Healy's Handy Household Hints
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    • Basic Beauty Notes >
      • Contact Lenses
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    • Did you know ...
    • Horoscopes and Symbolisms >
      • The Chinese Horoscope
      • Numerologically Speaking
    • Wedding Anniversary Symbols / Birthstones and Characteristics
    • Nutrition >
      • Eating to Reduce Cancer Risk
      • Food Sources - Quick Guide
      • Food Allergies and Intolerances
      • Healthy Alternatives
      • Natural Remedy Notebook
      • Vitamins, Minerals and Fats
    • Personal Safety >
      • Animal Attacks
      • CPR
      • Fire Safety
      • How to avoid being stung
      • Water Safety
      • Drugs - A Concise Guide
      • Solvents
      • Sensible Drinking
    • Pets >
      • Anthropomorphism ... and why not?
      • The Healing Power of Pets
      • Animal Health Hazards in the Home
      • Pets and CBD Oil
      • Pet Eye Care
      • Should you Trust a Tail-Wagging Dog?
    • Travel Tips >
      • Holiday Immunisations
      • Before you leave ...
      • Look after yourself on a sunny holiday ...
      • Take the fear out of flying
      • Mosquitoes >
        • Mosquito Trivia
      • International Clothing Sizes

HANDY HINTS TO SAVE YOU MONEY ...

MAKEUP
To seal your makeup for the long day/night ahead, use the filmset trick of gently spraying over your face, from a little distance, with hairspray.  This is a controversial tip, many think that the hairspray causes breakouts and dry skin, whilst others will swear by it.
MATTRESSES
Clean your mattress by generously sprinkling baking soda all over the mattress.  You could add a few drops of scented essential oil to the mix to remove any smells.  Leave the mattress for a few hours, then slowly and thoroughly vacuum up the baking soda.
MEAT TENDERISING
Tenderise tough meat by rubbing both sides with a mixture of vinegar and olive oil.  Let to stand for two hours before cooking.
MICROWAVE
  • Steam clean your microwave by placing a glass bowl filled with a quarter of a cup of vinegar in one cup of water.  Put the microwave on HIGH for five minutes, allow to cool and then wipe away the stains.
  • Place a cup of water with a couple of tablespoons of lemon juice in the microwave.  Heat on HIGH for five minutes, leave for 10 minutes, then wipe with a clean cloth.
  • To clean your washing up sponge or cloth, place in the microwave for 30 seconds on HIGH.
See:
Beans and pulses   -   Breadcrumbs    -   Cheese   -   Citrus fruit   -   Dish Cloths   -   Dried fruit   -   Herbs  -  Mussels and Oysters   -   Nuts and Seeds   -   Sultanas  -  Tomatoes and peaches
MILDEW
Mildew is a very fine form of mould growth encouraged by damp, condensation and lack of ventilation.
1.     The fungus on fabric can be killed by hanging the fabric in hot sun or outside on a frosty night.
2.     Soak in a weak solution of warm water and household ammonia, or sponge with white vinegar.
3.     Apply lemon juice to washable fabrics and leave to dry.  With dry-clean fabrics, moisten the
        stain with lemon juice and sprinkle with salt.  Leave to dry in the sun.
4.     To remove mildew on a shower curtain, first make a thick past of baking powder and water.
        Smear it on the curtain and leave overnight until it is dry.  Wash normally.
MILK
1.     Milk can be frozen for 4 - 6 weeks ... but remember, milk thaws unevenly.
2.     If milk and/or cream is going off, add a pinch of baking powder to neutralise sourness and halt
​        curdling.
MINT
To bring out the flavour of mint, add a little sugar before you chop it.
MIRRORS
  • Add a few drops of methylated spirit to a damp cloth to give a sparkle to mirrors.  Polish with a soft, dry cloth.
  • To keep your bathroom mirrors from fogging up, wipe with shaving cream and dry with a clean cloth.
MORNING SICKNESS
Snacking on bananas between meals helps to keep blood sugar levels up and avoid morning sickness. 
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
To remove dust from the inside of stringed instruments - cello, guitar or violin - place a handful of uncooked rice inside.  Shake gently and empty.  The instrument will be free of dust and have an improved tone.
MOSQUITOES
1.     Apply baby oil, citronella, castor oil or lavender oil to the skin as natural repellents.
2.     Pots of basil also discourage mosquitoes.
3.     Soothe mosquito bites and reduce the swelling with a paste of baking powder and water, or
        Aloe Vera cream/jel and as a quick solution, rub with ice and a cut lemon.
4.     Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected are with the inside of a
        banana skin.  Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.
MOTHS
To deter moths:
1.     Place lavender, whole cloves or cedar wood shavings in gauze sachets and scatter among the
        clothes.
2.     Make up muslin bags containing 50g black pepper, cinnamon, ground cloves and ores root
        (available from Pharmacists), and place them throughout clothes.
3.     Dried orange peel scattered through clothing.
4.     Moths and spiders do not like the smell of conkers.  Place them under your furniture and in
        your cupboards, etc.
MOUTHWASH
Use mildly salted water as a mouthwash.  It is better for your teeth and gums than the commercial mouthwashes, which contain chemicals.
MUSSELS
Open fresh mussels and oysters by placing 6 - 8 around the microwave turntable and microwave on HIGH for 30 - 40 seconds.  Discard any unopened shells.
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  • Introduction
  • Quick Guide
  • Alphabetical List
    • A
    • B
    • C
    • D and E
    • F
    • G
    • H
    • I, J and K
    • L
    • M
    • N
    • O
    • P
    • R
    • S
    • T
    • U and V
    • W
  • Other Paraphernalia
    • Basic Beauty Notes >
      • Contact Lenses
      • Eyeglasses
      • Healthy Skin / Hair / Feet
      • Footnotes / Foot Problems
    • Did you know ...
    • Horoscopes and Symbolisms >
      • The Chinese Horoscope
      • Numerologically Speaking
    • Wedding Anniversary Symbols / Birthstones and Characteristics
    • Nutrition >
      • Eating to Reduce Cancer Risk
      • Food Sources - Quick Guide
      • Food Allergies and Intolerances
      • Healthy Alternatives
      • Natural Remedy Notebook
      • Vitamins, Minerals and Fats
    • Personal Safety >
      • Animal Attacks
      • CPR
      • Fire Safety
      • How to avoid being stung
      • Water Safety
      • Drugs - A Concise Guide
      • Solvents
      • Sensible Drinking
    • Pets >
      • Anthropomorphism ... and why not?
      • The Healing Power of Pets
      • Animal Health Hazards in the Home
      • Pets and CBD Oil
      • Pet Eye Care
      • Should you Trust a Tail-Wagging Dog?
    • Travel Tips >
      • Holiday Immunisations
      • Before you leave ...
      • Look after yourself on a sunny holiday ...
      • Take the fear out of flying
      • Mosquitoes >
        • Mosquito Trivia
      • International Clothing Sizes