CAKES
Place an apple in the cake container to keep the cake moist.
Place an apple in the cake container to keep the cake moist.
CANE CHAIRS
Sponge down with warm, salty water and rinse with clear warm water.
Sponge down with warm, salty water and rinse with clear warm water.
CANDLES
1. Prolong the life of a candle by freezing it before use.
2. Lighted candles help keep the room free of cigarette smoke.
NEVER LEAVE CANDLES UNATTENDED - There are more than 10,000 home fires caused by unattended candles!
1. Prolong the life of a candle by freezing it before use.
2. Lighted candles help keep the room free of cigarette smoke.
NEVER LEAVE CANDLES UNATTENDED - There are more than 10,000 home fires caused by unattended candles!
CANDLESTICKS
To clean the wax off candlesticks, freeze the candlestick until the wax is quite hard and then crack the wax off.
To clean the wax off candlesticks, freeze the candlestick until the wax is quite hard and then crack the wax off.
CAR HEADLIGHTS
Clean your car headlights with toothpaste smeared on a soft cloth - they will shine again.
Clean your car headlights with toothpaste smeared on a soft cloth - they will shine again.
CAR WINDOWS
- Keep your car windows frost-free by spraying/wiping the outside of the windows with 3 parts white vinegar to 1 part water.
- Keep your car windows from icing over during the night, soak a towel in warm water and salt and place it over the front windows ... the windows will be clear in the morning. Do not use a credit card to scrape off the ice, nor pour hot water over the windows. Also, be cautious when using shop-bought de-icers, they have been known to damage the paintwork if sprayed on the paintwork in error.
- To keep your car windows from fogging up, clean them with shaving cream and wipe dry with a clean cloth.
CAR WIPER BLADES
Run a cloth soaked in vinegar along the blades a couple of times.
Run a cloth soaked in vinegar along the blades a couple of times.
CARPETS
1. To revive the colours of your carpet, mix one part vinegar with three parts water. Dip a cloth
into the solution, wring out well and rub the carpet gently.
2. Before shampooing your carpet, put plastic bags on each furniture leg to prevent rust marks
from forming on the wet pile.
3. Dry shampoo a carpet by sprinkling baking powder, or salt, generously over it. Leave for a
couple of hours and vacuum.
4. Try shaving cream as a spot remover on carpets. The foam really works. Wash it off with water
or soda water.
5. Carpet odours can be eliminated by springing sodium bicarbonate on the carpet before
vacuuming. Test a tiny area for colour-fastness before applying to the entire carpet.
6. If a pet has urinated on the carpet and the spot is still wet, blot the stain with paper towels and
remove as much moisture as possible. Then clean the area with soda water or with a mixture of
equal parts of white vinegar and water. If the stain has dried, moisten spot with water before
treating it.
7. To raise the pile of a shag pile carpet, use a lightweight garden rake.
8. Use ice cubes to lift out the indentations made by furniture on your carpets.
9. Remove marker stains from your carpet by pouring some coca cola over the stain and then
scrub it with a soapy solution. The stain will come straight out.
See also: RUGS ...
1. To revive the colours of your carpet, mix one part vinegar with three parts water. Dip a cloth
into the solution, wring out well and rub the carpet gently.
2. Before shampooing your carpet, put plastic bags on each furniture leg to prevent rust marks
from forming on the wet pile.
3. Dry shampoo a carpet by sprinkling baking powder, or salt, generously over it. Leave for a
couple of hours and vacuum.
4. Try shaving cream as a spot remover on carpets. The foam really works. Wash it off with water
or soda water.
5. Carpet odours can be eliminated by springing sodium bicarbonate on the carpet before
vacuuming. Test a tiny area for colour-fastness before applying to the entire carpet.
6. If a pet has urinated on the carpet and the spot is still wet, blot the stain with paper towels and
remove as much moisture as possible. Then clean the area with soda water or with a mixture of
equal parts of white vinegar and water. If the stain has dried, moisten spot with water before
treating it.
7. To raise the pile of a shag pile carpet, use a lightweight garden rake.
8. Use ice cubes to lift out the indentations made by furniture on your carpets.
9. Remove marker stains from your carpet by pouring some coca cola over the stain and then
scrub it with a soapy solution. The stain will come straight out.
See also: RUGS ...
CARROTS and CARROT STAINS
1. Remove the tops of carrots before storing. The tops drain the carrots of moister, making them
limp and dry.
2. To remove carrot stains from plastic juicers or food processors, rub with vegetable oil and wipe.
1. Remove the tops of carrots before storing. The tops drain the carrots of moister, making them
limp and dry.
2. To remove carrot stains from plastic juicers or food processors, rub with vegetable oil and wipe.
CAULIFLOWER
If you don't like the smell of cauliflower when it is cooking, either cook it in the microwave or place a slice of bread in the water in which it is being cooked.
If you don't like the smell of cauliflower when it is cooking, either cook it in the microwave or place a slice of bread in the water in which it is being cooked.
CELERY
- Do not discard celery leaves. Dry them and rub them through a sieve for powered that can be used to flavour soups, stews and salad dressings.
- Wrap your celery in aluminium foil and then store it in the refrigerator. It will keep for weeks.
CHEESE
1. To bring out the full flavour of cheese, microwave 250g on LOW for approximately 45 seconds.
Allow to stand for 5 minutes. Camembert or Brie should be microwaved on LOW for about 30
seconds and allowed to stand for 5 minutes.
2. For extra freshness, store hard cheeses in a cloth soaked in wine vinegar.
3. To keep cheese from hardening, rub the cut end with butter.
4. Place soft cheese in the freezer for 15 minutes to make it easier to grate.
5. A blunt knife works much better than a sharp one for cutting cheese. Warm the blade and the
cheese will cut as easily as butter.
6. Rinse your cheese grater under cold water before use. The cheese will grate more easily.
1. To bring out the full flavour of cheese, microwave 250g on LOW for approximately 45 seconds.
Allow to stand for 5 minutes. Camembert or Brie should be microwaved on LOW for about 30
seconds and allowed to stand for 5 minutes.
2. For extra freshness, store hard cheeses in a cloth soaked in wine vinegar.
3. To keep cheese from hardening, rub the cut end with butter.
4. Place soft cheese in the freezer for 15 minutes to make it easier to grate.
5. A blunt knife works much better than a sharp one for cutting cheese. Warm the blade and the
cheese will cut as easily as butter.
6. Rinse your cheese grater under cold water before use. The cheese will grate more easily.
CHEST DISEASES
Garlic can be used with great success to heal ailments such as Tuberculosis and Pneumonia.
Garlic can be used with great success to heal ailments such as Tuberculosis and Pneumonia.
CHEWING PUPPY
Rub the legs of furniture with a little oil of cloves. The puppy will not like the bitter smell or taste.
Rub the legs of furniture with a little oil of cloves. The puppy will not like the bitter smell or taste.
CHEWING GUM
To remove chewing gum stuck to clothing, place the article in a plastic bag and then put it in the freezer for several hours. The gum will then scrape off easily.
To remove chewing gum stuck to clothing, place the article in a plastic bag and then put it in the freezer for several hours. The gum will then scrape off easily.
CHICKEN
- Chicken is an excellent source of high quality protein and is rich in amino acids.
- Without the skin, chicken is also very low in saturated fat. 100 grams of chicken, without the skin, contains 173 calories and 7.8% fat. A chicken with the skin left on, contains 238 calories and 16% fat.
- The Food Standards Agency (FSA) - the Government's food watchdog - urges us not to wash chicken before cooking it in order to avoid contamination known as Campylobacter - the most common type of food poisoning, which can cause death, as well as serious health problems.
- Place banana skins (inside down) on the top of your chicken breasts and cook. This will keep the chicken breasts nice and tender.
CHINA, CRYSTAL and GLASS
1. To prevent scratches on your fine china plates, insert paper plates or napkins between them as
you stack them.
2. When china cups show small cracks, simmer the cups in milk for 35-40 minutes - the protein in
the milk seals these hairline cracks and they usually disappear.
3. To keep glasses shiny, add a quarter of a cup of vinegar to the rinsing water.
4. To remove coffee / tea stains off cups and mugs, scrub them with equal parts of vinegar and salt
then rinse under warm water.
1. To prevent scratches on your fine china plates, insert paper plates or napkins between them as
you stack them.
2. When china cups show small cracks, simmer the cups in milk for 35-40 minutes - the protein in
the milk seals these hairline cracks and they usually disappear.
3. To keep glasses shiny, add a quarter of a cup of vinegar to the rinsing water.
4. To remove coffee / tea stains off cups and mugs, scrub them with equal parts of vinegar and salt
then rinse under warm water.
CHOCOLATE STAINS
First, scrape off the chocolate, then rinse the article in cold water. Soak and wash in hot soapy water.
First, scrape off the chocolate, then rinse the article in cold water. Soak and wash in hot soapy water.
CHOPPING BOARDS
- Disinfect your wooden chopping board with vinegar after each use. The vinegar is a disinfectant.
- To deodorise the board, sprinkle it with baking powder and spray on some vinegar. It will foam and after 5 minutes, rinse the board with a clean damp cloth.
- Slice a lemon in half, squeeze the juices onto the soiled / stained area of the chopping board, rubbing gently. Let is rest for 30 minutes, then rinse.
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
Store your delicate Christmas tree decorations in empty egg boxes.
Store your delicate Christmas tree decorations in empty egg boxes.
CHROME
Polish crome on a car, or taps, by sprinkling baking power onto a damp cloth and wiping the area.
Polish crome on a car, or taps, by sprinkling baking power onto a damp cloth and wiping the area.
CIGARETTE / CIGAR SMELLS
To get rid of stale cigarette or cigar smells, leave a dish of vinegar or ammonia in the room overnight. It also helps to dampen a towel with diluted vinegar and wave it through the room.
To get rid of stale cigarette or cigar smells, leave a dish of vinegar or ammonia in the room overnight. It also helps to dampen a towel with diluted vinegar and wave it through the room.
CITRUS FRUITS
To get more juice from lemons, limes and oranges, pop them in the microwave on HIGH for about 30 seconds per fruit. Allow to stand before squeezing.
To get more juice from lemons, limes and oranges, pop them in the microwave on HIGH for about 30 seconds per fruit. Allow to stand before squeezing.
COCA COLA
1. Apply a cloth soaked in coca cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes. It will then loosen.
2. To remove rust from car bumpers, rub with aluminium foil dipped in coca cola.
3. Pour coca cola into burnt-in food pans. Leave overnight, empty the pan and clean them as
normal.
4. To bake a moist ham, empty a can of coca cola into the baking tray. Wrap the ham in foil and
bake. Half an hour before the end of the cooking, remove the foil and allow the mixtures to
blend together to make a wonderful gravy.
5. To kill snails and slugs, put some coca cola on a dish or saucer and leave for them to drink.
6. To repel insects at your picnic or barbecue, put some coca cola in a saucer and place it away
from where you will be. The unwanted insects will be busy drinking the sweet cola, leaving
you in peace.
7. Coca cola will clean your car engine.
8. Coca cola will clean your tile grout - just leave it on for a couple of minutes.
9. Remove stuck in gum from your hair. No need to cut it out, just soak the hair in a saucer of
coca cola for about 25 minutes and the gum will come right out.
10. Remove marker stains from your carpet by pouring some coca cola over the stain and then
scrub it with a soapy solution. The stain will come straight out.
11. Oil stains on the garage floor or driveway. Pour coca cola onto the stains, let it soak in and
then rinse.
12. Pour coca cola down the toilet in order to clean it.
13. Soak your pennies in coca cola - they will come up shining brilliantly.
Some amazing facts:
1. Apply a cloth soaked in coca cola to the rusted bolt for several minutes. It will then loosen.
2. To remove rust from car bumpers, rub with aluminium foil dipped in coca cola.
3. Pour coca cola into burnt-in food pans. Leave overnight, empty the pan and clean them as
normal.
4. To bake a moist ham, empty a can of coca cola into the baking tray. Wrap the ham in foil and
bake. Half an hour before the end of the cooking, remove the foil and allow the mixtures to
blend together to make a wonderful gravy.
5. To kill snails and slugs, put some coca cola on a dish or saucer and leave for them to drink.
6. To repel insects at your picnic or barbecue, put some coca cola in a saucer and place it away
from where you will be. The unwanted insects will be busy drinking the sweet cola, leaving
you in peace.
7. Coca cola will clean your car engine.
8. Coca cola will clean your tile grout - just leave it on for a couple of minutes.
9. Remove stuck in gum from your hair. No need to cut it out, just soak the hair in a saucer of
coca cola for about 25 minutes and the gum will come right out.
10. Remove marker stains from your carpet by pouring some coca cola over the stain and then
scrub it with a soapy solution. The stain will come straight out.
11. Oil stains on the garage floor or driveway. Pour coca cola onto the stains, let it soak in and
then rinse.
12. Pour coca cola down the toilet in order to clean it.
13. Soak your pennies in coca cola - they will come up shining brilliantly.
Some amazing facts:
- Soak your pennies in coca cola for a few hours and they will come out looking brand new.
- Coca cola will fully and completely dissolve a tooth if left long enough.
- Coca cola will completely strip paint from metal surfaces.
- Boil coca cola for about half an hour and it changes from a liquid to a thick tar.
COCKROACHES
Place a beer-soaked rag in a shallow dish and leave overnight.
Place a beer-soaked rag in a shallow dish and leave overnight.
COFFEE STAINS
- Wash the item immediately in cold water and then in white vinegar. Rinse and wash as normal.
- To clean tea and coffee stains from your cups, mugs, drop a steradent tablet into each cup and/or mug and leave for five minutes. Wash and rinse thoroughly to eliminate any possible after-taste.
- To clean tea and coffee stains from your teaspoons, drop a steradent tablet into a cup, emerse the teaspoons and leave for a five minutes. Wash and rinse thoroughly.
COLLARS and CUFFS
To remove dirt from collars and cuffs, brush them with a shampoo for oily hair before washing.
To remove dirt from collars and cuffs, brush them with a shampoo for oily hair before washing.
CONKERS
Moths and spiders dislike the smell of conkers, as well as lavender. Place the conkers under your furniture, in your cupboards to repel their invasion.
Moths and spiders dislike the smell of conkers, as well as lavender. Place the conkers under your furniture, in your cupboards to repel their invasion.
CONSTIPATION
High in fibre, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.
High in fibre, including bananas in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.
COPPER and BRASS
Clean tarnished copper with vinegar or half a lemon dipped in salt. Wash in warm soapy water and polish.
Clean tarnished copper with vinegar or half a lemon dipped in salt. Wash in warm soapy water and polish.
CONDENSATION
Place a cup o salt on the window ledge to absorb moisture from the air and keep your windows free from condensation.
Place a cup o salt on the window ledge to absorb moisture from the air and keep your windows free from condensation.
COOKING PROBLEMS
- Grease in cooking - To take away the fat from your soups and stews whilst they are cooking, drop a few ice cubes into the put and stir. The fat then clings to the cubs and you can throw away the cubes before they melt.
- Salty - If you have over-salted a dish and it is still cooking, drop in a peeled potato to absorb the salt.
- Sweetness - If you have over-sweetened a dish that you are cooking, add a little salt to take the excess sweetness away.
COUGHS
- To ease a cough, dissolve 1 tablespoon of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon of honey into a small glass of warm water and sip it.
- To soothe your throat at bedtime, take 1 teaspoon of honey and let it slowly trickle down your throat.
CRAYON MARKS
- Remove crayon marks by rubbing with a baby wipe.
- Remove crayon marks from any surface by spraying with WD40.
CREAM
1. To make double cream go twice as far, whisk the cream and then fold in one whisked egg white
per quarter pint.
2. Store cartons of double or sour cream upside down in the refrigerator and they will keep fresh
for longer.
3. If cream and/or milk is going off, add a pinch of baking powder to neutralise the sourness and
halt curdling.
4. To save surplus whipped cream, drop dollops onto a baking sheet and freeze. Transfer them to
plastic bags and return to the freezer. They will thaw in 20 minutes - or pop them into a cup of
steaming coffee.
1. To make double cream go twice as far, whisk the cream and then fold in one whisked egg white
per quarter pint.
2. Store cartons of double or sour cream upside down in the refrigerator and they will keep fresh
for longer.
3. If cream and/or milk is going off, add a pinch of baking powder to neutralise the sourness and
halt curdling.
4. To save surplus whipped cream, drop dollops onto a baking sheet and freeze. Transfer them to
plastic bags and return to the freezer. They will thaw in 20 minutes - or pop them into a cup of
steaming coffee.
CUTS, SCOLDS AND BURNS - Minor
Keep an Aloe Vera plant in a pot in the kitchen. It is the best treatment for minor cuts, burns and scalds. Cut an inch long piece from a leaf, peel back the skin and squeeze the juice onto the affected area. This will cool the skin and reduce the stinging. Aloe Vera dries quickly and guards the wound against any airborne bacteria.
Keep an Aloe Vera plant in a pot in the kitchen. It is the best treatment for minor cuts, burns and scalds. Cut an inch long piece from a leaf, peel back the skin and squeeze the juice onto the affected area. This will cool the skin and reduce the stinging. Aloe Vera dries quickly and guards the wound against any airborne bacteria.