Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

To remove rust marks from clothing, squeeze lemon juice on the spots, pat with salt and hang the garment in the sun to dry.

Line freezer baskets with net so that small items do not fall through. A full, tightly packed freezer runs economically.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

When melting chocolate in the microwave or double boiler, line bowl or pot with waxed paper. Chocolate is easy to pour and easy to scrape off the paper. Non is wasted.

Gently clean chrome with white vinegar. Remove stubborn marks with a solution of baking soda and warm water. Rinse.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

Save plastic containers from cottage cheese, yogurt, margarine etc. and use as containers when freezing food.

Give stainless-steel pans a good shine by rubbing with flour. Remove heat marks with a scouring pad and lemon juice.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

Clean sliding door gliders, then run either paraffin wax or a candle over them to facilitate easier, quieter opening and closing.

Pay special attention to sink drain holes and overflows. Clean with a bottle brush, and pour a little bleach down them once a week.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

Four or five mothballs in your toolbox will keep the tools from rusting.

Brush a pastry shell with egg white before adding the filling to prevent it from becoming soggy. Brush uncooked pastry with melted butter before freezing.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

To dry the insides of children's winter boots or summer rubbers quickly, put the hose of the vacuum cleaner into the boot and turn on the blower.

If peanut butter dries out, adding a spoonful of liquid honey will make the peanut butter moist again. Stir the honey in well.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

Place a small piece of cotton in the fingers of rubber gloves to help prevent holes from fingernails.

Rub chalk down the edge of the door, then close it. The chalk will leave a mark on the frame at the contact point. Plane the area. If sliding doors stick, apply floor polish to the tracks.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

Black marks on walls can be removed with a soft, damp cloth and some toothpaste.

Clip a wooden clothespin to the handle of the jam spoon - this prevents it from slipping into the boiling jam during cooking.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

To save energy, do not preheat the oven before cooking casseroles or meat dishes.

For mud on carpets, let it dry (this usually takes one or two hours), then vacuum up the deposit. If necessary, use a stiff brush to loosen the dried mud first.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

Keep peanut butter fresh by storing the jar upside down. 

Add a little vinegar to the rinse water. It cuts through grease and leaves dishes sparkling clean.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

Put a coat of wax on your dustpan. Dust and dirt will slide off easily.

For really tough stains on garage floors, use oven cleaner. Let it stand, then rinse it off. Keep children and pets away.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

An inexpensive and quick method of freshening up your home is to apply vanilla extract to a cloth and wipe on lights in various rooms throughout the house. A fresh, clean aroma is released when you turn on the lights. 

Wipe bronze objects with a little shoe polish or vegetable oil to maintain a sheen. To clean, dust bronze with a soft cloth. Clean intricate areas with a cotton swab. Apply turpentine to remove any marks, then polish.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

When re-potting plants, place a coffee filter in the pot before filling it with soil. The filter stops the soil from leaking out of the bottom of the pot and making a mess in the saucer.

Sprinkle fresh oil stains on garage floors with plenty of cat litter, then grind the litter in with your foot. Sweep the litter up when it has absorbed the oil, and discard it.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

A few drops of bleach in lukewarm water will remove tea stains from cups and teapot.

To coat meat quickly and with a minimum of mess, put seasoned flour in a plastic bag and add the meat. Shake the bag until the meat is thoroughly coated.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

If a plastic storage container has an unpleasant smell, fill it with water, add a few drops of vanilla extract and let stand overnight.

Stand hardened nail polish in a bowl of hot water to return it to it's original consistency. Repeat as often as necessary. Keep your nail polish in the refrigerator to prevent it from thickening.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

Stop electric waste-disposal units from becoming smelly by grinding citrus peels in them. Clear food debris by pouring a bucket of hot water with a handful of washing soda down them from time to time.

Window boxes won't splatter windows if you put a shallow layer of gravel over the dirt.

Household Hints - Save time, save money, save energy

Whitewash the inside of your window boxes before filling with earth. This will prevent the boxes from rotting and will help keep away insects.

Wipe newly washed windows clean with crumpled newspaper. This is a cheap alternative to a chamois leather, and the ink will give the glass an extra shine.