25 Household Tips

Make Your Own Packing List in WORD in several columns with different categories (toiletries, clothes, summer, winter, things to keep handy in car, food, last minute items, etc.) and tweak it when changes need to be made.  Print out a few copies on colored paper to have handy for trips.  The colored paper helps you not to lose it during packing time.  On my list I have phone numbers for holding the mail and newspapers, as well as a list of a few things for my husband to pack or do during that busy time. His section can be cut off of the main list.  Having your packing list ready will free your brain from having to rethink what you need to pack each time you go on a trip!

Glow-in-the Dark House and Car Keys ~ Paint the head only with glow-in-the dark paint, so they are easier to find in the dark.  Do not paint the area of the key that goes into the lock or you will distort it, causing the key not to work.

Neat Storage for Gift Wrap ~ Save and cut toilet paper tubes in half lengthwise to slip over opened rolls of wrapping paper to keep the paper from unrolling - one tube at each end.

When Lighting a Candle with a hard-to-reach wick, light a long stick of spaghetti with a match to use as a long match.  When lighting a number of candles, a spaghetti stick also saves burning your fingers.

Hold Your Cell Phone in an Upright Vertical Position by placing it in an old cassette tape case.

 
An Ice Pack that Won't Drip When it Melts ~ Saturate a sponge with water, place in a Ziplock bag, and freeze it to use as an ice pack.

Hidden Cash ~ While on vacation or shopping at home, carry emergency bills in an empty chapstick container.

 
Save Your Fingers while Hammering Nails by holding the nail with a spring clothespin as you first get the nail to stick.  Then hammer away!

Label and Organize Power Cords with bread tabs.  In my sewing room I use different colors as well for quick recognition.

Unplug Power Cords Plugs on sewing machines when not in use.

Find the End of a Roll of Tape Easily, by sticking a bread tab on the very end.  This saves time and headaches trying to find the end.

Renew Old Rolls of Tape by heating them in the microwave.  They will work like new again.

Hidden Storage on a Bookshelf ~ Saw about an inch from old books you don't want, including the binding.  Then glue then onto a wooden box, covering the entire front.  Place the box on the bookshelf.  The book bindings should cover every part of the box front.

How to Clean Your Garbage Disposal ~ Start by running hot water through your garbage disposal for a minute. Pour about 1/4 cup baking soda into the drain. Flip the garbage disposal on for 2 seconds, just to whirl the baking soda inside, and then leave it alone for 10-15 minutes. Follow with 1 cup of vinegar and watch as bubbles erupt out of your drain.  Rinse through one last time with very hot water and run your garbage disposal for 5 seconds.

A Plunger Can Unclog Shower and Sink Drains even without chemicals.

Use a Pool Noodle as a Door Stopper to prevent toddlers from smashing their fingers.  Cut off about six inches and slice one side lengthwise, then attach it to the door near the top (out of reach of toddlers).

A Remedy for Scratches on Hardwood Floors ~ here is a simple trick to try!  Take a crayon (the color of the floor) and rub it on the scratch to fill the gap. Turn a blow dryer on high to heat the area where the crayon was applied.  Then buff the spot with a soft cloth.

Remove Indentations from Carpet by placing ice cubes in the indentation.  Allow them to melt.  Vacuum when completely dry.

 
Grout Cleaner Recipe ~ 7 cups water, 1/2 cup baking soda, 1/3 cup ammonia, 1/4 cup vinegar. Spray on, scrub, wipe off.

How to Clean a Stainless Steel Sink to a Beautiful Shine ~ Spray sink with white vinegar and sprinkle baking soda over the entire sink.  Let it set for 10 minutes while you heat water to boiling in your tea kettle.  Rinse sink with boiling water, by pouring it straight from the tea kettle.  Spray sink with more vinegar and scrub all areas.  Wipe dry with a dry terry cloth. Polish with a small amount of olive oil on a terry cloth, then buff with a clean terry cloth.

Control the Amount of Hand Soap being Dispensed ~ To keep kids from squirting too much soap when they wash their hands, tie a rubber band around the top so when they push the dispenser down, it only goes down part way.  Another option is this wonderful natural hand soap, Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day Liquid Hand Soap.  It's $4.99 for 12.5 ounces, and comes in lemon, lavender, geranium, and bluebell scents.  I stretch one bottle to fill 7-8 foam dispensers and it works great!  Natural is better than using chemicals any day!  I buy my foaming soap dispensers at a great price - www.AromaTools.com.  The shipping is a bit high, but if you place an order with a friend or two, it's reasonable.

Make Lavender Water to spray on bed linens after you put fresh sheets on beds.  Spray it anywhere for a lovely fragrance.

Keep Socks Together in the Laundry by clipping each pair of socks together with a binder clip before being tossed in the laundry.

Don't Lose Your Grocery Shopping List in the Store ~ Clip it to the grocery cart with a binder clip.

Make Your House Smell Delicious ~ Put a few sprigs of rosemary, lemon slices, and a teaspoon of vanilla in a pot and let it simmer on the stove.