Life tips
Speed Up the Clothes-Drying Process
In a hurry and put your clothes in the dryer a little late? Throw a dry towel in there and it’ll help soak up some of the excess moisture. And if you’re worried about towel fuzz, just turn your clothing inside out while it dries.
Clean Up Dust, Dirt and Crumbs Using Tape and/or a Lint Roller
Use a strong adhesive tape or a lint roller to pick up dust, dirt and crumbs pretty much anywhere around the house — lamp shades, drawers, fabrics — anything!
Even To Remove Red Wine Stains From a Wall
Yes, every once in a while, red wine may end up on a white wall. Magic Erasers work for that, too!
Clean Stove Knobs, Grates and Drip Pans
Throw them in the dishwasher! They’ll come out looking like brand new!
Clean Your Dishwasher
If your dishwasher isn’t clean, it can’t do its job of cleaning your dishes. Keeping the appliance in tip-top shape will also make it last longer. There’s an easy way to get rid of all that nasty built-up food debris, grease and soap scum. Gather some white vinegar, baking soda and a dishwasher-safe container — and follow these three steps to make your dishwasher sparkle again!
Clean the Microwave
Microwaves can get pretty messy, but there’s an easy way to make yours shine again. Put equal amounts of water and vinegar in a microwave-safe bowl, along with a small wooden object, such as a toothpick, to prevent boiling. Then set it on high for 5 to 10 minutes. Wait a couple minutes to let it cool, then when you open it up, all you have to do is wipe down the inside of the microwave with a sponge or paper towel. Voila! Clean microwave without the hassle of expensive (and often non-effective) cleaners. You can also add lemon to the mixture for a fresh, clean scent!
Clean the Bottom of Dirty Cleats and Sneakers With a Toothbrush
Run hot water on the bottom of the shoes and use a toothbrush to scrub off any remaining mud or dirt that won’t wash off with water.
Freshen Up Smelly Sneakers
Just sprinkle some baking soda in your sneakers to keep them smelling fresh, and then when you’re ready to wear them again, just tap it out outside.
Unclog a Drain
Forget buying those expensive cleaning products. All you need is vinegar, baking soda and boiling water to unclog a drain. Watch the video below to see how it works.
Remove Common Household Stains
Most of these will work on both furniture and carpet:
- Juice: Blot with solution of one teaspoon dishwashing liquid (like Ivory) in one cup warm water.
- Gravy: Pretreat with a paste of Fels-Naptha soap, then wash. Repeat if necessary. Don’t put item in the dryer until the stain is gone.
- Mustard: Apply repeated applications of detergent solution to remove solids. When stain is reduced, rinse and dry in bright sunlight.
- Lipstick: Blot with acetone-based nail-polish remover, followed by the detergent solution, and rinse.
- Wine: Blot with water. If stain remains, try the detergent solution. Three-percent hydrogen peroxide is effective on red wine.