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Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Earth safe HouseHold Tricks


Countertops, cupboards and walls
  Dip a cloth in warm water, add dish soap and baking soda 
(the baking soda serves as a soft abrasive to remove 
tough spots and light scratches).  
Air fresheners
  Simmer a small amount of cinnamon, orange peel, and 
cloves on the stove to give off a pleasant fragrance 
in your home.  
Glass cleaner
  Mix 2 tablespoons borax or washing soda with three 
cups of water for sparkling windows and mirrors.  
Carpet freshener
  Sprinkle dry cornstarch or baking soda on carpet and vacuum. 
  
Rug stains
  Rub borax into dampened area, let dry, then vacuum 
or repeatedly blot stain with a mixture of vinegar and soapy water. 
  
Mildew build-up
  Make a paste of vinegar and salt and apply to built-up area. 
  
Furniture polish
  Combine 1/2 cup lemon juice to 1 cup vegetable oil, olive oil, or mayonnaise. Apply to rag.  
Some more cleaning tips: 
When you buy cleaning products, look for ones that are non-toxic, biodegradable, phosphate-free, and chlorine-free. 
Use natural fiber sponges.
Reduce paper use. Use rags instead of paper towels and 
cloth napkins instead of paper napkins.      
Helpful hints 
Looking at want ads, or house's of sale or rent, or cars for sale 
in you paper, instead of marking the ad, or cutting it out, 
or copying it, instead take a piece of scotch tape and cover the ad, then just peel it off, the ad sticks to the tape, and that way you can put all the ads on one piece of paper, try it, it works
  Apply a clean, sterilized gauze pad dipped in cold milk 
to itchy, flaky skin. 
  To soothe an earache, fill a clean sock halfway with 
uncooked rice.  Tie a knot in the top of the sock and 
microwave it, on high, for 30 seconds.  Make sure the sock 
isn't too hot, then place it over the aching ear. 
  Keep gold and silver necklaces from getting tangled up 
in the jewelry box, run each one through a plastic drinking
straw, then fasten the latch.  
A little organization goes a long way. Take desk tray, and 
put a label on one stating first of the month, a second one 
middle of the month. So you can pay your bills on time. 
Also, keep stamps, envelopes, pen by the trays. 
  To loosen a rusty screw, apply a squirt of vinegar or 
hydrogen peroxide.  
  Baby shampoo removes eye makeup. 
  Dab a few drops of your favorite essential oil on a cotton sock
and toss it in the dryer with your sheets and towels. 
Lavender helps induce slumber; peppermint is refreshing
and revitalizing. 
  Homemade ice pack, fill a zipper-type plastic freezer bag 
halfway with 3 parts of water and 1 part rubbing alcohol. 
Seal the bag and slip it inside another freezer bag, then 
into the freezer. Alcohol will keep the liquid from solidifying 
so the bag can be molded to the injured body part.  
  Use mini marshmallows as a candleholder on a 
birthday cake. The marshmallows keep the candle wax 
from dripping onto the icing. 
If you have trouble with eyeglasses slipping down your nose, 
put a dab of clear deodorant on the bridge of your nose 
and glasses.  They'll stay put all day. 
  To clean and sweeten the family toothbrushes, soak them in 
an equal mix of baking soda and warm water overnight 
once every week or so.  Rinse well be fore using. 
  Got a stubborn string knot, shoelace, thread, etc.? Dust the 
knot with talcum powder, it will easily come undone. 
-- Source Unknown

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