Helpful Things---who knew??

Sealed envelope - Put in the freezer for a few hours, then slide a knife under the flap. The envelope can then be resealed. (hmmmmmm...)

Use Empty toilet paper roll to store appliance cords. It keeps them neat and you can write on the roll what appliance it belongs to.

For icy door steps in freezing temperatures: get warm water and put Dawn dish washing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't refreeze.

Crayon marks on walls? This worked wonderfully! A damp rag, dipped in baking soda. Comes off with little effort (elbow grease that is!).

Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops, use rubbing alcohol on paper towel.

Whenever I purchase a box of S.O.S Pads, I immediately take a pair of scissors and cut each pad into halves. After years of having to throw away rusted and unused and smelly pads, I finally decided that this would be much more economical. And now a box of S.O.S pads last me indefinitely! In fact, I have noticed that the scissors get sharpened this way!

Blood stains on clothes? Not to worry! Just pour a little hydrogen peroxide on a cloth and proceed to wipe off every drop of blood. Works every time! Now, where to put the body?

Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal for inside windows. This way you can tell which side has the streaks. Straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean. Don't wash windows on a sunny day. They will dry too quickly and will probably streak.

Spray a bit of perfume on the light bulb in any room to create a lovely light scent in each room when the light is turned on.

Place fabric softener sheets in dresser drawers and your clothes will Smell freshly washed for weeks to come. You can also do this with towels and linen.

Candles will last a lot longer if placed in the freezer for at least 3 hours prior to burning.

To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag and add the flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all the dust and dirt and leave your artificial flowers looking like new! Works like a charm!

To easily remove burnt on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stove top.

Spray your TUPPERWARE with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato based sauces and there won't be any stains.

Wrap celery in aluminum foil when putting in the refrigerator and it Will keep for weeks.

When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn's natural sweetness.

Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.

Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces.

To get rid of itch from mosquito bites, try applying soap on the area and you will experience instant relief.

Ants, ants, ants everywhere ... Well, they are said to never cross a chalk line. So get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march. See for yourself.

Use air-freshener to clean mirrors. It does a good job and better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine.

When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily.

Now look what you can do with Alka Seltzer. Clean a toilet. Drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes, brush and flush.

Clean a vase. To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets.

Polish jewelry. Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry for two minutes.

Clean a thermos bottle. Fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka Seltzer tablets, and let soak for an hour (or longer, if necessary).

Unclog a drain. Clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka Seltzer Tablets down the drain followed by a cup of Heinz White Vinegar. Wait a few minutes, then run the hot water.

i have done several of these things (most for clean up) they work well.

tony

I haven't tried all of these, so if you do and they work, let us know!

Drinking two glasses of Gatorade can relieve headache pain almost immediately, without the unpleasant side effects caused by traditional "pain relievers.

Did you know that Colgate toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns.

Before you head to the drugstore for a high-priced inhaler filled with mysterious chemicals, try chewing on a couple of curiously strong Altoids peppermints. They'll clear up your stuffed nose.

Achy muscles from a bout of the flu? Mix 1 Tablespoon of horseradish in 1 cup of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then apply it as a massage oil, for instant relief for aching muscles.

Sore throat?Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take 1 tablespoon six times a day. The vinegar kills the bacteria.

Cure urinary tract infections with Alka-Seltzer . Just dissolve two tablets in a glass of water and drink it at the onset of the symptoms. Alka-Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost instantly -- even though the product was never been advertised for this use.

Honey remedy for skin blemishes... Cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a Band-Aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.

Listerine therapy for toenail fungus... Get rid of unsightly toenail fungus by soaking your toes in Listerinemouthwash. The powerful antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy again.

Easy eyeglass protection ... To prevent the screws in eyeglasses from loosening, apply a small drop of Maybelline Crystal Clear nail polish to the threads of the screws before tightening them.

Coca-Cola cure for rust... Forget those expensive rust removers. Just saturate an abrasive sponge with Coca Cola and scrub the rust stain. The phosphoric acid in the coke is what gets the job done.

Cleaning liquid that doubles as bug killer . If menacing bees, wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets get in your home and you can't find the insecticide, try a spray of Formula 409. Insects drop to the ground instantly.

Smart splinter remover just pour a drop of Elmer's Glue-All over the splinter, let dry, and peel the dried glue off the skin. The splinter sticks to the dried glue.

Hunt's tomato paste boil cure...cover the boil with Hunt's tomato paste as a compress. The acids from the tomatoes soothe the pain and bring the boil to a head.

Balm for broken blisters...To disinfect a broken blister, dab on a few drops of Listerine .. a powerful antiseptic.

Heinz v inegar to heal bruises ... Soak a cotton ball in white vinegar and apply it to the bruise for 1 hour. The vinegar reduces the blueness and speeds up the healing process.

Kills fleas instantly . Dawn dish washing liquid does the trick. Add a few drops to your dog's bath and shampoo the animal thoroughly. Rinse well to avoid skin irritations. Goodbye fleas.

Rainy day cure for dog odor ... Next time your dog comes in from the rain, simply wipe down the animal with Bounce or any dryer sheet, instantly making your dog smell springtime fresh.

Eliminate ear mites ... All it takes is a few drops of Wesson corn oil in your cat's ear. Massage it in, then clean with a cotton ball. Repeat daily for 3 days. The oil soothes the cat's skin, smothers the mites, and accelerates healing.

Quaker Oats for fast pain relief....It's not for breakfast anymore! Mix 2 cups of Quaker Oats and 1 cup of water in a bowl and warm in the microwave for 1 minute, cool slightly, and apply the mixture to your hands for soothing relief from arthritis pain.

KEEP PLANTS THRIVING WHILE YOU'RE AWAY
Thread a needle with a piece of thick yarn, then push it deep into the soil. Submerge the other end of the yarn in a bowl of water. The soil draws the water, which travels up the length of the yarn and brings moisture to the roots.

REMOVE TAR FROM SHOES
When hot road tar gets lodged in the tiny grooves of shoes, rub the surface with a quarter size dollop of petroleum jelly. The jelly softens the tar on contact, so the gunk slides off.

TO CLEAN THE RACK ON YOUR BBQ GRILL
Line a plastic basin with used dryer sheets, place the rack on top then fill with warm water and let sit overnight. All you do the next morning, is rinse the rack and wipe clean.

LIGHT A FIRE WITHOUT BURNING YOUR FINGERS
If you run out of long matches to light the fireplace, use a piece of raw spaghetti, it lets you reach the middle of the kindling and it burns so long you can even light a few candles.

REVIVE HOUSEPLANTS
When you boil potatoes or pasta for dinner, strain the water into a pot, wait one hour and use it the next time you need to feed your plants.

Cleaning Paint Brushes And Vinegar
Use boiling vinegar (no water) to clean hardened acrylic paints from paint brushes. Don't soak them too long, since it could loosen the hairs from the brush.

Have a stubborn toilet bowl stain? Not to worry. Sprinkle a package of Kool-Aid,
yes, Kool-Aid, into the toilet bowl... any flavor will do. Let it sit, run your toilet brush around the bowl, and flush. All of the stains will be gone!!!

Ok, well I didn't think the Kool-aid would work so I decided to try it at my parents house when i was over there today. (they had kool-aid, i didn't) I took a pack of lemon-lime kool-aid and dumped it in the toilet. when i came back a bit later i ran the brush around the bowl and i was SHOCKED by how clean it turned out, everything was gone and it was sparklely again!!! To top it off, after I flushed it the whole bathroom smelt like lemon-lime....

Makes you wonder what it does to your insides..........

Clever Cleaning Ideas

Messy sheets? Dusty corners? Favorite tricks that make keeping up with chores a little bit easier.

No more scrambling for matching linens. Store freshly laundered sheet sets in the matching pillowcase.

To reach dust bunnies under the bed, slip a Trouser sock over a yardstick. Secure with a rubber band, and your ready to clean.

An idea for those rainy days:

Depending on the size of your umbrella, tuck a plastic bag inside of it. That way, you have a place to put the wet umbrella until it drys or until you need to go back out side.

Works great when going shopping. Perfect for those mini umbrella to put into a Ziploc bag before putting it back into your purse or tote bag.

timely tips
by Kate Worth, c/o DBR Media, Inc.

STAIN REMOVAL
I have found that starting fluid dissolves oil stains on concrete. The use of a wire brush and water to rinse also helps. Michael R.
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COFFEE MAKERS
Drop a denture cleaning tablet in a 10-cup coffeemaker and add hot water to it instead of cold. Brew as usual, then rinse. It's much better than those expensive coffeepot-cleaning fluids you get at the grocery store. Karen T.
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MILDEW
Mix equal parts of non-chlorine bleach and dish soap. Make a paste and apply it to the mildew. You can use a toothbrush to really work it in. This may take a few applications. When mildew brushes off, rinse the area thoroughly. Regina D.
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HOMEMADE DECORATIONS
Try these ideas next year. Glue together , individually wrapped red-and-white striped mints to make a beautiful handmade garland. You can wrap it around your tree or banister. Line an empty flower pot with a Christmas napkin or hand towel to make a very festive silverware caddy or extra utensil holder. Elsie B.
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SHOPPER SMARTS
Its usually more expensive to buy non-grocery items such as painkillers or shampoo at your supermarket. Buy them at a discount store instead, such as Target, K-Mart, Wal-Mart, etc. Wendy G.
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COMPANY'S COMING
Shut doors for a "quicky clean" look It only takes a minute to shut the doors to all "Off Limits" rooms and cabinets. You'll be surprised how much neater this makes your house look. Mary Ellen W.
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MORE QUICK CLEANING
To freshen up your bathroom in a hurry, close the shower curtain, put out fresh towels and unwrap a new bar of scented soap to freshen the whole room. Janice F.
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GETTING RID OF ODORS
Smells such as onions or garlic in any container can be eliminated by wetting a few sheets of newspaper and cramming it into the container. Place the container on the windowsill for a day or so, and presto, the smell has gone. Lydia K.
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PERFECT RICE
To cook rice in the microwave, place 2 cups of rice and 4 cups of boiling water in a microwave container and zap on high for 12 minutes. The rice is beautiful, no smells in the kitchen, no water boiling over on the stove. Irene G.
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LIGHT UP
You didn't work all day creating that beautiful birthday cake, complete with decorations and all, just to get messed up with dripping wax as you try to light the candles with short matches or dripping candles. You can show how clever you are by going to your cabinet and getting out a long piece of raw spaghetti and lighting it. You will be able to light the candles without drips, waste of matches, and especially, no burned fingers! Sarah J.
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INSECT BITES AND STINGS
Meat tenderizer can be used to relieve the pain and itching from insect bites. Just dissolve 1/4 teaspoon of tenderizer in water and apply to the bite. Daisy G.
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EASY PEEL
Soak oranges in boiling water for five minutes then peel as usual. As a bonus, the "white" part of the peel will come off along with the peel to give an awesome look to whatever dish you're creating. Edna M.
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DRESSING TIP
This is a great tip to keep your oil-based salad dressings from going to the bottom of the bowl and keeping it on your greens. Take your dressing and heat it in the microwave for 10 seconds before using. Glanna D.
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CLUTTER FREE
To keep kitchen drawers from being cluttered, put a pretty basket on top of the fridge to hold things you don't use often. They'll be out of the way yet still there when you need them. Bea K.
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CLEAN SOCKS
If your family walks around the house in their white socks and you can never get them clean, dissolve a dishwasher cube or two depending how many socks you have in a bucket of water and let them sit overnight. The next day, wash as a small load. You won't lose any socks, and your white socks will be bright white from the bleach in the dishwasher soap. Frances D.
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PLUG IT UP
Small holes in window screens can be repaired by dabbing the hole with successive layers of clear nail polish. Henry D.
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UNSTICK TIP
If glasses are stuck together after washing, keep them in the fridge, and they will separate easily the next day. Ruth M.
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FLUFF IT UP
Fluff your down jackets or down comforters and reduce static cling. Throw in a handful of balls while jacket or comforter is tumbling in dryer. The balls keep the feathers from clumping together so they're spread-out evenly throughout the item. Ida v.
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OPEN SESAME
Use self adhering pieces of Velcro to keep doors open. Put one piece on the tip of the doorstop and the other piece on the back of the door. The Velcro will hold the door securely, but it's still easy to release. Miriam w.
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REHEATING FOOD EVENLY
Always reheat cooked food on half power in the microwave—that's what the reheat setting does. This reheats food evenly without frying the edges while leaving the center cold. Allisan C.
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DIET TIP
Baste meats and poultry with fat-free ingredients, such as wine, fruit juice or defatted chicken or beef broth. You'll add lots of flavor without the calories heavy sauces, butter or gravy would give you. Lisa L.
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FLAVOR ENHANCER
For a great flavor enhancer, sprinkle food with citrus juice. Add it at the last minute so the flavor will be at its strongest. The best foods for this are chicken and fish. Vera K.
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MONEYSAVER
You may lower the price of a round-trip airfare by as much as two-thirds by making certain your trip includes a Saturday evening stay-over, and by purchasing the ticket well in advance. Robert A.
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BABY'S FIRST BIRTHDAY
For your child's first birthday, lay out a mat that would fit into a frame. An 8x10 is great, but it really doesn't matter what size you use. When the guests arrive for the party, they all write a special message to the birthday child. Then put the child's first birthday picture in it and hang it in his room. It's a very special treasure. Kelly D.
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SLEEPYTIME
If you have trouble with your baby sleeping in his/her own bed, but they like to sleep in the car seat, try placing the car seat in the bed. The baby will become used to the bed's surroundings. Irene D.
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CONSERVE
To help keep gas and electricity bills down, slow down your water pressure when you take a shower. For some reason, we think we need it on all the way. You can also turn your hot water tank down some till winter is over. Ken v.
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More tips from Kate

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FRESHEN UP
Place cotton balls that have been sprayed with your favorite perfume in your linen closet. Once they are dry, place them in the corners and on the shelves or even in your lingerie drawer. You won't have to buy those expensive odor eliminators if you do this. Liz T.
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MORE FRESHENERS
Place a fabric softener sheet in the bottom of your laundry basket (remember to change it weekly). This will keep the basket from getting that stale odor and will also keep the room where you keep your dirty clothes smelling fresh. Betty J.
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MONEY SAVVY
If you have a low recurring payment, such as a low credit card payment or car insurance, pay double one month and then make the regular payment as usual. The result is that you will always be a month ahead, giving you a cushion in case the mail is late or something unexpected happens, Vera B.
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ENERGY SAVER
Don't over stuff the fridge. Cold air must be allowed to circulate in the fridge to keep food safe. Marilyn R.
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HOSTING TIPS
If you intend to serve wine for your holiday dinner, think about it early. White wine should be chilled for about two hours in the refrigerator. Red wine should be opened at least one hour before it is needed so that it can breathe. Irene L.
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EARLOBE PROTECTION
Some of the earrings I wear have caused my ear lobes to break out, get itchy and turn red. I find that by putting clear nail polish on the backs of those earrings, I am able to still wear the earrings I really like. After some use, I find I need to reapply the polish. It works great. Lynn K.
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COLD WATER WASH
Use warm or cold water for laundry when possible, rinse in cold, and wash when you have full loads. Today's cold water detergents do a good job. Laura B.
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KEEPING YOUR TEA POTS CLEAN
To clean limescale from kettles or glass vases, soak in hot water and 1 /3 part vinegar. Rinse kettle well, fill and boil water. Empty completely, rinse again. Emily L.
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COFFEEPOT CLEANER
For a stained or burnt coffee pot, sprinkle in scouring powder and add crushed ice. Rotate the pot to make the ice do the scrubbing. It's also good for small-necked glasses, bottles, etc. Marian K.
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NOZZLE MAGIC You've probably tried running hot water over your clogged hair spray nozzle, but many times it just doesn't do the trick. Get a bottle of rubbing alcohol out and dip the nozzle into a little bit of it. Let sit for a few minutes. Wipe off, and you're ready to spray. You won't waste any hair spray, and therefore, won't be wasting any money! Faith R.
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BEST CORN
When boiling corn, cook for 3 minutes; any more time will only boil out the flavor. Instead of adding a pinch of salt to the boiling water, add a pinch of sugar to bring out the natural sweetness of the corn. Annemarie O.
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LAWN MOWER
Before mowing your lawn, spray the underside of your mower with cooking spray to keep grass clippings from sticking. A buildup of debris can prevent the mower from cutting properly and encourage rust. Dennis W.
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STAIN REMOVAL
Oil stains can be removed by rubbing the area with a piece of lime dipped in salt. Cara L.
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STUBBORN EGGS
Do You have trouble getting dried eggs off tableware? Use a slice of lemon to rub off the dried eggs. It works like magic! Lisa D.
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DUSTING TIP
When cleaning dust and animal hair from free-standing fans, window unit air conditioner filters or Venetian blinds, use a dryer sheet. It not only removes dust and hair faster, but after prolonged use, it creates a protective coating on the wires of the fan for even easier dust removal. Jan G.
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MORE ON DUSTING
Dust your television and computer screens with a used dryer sheet as this will reduce the static and prevent dust resettling. Gina S.
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PAMPER YOURSELF
Instead of going to an expensive spa for a pedicure, try this: Soak your feet in very warm saltwater and add a handful of dried rosemary, lavender or your favorite scent. This is an awesome skin-softening treatment in your own home. Rita B.
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KEEPSAKES
To preserve a newspaper clipping, mix a large bottle of club soda and 1 /2 cup of milk of magnesia. Soak for 20 minutes and let dry. It will last for many years! Sally F.
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ENVELOPE TRICK
Forget to put the check in and need to unseal an envelope? Put it in the freezer for a few hours, then slide a knife under the flap. The envelope can then be reseated.
Marilyn P.
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RECYCLE
Don't throw away your old shower curtains. They make great covers for outdoor items in the winter (such as chairs, patio tables, grills, etc.). Sam H.
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BUG OFF
Use baking soda on a moist sponge and squished bugs just soften right up and wash off your windshield or car. It's easy and inexpensive and won't scratch the finish. Jason K.
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SMELLY SHOES
Simply fill a tube sock with kitty litter, baking soda, or tea leaves; tie the end closed, and place the filled socks in the shoes when you're not wearing them. These sachets can be used over and over in any kind of shoe. They are especially great in gym shoes. Clara D.
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MOTHBALL SUBSTITUTE
Now that it's getting to that time of year when we switch clothes from summer to winter, take your leftover soap slivers and put them in a vented plastic bag. Place the bag with seasonal clothes before packing them away. Not only will the scent prevent them from moth harm, but they'll smell great when you pull them out again. Gina E.
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FRESHEN UP
Deodorize dishes, pans, cutting boards or utensils from awful odors by adding 1/4 cup of lemon juice to your dishwater. Irma G.
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ENERGY EFFICIENT
To save as much as hundreds of dollars a year on electricity, make certain that any new appliances you purchase, especially air conditioners and furnaces, are energy-efficient. Information on the energy efficiency of major appliances is found on Energy Guide Labels required by federal law. Check with your electric company to learn if it has a program to help reduce the costs of any appliance purchases. Judy A.
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WAX IT
When you paint a window, rub an old candle onto the glass next to the window frame. Afterward, you should be able to scrape the dried paint off with a putty knife. Gary B.
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by Kate Worth

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CONVERSION MAGIC
Create a daybed without paying the price by recycling old beds. Turn a twin-size mattress and box spring set sideways in front of an old double bed-sized headboard. Cover the bed with linens and a bed skirt. The dimensions are perfect for children, and adults can use it as a quiet sitting area. Jeannine R.
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MONEY-SAVER
There's no need to buy an expensive espresso machine to make steamed milk for your morning latte. Just heat milk on the stove-top for a short amount of time. Remove the milk from the heat and beat with an electric mixer until foamy. Randi G.
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EASY CLEAN
Slip on a flannel-type work glove and spritz with furniture spray to clean the rungs of wooden chairs. Elizabeth C.
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WRAP IT UP
For a baby gift, circle the baby's birth announcement in the newspaper with a red felt pen and use that page as gift wrap making certain the announcement is on the top of the present. Amanda D.
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GAS SAVER
Pack as little in your car as necessary so it has less weight to carry. If your car has less weight to carry, it uses less gas, therefore saving you money. Roger H.
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2-DOOR OR 4-DOOR?
Four-door cars generally have lower insurance rates than two-door cars. Check the insurance rate on the car you choose before purchasing it. Danny S.
Also check the color with the insurance company because the rates are different for that too. Liz G.
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CLEAN TOWELS
Wash towels once a month with 1/2 cup vinegar in the rinse cycle. This will eliminate fabric-softener buildup as well as make your towels more absorbent, Cheryl F.
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DIPPING SAUCE
Mix two parts honey to one part mustard and use for a dip with chicken nuggets. Mary Men R.
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DECK FURNITURE
See a rain shower coming on? Run out and spray the outdoor furniture with cleaner, then run back inside and watch the rain do the cleaning. I did this all summer and thought I'd pass this along for next season. Maria H.
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DISHWASHER DUTY
Clean the drip pans and grates from the stove burners once a week in the dishwasher to keep them looking like new. Jennifer B.
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BROKEN CANDLES
Melt them down to make new candles. Add broken crayons for color. Elena M.
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FRESHEN UP
To achieve fresher air in the house without paying a fortune for canned spray, squeeze a few drops of a fresh lemon into the dust bag of your vacuum. Anita K.
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EASY CLEAN
Here's a great way to clean an oven rack without filling up the kitchen with nasty oven-cleaner fumes. Take the rack outside and put it in a large plastic garbage bag. Spray oven cleaner into the bag, tie the bag shut and leave outside overnight. Rinse thoroughly with the hose before taking it back in the house. Pam B.
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STICKER SHOCK
Coax a stubborn price sticker off a drinking glass by placing the glass in the freezer overnight. The glue will freeze, making it easy to remove the sticker. Tom S.
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CD REPAIR
Use toothpaste to repair a damaged compact disc. Just dip a corner of a soft cloth in water and place a dab of plain white toothpaste on the corner. Gently rub the toothpaste across the disc, and it will remove the scratches. Rinse with warm water and dry thoroughly. Mike M.
(Make sure to use a NON-ABRASIVE toothpaste)
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AIR DRY
We've all heard of solar heating, but if you have a backyard and haven't considered drying your clothes on a line outside, think about it now. Line drying is a terrific way to conserve energy, and it really does leave your clothes smelling fresh and static-free. Leonora E.
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FIZZ KEEPER
To keep the "fizz" in an unfinished can of pop, put the end of a teaspoon in the can. The next day, it will still be fizzy. Renata S.
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OOPS!
If your pet has an "accident," sprinkle with baking soda and let dry, then vacuum. The baking soda will take care of the stain and the odor. This is much cheaper than the store pet cleaner and is just as good. Rita w.
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ASHES BE GONE
Lightly spray the ashes in your fireplace with water before cleaning. This will reduce the amount of dust created when you scoop out the ashes. Frank B.
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ERASER MAGIC
If you have trouble keeping contact paper smooth when lining shelves or drawers, smooth out the paper with a blackboard eraser. It works great! Cathy D.

MORE:
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DUST-OFF
A used fabric softener sheet from the dryer can be used in place of the disposable sheets for those new dust mops. Simply place the sheet on the end of the mop to pick up dust and pet hair from the floor. Vera C.
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I.D. IT
"Make laundry day less of a chore by placing a storage cube for each member of the family next to the dryer. As clothes are folded, place them in the correct cube for each family member. This makes sorting quicker, and each family member can pick up his or her own laundry. Jamie N.
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RECYCLE
Re-purpose a metal garden-hose holder (available at a home-supply store or garden center) by bringing it inside and using it as a cookbook holder perfect for large cookbooks. It can even be mounted on the wall with the accompanying hardware and costs a fraction of what you would pay for a traditional cookbook holder. Julia L.
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ELECTRIFYING
If you are on your way out the door and are having static problems, just grab a metal hanger and rub it between you and the article of clothing. The hanger will remove the static electricity. Lynda F.
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DRESS-UP
Instead of buying fancy and expensive coat racks, try this unique idea: Collect antique doorknobs, hooks and handles, and mount them to a board to make a conversation piece coat or hat hanger for the home. Melissa H.
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EASY FIX
To fix a punctured hose, insert a round, wooden toothpick into the hole. The wood will swell from the moisture and fill the hole, thus eliminating the leak. Another option is to patch the hole with chewed chewing gum, which permanently seals the hole when it hardens.
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IN A PICKLE
There are many things that you can make instead of buying. One is pickle relish. Instead of paying $1.29 for a 10-oz. jar of pickle relish at the store, you can buy the 46-oz. jar of whole pickles on sale for $1.50-$2.00. Then chop the pickles in a blender or food processor. You can save $3.00-$4.00 by doing this. Rita D.
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MAKE IT YOURSELF
I used to buy those special breadings for pork chops and chicken, but they're expensive. Now I just crush up some corn flakes, season them as I like (you can use salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika any combination), and bread the pork or chicken in that It's absolutely delicious, and you have more control over the flavors. Also, it's a lot less expensive. Ida M.
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GRASS STAINS
Try rubbing the stain with Karo Syrup, then wash as usual. Regina M.
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TEAPOTS
To clean lime deposits from teapots or glass vases, soak in hot water and 1 /3 solution vinegar. Rinse well; fill, and boil water. Empty completely; rinse again. Mary A.
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DISHWASHER POWDER
Another method of removing burnt-on food on a pan or casserole dish is to cover the area with dishwasher powder and enough water to make a paste. Let it soak overnight and wash it clean the next day. Jane R.
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FRESH POTATOES
To keep potatoes from budding, place an apple in the bag with the potatoes. Jeannie W.
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JUNK MAIL
Put it through a paper shredder and use it as packing material when shipping gifts. This works great, and you don't have to buy bubble wrap or "popcorn." Mike B.
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DRIP-FREE
When washing your walls with a sponge, use a sports terrycloth wristband to keep the water from running down your arms. Harry T.
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SHINE ON
Use fabric softener sheets to clean bathtub rings and to shine faucets and other chrome fixtures. It really makes them sparkle! Linda J.
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CLEAN PHONE
If your white telephone is getting a bit dull, get it really white again by putting a bit of toothpaste on a moist cloth. Use it to clean the phone. It works great. Anna M.
* * *
STAIN REMOVER
Ketchup stains require glycerine and a little soap and water. Act quickly, though, or the stain may set. Rita W.
* * *
SCREENS
An easy way to clean window screens is to put them in the tub and use the portable shower head to spray them. The dirt washes right down the drain. I do mine like that all the time. Jenna D.
* * *
PET HAIR
Cat hair problem on your clothes? Rub the area with a sheet of fabric softener. It
will magnetically attract all the loose hairs. Clara F.
* * *
CONSUMER SAVVY
If your appliance is not working, try calling the manufacturer if they have a toll free number. Have the model number ready and explain the problem. Sometimes, they'll be able to tell you how to fix it over the phone, saving you the cost of a repair visit. Ken L.
* * *
INNOVATION
Buy one of those undecorated cakes at the store and decorate it yourself for any occasion. Add small clean toys to a frosted cake, or even ribbon spirals are cute. Take into consideration the child's or adults interests, and go from there. Marilyn D.
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Share your special Timely Tip with our readers. Send it to Kate, c/o DBR Media, Inc.. P.O. Box 21, Hopewelljct, NY 12533, ore-mail: deckert@dbrmedia.com
© 2006 DBR Media. Inc.

More Timely Tips
by Kate Worth

RECYCLE I've found a great use for an old diaper wipe container. It's the perfect size. I store my cancelled checks in one of them. When the bank returns them, I immediately file them in my container. This keeps them all together, makes it easy to flip through them if I need to, and makes it so much easier to find the checks I need when I'm getting my taxes together at the end of the year. Gianna L.

* * *
COVER IT Sandboxes that are open and poorly maintained can make a child prone to contracting contagious viruses and bacteria. What can you do to prevent this? Simply buy a weatherproof cover and use it to protect the sand from insects, animals and the weather. Nate F.

* * *
PROPER PLACEMENT
You may think that setting up a swing-set on the grass is a good and safe choice but grass can't absorb an impact well, so falling can be just as dangerous as on cement. A good choice would be to install it over wood chips if possible. If not, grass would be the next best thing. Anne E.

* * *
HARDWOOD FLOORS
To remove scuff marks from a hard wood floor, cut open a tennis ball, place it on the bottom of a broom handle and rub the stain until it is removed. It's that easy!

Vegetable Oil

Original purpose: Frying up a tasty batter.

Aha! use: Shining leather shoes. Use a damp cloth to wipe away dirt, then apply a small drop of oil to a soft cloth and rub the surface to remove scuff marks.

Reward: A polished look from heel to toe.

*****

Lemonade Kool-Aid

Original purpose: Quenching your thirst.

Aha! use: Cleaning lime deposits and iron stains inside the dishwasher. Pour a packet of lemonade Kool-Aid (the only flavor that works) into the detergent cup and run the (empty) dishwasher.

Reward: Citric acid in the mix wipes out stains; you don't have to.

*****

Mesh Vegetable Bag

Original purpose: Toting home potatoes, onions, and tomatoes on the vine.

Aha! use: Scrubbing up after dinner. Cut ends open, scrunch, and add soap and water.

Reward: After a gooey mac-and-cheese cleanup, you can throw this freebie sponge away guilt-free.

*****

Lemon

Original purpose: Adding zing to soups or salad dressings.

Aha! use: Removing tough food stains from light wood and plastic cutting boards. Slice a lemon in half, squeeze onto the soiled surface, rub, and let sit for 20 minutes before rinsing.

Reward: A house that smells like a lemon grove rather than chemicals.

*****

Baking Soda as Silver-Polisher

Original purpose: Making cakes rise.

Aha! use: Polishing silver. Wash items, then place on aluminum foil in the bottom of a pot. Add a baking-soda solution (1/4 cup soda, a few teaspoons salt, 1 quart boiling water) to cover for a few seconds.

Reward: A chemical reaction that gets the black off the gravy boat.

Water Waste!

Do you have a leak in your home?

Here is a great way to find out.
When everyone in the home is going to be leaving, and the washing machine and dishwasher are not on, so there will be no one using the water - go check the water meter and mark down the reading.

So everyone has left the house and no water is being use, or is there?

Now when you get home go check the water meter again, the meter should read the same as when you left the house for the day. But if not, then you have a leak or water is being used.

If you have a leak it is up to you to find it. Check the sinks, tubs, shower, tolet, basement tub, and even the outside faucet.

If you can not find the leak, try this with your toilet.
Top off the toilet tank your home. Then put about 12 drops of red or blue food coloring in the tank. Wait about 15 minutes. Guard the toilet, so no one uses it while you're waiting. Now look in the toilet. If colored water shows up in the bowl, you've found a leak.

If you still do not find the leak, then it could be time to call in a pro. The problem might be a leak inside the walls.

Good luck
Ever tiny leak can waste a lot of water, and it is up to you to save water for the Earth!