Helpful Hints: General

• Instead of spraying chemicals into the air when “refreshing” a small room, try lighting a match.  It works like a charm.  Also, simmering spices like cloves and cinnamon sticks in some water on the stove is an excellent way of creating a warm scent to freshen up a larger area.
• Try going back to basics with cleaning products. A solution of vinegar and water can be used to clean most surfaces in your home.  Baking soda works as a gentle abrasive cleaner as well as a deodorizer.  Used with vinegar, baking soda is excellent at helping unclog drains.  Lemon juice works well to remove soap scum and hard water deposits.   These three items are inexpensive, effective, and won’t harm the environment.
• Crack eggs on a flat surface, rather than the edge of a bowl, and you’ll keep the shell out of your recipe.
• To reduce waste when shipping items, in lieu of packing peanuts and bubble wrap, utilize used newspaper and the smallest box possible.
• In nice weather it’s tempting to take your pet for a ride while you run errands.  However, a car can reach a temperature of 120 degrees, even in the shade with the windows cracked. Pets can suffer from heat stroke, heart and liver damage, heat exhaustion, brain damage, and can even die when left in vehicles.  It’s best if you leave your pet in the comfort of your home.  And, if you happen to see an animal in a car alone on a hot day, contact the store manager or your local police.
• Cut down on electricity by unplugging radios, toasters, blenders, can openers, etc. when not in use.  They draw power even when turned off. 
• Light hard-to-reach candles with a piece of raw spaghetti.
• Forego plastic straws at restaurants, as they are rarely necessary, and millions end up in landfills.  Be brave, go strawless! If you must use a straw for health reasons, reusable ones are available in glass and stainless steel.  Visit http://organicgrace.com/node/884  or http://noplastic.ca/stainless_steel_straws.shtml .  You can also make your own candy straw out of a piece of licorice with the ends cut off.  Sweet!
• Spray your snow shovel with nonstick cooking spray, and the snow will slide off with ease. 
• To prevent static cling, rub nylons with a dryer sheet.
• You can save up to 40% by purchasing large appliances like washers, dryers, and refrigerators in the month of October. 
• To loosen dried on splatters from inside your microwave oven, place water and lemon juice or a slice of lemon in a microwave-safe bowl or mug, and heat until boiling.  Let sit for several minutes with the door closed.  The steam will loosen the mess and make wiping it out a cinch.
• Hair conditioner works very well as a shave cream.  It’s inexpensive, there is one less bottle in the shower, and leaves skin silky smooth. 
• Lifesavers candies are a fun, edible way to hold birthday candles in place.
• Use this restaurant trick to clean your coffee carafe: Swirl a mixture of Kosher salt, vinegar, and some ice cubes in the pot for 30 seconds or so.  Rinse with warm water. 
• To remove water rings on furniture, try rubbing the area with non-gel toothpaste, then buff with a soft cloth.  Or, try applying full-fat mayonnaise, leave for an hour, and wipe clean.
• Rather than using tape, try clear nail polish to seal envelopes.
• Leftover wine can be frozen in ice cube trays, and used for recipes that call for vino. 
• To remove blood from white clothing, soak the stain in hydrogen peroxide.  Let sit for one minute, and rinse with soap and water.  Repeat if necessary. 
• Freshen your garbage disposal by throwing in a wedge or two of lemon or lime before turning it on. 
• That unused Bundt pan in the cabinet works well to freeze juice or ice for floating in your punch bowl. 
• If you have a problem with clutter, try removing three items from a room when you leave it.  You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes.
• Grating cheese is easier if you place it in the freezer for about 30 minutes first.
• If you close the damper on your fireplace when it’s not in use you can save up to $70 per year in heating and cooling costs.
• To clean pots and pans with baked-on foods, fill with hot water, add a fabric softener sheet, and soak overnight.  In the morning, cleanup will be a snap!
• If you’re not one for heating up leftover coffee, pour it into ice cube trays and freeze.  Use the cubes to flavor cold drinks.  It’s a delicious new way to make iced coffee.  Just add milk!
• According to recent studies, only one in four households recycle plastic water bottles.  This results in mountains of waste.  Investing in a Brita water pitcher for your home can drastically reduce plastic from ending up in your local landfill.