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Household Hints 3

by Linda Butler

If you have a lot of handmade doilies and don’t use them, put them between your good plates to cushion them. 

When purchasing a new appliance put the date of purchase on the front of the instruction manual so you will know whether it is still covered by warranty. 

To paint several drawer pulls at once, screw them into a piece of Styrofoam.

Unwrap bar soap before storing and it will last longer.

Spray Pam on your snow shovel, or add wax, and damp snow won’t stick.

If using an umbrella carry a plastic bag with you and put the dripping umbrella in it when you get into your car.

To clean the outside of windows without removing screens, spray on a foaming bathroom cleaner, let it remain for a minute then rinse off with the garden hose. 

After cleaning shower doors, coat with a layer of car wax, dry to a haze and buff. Afterwards the residue will wipe off the door easily. 

Stiffened chamois can be softened by soaking in warm water with a tablespoon of olive oil. 

If a candleholder is too large, wrap a rubber band around the base of the candle and it will stand upright. 

If you have a cap or top that is stuck, put it in the refrigerator and it will unstuck. 

If your bottle brush doesn’t do a good job cleaning bottles, fold a piece of nylon net and fasten it over the bristles of the brush with an elastic band.   

Brush a bit of paint on the outside of paint cans before storing them so that the color is visible the next time you look for the paint. 

To clean your grater, use an old toothbrush. 

Worn out socks make mitts to polish furniture or silverware.

To remove pitch from your hands from working with trees, sprinkle dry baking soda on your hands and rub together, then rinse. 

To remove old contact paper shelving, use your blow dryer.  It will soften the gum on the back of the paper and make it easier to peel off. 

If you are writing a new address book, write the names in pen, but the addresses and phone numbers in pencil so they can be changed. 

Prevent car door locks from freezing in an ice storm by putting tape over the door locks to seal the lock against moisture.  After the storm is over remove the tape.

Cut an aluminum foil pie plate in half to make a disposable dustpan. 

When tips come off shoe laces, wrap the ends with matching thread, dip in clear nail polish and dry.

To remove weeds from the lawn, use an apple corer.  Insert the serrated edge at the base of each weed and the weeds can be lifted out.

Keep a small tarp or old shower curtain in the trunk of your car to use for muddy boots.

If a metal bucket has sprung a leak, put a dab of silicone sealer in the hole.

Instead of using bows, tie plastic cookie cutters to the ribbon.

To prevent two card tables placed together from moving apart, put strong rubber bands on the adjoining legs.

Use clothespins to hold toddlers shoes together so they will be easy to find.

Use your shower head massage spray on mini blinds to remove dirt and grime.

To keep squirrels out of the bird feeder, cut a hole in the bottom of a plastic waste basket and slide it upside down on the pole that holds the bird feeder.

Put a large wide rubber band around a jar lid for additional grip when opening the jar.

To keep dirt from sticking to your dustpan, clean it and dry then apply a coat of floor wax. 

To remove the brown stains from inside flower vases put a few pieces of finely chopped raw potato in the vase.  Add ha half cup of vinegar and shake vigorously.  Rinse the vase and the stains will be gone.

Garage door opener:  Attach a piece Velcro to the back of it and fasten the other piece of Velcro near your door so it is handy when you go out.  Don’t leave the door opener visible in your car as someone could steal your car and gain access to your garage.

Store cash in your freezer as it is fireproof.

To wash walls, use a paint roller pan with sudsy water and a fluffy paint roller.  Rinse with clean water and a sponge.

If you spill something oily on the floor, cover with cornmeal to absorb it and sweep it up.