Helpful Hints

• To determine if an egg is still fresh, immerse it in a pan of cool, salted water.  If it sinks, it is still fresh, if it rises to the surface, throw it away.
• Stuff a miniature marshmallow in the bottom of a sugar cone to prevent ice cream drips.
• Spray Tupperware with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato-based sauces - prevents staining.
• Place a slice of apple in hardened brown sugar to soften it back up.
• Cure for headaches: Cut a lime in half and rub it on your forehead; the throbbing will go away.
• Plastic shower curtain dirty?  Place it in the washer with one or two bath towels to help with the scrubbing action during the wash cycle, wash on a normal setting and hang dry.
• Want to keep the mosquitos away when out in the evening?  Try a dryer sheet.  Pin it to your clothes and it works as a natural barrier to keep the mosquitos away.  It provides a fresh scent without the chemicals.
• Pour boiling water over weeds to kill them!  Works great!
• Need to clean your windows and don't want a streak left behind?  Try vinegar and water and wash and dry the windows with newspaper.
• To remove blood stains from clothes or fabric use Hydrogen Peroxide.  As with any stain, the sooner you treat it the easier it is to remove.  Just pour the Peroxide over the blood stain and it will fizz just like it does on a wound.  It is actually pulling the blood out of the fabric.  Rinse with cold water, repeat as needed and then place in the washer.
• To remove ink from a pen from clothes or material, use hairspray. Spray the hairspray directly on the affected area and gently rub. I also run the material under cold water after I've sprayed and rubbed the material it seems to help. I also use a stain remover such as Oxy Magic if I'm having difficulty removing the ink stain. Again, as with any stain, the sooner you treat it, the easier it is to remove.
• Washing dishes with a sponge?  To keep germs at bay between tossing the sponge and replacing with a new one, place wet sponge in the microwave for 1 minute.  It kills the germs that lay dormant on the sponge.
• Odor coming from your garbage disposal? Place orange peels in it and chop it up.  It'll get rid of the smell!

Updated November 13, 2015