Bathrooms

• Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops (like store receipt BLUE!); rubbing alcohol on paper towel.
     
• Whenever you purchase a box of S.O.S Pads, immediately take a pair of scissors and cut each pad into halves. Now a box of S.O.S pads last indefinitely! And scissors get sharpened this way!
     
• Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips.

• Use a meat baster to "squeeze" your pancake batter onto the hot griddle and you'll get perfectly shaped pancakes every time.
     
• To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes.
     
• To prevent eggshells from cracking, add a pinch of salt to the water before hard-boiling.
     
• Run your hands under cold water before pressing Rice Krispies treats in the pan and the marshmallow won't stick to your fingers.
     
• To get the most juice out of fresh lemons, bring them to room temperature and roll them under your palm against the kitchen counter before squeezing.
     
• 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.
       
• Spray your Tupperware with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato based sauces, there won't be any stains.
     
• 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.
     
• If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato and it will absorb the excess salt for an instant "fix me up."
     
• Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.
     
• Freezing Fish: To keep frozen fish fresh longer (without freezer burn), put in zip lock freezer bag and fill with water, seal then freeze!
     
• Easy way to clean and deodorize your Microwave Oven. Put cup (make sure it's microwave safe) of water with lemon juice in and bring to boil, turn off and let stand for about 5 or 10 min. and let steam loosen splattered food, then just wipe clean with cloth.
     
• Do you live in an area that is high in Humidity? Have trouble keeping those crackers, chips, cookies and such fresh after you open them? Keep them in the refrigerator (or freezer) and they will stay fresh for a very long time!

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• To get rid of slugs in the garden take a small soup can and put it in the corner of the garden or where you have problems with slugs. Put it so it is half way in the ground and the other half above. At night fill it half full of beer. The yeast in the beer attracts the slugs and they will slide in and drown. (or have one heck of a party and be too busy to get at your plants... :-))

• To keep cats and dogs out of your garden buy cayenne in bulk and sprinkle it where ever they roll or play or do the deed in your garden (ugh). Once they get a little hot stuff on them they will find another area. Might have to reapply after a rain if they come back. (No it won't hurt them!)
     
• If you have large weeds in amongst your flowers and prefer to use a weed-killer instead of digging them up so as not to disturb the roots of your plants, just cut about 2 inches off the bottom of an empty 2 liter plastic soft drinks bottle ( ie: coca cola ) Discarding the top, place the now bottomless bottle over the weed and carefully spray the weed-killer into the open neck of the bottle, leave in place until the weed-killer has dried. This will ensure the spray doesn't drift onto your flowers but the weeds will be eradicated and you will have a beautiful weed free garden to show off to your friends.
     
• "Have some Roses that aren't looking good?" Save up all those coffee grounds and work into the soil around the bottom of the bush. They'll start looking better in no time at all! (This was told to me by someone who tried it and said it worked great!)

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• A couple solutions for Moths to choose from: Moths (this tip came from a friend of mine) - they come in the house with any flour, Bisquick, or other meal (corn meal) you buy. Start out by discarding all flour, etc. I know it's tough to do but if you want to get rid of the moths, you need to do it! Then when you buy new stuff, put the boxes/bags in the freezer overnight. That will kill all eggs..............RM
     
• Another: Instead of using mothballs which contain a nasty toxic irritant (paradichlorobenzene!!!), hang lavender and cedar wood amongst your clothes. If you have a moth problem, make sure you wash your clothes on a hot wash before hanging them in the wardrobe (closet). This kills the moth eggs before they hatch. Hope this helps!..............MM
      
• Mouse problem?....I purchased some plug-in repellers online and they have worked miracles! We had a horrible rat infestation about 2 years ago. Since I plugged these things in, no more rats! I got mine online on the shopping channel, but I've also seen them at the home improvement stores. I have a two-story house and I have one downstairs and one upstairs...............RM
     
• Another suggestion for Mice: Be sure to plug up any holes coming into your house, such as around pipes, or other areas when they might come into the house, also check under sinks etc. for 'space' around plumbing pipes, using Steel Wool. They will try eating through which in turns kills them......................JH
     
• 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.
     
• Candles will last a lot longer if placed in the freezer for at least 3 hours prior to burning.
     
• 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!
     
• Are flies or bees bothering you? Spray them with hairspray and they will take a quick dive.
     
• Sealed envelope - Put in the freezer for a few hours, then slide a knife under the flap. The envelope can then be resealed
     
• Use empty toilet paper roll to store appliance cords in. It keeps them neat and you can write on the roll what appliance it belongs.
     
• 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.
     
• Crayon marks on walls? This worked wonderfully! A damp rag dipped in baking soda. Comes off with little effort (elbow grease that is!).
     
• 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.
     
• 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. DO NOT APPLY TO A HOT BULB!

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