Things that work

Sarah99GXE · February 26, 2002

Flies or bees bothering you? Spray them with

hairspray and they will take a quick dive.

2) Sealed envelope. Put in the freezer for a few

hours, and then slide a knife under the flap. The

envelope can then be resealed.

3) 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.

4) 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!) (I wonder if

this works in Montana also? That is, if it really

exists?)

5) Crayon marks on walls? This worked wonderfully! A

damp rag, dipped in baking soda. Comes off with

little effort (elbow grease that is!)

6) Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops (like

store receipt BLUE!) rubbing alcohol on paper towel.

7) Whenever I purchase a box of S O S Pads, I

immediately take a pair of scissors and cut each pad

into halves. After years of having to throw

away rusted and unused and smelly pads, I finally

decided that this would be much more economical. And

now a box of S O S pads last me indefinitely! In

fact, I have noticed that the scissors get sharpened

this way!

8) 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!

9) Blood stains on clothes? Not to worry! Just pour a

little peroxide on a cloth and proceed to wipe off

every drop of blood. Works everytime! (I'll have to

remember to tell Uncle Guido about this one.)

10) 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 (Diagonal strokes between the panes

turn them into extra vision)

11) 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.

12) Candles will last a lot longer if placed in the

freezer for at least 3 hours prior to burning.

13) 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!

14) 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

stovetop.

15) Spray your Tupperware with nonstick cooking spray

before pouring tomato based sauces and there won't be

any stains.

16) When a cake recipe calls for flouring the baking

pan, use a bit of the dry cake mix instead and there

won't be any white mess on the outside of the cake.

17) Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the

refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.

18) When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar

to help bring out the corn's natural sweetness.

19) Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half

and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go

away.

21) To get rid of itch from mosquito bites, try

applying soap on the area and you will experience

instant relief.

22) 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. (Or you can draw

circles around each ant and watch them starve to

death). I have also heard that Cheyenne pepper will

keep away all crawling insects, snakes, and rodents.

23) Use air-freshener to clean mirrors. It does a

good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to

the shine.

24) When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape

before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put

the scotch tape over the splinter, then pull it off.

Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and

easily.

25) Now look what you can do with Alka Seltzer.

*Clean a toilet. Drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets,

wait twenty minutes, brush and flush. The citric acid

and effervescent action clean vitreous China.

*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 jewelry. Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a

glass of water and immerse the jewelry 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.

NewbieZ71 · February 27, 2002

Now JP is DEFINITELY going to ask you to marry him!!!

Roofer · February 27, 2002

Wow, that is a great list! Mind if I print it for my GF and take credit for it?

just kidding

I am gonna print it though.

NewbieZ71 · February 27, 2002

I already printed and took to the wife! HEY! NEW FORUM IDEA! SARA'S HELPFUL HINTS FORUM! Threads on getting grease out of new jeans, gasoline smell out of button down shirts, etc.!!!

General Lee 01 · February 27, 2002

Hmm.

So you take blood stains out of clothes often Sarah?

I wouldn't mess with Sarah if i was any of yall.

NewbieZ71 · February 27, 2002

The fact that she can take blood stains out doesnt bother me a bit Jeremy, its the thought of her beating someone up to put some IN that is disturbing..... ;)