| Posted: Sat Jan 9th, 2010 07:26 pm |
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CountryMom05
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Sixty Uses For Baking Soda
Bicarbonate of soda or baking soda has many different uses in the household. Although much more expensive products have been developed over the years to do the same jobs, baking soda can work for you just as well, if not better. Use it in the following ways:
To make your own baking powder, stir and sift together 2 parts of Cream of Tartar to 1 part baking soda and 1 part cornstarch.
Be sure to keep an extra box of baking soda by your stove in case of grease or electrical fire. Scatter the powder by the handful to safely put it out.
Keep a container of baking soda in your garage as well as in your car to put out a fire. It won't damage anything it touches.
Baking soda will also put out fires in clothing, fuel, wood, upholstery and rugs.
Clean vegetables and fruit with baking soda. Sprinkle in water, soak and rinse the produce.
Wash garbage cans with baking soda.
Soak and wash diapers with baking soda.
Oil and grease - stained clothing washes out better with soda added to the washing water.
Clean your fridge and freezer with dry soda sprinkled on a damp cloth. rinse with clear water.
Deodorize your fridge and freezer by putting in an open container of baking soda to absorb odors. Stir and turn over the soda from time to time. Replace every 2 months.
Soda absorbs kitty litter odors. Cover the bottom of the kitty box with 1 part soda; then add a layer of 3 parts kitty litter on top.
Always add 1/2 cup soda to your washing machine load.
Clean combs and brushes in a soda solution.
Wash food and drink containers with soda and water.
Wash marble-topped furniture with a solution of 3 tablespoons of soda in 1 quart of warm water. Let stand awhile, then rinse.
Clean Formica counter tops with baking soda on a damp sponge.
Wash out thermos bottles and cooling containers with soda and water to get rid of stale smells.
To remove stubborn stains from marble, Formica or plastic surfaces, scour with a paste of soda and water.
Wash glass or stainless steel coffee pots (but not aluminum) in a soda solution (3 tbsp. soda to 1 quart water).
Run you coffee maker through its cycle with a soda solution. Rinse.
Give baby bottles a good cleaning with soda and hot water.
Sprinkle soda on barbecue grills, let soak, then rinse off.
Sprinkle soda on greasy garage floor. Let stand, scrub and rinse.
Polish silverware with dry soda on a damp cloth. Rub, rinse and dry.
For silver pieces without raised patterns or cemented-on handles; place the silver on aluminum foil in an enamel pot. Add boiling water and 4 tbsp. baking soda. Let stand, rinse and dry.
Reduce odor build-up in your dishwasher by sprinkling some soda on the bottom.
Run your dishwasher through its cycle with soda in it instead of soap to give it a good cleaning.
To remove burned-on food from a pan: let the pan soak in soda and water for 10 minutes before washing. Or scrub the pot with dry soda and a moist scouring pad.
For a badly-burned pan with a thick layer of burned-on food: pour a thick layer of soda directly onto the bottom of the pan, then sprinkle on just enough water so as to moisten the soda. Leave the pot overnight, then scrub it clean next day.
Rub stainless steel and chrome with a moist cloth and dry baking soda to shine it up. Rinse and dry. On stainless steel, scrub in the direction of the grain.
Clean plastic, porcelain and glass with dry soda on a damp cloth. Rinse and dry.
Remove that bad smell from ashtrays with soda and water.
Sprinkle a bit of dry soda in your ashtrays to prevent smoldering and reduce odor.
Clean your bathroom with dry soda on a moist sponge - sink, tub, tiles, shower stall, etc.
Keep your drains clean and free-flowing by putting 4 tablespoons of soda in them each week. Flush the soda down with hot water.
Soak your shower curtains in water and soda to clean them.
To remove strong odors from your hands, wet your hands and rub them hard with soda, then rinse.
Sprinkle baking soda on your wet toothbrush and brush your teeth and dentures with it.
Sprinkle soda in tennis shoes, socks, boots and slippers to eliminate odor.
Add 1/2 cup or more of baking soda to your bath water to soften your skin.
Putting 2 tbsp. of baking soda in your baby's bath water will help relieve diaper rash irritations.
Apply soda directly to insect bites, rashes and poison ivy to relieve discomfort. Make a paste with water.
Take a soda bath to relieve general skin irritations such as measles and chicken pox.
Take 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda in 1/2 glass of water to relieve acid indigestion or heartburn.
Gargle with 1/2 tsp. baking soda in 1/2 glass of water. Freshens and cleans your mouth.
Used as a mouthwash, baking soda will also relieve canker sore pain.
To relieve sunburn: use a paste of baking soda and water.
Bug bites: use a poultice of baking soda and vinegar.
Bee sting: use a poultice of baking soda and water.
Windburns: moisten some baking soda and apply directly.
[Making Play Clay with baking soda: combine 1-1/4 cups water, 2 cups soda, 1 cup cornstarch.
Use soda as an underarm deodorant.
If your baby spits up on his shirt after feeding, moisten a cloth, dip it in baking soda and dab at the dribbled shirt. The odor will go away.
When scalding a chicken, add 1 tsp. of soda to the boiling water. The feathers will come off easier and flesh will be clean and white.
Repel rain from windshield. Put gobs of baking soda on a dampened cloth and wipe windows inside and out.
Add to water to soak dried beans to make them more digestible.
Add to water to remove the "gamy" taste from wild game.
Use to sweeten sour dishcloths.
Use dry with a small brush to rub canvas handbags clean.
Use to remove melted plastic bread wrapper from toaster. Dampen cloth and make a mild abrasive with baking soda.
Last edited on Sat Jan 9th, 2010 08:15 pm by CountryMom05
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| Posted: Sat Jan 9th, 2010 08:07 pm |
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2nd Post |
CountryMom05
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For Those With Horses
Hoof Pick: The most comfortable and useful hoof pick you will ever find can be made by bending down 3/4-1 inch at the end of an inexpensive screwdriver. You can grind or file the end to your own personal taste. Admittedly, hoof picks are cheap and often freebies, but I have found these screwdriver picks to be more comfortable and useful.
Tank warmer: For those who might live in cold climates like we do and cannot use stock tank heaters: we found that having several inches of manure (always available!!) around the water tank really helps to keep the freezing to a minimum. Ours is just placed inside a larger worn-out tank and the manure filled in. We replace as needed. A wooden box could be constructed as well.
Need a good nozzle for the utility hose? One that dumps water fast, has a positive shut off, and is easy to use with gloves? Try using a gasoline delivery nozzle. Can be purchased at Tractor Supply Co. With a male hose adapter they can be converted to fit a water hose. They have an almost straight through water path so they deliver water for buckets fast and without any spray. Will cost around $20.00 plus a few cents for the adapter. Isn't good for washing horses but for the bucket filling hose it works GREAT!
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| Posted: Sat Jan 9th, 2010 08:19 pm |
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3rd Post |
CountryMom05
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SUPER GLUE REMOVER
Use acetone nail polish remover on a cotton ball and let it saturate the super glue to remove it.
REMOVAL OF ADHESIVE STICKERS
For stickers on glass use vegetable oil. Soak the item in oil for a couple minutes to remove the sticker easily.
For plastic use WD-40 and let it soak on the item for a couple minutes to remove easily.
For metal use nail polish remover on a cotton ball and let soak in for a couple minutes to remove sticker easily.
For wood use vegetable oil and let it soak in for thirty minutes. Scrape off sticker with a Teflon scraper.
BUG KILLER
Mix 1 tsp. sugar with 1 cup baking soda and spread it around where bugs might crawl. The sugar will attract them to eat, but the baking soda will kill them as they cannot digest it.
This recipe is not harmful to humans or animals.
Mix 1 part boric acid powder to 1 part sugar and sprinkle around area where bugs or ants crawl to get rid of them.
BUG REPELLANTS
Lay pieces of Peppermint Icebreakers chewing gum still in wrappers inside your cabinets to repel bugs.
Flies hate the smell of basil. Grow this herb around doors or in pots around doors to repel them.
Bay leaves or wrapped peppermint gum will keep bugs out of your sugar and flour.
Pine needles or pine odors will keep bugs away from your pet's bed. Lavender works just as well. Bugs hate the smell. You can keep bugs off you with lavender rubbed on yourself.
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| Posted: Mon Jan 11th, 2010 01:53 pm |
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4th Post |
CountryMom05
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Cook for Other Families to Save Money
Here is a helpful hint that not only would help you and your family but could help other families as well.
To save money on groceries, you could find one or two families who you know are very busy and either eat out a lot or order in a lot. See if they would be interested in having you make meals for them. The key is they buy enough groceries to make enough for their family and yours. I find if you're making a meal anyways, it is very easy to double it. A friend shared this hint with me and she personally makes meals for two separate families. One family she will cook for two days a week and the second she will cook for the remaining three days, with the weekends being leftover days. Then on Fridays, she sits down and makes up the menus for the coming week and the ingredient list for both families. They go buy the food and drop it off to her for the week.
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| Posted: Mon Jan 11th, 2010 01:53 pm |
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5th Post |
CountryMom05
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Emergency Bag for Power Outages
Instead of trying to look in all areas for your emergency candles during a power failure, have a few stored in a bag with a lighter and flashlight. Hang your bag in the utility room or other out of the way spot. Then no more hunting, just retrieve your emergency bag and have light.
Candle holders in a emergency are hard to find. Save up a few cans when cooking, these make safe candle holders and come in various sizes just as candles do.
Battery powered radio, tv, dvd player
Battery powered lanterns
Non rechargeable batteries enough for 3 sets per item
Battery powered push lights--one for each room in the house, including bathrooms
Lots of hand sanitizer
Cell phone with car charger
Kerosene heater with minimum of 10 gallons kerosene
Plenty of blankets
Plenty of things to do to prevent boredom
Full tank of gas in the car
Extra flashlight bulbs.
Wind-up clock.
Battery powered fan to keep air circulating.
Several gallons of bottled drinking water.
Manual can opener.
Non-perishable food: canned fruit, peanut butter, etc.
Crackers and cookies in sealed containers.
Pet food and treats. (They get frightened too.)
A couple of new toys.
An interesting novel.
Keep Utility Phone Numbers In Your Cell For Emergencies
Storm Preparation for Emergency Power Outage
Fill 5 gallon bucket with water, leave in tub. Also fill tub full of water. Both are used to flush toilet.
- Fill 4-5 pitchers with water. Leave on kitchen counter.
- Get out candles and matches and flashlights. Some of flashlights turn on when the power goes out.
During winter, much heat is lost through the head and feet. Therefore if you are cold, wear socks and a hat, even to bed. A thick knit hat is uncomfortable to sleep on but you can purchase a cheap, thin knit hat.
Using a tent in the middle of the living room keeps the warmth from your bodies close by. Pitch a tent in a large room and have everyone sleep in it to conserve heat. Use a tent that can be set up without hammering stakes in the ground. Most dome tents can do this.
If you have a gas fireplace, you can turn it on to keep the pipes from freezing. Fan won't work in a power outage though.
Make sure you have a camp stove with propane fuel bottles on hand to cook with.
Paper plates, plastic silverware and napkins. (Make a picnic and have fun, in spite of no power.)
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| Posted: Mon Jan 11th, 2010 01:54 pm |
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6th Post |
CountryMom05
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Do It Yourself Wedding Favors
To save money on a wedding opt to make wedding favors yourself. Spend a few days before the wedding, baking and cooking with some family members.
For the wedding favors, line a buffet table with plates of homemade cookies remembered from childhood, made by willing family members. Have Chinese takeout containers for guests to load with chosen cookies.
This way, each guest will be sure to end up with something they like, and they don't have to lug knick-knacks home to sit on a shelf! Plus, you get to save money on favors and relive a little bit of childhood magic.
The takeout containers are easy to find online, and you can personalize them with ribbons, stamps, or stickers.
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| Posted: Tue Feb 2nd, 2010 12:02 am |
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7th Post |
CountryMom05
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Traveling Germ Killer Mist
Going on vacation? Stopping at rest stops and strange hotels? Carry this sanitizer with you.
Ingredients:
4 ozs. purified water
50 drops lavender essential oil
30 drops clove bud essential oil
20 drops peppermint essential oil
In a small spray bottle add purified water and all of the essential oils. Shake well. Use as needed.
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| Posted: Tue Feb 2nd, 2010 12:03 am |
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8th Post |
CountryMom05
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Heavy-Duty Disinfectant Cleaner
1/4 c. powdered laundry detergent
1 Tbsp. borax
3/4 c. hot water
1/4 c. pine oil or pine-based cleaner
Slowly stir the detergent and borax into the water to
dissolve. Add the pine oil and mix well. For bathroom
cleaning, use the mixture full strength. In the kitchen,
dilute with water.
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| Posted: Tue Feb 2nd, 2010 12:06 am |
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9th Post |
CountryMom05
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Make Your Own Oven Cleaner
2 Tbsp. dishwashing liquid
2 Tbsp. borax
1/4 c. ammonia
1 1/2 c. warm water
Mix together, apply to oven spills and allow to sit
20-30 minutes. Scrub with an abrasive nylon-backed
sponge and rinse well.
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CountryMom05
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Make your own Carpet Cleaner
1/2 cup liquid (no bleach) Tide
1/2 cup Downy
1 cup amonia
1 gallon water MINUS 2 cups
Use as you would any store bought carpet cleaner.
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CountryMom05
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Mildew and Mold Killer
1 cup peroxide
1 cup white vinegar
2 Tablespoons baking soda
Mix ingredients and store in spray bottle.
Be careful when pouring into bottle,
as it will foam up.
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CountryMom05
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Growing Garlic
Growing Garlic
If you spend any time in the kitchen, you know a lot of recipes call for
garlic. Most people buy it at the grocery store when, in fact, you can
be growing your own. All you need to do is go to the garden center or
your local co-op to pick up garlic. You don't want to use what's in the
grocery store because typically they have a growth inhibitor which
prevents them from sprouting.
The best time to plant your garlic is in the fall, the same time that
you plant your spring bulbs. Garlic grows best in very rich, organic
soil so make sure you amend it with a little compost, peat moss or cow
manure. When you buy your bulbs, break them up so you get small cloves.
The larger the clove, the larger the bulb will grow. As far as planting
goes, plant the clove with the point up. Sometimes with the cloves, it's
hard to tell which side is the point. You'll notice that one side has a
callous side. That goes down, and the point, up.
In the south, you'll want to plant the cloves 1" deep and and space them
6 inches apart. If you live in colder climates you'll want to plant
them 2-3" deep. The next step is to add a thick layer of mulch for
winter protection. Your garlic will be ready to harvest late next summer
when the green tops die back. Pull them out and stick them in a mesh bag
to cure. They'll last up to a year if you keep them in a cool, dry location.
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CountryMom05
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Coca Cola
Clean a toilet bowl.
Pour a can of Coca-Cola into the toilet bowl. Let the real thing sit for
one hour, then brush and flush clean. The citric acid in Coke removes
stains from vitreous china, according to household-hints columnist Heloise.
Remove rust spots from chrome car bumpers.
Rubbing the bumper with a crumpled-up piece of Reynolds Wrap aluminum
foil dipped in Coca-Cola will help remove rust spots, according to
household-hints columnist MaryEllen.
Clean corrosion from car battery terminals.
Pour a can of carbonated Coca-Cola over the terminals to bubble away the
corrosion, according to Heloise.
Cook with Coca-Cola.
The Coca-Cola Consumer Information Center offers a free packet of
recipes including a Mustard Herb Dressing (an Italian style salad
dressing made with one-half cup of Coca-Cola), a Twin Cheese Dip
(requiring three-quarter cup of Coca-Cola and doubling as a sandwich
filling), and Sweet-Sour Cabbage (using one-half cup of Coca-Cola and
two tablespoons of bacon drippings).
Loosen a rusted bolt.
Mary Ellen suggests applying a cloth soaked in a carbonated soda to the
rusted bolt for several minutes.
Bake a moist ham.
Empty a can of Coca-Cola into the baking pan, wrap the ham in aluminum
foil, and bake. Thirty minutes before the ham is finished, remove the
foil, allowing the drippings to mix with the Coke for a sumptuous brown
gravy.
Remove grease from clothes.
Empty a can of Coke into a load of greasy work clothes, add detergent,
and run through a regular wash cycle. The Coca-Cola will help loosen
grease stains, according to Mary Ellen
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CountryMom05
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Lipton Tea
Deodorize your feet.
Boil three or four Lipton Flo-Thru Tea Bags in one quart of water for ten
minutes. Add enough cold water to make a comfortable soak. Soak your feet
for twenty to thirty minutes, then dry and apply food powder. Do this twice
a day until odor is under control. Then continue twice a week to keep odor
under control. Tannin, which can be found in tea, is a drying agent.
Dye graying white fabrics.
If Clorox bleach won't whiten a graying white garment, soak the item in hot,
strong brewed Lipton tea until it is a shade darker than you desire. Then
rinse in cold water and let dry.
Highlight brown hair.
Rinse red or brown hair with brewed Lipton tea for golden highlights.
Relieve sunburn pain.
Pat your sunburn with wet Lipton Flo-Thru Tea Bags.
Accelerate the germination of grass seeds.
Mix two tablespoons of cold, strong brewed Lipton tea into each pound of
seed, cover, and set in the refrigerator for five days. Before sowing,
spread the seed to dry for a day or two on newspapers on the garage or
basement floor.
Deodorize stuffy rooms.
Mix one quart brewed Lipton tea and four tablespoons ReaLemon, strain
through a Mr. Coffee filter, and store in empty spray bottles.
Soothe a sore throat or laryngitis.
Drink brewed Lipton tea with ReaLemon or SueBee honey.
Invigorate house plants.
Water ferns and other houseplants once a week with a weak, tepid brewed
Lipton tea.
Polish black lacquer.
Wash black lacquer pieces with strong brewed Lipton tea, then wipe dry with
a soft cloth.
Help relieve diarrhea.
Drink plenty of Lipton tea and eat toast. The tannin in tea is reported to
be helpful in cases of diarrhea, while its liquid replaces fluids lost by
the body.
Soothe tired eyes.
Place Lipton Flo-Thru Tea Bags soaked in cool water or lukewarm water over
your eyes for at least fifteen minutes.
Soothe a burn.
Apply wet Lipton Flo-Thru Tea Bags directly to the burn, or secure in place
with gauze.
Stop gums from bleeding after having a tooth pulled.
Press a cool, moist Lipton Flo-Thru Tea Bag against the cavity with your
finger.
Fix a broken fingernail.
Cut a piece of gauze paper from a Lipton Flo-Thru Tea Bag to fit the nail,
coat with Maybelline Crystal Clear Nail Polish, and press gently against the
break. Then cover with colored nail polish.
Clean varnished woodwork.
Cold Lipton tea is a good cleaning agent for any kind of woodwork.
Tenderize meat.
Add equal parts strong brewed Lipton tea and double strength beef stock
to a
tough pot roast or stew. The tannin in tea is a natural meat tenderizer.
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CountryMom05
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Mr. Coffee Filter
Filter broken cork from wine.
If you break the cork when opening a wine bottle, filter the wine
through a Mr. Coffee Filter.
Clean windows and mirrors.
Mr. Coffee Filters are lint-free so they'll leave your windows sparkling.
Protect china.
Separate your good dishes by putting a Mr. Coffee Filter between each
dish.
Cover bowls or dishes when cooking in the microwave.
Mr. Coffee Filters make excellent covers.
Protect a cast-iron skillet.
Place a Mr. Coffee Filter in the skillet to absorb moisture and prevent rust.
Apply shoe polish.
Ball up a lint-free Mr. Coffee Filter.
Recycle frying oil.
After frying, strain oil through a sieve lined with a Mr. Coffee Filter.
Weigh chopped foods.
Place chopped ingredients in a Mr. Coffee Filter on a kitchen scale.
Hold tacos.
Mr. Coffee Filters make convenient wrappers for messy foods.
Stop the soil from leaking out of a plant pot.
Line a plant pot with a Mr. Coffee Filter to prevent the soil from
leaking through the drainage holes.
Prevent a Popsicle from dripping.
Poke one or two holes as needed in a Mr. Coffee Filter, insert the
popsicle, and let the filter catch the drips.
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