Tips on Tuesday

Do you have a tip on cooking, cleaning, homemaking, kids, marriage, travel or anything that you would love to share? Feel free to join in!

I know I don't get a lot of participation in this weekly feature, and I've considered stopping it, but you know, I'm just going to keep it up because for me it's a way to record some great tips and always have a place to go back and check.

So if you want to join in, that would be great, if not, that's fine too :)

HOMEMAKING TIPS

Homemaking tips for the kitchen:

To get the stains off of cookie sheets, pie pans and other cookware, soak them in a solution of borax and water.

If your jars or glasses look cloudy fill them with warm water and add a few drops of ammonia. Wait about an hour - then wash and rinse in hot water. My mother-in-law soaks them in a solution of 2 cups vinegar to a sink full of hot water.

Silver that has dulled can be shined up again by rubbing a potato dipped in baking soda. Or when you boil potatoes, save the water to soak your silver in.

Never drain grease down the sink! It will clog up your sinks over time. If you forget and do it anyway, be sure to run some hot water with dish soap. Dawn is good for degreasing. If your sink does become clogged up pour 1/4 cup of baking soda down the drain followed by 1/2 cup of white vinegar. Wait few minutes and then pour a pot of boiling water down the drain.

To clean off the oven window, make a paste of baking soda and water. Rub onto the window and let sit for about 15 minutes. Wipe clean with a paper towel and clear water.

Homemaking tips for laundry:

To make sure your clothes are fresh and your washing machine is free of bacteria and soap scum - occasionally run a cycle of bleach water.

To remove grease stains on fabric - dab a solution of thick salt water (more salt than water) on the stain and remove salt with a clean paper towel. My mother in law uses Dawn dish soap and it works good too.

To remove mildew on white fabrics - soak several hours in a wash tub with 1/2 vinegar and 1/4 cup bleach. You can also put lemon juice on a stain and set in sun to remove light stains on white clothing.

Add 3 teaspoons of epsom salts to wash water to prevent colored fabrics from fading and to help keep the colors from running.

If you spill something, wash the fabric in cold water. Hot water will set the stain.

Homemaking tips throughout the house:

Once a month flush some yogurt into your septic system to prevent buildup.

If you drip some paint on something while painting - rub with a paper towel soaked in Skin so Soft by Avon.

If you drop something into a tight corner or down the sink, try reaching it with a crochet hook.

Let the kids help with dusting! Take an old sock and let them use it as a dusting mitt - their little hands can easily get into places like chair railing, wood molding, etc. Plus they have fun doing it.