27 Practical, Cheap, and Simple Household Hints That Have Been Around For Years

 But First. . . 

 I met Stevie when we were in junior high school. We remain good friends and yesterday she sent the following, asking if they would be beneficial to those who read my blog. Stevie received these tips from another friend, Virginia, who I have known since kindergarten! (That was 1947!) Virginia said they came from an 85 year old woman who goes to her church.

Some of these down-to-earth household hints were familiar and were great  reminders, and some were new to me. They are all so simple----and so practical. Amazingly, except for the Dawn dish-washing liquid and the aerosol air-freshener, all of these products were available "way back then." And like the Energizer bunny, they are still going and still going strong.

Today, we are inundated with products that claim we need them, specifically them, to do the same jobs-expensively! Yeah, right!

Now, to the question that accompanied the e-mail:


How Many of These Do YOU Know About?

========================================= 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.  (Wish I had known this for the last 40 years!). ============================== To remove old wax from a glass candle holder, put it in the freezer for a few hours. Then take the candle holder out and turn it upside down. The wax will fall out. ============================== 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 (like store receipt BLUE!) 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.  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!   ============================== 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 a 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 three 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.   ============================== 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, and 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 ============================== Unclog a drain.  Clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka Seltzer tablets down the drain followed by a cup of  white vinegar. Wait a few minutes, and then run the hot water.. ============================== Do your friends a favor.  Pass this timely (and some not-so-timely) information on to a friend! I know I just did.

 Thanks Stevie and Virginia.