SALT
- Keep salt running freely by adding a few grains of rice to the sale cellar.
- If you have over-sweetened a dish that you are cooking, add a little salt to take the excess sweetness away.
- If you drop an egg on the floor, pour salt all over the egg. Let is stay for 5 - 10 minutes. Use a dustpan to scoop up the mess and you will find that the egg will come up easily.
- Soak stained hankies in salt water before washing.
- Sprinkle ants on your shelves to keep the ants away.
- Salt fish in salt water before descaling. The scale will them come off easier.
- Add a little salt to your boiling water when cooking eggs. A cracked egg will then stay in its shell.
- Add a tiny pinch of salt into your egg whites to make them beat up fluffier.
- Add a pinch of salt to your cut flowers and they will stand up a little longer.
- Rinse a sore eye will a little salt water.
- Use salt water as a mouthwash. It is much better than the commercial mouth washes (that contain chemicals) and is better for your teeth and gums.
- Dip your toothbrush in some dry salt and use to polish your teeth.
- Use salt for killing the weeds in your lawn.
- A dash of salt in warm milk makes a more relaxing drink.
- A dash of salt enhances the taste of tea, coffee and cocoa.
- A dash of salt enhances the taste of cooking apples.
- Rub your wicker furniture with salt to prevent it from yellowing.
- Gelatin sets more quickly when a dash of salt is added.
- When storing empty airtight containers, throw in a pinch of salt to keep them from getting smelly.
SAND
Pack a large, soft brush when going to the beach. The brush will remove sand from skin without hurting, and from belongings without scratching.
Pack a large, soft brush when going to the beach. The brush will remove sand from skin without hurting, and from belongings without scratching.
SAUSAGES
When grilling or barbecue-ing sausages, pierce them lengthways onto skewers. This will avoid turning them one by one.
When grilling or barbecue-ing sausages, pierce them lengthways onto skewers. This will avoid turning them one by one.
SCRATCHES TO WOOD
Ebony: Rub with matching wax crayon, eyebrow pencil or black shoe polish.
Mahogany: Rub with matching wax crayons, eyebrow pencil or dark brown shoe polish - or with
cotton wool dipped in iodine (test this first).
Oak: Rub with white or pale brown shoe polish and re-wax.
Pine: As with Oak.
Teak: Sandpaper gently, rub with a solution of equal parts of linseed oil and turpentine.
Walnut: Rub with a broken walnut kernel.
Ebony: Rub with matching wax crayon, eyebrow pencil or black shoe polish.
Mahogany: Rub with matching wax crayons, eyebrow pencil or dark brown shoe polish - or with
cotton wool dipped in iodine (test this first).
Oak: Rub with white or pale brown shoe polish and re-wax.
Pine: As with Oak.
Teak: Sandpaper gently, rub with a solution of equal parts of linseed oil and turpentine.
Walnut: Rub with a broken walnut kernel.
SCALDS, SCARS, CUTS 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.
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.
- Apply the gel to old scars to diminish their appearance, but this might take several months before you notice results.
- To prevent new scars, apply immediately to all cuts and burns.
SCORCH MARKS
Sponge with white vinegar and rinse with cool water.
Sponge with white vinegar and rinse with cool water.
SCREWS
Rub the thread of the screw over a slightly wet bar of soap. This will help the screws turn more easily into tight-fitting holes.
Rub the thread of the screw over a slightly wet bar of soap. This will help the screws turn more easily into tight-fitting holes.
SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER - SAD
Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer 'tryptophan'.
Bananas can help SAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer 'tryptophan'.
SEEDS - Growing seeds
Plant the seeds in the cardboard/fibre egg boxes. When ready to plant out, plant the entire tray. It will disintegrate in the soil.
Plant the seeds in the cardboard/fibre egg boxes. When ready to plant out, plant the entire tray. It will disintegrate in the soil.
SEWING
1. Keep a magnet on a string in your sewing box. Searching for pins or needles that are mislaid
is made easy.
2. Use a fragrant soap as a pincushion. This will keep the needles lubricated and the sewing box
smelling sweet.
3. Use waxed dental floss to sew tough material, such as denim or hessian, and when sewing
upholstery or buttons on overalls, etc.
1. Keep a magnet on a string in your sewing box. Searching for pins or needles that are mislaid
is made easy.
2. Use a fragrant soap as a pincushion. This will keep the needles lubricated and the sewing box
smelling sweet.
3. Use waxed dental floss to sew tough material, such as denim or hessian, and when sewing
upholstery or buttons on overalls, etc.
SHAMPOO
1. Dry Shampoo - Brushing baking powder through greasy hair, or brush some talcum power if
preferred.
2. Add a small amount of baking powder to your shampoo, then shampoo your hair as normal.
Do this every now and again to relief from the all the product build-up.
1. Dry Shampoo - Brushing baking powder through greasy hair, or brush some talcum power if
preferred.
2. Add a small amount of baking powder to your shampoo, then shampoo your hair as normal.
Do this every now and again to relief from the all the product build-up.
SHARPEN SCISSORS
To sharpen your scissors, cut through a sheet of folded sandpaper.
To sharpen your scissors, cut through a sheet of folded sandpaper.
SHAVING CREAM
- To stop your bathroom mirrors from fogging up, clean the glass with shaving cream.
- To keep car windows from fogging up, wipe them with shaving cream and wipe down with a clean cloth or towel.
- Spray the inside of your ski googles, then wipe them clean. This will stop them fogging up.
- Use shaving foam to remove carpet and mattress stains. Gently rub the foam into the stain, using warm water and a soft brush or cloth. Leave it for 10 minutes, rinse and air dry.
SHOES
1. To avoid blisters when shoes rub at the heels, rub the inside backs of the heels of new shoes with a little
soap. This will soften the leather.
2. Patent leather shoes will not crack or split if rubbed with a little olive oil after each wearing.
3. Deodorise smelly shoes by sprinkling the insides with baking powder.
4. To dry wet shoes, hang them by their heels on the rungs of chairs.
5. To dry wet shoes, stuff their insides with dry newspapers.
6. Spray new tennis shoes with starch before wearing them. Dirt cannot become embedded in
the canvas and the shoes will always be easy to clean.
7. To tumble dry your sports shoes, tape a laundry bag to the door of the tumble dryer and place
your shoes inside the bag.
8. To widen tight shoes - quarter fill zip-lock containers with water (usually need two zip-locks for
each shoe). Stuff the shoes with the water-filled containers and place the shoes in the
freezer. Leave overnight. Remove the shoes, wait for the ice-filled containers to melt, and dry
the shoes.
1. To avoid blisters when shoes rub at the heels, rub the inside backs of the heels of new shoes with a little
soap. This will soften the leather.
2. Patent leather shoes will not crack or split if rubbed with a little olive oil after each wearing.
3. Deodorise smelly shoes by sprinkling the insides with baking powder.
4. To dry wet shoes, hang them by their heels on the rungs of chairs.
5. To dry wet shoes, stuff their insides with dry newspapers.
6. Spray new tennis shoes with starch before wearing them. Dirt cannot become embedded in
the canvas and the shoes will always be easy to clean.
7. To tumble dry your sports shoes, tape a laundry bag to the door of the tumble dryer and place
your shoes inside the bag.
8. To widen tight shoes - quarter fill zip-lock containers with water (usually need two zip-locks for
each shoe). Stuff the shoes with the water-filled containers and place the shoes in the
freezer. Leave overnight. Remove the shoes, wait for the ice-filled containers to melt, and dry
the shoes.
SHOEHORN
If you need an emergency shoehorn, use a tablespoon or a spatula instead.
If you need an emergency shoehorn, use a tablespoon or a spatula instead.
SHOE LACES
Shoe laces will stay fastened if they are dampened before tying.
Shoe laces will stay fastened if they are dampened before tying.
SHOE POLISH
- To soften hard and cracked shoe polish, place the tin in a warm oven or stand over a gentle heat for a few minutes.
- Use the inside of a banana skin to polish your shoes.
SHOWER CURTAINS
Mildew forming on shower curtains can be avoided. Soak the curtains in salted water before hanging them. To remove mildew, rub with lemon juice or a paste of baking powder and water (allow to dry and wash normally).
Mildew forming on shower curtains can be avoided. Soak the curtains in salted water before hanging them. To remove mildew, rub with lemon juice or a paste of baking powder and water (allow to dry and wash normally).
SHOWER HEAD
Soak the shower head overnight in a screw top jar of vinegar. Rinse off and the limescale will have gone.
Soak the shower head overnight in a screw top jar of vinegar. Rinse off and the limescale will have gone.
SILK
1. Add a couple of sugar lumps to the rinsing water when washing silk. This will give the fabric
more body.
2. Wash silk flowers in fabric conditioner and dry them with a hairdryer. The flowers will be
revived and smell sweet.
1. Add a couple of sugar lumps to the rinsing water when washing silk. This will give the fabric
more body.
2. Wash silk flowers in fabric conditioner and dry them with a hairdryer. The flowers will be
revived and smell sweet.
SILVER
1. Clean silver by rubbing with lemon halves. Wipe over with a warm damp cloth and polish.
2. Polish your silver with the inside of a banana skin.
3. Place a piece of aluminium foil in a glass dish, add the silver items, making sure that they
don't touch each other, and cover with pints of hot water mixed with four tablespoons of
sodium bicarbonate. Let stand, rinse and dry. (Do not use this process on pieces with
cemented-on handles, or on ornate items which could lose the dark accents of the design.)
4. Wrap silver cutlery in cling film after polishing to keep it clean for longer.
1. Clean silver by rubbing with lemon halves. Wipe over with a warm damp cloth and polish.
2. Polish your silver with the inside of a banana skin.
3. Place a piece of aluminium foil in a glass dish, add the silver items, making sure that they
don't touch each other, and cover with pints of hot water mixed with four tablespoons of
sodium bicarbonate. Let stand, rinse and dry. (Do not use this process on pieces with
cemented-on handles, or on ornate items which could lose the dark accents of the design.)
4. Wrap silver cutlery in cling film after polishing to keep it clean for longer.
SKIN PROBLEMS
- Pimples and boils can disappear without a scar when rubbed with raw garlic. Taken orally, garlic will purify the blood which will then help clear the skin.
- Wipe away the stains caused by hair-dyes on your skin by using milk. Rub gently on the area in question.
- Clear the 'age spots' from your hands by creating a paste of lemon juice and sugar. Rub on to the back of your hands and leave for 10 minutes, then wash your hands. Continue this process regularly.
SKI GOGGLES
Keep ski goggles from fogging up:
Keep ski goggles from fogging up:
- Spray the inside of the lenses with furniture polish, then wipe clean.
- Spray the inside of the lenses with shaving ream, then wipe clean.
- Rub a cut raw potato over your goggle glass to keep them clean and misty free.
SMOKING AND TOBACCO USE
Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
Bananas can also help people trying to give up smoking. The B6, B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
SNAILS
To repel snails from eating your plants, sprinkle white flour around the plant.
To repel snails from eating your plants, sprinkle white flour around the plant.
SOAP
1. Unwrap a new bar of soap and keep in a clothes draw until needed. Once the soap is
unwrapped, it will last longer and the clothes will smell sweet.
2. Use a fragrant bar of soap as a pincushion. This will lubricate the pins and needles and keep
the sewing box smelling nice.
1. Unwrap a new bar of soap and keep in a clothes draw until needed. Once the soap is
unwrapped, it will last longer and the clothes will smell sweet.
2. Use a fragrant bar of soap as a pincushion. This will lubricate the pins and needles and keep
the sewing box smelling nice.
SOCKS
To make your socks white again, boil them in water with a slice of lemon.
To make your socks white again, boil them in water with a slice of lemon.
SODA WATER - see:
Carpet stains - Flowers
Carpet stains - Flowers
SORES of any kind
- Just a little Aloe Vera Gel on the skin will soothe and heal the rash. It will soak into the skin quite quickly, so you don't have to wait before putting clothing over the sore.
- If your bottom is sore, consider putting a loo roll in the freezer. This will be more soothing on the skin when needed. No, the paper does not freeze, but it is nice and cool.
- Rinse a sore eye with a little salt water.
- Gargle with salt water to relieve a sore throat.
SPARE KEYS
Glue a rock to the top of an empty spice jar, or pill bottle, then bury the bottle so that only the rock is visible. Hide the spare key inside. Just remember where the treasure is!
Glue a rock to the top of an empty spice jar, or pill bottle, then bury the bottle so that only the rock is visible. Hide the spare key inside. Just remember where the treasure is!
SPECTACLES
- To clean spectacles without streaks, use a drop of vinegar or vodka on each lens.
- Tape some foam on either side of your spectacles' arms when going fishing or boating. If they fall overboard, then they will float.
SPIDERS
Dislike the smell of lavender.
Dislike the smell of lavender.
SPLINTERS
To remove splinters easily - without using tweezers our a needle - cover the splinter with cellotape, then pull it off. This method will remove most splinters both easily and painlessly.
To remove splinters easily - without using tweezers our a needle - cover the splinter with cellotape, then pull it off. This method will remove most splinters both easily and painlessly.
SPONGES
Deodorise sponge/s by placing them in the microwave. Firstly soak the sponge/s in water with a drop of white vinegar, or lemon juice. Place in the microwave on full power for one minutes. Beware, they will now be very hot!
Deodorise sponge/s by placing them in the microwave. Firstly soak the sponge/s in water with a drop of white vinegar, or lemon juice. Place in the microwave on full power for one minutes. Beware, they will now be very hot!
STAINLESS STEEL
To clean finger marks from stainless steel, wipe with a little baby oil on a kitchen paper.
To clean finger marks from stainless steel, wipe with a little baby oil on a kitchen paper.
STAINS
Look for the individual item in the Alphabetical List.
Look for the individual item in the Alphabetical List.
- Try using a baby wipe and gently rub the area in question.
STEPS, STAIRS and STEPLADDERS
Before painting steps and stairs (especially in the cellar), add a little sand to the paint for a better grip.
Before painting steps and stairs (especially in the cellar), add a little sand to the paint for a better grip.
STERADENT - Denture cleaning tablets
- 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.
- Drop a couple of steradent tablets into the toilet bowl last thing at night. Flush in the morning and the bowl will shine again like new.
STOCK
1. Brown the meat bones under the grill for a while before making the stock. You will find that
the stock has a richer colour.
2. When making stock from beef or chicken bones, place the bones in a chip basket in the
saucepan for quick and easy removal.
1. Brown the meat bones under the grill for a while before making the stock. You will find that
the stock has a richer colour.
2. When making stock from beef or chicken bones, place the bones in a chip basket in the
saucepan for quick and easy removal.
STOCKINGS and TIGHTS
- If you have dropped something tiny on the floor and you cannot find it, cover the hose on your vacuum cleaner with a piece of stocking or tights and secure with a rubber band. This will act as a filter when you start to vacuum and the item will have been prevented from being sucked up by the stocking/tights. Switch off the vacuum cleaner and there you will find your lost item.
- Use stockings or tights to tie up your plants. They will be visible and will also be gentle on the plant.
STORIES
Record your child's favourite story onto a disc / cassette. If you are away from home, he/she will be comforted by your voice.
Record your child's favourite story onto a disc / cassette. If you are away from home, he/she will be comforted by your voice.
STRAWBERRIES
- To keep strawberries, remove them from the punnet, wipe gently with a paper towel. Do not remove the hull. Place them on a plate which is lined with paper towel, and then cover again with a paper towel. Cover loosely with aluminium foil and put them in the refrigerator.
- To freeze strawberries, wipe them clean with a paper towel, hull them and put them on a flat plate and into the freezer. Do not cover them. When they are frozen, pack them into a plastic bag and return them to the freezer.
- To enjoy with drinks, wash, hull and dry the strawberries. Slice them and place. To the side that is cut, add cream cheese, freshly ground black pepper and arrange them onto a pretty dish.
STRESS
Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.
Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of a high-potassium banana snack.
STROKES
According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!
According to research in The New England Journal of Medicine, eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!
SULTANAS
To plump up your sultanas, place them in the microwave for a minute.
To plump up your sultanas, place them in the microwave for a minute.