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Handy Hints

Being a single parent of 2 children can be tough, especially when you are trying to make ends meet. I have decided to do this page to help out others. All these tips are delivered into my email addie and also from people email them to me as well. I hope this helps you out.


Fixing CD’s

If you have compact disks that are skipping, don't throw it Away, rub the CD with a tube of Chap Stick and wipe off the Excess with a soft cloth.

Rub Turtle wax on a scratched CD, let dry, and then wipe off With a soft cloth. This will also stop the skipping...

Cleaning Copper

If you have copper pots that you want to hang to display when They’re not in use, but they don't look their best...Try Worcestershire sauce on them to clean and shine them. The sauce Breaks down the grease that accumulates on them. Rub the Worcestershire Sauce on the copper pots until clean, rinse, then buff with a dry Soft cloth...

Housework
When you change your vacuum cleaner bag, put in a fabric Softener sheet. Every time you vacuum you will freshen the Room at the same time...

Toilet cleaning...Pour a can of coke in the toilet and leave it For one hour. Flush and you will have a stain-free toilet...

Rub a fabric softener sheet on the article to deodorize in a Hurry...

If you have a slow running drain in the bathroom, chances are hair is a major culprit. Try using a hair removing lotion such as Nair down the drain. Pour some down the drain and leave it 10-15 minutes, then flush with hot water...

Use a blow dryer on cool to blow any dust on large artificial plants. If the plants are extremely large, (such as trees), use a vacuum cleaner hose that is attached to the "out" air hole and blow the dust off the leaves this way...

A light coat of hairspray will keep leaves and flowers less wilted looking. A light coat of spray starch will do the same...

Pour 1/2-cup vinegar in an ice cube tray. Fill the remainder with water and freeze. Once a week, grind the whole tray of "vinegar cubes" down the garbage disposal. The ice will sharpen the blades and the vinegar will clean and disinfect the disposal...

Fumes/smoke on Hands/Clothes

Gas fumes on your hands...Rub a little Vaseline on your hands And tissue off.

Cigarette smoke on clothing...Spray a little water on the item and dry the dampened area with a blow dryer.

>Kids Treats

For those of you who have kids who love ice cream cones, but Hate the messy dripping that comes out of the bottom when they Eat them; stuff a big marshmallow in the bottom before filling With ice cream. This will prevent the soggy bottom and give the "Little darlin's" an extra treat at the end....

While dented ping-pong balls probably aren't a catastrophe,you can fix them easily by placing them in very hot water for 20 minutes. The air inside the ball will expand and "pop" the dent out. If there is a split or any damage to the ball, this won't work unless you like to play ping-pong with a ball that will shoot water at your opponent......

Removal of Ink/Stains

If you have an expensive ball-point pen, or even an inexpensive One that stops writing even though there is still ink in it, Dip the pen in very hot water for a minute or so. This will get The ink flowing again....

"The best oil stain remover I have found for clothing is baby powder or cornstarch. Just sprinkle, rub in the spot, let set an hour and toss in the wash. Works every time. " Thank you for this one, There was no name with the tip so I can't personally thank you, whoever you are. :-)

So the ink flowed better and you forgot the pen in your pocket Before it got laundered...All is not lost...

Dab rubbing alcohol on the ink stain should lift it right off. Launder afterwards.

Mayonnaise on a cloth will remove black scuffmarks from a linoleum floor with little effort...
On colored clothing, soak the ink stain in milk, and then launder...

If you happen to get ink on your carpet, pour baking soda on the ink spot and gently rub it in. Next, pour vinegar on the baking soda and blot with a paper towel or a clean cloth. You may have to repeat the steps until the ink is gone. The sooner you treat it, the better...

Remove grease from clothes...Empty a can of coke in your washer with your clothes, add detergent and wash through the regular cycle. The coke loosens grease...

Sometimes spraying the ink spot with hairspray will remove the Stain. Spray the spot, and then launder...

Spray the ink spot with hairspray. This usually lifts the stain right out when you launder the item afterwards...Soak the ink spot in milk, then wash...Ink on leather or vinyl? Try wiping with a baby wipe, (there's alcohol in there too!)

If your hands get stained with any type of food, a slice of Raw potato rubbed over the stain will remove it...

Pour cold milk on the bloodstain, leave a few minutes, and then rinse with cool water. This works well on carpeting as well as clothing...

Elastic Bands

Refrigerating rubber bands makes them last longer and less Brittle...

Musty smells on Books/Clothes

If you have old books on the shelves or the attic that smell Musty, sprinkle talcum powder in between the pages of the book And wrap the book in brown paper. (A grocery bag works well). Store the book a month or two. When the time is up, remove it From the paper and gently brush out the powder. The odour will Be gone.........

If your hands get stained with any type of food, a slice of Raw potato rubbed over the stain will remove it...
Tips for Furniture

This tip is for furniture with a good finish and will not Work on bare wood. Mix equal parts of baking soda and Regular white (not gel) toothpaste. Get the corner of a Clean, soft cloth and wipe off a dot of toothpaste from The tube. In a circular motion gently and lightly rub the Marks for a few minutes. Wipe clean with a clean cloth And follow with furniture polish. Note...If the ring is Still there after five minutes, the heat or water may Have penetrated the wood too much and might need refinishing...

Watermarks or rings on wood are usually in the wax and not in the wood. Cover the stain with a clean, thick blotter and press down with a warm iron might do the trick. If that doesn't work, rub salad oil, mayonnaise, white, (not gel) toothpaste, or peanut butter on the ring, leave a minute or two, wipe off and then rewax...White marks on wood will come off with lemon juice or salad oil. After wiping the juice or oil on the white spot, wipe dry with a soft cloth, then polish...

Hints on Drying Clothes

When drying denim jeans, cut down on the amount of energy And drying time by throwing 2 or 3 dry bath towels in with The jeans. The towels will absorb some of the moisture from The jeans and cut down the drying time....

Decorating your Home

If you want to add a pretty pinkish-lavender glow to your Wood burning fireplace, sprinkle "No-salt" on the wood logs...

Saving Clippings

Have a newspaper clipping that you want to save? Dissolve one Milk of magnesia tablet in a quart of club soda. Leave it in The fridge for 8 hours, (or overnight) Shake well and pour The mixture in a shallow pan or tray that will fit the clipping. Lat it flat in there and let soak for one hour. Gently remove, Blot and let dry....

Clean Glass

To keep your glass topped tables sparkling and lint free, after cleaning them, fill a bucket with warm water and one capful of fabric softener. Dampen a clean cloth in the bucket and wipe the glass with the solution. The glass will not only be sparkling, but the glass will be lint-free...

If you have glassware that may have some fine scratches, use plain white toothpaste as a polishing cream. To keep them cleaner than clean, use your regular dishwashing soap and add a few tablespoons Of white vinegar to the sink. This will clean and get your dishes and glasses "squeaky clean."

Foods

Leftover wine? Don't throw it away...Pour it into ice cube trays and use them at a later date for casseroles and sauces that call for wine. You won't have to open a bottle up for just a few spoonfuls...

When frosting a cake, keep a glass of hot water next to you to dip the spatula in before using the frosting. The hot water will melt the frosting slightly, which will make the frosting go on much easier and smoother...

Make your own cooking spray by pouring canola oil into a clean spray bottle. It's much cheaper and does the Same thing as canned cook sprays. You can do the same thing with olive oil for spraying steamed veggies, bread or fish....

"When the cereal box is empty, I save the great waxed "envelopes" that held the cereal inside the box, fold and put in my cupboard near the flour, Etc. These are great for mixing your own chicken coating mixture. Put ingredients and chicken pieces into the envelope, shake, remove pieces, And voila! Toss the bag/envelope. Great clean up helper.

If your bananas aren't going to be eaten right away and you want to keep them from ripening too fast, wrap them in foil and store them in the fridge...

A lot of people don't use eggs often and end up throwing them away before using them all. You can freeze them. Coat an ice cube tray with cooking oil to prevent sticking when you remove them. Two ways to freeze eggs- Beat the egg, or separate the egg and freeze the yolk in one section of the tray and the white in another section. When frozen, pop them out and store in a ziploc baggie in the freezer. When you want an egg or two, an egg white or a yolk for a recipe, all you have to do is grab one out of the freezer....

Baking powder is something most people have on the shelf and don't use very often unless they are one who bakes very often. Before you use that baking powder, you will want to make sure it is still fresh. A good way to test the power of baking powder is to put a small amount in some very hot water. If it bubbles, it's fresh, if it doesn't, you will want to replace it....

If you use paper coffee filters and are tired of trying to peel one off for use, try turning the stack inside out, the filters will come off easier...

A change of pace whipped topping can be made by stirring instant hot cocoa mix with heavy cream, then whipping. You will get a light, chocolately whipped topping that tastes heavenly...

HELPFUL SOUP MAKING TIPS:
* Soups and stews should only simmer (NEVER BOIL) when cooking.
* Refrigerate cooked stews and soups overnight before serving. The fat will rise to the top and you can skim it off before heating and serving.
* In a hurry to skim the fat from the soup? An ice cube floated in the soup will help to congeal the fat and make it easier to remove.
* A leaf of lettuce dropped in a pot of soup absorb the grease from the top.
* Freeze the liquids from canned mushrooms or vegetables;use it in soups or stews later.
* To remove excessive salt from soup, drop in a sliced raw potato.
* Another way to thicken your soup, take some of the cooked vegetables out of the soup and puree in the blender. Then return to the original soup mixture.

Garden Hints

Bugs attacking roses is one of the biggest problems gardeners have when planting a rose garden. Some people don't like using chemical pesticides in their garden. Garlic is a natural bug Repellent (and relationship killer if you don't brush your teeth) After digging the hole that the rose will be in, place a few large cloves of garlic in the hole, followed by the rose bush, mulch, fertilizer, etc. Put a few cloves of the garlic slightly under The soil in a circle a few inches away from the plant. This can also be done with other plants that may be prone to bug infestation.

If you have an herb garden and want to preserve the herbs, the best way is to freeze them. You can chop them up and add them to a little water and pour into ice cube trays. All winter long, you can use your herbed ice cubes in soups and stews....

Rust

If rust on nuts, bolts, and other type of metals is a problem, soak them in full strength vinegar. The rust will dissolve...

Rust on a chrome bumper...Crumple up a piece of aluminium foil that is dipped in coke and scrub the rust right off...

Clothes Hints

If you notice the hem of your pants, skirt, etc is falling and you don't have the time right then and there to fix it, quick fix it with a piece of masking tape or duct tape until you can have it fixed....

Remove grease from clothes...Empty a can of coke in your washer with your clothes, add detergent and wash through the regular cycle. The coke loosens grease...

White clothing can have a tendency to turn grey looking, especially if you live in an area that has hard water. A build-up of detergent can also lead to greyish looking whites. This tip should help...

If you have gum stuck on a shoe or clothing, place the item that has the gum on it in the freezer. When the gum is frozen, it can be dislodged easily. IF there's gum on your floor or carpet, freeze the area with an ice pack and scrape the gum off when it's frozen.....

Mens Tips

Save the thick rubber bands that come wrapped around produce such as broccoli and use them to store drill bits and screws on the side of the drill. Wrap the band around to make sure the rubber band is snug And slip the bits and or screws underneath the rubber band. You won't lose the bits and always remember to put them away on the drill....

To easily remove paint that has gotten on glass, spray the paint with window cleaner, then scrape with a razor scraper...

If you can't seem to find your Phillips head screwdriver and have run out of places to look, grab your vegetable peeler. It's almost the exact same shape and will do the trick!

Drill a hole through a large cork and fasten your key chain through it. In the event that your keys happen to fall into the water, the keys will float and be easier to find....

If your paintbrushes "harden", place them in hot vinegar, then wash in warm soapsuds. This will soften them right up...To keep those paintbrushes soft and pliable, add fabric softener to the final rinse. Use 1/2 cap of softener to a bucket of water...

Putting a piece of charcoal in a toolbox will absorb moisture that causes rust on the tools. This is especially true for small garden tools. By using the charcoal, you'll extend the life of your tools since there won't be any rust....

If you're the type that happens to hammer your fingers when you're hammering a nail, save those delicate digits and use a fork to hold the nail in place while you hammer.

For those of you who have septic tanks, a little maintenance can prevent problems down the road that can cost big bucks. This once a month treatment will help keep septic tanks running smoothly...
. 2 packages of yeast powder
. 2 cups of corn meal
. 2 cups of sugar

Dissolve all ingredients in luke warm water. Pour into the toilet nearest the septic tank and flush twice to get it all down into the tank...

If you have motor oil stains... Saturate the stain with paint thinner, then cover the area with kitty litter to absorb the oil as it is dissolved. Leave the kitty litter on the stain overnight and sweep up in the morning. You may have to repeat the process if there is a lot of oil. Scrub with a strong cleaner. Finally, apply full-strength bleach to the stain, leave on 15 minutes, and rinse off with water.

If you have water-stained wood, rub lemon oil on the stained area and leave overnight. The next day, wipe off the excess with a soft cloth...

If you have trouble opening jars or bottles, put on a pair of latex dishwashing gloves. They will grip and not slip which will help you open the item easily...

Car Tips

Corrosion on car battery terminals will vanish after pouring coke over the terminals of the battery...

Brake fluid should be changed roughly every 18 months, more often if you do an excessive amount of driving...

Wash your car and always dry thoroughly to prevent rust...

Keep a spare set of bulbs for your headlights and taillights so that in the vent one blows, you can replace it easily...

Rusty bolt won't budge? Soak a cloth in coke and place it on the bolt for several minutes and the bolt will loosen up...

Never let your fuel get too low. There are particles that collect at the bottom of the gas tank, which can run through the engine and cause damage to the engine over time...

Coke will also remove road haze off your windshield also...

Make sure you keep anti-freeze in year around, not only does it prevent freezing, but has a rust inhibitor that will protect the inside of your engine...

Make-Up Tips

Before sharpening your eyeliner pencil, place it in the freezer for a few minutes before sharpening. This will give you a nice point and prevent the point from breaking off.....

Ingredients in beauty products may sometime confuse a person and make them wonder what exactly they are and more importantly, what is that ingredient supposed to do? Here is a little guide to some of the ingredients you always hear about, but may not know exactly what they are, let alone what they do...

*Alpha-Hydroxy Acids and Lactic Acids...These attract moisture to the skin and dissolve and get rid of dead skin from the top layer to make skin look fresher, smoother and cleaner. These are naturally found in fruits, sugar cane, wine and milk...
*Collagen and Elastin...Both attract moisture to the skin. These are derived from protein, but also exist naturally in the skin. Aging decreases the production of these which cause the skin to feel looser and less firm. Skin begins to wrinkle when these ingredients decrease by losing its smooth layer of support...
* Hyaluronic Acid and Urea...These are two natural skin and body components. Hyaluronic Acid is found in the skin itself and helps to keep the skin cushiony and plump. Noth attract moisture to the skin...

Two recipes for your face that are made with honey...
*Honey toner...In a blender or food processor, puree 1 Tablespoon honey with a peeled, cored apple. Smooth the mixture on your face and neck. Leave on for 15 minutes and rinse with cool water...
and
Dry skin or skin that needs extra moisture will "drink" this honey recipe...Mix 2 tablespoons honey with 2 teaspoons milk. Apply on face and neck and leave for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water...
Female Hints

Soak the whites in warm water and add 8 ounces of white vinegar. Soak for 15-20 minutes. Rinse in cold water. To keep your whites looking their best all the time, add 1/3 cup white vinegar to your washer's rinse cycle. The Whites will come out brighter and softer. The vinegar smell will disappear after the clothes have been dried...Using a vinegar rinse will also soften and fluff up towels. Try the vinegar instead of a fabric softener which can actually reduce fluffiness and softness in towels..

If you have a clothesline outside, cut a hole in the side of a milk jug and store your clothespins in it. Just attach a heavy string or rope from the handle and hang it on the clothesline. This way, you can slide it to where you are working...
cut off a few inches off the bottom of a milk jug and use as a greenhouse for newly planted seedlings. Keep the cap off the jug for ventilation during sunny days where too much heat may build up...

If you have old shelf stick paper or contact paper and want to remove it, run a warm iron over it and it will peel off almost effortlessly......

Camping? Paint milk jugs black and fill with water. Let them sit in the sun during the day and you'll have hot water...
Guess that about does it for jugs, sorry to disappoint the men reading....

If you have trouble opening jars or bottles, put on a pair of latex dishwashing gloves. They will grip and not slip which will help you open the item easily...

Stainless Steel

If you have small stainless steel items, soak them in warm water and then rub with lemon juice or vinegar before rinsing them well...

To clean and polish stainless steel, dampen a cloth with white or cider vinegar and wipe clean. This will also remove heat stains on stainless steel cutlery...

Stainless steel worktops and sinks can have streaks on them after cleaning and can be removed by rubbing a little baby oil or olive oil on them...

If you have a heat stain on a stainless cook top, rub it with a cloth dampened in club soda...

Cleaning Marble

Marble consist of petrified seashells and is not stone contrary to popular belief. Cleaning marble is easy if you use the right "stuff" on it. Orange, grapefruit and lemon juices are high in Citric acid and can etch marble if left on the surface for long periods of time. A mild version can be used to clean marble by slicing an orange or grapefruit in half, dip it in a plate of Salt and rub it onto the marble, gently scrubbing. Rinse well with water and dry with a soft cloth...

Removing Wallpaper

I've told you that fabric softener will make removing wallpaper easier by mixing a capful in a spray bottle filled with water.

Another way you can remove the wallpaper with the fabric softener is to "paint" the fabric softener on with a paintbrush, and if you take a handsaw and lightly drag it across the wallpaper at an angle, the fabric softener will work even faster at removing the wallpaper...

Looking Good

An Oatmeal bath can be very beneficial for soothing sunburn, dry skin, or insect bites. If you don't want to throw a handful of oatmeal in your tub but want the oatmeal benefit, try this.....

* Get an old pair of panty hose or knee high nylons that you are going to throw away. Fill the foot part with regular or instant oatmeal and rubberband the top to prevent spilling.

*Tie it on the faucet of the tub and turn on the water, letting the water run through the nylon stocking. Your tub will be "treated" and you won't have as much of a mess. You can add a few drops of any essential oil to the oatmeal before you close up the stocking for an aromatherapy-oatmeal bath....

Witch Hazel has been around for as long as anyone around can remember. It is inexpensive and there are so many uses for it from head to toe. Here are a few....

*Blemishes.....Mix witch hazel and a few drops of Tea Tree oil and wipe over the face twice a day to control oil, and blemishes.

*Mix witch Hazel in a spray bottle with 5 drops of peppermint oil to use as a bug repellent when outdoors. Spray on. Witch Hazel can be applied to bug bites to take the itch away also. *Witch Hazel can cool tired feet and when mixed with peppermint or Eucalyptus oil, can soothe tired muscles. Use Witch hazel straight as an astringent to keep pores clean and to shrink them.

Here are two homemade masks for two different problems that can be used once or twice a week to keep your skin "Looking Good."

For Oily Skin...
Mix 10 drops of lemon juice with an egg white. Mix well and apply it to your face, (keep it away from the eye area)... Leave it on 20 minutes and rinse off with cool to warm water, (not hot).....

For Dry Skin...
Boil a cup of milk in a saucepan. Let cool so that a "skin" of milk forms in the pan. Mix that "skin" with an egg yolk and apply it to the face, (again, avoid the eye area). Leave on 20 minutes and rinse with cool to warm water,(not hot)...

Lips, like the rest of your skin, needs exfoliating. Two simple ways to do this is with a warm, wet washcloth. Gently rub the lips to remove the dry flaking skin. A dab of honey with a sprinkle of sugar will also exfoliate the lips. Apply the mixture to the lips, gently rub, leave on a few seconds and then rinse. Apply a lip balm before going to bed or pierce a vitamin e capsule and apply the liquid to the lips. This is also a good idea to do before applying lipstick as an added protectant to the lips. Apply a lip gloss either over the lipstick or on the lips if you don't wear lipstick. A little petroleum jelly over the lips if you're going to be outdoors for periods of time in the cold also helps. The biggest problem is licking the lips...This removed the protectant and allows the air to have direct contact with the lips...


In Memory of:(Marfans)
Marfan’s syndrome
Other People with Marfans
Beal's syndrome VS Marfans
Cystic Fibrosis
The original "65 roses" by Lee J. Collier
Diary Entries
My Support and GuestBook
Tristan's heart Murmur/CF
Jasmine's Marfan's/CF/Austism -

Email: kham2601@bigpond.net.au