Tips and Hints

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When you are in a hurry to get a few things dry in the dryer:

Okay, you're almost late and there are two items not nearly dry that you need right away. You hate to dry them alone knowing they will just fall from the top as the tumble. What to do? Throw in a dry towel or two. They will help dry the wet garments so fast that you will be glad you remember to try it.

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For women who have trouble finding appropriate footwear:

I had read several times where women complained that they could not find overshoes and winter foot wear. My complaint was that even in women's wide width, the right shoe was never quite wide enough. I found the solution in the men's section. It was a buy one pair and get one half price. I had no trouble at all finding two pairs that fit comfortably. The styles were better than the selection in the women's work shoes.

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Decorating Basics:

No matter what your personal tastes or favorite colors, when you decorate a room remember to start with simple basic color for your furniture. Redecorating will be so easy if you have only to change pillows and other accents to attain an exciting new color scheme.

If you were to start with a couch and matching chair in a pattern with 4 colors, you are limited to using solids in those colors and changes will be hardly noticeable. With a solid neutral color, your choices and combinations will be unlimited.

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Extra reach when you need it:

I discovered this one Christmas when I once again found myself unable to hang the garland up on hooks where I wanted. The good old kitchen tongs came to the rescue. They give enough hold to allow you to grasp the item and put it up where you want it. This will often work when getting things down from high up, just beyond your reach. Mine stay handy and hang on a hook ready to use.

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Laundry tips:

Recently I read an expert advising readers to hang clothes out on the clothesline in the sunshine. That's really sweet but it is every bit as harsh as pouring chlorine bleach into the load of laundry. Just like bleach you may have nice bright fabric again but within a few weeks, you will have holes appearing in the material and the life of the garment is soon finished.

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Prolong the life of the Shower Curtain:

Shower curtains are usually replaced when the color scheme changes and rarely die of old age. With regular little-people visiting, the curtain had good life left except for the torn holes at the top where the rings were attached. I didn't have to take the curtain down; merely used a hand-held paper punch to make a new hole about an inch away from the old hole. Move the ring as each new hole is made or take the entire curtain down and do them all at once. Go ahead, wash it in the washer if it is in need of cleaning. Add 1 cup of vinegar and 2 bath towels. Agitate in the machine to wash and then remove the curtain and let the towels continue the drain and spin cycles. Punch your new holes and hang to dry. Support the curtain so you do not put all the weight on one ring.

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Functional Furniture:

When you are looking for active use furniture but don’t want to spend too much for something the kids may tear up fairly quickly, consider looking in the patio furniture section. The fabrics are usually heavy enough to stand up to outdoor use and are still most attractive. The prices will be much lower than the more ornamental furniture when you also figure in all the wear and tear.

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Save a Little on the Electric Bill:

If you want to have the wonderfully fluffy and most absorbent bath towels all the time without having to toss them in the dryer and use all that 220 power, try this idea. Just before you get out of the shower or tub, use the washcloth to dry off. Wring the rag out several times and see all the water you have been asking that towel to absorb and then have to dry before it sours. You will dry off nicely and leave behind a dry towel.

Of Dust Mites, Control and Allergies:

I had run a search on pest control looking for ways to handle the rodents, opossums and raccoons. I found little help but I did subscribe to a magazine for industry pest control people. It was definitely not anything I was interested in but I did learn that they routinely get lots of people claiming that they saw and could actually “feel” little tiny pests. The professionals suggested that the funny farm be called and send out the men with the butterfly nets and straight jackets. I couldn’t unsubscribe fast enough.

We’d just gone through all the 20 miles of testing to see what was causing all the allergy reaction. Yes, indeed, the culprits were dust mites. They are not imaginary but much of the Internet search information conflicted from one to the next. The best tips and hints came from the allergist.

One of the best tips I gleaned was how washing your bed linen removed almost all of the little critters. Hot water was only slightly ahead of cold water and a hot dryer was excellent in removing even more! Never hang clothes on the clothesline and allow drying outdoors. It was mentioned that new pillows were in order complete with protectors that would not allow the mites to enter the pillows. That seemed an awfully great expense until one day after I’d made a brand new pillow and it was noticed that a new pillow had made the ringing ears fall silent. All the months of trying all sorts of medicines to correct an unknown problem and the problem was something so simple.

One of those inspired observations was that to adequately vacuum a carpet, it required a special $700 vacuum cleaner. You then have to vacuum twice a week and install and use a high-end air filter. Linoleum, that’s the way to go.

Fun with Epsom Salt:

We always had a big jar of these salt crystals on hand for a hot soaking bath when the muscles were sore. They can be found in most any grocery store in the health aid dept. The fun part is watching a child’s face light up when they see the crystal patterns the solution will make. Take about a cup of Epsom salts and add only enough water to make a thick liquid. Too thin and it will run down the surface. Use a sponge or rag to dab the liquid salt solution onto a windowpane or mirror. Be watching as the salt dries. I’ve always wanted to try adding a few drops of food color. Any excess moisture on the glass will cause the crystals to run so try to keep this a short-term project and clean up well when finished.