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Real Simple Magazine & i always love reading about creative, resourceful uses for things I already have... enjoy.
Rubber Bands
1. Open jars with ease. When a small lid won’t budge, wrap a rubber band around it several times to give you a better grip.
2. Decorate Easter eggs. Arrange rubber bands in a pattern around hard-boiled eggs, then dip them into dye. Remove the bands when the eggs are dry.
3. Bring order to your dishwasher. Tether stemware and other delicate, wobbly items to the rack.
4. Wrap a gift. Use multiple colored rubber bands instead of ribbon to add modern flair to a small present. (Particularly handy when you can’t find the tape.)
Toothpicks
5. Label meat. Are these burgers rare or well-done? They all look the same on the outside. Identify just-off-the-grill meats with different-colored toothpicks and they won’t get mixed up.
6. Find the end of the roll. When you’ve finished using tape, wrap the end around a toothpick so you can easily locate it the next time.
7. Glue beads and sequins. Use the sharp ends to apply teensy items to a craft project.
8. Sew a better button. Place a toothpick between the button and fabric so it doesn’t go on too tightly and end up tough to fasten.
9. Press a gadget’s Reset button. What fits perfectly into that tiny hole? You guessed it.
Salt
10. Clean up a cracked egg. Cover the mess with a handful of salt, then wipe up with ease.
11. Dust a wreath. Place a wreath of pinecones or faux evergreen in a paper bag with a 1/4 cup of salt. Fold the top of the bag over and gently shake.
12. Remove tea stains. Sprinkle salt on a lemon peel, then rub it on a tea-stained cup.
13. Shine brass and copper. Make a paste of a few tablespoons of white vinegar with equal parts salt and flour. Apply with a soft cloth, rinse, and dry.
Post-It Note
14. Clean a keyboard. Run the sticky side between the keys to collect crumbs and bits of lint.
15. Navigate the roads. Write directions on a note and stick it to the center of your steering wheel for quick reference.
16. Mark containers. Cut off the sticky zone and use it as an ersatz label for travel bottles so you don’t confuse your facial cleanser with your hair gel.
17. File away. Divide a pile of paper into sections using Post-it Notes as you would folder tabs.
18. Play tic-tac-toe. Use a sheet for each X and O. Peel them up and play again until they lose their stickiness.
Clear Nail Polish
19. Keep an eyeglass screw in place. If your specs are a bit wobbly, tighten the screws and top them with a dollop of polish.
20. Secure buttons. Apply a thin layer of polish to the center of a button to keep the thread from coming loose.
21. Avoid rust stains in the bathroom. Coat the bottom of a shaving-cream can to fend off rings on the ledge of the tub.
22. Seal an envelope. When a flap won’t stay stuck, find closure with clear polish.
23. Extend the life of jewelry. Paint a thin coat onto a costume bauble to prevent it from losing its luster.
Kills fleas instantly... Dawn Dish washing Liquid does the trick. Add a few drops to your dog's bath and shampoo the animal thoroughly. Rinse well to avoid skin irritations. Good-bye fleas.
Rainy day cure for dog odor: Next time your dog comes in from the rain, simply wipe down the animal with a Bounce or any dryer sheet, instantly making your dog smell springtime fresh.
Did you know that Colgate Toothpaste makes an excellent salve for burns? ***Works on zits too! It shrinks them overnight and reduces redness.
Chewing on a couple of curiously strong Altoids peppermints will clear up your stuffed nose.
Achy muscles from a bout of the flu? Mix 1 tablespoon horseradish in 1 cup of olive oil. Let the mixture sit for 30 minutes, then apply it as a massage oil for instant relief for aching muscles.
Sore throat? Just mix 1/4 cup of vinegar with 1/4 cup of honey and take 1 tablespoon six times a day. The vinegar kills the bacteria. ***Rinsing with Listerine daily prevents sore throats and colds.
Cure urinary tract infections with Alka-Seltzer. Just dissolve two tablets in a glass of water and drink it at the onset of the symptoms. Alka-Seltzer begins eliminating urinary tract infections almost instantly-even though the product was never been advertised for this use. This is very good to know!
Honey remedy for skin blemishes... Cover the blemish with a dab of honey and place a Band-Aid over it. Honey kills the bacteria, keeps the skin sterile, and speeds healing. Works overnight.
Listerine therapy for toenail fungus: Get rid of unsightly toenail fungus by soaking your toes in Listerine Mouth wash. The powerful antiseptic leaves your toenails looking healthy again.
Easy eyeglass protection... To prevent the screws in eye glasses from loosening, apply a small drop of Any Crystal Clear Nail Polish to the threads of the screws before tightening them.
Cleaning liquid that doubles as bug killer... If menacing bees, wasps, hornets, or yellow jackets get in your home and you can't find the insecticide, try a spray of Formula 409. Insects drop to the ground instantly.
