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by Chris Levandowski

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• Mildly acidic white vinegar, mixed half & half with water, is a great spray cleaner and deodorizer for dissolving dirt, soap scum and hard water deposits on smooth surfaces.

• One cup of white vinegar in the last wash rinse cuts detergent residue and leaves clothes soft.

• A baking soda and water paste makes great silver polish -- but rub gently!

• Sprinkle baking soda on a wet sponge to clean the bathroom basin or tub.

• Keep a bottle of Club Soda handy -- it's the best stain remover around!

• Sparkling window cleaner -- in a spray bottle mix, 1 cup rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol, 1 cup water, and 1 tablespoon white vinegar.

• Place a fresh box of baking soda in the refrigerator when you reset the clocks in spring and fall.

• Refrigerator fresheners: vanilla extract on a cotton ball or dry coffee grounds sprinkled on a saucer.

• Eliminate odors and bacteria: Pop (damp) kitchen sponges into the microwave for a minute or two or run them through the dishwasher with the dinner dishes.

• Flea-proof the pup! Pour boiling water over two sliced lemons and soak overnight, strain and pour into spray bottle. Spritz and rub into the dog's coat daily -- spritz bedding too. Do NOT use on kitty!

• Whole cloves repel ants, peppermint oil is distasteful to mice -- and cats hate any citrus scent!

• Welcome home! Freshen the air with a few cloves and a little cinnamon simmered in a small pot of water.

• Boil one tablespoon of white vinegar in a cup of water to banish the odors of frying food.

• Lemon juice or lemon slices added to boiling water and then simmered, eliminates the odor of burned food.

• Freeze leftover wine in an ice cube tray to use in sauces and casseroles, even meatloaf!

• Year-round car window washer solvent: combine 1 quart of rubbing alcohol, 1 cup of water and 2 tablespoons liquid detergent. It won't freeze above 35 degrees below 0.

• Old fashion brown laundry soap gets rid of heavy-duty laundry stains, helps keep pets free of fleas and ticks, and, in solution, battles garden pests.

• Cleaning paintbrushes with brown laundry soap keeps them supple, soft … and clean.






• Rather than clay cat litter, look for organic, plant-based alternatives.

• Schedule septic tank maintenance bi-yearly to keep it working properly.

• Wrap celery in aluminum foil before storing it in the 'frig — it'll keep for weeks.

• Use nail polish remover or lighter fluid to remove passé bumper stickers.

• Clean those corroded car battery terminals with a strong solution of baking soda and water.

• Good mosquito deterrent -- Splash on plain rubbing alcohol.

• Store just-cleaned flat or hollowware silver in self-sealing plastic bags, or wrap with plastic wrap, to slow down or avoid tarnish.

• A bay leaf or two in a kitchen drawer and near or in flour and sugar sacks keeps crawling insects at bay.

• Hard-water and lime build-up in a teapot or kettle? Fill with two cups of vinegar, bring to a boil, simmer for 10 minutes, rinse well.

• Drop a business card or file card with your personal information down the window slot as proof of ownership of that vehicle.





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