Instant Potatoes As Non-Toxic Rat BaitMost rat baits are toxic to other animals if they happen to chew or chomp on a dead rat. This is a deadly but non-toxic method to kill rats by using Instant Potato flakes or powder.
Free Flat Tire Repair at Discount TireFlat tire repairs due to a nail can charge anywhere from $10 to $20. Discount Tires offers free flat tire repairs, no matter where you bought your tires from. There are over 900 Discount Tire locations in the United States. If you ever have a flat tire with a nail, try Discount Tires. If you do not have a Discount Tire around, you can call the bigger tire retailers and ask if they provide complimentary services.
Mid Winter Flower Bulb BargainsI certainly don't need more flowers. I can barely keep up with all I have now. So, why do I continue to buy more? Lack of self restraint, I guess; though I tell myself it's something more colorful.
Clean Hair from Vacuum Brush RollHave you ever looked underneath your vacuum brush? Or notice your vacuum isn't functioning at full capacity/strength. Or perhaps the roller is stuck and not suctioning well. If so, see if there is hair stuck like mine. Easy to fix.
Easy Homemade Stain RemoverIf you mix 1 part Dawn dish washing liquid with 2 parts hydrogen peroxide you have the best spot remover! This is probably the only cleaner you will ever need. Either spray or pour on the spot and watch it disappear.
Making a Mosquito TrapBecause mosquitoes are attracted to the CO2 we breathe out, I started looking for ideas that used CO2 as the bait for the mosquito trap. I did think of dry ice but it does dissipate fairly quickly.
Shred Wax Paper to Lubricate ShredderDo you use a paper shredder for disposing of sensitive documents like I do? After a while, the blades need a little lubrication. Run a piece of waxed paper through the shredder to make it work like new again!
Epsom Salts To Melt IceEpsom salts and sugar, mixed 1 to 1, will melt salt and ice. It does not hurt the plants or ground,nor will it hurt birds, dogs, or cats. It can be used to pre-treat sidewalks and driveways and roads.
Keep Shower Curtain Lining from BillowingI have a Dollar Tree shower liner. It's almost not worth it but my shower curtain is lace, so, for now, I have to have one.
Clean Blinds With Magic EraserI admit I am a bit of a clean freak. I hate dust, streaky glass, spotted stainless steel and appliances. Therefore, I was in quite a state with dirty/dusty blinds (36 windows worth) and an ivory leather couch (what were we thinking) that was dirty and dingy.
Clean Your Coach Handbag at HomeAfter reading the tip about throwing your Coach bag in the washer I thought I'd give it a try. I had found the purse as I was cleaning up after the last tenant moved out of the rental property I own.
Refrigerate Jar Overnight to Remove LabelsI made an alarming discovery today quite by accident. I am a compulsive recycler so I save all my spaghetti sauce jars. I use the same brand all the time so they match.
Rain-X For The ShowerOne of the best things to use in the shower to help keep away the soap scum build up and mold, is Rain X. Yes, you would normally use it on your windshield, but if you use it in your shower, it has the same effect.
Roach Control IdeasNo need for expensive, smelly, and toxic cockroach killers that leave a residue. Spray cockroaches with any ammonia-based cleaner (e.g. Spray 'n Wipe). Ammonia is deadly to living things. And you clean your bench/floor at the same time! The ammonia smell dissipates quickly.
Shake Bottle With Dish Soap Or DetergentRinse obvious debris out of the bottle. Then put two tablespoons of powdered, automatic dishwashing detergent in the bottle. Or place one tablespoon salt, and one teaspoon dish soap in bottle. Add very hot water until 1/3 full.
Cleaning a StovetopThis morning, the weather was cool and I thought it would be a good time to clean the top of the kitchen stove. The large eye gets used a lot and over a period of time the stove top looks awful with baked on grease around the stove eye. To remove it, I use Easy Off Heavy Duty Oven Cleaner.
Thrifty Tips on CleaningYou can save on cleaning products by using white vinegar and newspaper to clean your windows, windows come out sparkling clean. You can also use white vinegar for washing your floors, add 1/2 cup white vinegar to last rinse cycle of your wash to control static cling.
Using Vinegar for CleaningHere are a few suggestions for when cleaning or deodorizing with vinegar. Make sure you're using white vinegar not apple cider. Use vinegar in the rinse cycle of your washing machine because many detergents leave a residue that we don't realize.
Use Fleece Throws for Warm CurtainsFor really frugal and warm curtains, I purchased two of those fleece throws that are on sale for under $5 and used the inexpensive gold clips. The two throws fit a 76 inch picture window nicely, and they come in dark colors also nice for wintertime. Mine came with a nice cloth bow tied around it which I used for tiebacks.
Use Microwave to Help Remove RX LabelsAfter many times of trying to remove labels from empty pill bottles to remove my identity from them before discarding them, I hit on a new way tonight. I was standing at my kitchen sink, next to the microwave. I filled my empty pill bottle with water, sat it in the microwave, heated the water in the micro for a few seconds or minutes.
Overwintering Mexican Heather (Cuphea)My border bed is a lot less than I had hoped for. I blame that on poor planning and not thinking ahead. Hopefully, with proper planning and lots of referral notes, there will be a dramatic improvement next year. I hope to avoid all these problems next year by overwintering a tray of the Mexican heather cuttings.
Use Cooking Spray Instead of WD-40When bothered by squeaky or rusty hinges, you probably have the quick cure right in your kitchen. Any cooking spray will work just fine, and most of us have a can of that on hand.
Ammonia To Whiten ClothesI found a way to whiten and brighten my clothes without bleach or Oxyclean, which I am allergic to. I take a bucket of approximately 1/2 gallon of very warm to hot water and 1 cup of lemon ammonia.
Toning Down the Kerosene Smell From a HeaterI know it might be a little late in the season for this, but my sister taught me a little trick. If you use a kerosene heater to cut down on heating bills, like we do, and you can't stand the kerosene smell, put a pan of water on top of heater, and the smell will be gone!
Use Pantyhose to Catch Washing Machine LintA washing machine repairman told me to put a pantyhose leg on the pipe that drains into our slop sink. I was surprised to see how much lint it caught. All that lint would eventually clog our drain, and plumbers are expensive!
Pinesol To Keep Pests AwayKeep a spray bottle of half Pinesol/half water under your sink spray outside garbage cans or anywhere you have a pest problem. Animals like rodents, opossums, raccoons, etc. don't like the smell.
Cleaning Swiffer DustersTo clean Swiffer dusters, which I really like, simply swish the dirty duster in a sinkful of sudsy, warm water, rinse, and roll in a paper towel to blot out excess moisture. Reattach to handle, fluff, and allow to air dry.
White Vinegar to Remove Calcium...I saw this tip in a video on the internet and had a chance to try it out on an old faucet that had years of calcium buildup on it.
White Vinegar for Masking Tape ResidueUse white vinegar to remove residue left by masking tape on window glass where the tape has been left on for too long or has dried out quickly due to strong sunshine.
Removing Ink Stains from Your Coach PurseI had ink stains on the inside of my Coach bag. I had never tried to get them out, until the other day. I had an alcohol swab and began to rub and rub. Eventually all of the ink marks came out. I couldn't believe it.
Keep No-See-Ums from BitingI was at my wit's end, allergic to the bites of no-see-ums. I was driven to tears. I am the only one in my house affected by these bugs. I finally found a remedy. I use a mixture of the original Listerine (gold type), witch hazel and tea tree oil.
What Size Pot Does My Weeping Willow Need?I have a weeping willow tree that is about 1 foot tall right now and I want to know how long I can leave it in a pot and what size pot it needs. It currently is in a 1 gallon nursery pot. i would appreciate advice.
Removing Adhesive Labels from Glass JarsI paint glass jars and find at times the labels are nearly impossible to remove without using chemicals. I found a much easier way and it's far less frustrating.
Orange Oil For Cleaning FurnitureI have a cleaning service and if I am dusting particularly dusty furniture, I like to spray orange oil on my rag, run hot water over it and wring it out.
Using Old Sinks As PlantersOne way to recycle old sinks from your bathroom or kitchen is to use them in your garden to plant succulents in. These sinks make a great border around your garden and add to the look of the garden. Succulent plants don't need much water. It is easy to use the sink and they have a drainage system. Just dig a hole in the ground and place the sink and the drainage pipe in the hold.
Extending a Short Broom HandleI can't afford a nice big broom, nor would I want one. They hurt my thumbs and are too coarse. So, I love the Dollar Tree ones, but man are they short! I am only 5 feet 1 inch tall and I find myself stooping just to use it.
Mineral Spirits For Laminate FloorsI've searched for years for the right solution for the footprints and smudges that show up immediately after cleaning the floor. So, finally here it is!
Fruit Tree Bird Net FrameHubby and I made this frame out of 2 inch plastic irrigation piping attached to metal 'star' pickets. This size pipe fits snuggly on to the ends of the pickets, sliding easily over.
Crayons To Camoflauge Bleached CarpetOh my God! I found the solution for bleached stains on carpets! Simple as this: crayons and a hair dryer. Just find the color matching your carpet and color it moving lightly over the stain, then use the dryer to "melt" the crayon (once you found the right match).
Cleaning Popcorn Ceilings the Easy WayMy popcorn ceilings may be old, but I still want them to be clean. They tend to collect dust and spiderwebs over time, and I've finally found a way to get them clean without much effort! Just use a new, thick-knapped paint roller, on an extension pole if possible.
Tips for Keeping Area Rugs from MovingKeeping your rug in place is important to prevent falls. Here are a few options for keeping area rugs in place:
Privacy Window Using Contact PaperI decided that I didn't want to use curtains on our bathroom window so I was trying to find an alternative. I looked at the window films that they sell and didn't like how expensive they were.
Extra Sheet on Guest BedAfter washing the dusty spread on the bed in the spare bedroom, I thought about using one of the extra sheets, I have accumulated, to cover the bed to keep it from getting dusty.
Make Your Own AwningsInstead of an old fashioned, pulley-operated awning, install a single piece of canvas attached to a wood pole at the top and at the bottom. Secure the top above your window with hooks.
How To Repair Frizzy American Girl Doll HairThis is an easy and inexpensive way to repair American Girl Dolls' hair using household items.
Oven Cleaner for Soap ScumWe have used Easy Off Fume Free over cleaner (for cold ovens, no heat required) to clean years of soap scum and hard water build up off showers and tubs, both fiberglass and tile.
Get Rid of Mice with ExlaxWe owned and operated a seasonal fishing camp/resort out in the bush. Our cabins, lodge and washroom facilities were basic & simple. It was a summer business. In the fall we closed down, and in came the mice, although we lived year round on site with 5 cats!
Removing the Cloudy Film from Old WindowsTo clean old windows that have a cloudy film, use Easy Off oven cleaner or any other that has LYE in it. Wet the window pane with wet cloth and spray oven cleaner over area. Leave set a minute or so and wipe off. If the
Make Your Own LogsIf you have a wood burning stove and receive the daily newspaper you can make your own newspaper logs. Lay newspapers flat and roll it into 3 inch diameter logs then wrap metal wire around the finished log.
Glue to Make an Oversize Ring FitI've always been encountering this, especially if someone gives you a ring as a gift. When the ring is too big that won't fit on your finger that would be a problem and sometimes I go to a goldsmith to have it cut it to make fit on my finger. And this will cost you a money, right?
Soak Off Jar LabelsIn my quest to reclaim a Mason jar (specifically Classico pasta sauce jars) I needed to soak off the labels. I submerged the jars in hot water and let them sit until the paper was easy to pull off. The best part with the Classico jars is that the glue they use is also water soluble!
Stop the Drip of Laundry DetergentI store my large laundry detergent dispenser and my fabric softener dispenser in a cabinet over my washing machine. No matter how careful I am, the spout drips inside my cabinet and makes an awful mess. The blue fabric softener is even worse.
Homemade SuetI just got done making suet for the wild birds. It is cheap enough to buy, but gets even cheaper if you make your own. The following is my recipe.
Prevent Wasps from Making a NestTo keep wasps from setting up a home near your front door or around your home - mix 2-3 tablespoons of Dawn dishsoap and about 2-3 cups of water. Put into a spray bottle, shake and that's it. Spray where they keep coming back to, to make a new nest. This will also kill them and drop them like a hat.
Windowsill Celery HeartsGrow celery hearts on your windowsill this winter. It's easy and they're pretty and delicious. Next time you buy a stalk of celery, cut the heel off about an inch from the bottom.
Use Sanitizing Bleach SprayThe one tip I can't live without on a daily basis is I keep a 48 ounce bottle of a mixture of 1/4 chlorine bleach and the rest water. I find myself using this bottle several times/day.
Cleaning Wax Off CountertopsAnyone who's ever said "just wait for it to dry and chip it off" has never actually tried to clean wax off a nice shiny countertop. I spilled candle wax and it wasn't the kind of wax that gets hard.
Clean Your Area Rugs at The Car WashTake your area rugs to the car wash to get them super clean! I have done this numerous times with a helper and a truck, and know others who do the same. It's amazing to see the dirt run out off the rug!
Cleaning an Electric PercolatorCall me old fashioned, if you like, but after many tries I still go back to my electric percolator as I feel it not only makes great coffee but keeps it hot compared to many of the mister coffee type appliances.
Protecting Pine Seedlings From Deer...Young trees are a favorite snack of hungry deer, especially in the spring and fall while there's still snow on the ground. Most young pines can recover from minor amounts of repeat browsing as long as the terminal bud remains intact.
Stretching Tight BeaniesI've recently found that I can shape any beanie, even the ones that are oddly tight, like swimmers caps, by stretching them with the right objects. Take something that's a bit bigger than your head, like a melon, fit the beanie over it and let it sit there for at least 24 hours.
Little Black Bugs in the KitchenI kept sweeping up little black bugs along one baseboard where I keep my cat's dish and water. I changed the location where I kept his place mat because they were in his water. I sprayed the area with ant spray and put down moth balls, which seemed to work. After a while they were back.
Clip Curtains ClosedOne of my pet peeves with curtains is that when you close them, they do not close seamlessly.
Keeping Furniture From Sliding on HardwoodWe recently had hardwood flooring installed in our house. The first problem that I encountered afterward was that our couch needs to sit away from the wall, but on the hardwood, it always slid backwards.
Warning: Old Aerosols Can LeakMy husband and I were having a perfectly good evening, when we heard a strange pop. We couldn't figure it out, looked around, everything seemed okay.
Polishing SilverwareHere's a recipe for cleaning silverware.
Vertical GardensCreating a vertical garden is a great way to maximize space and add a unique touch to your home. Here's a tip for setting up a vertical garden:
Five Benefits of Self Watering PotsSelf-watering pots, also known as sub-irrigation planters, offer several advantages for both indoor and outdoor gardening. Here are five benefits of using self-watering pots:
Keeping Squirrels Off Bird FeedersTake a very long sheet of tinfoil and crunch it up. Carefully pull it out into a long length, gently twisting it as you go. It should start looking like a very long, round, thick, silver snake.
Removing Jar And Bottle Label GlueSaving that jar or bottle for that special use you've found can be nice until you try getting all the label glue off it. Then it can be a pain. Not any more!
How To Clean 18K Gold ChainCleaning your 18K Chain gold is easy and can be done at home. Here are some steps you can follow:
Start Bell Pepper Plants EarlyTo ensure a good crop of bell peppers, it is important to remember that they require a long growing season. You can start the seed now (2/25)
Sharing Cherries with BirdsBirds are useful to cherry trees. they eat caterpillars, aphids etc. But of course they want their share of cherries as a reward and they sometimes take a very big share. To save your share, you have to lure the birds and here's how:
Darken Your Bedroom and Keep Out DraftsAfter our neighbors were vandalized, they installed outdoor motion detect cameras and flood lights. While I sympathize with their plight, I don't appreciate the blinding light that pours into my bedroom around the edges of my window treatments, keeping me awake.
Make Steel Wool Soap Pads Last LongerI cut mine in half. Then, after I use them, I store in a plastic sandwich bag with all the air squeezed out. Some people store the bag in the freezer.
Protect Paint Label While PaintingI purchased a quart of paint to do a job and used only 1/4 of the paint. I will be using it again soon.
Fresh Basil All Year LongYou can have fresh basil all year long. I grew basil from seed. It was in a pot and I brought it in. I froze and dried most of it and planted this.
Use a Reacher for DustingReachers are useful after surgery and for the elderly. However, they are fantastic for dusting behind and under heavy furniture.
Natural Ways To Keep Snails Away From Your GardenIf you grow vegetables in your garden, you need to protect the plants from snails. Snails eat all vegetables, especially greens, such as cabbage, spinach, chard and lettuce. Since they multiply quickly, they can do serious damage.
Rooting A Chinese Evergreen StemI have a large Chinese Evergreen with one stem that insists on growing horizontally rather than vertically. I remedied that problem with a sharp knife, a heavy beer mug and water.
Olive Oil to Keep Gnats Out Of Your FaceIn the late afternoon, when I mow grass or work outside, gnats love to get in my face. I can't stand it. I read that you can put olive oil on your face and it will keep gnats off your face.
Upgrading Old FurnitureAfter 47 years of marriage and 22 years in this house, I'd love to be able to buy new furniture, but we just can't afford to right now. Our red floral couch had gotten really worn in spots, so I put a leather-look slipcover on it, but never really liked that look. However, my son and daughter-in-law just bought new furniture, so they gave us their leather couch.
Creative Container GardeningWait until you take a look at the different creative containers used for container gardening on a patio. I used colored bowls and plates, a lamp stand with a plastic container, two wooden crates, a strainer, a scale, a large tea pot, and a pedestal sink.
An Easy Way to Clean a Burnt SaucepanPlease note that I haven't tried this on a pan with a non stick coating. However, if your pan is so burnt that you'll have to throw it out, then you may decide it's worth a try.
Shine Flashlight on Pipe to Check for Drain FliesDo you have a problem with gnats in the house? They could be breeding in your drains. If you have plastic pipes, you can check your drains by shining a flashlight behind the pipe. It lights up the drain.
Picking ButterbeansThis has been a hot, dry summer and the first year we have watered our garden. It has been a pretty one. My grandmother used to say, a dry June means a wet July. It seems that old saying is true because we have had a lot more rain this month.
Use a Drain Bucket When Washing Vegetables OutsideI use a drain pan in my kitchen quite often and I thought it would be good to have a drain bucket on hand when washing garden vegetables outside. It gets the excess water out.
Forks to Keep Critters Away in the GardenThese past two years have been a challenge in the garden because of rabbits. I spent a lot of time and money with commercial sprays and powders. They did not work, even though I reapplied after watering and rain.
Find Seeds in Your Spice CabinetI used to purchase packages of dill seeds. I found out that the dill seed in my spice cabinet will sprout just as well as the commercial seeds. This will work with fennel, coriander, mustard and other spices.
Save Money on Parts at the DealershipMy car's starter needed to be replaced. An aftermarket car starter from Auto Zone, Advanced Auto Parts, NAPA and comparable range from $250 to $430 - not new but rebuilt.
Fanny Pack for Clothespin BagI have an old fanny pack and have discovered it has multiple uses. I have been wanting an apron clothespin bag but just haven't gotten around to making one. After using my fanny pack for dropping seed, when planting the garden, I thought about using it for a clothespin bag. Hooked around my waist, it's so easy to get the clothespins out when hanging clothes on the line. This little bag will hold well over 60 clothespins.
Hanging Fitted Sheets On the ClotheslineI love being able to hang my sheets on the clothesline. To keep from stretching the elastic on my fitted sheets, I hang them with the elastic on the inside.
Prevent Squirrels and Rats from Climbing Up Fruit TreesAre squirrels or rats bothering your garden especially your fruit trees? Try this free solution out. It has been working for us!
Use a Tarp for Yard CleanupWe cut the pampas grass and used a small light weight tarp for cleaning up the clippings. After putting it on the tarp, I tied the bottom ends of the tarp together in a loose knot, then tied the other end to give me a good grip to drag it. It took 3 trips and the tarp worked great for dragging the heavy clippings to the brush pile. It was easy to roll them off after I untied the ends.
Left Hand Glove Turned Into A Right Hand GloveI use rubber gloves when I wash dishes and I wear the right hand glove out before I do the left hand glove. I save the left hand glove and when the next right hand glove gets a hole in it and I have two left hand gloves, I turn one inside out and immediately have another right hand glove.
Free Fix for Sagging SofaOur older sofa and loveseat were losing support. There are sofa supports for sale at about $25 each. However, I used a large box, cut it in half, folded it and placed it under the cushions.
2 for 1 SuetI have discovered the birds like my homemade suet over store bought. I scored a great price at Ace Hardware on suet and bought a lot. Then I took another step and melted down 1 cake and added lard, some peanut butter and add ins you want, and get the texture to form a cake by adding flour or oatmeal, or cornmeal.
Best Flowers to Attract Wild BeesWild bees will be most attracted to a garden space that mimics their natural habitat and provides an abundance of food. Interplant local varieties that flower at different times throughout the year to ensure a continuous nectar supply for bees and other pollinators.
My Home Depot Van Rental ExperienceDo you need to move something quickly? Or purchase something nearby and need to get it home? Home Depot is really convenient and there is no purchase necessary so you can walk into Home Depot and rent.
Square Mesh Flat to Cover VegetablesDo your vegetables get eaten before they've grown? It's happened to me so many times! Now, I use these square mesh flats over my vegetables after seeding so the birds don't get to them. After my vegetables are bigger and stronger I will remove the flats. Chances are they'll make it and no longer vulnerable.
Keep Refrigerator Coils CleanIn 2021, we used more electric (kWh) than we did the year before, causing our electric bill to be over $200.00 more for the year. I have been trying to figure out why. Recently, I noticed that our 1994 refrigerator was not cooling like it should and when the milk soured way before the expiration date, I knew something was wrong. I started searching the internet to see how much it was going to cost to get a new refrigerator.
Extending Dish Detergent with PeroxideA lot of us find the better dish detergents so thick and concentrated, we choose to dilute them a bit (or a lot). We save money and the product is easier to use.
