Through the years, I've learned some very valuable secrets that I'm going to reveal! You may already know about some or even all of these, but I'm sure not everyone does. If you have a really good "helpful hint" you'd like to share, please E-MAIL them to me and I'll put them in my cabinet.
HANDY HINTS
You can save yourself a lot of money and a bunch of space in your cabinets if you'll stop buying seperate cleaning products for the tub, toilet, appliances, and floors! What you're looking for is "409" brand cleanser. This one product cleans all surface areas extremely well, does a fantastic job on vinyl floors when slightly diluted, and it even works wonders as a pre-wash spray for your laundry! It's safe for all machine washables, will remove greasey splatters off the front of that blouse you had on while frying chicken the other night, and best of all, it will even take out some stains on clothing that has already been washed and dried! I use this stuff for just about everything and no longer buy all those "specialty" cleaning products!
Here's another nifty idea... this "does" require buying a specialty product, but believe me, it's worth it!
Another good cleanser for dirty bathtubs is just a drop (and I DO mean only a drop!) of "DAWN" brand dishwashing soap on a "SCOTCH-BRITE" brand scouring pad! "DAWN" lives up to its guarentee and truly does eliminate grease, but take heed to words of experience... the stuff forms tons of bubbles and just a little too much and you'll spend hours trying to dissolve and wash all the suds down your tub drain!! Been there...
Does your toilet bowl ever get a rust-ring around the very top edge? I have found THE best product for removing rust from toilet, sink, and just about anything else! "ZUD" brand scrouring power works far better than "COMET" brand or "AJAX" brand, and "ZUD" contains no chlorine, so you don't have that ungodly smell to contend with! The thing is, you'll need to apply the "ZUD" to a scrub-pad and stick your hand in there, so if you have a hang-up about germs and stuff, buy yourself a pair of rubber gloves! The "ZUD" will do most of the work for you and you really won't have to scrub all that hard, but one of those toilet brushes just won't do the trick. I have another secret about "ZUD", but you'll have to look in the KITCHEN cabinet to see what it is!
Make sure you don't throw away all your old tooth brushes! Old tooth brushes are a MUST when cleaning that little metal ring around the sink, or any other small cracks and crevises.
By the way, we're supposed to replace our tooth brushes at least every two months, unless you get sick, and then you need to buy a new one once you've started taking antibiotics.
Forget about fingernail polish and other silly concoctions for those impossible chigger bites! Did you know that these are not actual "bites"? The microscopic chigger actually embeds itself beneath your skin. Therefore, the only real solution is not treat the itch, but to kill the chigger. How? With "RID" brand head lice treatment. Follow the direction on the box, except using it as body soap rather than just a shampoo. You must saturate the affected area and let it remain on your skin for a full 10 - 15 minutes before washing it off. If you have a particularly severe case, you may need to treat yourself a second time, but wait at least 24 hours. This treatment will effectively elminate chiggers almost instantly, as the "RID" kills them on contact.
If you have a "country-touch" going on in your bathroom, try using glass canning jars to hold your cotton balls, cotton swabs, and tooth brushes. These make cute, country displays, especially if you happen to find old canning jars at a garage sale or second-hand store, but even the new ones are nicely decorated.
It's so easy to find little plastic baskets in every size and shape these days! Have you found a good use for them? I managed to find three just the right size to fit perfectly within my bathroom drawers, creating handy compartments to keep hair brushes, hair bows, and tooth paste seperate and nicely organized.
"Bluing", which is meant for adding to the wash water to brighten yellowed whites, is also an excellent treatment for wasp stings.
Before you attemp to dig that splinter out of your child's hand or foot, first apply an ample amount of "ORAGEL" brand numbing ointment. This really helps soften the sting! Just before you go after the little offender, tell your child to take a big, deep breath and let it out slowly. If he/she will cooperate, this will usually give you just enough time to remove the splinter without all the fuss. This works especially well if your child has to get an injection from the doctor. One deep breath is all the time an injection requires.
A recent study revealed that Vitamin E suppliment helps boost immune system response against colds, flu, and infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis. It shows signs of preventing hardening of the arteries, seems to help ease arthritis symptoms, and may enhance cognitive functions.
For those on steriod therapy, 800 iu of Vitamin E per day is a quick-fix for the muscle spasms and cramps which often accompany long-term Prednisone treatment.
Also for those taking Prednisone, it is absolutely essential that you take at least 1200 mg. of Calcium per day to prevent steroid-induced osteoperosis. Calcium is absorbed much better into your system when taken with an additional Magnesium suppliement.
The last big tip I have for you is so easy and inexpensive, you'll love it!
HOME-MADE WET TOWELETTES"
(baby wipes)
MIX:
1 1/2 CUPS WATER
3 TBSP. BABY OIL
2 TBSP. BABY SHAMPOO
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Buy the expensive, solid white roll of paper towels;
The cheaper versions will tear and not pull apart easily;
You must use the solid white, as the colored dye will run.
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Using an electric knife (if you don't have one, I'm sure a large cake knife would do)-- cut the entire roll of paper towels in half.
With a pair of pliers, pull the cardboard tube out of the roll.
Place half the roll (now a stack) into a tall, plastic container, -- such as one you might use for storing pasta -- and pour the mixture over top.
Place air-tight lid on container and there you have wonderfully soft, safe, and effective "wet wipes", for home, office, or vehicle!
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IssyMissy
HotSprings Community Leader