7/31/2007
Hangover Cure
Before you go beddy-bye take two spoonfuls of honey. Before you go to sleep rub cut lemons under your arms... sounds nuts, but it works! When you wake up drink lots of fruit juice. One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milk shake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system. Another great tip is to eat watermelon!
Cleaning Chrome
Chrome Fixtures
Use new or used fabric softener sheets to shine the chrome-plated fixtures in your bathroom and kitchen. The chrome will sparkle like new! Also, for kitchen fixtures, don't toss your lemons after squeezing the juice! Rub the pulp on your faucet and wipe with a cloth for shiny chrome. Then put them through your garbage disposal to sweeten your drain. "To easily wipe away soap scum and other junky stuff from your chrome fixtures and even look alike chrome, simply poor a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a cleaning cloth or papertowel and wipe it away, you don't even have to apply any pressure; it's amazing!"I love this tip because alcohol will kill the germs and it is streak free!
Use new or used fabric softener sheets to shine the chrome-plated fixtures in your bathroom and kitchen. The chrome will sparkle like new! Also, for kitchen fixtures, don't toss your lemons after squeezing the juice! Rub the pulp on your faucet and wipe with a cloth for shiny chrome. Then put them through your garbage disposal to sweeten your drain. "To easily wipe away soap scum and other junky stuff from your chrome fixtures and even look alike chrome, simply poor a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a cleaning cloth or papertowel and wipe it away, you don't even have to apply any pressure; it's amazing!"I love this tip because alcohol will kill the germs and it is streak free!
7/30/2007
ALTERNATIVES FOR HOUSEHOLD CLEANING SOLUTIONS
The improper disposal of household chemicals can be hazardous to people and their environment. While one home's pollution may be small, the effect of many can be significant. Each month an average community of 158,000 people discards 6 tons of toilet bowl cleaner, 22 tons of liquid household cleaner and 5.5 tons of motor oil. Landfills, storm drains and sewage treatment plants are not designed to treat chemical wastes. Without special treatment, the chemicals stay in the environment and move into recreational and drinking water supplies. Everyone must help to solve this problem. Here's some safer and less hazardous alternatives to chemicals. Call (313) 923-2240 for the latest information.
HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS
Furniture:
Polish:
Equal parts mineral oil and lemon oil or:
Equal parts mineral oil and Murphy's Oil Soap.
Wood:
2 T. olive oil, 1 T. white vinegar in 1 qt. warm water. Spray, then dry with soft cloth.
Upholstered:
6 T. soap flakes, 1 pt. boiling water, 2 T. borax.
Leather:
Murphy's Oil Soap.
Floors:
Cleaner:
1/4 c. white vinegar, 1/4 c. washing soda (sodium carbonate) in 1 gal. warm water.
Painted Wood:
1 T. washing soda in 1 gal. warm water.
Vinyl, Natural Wood:
Murphy's Oil Soap.
Wax Remover:
3 T. washing soda in 1 qt. warm water.
All Purpose Cleaner:
Baking soda and water for ovens, cutting boards, coffee stains, toilets, basin, tub and tile.
Water mixed with salt or borax for Formica.
Baking soda and vinegar for crusted food in pans.
Oven Cleaner:
Put salt on spills while warm.
Loosen soil with 1/4 c. ammonia left overnight.
Deodorizer:
Baking soda or vinegar in open dish.
Air out room.
Fresh flowers or herbs.
Mix 2 c. of corn meal and 1 box of borax and sprinkle on carpet, leave 15 minutes, then vacuum.
Disinfectant:
Borax and water solution, then keep area aired out and dry.
1 T. bleach in 1 gal. of warm water (wipe on a clean surface and let air dry).
Stain Removal:
For rust or hard water deposits: vinegar or lemon juice.
For copper pots: lemon halves dipped in salt (or rub with vinegar).
For coffee cups: baking soda.
For general use: corn meal and water mixed into paste.
Personal Care Products:
Avoid aerosols, use pump sprays.
GARAGE/BASEMENT
Paint, Paint Remover: Use water based latex paints.
Use sandpaper and sander as paint remover.
Pesticides:
Boric acid for cockroaches, traps for rats and mice (Pesticides will not be effective if the pests' shelter, food and water are not removed).
Wood Preservatives:
Purchase pre-treated wood.
LAUNDRY
Detergent:
Soap, borax or washing soda or use less detergent.
Softener:
1/4 c. vinegar in wash cycle.
Dry Cleaner Fluid/Spot Remover:
Soap, cornstarch or vinegar.
Starch;
1 T. cornstarch to 1 pt. water.
Bleach:
Use powdered rather than liquid bleach.
HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS
Furniture:
Polish:
Equal parts mineral oil and lemon oil or:
Equal parts mineral oil and Murphy's Oil Soap.
Wood:
2 T. olive oil, 1 T. white vinegar in 1 qt. warm water. Spray, then dry with soft cloth.
Upholstered:
6 T. soap flakes, 1 pt. boiling water, 2 T. borax.
Leather:
Murphy's Oil Soap.
Floors:
Cleaner:
1/4 c. white vinegar, 1/4 c. washing soda (sodium carbonate) in 1 gal. warm water.
Painted Wood:
1 T. washing soda in 1 gal. warm water.
Vinyl, Natural Wood:
Murphy's Oil Soap.
Wax Remover:
3 T. washing soda in 1 qt. warm water.
All Purpose Cleaner:
Baking soda and water for ovens, cutting boards, coffee stains, toilets, basin, tub and tile.
Water mixed with salt or borax for Formica.
Baking soda and vinegar for crusted food in pans.
Oven Cleaner:
Put salt on spills while warm.
Loosen soil with 1/4 c. ammonia left overnight.
Deodorizer:
Baking soda or vinegar in open dish.
Air out room.
Fresh flowers or herbs.
Mix 2 c. of corn meal and 1 box of borax and sprinkle on carpet, leave 15 minutes, then vacuum.
Disinfectant:
Borax and water solution, then keep area aired out and dry.
1 T. bleach in 1 gal. of warm water (wipe on a clean surface and let air dry).
Stain Removal:
For rust or hard water deposits: vinegar or lemon juice.
For copper pots: lemon halves dipped in salt (or rub with vinegar).
For coffee cups: baking soda.
For general use: corn meal and water mixed into paste.
Personal Care Products:
Avoid aerosols, use pump sprays.
GARAGE/BASEMENT
Paint, Paint Remover: Use water based latex paints.
Use sandpaper and sander as paint remover.
Pesticides:
Boric acid for cockroaches, traps for rats and mice (Pesticides will not be effective if the pests' shelter, food and water are not removed).
Wood Preservatives:
Purchase pre-treated wood.
LAUNDRY
Detergent:
Soap, borax or washing soda or use less detergent.
Softener:
1/4 c. vinegar in wash cycle.
Dry Cleaner Fluid/Spot Remover:
Soap, cornstarch or vinegar.
Starch;
1 T. cornstarch to 1 pt. water.
Bleach:
Use powdered rather than liquid bleach.
Less toxic alternatives
AIR FRESHENERS/DEODORIZERS
1.)Leave open boxes of baking soda in refrigerators, closets and bathrooms.
2.)Saturate a cotton ball with pure vanilla; place on a saucer in refrigerator or car.
3.)Set out white vinegar in open dishes to destroy odors.
4.)Set out potpourri in open dishes.
5.)Burn scented candles.
CLEANERS
1.)Mix vinegar with salt and water for a good surface cleaner
2.)Dissolve baking soda in water for a general cleaner.
3.)For washing dishes by hand, use 1/2 c. baking soda with a mild dishwashing liquid to help cut grease and food.
4.)For automatic dishwashers choose a detergent with the lowest phosphate content listed on the package.
5.)For a good glass cleaner combine a quart of water with 1/4 to 1/2 c. of white vinegar, 1 to 2 T. of lemon juice or 1 to 2 T. rubbing alcohol.
MILDEW CLEANERS
1.)Scrub mildew spots with baking soda or Borax; or sponge with white vinegar.
2.)Scrub area with a paste of lemon juice or white vinegar and salt.
3.)To clean mildew from a shower curtain: machine wash with 1/2 c. soap and 1/2 c. baking soda adding 1c. of white vinegar to the rinse cycle.
UPHOLSTERY RUG & CARPET CLEANERS
1.)Use a non-aerosol soap based cleaner.
2.)Clean spills immediately with club soda.
3.)To clean red wine stains, rub a thick layer of salt on the spill then sponge up after the spill has been absorbed.
SCOURING POWDERS
1.)Use baking soda or salt.
2.)Use a non-chlorinated commercial scouring powder.
TOILET BOWL CLEANERS
1.)Scrub with a solution of 1/2 c. Borax in a gallon of water for cleaning and disinfecting.
2.)Clean frequently with a solution of baking soda and water. Sprinkle baking soda around the rim and scrub with a toilet brush as needed.
DRAIN OPENERS
1.)To unclog a drain, pour 1/4 c. of baking soda down the drain followed by 1/2 c. of white vinegar. Let sit for a few minutes then pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain to flush.
2.)Pour 1/4 c. salt down the drain, followed by boiling water, to keep drains unclogged.
3.)Pouring boiling water down the drain once a week can keep it from getting blocked.
4.)To prevent clogged drains, always use a drain strainer. Use a mechanical snake or plunger to unclog a drain.
1.)Leave open boxes of baking soda in refrigerators, closets and bathrooms.
2.)Saturate a cotton ball with pure vanilla; place on a saucer in refrigerator or car.
3.)Set out white vinegar in open dishes to destroy odors.
4.)Set out potpourri in open dishes.
5.)Burn scented candles.
CLEANERS
1.)Mix vinegar with salt and water for a good surface cleaner
2.)Dissolve baking soda in water for a general cleaner.
3.)For washing dishes by hand, use 1/2 c. baking soda with a mild dishwashing liquid to help cut grease and food.
4.)For automatic dishwashers choose a detergent with the lowest phosphate content listed on the package.
5.)For a good glass cleaner combine a quart of water with 1/4 to 1/2 c. of white vinegar, 1 to 2 T. of lemon juice or 1 to 2 T. rubbing alcohol.
MILDEW CLEANERS
1.)Scrub mildew spots with baking soda or Borax; or sponge with white vinegar.
2.)Scrub area with a paste of lemon juice or white vinegar and salt.
3.)To clean mildew from a shower curtain: machine wash with 1/2 c. soap and 1/2 c. baking soda adding 1c. of white vinegar to the rinse cycle.
UPHOLSTERY RUG & CARPET CLEANERS
1.)Use a non-aerosol soap based cleaner.
2.)Clean spills immediately with club soda.
3.)To clean red wine stains, rub a thick layer of salt on the spill then sponge up after the spill has been absorbed.
SCOURING POWDERS
1.)Use baking soda or salt.
2.)Use a non-chlorinated commercial scouring powder.
TOILET BOWL CLEANERS
1.)Scrub with a solution of 1/2 c. Borax in a gallon of water for cleaning and disinfecting.
2.)Clean frequently with a solution of baking soda and water. Sprinkle baking soda around the rim and scrub with a toilet brush as needed.
DRAIN OPENERS
1.)To unclog a drain, pour 1/4 c. of baking soda down the drain followed by 1/2 c. of white vinegar. Let sit for a few minutes then pour a kettle of boiling water down the drain to flush.
2.)Pour 1/4 c. salt down the drain, followed by boiling water, to keep drains unclogged.
3.)Pouring boiling water down the drain once a week can keep it from getting blocked.
4.)To prevent clogged drains, always use a drain strainer. Use a mechanical snake or plunger to unclog a drain.
Removing Wax
REMOVE WAX FROM CARPETING
Place a paper towel over the stain and draw the wax up into it by placing a warm iron over the paper towel (this is called "capillary action"); repeat if necessary. Sponge the stained area with 1 c. isopropyl alcohol and 2-3 c. water if the stain remains. Sponge from the outside to the inside of the stain. Be very sure not to get the area too wet or you can bring up a stain from the padding.
REMOVE CANDLE WAX FROM FURNITURE
Turn stained furniture upside down. Put a piece of cotton cloth (T-shirt) over the wax stain. Using a hot chrome or metal finish curling iron, heat wax and let it melt into the cloth. This may take several applications to fully remove the wax.
REMOVE CANDLE WAX ON MATERIAL
Remove the excess the best you can. This is best done by putting an ice cube on the wax to harden it, then peeling or scraping off the excess wax. Then place an absorbent piece of paper underneath, such as a brown paper bag. Put a white paper towel on top. Place a warm (not hot) iron on top over the paper towel and it should draw the wax up to the towel.
REMOVE CANDLE WAX FROM CANDLE HOLDERS
Put candle holders in the freezer til wax is frozen. Chip the wax off. Or, put holders under very hot water and wipe wax off.
Place a paper towel over the stain and draw the wax up into it by placing a warm iron over the paper towel (this is called "capillary action"); repeat if necessary. Sponge the stained area with 1 c. isopropyl alcohol and 2-3 c. water if the stain remains. Sponge from the outside to the inside of the stain. Be very sure not to get the area too wet or you can bring up a stain from the padding.
REMOVE CANDLE WAX FROM FURNITURE
Turn stained furniture upside down. Put a piece of cotton cloth (T-shirt) over the wax stain. Using a hot chrome or metal finish curling iron, heat wax and let it melt into the cloth. This may take several applications to fully remove the wax.
REMOVE CANDLE WAX ON MATERIAL
Remove the excess the best you can. This is best done by putting an ice cube on the wax to harden it, then peeling or scraping off the excess wax. Then place an absorbent piece of paper underneath, such as a brown paper bag. Put a white paper towel on top. Place a warm (not hot) iron on top over the paper towel and it should draw the wax up to the towel.
REMOVE CANDLE WAX FROM CANDLE HOLDERS
Put candle holders in the freezer til wax is frozen. Chip the wax off. Or, put holders under very hot water and wipe wax off.
7/29/2007
Toothache stopper
Cut a piece of fresh onion and place it on the side of your mouth where the tooth ache is coming from. It works almost immediately. And if you begin to feel a little pain again, just very slightly bite into the onion, just enough to let some juice escape. This works great for tooth aches that keep you awake at night or from doing work during the day. Sweet onion is best.
7/28/2007
Cold and Flu Remedies
There are probably more myths, mysteries and bizarre home remedies associated with colds than any other ailment. Colds and flu are caused by viruses, rather than bacteria, so antibiotics don't work.
> First, get lots of rest. Stay warm and dry. Because fever causes dehydration, drink plenty of fluids. For a sore throat, gargle with warm saltwater every four hours.
>If there is vomiting or diarrhea, stick to clear liquids. Otherwise, eat as you normally would. In fact, some home remedies urge you to eat all the spicy foods you can stand to clear the congestion of a cold.
> Spicy foods make your nose and eyes run, which helps clear congestion. Some foods such as cloves and hot peppers have an expectorant effect that helps you cough up mucus and keep your lungs clear.
> Since you probably don't feel like being around people when you have a cold, load up on garlic. Some people crush a few cloves of garlic and use them in a sandwich spread. Others make tea out of them. You can also take garlic capsules.
> First, get lots of rest. Stay warm and dry. Because fever causes dehydration, drink plenty of fluids. For a sore throat, gargle with warm saltwater every four hours.
>If there is vomiting or diarrhea, stick to clear liquids. Otherwise, eat as you normally would. In fact, some home remedies urge you to eat all the spicy foods you can stand to clear the congestion of a cold.
> Spicy foods make your nose and eyes run, which helps clear congestion. Some foods such as cloves and hot peppers have an expectorant effect that helps you cough up mucus and keep your lungs clear.
> Since you probably don't feel like being around people when you have a cold, load up on garlic. Some people crush a few cloves of garlic and use them in a sandwich spread. Others make tea out of them. You can also take garlic capsules.
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