Tip of the Day #248: Weed Killer Recipe

WEED KILLER- One gallon of apple cider vinegar, 1/2 cup table salt, 1 tsp dish soap. Mix and pour into spray bottle. If you dont need as much, just half the recipe. Spray directly on weeds.

DIY BUBBLEBATH!

Nothing makes me more excited than DIY projects--especially quick and INEXPENSIVE ones since all the ingredients you already have in your home!

Try this one out!

Homemade Bubble Bath:

1/2 cup shampoo
3/4 cup water
1/4 teaspoon salt

In a bowl, mix the shampoo and water until well combined.  Add salt and stir until it thickens slightly.  Use a funnel to pour it into a bottle.And that’s it!

This bubble bath costs pennies to make and makes a wonderful gift or stocking stuffer.  Add a personalized label to make the gift even more special

Tip of the Day #247:Protect your Cell Phone

When at the beach this summer, protect your phone from sand and water damage by placing in a Ziploc bag. You can still use it through the plastic! I personally have ruined phones in the past by sand getting in and under the screen.

Tip of the Day #246: Controlling Beach Sand with Baby Powder

Summer trips to the beach often result in a car, home and body covered in sand that seems to linger until winter--but this can be resolved with such a simple trick!
Place a small amount of baby powder in the palm of your hand and rub into onto your skin. The baby powder will quickly absorb moisture and the sand will fall away. Make sure to pour some on your beach towels and blankets then shake off!
Also, apply a sprinkle of baby powder to your shoes or sandals to remove sand.

If you need to, flip your head upside down and apply a bit of baby powder into the palm of your hand. Rub a little bit into your scalp and gently brush the sand from your hair. Baby powder is great for dry, oily hair and will ensure that all of the sand is removed quickly and easily.

Lastly, sand in the car can be a real nuisance! Sprinkle a light layer of baby powder on seats and carpets before vacuuming clean. Do not rub the baby powder into your car seats or flooring, as it may leave white powdery marks.

*WARNINGS* WHEN CREATING HOMEMADE CLEANERS

I am constantly baffled by how many frugal websites recommend a homemade cleaning agent with both bleach and vinegar in the recipe.NO.Never mix bleach and vinegar, bleach and ammonia, bleach and toilet bowl cleaners, or even different brands of toilet bowl cleaners (some are bleach based while others are acid based).

I often recommend cleaning your washing machine with 1 cup of vinegar, but DO NOT do so if you have recently used bleach or vise versa. Run a few loads before using one or the other again.

ALWAYS read your labels: Bleach can also be listed as sodium hypochlorite or hypochlorite.

When bleach and ammonia are mixed, depending on the ratios, Chlorine gas is created or Nitrogen Trichloride or Hydrazine.  Chlorine gas is deadly, Nitrogen Trichloride is very volatile (meaning it’s just dying to react) and the Hydrazine reaction creates a large amount of heat. Don’t even pour bleach into an unflushed toilet bowl.When bleach and vinegar are mixed it creates an acid base reaction with chlorine gas as a byproduct.Toilet bowl cleaners are often acidic and will also react with bleach.

Tip of the Day #245: Cleaning your Barbecue

Instead of pouring out your leftover coffee, save it to clean your barbecue grill. Old brewed coffee makes an effective cleaner when you pour it on your grill and wipe it off. Use it on your cold or hot grill.

Tip of the Day #244: Uses for Microfiber Cloths

I love microfiber cloths because they are so handy and do a great cleaning job--and you dont have to spend a lot of money! Try these hints for using them around the house:

Auto
Keep several microfiber cloths underneath the front seat of your vehicle. Use them to dust off the dashboard, radio and steering wheel that accumulate dust at a rapid rate.

Bathroom, Kitchen
Store a couple of microfiber cloths in these locations because they will clean and shine the chrome, shine mirrors & leave them streak-free and are great for wiping off the sink. When the cloths become dirty, toss them into the washing machine but DO NOT USE WITH FABRIC SOFTENER AS IT DIMINISHES THE CLOTHS EFFECTIVENESS.

Pets
Freshen up your dog by lightly dampening a microfiber cloth with water and wiping over its fur. If your cat or dog needs to get the gunk out of its eyes, a microfiber cloth will do the job nicely. And if your pet, gets a dirty -'beard' after eating, the cloth will remove that food mess.

Plants
To take dust off live or artificial leaves, lightly dampen a microfiber cloth and wipe over the leaves. This will also add a bit of moisture to the real plants too.

Computer
Pet hair, dust, ashes from smoking can migrate into your computer and clog the open holes. Use the hose attachment of your vacuum to remove pet hair and dust from the back of your computer. Clean the monitor case with a slightly damp microfiber cloth. Be sure to also dust the power cords, floor and area around the computer, printer and fax machine too.

Cell Phone
Wipe the handset surface with a dampened microfiber cloth to eliminate fingerprints and dust--this is especially useful with the popular touchscreen phones that are on the market! But if it’s still sticky, mix one cup of water with one drop of mild detergent to wipe off and then rinse area (not the screen) with a clean dampened cloth. Don’t spray anything into the handset or keys.

Digital Camera
To remove dust, grime and fingerprints, wipe the outside with a microfiber cloth and then carefully swipe over the lens. For a thorough cleaning, take to a professional or use commercial wipes.

Music Players
Wipe the outside with a slightly damp microfiber cloth to clean, but don’t let moisture seep into openings. Do not use alcohol or solvents on this equipment.

Plasma TV Screens
First, unplug the power cord. Lift off fingerprints or dust by wiping screen with a microfiber cloth. Use it to clean the remote control too. NEVER apply any solvent on the screen. Lightly vacuum the vents on the rear panel occasionally.

Tip of the Day #243: Dealing with Pet Hair

There are a few methods that I have found to be very effective in removing pet hair from furniture:

1. Put on a rubber glove. Rub the surface with it on. The pet hair should stick to your glove. Dampen the glove or rubber section of the glove for increased effectiveness.

2. You can use sellotape (packing tape) to peel off some fur. Just wrap some around your hand with the sticky, adhesive part sticking out and tap it on the fur-covered areas.

3. For areas that are not completely covered in fur, using a lint roller also works!

For your FLOORS, I highly recommend investing in a microfiber mop! A normal broom or vacuum tends to blow pet hair around, whereas the microfiber picks up every single piece--a true miracle worker! :)

Tip of the Day #242: Removing Marks & 'Gunk' from Kitchen Cabinets

This recipe is one of the most useful mixtures in my house--mainly because my kitchen cabinets are white. Although I LOVE the look of white, they are not very practical :( I feel like I am constantly cleaning them!

You probably also notice how greasy and dirty your cupboards can get from daily use, regardless of their colour--especially close to the handles, mainly from sauces or food that may be on our hands, or even just the oils from our skin!

Use the following recipe and you are guaranteed to remove all unnecessary debris within a single wipe--its like MAGIC!

Ingredients:
2 parts baking soda
1 part oil (the best is vegetable oil)

Mix together and apply with a soft cloth or paper towel.

Hope this helps many of you! :)

Tip of the Day #241: Cleaning Ceramic Stovetops

Cleaning your stove does not have to be a difficult task. It can be as simple as baking soda and water!
Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the surface, then take a damp (NOT WET) scrubber or cloth and rub the powder in circular motions. Once all has been worked in, wipe clean with a soft cloth or you may choose to shine with a bit of glass cleaner.

Tip of the Day #240: Organizing Cleaning Essentials

I used to cringe at how unorganized and messy my mops and brooms would be when I either a)stuffed them in a closet out of the way or b)leaned them against the wall.
I researched ideas of how to take care of this dilemma and came up with the idea of using 'S Hooks' or even shower rings on a rod to hand each handle. Now my closet is so neat and organized--I'm in LOVE! ;)

Tip of the Day #239: Removing Scratches from Plates

The BEST product to use to remove plate scratches is 'Barkeeper's Friend' (can be found in your local hardware store.) Since it is somewhat abrasive, I suggest doing a test on the back of a plate first. To do the test patch, simply add a small amount of Barkeeper's Friend to a damp sponge and gently rub a small patch on the back of one plate. 

Once it has been determined that the cleaner and sponge will not scratch the plates, apply a small amount of cleaner to a damp sponge and gently rub the utensil marks off of the plates. One application might not be enough to remove dark marks, but be patient and try rubbing them off a few times.

IF the test resulted in your plate being scratched, (usually happens with delicate china) use another product called, 'Bon Ami' with the same instructions.

Tip of the Day #238: Leftover Pasta

It is known that most of us have a difficult time gauging how much pasta to cook for a meal. I know myself that I am always left with enough to feed the entire neighbourhood! Instead of pitching it because the pasta generally doesnt 'keep' too well in the fridge afterwards, try this:
After your pasta has finished cooking and it’s time to drain it, don’t pour the water down the drain. Drain it into a large bowl and let it cool while you are eating.  When you have leftovers, put the leftovers back in the water.  Make sure the pasta is completely submerged. Cover the bowl and put it in the fridge. This will give you at least another week to finish the leftovers!

QUICK TIP: Lunchbox Love for School-Aged Children

Make your little ones feel special by creating some 'Lunchbox Love' for their lunches! Use colourful and cheery cardstock or scrapbook to produce little notes they can read while at school :)

Tip of the Day #237: Hang Pictures Easily

A useful tip for hanging pictures or wall decor is to use TOOTHPASTE! Dab a small amount on the back where all screws/nails will go, find your perfect place on the wall, press frame firmly against the wall-- and you're all set to hammer in your nails. It's that simple!

Tip of the Day #236: Easy Cleaning on Cupboard Tops

You may not think about this area very often--probably because you rarely see the top of your kitchen cabinets, that doesn't mean they aren't busy getting dusty and dirty. Grease, humidity and general kitchen use can make this a tricky and icky spot to clean. Forget the hassle and bust out a pantry staple to do the dirty work for you--WAX PAPER.

To keep the top of your kitchen cabinets (and tall armoires, bookcases and storage units) clean, simply tear a sheet the same depth as the cabinet and let it sit. It will collect the greasy, dusty goo that collects and then every few months you can change it out and ditch the collected junk. Easy peasy!

Tip of the Day #235: How to Clean Faucets Effectively

Soak a rag or cloth in white vinegar, then spread overtop of your faucet (including taps). Leave for 1-2 hours then wipe away all debris. If some dirt still remains in crevices, take an old toothbrush and scrub away!

DIY i-SPY Game

I guarantee this will occupy your kiddos for hours!

I have two very active children, so I am constantly looking for ways to occupy them. While brainstorming one night recently, I thought of this cute little game to make! It's easy, quick and doesn't require many materials.

So what's the object of the game? You create a game card with a list of the objects included in the bottle. Your kids have to shake the tube around to search for the items that you have hidden within the rice and tick them off!

When making, 'layer' the rice--in other words, you must pour the rice in, add a little trinket or two, then add more rice and so on. This is so all objects do not float along the top. Also, leave about 1 inch at the top of the bottle to ensure the rice is easy to shake around.

Some items you can include are:

-stickers
-bottle caps
-marbles
-beads
-bouncy balls
-barbie shoes
-fake flower petals
-pen lids
-little balls of foil
-small erasers
-dinky cars
-paper clips

Or anything small around your home!

WARNING: Always remember to seal the lid tightly on the bottle to ensure no small children can ingest any objects.

Tip of the Day #234: Organizing Office Supplies

We all know how office supplies from paper clips to elastic bands can really get out of hand and cause major clutter. I suggest using an ice cube tray or two to place the different items in each spot--then place in a cupboard or deak drawer. Remember to always return the objects to their designated area when necessary.

Tip of the Day #233: Dealing with Odors in Garbage Bins

Odor producing mold and bacteria in garbage cans can be dealt with by sprinkling 1/2 cup Borax in the bottom of the garbage can.

Tip of the Day #232: Best way to Disinfect Sponges & Cloths

 To disinfect smelly sponges, wash sponge thoroughly, then microwave it while it is wet, for a short period. When you see steam from the sponge, the bacteria in the sponge will be dead. Remove carefully, it will be hot! Wash the sponge thoroughly before use.

**Make sure the sponge has no metal components!**

Tip of the Day #231: Dealing with a Stye in your Eye

If you have a stye in your eye, boil some water, soak a regular tea bag in the water for about 2 minutes, don't put sugar or milk in the tea! ;) Take the tea bag out as hot as you can stand it and place it over the offending eye until it cools. Repeat this a few times a day.

Tip of the Day #230: Diminish the Looks of Scars

I was burned in a house fire awhile back and I can tell you this method truly works!

Gently massaging a scar after the area is well healed but within the first six months of the injury can help minimize scarring. By massaging you are helping to stretch out and soften the scar be helping break down the tough collagen fibers that are forming as part of the scar maturation.

DIY JEWELRY HOLDER

Since I am overly obsessed with ORGANIZATION, one thing that always bugged me was never having a place to hang all of my necklaces and earrings--leaving me to lose quite a few that became tangled with no hope of fixing! So sad.

When I was at the Dollar Store a few days ago, I came up with a great and inexpensive way to organize these items! I purchased an 8x10 photo frame ($1.50), corkboard sheets ($1.00/20 pack--I used 5 sheets for thickness) and a 100 pack of push pins (1.00--I used 4), making this organizer a total of $1.79!!!!!!! You can't go wrong there!!

To create, all you need to do is replace the glass from the photo frame with a few sheets of corkboard (thick enough that your pins will poke through). Stick your push pins wherever you want and hang your jewelry! I will be placing this organizer on the wall soon, but depending how long your jewelry is, you can choose to leave on your dresser or a table!

-GRILLING TIPS-

-Marinating quickly tenderizes meat and also adds additional flavor. Use roughly 1 to 2 cups of marinade for every 1 1/2 to 2 pounds of food. The marinade should completely surround the food. Cooked meat should never be returned to a cold marinade.

- A secret to tender, moist,tasty meat and fish is the cut you choose. The best cut for grilling steaks is a full one inch thick

- Whenever barbecuing, use tongs to turn the meat. A fork should never be used as it will punch holes in the meat and allow the natural juices to escape, causing the meat to lose flavor and become chewy.

- Tomato and/or sugar based BBQ sauces should be added only at the end of the grilling process, since these products will burn easily and are seldom considered an internal meat flavoring.

Tip of the Day #229: Cut down on Cleaning--Walls & Fixtures

Apply spray starch to doors, knobs, light switches and to painted walls along hallways and stairways where fingerprints accumulate. The coating will resist marks better.

Tip of the Day #228: Repairing a Marked/Dinged Refrigerator

If you have a refrigerator that has taken a 'beating' over the years and may be full of dents, scratches or various other marks, dab some correction fluid on the areas--it will cover the areas up nicely and look natural!
Correction fluid does come in a variety of coloura depending on the shade of your fridge.

Tip of the Day #227: Front Closet Organization

If you have children and little room to store coats, shoes, bags, etc here is a tip for you!
Place 'Command Hooks' (the white sticky ones) low on the walls and/or doors of your closet for your childrens belongings--this way, they are able to hang them up themselves as they are at arms reach and are not left just thrown in with the door shut (at least that's how it used to be in my house!)

Tip of the Day #226: Cleaning your Washing Machine

First of all, make white vinegar your best friend--she will help you out in so many situations, especially this one!

NOTE: This tip works for both top-loading and front-loading machines.

You may notice that your washing machine has quite a bit of soap build-up or in my case, I just recently purchased a used washer that had come from a home with very hard water and left quite a mess (the tub part and rubber folds were full of what looked like rust).

What you need to do is pour 2-3 cups of vinegar into the tub, and run the washing machine through a complete cycle on the hottest setting to remove odors, stains and detergent build up. If it is really bad, you may wish to repeat this process. DO THIS ONCE A MONTH TO MAINTAIN A CLEAN MACHINE.

For the lid/door, scrub around the edge with vinegar to remove mildew and detergent build up, especially where all the rubberized parts are!

Tips:

*To prevent mildewing, leave the lid open after you finish a load to allow the washing machine to dry out.

*Commerical fabric softeners leave build up in the machine. Make vinegar your fabric softener of choice, and the inside of your washing machine won't need to be cleaned as frequently – if at all.

Homemade *Banana Peanut Butter* Ice Cream

I originally saw the idea for this ice cream on Pinterest, but like with any recipe, I always tweak it to my liking. You honestly CANNOT go wrong by trying this idea! Not only is it super tasty (for both adults and kids alike), but it is HEALTHY, GLUTEN-FREE & DAIRY-FREE!! Yes, that must sound a bit funny considering dairy is generally the main ingredient in ice cream, but I assure you that the taste and consistency is the same!

Ingredients:

4 Ripe Bananas
2 tbsps Peanut Butter

Directions:

1. Chop bananas into pieces (size shown in photo)

2. Place flat on baking sheet and place in freezer for 2 hours

3. Remove from freezer and place all pieces in blender -- the bananas may stick a bit to the baking sheet, but just use a plastic spatula or knife to lift off!

4. You MUST have a powerful blender for this recipe to work properly! Begin blending frozen bananas. BE PATIENT--I cannot stress this part enough because it will take awhile to obtain a 'creamy' consistency. The first time I made the recipe, my bananas were almost going 'powdery' and I thought for sure something was wrong but I kept going!

5. Every few minutes, take a spoon and push down the bananas to start forming a base.

6. After the creaminess sets in, add the 2 tbsps of peanut butter.

7. Blend for 1-2 minutes--you will know when it is 'just right.'

8. You can serve right away, but after placing in a bowl, I popped mine back in the freezer for a bit.

I HOPE YOUR FAMILY ENJOYS THIS LITTLE TREAT AS MUCH AS MINE--YOU CAN TELL HOW MUCH MY LITTLE ONES DO BY THE PHOTO POSTED! ;)

Tip of the Day #225: Cleaning your Patio Furniture

For cleaning resin patio furniture, mix 1 part dish soap to 8 parts bleach then wipe on and leave for 30 minutes. Rinse and repeat if neccessary. Comes clean every time!

Tip of the Day #224: Cleaning Shower Door Tracks

These tracks can fill up with so much 'guck' quickly! So, to clean--plug the drain hole in the door track with a little bit of paper towel made into a ball. Pour in undiluted white vinegar. Let this soak for about 30 minutes, unplug the holes and rinse track with a spray bottle of water, then run a rag down it. This will flush the accumulated build-up out of the track.

Tip of the Day #223: Cleaning Plastic Shower Curtains

Put the shower curtain in washing machine with one cup of white vinegar, 1/2 cup of your laundry detergent and several old, light coloured towels. Fill the washer with warm water and run through complete wash and rinse cycle. Remove from water and hang on shower rod immediately.

Tip of the Day #222: Keeping Buttons Secured

I cannot tell you how many times my daughter has come home from school missing buttons from her clothing, and of course, she has no idea where that button may be! :p
So, from now on, I always place a thin layer of clear nail polish on her buttons to keep them in place--the polish hardens and 'glues' the threads to the buttons!
I have even used this tip on a few of my blouses that have a some loose threads! ;)

Tip of the Day #221: Keeping your Trash Safe

Keep animals (like raccoons, dogs & cats) out of your garbage and avoid a huge mess by spraying your bags with insect repellent. The spray will deter, but not harm, the animals.

Tip of the Day #220: Preserving foods in Jars

If you have leftover sauces, soups or other foods in jars, place a double layer of plastic wrap under the metal lid to avoid a chemical reaction happening between the metal and the contents--thus, ensuring the food tastes better for much longer.

Tip of the Day #219: Ripening Fruit

To perfectly ripen your fruit, place in a brown paper bag, in a dark place for a few days!

The Power of Chalk

Chalk isn't just for kids and teachers--there are so many useful benefits to those little white sticks!

Lifts Stains

Grease stains can benefit from some chalk treatment! Rub a piece of white chalk into any grease or butter stain and let it soak up the mess for a few minutes. Then, dust off any excess chalk and launder as usual. The chalk dust will get into the fibers and absorb the oils, making the stain easier to wash out.

Absorbs Moisture

Moisture and humidity can cause silver to tarnish. To slow the process, store a piece with your silver to absorb excess moisture and keep silver from tarnishing. This same method will work in your toolbox to keep your tools from rusting!

Stabilizes Screwdrivers

Rub some chalk on the business end of a screwdriver, and it's less likely to slip as you turn the screw.

Combats Mustiness

Hang a bundle of chalk in your closets and cabinets to keep them from getting damp and musty. The chalk will absorb excess moisture from the air -- humidity that otherwise leads to mustiness.

Repels Ants

To keep ants out of your house, draw chalk lines around your doorways and windowsills. Ants won't cross a chalk line. Why? It's not entirely clear, but some say the ants don't like the particles sticking to their feet, while others say they're averse to the calcium carbonate in the chalk. Whatever the reason, this nontoxic solution will keep ants outside where they belong!

Tip of the Day #218: Grating Cheese

Make that block of cheddar slide across your grater with ease by coating it with a little bit of non-stick cooking spray first. Also spray inside the grater so cheese wont get stuck in there and in turn, makes it easier to clean!

Tip of the Day #217: Dishwasher Tips

1. Save money on dishwasher supplies by purchasing the least expensive brand of detergent/soap. Then just add a few tsps of white vinegar right into your dishwasher before running it--the vinegar cuts grease and is guaranteed to leave your dishes spot-free and sparkling!

2. To clean your dishwasher, place 1 cup of white vinegar (in a bowl or measuring cup) on the top rack. Run of full (empty) cycle on the hottest setting.
Also, placing 1 packet of LEMON Kool-Aid in the dispenser and running a hot cycle as works because of the citric acid in the powder.

These two remedies will definitely help if you deal with hard water in your home! :)

Tip of the Day #216: Getting white socks back to WHITE

We all know white socks can look dingy in no time, but there is an easy remedy to brightening them again! Place socks in a pot of hot  water with 2 lemon slices or 1 tsp of lemon juice. Soak for 10 minutes then wash as normal.

Cleaning your Refrigerator

CLEANSERS

TOOTHPASTE

Non-abrasive toothpaste helps to cleanse and brighten refrigerators without the scratching properties of most household cleansers. Apply liberally with a sponge or rag and scrub until stains disappear. Rinse with a clean rag and warm water.

VINEGAR

Heat a small bowl of vinegar on the stove top or in the microwave and place inside refrigerator for five minutes. The steam and acid will loosen stuck-on foods and allow you to more easily remove them. (You can cut a lemon in half, add to 1 cup water, and heat, as well.)

ODOR REMOVERS

BAKING SODA

Baking soda has been an odor cure-all for centuries. To rid your fridge of offensive odors, add a cup of baking soda to a bowl or plate and place inside refrigerator for 24-hours. Remove and properly dispose of baking soda when done. You can also add an entire box of baking soda to the back of refrigerator to help cut down on odor contamination and keep your refrigerator smelling fresh year round.

**CHARCOAL

Activated charcoal is another great odor absorber--and one of the most effective! Place a dish or bowl of charcoal inside the refrigerator , and allow it to soak up odors for several hours to a few days. Charcoal works well on sour odors. Remove dish when finished and dispose of charcoal.

COFFEE

Fill a plate with freshly ground coffee and place on an empty shelf inside the refrigerator to remove offensive odors. Leave plate in place for several days. This works well on strong odors.

ODOR PREVENTION

TAKE INVENTORY

Once a week or immediately before going grocery shopping, take inventory of the contents of your refrigerator. Remove outdated foods promptly.

PROPER STORAGE

Always store leftovers, opened packages of meats and cheeses, perishable items, and strong foods in separate airtight containers. Foods which remain uncovered absorb odors from other foods and also contaminate other items, like fruits and vegetables.

WASH THE MEAT DRAWER

The meat drawer is the coldest part of your refrigerator and the most ideal place to store and thaw meats. Always use the drawer to avoid cross contamination of bacteria and foodborne illness. Also, clean the drawer when necessary. When meat juices have spilled over into the drawer, remove drawer and wash thoroughly with hot water and dish soap.

CLEAN UP IMMEDIATELY

Clean spills up immediately! Use hot water and dish soap to wipe spilled food items from drawers, racks, and refrigerator walls and shelves. Uncleaned surfaces lead to bacteria, mold, mildew, odor, and possible food borne illness.

Tip of the Day #215: Easy Deviled Eggs

When making deviled eggs, place the egg yolks in a plastic Ziploc bag with the rest of the ingredients you wish to use. Close the bag and mash everything together. Once everything is well mixed, cut off a small tip from one of the bottom corners of the bag and squeeze the contents into your egg white. Just toss the bag once you are done for easy cleanup!

Tip of the Day #214: Pizza Cutter Uses

When cutting or dicing veggies or meat (ex: scrambled eggs or stirfry), using a pizza cutter will make the job a lot quicker than chopping with a knife.

Tip of the Day #213: Toothpaste on Yellow Nails

Whiten nails all up by rubbing toothpaste to remove the stains. You can also add a few drops of lemon for extra whitening, it’s a natural bleaching agent!

Tip of the Day #212: Uses for Q-Tips

Candle-Lighter- If the wick on your candle is burned out, dip the end of a Q-tip in rubbing alcohol, light the end and you can now reach that burnt down wick.

Dust Buster- Use a Q-tip to dust the creases and cracks of a picture frame or statue.

Zipper Un-sticker- Is your zipper stuck?  Dip that cotton end in olive oil to act as a lubricant and rub on the zipper for an easy zip.

Electronics Cleaner- Q-tips can be used to clean CDs, DVD players, radios,  cameras and computers.

Kid Paintbrush- It is obvious; kids make a mess when painting, so they might as well use a brush that you can throw away and is easy to hold in their little hands!  Use a Q-tip to eliminate a mess.

Tip of the Day #211: *REPOST* Eggs in the Oven

For anyone that may not know, the BEST way to make hard-boiled eggs is in the oven! Place your eggs in a muffin tray so they do not roll around, then pop in the oven for 25-30 minutes at 325 F degrees. Not only are they tastier, but they become much easier to peel! Do not worry, they will never explode...well unless you have a very powerful oven! :)