50 Useful Kitchen Tips

1. For cleaning smelly hands after chopping onions or garlic, just rub them on a stainless steel spoon. The steel is supposed to absorb the odor.


2. Fresh coffee beans can also absorb nasty odors from your hands.


3. If you happen to over-salt a pot of soup, just drop in a peeled potato. The potato will absorb the excess salt.


4. When boiling eggs, add a pinch of salt to keep the shells from cracking.


5. Never put citrus fruits or tomatoes in the fridge. The low temperatures degrade the aroma and flavor of these persnickety fruits.


6. To clean cast iron cookwear, don’t use detergents. Just scrub them with salt and a clean, dry paper towel.


7. Will milk curdle if it is allowed to boil? It turns out that this age-old piece of wisdom isn’t true, after all. Milk that has been boiled is perfectly safe to consume.


8. To clean an electric kettle with calcium buildup on the heating element, boil a mixture of half white vinegar and half water, then empty.


9. When storing empty airtight containers, throw in a pinch of salt to keep them from getting stinky.


10. If you are making gravy and accidentally burn it, just pour it into a clean pan and continue cooking it. Add sugar a little at a time, tasting as you go to avoid over-sugaring it. The sugar will cancel out the burned taste.


11. Burned a pot of rice? Just place a piece of white bread on top of the rice for 5-10 minutes to draw out the burned flavor. Be careful not to scrape the burned pieces off of the bottom of the pan when serving the rice.


12. Before you chop chili peppers, rub a little vegetable oil into your hands and your skin won’t absorb the spicy chili oil.


13. If you aren’t sure how fresh your eggs are, place them in about four inches of water. Eggs that stay on the bottom are fresh. If only one end tips up, the egg is less fresh and should be used soon. If it floats, it’s past the fresh stage.


14. To banish ants from the kitchen, find out where they are coming in and cover the hole with petroleum jelly. Ants won’t trek through the jelly. If they are coming under a door, draw a line on the floor with chalk. The little bugs also won’t cross a line of chalk.


15. Before making popcorn on the stove or in an air popper, soak the kernels in water for 10 minutes. Drain the water, then pop as normal. The additional moisture helps the popcorn pop up quicker and fluffier with fewer “old maids.”


16. Don’t store your bananas in a bunch or in a fruit bowl with other fruits. Separate your bananas and place each in a different location. Bananas release gases which cause fruits (including other bananas) to ripen quickly. Separating them will keep them fresh longer.


17. To keep potatoes from budding in the bag, put an apple in with them.


18. If you manage to have some leftover wine at the end of the evening, freeze it in ice cube trays for easy addition to soups and sauces in the future.


19. To clean crevices and corners in vases and pitchers, fill with water and drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets. The bubbles will do the scrubbing.


20. After boiling pasta or potatoes, cool the water and use it to water your house plants. The water contains nutrients that your plants will love.


21. When you clean your fish tank, the water you drain can also be used to water your house plants. The nitrogen and phosphorus in fish droppings make aquarium water a great fertilizer.


22. When defrosting meat from the freezer, pour some vinegar over it. Not only does it tenderize the meat; it will also bring down the freezing temperature of the meat and cause it to thaw quicker.


23. The substance in onions that causes your eyes to water is located in the root cluster of the onion. Cut this part out in a cone shape, with the largest part of the cone around the exterior root section.


24. Taking the top layer off of a onion can also reduce the amount of eye-watering misery.


25. Toothpaste is a great silver cleaner.


26. Baking soda isn’t as effective a deodorizer for the fridge as that baking soda company would like you to believe. Activated charcoal is much better at absorbing fridge and freezer odors.


27. Baking soda is an extremely effective cleaner, though. Use it with vinegar to deodorize drains and clean stovetops and sinks.


28. A favorite tip of thousands of grandmas: when you nick your finger while cutting veggies, wait until the bleeding stops and paint on a layer of clear nail polish. It will keep juices out of the wound and won’t fall off into the spaghetti sauce like a bandage.


29. The jury is still out on what to put in the bag of brown sugar to keep it from going hard: a slice of apple, a piece of bread, and a shard of a terra cotta pot have all been used.


30. Got a nasty invisible splinter from your kitchen tools? Put a piece of adhesive tape on the area and then pull it off to remove the splinter.


31. When you burn yourself in the kitchen, just spread mustard on the affected area. Leave it for a while and it will ease the pain and prevent blistering.


32. For aluminum pans that are looking dull, just boil some apple peels in them. This will brighten up the aluminum and make your house smell yummy.


33. To keep cookies fresh, savvy grannies like to put some crumpled-up tissue paper in the bottom of the cookie jar.


34. If your salt is clumping up, put a few grains of rice in with it to absorb excess moisture.


35. To clean fruit stains off of your fingers, rub them with a fresh, peeled potato. White vinegar can also do the trick.


36. Keep iceberg lettuce fresh in the fridge by wrapping it in a clean, dry paper towel and storing lettuce and paper towel in a sealed baggie in the fridge.


37. If your loaf of bread is starting to go stale, just put a piece of fresh celery in the bag and close it back up. For some reason, this restores a fresh taste and texture to the bread.


38. Always keep an aloe vera plant in your kitchen. It’s invaluable when you scrape your arm or burn your finger. Just break off a leaf and rub the gel from the inside on the injury.


39. When making a soup, sauce, or casserole that ends up too fatty or greasy, drop in an ice cube. The ice will attract the fat, which you can then scoop out.


40. To reuse cooking oil without tasting whatever was cooked in the oil previously, cook a 1/4″ piece of ginger in the oil. It will remove any remaining flavors and odors.


41. If your milk always goes bad before you can finish it, try adding a pinch of salt to the carton when you first open it. It will stay fresh days longer.


42. Water that has been boiled and allowed to cool will freeze faster than water from the tap. This comes in handy when you’re having a party and need ice pronto.


43. Remove tea or coffee stains from your fine china by mixing up a paste of baking soda, lemon juice, and cream of tartar. Rub it over the stains and they’ll come off easily.


44. If two drinking glasses become stuck together after stacking, it’s not impossible to unstick them. Just put ice in the inner glass and dunk the outer glass in warm water. The warm glass will expand and the cold glass will contract, making the glasses separate easily.


45. For splinters under the fingernail, soaking the affected finger in a bowl of milk with a piece of bread in it is said to draw out the splinter.


46. Did grandpa ever give you a drink of cola for an upset tummy? It turns out that this is actually a pretty effective remedy. The sugar and carbonation can soothe many tummy problems - but it can also exacerbate others.


47. Putting salty bacon on a boil is said to “draw the poison out” of boils.


48. To help old wooden drawers (without runners) open and close smoothly, rub a candle on the tracks.


49. A cotton ball soaked in white vinegar and applied to a fresh bruise will reduce the darkness of the bruise and help it disappear sooner.


50. Drinking cranberry juice and eating blueberries regularly will help stave off urinary tract infections.








http://lifehackery.com/2008/05/17/50-amazingly-helpful-time-tested-tips-for-the-kitchen/

Kitchen Tips, Tricks and more ( I )

If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it's still cooking, drop in a peeled potato-it absorbs the excess salt for an instant "fix me up." 


If you have a problem opening jars: Try using latex dishwashing gloves. They give a non-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.


If it is a meringue pie you are making…add four or five marshmallows cut into pieces or 1/2 cup miniature ones, to meringue just before spreading. These marshmallows give both flavor and body to the meringue. The latter is important if pie is to stand for sometime before serving.


Instead of using a pastry cutter when a recipe asks for chilled and cut butter, I freeze the butter sticks and my cheese grater and grate the frozen butter into the flour. It’s not only much easier, but gives a more uniform consistency.


Ice cubes will eliminate the fat from soup and stew. Just drop a few into the pot and stir; the fat will cling to the cubes; discard the cubes before they melt. Or, wrap ice cubes in paper towel or cheesecloth and skim over the top.


If a recipe calls for 1 cup sour cream, you may substitute 1 cup cottage cheese blended until smooth with 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1/3 cup buttermilk.


If guests are coming and you're behind making dinner, throw some onions on to sauté and your kitchen will smell wonderful and homey.


If lettuce starts turning a little brown (but not slimy) it may not be suitable for salads, but it is for sautéing. Sauteed salad greens like lettuce, radicchio, and endive make an unusual but tasty side dish. Sauté lettuces just as you would spinach. Cook them quickly in a little olive oil, minced garlic, and salt. They taste great, and you cant tell that the greens were once a little brown.


If you have a problem opening jars ... Try using latex dishwashing gloves. They give a on-slip grip that makes opening jars easy.


If you need extra counter space for cooling cookies on racks or baking sheets, set up the ironing board and let them rest on it (cover the board to prevent stains).


If you need only 1/2 an onion, save the root half. It will last longer.


If your cake recipe calls for nuts, heat them first in the oven, then dust with flour before adding to the batter to keep them from settling to the bottom of the pan.


Instead of adding raw garlic to sauces, sauté the garlic first for a milder flavor.


Instead of the water your recipe calls for, try juices, bouillon, or water you've cooked vegetables in. Instead of milk, try buttermilk, yogurt or sour cream. It can add a whole new flavor and improve nutrition.


Instead of using a pastry blender, mix flour with butter by grating cold butter into it.


It's important to let a roast -- beef, pork (pardon the expression), lamb or poultry -- sit a little while before carving. That allows the juices to retreat back into the meat. If you carve a roast too soon, much of its goodness will spill out onto the carving board.


If you're unsure of an egg's freshness, see how it behaves in a cup of water: Fresh eggs sink; bad ones float.


If you need only a few drops of lemon juice, avoid cutting the lemon in half--it will dry out quickly that way. Instead, puncture the fruit with a metal skewer and squeeze out exactly what you require.


In a pinch, yogurt can be substituted for cream in recipes that don't require cooking. But yogurt can curdle when cooked - in which case it's best to stick with whole milk or half and half.


If you burn milk while heating it on the stove, add a pinch of salt to temper the scorched smell and taste.


If you burn gravy and don't have enough time or pan drippings, to start from scratch, stir a teaspoon of smooth peanut butter for each cup of gravy. This should eliminate any burned taste.


If you've cooked more rice than you can eat, make rice pudding by adding butter, cinnamon, sugar and milk or create fried rice by saute'ing with a beaten egg, soy sauce and sliced green onions, or toss rice with slivered almonds and raisins for a Middle Eastern inspired pilaf.


If your glass coffee pot gets cloudy, make tea in it. Tea’s tannic content will remove the film. 


If two glasses are stuck together, fill the top glass with cold water and set the bottom glass in hot water. Try to carefully twist the two glasses apart after a minute


Iced tea requires only one-half as much sugar if sweetened when hot than when cold. After tea is strained and ready to serve, freeze a portion of it in the electric refrigerator and add this to glasses for cooling instead of plain ice.


If a vase won’t hold water, melt paraffin and pour into the bottom. Often this will seal a crack and prevent future seepage of water.


If you are in a hurry and you find that you are out of silver polish, dip a piece of raw potato in baking soda and rub the potato on the silver. 


It’s easy to keep your dresser from becoming stained and spotted from perfume and toilet water bottles. Place a piece of wax paper under your dresser scarfs for sure protection.


If you need a wide piece of wax paper, seal two strips together with a hot iron; it cools quickly.


If you have a brass or metal door knocker, wax it immediately after polishing. This practice will keep it bright.


Insects in earth can be killed with a spoonful of mustard in gallon of water. This is effective with potted plants.


Instead of whittling a candle at the base to make it fit in the candle holder, I hold the end in a cup of very hot water for a few minutes to soften the wax then gently and firmly press it into the holder.


If your candle holder is too large wrap a bit of plastic wrap around the base of the candle and wedge into your holder.

Kitchen Tips, Tricks and more (F)

For a juicier hamburger add cold water to the beef before grilling (1/2 cup to 1 pound of meat).


For fluffier, whiter rice, add one teaspoon of lemon juice per quart of water. To add extra flavor and nutrition to rice, cook it in liquid reserved from cooking vegetables.


For fresh flavor in orange juice add the juice of one lemon.


For fresh-tasting lemon or lime juice year-round, freeze lemons and limes whole; thaw in microwave before squeezing.


For the perfect boiled egg, cover eggs with cold water and a pinch of salt. Bring the water to a full boil. Remove the pan from the heat and cover. Let the eggs sit for 8-9 minutes. Drain the water and place the eggs in ice water to cool and stop the cooking process.


Freeze tomato paste in the can. Open both ends and punch out the paste. Wrap the frozen paste in foil and freeze, then slice off what you need as you need it.


Fresh fish freeze (cute alliteration, and tongue twister) well in a milk carton filled with water.


French toast is made crisper by adding a tablespoon of flour to the egg and milk mixture.


For a variation in meat balls, add chopped apple to ground meat along with other seasoning, roll into small balls and simmer in tomato puree, seasoned with sage.


Fluff Up Mashed Potatoes: Try adding a healthy pinch of baking powder to the potatoes when mashing them. For fluffier mashed potatoes, use an electric mixer to whip air into them. 


Fresh Fruit & Veggies Washing Tip: Sprinkle wet fruit and veggies with baking soda then gently scrub and rinse. This cleaning method safely removes dirt and residue off produce. 


For a super fast fish dish, add some fresh ginger or garlic to some oil in a saute pan. Heat and stir over a medium fire for about 3 minutes. Remove the ginger or garlic and cook the fish in the flavored oil.


Flour Bugs ~~~ Keep a couple bay leaves in the flour canister to help deter the bugs (flour Weevils) congregating in their favorite hangout. You can toss the leaves loose in the flour or make a rough pouch out of one layer of cheesecloth to keep the leaves separated from the flour. Another tip is to tape the bay leaves to the inside of the lid. Always try to keep flour and other grains in air tight containers, this will help keep pantry pests out.


Fill Empty Muffin Tins With Water ~~~ If your muffin or cupcake recipe doesn’t fill all the spots in your muffin pan, fill the empty places 3/4 full with water. This will help protect those slots from darkening or getting scorched.


Fat can be removed from hot soup by straining broth through a cloth wrung from cold water. All the fat will remain in cloth except just enough to enrich soup. Heat soup again before serving.


Fish or onion odor can be removed from utensils and dishes by adding a teaspoonful of baking soda to the dish water.


Fish scales can be removed quickly and easily by first dipping the fish in boiling water.


First rinse raisins, dates and figs in very cold water before putting them through the food chopper. They will not form such a gummy mass.


Frosting that 2 layer cake ~~~ Hate it when you try to frost your cake and it slides off to one side. I found sticking a few broken pieces of spaghetti through the top holds it firmly together.


For crisper salads: Place a saucer upside down in the bottom of the salad bowl before filling with salad. Excess moisture will run underneath the saucer and this will help keep the salad crisp and fresh.


For fried foods that require flouring, try pancake flour for a change, it’s quite nice.


For bananas that are ripe and ready to eat but you have too many, peel the bananas and freeze them then dip in melted chocolate and freeze again, these make a nice treat!


Fill a large hole or sugar shaker with flour and use that when needing to dust surfaces with flour or just pour out a tablespoon as you need it, this is handy way to keep a bit of flour on hand instead of digging in the flour bin.


Food Processor clean-up tip ~~~ Covering food processor bowl with plastic wrap before placing on the lid, saves cleaning up the lid.


Finding Broken Glass Under Soapy Water ~~~ 
If you break glass in soapy water while doing dishes, to prevent cutting yourself while looking for it you can use a tall clear drinking glass or a wide clear glass bowl–keeping the top part above the bubbles, push the glass into the water and use it as a lens to look around and find the broken pieces.


For a lint-less dustcloth, soak the cloth in hot soap suds with a few drops of turpentine for several hours. Wring out and let dry. These dustcloths give furniture a brilliant polish and hold dust. Repeat this process every two weeks.


For removing rust from refrigerator shelves, wash them in mild scouring powder and hot water. Dry well with soft cloth. Apply a thin coating of hot melted paraffin.

Kitchen Tips, Tricks and more (E)

Egg shells can be easily removed from hard-boiled eggs if they are boiled in salty water and quickly rinsed in cold water.


Egg whites should always be at room temperature before whipping. Be certain there is no yolk in the whites and that the bowl and beaters are perfectly clean. Cream, on the other hand, should be well-chilled. For the largest volume, chill the bowl and beaters before whipping.


Egg white can brightened a gilt frame by applying it with a soft brush.


Eggplants Retaining Color ~~~ When cooking eggplant add a spoon of milk to a bowl of water and add the cut up pieces to that water. The eggplant will  retain their color without becoming black. 


 Easy way to remove garlic skins ~~~ Use 'Jar Openers'- round flat pieces of rubber. Put the clove of garlic in the center of the jar opener and fold it in half over the garlic. Then press down with your hand while rolling it back and forth over the garlic. OR you can give it a good whack with the side of a chef's knife and the skin will peel off easy.


Easy Peeling Kiwi ~~~ To peel kiwi, I cut them in half and slide a small spoon between the peel and the fruit.


Easy Peeled Peaches ~~~ Placing them into boiling water for 30 seconds. Remove and place them into ice water to stop the cooking. Their skins will slip off. Sprinkle with lemon juice to retain color.


Egg slicer can be used to slice mushrooms.


Egg stuck to carton ~~~ Wetting the carton should free the egg.


Electric push buttons can easily be seen in the night if they are touched up with a little luminous paint. This saves time, temper and bumps.


Empty aspirin boxes that shut tightly make excellent holders for pins, thumbtacks, small beats, buttons or snap fasteners. Use separate containers for the various items and label each box.


Embroidery floss has a number of uses. It is excellent for mending socks, sweaters and babies’ woolens. The colors are usually easy to match. Also try sewing buttons on a ready-made garment with it.

Kitchen Tips, Tricks and more (C)

Checking cookies if they are done ~~~  check them at minimum baking time.


Cheese that hardens in your fridge ~~~ cheese won't harden if you butter the exposed edges before storing.


Chefs ~~~ They pound meat not to tenderize the meat, but to help even the meat so it cooks evenly.


Choosing eggs ~~~ fresh eggs' shells are rough and chalky; old eggs are smooth and shiny.


Cooking  corn ~~~ Cook corn with husks and silks on. The silks slide off with husks and both add more flavor.


Cooking with Oil ~~~ There are better cooking oils than olive: sunflower, grape seed, canola, in that order. They don't burn. Start it in the pan cold, bring up the heat slowly. If you want olive-oil flavor, start with one of those, then add a little olive oil.


Cookie dough ~~~ It can be frozen up to three months in an airtight container or refrigerated three to four days.


Cookies ~~~ If your cookies are spreading too much, try refrigerating the dough for a couple of hours before baking.


Caesar salad ~~~ serve it in a wooden bowl and rub the inside of the bowl with a clove of garlic to add some extra flavor to the greens.


Cutting in the butter ~~~ use a potato masher. It’ll help break the butter into small pieces.


Cleaning Cilantro ~~~ Plunge into a sink full or pot full of cold water. Swirl around a few times and let sit for a while. The sand, dirt, and other debris will settle to the bottom, and the leaves will float to the top and can be removed. Repeat the procedure if the cilantro is very dirty. 


Cooking vegetables ~~~ Adding one or more bouillon cubes instead of salt–improves flavor. Tossing in a few garlic cloves when boiling vegetables makes things tastier too.


Canned fruit ~~~ is much better if opened and removed from the can an hour or two before using to restore the oxygen


Cut meat for grilling ~~~~ cut big pieces of meat in half to grill them quicker. Small chunks of meat on a skewer grill in a snap.


 Cutting an Onion Without Crying ~~~ Use sweet onions. Peeling  and  cutting under running water, chopping near a gas flame, and refrigerating onions before chopping, all methods for reducing the volatility of the sulfide that causes the irritation.


Cottage cheese ~~~ will remain fresher longer if you store it upside down in the refrigerator. This slows the effects of oxidation.


Cooking Hamburgers ~~~ When cooking hamburgers, indoors or on the BBQ, poke a hole in the center. This will stop the hamburger from rising in the center and your burger will be more evenly cooked; not burnt on the edge and only medium in the middle. The hole will close while cooking. 


Checking dried beans ~~~ Put dried beans in a bowl of cold water, and discard any that float to the surface, since this is an indication of insect or mold damage. 


Cloudy Ice Tea ~~~ Add just a small dash of boiling water.


Cure Garlicky Hands ~~~ Immediately after chopping raw garlic or after a marinating process, rub your fingers thoroughly with the bottom of a stainless steel spoon under running water. Then wash your hands with soap. The metal magically neutralizes the garlic fumes!


Cleaning or Unclogging Drain ~~~ A tip you may have forgotten. To unclog a drain or keep it fresh smelling add one cup of baking soda and one cup of vinegar.


Cleaning Artifical Flowers ~~~ 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!


Candle ideas ~~~ Instead of whittling a candle at the base to make it fit in the candle holder, hold the end in a cup of very hot water for a few minutes to soften the wax then gently and firmly press it into the holder.
If your candle holder is too large wrap a bit of plastic wrap around the base of the candle and wedge into your holder. To make new candles dripless, soak in a strong saltwater solution for a few hours, then dry well.


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.


Cleaning Copper ~~~ Pour lemon juice on copper and sprinkle with salt. Then wipe off instantly. The salt works as an abrasive.


Cleaning Silverware ~~~ Line sink with aluminum foil, put in silverware, sprinkle with baking soda and pour boiling water over. Rinse and dry.


Centerpiece ideas ~~~ Place an array of different size candles on a circular mirror and you can also add little flower vases for a few small flowers.


Cure for headaches ~~~ take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.


Clean a toilet ~~~ drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush, and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous china.


Cleaning a coffee pot ~~~ Pour a handful of table salt into the dirty coffee pot. Use a dish towel or sponge to rub it around and on the stains. Rinse clean. 


Cleaning scratches on wood furniture ~~~ Rub the same color crayon as the wood on to the scratch. This will  fill the scratch. Then clean with mayonnaise. The scratch will disappear. 


Cleaning A Messy Blender ~~~ To clean a blender,  add a cup of  warm water, run for a few seconds. Now add a drop of dishwashing detergent and another cup of water and blend. Let is sit for a few seconds. Rinse clean.


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).

Helpful Hints

Cold Pack


Pour into a gallon freezer bag:


1 pint of rubbing alcohol
2 pints of water
(or you can use smaller bags and smaller amounts of liquids)


Double bag


Freeze 3-4 hours
When needed:
Place a cloth between cold pack and skin. 
Use 20-30 minutes at a time.


This is reusable, the mixture does not become “hard like a rock” it stays “smooshy” and easy to place on injuries...




Deviled Egg Tip


 Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up.




Weed Barrier


 Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers, put layers around the plants overlapping as you go, cover with mulch and forget about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic - they will not get through wet newspapers.




Chipped tooth or lost filling?


A polymer clay like Sculpey is a wonderful temporary fix 'til you can get to the dentist. It is inexpensive, non-toxic and forms perfectly to your tooth. No more raggedy edges to torment you until your appointment.


Too bad George Washington didn't know about this trick!




Knife Storage


use the skinny space between your stove and counter top as knife storage drop---handles up---




Expanding Frosting


When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. 


Plastic Wrap Storage


Store your plastic wrap in the freezer. 
When you tear a piece off the roll it will not bunch up on you.




Wax Paper


The lining paper from cereal boxes make a great substitute for waxed paper.




Refrigerator Odor


To kill refrigerator odors put a small amount of vanilla on a cotton ball and place it in the refrigerator.


Toenail Fungus


Listerine therapy for toenail fungus....Get rid of unsightly toenail fungus by soaking your toes in Listerine mouthwash. The powerful antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy again.




Face Blemish Removal


Honey remedy for Skin Blemishes......Cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a Band-Aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.




Puffy Eyes


Eliminate puffiness under your eyes.....All you need is a dab of preparation H, carefully rubbed into the skin, avoiding the eyes. The hemorrhoid ointment acts as a vasoconstrictor, relieving the swelling instantly.




Floor Noise Removal


If you have squeaks on hardwood floors sprinkle talcum powder over the cracks and rub it in noise should stop on those hard wood floors then!


UnEven Baking


I have an electric oven that tends to heat unevenly. In order to keep the bottoms of things from burning before the entire item is cooked through - I put an insulated cookie sheet on the rack below or even right under the item I'm baking. It does make a difference.  




Earache


grate a small onion
use a cotton ball to suck up the liquid
squeeze the liquid in your ear and leave your head tilted for about 3 to 5 minutes 
and your earache should be gone....
Some use garlic instead of the onion.


Preserve Tupperware from Stains


Spray your Tupperware with nonstick cooking spray before you pour in tomato based sauces and it won't stain.


Weed Killer 


Pour vinegar in sidewalk cracks or where ever weeds or unwanted grass is growing. It will be dead in a couple of days.




Mosquito Repellant 


Rub a dryer sheet on yourself to keep mosquitos at bay. 


Deterrent for Ants


Did you know that cinnamon is a deterrent for ants?


Apparently ants hate the smell, so if you find yourself with an ant problem just sprinkle cinnamon down. The best thing about this besides deterring the ants, it is SAFE especially if you have children or pets.


White Distilled Vinegar Uses


No-wax floors:
To wash no-wax floors, add ½ cup of white distilled vinegar to a half-gallon of warm water.


Carpet stain removal:
A mixture of 1 teaspoon of liquid detergent and 1 teaspoon of white distilled vinegar in a pint of lukewarm water will remove non-oily stains from carpets. Apply it to the stain with a soft brush or towel and rub gently. Rinse with a towel moistened with clean water and blot dry. Repeat this procedure until the stain is gone. Then dry quickly, using a fan or hair dryer. This should be done as soon as the stain is discovered.


Windows & Walls
Streakless windows:
Simply wash with a mixture of equal parts of white distilled vinegar and warm water. Dry with a soft cloth. This solution will make your windows gleam and will not leave the usual film or streaks on the glass.


Washing woodwork:
You can ease the job of washing painted walls, woodwork and Venetian blinds by using a mixture of 1 cup ammonia, ½ cup white distilled or cider vinegar and ¼ cup baking soda with 1 gallon of warm water. Wipe this solution over walls or blinds with a sponge or cloth and rinse with clear water. Dirt and grime comes off easily and the solution will not dull the painted finish or leave streaks.


Water or alcohol marks on wood:
Stubborn rings resulting from wet glasses being placed on wood furniture may be removed by rubbing with a mixture of equal parts of white distilled vinegar and olive oil. Rub with the grain and polish for the best results.


Kitchen
Garbage disposal cleaner:
Garbage disposals may be kept clean and odor free with vinegar cubes. Vinegar cubes are made by filling an ice tray with a mixture of 1 cup of vinegar and enough water to fill the ice tray and then freezing it. Run the mixture through the disposal, and then flush it with cold water for a minute or so. 


Wine stains:
Spots caused by wine can be removed from 100 percent cotton, cotton polyester and permanent press fabrics if done so within 24 hours. To do it, sponge white distilled vinegar directly onto the stain and rub away the spots. Then clean according to the directions on the manufacturer's care tag. 




Burn Removal on Furniture


A white toothpaste works well on small light burns on your furniture, just rub it in and the burn will go away.  






3% Hydrogen Peroxide Uses




1. Take one capful (the little white cap that comes with the bottle) and hold in your mouth for 10 minutes daily, Then spit it out. No more canker Sores, and your teeth will be whiter without expensive Pastes. Use it instead of mouthwash.


2. Let your toothbrushes soak in a cup of peroxide to keep them free of germs.


3. Clean your counters and table tops with peroxide to kill germs and leave a fresh smell. Simply put a little on your dishrag when you wipe, or spray it on the counters.


4. After rinsing off your wooden cutting board, pour Peroxide on it to kill salmonella and other bacteria.


5. For foot fungus spray a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water on them (especially the toes) every night and let dry.


6. Soak any infections or cuts in 3% peroxide for five to ten minutes several times a day.


7. Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mixture of peroxide and water and keep it in every bathroom to disinfect without harming your septic system like bleach or most other disinfectants will.


8. Tilt your head back and spray into nostrils with your 50/50 mixture whenever you have a cold, or plugged sinus. It will bubble and help to kill the bacteria. Hold for a few minutes, and then blow your nose into a tissue.


9. If you have a terrible toothache and cannot get to a Dentist right away, put a capful of 3% peroxide into your mouth and hold it for ten minutes several times a day. The pain will lessen greatly.


10. And of course, if you like a natural look to your hair, spray the 50/50 solution on your wet hair after a shower and comb it through. You will not have the peroxide-burnt blonde hair like the hair dye packages but more natural highlights if your hair is a light brown, faddish, or dirty blonde. It also lightens gradually, so it's not a drastic change.


11. Put half a bottle of peroxide in your bath to help Rid boils, fungus, or other skin infections.


12. You can also add a cup of peroxide instead of bleach to a load of whites in your laundry to whiten them. If there is blood on clothing, pour it directly on the soiled spot. Let it sit for a minute, then rub it and rinse with cold water. Repeat if necessary.


13. I use peroxide to clean my mirrors. There is no smearing, which is why I love it so much for this.




Candle Holder Wax Free


To prevent wax from melting and sticking to the inside of a candle holder, pour a bit of water in the holder, then place the candle on top. If you're there's already wax stuck inside your candle holder, pop it in the freezer for an hour. The wax will chip right off




Gatorade


Did You Know that drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain almost immediately-- without the unpleasant side effects caused by traditional "pain relievers?"




ACNE, BLACKHEADS, AND PIMPLES:


Dab a small amount of toothpaste (paste, not gel) on pimples before bed; this helps dry out the pimples.
Mix equal amounts of lemon juice and rose water, apply to face with a cotton ball, and allow to sit for 30 minutes before rinsing. 15-20 days of this application helps cure pimples and also helps to remove blemishes and scars.
Apply fresh lemon juice on the affected area overnight. Wash off with warm water next morning.
For acne that hasn't seemed to respond to anything, steep 2-3 tsp. dried basil leaves in 1 cup boiling water for 10-20 minutes, cool, and apply to affected area with a cotton ball.


ARTHRITIS:


A daily serving of fresh fish or fish oil capsules helps to give relief of arthritis and other joint pains.
3-4 walnuts eaten daily, on an empty stomach, will help.


DAMAGED, DRY HAIR: A nourishing conditioner for dry or damaged hair which can be used for all hair types: Separate the white of an egg from the yolk, whip it to a peak. Add 1 Tbls. water to the yolk and blend until the mixture is creamy. Then mix the white and yolk together. Wet your hair with warm water, remove the excess moisture, and apply the mixture to your scalp with your fingertips. Massage gently until the froth is worked into your scalp, then rinse the hair with cool water. Keep applying the mixture until it is used up and then rinsed until all of the egg is washed away.


DANDRUFF: Pour distilled white vinegar onto the hair, as close to the scalp as you can manage; massage into the scalp; and allow to dry for several minutes before washing as usual. Repeat daily until the dandruff disappears, usually within a few days.


DARK CIRCLES AROUND EYES: Make a paste out of 1 tsp. tomato juice, 1/2 tsp. lemon juice, a pinch of turmeric powder, and 1 tsp. of flour. Apply around eyes. Leave on for 10 minutes before rinsing.


DEPRESSION: 3/4 cup of cooked spinach a day is enough to give dramatic relief from depression if you are deficient in B vitamins.




OBESITY:


Mix lime juice with honey and water; drink a glass of this every morning.
Mix 3 tsp. lime juice, 1/4 tsp. black pepper, 1 tsp. honey, and 1 cup water; drink a glass a day for 3 months.
Mix 1 tsp. lime juice with 1 cup water and drink each morning.
Eat a tomato before breakfast.
OILY SKIN: For oily skin, mix 1/2 cup cooked oatmeal, 1 egg white, 1 Tbls. lemon juice, and 1/2 cup mashed apple into a smooth paste. Apply to face and leave on 15 minutes. Rinse.




OVERWEIGHT: Effective at getting rid of fat, drink up to 3 cups of green tea daily. Regular tea can also be used with a lesser effect.




PAIN RELIEVER: Mix 3 Tbls. of honey in boiled water and drink. Honey has natural pain-relieving powers.