From: Spring

~*~  A large one liter plastic soda bottle can make an excellent hot water 
bottle in an emergency.  Make sure you wrap it in a hand towel before 
applying it to your skin.

~*~  A moist Heating Pad Substitute:
Moisten the pad of a disposable diaper, then heat the diaper in the 
microwave.  You'll have a reusable heating pad that will seal in the 
moisture and is easy to wrap and secure around joints and aching 
muscles.  Be careful not to overheat the diaper.  If that happens, let it 
cool before applying.

~*~  To clean your can opener, try running a piece of paper towel through 
it.  This will pick up the grease and some of the gunk.

~*~  Black soot marks on candles are unsightly and can be removed with 
rubbing alcohol.

~*~  If you want to revive the beauty of leather, try beating two egg 
whites lightly, then applying the mixture to the leather with a soft 
sponge.  Allow it to remain on for 3-5 minutes before cleaning off with a 
soft cloth, just dampened with clear warm water.  Dry immediately and buff 
off any residues.

~*~  If you wish to make a unique salad dressing just place a small amount 
of olive oil and wine vinegar inside an almost empty ketchup bottle and shake.

~*~  Don't bother buying fancy dust cloths that are treated to attract dust 
when all you have to do is to dip a piece of cheesecloth in a mixture of 2 
cups of water and ¼ cup of lemon oil.  Allow the cheesecloth to air dry and 
it will do just as good as the expensive cloth.

~*~  Dusting Nooks and Crannies:
Use a natural-bristle paintbrush to remove dust from the inside corners of 
picture frames, chandelier chains, cloth lamp shades, ruffled or pleated 
lamp shades, pleated tops of draperies, carved furniture, the area where 
chair padding meets the wood, and other places where a duster is inadequate 
for the task.

~*~  The glue on any type of contact paper will easily melt by running a 
warm iron over it or using a hair dryer on high heat.

~*~  Almost any soft rubber ball including tennis balls can be brought back 
to life and the bounce returned by leaving the balls in an oven with only 
the pilot light overnight.  This will cause expansion of the air inside the 
ball.

~*~  For dented ping-pong balls, put them in boiling water until the dent 
pops out.

~*~  Large sugar and flour bags can be used to store ice cubes.  They are 
much thicker than plastic bags.  Rubbing a clean, lightly dampened, dishrag 
on the inside of the bag will remove any sugar granules that might still be 
lurking about.

~*~  If you get stuck in snow or mud, try using your car floor mat or a 
blanket kept in the trunk for traction.

~*~  Used milk cartons can be filled with old candle wax and kept in the 
car for emergencies.  Place a long candle in the center for the wick.  It 
will burn for hours.

~*~  What is the difference between a car polish and a wax?
A car polish is only meant to enhance and restore the luster to a wax 
coating.  They remove dirt and debris trapped in the wax and restore a 
smooth finish to the surface.  The polish will not provide any protection, 
it will just keep the wax clean.

~*~  Paint a strip of luminous paint around the handle of a flashlight or 
put on a strip of fluorescent tape to be able to locate it in the dark.

~*~  To avoid fruit flies, keep fresh basil in the fruit bowl or a pot of 
basil nearby.

~*~  Sprinkle baking soda in hampers to eliminate odors.  The baking soda 
can go in with the clothes to boost cleaning.

~*~  Make your own Premoistened Towelettes:
Mix a few tablespoons of baby oil with one cup soapy water.  Soak paper 
towels in this solution and tuck them into plastic bags to use in the 
nursery.  Or carry them in a diaper bag or purse for quick cleanups.

~*~  To recycle shoulder pads:
* Sew them together by hand to make a potholder
* Use absorbent ones as polishing cloths or shoe shiners

~*~  To Clean Stuffed Toys:
*  Check the label. If washable, tie the toy in a mesh bag or pillowcase or 
tie a nylon stocking over the head to protect any parts that might come 
off.  Wash with warm water on the gentle cycle, adding a couple of bath 
towels for balance.  Push the toys down if they float.  Dry in dryer except 
for toys stuffed with kapok or foam rubber.

*  Put nonwashable toys in a large plastic bag and add ½ cup baking 
soda.  Close the bag and shake vigorously.  Remove the toys from the bag 
and shake off as much baking soda as possible before brushing with a 
hairbrush to remove the residue.

*  Rub cornstarch into stuffed toys that are not washable.  Let them sit 
for half an hour or more, then brush the cornstarch off.

*  Kill dust mites by putting the stuffed toys in a plastic bag and leaving 
them in the freezer for 24 hours.

~*~  To Remove Wrinkles From Velvet:
Hand the garment in the bathroom after closing the window and putting a 
folded towel at the bottom of the door.  Turn the hot water on until the 
bathroom is thick with steam, and let the velvet steam for 30 minutes, then 
brush.

~*~  To Remove A Cracked Window Pane:
Lay newspaper on the floor, then crisscross the pane on both sides with 
making or duct tape.  Wear heavy gloves or oven mitts, heavy shoes, and a 
pair of goggles, if you have them.  Remove the putty and lift out the 
glass.  Or put a cloth over the glass and hit it gently with the 
hammer.  Take the larger pieces out first, then gently pull or knock out 
the smaller pieces.

~*~  Save Time Adjusting Shower Temperature:
Fix the running water to your liking, then apply a line of colored nail 
polish across the faucet and connecting fixture.

~*~  Make Dryer Cycles Easier To Read:
Mark the start of the cycle you normally use with colored nail polish or a 
piece of colored tape.

~*~  To prevent mildew on a plastic shower curtain:
Soak the curtain in the bathtub for an hour or so in warm water and 1 cup 
of borax.  Don't rinse.

~~*~~*~~
Next to being shot at and missed, nothing is really quite as
satisfying as an income tax refund.
~~*~~*~~

Sally Jo