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!