Practical Household Tips

Reusable Shopping Bags ~ Machine wash occasionally to keep them clean and free from Salmonella bacteria, E.coli, and more.  Use grocery bags for that purpose only.  Have raw meat bagged in disposable bags before putting into your reusable bags to prevent contamination. Store bags in house, not in a hot car trunk where germs will breed.  Spray bags inside of bags with diluted essential oils. (See tip below)  http://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/2013/05/keeping-your-reusable-shopping-bags-clean.html

Anti-Bacterial Essential Oils ~ Bergamot, Cinnamon, Clove, Cypress, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemon, Oregano, Peppermint, Rosemary, Sage, Tea Tree, Thyme

Separate Toothpaste Tube for Each Family Member ~ This tip could even save marriages, when I hear stories of how husbands and wives have differences in putting on the cap or leaving it off, how they squeeze the tube, etc.  This is an easy solution.  It also helps prevent spreading germs throughout the family.  Give each child his own tube as well!

Toothpaste Tube Troubles (Wrinkled tubes) can be alleviated by laying the toothpaste tube on a flat surface, pushing toothpaste upward to the top of the tube with your toothbrush handle, then tightly rolling up the end of the tube and securing with a medium to large spring clip.  A rubberband works as well.

When Two Children Share a Closet use two different colored hangers for clothing, so there's no problem finding outfits.

Avoid Matching Socks ~ To avoid having to match socks, when buying everyday socks for a child (or adult), get plenty of the same style and color (white to match everything).  When folding clothes, each person's socks (if short) only need to be stacked.  Stand socks on their sides when storing in bedroom drawers for neater drawers.

Preventing Mold in Berries ~ We all know how quickly store bought strawberries, blackberries, blueberries and other fruit can grow mold, even when refrigerated.  Vinegar can help tremendously.  I keep a spray bottle of straight white vinegar for spraying produce.  As soon as I bring home my berries and other produce, I saturate the dry produce with vinegar, let set a few minutes, then soak in water, and rinse.  This prolongs the freshness of berries and other produce.

The Use of Trays can save steps, spills, and time. When transporting food to a freezer downstairs, using trays, bags or a box, rather than stacking them in your arms could prevent a catastrophe.

Reusing Ziplock Bags ~ Most people won't go along with this tip, but bags that did not store meat or gooey substances could be washed in hot water and dishwashing liquid, then hung to dry for a second life.  You could keep used bags in a certain place to be washed all at once.Saves money.

Soap Chips ~ If you have soap chips and slivers that you weren't able to melt onto a new bar of soap, try this.  Use an old washcloth to fold in half, insert the soap chips and sew shut.  Use long stitches, so you can pull out the thread and refill later.  This can be used to suds up while showering or bathing. You might want to make one for each family member.  Kids love them and it might even make taking a bath more fun.

From a Tablecloth to Kitchen Towels ~ Certain tablecloths (cotton or linen), if found for a good price at a yard sale, can be cut and hemmed for very nice kitchen towels.  If you have an embroidery machine, you can make them even more special and fun to use.

Nice White Doilies and Towels ~ Every now and then put all of your doilies in an Oxiclean solution to whiten them.  Avoid bleach which will deteriorate the fibers. Do the same with kitchen towels, dishcloths, towels, and washcloths.  I have a batch soaking right now.  Oxiclean works wonders on stubborn clothing stains as well.

Custom Window Shades ~ When window shades become worn, save the roller and slat.  Buy oil cloth at the fabric store (with or without a design) and cut it to the size of the shade.  Sew the bottom to fit the wooden slat and glue or staple to the top of the roller.