things to try at home

1.Sealed envelope - Put in the freezer for a few hours, then slide a knife under the flap. The envelope can then be resealed (now why would I need to know this?!)

2. Use empty toilet paper roll to store appliance cords. It keeps them neat and one can write on the roll which appliance it belongs to. (My Mom does this!)

3. Crayon marks on walls? A damp rag, dipped in baking soda is supposed to take it off with little effort (elbow grease that is!).

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

5. 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 do I put the body?)

6. 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.

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

8. 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! (I haven’t tried this, because most of my flowers are in swags – and they’re not artificial, they’re dried everlastings. Does anyone know how to clean those?)

9. To easily remove burnt-on food from your skillet, simply add a drop or two of dish soap and enough water to cover bottom of pan, and bring to a boil on stovetop.

10. Spray your TUPPERWARE with nonstick cooking spray before pouring in tomato based sauces and there won't be any stains.

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

12. Cure for headaches: Take a lime (not that lime!) cut it in half and rub it on your forehead. The throbbing will go away.

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

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

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

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

17. 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, then pull it off. Scotch tape removes most splinters painlessly and easily.

18. 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.

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

20. 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).

21. 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, then run the hot water.

22. Paula at Listen In suggests: When you're out of fabric softener or softener sheets, use a small amount of hair conditioner rubbed into a wash cloth and throw it into the dryer with your clothes.

Disclaimer: promptings does not take responsibility for cord confusion, wilted celery, a soapy aftertaste in your skillet, or any fallout which may result from resealing envelopes, tampering with blood evidence or having such an apparently potent product as Alka Selzer in your medicine cabinet in the first place.

Hat-tip: My friend J. -- who else?! (I think she should start her own blog, she's such a fount of uselessFUL information!)

I’ll gladly accept additions to these (in the comment section) and post them here.

Want to read more lists. During June Rebecca Writes is featuring some of the Top 100 lists. I especially like the list of favorite children’s books.