Monday, March 26, 2012

TIPS & TRICKS -MARCH

MARCH

Vanilla Extract

Clean the microwave and leave it smelling sweet with this household trick! Mix 2 cups of water and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract in a microwave-safe container, and zap it on high for five minutes. When it's done, remove the container and wipe down the interior of the oven. Any gunk should slide right off.


Coffee Filter

Wipe down all TVs, computers, other screens and mirrors with a coffee filter (minus the brew grounds!), and voila, dust-free!


Eggshells

Having trouble cleaning narrow-necked bottles and vases? Drop a handful of crushed eggshells into the bottle, add warm water and a squirt of dishwashing liquid, and swirl it around. The shells will scrape off any hard-to-reach spots.


Bread

It’s not just the best part of your sandwich. Bread is also great for dusting paintings that can be harmed by traditional cleaners. And its naturally sticky texture is great for picking up small pieces of broken glass.


Cornstarch

It’s a staple for gravies, stews...and carpet stains! Just mix it with water to make a paste and treat on the spot. Its absorbing power will soak up the stain.


Baking Soda

Mix with water to create a natural cleaner that’s great for everything from dirty sneakers to scuffs on walls. We love to use it to clean stainless steel in the kitchen without scratching. Sprinkle baking soda onto a clean, damp sponge or cloth, and wipe the sink clean; then rinse thoroughly.


Small Vases

Sort and store cooking utensils in a vase on your kitchen counter. Group spoons, whisks and spatulas together in a wide-mouth vase (or several of them, depending on how many utensils you have). They’ll be reachable when you’re cooking and will allow for space in the drawer to store less frequently used utensils (like an ice cream scoop or a rolling pin).

Large Vases and Vessels

Have  leftover vases from your wedding or a recent party? Put any large hurricanes, glass umbrella stands or tall cylinders to work in your home. Stack extra toilet paper inside the vase for a clean, modern look in your bathroom. 

Ice Cube Tray

Don’t toss old ice cube trays! Give them a second life as jewelry organizers for necklaces, bracelets, brooches and rings. Fill the trays with your baubles and slide them into a drawer for easy picking.

Nail Polish

Yes, nail polish can actually help you stay organized when applied to keys. Instead of fumbling through your key ring, make your front-door key stand out by painting the top part a bright color. Or if you have two keys that look similar, paint them each a bright color so you can differentiate at a glance.

Old Magazines

If you’re already tight on floor space in a tiny closet, you definitely don’t want tall boots taking over when they slouch and fold over. Maximize your closet space by rolling up old magazines and stuffing them in boots. 

Six-Pack Container

Next time you polish off a six-pack, keep the cardboard carrying case. It’s the perfect size to keep your ketchup, mustard and salad dressings organized in the refrigerator where they keep falling over every time you open the door. Extra points for covering the cardboard in a pretty paper so you can take the holder from the fridge to the table for dinner.







No comments:

Post a Comment