15 Handy Household Tips.

I'm dedicating this week to spring cleaning. It must be done. The temperature outside is perfect. The windows are open. I'm in the cleaning mood. Excited to wipe away the winter dust and start anew.

Here are 15 handy household tips from me to you. I learned some from my mother. Some from experience. Hope they are helpful to you.

one :: Vinegar is an alternative to an all-purpose cleaner, and is nontoxic and cheap. Run your empty dishwasher for a full cycle with a couple cups of vinegar to prevent those unappetizing water spots on your dishes.

two :: Store all your silver jewelry in an airtight baggie. It will prevent tarnishing.

three :: Admit it. Some of your shoes stink. Place a dryer sheet in your shoes at night and the smell will be gone by morning. It’s like magic.

four :: Save money by making your own window cleaner. Add 3 Tbsp Ammonia and 1 Tbsp vinegar to a spray bottle. Fill the rest of the bottle with water and use just like Windex. Use old newspaper to wipe off the cleaner for a streak free finish.

five :: Lots of sticky/dirty fingers living in your house? Spray your walls and doors with starch to resist fingerprints.

six :: Use a post-it note between the keys on your keyboard to clean up the crumbs and dust that have collected.

seven :: Color code the top of your key collection with thick coats of of nail polish in different shades to differentiate between them.

eight :: Limp celery? Cut off the bottoms and place the stalks in a vase with cold water. Place it in the fridge and they will be nice and crisp tomorrow.

nine :: Keep insects out of your flour and sugar by placing a bay leaf in the sack.

ten :: Keep an open box of baking soda in your fridge at all times to ward off stinky smells.

eleven :: Check your fridge’s temperature. Refrigerators should be kept between 35-38°F, freezers at 0°F. Also, freezers work best when they are three-quarters full. If you have an almost-empty freezer, fill empty milk cartons with water and store them in the freezer.

twelve :: Keep your butter from sliding around the dish by heating the dish, placing the stick of butter on the hot dish to melt it a little and then putting it back into the fridge. This will cause the butter to stick to the butter dish.

thirteen :: Use a paint brush to dust the corners of your baseboard, windowsills and bookshelves. (My kids fight over this job. I should buy another paintbrush…)

fourteen :: Forgot about your wet clothes in the washer? Get rid of that mildew-smell by rewashing them with baking soda.

fifteen :: Get that yucky onion smell off your hands by washing them with dry mustard.


*I have high-hopes for doing some major posting this week. Product reviews, book reports, Easter plans, and maybe a Disneyland wrap-up. Stay tuned.

**image via.