A aspirin revive dead car batteries. if there's no one
around to give you a jump start, you may be able to get your car going by
dropping two aspirin tablets into the battery itself. The acetylene-salicylic acid
will combine with sulphuric acid in the battery to produce one last charge.
B bicarbonate of soda: you don't need a plumber to clear
a blocked kitchen drain. pour in 200g of
bicarbonate of soda follow by 200 ml of hot vinegar. give it several minutes
then add a litre of boiling water.
C corn flour: knots in string or shoes laces can be
stubborn to undo, but the solution is easy. sprinkle the knot with a little
corn flour. it will then be easy to work segments apart.
D disposable nappies: I want to keep a plant water for
longer? Before potting, place a clean disposable nappy in the bottom of the
flower pot with the absorbent side up. It will absorb water that would
otherwise drained way to keep the plan from trying out to fast.
Dental floss: which can be used as strong and resilient thread for repairs.
E electrical tape: keep a reel of this handy to lift lint
and pet hair from clothing and upholstery. Simply wrap your hand with
electrical tape, with the sticky side out, and rub it against surface you want
to spruce up.
F fabric softener sheets: prolong the life of your
trainers. Drop one sheet into your whiffy shoes overnight and leave to
neutralize the odours. Remember to take it out before you use them!
G greaseproof paper: keep cast iron pots free from rust
by rubbing with a sheet of greaseproof paper, then placed a piece of paper
between the pot and lid to store.
H hair conditioner: protect your shoes in bad weather
keep salt and chemicals off them during the winter by lathering them with hair
conditioner to protect them. It's a good leather conditioner as well. and
hydrogen peroxide, left over from hair dying kits can come in handy if you
spill wine on a white cloth.
I ice cube tray: here's what to do with left over red
wine or white wine you don't want to finish. simply freeze the remaining into
cubes. It will still be drinkable months later and can be used to beef up pasta
sauce, casserole or stews.
J jars: help your gloves to dry out by pulling each one
over the bottom of an empty jar. stand the jar upside down on a radiator to dry
them in an instant.
K ketchup: soak silver jewellery in a bowl of ketchup for
a few minutes. Then use an old toothbrush to work ketchup into the crevices.
rinse and dry.
L lemon: pamper your fingernails without the help of a
manicurist. add the juice of half a lemon to 200 ml of warm water and soak your
fingertips for 5 minutes. after pushing back the cuticles rub some lemon peel,
back and forth against the nail.
M mayonnaise: massage this into your hair and scalp just
as you would hair conditioner. Then cover your head with a shower cap, wait
several minutes and shampoo. the result will give your locks a lustrous sheen.
N nail varnish: keep a shirt in good shape by putting a
drop of clear varnish on the thread in the buttons. it prevents fraying.
O olive oil: make your own furniture polish, which is as
good as any commercial products. mix two parts olive oil with one part lemon
juice or white vinegar in a clean recycled spray bottle. than shake it up and
squirt it on. leave for 2 minutes than wipe off with a clean cloth or paper
towel.
P paper towels: these can keep frozen bread from getting
soggy. place a paper towel in each bag of bread to be frozen. when you're ready
to eat the frozen loaf, the paper towel will absorb the moisture as the bread thaws.
And cedar pencil shavings can be sewn into little cloth
sacks and use as sachets in drawers and wardrobes to ward off moths.
Q quickly: remove paint fumes from a newly painted room
by leaving a cut onion in there overnight.
R rubber jar rings: if you have a rug that tend to skate
across a polish wooden floor, keep it in place buy sewing a couple of rubber
jar ring into each corner of the underside.
Rubber bands: can make a handy holder for your call
visor. snap a couple around the visors to make a handy place to slip parking
receipts, directions and even your
favourite cds.
S salt: remove watermarks from furniture by mixing a
teaspoon of salt with a few drops of water to form a paste. Rub the paste
gently on ring until spot is gone.
T tights: bring out the shine in freshly polish shoes by
buffing them with a scrunched up old pair of tights. it works so well you may
never try another method.
U umbrella: sacrifice an old brolly to save your
seedlings in winter. Open the brolly,
cut off the handle and place over the seedlings to keep the frost off
them.
V vinegar: this can sooth a sore throat. Gargle with one
tablespoon of salt dissolved in a glass of warm water. Use several times a day if needed.
W WD-40: remove blood stains by spaying with wd-40
directly then washing as usual. The
wd-40 will lift the stain so it will come out easily. Try to remove stains while it is still fresh.
This should also work on lipsticks,
dirt, grease and ink.
X excess sandpaper: sharpen your scissors by cutting
through a sheet of fine sandpaper to keep them clean and Sharpe.
Y yoghurt: if your dog has developed a wind problem it may
be down to a lack of digestive bacteria. Plain yoghurt can help. Add 2 tablespoons of it to the food for cats
or small dogs, with an extra teaspoon for medium and larger dogs.
Z zips: stitch a zipped pocket to the underside of your
beach towel, just big enough for keys, sunglasses and maybe a few coins.
