with the finish, try it on a very small area first. As long as this is done properly, you'll be able to remove the stains without worries.












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