3.23.2010

Here's a Tip Tuesday!

Welcome to another HATT! The weeks are just flying by, and I'm ready for the warm weather to stick around.

Today I will go over some creative uses for 3 everyday household items.

THE DRYER SHEET

Keep bugs away: Tuck some in your pocket or under lawn furniture to repel bees and other insects
In the kitchen: Soak cookware with burnt or baked-on food in warm water, with a dryer sheet or two. Makes clean-up a breeze. Also works on cook tops.
Clean paint brushes: Soak your used paintbrushes in warm water with a dryer sheet, and that pesky latex paint will come off in no time.
In toilet paper: Roll up a dryer sheet in your toilet paper roll. Each time you spin, it releases a little freshness into your bathroom.



THE LEMON

Cleaning the microwave: Popping popcorn or cooking something with a strong odor in the mircowave can really leave its mark. Once you have sprayed down and wiped off excess loose dirt, add a cup of water with a few slices of lemon. Heat for 4 minutes on high. Remove and wipe excess dirt once again. Add a fresh cup of water with a few slices of lemon and heat for another 3 minutes. The microwave should be as good as new!
Garlic be gone: After chopping fresh garlic, rub your hands with a cut lemon. I also like i sprinkle my fingers with baking soda or Kosher salt before I use the lemon. The smell of garlic on my hands drives me crazy!
Sanitize a chopping block: Run a slice of lemon over the surface to disinfect.



ALKA-SELTZER

Clean jewelry: Drop your dull-looking jewelry in a glass of fizzing Alka-Seltzer for a couple of minutes. It will sparkle and shine when you pull it out.
Unclog a drain: Drop a couple of Alka-Seltzer tablets down the opening, then pour in a cup of vinegar. Wait a few minutes and then run the hot water at full force to clear the clog. This is also a good way to eliminate drain odors.
Clean your toilet: Believe it or not it is an effective toilet bowl cleaner too. Drop a couple of tablets into the bowl for 20 minutes or so. When you return, a few swipes with a toilet brush will leave your bowl gleaming.


Have any tried and true uses for common household items?

5 comments:

  1. I use baking soda to clean my shower!! It is amazing.. I used to scrub and scrub with those nasty chemicals and now it is a cinch! I heard that dryer sheets can clean your shower doors as well.. I haven't tried it yet but plan to soon. I am going to try the alka-seltzer on my sink for drain odors and the slices of lemon and water for my microwave! My goal is to not use any cleaning products from the store.. safe for the environment and will save me money! Love you blog!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Great tips there! I like the jewelery one, and the garlic of my fingers, I will try that next time:) Have a great day!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Just the other day, I learned if you cut a lemon in half, dip it in salt, you can scrub your pots with them and they'll look shiny & new! I haven't tried it yet, but a friend says it works great!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great tips!

    Can I add-
    Lemon~ freeze left over rind for a quick way to clean and deoderize your garbage disposal.
    Great tips~ Need to get me some Alka Seltzer! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  5. I haven't tried it yet but plan to soon. I am going to try the alka-seltzer on my sink for drain odors and the slices of lemon and water for my microwave! My goal is to not use any cleaning products from the store.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to share your thoughts :)