Household Helpful Hints Using Everyday Supplies

I am always looking for ways to save money. Our family includes three growing teenagers so our grocery and cleaning bill is usually somewhere way up there competing with our monthly mortgage payment. Every month, I finish balancing my checkbook with the words, "Wow, I have to find more ways to cut back on everyday spending." Recently, I came across a few great ideas for saving money by using everyday products for cleaning and simplifying a few simple household tasks. A few friends came across a few ideas as well and we compiled a list of money saving tips.

I have tried some of these methods, but not all of them. I am happy to report that the methods I tried actually worked.

Try these ideas for yourselves and see the results.

To clean crayon marks off walls, use a damp rag dipped in baking soda.

To remove blood stains from clothes, pour a little bit of hydrogen peroxide on a cloth and wipe off the blood.

To remove old wax from a glass candle holder, put it in the freezer for a few hours. Then, take the candle holder out and turn it upside down. The wax should fall out.

To clean artificial flowers, pour salt into a paper bag and add the flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all the dust and dirt.

To remove burnt food from your skillet, add a few drops of dish soap and enough water to cover the bottom of the pan. Bring to a boil on the stove top.

To prevent stains on Tupperware bowls, spray them with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato based sauces.

Use air freshener to clean mirrors. It cleans and leaves a nice scent.

Pour a little rubbing alcohol onto a paper towel or clean white cloth to remove permanent marker ink from appliances or counter tops.

Clean your toilet with Alka Seltzer.  Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into the toilet bowl.  Wait twenty minutes.  Then brush and flush.

To remove stains from the bottom of a glass vase, fill the vase with water and drop in tow Alka Seltzer tablets.

Use Alka Seltzer to polish your jewelry.  Drop two tablets into a glass of water.  Soak your jewelry for two minutes.

To clean the inside of a thermos bottle.  Fill the bottle with water.  Then, drop in four Alka Seltzer tablets.  Let it soak for at least an hour. 

Unclog a sink drain by dropping three Alka Seltzer tablets down the drain.  Then add a cup of White Vinegar.  Wait a few minutes then run the hot water.

To save money on stainless steel cleaning pads such as SOS pads or Brillo pads, immediately cut them in half. Half a pad will be sufficient for most, if not all, jobs and they will last twice as long.

To keep appliance cords neat and organized, store them in empty toilet paper rolls. Label the roll so that you will remember to what the cord belongs.

Place candles in the freezer for approximately three hours before burning. They will last a lot longer.

Spray a little perfume on the light bulbs in any room. When the light is turned on, it releases a light scent.

Put a sealed envelope in the freezer for a few hours. Then, remove the envelope and slide a knife under the flap. Then, if needed, you can reseal the envelope.

Place fabric softener sheets in drawers to keep towels, linens, and even your clothing smelling fresh.

For icy door steps, add Dawn dish soap to warm water. Pour over the steps to prevent refreezing.

When cleaning windows, use vertical strokes when washing outside and horizontal on the inside. That way, you can tell which side has any streaks. Washing windows on a sunny day will result in windows drying too quickly which might contribute to additional streaks.

Celery will last much longer in the refrigerator if you wrap it in foil.

Add a pinch of sugar when boiling corn to help bring out the corn's natural sweet flavor.

Cut a lime in half and rub it on your forehead to cure a headache.

Apply soap to a mosquito bite for instant itch relief.

Use tape to remove a splinter. Gently apply the tape over the splinter. Then, pull it off. If the splinter isn't lodged too deeply, the tape will pull away the splinter.

Make your own toilet bowl cleaner with baking soda, vinegar. Combine 1/2 cup or baking soda and 1/4 cup of white vinegar. 

Make your own all purpose cleaner with Borax and water.  Combine 1/2 cup of Borax with one gallon of hot water.  When the Borax dissolves, it can be stored in a spray bottle and used to clean household surfaces.

Combine 1 Tablespoon of salt and 1/2 Teaspoon of vinegar until it forms a paste.  Use this to clean brass and copper.

Combine 3 cups of water, 1/4 cup vinegar, and 1 Tablespoon lemon juice to make your own window cleaner. 

ENJOY THE SAVINGS!