Household Tips

Caring for Houseplants while on Vacation ~  Most houseplants will do fine if you're gone for a week.  If you need to leave small potted plants unattended inside your home longer than that while on vacation, here's a solution.  Place a jar of water next to each plant.  Tear an old T-shirt into strips about 1-2" wide.  Place one end of a strip deep inside the jar and secure the other end in the soil of the plant with a nail or whatever will hold it securely.  The strip of absorbent fabric will act as a wick to water your plants while you are gone.  Some water evaporation could be prevented by placing plastic wrap over part of the jar.  Be sure you won't get any furniture wet using this solution.   Another remedy is to use your bathtub.  Place an old towel or drop cloth in the tub first to protect your tub; then set bricks in the tub and set your plants on the bricks.  Run enough water in the tub to cover the bricks.  Then use T-shirt strips to act as wicks to keep your plants moist.

Clever Coupon Clipper ~ Save envelopes from junk mail.  I especially like to save colored envelopes.  Before heading to the grocery store, write out your shopping list on the envelope and place the coupons you plan to use on the inside.  That way both your list and coupons will be at your fingertips.  Then when I find the product matching my coupon, I place the coupon inside my purse.

Easier Toilet Cleaning ~ Once you have your toilet very clean inside, push out the water, let the inside dry, and wax it with automobile wax.  Wax the entire toilet - seat and lid as well.  Let the polish dry, and buff to a shine.  Because of the polish job, it will stay clean much longer.

Easier Tub and Sink Cleaning ~ Wax the tub and sink after it is clean and dry.  Buff to a shine, and it will cause dirt not to cling to it as before the waxing job.  Be sure to use a slip-proof mat in your bathtub to prevent slipping.

3 Ways to Banish Hard Water Deposits with Vinegar ~ Soak a cloth in white vinegar, and wrap it around chrome faucets, allowing it to set for an hour or so.  To clean a clogged showerhead, attach a plastic bag of white vinegar, allowing the showerhead to soak in the vinegar for an hour.  Works like magic!  Wipe down a shower and glass door using a Magic Eraser saturated with white vinegar. 

Quick Shine to Chrome ~ Rubbing alcohol on a Terry cloth cleaning cloth makes chrome shine instantly.  I like to use the wintergreen (green) kind for the great smell.  It works great for a quick all-over bathroom cleanup!

Vanishing Odors ~ Air fresheners only mask odors.  Disinfectants and pine oil cleaners kill odors, but some of them are strong enough to knock you out.  Good old baking soda, vinegar, or Borax will get rid of odors as well.  Keeping an open shallow dish of baking soda behind your toilet will help to absorb odors.

Removing Blood Stains ~ I've had nurses tell me they soak blood stains in hydrogen peroxide or club soda after rinsing first in cold water - even rubbing ice over the stain first is helpful.

Old Toothpaste for Cleaning Silver Jewelry ~ Rub silver jewelry with toothpaste on an old toothbrush to make it shine.