Household Hints Page 2

Spray beaters with nonstick cooking spray before mixing cake and cookie batters to prevent clumping.



Freeze leftover broth or stock in ice cube trays then pop out into a freezer bag. Eight cubes equals one cup.



Use lifesavers candy to hold candles in place on your next birthday cake! Kids love 'em!



REMOVE CANDLE WAX FROM FURNITURE Turn stained furniture upside down. Put a piece of cotton cloth (T-shirt) over the wax stain. Using a hot chrome or metal finish curling iron, heat wax and let it melt into the cloth. This may take several applications to fully remove the wax.



REMOVE CANDLE WAX FROM CANDLE HOLDERS Put candle holders in the freezer til wax is frozen. Chip the wax off. Or, put holders under very hot water and wipe wax off.



PERSPIRATION STAINS 2 T. cream of tartar per gallon of water. Soak until stain disappears then launder as usual.



TO CLEAN MICROWAVE OVEN AND REMOVE ODORS Place a bowl of vinegar in the microwave and run on HIGH til it comes to a boil. Wipe the interior clean with a rag dipped in the vinegar.



PREVENTING DRAWERS FROM STICKING Make sure the wood is very dry and sanded well. Shellac them and then rub with paraffin wax in order to lubricate them so they slide easily. Do this to all surfaces of the drawers.



TO CLEAN COFFEE MAKERS Drop an EFFER-DENT denture cleaning tablet in a 10 cup coffee maker and add hot water it instead of cold. Brew as usual then rinse.



AIR FRESHENERS/DEODORIZERS 1.)Leave open boxes of baking soda in refrigerators, closets and bathrooms. 2.)Saturate a cotton ball with pure vanilla; place on a saucer in refrigerator or car. 3.)Set out white vinegar in open dishes to destroy odors. 4.)Set out potpourri in open dishes. 5.)Burn scented candles.



CLEANERS 1.)Mix vinegar with salt and water for a good surface cleaner 2.)Dissolve baking soda in water for a general cleaner. 3.)For washing dishes by hand, use 1/2 c. baking soda with a mild dishwashing liquid to help cut grease and food. 4.)For automatic dishwashers choose a detergent with the lowest phosphate content listed on the package. 5.)For a good glass cleaner combine a quart of water with 1/4 to 1/2 c. of white vinegar, 1 to 2 T. of lemon juice or 1 to 2 T. rubbing alcohol.



UPHOLSTERY RUG & CARPET CLEANERS 1.)Use a non-aerosol soap based cleaner. 2.)Clean spills immediately with club soda. 3.)To clean red wine stains, rub a thick layer of salt on the spill then sponge up after the spill has been absorbed.



TOILET BOWL CLEANERS 1.)Scrub with a solution of 1/2 c. Borax in a gallon of water for cleaning and disinfecting. 2.)Clean frequently with a solution of baking soda and water. Sprinkle baking soda around the rim and scrub with a toilet brush as needed.



DRAIN OPENERS 1.)To unclog a drain, pour 1/4 c. of baking soda down the drain followed by 1/2 c. of white vinegar. Let sit for a few minutes then pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain to flush. 2.)Pour 1/4 c. salt down the drain, followed by boiling water, to keep drains unclogged. 3.)Pouring boiling water down the drain once a week can keep it from getting blocked. 4.)To prevent clogged drains, always use a drain strainer. Use a mechanical snake or plunger to unclog a drain.



All Purpose Cleaner: Baking soda and water for ovens, cutting boards, coffee stains, toilets, basin, tub and tile. Water mixed with salt or borax for Formica. Baking soda and vinegar for crusted food in pans



LAUNDRY Detergent: Soap, borax or washing soda or use less detergent. Softener: 1/4 c. vinegar in wash cycle. Dry Cleaner Fluid/Spot Remover: Soap, cornstarch or vinegar. Starch; 1 T. cornstarch to 1 pt. water. Bleach: Use powdered rather than liquid bleach.



RAW EGG IN AN UNBAKED RECIPE (Emeril) Coddle the egg: Put whole egg on a spoon and dip it into boiling water for 40 seconds. Shock the egg in cold water to stop the cooking process.



TO REMOVE ODOR FROM PLASTIC CONTAINERS Put tomato juice on a sponge and wipe it around. Also can be used to remove odors form inside of refrigerators and dogs. Wash containers and lids with soap and water, dry well and put lid and bowl separately into freezer for a couple of days.



SHINE A KITCHEN FLOOR WITHOUT WAXING A cup of vinegar poured into your mop water will make your kitchen floor gleam. On no-wax floors that have dulled it brings out the shine. On waxed floors it helps cut through years of wax buildup, leaving the surface bright.



REMOVE GRASS STAINS For grass stains, combine a few drops of household ammonia with 1 t. peroxide. Rub stain with this mixture. Rinse with water as soon as stain disappears.



CLEAN THE GRILL This cleanup trick works while you sleep! Lay a barbecue grill rack on the lawn overnight-the dew will combine with the enzymes in the grass to loosen any burned-on grease. Try it with messy oven racks too!



REMOVE CRAYON STAINS To remove crayon stains from glass, porcelain, Formica, metal, plastic, no-wax vinyl floors, painted walls, painted wood, scrubbable wallpaper, tile, chalkboard and marble. Spray surface to be cleaned with WD-40 and wipe with a soft cloth. If a residue remains add liquid dish washing detergent into water, wash the surface with a sponge, working in a circular motion and rinse. Repeat as needed.



MAKE YOUR GRASS GREENER (The Garden Doctor) 1.) Leave grass about 2 inches high. 2.) Sometimes your soil has a deficiency of magnesium and iron. These 2 nutrients are essential to make the grass green. There are fertilizers which have these ingredients in them already (Scotts and Greenfields are some brand names. Look for a high nitrogen number and iron added) and you just follow the directions on the bag. If you go out and buy magnesium carbonate (epsom salts) you mix 2 LEVEL T. to a gallon of water and spray the lawn evenly and then water it down into the grass. The iron is sold in percentages 10,12 and 15 %. Follow the package directions for spraying on your lawn.



NO STREAK WINDOW CLEANING Clean windows with your favorite window cleaner or use a mixture of 1/4 -1/2 c. white vinegar, 1-2 T. lemon juice or 1-2 T. rubbing alcohol. (one neighbor said to add 2-3 drops of dishwasher detergent) and 1 quart water. Wipe dry with crumpled up newspaper sheets.




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