Tips & Tricks 240905

Make-Your-Own Cookie Sprinkles

• Instead of buying expensive colored sugar, just pour granulated sugar into a bowl and then add several drops of food coloring and mix well. Keep stirring until it's all blended. You can easily create the colors your kids will love.

Keeping Wooden Kitchen Items In Good Shape

• Every now and then reseason wooden spoons, forks, bowls or cutting boards with mineral oil and let sit overnight. Then wipe the excess off with a paper towel. Note: Do NOT use vegetable oil because it will turn rancid and destroy these kitchen tools.

Freezing Bananas

• Freeze bananas whole, in the skins. The skin will turn black, but the fruit is easily squeezed out by snipping the end. It will be so liquid after thawing that no mashing is necessary for addition to recipes.

Alka Seltzer Tips

• Polish jewelry. Drop two Alka Seltzer tablets into a glass of water and immerse the jewelry 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 Heinz White Vinegar. Wait a few minutes, then run the hot water.
• A little lemon and seltzer will remove those pesky ink stains after you've been fingerprinted
  

Need Self-Rising Flour For A Recipe?

• If you are making a dish and discover it calls for self-rising flour and you don't have any, make your own simply by adding 1 tablespoon baking powder to 1 cup of regular flour.

Tips & Tricks 170905

Look For Canned Good Sales

• When you are shopping, pay attention to store sales on canned goods. Always stock up because canned goods that are stored properly in a cool dry place can last for 18 to 24 months or longer. It's a good way to save money on your grocery budget.
  

Can't Get Canned Food Out Of The Cans?

• Sometimes it can be difficult to get tomato paste or dog food out of the can. To make it easier, remove both the top and bottom lids of the can; the contents will slide right out!
  

Making Cat Carrier Comfier

• To make transporting kitty easier, don't put a towel in the bottom of the carrier; instead use a quilted placemat. It will fit perfectly and not bunch up like a towel. Kitty will be comfy.
  

No-Spill Picante Sauce

• To prevent picante sauce from getting all over table, just pour it into a clean, plastic squeeze bottle with a large hole in the top. Not only will you be able to target more accurately just where you want that hot sauce to go on your food, but it also will save on cleanup.
  

Testing Cake To See If It's Done

• If you have a puffy cake and a toothpick is too short to do the job, use a piece of raw spaghetti instead. It works just fine! And in an emergency you can also use them as candles for a birthday cake!

Tips & Tricks 130905

Bathroom Safety for Children

• Teach your children how to turn on the water in the sink and the shower. They should always turn on the cold water first and then the hot water. Have them test the water temperature with their fingers before they put their hands in or before they might get into the bathtub. That way scalding might be prevented. If they are small, you should supervise these activities.

TV Screen Needs Cleaning?

• Always use a soft dry cloth or a slightly water-dampened cloth (for heavy dirt) to clean it. Dry it well. Do NOT ever spray a cleaner or water directly onto the screen; it could be damaged.
  

How Many Small Marshmallows Equal A Big One?

• If you have small marshmallows on hand and a recipe calls for big ones, you can measure out 10 small ones to equal 1 large one. Now you know!
  

No More Meatloaf Mess

• Can't stand handling that raw meat in making meatloaf? No problem! Simply place meat and fixings into a plastic bag and knead it through the bag. Hands are clean! Toss the bag and no cleanup either!
  

Grass Growing In Sidewalk Cracks?

• Instead of bending over to try to pull or dig it out, here's any easier solution: Pour a good amount regular table salt directly on the areas; the grass will die off.

Tips & Tricks 090905

Transform Broom Into Dust Mop

• Your broom can do double duty! After sweeping, transform it into a dust mop just by putting a pillow case over the broom bristles and securing with a rubber band. It's ready for dusting. Dampen with water and really get the dust up.

Cleaning Patio Cushions

• Vinyl-covered patio pads dirty? First brush off all the dust and dirt. Make a solution of 3/4 cup bleach, 1 gallon water and a squirt of liquid laundry detergent. (Always test a small area for color fastness.) Then scrub away, rinse well and let air-dry.

Easy Carrier For Drinks

• If you are having an outdoor party, you can fill plastic glasses with soda or whatever and then put them into a muffin tin, one glass per muffin slot. Makes it easy to carry party glasses without spilling.

Inexpensive Party Favors

• To save money on children's parties, make your own party favors. Keep cardboard paper towel or bathroom tissue rolls. Fill with individually wrapped candies and then cover outside of rolls with wrapping paper or color tissue paper and tie with ribbons.
  

Stopping Painting Drips

• Painting an area where the paintbrush will need to be extended over your head? You can prevent paint splatters from hitting you by poking a hole, the size of the paintbrush handle, in a large plastic coffee can lid. Push paintbrush handle through it with the rim side up to catch drips. You and your clothes will be protected.

Tips & Tricks 040905

Dusting A Ceiling Fan

• Set up a regular cleaning schedule to remove ceiling fan dust; otherwise it will continue to fly around a room. To clean, turn off fan and spray an old sock with furniture polish or dampen with water and wipe each fan blade.

Make Chocolate Pretzels

• Transform plain pretzels by dipping them into chocolate. Melt your favorite chocolate in a double boiler. Get your family involved by having them dunk the pretzels (with tongs) into the hot chocolate. Lay them on a sheet of waxed paper or a wire rack so the chocolate can cool.
  

Decanter Looks Filmy

• To get it clear and clean, fill the decanter with warm full-strength white household vinegar and allow it to soak overnight. Using a plastic bottle brush, scrub well. You may need to do this several times to eliminate the hard water build-up.
  

Reviving Nail Polish

• Notice that your best bottle of fingernail polish has become thick? Simply add several drops of enamel solvent (found in beauty-supply stores) to thin it. Then you can use every last drop of your favorite color!
  

Crocheted Doilies Limp?

• You can revive them to original shapes by mixing 1/4 cup water with 3/4 cup sugar over low heat until sugar is melted (do not boil). Then wet the doily in water and remove any excess water. Gently dip doily into the water-sugar mixture and put on an absorbent towel to air-dry. The doily should be firm again.