Tips For Homemakers

I noticed the water running into my washing machine was taking longer and longer to fill the tub.  We recently had a problem with  our well and the water had been off a few hours.  If that happens, you always run water thru your water lines to let the minerals and dirt or whatever run out before you drink the water.  Well, I didn’t think about that same residue building up in the filter of my washing machine.

I pulled the washing machine out, unhooked the rubber tubing to the back where the water runs into the machine and sure enough, there was a filter.  Oh my gosh at the gunk.  I used a q-tip to remove some of it.  I also squirted water in the hole and held a bowl under the area for the dirt to drip out.

My washing machine fills quickly now and my laundry time has been cut in half.  I should have done that years ago.  I kept thinking something was wrong but I assumed my machine was dying on me.  lol

I was throwing a sock away that had a small hole in it.  I put it on my hand and thought about sock puppets.  Always thinking of something to do with throwaways.  But my crafty days are long gone and my cleaning days will always exist.

I buy socks in packs of 6, I think.  So the second sock with no hole goes back into the sock drawer to match up with another sock that will someday also have a hole.   I could just sew up the hole but depending on where it is, it can be uncomfortable.  Not much of a seamstress anyway.

So I took the clean sock with a hole and put it on my hand and sprayed a little furniture polish and cleaned my living room furniture.  It worked great.   Now you have the option to toss it in the trash or rewash it and use it again.

I have a little bucket under the kitchen sink that I keep old stained t-shirts that I have cut into pieces for cleaning.   So now I throw my old socks in there, too.   Works for me.

I was at my son’s house for the Thanksgiving holidays and my son shared one of his cleaning hints.

He said he sprays the microwave with Windex and then turns his microwave on for 20 seconds.  He then wipes the microwave out with ease and it smells good, too.

I love Windex.  I just keep finding more and more uses for it. 

I previously peeled potatoes over the trash can.  But for years now I have used another method.   I put a paper towel in the sink and then peel them over the paper towel.  When I finish I just fold the towel up and quickly throw it in the trash.  No sore back from bending over.  The sink is just the right height.

During this busy holiday season and the all-day cooking, I realized I use a shortcut every time I cook.

I fill the kitchen sink full of hot soapy water and wash dishes as I dirty them. Most of the time I am organized enough to even wash some of the pots and pans before putting the dinner on the table. Plus, even if you don’t have time to wash them, you have soaked them and they are definitely easier to clean.

If you have a dishwasher, this still works for you. I don’t use a dishwasher… by choice. I hate dishwashers. But, my daughter does enjoy her dishwasher and it helps to wash off the pots and pans before putting them in the dishwasher. Also, if you do this when you have a big meal with lots of pots and pans, you can start the dishwasher with the pots and pans and then by the time you finish eating, you can unload the pots and pans and start the second load of dishes/glasses and silverware . A big meal almost always means two loads for the dishwasher.

I used a $6.99 bottle of gel drain cleaner and still had a clogged sink. I went online and found a solution with items most people have in their home.

You take 1/4 cup of baking soda and pour down your drain. Mine didn’t want to go down since the edge of the drain was wet. I added a small amount of water to flush it down. Then I added a cup of vinegar. Boy, did it bubble!!!!! I used the plunger, too.

I did it a couple of times since it was really clogged up.

It worked better than the expensive drain cleaner.

My brother, Jerry is in the carpet business and he and his wife are full of information about cleaning carpets. They live in Tennessee which is a good distance from Florida, needless to say. I wish they lived closer because they are both so fun to be around but also because I could get some good deals on carpet for my place. lol

Teenie, his wife is the one who told me how great Windex works to take stains out of carpet. Just spray it on and then dab the stain out.

Jerry and Teenie rented a house and the previous renters had a pet. The house had an odor when the house was closed up all day. Teenie sprinkled fresh coffee grounds (not used) on her carpet before she went to bed and then vacuumed it up the following morning. It absorbs the odor like baking soda does. Now I wouldn’t suggest you do this to a light colored carpet. Just make sure no one tracks across the floor with wet shoes or anything. You don’t want to stain your carpet with coffee stains. Her carpet was a darker color and again, she put it down during the night (or you could sprinkle it down right before you left out for your work day).

I would much rather smell coffee than a lot of other odors. In downtown Jacksonville, Florida there is a Maxwell House factory. When I go downtown with my husband, we often smell the aroma of the beans being roasted (I guess). MMMMMM…

In my family, we love grilled onions. I occasionally let the pans burn a little….along with the onions. Also, tonight I was steaming some vegetables and let the water boil out of the bottom pan. What a black mess in the bottom of my Salad Master Pans.

I added a little bit of Dawn dishwashing detergent in the bottom of burnt pan with enough water to cover the burnt area. Then I put the pan on the stove top and heated it until the water boiled. I have a gas stove so it was very quick.

I then pour the water out, sit the pan in the bottom of my empty sink, and scrub with a green scrubbie. I didn’t even have to use any cleaners other than the Dawn.

It is cheap and just took a little muscle power. Not much though. I guess you could just use a Brillo pad but I like to keep all the cleansers off my pots and pans and dishes, if possible. It isn’t always possible. Sometime the outside of my pots get dirty and I use some Barkeepers friend.

I have always heard of “Spring cleaning” but for me “Fall cleaning” makes more sense. Afterall, when Spring comes, I want to get outside and work in the yard. Colder weather makes me glad to be inside the house, especially in the morning.

I set a goal of one room a day, cleaning from top to bottom . For me, starting with the least used room helps. You can get it cleaned faster and it is encouraging to have one finished. If I don’t have a lot of time one day, that’s when I do one of the bathrooms.

Also, it is amazing how many things I find and say “oh, that’s where that was” or “I didn’t realize I still had that.”

I also like to take a clothes basket with me as I clean. I take anything out of the room that needs to go to another room and put it in the basket at the doorway. It saves me time. I especially found this helpful when I had a two-story house (running up and down the stairs) and when my kids were young. It is amazing what you find in your small children’s bedrooms. Often car keys and the television clicker end up in your child’s toybox. lol

Fall is also the perfect time to “spring clean” because you find all kinds of things to take to Goodwill or Salvation Army and get a receipt for your taxes which will be filed in a couple months.

Another good thing about “Fall cleaning” is a lot of people have company during the holidays. Your house will be ready for those overnight guests.

It is also a great time to clean out your spices in your kitchen cabinet. Afterall, the holidays are coming and you will be spending a lot of extra time in the kitchen cooking those holiday meals. Spices that have expired…not good. I find it helpful to date the spices as I purchase them.

So, get a start on your “spring cleaning” by doing it this Fall. Have fun.

I have recently heard this in a number of places but I wanted to share it anyway….in case you didn’t hear it.

Take a small amount of shaving cream and rub onto your bathroom mirror and keep rubbing until it is clean and shiny.

Then when you shower, no foggy mirrors. I really appreciate this because I use to dry my mirror with my hair dryer so I could see.

When your mirror starts to fog again, which I think took a month or so, just re-apply a small amount of shaving cream again.