I saw a good idea the other day that made a common mess look less messier! :>)
Put a small dish of pebbles or marbles underneath the coffee maker spicket (or any kind of beverage dispenser) to keep a brown mess/stain from dripping on the tablecloth. This made the beverage presentation much more pleasant.
Showing posts with label Cleaning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cleaning. Show all posts
Out of Dishwasher Detergent?
I was, but needed to get some dishes clean (without the elbow grease!) So I looked up a substitute and decided to post it here in case I need it again. It worked great!
**Note: Everyone strenuously stressed that you use ONLY 3 drops of liquid dish soap or you would be cleaning up suds!
**Note: Everyone strenuously stressed that you use ONLY 3 drops of liquid dish soap or you would be cleaning up suds!
- 3 drops liquid dish soap
- Fill 1/2 of the detergent compartment with baking soda
Clean Stove
Before you cook, apply a layer of car wax to the enamel surface with a soft rag, then wipe off. The thin layer that remains will prevent greasy splatter and spills from sticking.
Votive Clean Up
Spray the inside of a votive candle holder with a thin coating of Pam cooking spray before lighting it. After it burns down, the spray will make it easier to remove the leftover wax.
Cleaning Wreaths or Flower Arrangements
An easy way to clean a pinecone or evergreen wreath...it even works on some artificial flower arrangements: place the item in a paper bag and pour in a quarter cup of table or kosher salt. Fold the bag and gently shake. The salt knocks off dirt and dust.
If you have a flower arrangement that is too fragile for that, try spritzing it with a little water from a spray bottle. (I usually lay mine in the bath tub to let them dry.) But don't get then too wet, they'll lose their shape.
If you have a flower arrangement that is too fragile for that, try spritzing it with a little water from a spray bottle. (I usually lay mine in the bath tub to let them dry.) But don't get then too wet, they'll lose their shape.
Washing Jeans
I have a new pair of jeans that I'd like to last...
"To keep jeans from fading, wash in small loads in cold water (with more water than clothes) with all-purpose detergent. It's common for jean to shrink in length, so hold them by the waistband and legs and gently stretch them vertically before drying. Dry on low or medium heat; overdrying causes extra wear and tear, so take jeans out when the legs are done but the seams and the waistband are slightly damp."
"To keep jeans from fading, wash in small loads in cold water (with more water than clothes) with all-purpose detergent. It's common for jean to shrink in length, so hold them by the waistband and legs and gently stretch them vertically before drying. Dry on low or medium heat; overdrying causes extra wear and tear, so take jeans out when the legs are done but the seams and the waistband are slightly damp."
Protect Your Shoes
I didn't know this and haven't tried it. But apparently if you spray a light coat of starch on brand-new tennis shoes, dirt and grime will be repelled and preserve the life of your sneakers.
Dishwashers
It's official! It's in writing and I'm proven right!
"Most new dishwashers are so powerful that there's no need to prerinse dishes. So you save time - and water."
Argument over.
"Most new dishwashers are so powerful that there's no need to prerinse dishes. So you save time - and water."
Argument over.
No more rust rings
If you have a container of some kind (like a shaving cream can) that rusts and leaves a ring in your bathtub, you can paint a thin layer of clear nail polish around the base of the can and that will keep it from rusting.
Food Safe Cleaners
Who knew there was such a thing? I've always wondered as I was spraying stuff in the kitchen if the drops were landing on anything that might eventually end up in my mouth and if that was a bad thing. Who knows! It could be a ploy to get me to buy one more cleaning solution. But I guess I could try Lysol Food Surface Sanitizer.
Sponge Care
I've always put my dish sponges in the dishwasher to clean and de-germ them. Apparently, though, you should put them in the microwave for one minute.
Down-Sizing
I'm very sentimental with "stuff" and it can be very difficult for me to get rid of it...even if I haven't used it lately and it needs to go. A couple of coping mechanisms that have worked for me are:
1. Take a photo of the item. I find that my mushy, sentimental feelings are triggered when seeing the item. So a photo creates the same warm feelings, but without taking up space.
2. Put items you are considering getting rid of in a box and keep them there for a week or two. Then look through the box again and make your final decision. Time to adjust to getting rid of it sometimes is all it takes!
1. Take a photo of the item. I find that my mushy, sentimental feelings are triggered when seeing the item. So a photo creates the same warm feelings, but without taking up space.
2. Put items you are considering getting rid of in a box and keep them there for a week or two. Then look through the box again and make your final decision. Time to adjust to getting rid of it sometimes is all it takes!
Carpet Dents
I've always heard that you can use an ice cube to revive dents in the carpet from furniture legs. I recently read that you can also use the tines of a fork to fluff the carpet fibers back.
Stinky Freezer
If your freezer is not smelling good, wipe down freezer shelves with pure vanilla extract.
Sparkly Dishwasher
You can use a packet of lemonade Kool-Aid to clean your dishwasher. Pour one packet into the detergent cup and run the washer while empty. It works very well!
Travel Detergent
Dropps are easy washing detergent packets for travel or for smooth walks to the laundromat.
You can buy it here.
Real Simple - May 2006
You can buy it here.
Real Simple - May 2006
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
