House Tips
ELECTRONICS
When the power goes out, be sure to turn off the television so that once the power goes back on, you can avoid a blown fuse. During thunderstorms it’s a good idea to turn off the television.
Wrap tv remotes in plastic bags to keep them clean and free of spills.
To keep dust from accumulating on your television screen, wipe it with a Dryer Sheet.
REFRIGERATORS
Crumpling newspaper and lining the vegatable drawer of the fridge will help keep veggies crisp!
To eliminate odors, place a bowl of cotton balls soaked in plain vanilla extract in the fresh food section.
Wrapping celery in aluminum foil when storing it in the fridge will help it keep for weeks.
Never store tomatoes in the refrigerator! Besides losing their nutritional value, they will also lose their flavor.
Never use disinfectants to clean the fridge – foods will pick up the taste and odor.
Candles will last longer if you put them in the freezer for at least 3 hours before burning.
Brush fresh meat with oil before freezing to help keep it moist and prevent any drying out.
If you’re in a hurry for ice cubes, leave 3 or 4 frozen cubes in the tray and fill the other portions with cold water. The new ice cubes will freeze in half the time.
LAUNDRY
Itchy Woolen Sweater? — Try washing woolens in warm water that has had 1 to 2 tablespoons of glycerine (available in drugstores) added.
When laundering clothes, add detergent to washer first. Pouring detergent on clothing can cause fabric to fade.
To Keep Dark Fabrics and Corduroy lint-free, add one cup white vinegar to the last rinse cycle.
To perk up faded jeans, wash them a few times with a pair of new jeans. The dye from the new pair will be absorbed by the faded jeans.
When drying only one or two items, toss in a few items of varying size to promote good tumbling action and improve drying results.
To dust pillows and curtains, put them in the dryer and set it on cool or air dry. You can also throw in a dryer sheet to freshen them up.
For drying puffy or thick items, like coats, comforters or stuffed animals, add clean, new tennis balls with them in the dryer. The tennis ball helps them stay fluffy, helps them dry completely and eliminates lint.
To maintain high efficiency in your dryer, try to clean the lint screen after each load. If possible, vacuum any visible lint buildup in other parts of the appliance.
DISHWASHING
You can easily get rid of bacteria in your sponges by running them through the dishwasher.
Place large trays and cookie sheets near the sides of the dishwasher, not in the middle because that will prevent water from reaching the rest of the dishes.
A dishwasher with a stainless-steel interior costs more, but will be worth the investment. It should last approximately 20 to 25 years, while model with a plastic interior will last only about half that time.
Place glassware on the prongs of the top rack of the dishwasher to keep them from moving and protect them from breaking.
Baking soda is the key to keeping your dishwasher smelling fresh. Place some in a bowl and leave inside the dishwasher for about a day.
SMALL APPLIANCES
Sprinkle 1/4 cup of baking soda on the bottom of the dishwasher before running a load. This will help loosen dried food sticking to your dishes and keep them smelling fresh.
Rub an iron with aluminum foil to remove burnt on starch, etc.
Cool left over french toast or pancakes, seal them in self sealing plastic bags, then freeze them in single layers. Pop in your toaster to reheat.
To peel onions more easily, place them in a covered container and microwave for 1-2 minutes at 100% power. This will also help remove the “hot” flavor from the onions.
Freshen chips, crackers and day-old bread and rolls by microwaving 2 cups for 1 minute at 100% power, uncovered.
For longer lasting sponges, microwave the sponge until it’s steaming. This kills the bacteria and allows you to use the sponge for a longer period of time.