1-1/2 ounces rubbing alcohol 8 ounces water 1/2 ounce fabric softener Mix. Spray on hemline or trouser crease and press dry. This is the professional method used by tailors. Post Views: 46
Category: Hints
Wall Paper Remover
1 part vinegar 1 part hot water Dip roller or sponge into solution and wet paper thoroughly. After two applications, the paper should peel off in sheets. NOTE: Use a paint roller. It is much more effective than using a Read More …
Starch
Silverstone/Teflon Baking Soda Soak
Toasted Almonds
Spread almonds in an ungreased baking pan. Place in 350 degree F oven and bake 5 to 10 minutes or until almonds are light brown, stirring once or twice to ensure even browning. Note that almonds will continue to brown Read More …
Transplant Mix
Wood Cabinet Cleaner/Polish
2/3 cup white vinegar 1/3 cup safflower oil Pour vinegar into blender. With the blender running, add oil in a thin stream. Blend until the mixture is emulsified. Apply with a soft cloth and buff to a shine. Post Views: Read More …
Steam Iron Mineral Deposit Remover
Tile Cleaner and Grease Remover
Tea Kettle Lime Sediment Remover
Wood Floor Soap
1/8 cup vegetable oil-based liquid 1/2 cup fragrant herb tea Soap (such as Murphy Oil Soap®) 2 gallons warm water 1/4 to 1/2 cup vinegar or lemon juice Combine in a bucket. Swirl until sudsy, then use for mopping. Post Read More …
Varnish Remover
1 cup cornstarch 1/2 cup ammonia 1 cup sal soda Add hot water to cornstarch to make a thin paste. Add sal soda and ammonia. Mix well and apply hot; wait 10 minutes more and apply once more. Wait 10 Read More …
Windshield Cleaner (extra-strength)
Swiffer Refill Cloths
This works well for both the wet and dry Swiffers! Cut up an old receiving blanket or other similar heavy fabric in the size needed for your “Swiffer.” Use and toss in the washing machine to be used again. Post Read More …
Shoe Dye (for canvas or linen shoes)
Salty Fish Bait
Bring a pint of sweet milk to a boil. Add 3 tablespoons salt. Heat until milk starts to foam, and add enough cornmeal until the mixture is thick and tough enough to stay on the hook. You can add bits Read More …
Window Cleaner
This is the old-fashioned variety. 1/2 cup ammonia 2 tablespoons cornstarch 1/2 cup white distilled vinegar 1 bucket warm water Dry the windows with two towels. The second towel will make windows sparkle. NOTE: If cold weather, add 1/2 cup Read More …
Velvet Scrub
Use this on fiberglass or the inside of a refrigerator. 4 tablespoons baking soda 1 tablespoon Soft Soap 4 cups warm water Combine and pour into a plastic pump-type spray bottle. Spray directly on the surface to be cleaned and Read More …
Silverware Cleaner
This is especially good for pieces of silver that are difficult to clean. 3 tablespoons Ivory® or Lux® soap flakes 3/4 gallon water In a large aluminum kettle, mix soap flakes and water and bring to boiling. Add silverware. Cook Read More …
Scented Kitchen Rinse
4 drops essential oil * 2 cups water * your choice of cypress, eucalyptus, grapefruit, lavender, lemon, lemongrass, lime, orange, pine, rosemary, sage, thyme or wintergreen. Use alone or mix-and-match as desired. Pour ingredients into a spray bottle, label, and Read More …
White Sock Soap
1/4 cup liquid chlorine bleach 1 cup powdered dishwasher detergent 1 gallon hot water Use a plastic, enamel or stainless steel container (not aluminum) or the kitchen sink. If the fabric or material cannot take hot water, let it cool. Read More …
Silver Cleaner
2 quarts boiling water 4 teaspoons baking soda Line the bottom of a large enameled pan with aluminum foil. Place silver on the foil. Pour water over silver, covering it completely. Sprinkle in baking soda. Let silver sit in the Read More …
Woodwork/Wood Cabinet Cleanser
2 tablespoons olive oil 1 quart warm water 4 tablespoons white vinegar Combine all ingredients in a 2-quart bottle, cap, and shake to mix. Dampen a cloth with the solution and wipe cabinets or woodwork. Dry with a clean cloth. Read More …
Septic Tank Treatment
This is an effective cleaner for your septic tank, and it will not harm the system. 2 cups brown sugar 5 cups warm water 1 tablespoon baker’s yeast Stir sugar and yeast into the warm water until dissolved. Pour the Read More …
Soft Soap (for delicate washables)
1/4 cup soap flakes or grated soap ends 1 cup water 1/4 cup borax Simmer in a saucepan, stirring until of uniform consistency. Strain into a jar. Cover and store. Wash most items in hot water with a small amount Read More …
Vinyl Cleaner
Vinyl Cleaner 1 part whiting 1 teaspoon mild dishwashing liquid 3 parts baking soda 2 quarts warm water Combine whiting and baking soda in a bowl or bucket. Stir well. Rub powder onto the vinyl with a damp sponge. Mix Read More …
Termite Remedy
1 quart creosote 1 (1 pound) box moth balls 1 quart household ammonia 1 package hartshorn Mix and dissolve all ingredients in a gallon jug. Put 1 cupful in 3 gallons of water for spray. Keep corked and out of Read More …
Spot Stopper (for dishwasher)
1 cup borax 1/2 cup baking soda Mix ingredients and store in a clean, tightly closed pint-size jar or can. Label and keep out of the reach of children. To use, add 1 teaspoon of the mixture to your dishwasher Read More …
Toilet Bowl Cleaner
1 cup bleach 1 to 10 cups water Pour bleach and water into a clean gallon-size plastic jug. Label, cap, and keep out of the reach of children. Pour 1 cup into the toilet. Let sit for 30 minutes with Read More …
Wall Wash (for painted walls)
2 tablespoons ammonia 1 quart warm water 2 tablespoons liquid detergent Mix well. Dust the walls first with a dry mop. Wash with Wall Wash mixture, rubbing gently. Sponge off with 1 tablespoon borax to 1 quart rinse water. Wipe Read More …
Vinegar Shower Cleaner
This is a wonderful, natural alternative to chemical bath and shower cleaners (and it’s much less expensive). 1 cup white vinegar 3 cups water Put into a large spray bottle and shake well before each use. Use to clean your Read More …
Wall Cleaner (for heavy dirt)
1 gallon hot water 1 cup ammonia 1/2 cup white vinegar 1/4 cup baking soda Scrub with a terry cloth rag, then wipe dry with a clean rag. NOTE: This is so strong it may dull a glossy wall. Post Read More …
Sneaker Freshener
5 drops lavender 5 drops tea tree 1 tablespoon baking powder or cornstarch Add essential oils (EOs) to baking powder (which is more sweetening in nature) or the cornstarch (which is softer-textured). Stir gently to spread scents of the oils. Read More …
Squirrel Repellent
1 ounce Murphy’s Oil Soap 1 ounce hot sauce 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper Mix everything together and put the mixture in a 22 ounce spray bottle. Fill the bottle to the top with water. Gently mix. Spray everything around where Read More …
Silverstone/Teflon Bleach Soak
1 tablespoon liquid chlorine bleach 1 tablespoon white vinegar 1 cup water Pour ingredients into the stained utensil. Let stand for 10 minutes or until stain lightens. Wash thoroughly with liquid dishwashing detergent. If chlorine odor lingers, scrub with baking Read More …
Wooden Floor Cleaner
2 tablespoons ammonia 5 tablespoons turpentine 1 pint mineral oil 1/2 cup vegetable oil Mix in a jar. To use, add 1 cup mixture to 1 quart warm water in a bucket. Mop the floor, following the grain. Wipe completely Read More …
Wooden Floor Cleaner (for floors with a hard-coat finish only)
4 teabags 1 quart water Boil teabags in water, then let cool. Clean small areas of the floor at a time. Wipe dry to prevent water-spotting and warping. OR Few drops mild dish soap 1 gallon warm water Clean small Read More …
Silver Polish
1 cup water 1/4 cup soap flakes 2-1/2 tablespoons whiting 1 tablespoon isopropyl alcohol (70%) Boil water and remove from heat. Add soap flakes and stir to dissolve. Beat mixture by hand or with electric mixture at medium speed until Read More …
Spot Remover
This is especially good for removing spots from delicate fabrics. 3 tablespoons hydrogen peroxide 1 tablespoon ammonia Mix ingredients and dab on the stained area. Leave on for up to 1 hour, then rinse off. Reapply if necessary. CAUTION: Fumes Read More …
Starch (for crocheted baskets and favors)
1/2 cup granulated sugar 2/3 cup water Boil sugar in water for three minutes. Cool slightly; dip basket, stretch on jar, vase or other object. Place on heavy cardboard or several layers of paper. Pull and stretch to desired shape Read More …
Shower Curtain Wash
1/2 cup detergent 1/2 cup baking soda Fill the washing machine with warm water and add 2 large bath towels. Add detergent and baking soda. Put the shower curtain into the washing machine. Run through the entire wash cycle; however, Read More …
Star Anise
A star-shaped, dark brown pod that contains a pea-sized seed in each of its eight segments. Native to China, star anise comes from a small evergreen tree. Although the flavor of its seeds is derived from anethol (the same oil Read More …
Soft Soap (jellied soap)
Several bits, slivers, and pieces of used soap - enough to make 1 cup, dried out, or 1 cup soap flakes 1 cup boiling water If using soap bits, grind them in a food processor blender until they are fine. Read More …
Splenda
Splenda has been available in Canada for several years and is now available in the United States. Splenda (sucralose) is chemically inert and does not break down as it passes through the body. It can be used more or less Read More …
Tough Hand Cleaner
1/4 cup grated naphtha soap ends 2 tablespoons mason’s sand or pumice 1 cup water Place soap and water in a saucepan. Place over low heat; stir until soap is melted. After mixture cools, add mason’s sand or pumice. Store Read More …
Vanilla Room Spray
1 (4 ounce) clean spray bottle with a fine mist setting 1-1/2 ounces distilled water 1-1/2 ounces clear vanilla extract Fill the spray bottle with vanilla extract and distilled water. Let the bottle sit for one day before use. Shake Read More …
Sugar Starch
This is the old-fashioned starch used for lacy doilies. 1/4 cup water 3/4 cup granulated sugar Mix water and sugar in a small pan. Stir the mixture over low heat (do not boil) until clear and not sugary. Remove pan Read More …
Shower Wall and Glass Door Cleaner
White vinegar, heated Dry borax To clean hard water spots and scum off shower walls and glass doors, use undiluted, heated white vinegar. Put heated vinegar into a spray bottle, spray on and let soak 15 minutes. Using a nylon-covered Read More …
Wild Life Repellent
1 whole Spanish onion 1 jalapeno pepper 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper Chop up the onion and the pepper. Mix together and boil in 2 quarts of water for about 20 min. Let cool, and strain the water through a cheesecloth. Read More …
Wooden Floor Polish (non-slip)
1/2 cup orange shellac 2 tablespoons turpentine 2 tablespoons gum Arabic 1 pint denatured alcohol 2 tablespoons gum Arabic 1 pint denatured alcohol Mix shellac, gum Arabic and turpentine until the gum Arabic dissolves. Store in covered jars. Apply with Read More …