HOUSEHOLD HINTS AND TIPS FOR MOTORHOMERS

Cindy Webb

October 2007

To open a sealed envelope, put in the freezer for a few hours, then slide a knife under the flap. The envelope can then be resealed.

Use empty toilet paper tubes to store appliance cords. It keeps them neat and you can write on each roll what appliance it belongs to

For icy door steps in freezing temperatures: Get warm water and put dish washing liquid in it. Pour it all over the steps. They won't refreeze. (Wish I had known this for the last 40 years!)

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 will fall out.

Crayon marks on walls? This worked wonderfully! A damp rag, dipped in baking soda. Comes off with little effort (elbow grease that is!)

Permanent marker on appliances/counter tops (like store receipt BLUE!)? Use rubbing alcohol on paper towel.

Whenever I purchase a box of SOS Pads (Brillo pads), I immediately take a pair of scissors and cut each pad into halves. After years of having to throw away rusted and unused and smelly pads, I finally decided that this would be much more economical. Now a box of SOS pads lasts me indefinitely! In fact, I have noticed that the scissors get sharpened this way!

Blood stains on clothes? Not to worry! Just pour a little hydrogen peroxide on a cloth and proceed to wipe off every drop of blood. Works every time! (Now, where to put the body?)

Use vertical strokes when washing windows outside and horizontal for inside windows. This way you can tell which side has the streaks. Straight vinegar will get outside windows really clean.

Don't wash windows on a sunny day. They will dry too quickly and will probably streak.

Spray a bit of perfume on the light bulb in any room to create a lovely light scent in each room when the light is turned on.

Place fabric softener sheets in drawers and your clothes will smell freshly washed for weeks to come. You can also do this with towels and linen.

Candles will last a lot longer if placed in the freezer for at least 3 hours prior to burning.

To clean artificial flowers, pour some salt into a paper bag and add the flowers. Shake vigorously as the salt will absorb all the dust and dirt and leave your artificial flowers looking like new! Works like a charm!

To easily remove burnt-on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish washing liquid and enough water to cover bottom of pan, then bring to a boil on stove top.

Spray your Tupperware with non-stick cooking spray before pouring in tomato-based sauces and there won't be any stains.

Wrap celery in aluminium foil when putting in the refrigerator and it will keep for weeks.

When boiling corn on the cob, add a pinch of sugar to help bring out the corn's natural sweetness.

Cure for headaches: Take a lime, cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.

Don't throw out all that leftover wine: Freeze into ice cubes for future use in casseroles and sauces. (What leftover wine?!)

To get rid of itching from mosquito bites, try applying soap on the area and you will experience instant relief.

Ants, ants, ants everywhere? Well, they are said never to cross a chalk line. So get your chalk out and draw a line on the floor or wherever ants tend to march. See for yourself.

Use air-freshener to clean mirrors. It does a good job and, better still, leaves a lovely smell to the shine.

When you get a splinter, reach for the scotch tape before resorting to tweezers or a needle. Simply put the scotch tape over the splinter, and then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily.

Clean a toilet. Drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets, wait 20 minutes, brush and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous china.

Clean a vase. To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka Seltzer tablets.

Polish jewellery. Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewellery for two minutes.

Clean a thermos bottle. Fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka Seltzer tablets and let soak for an hour (or longer, if necessary).

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