Milk

Use it to shave with if you have nothing else to serve as a barrier. (For a luxury leg shave, try whole cream.)

Clean patent lather shoes to a gleaming shine by rubbing them with a little milk on a soft cloth. Leave to dry and then buff them.

Remove ink stains on clothing by soaking the area in milk. This can take from half an hour to overnight to remove the stain completely.

Repair fine crack in china plates and cups by boiling them in milk. The milk reacts with the kaolin in china and closes the crack. Place the plate in a pan, cover it with milk (fresh or reconstituted powdered milk) and bring to a boil. As soon as it starts to boil, lower the heat and simmer for about 45 minutes.

Nail Polish

Make cup measurements visible by using a brightly colored polish to trace over basic measurement levels.

Mark levels in a bucket with a color that stands out.

Seal an envelope by brushing a little clear polish on the underside of the flap.

Keep your belt buckle shiny by covering new or just-shined belt buckles with a coat of clear nail polish.

Stop a windshield crack from spreading by brushing both sides of the glass with polish to fill it in.

Soda Pop

Clear out a slow drain by pouring a 2-liter bottle of cola down the drain to remove the clog.

Make cut flowers last longer. Pour about ½ cup of clear soda (Sprite, 7-up & etc.) into the water in a vase full of cut flowers. The sugar with the soda will make the blossoms last longer.

Clean car battery terminals. The acidic properties of a cola will eliminate corrosion.. Pour some soda pop over the battery terminals and let it set. Remove the sticky residue with a wet sponge. (Do not wear metal jewelry when cleaning the residue)

Loosen rusted-on nuts and bolts. Soak a rag in soda and wrap it around the bolt for several minutes.

Baking Soda

(The all around household Hero)

Extinguish a grease or electrical fire. Scatter the baking soda powder by the handful to safely put the fire out.

Clean combs and brushes in a baking soda water solution.

Wash coffee pots made of glass or stainless steel (not aluminum) in a solution of 3 TBS of baking soda to 1 quart of water.

Clean barbecue grills. Wet the grill, sprinkle on the baking soda, let soak, then hose off with a high pressure stream of water.

Clean a greasy garage floor. Sprinkle dry baking soda on the floor in the greasy areas, let stand for an hour, scrub, and rinse it off.

Clean a badly burned pan that has burned-on food. Pour a thick layer of baking soda directly onto the pan, then sprinkle on just enough water to moisten the baking soda. Leave it soak overnight, then scrub it clean the next day.

Clean plastic shower curtains. Soak in a baking soda water solution overnight then rinse.

Eliminate foot odor by sprinkling baking soda in tennis shoes, socks, boots and slippers.

Freshen your carpet and upholstered furniture. Sprinkle them with baking soda. Allow to sit undisturbed for a half hour or longer, and then vacuum.

Eliminate water rings on finished wood with a paste of baking soda and toothpaste. Dip a soft cloth in the paste and lightly rub the water spots away.

Get rid of ants in your house by mixing equal parts of baking soda and salt together. Sprinkle the mixture wherever you see the intruders coming in.

Fill nail holes in plaster and dry wall with a paste of white toothpaste and baking soda.

Dryer Sheets

Dryer Sheets will freshen the air. Place an individual sheet in a drawer, or hang one in a closet, health club locker, or work locker, or under the seat of your vehicle.

Prevent thread from tangling. Run a threaded sewing needle through a sheet before sewing.

Prevent musty luggage odors. Leave a sheet inside travel baggage between uses.

Soak cookware with burnt or baked-on food in warm water with a dryer sheet or two. Makes clean-up easier than you would expect. Also works on cook tops and dingy cabinet doors.

Eliminate static electricity from your clothes, stockings and hair, by patting with a sheet.

Dissolve soap scum from shower door and tile walls. Clean the surfaces with a sheet.

De-stink your pets. Scrub dogs or cats, especially wet ones, with a dryer sheet before they enter the house.

Vinegar

Remove stubborn price tags or stickers. Paint them with several coats of vinegar, let the fluid soak in for five minutes, then wipe away the residue.

Kill weeds in paving stones and sidewalks. Fill a spray bottle with straight vinegar and spray multiple times between cracks.

Make wool sweaters fluffier. Drop in a couple of capfuls of vinegar during the rinse cycle for an extra-soft feeling.

Olive Oil

Polish wood furniture with a teaspoon of oil and a soft ray.

Remove paint from your skin

Fix a squeaky door by using a rag or cotton swab to apply olive oil to the top of the problem hinge.

Tissue Box

Store plastic grocery bags in the empty box.

HomeChoice Network Inc. is a local company founded by senior service professionals who strongly believe that seniors prefer to remain independent and comfortable in their own homes. Our mission is to bring non-medical services to the home, that will enable the senior to meet the day-to-day requirements of independent living while continuing those activities they enjoy.