Everyday Hints

Coffee Burned on Bottom of Pot?

Method 1
Place a handful of ice cubes in the pot, gently swish around for about 1 minutes - this will dislodge the burnt coffee - finish by washing as usual.

Method 2
Pour table salt over the burned stuff, add a little water, and let sit for a while. The gunk should come loose and you can then wash the pot as you normally do.

Amazing Plant Facts & Reasons to buy a Plant Today

According to a two-year study by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), many indoor plants absorb air pollutants through their leaves and roots and convert them into breathable air.

Within 24 hours, some plants can remove up to 87 percent of toxic indoor air.

Depending on the species, one plant can provide effective cleaning for every 100 square feet of space. For example, between 15 and 20 golden pothos and spider plants can refresh the air in an average 1,800 square-foot home.

Plants work equally well in homes, offices, and factories, as long as their requirements for sunlight, water, and soil are met.

Remove the Garlic Odor on Hands

To rid your hands of garlic odor, rub a piece of stainless steel while washing your hands under running water. It works like a charm everytime!

Keep Your Sheets Together

To keep matching sheet sets together in the linen closet, instead of just folding and stacking them on a shelf, slide the flat sheet, fitted sheet, and one pillow case inside the other pillow case

Must Do Spring Cleaning Checklist

Clear away clutter. Put magazines, mail, stray books, clothes and toys in their place.

Once the air is warm, open all the windows and let the spring air naturally deodorize the rooms.

Clean high and low. Remove the cobwebs in the corners of the ceiling, dust the tops of door frames and baseboards.

Clean one room at a time, beginning with the dirtiest one. Start at the back of the room and work toward the door.

Use a new vacuum bag and make sure to vacuum everything you can--drapes, lampshades, bookshelves, blinds, window and door frames and, of course, carpets and floors.

Deep-clean vinyl, laminate or wood floors. Because we typically track in a lot of dirt during the summer months, it's best to wait until fall to have your carpeting cleaned.

Clean (or replace) throw rugs and door mats.

Spot-clean walls and ceilings with a dry sponge or with as little water as possible.

Clean woodwork, window sills and vents.

Clean light fixtures, especially ceiling fixtures.

Vacuum bed mattresses, flip them over and turn the head end toward the toe end.

Replace furnace filters. (Yes, you have to continue to replace filters monthly in the summer, too, if you have central air conditioning) and remove any clutter from around the furnace.

Test your air conditioner and schedule necessary maintenance now--before the warm-weather rush.

Check basements, bathrooms and other damp areas in your home for mildew. Clean mildewed areas with a solution of one cup chlorine bleach to one gallon of water. To prevent mildew, make sure areas are dry and well-ventilated and use a dehumidifier in the warm-weather months.

Wash windows with a mixture of two tablespoons of household ammonia or white vinegar and one quart warm water. Wash with a cotton cloth and work from top to bottom. Squeegees make quick work of drying, but lintless rags or paper towels also do the job. To prevent streaking, don't wash windows in direct sunlight.

Submitted by Linda in Kansas City, MO

Painting a fence - keep the dirt off your brush

When paining the bottom of a fence or fence posts, use an old dustpan as a barrier to the ground to prevent the brush from picking up dirt and grass.

Squeaky Floors

If your floors creak, sprinkle the area with talcum powder.

Another option is to put the talcum powder in a plastic "restaurant style" ketchup container and spray the powder into and under the floor board.

Hard to Turn Keys

scrape the point of a soft-lead pencil over the teeth of the key and insert it into the lock. Don't ever use oil as it will gum up the lock.

Prevent Dirty Carpets

If you a pet that ventures outdoors, keep a towel by the door to give your pet a quick rubdownof the paws before letting them in the house.

Removing Hair Spray From Walls

Put a few drops of shampoo and warm water on a sponge or cloth to wipe down the wall. Rinse with clear warm water to remove any residue.