Shoe polish…adhesive remover…wood stain…what do these have in common? You can replace each of them with something in your fridge or pantry. Check out these six time- and money-saving life hacks from three Bottom Line experts…
If you have a tool (such as a pair of scissors, pliers or tweezers) that is so rusty that you’re ready to throw it away, we are here to offer a mercy plea. Give your rusty tools another chance! Here’s what you do…
Get a container—most tools will be able to stand in a wide-mouth jar—and fill it with apple cider vinegar. Put the rusty tool in, and let it soak overnight. The next day, wipe the tool completely dry with a clean rag (and brush it with an old toothbrush if you need to). Apply some light machine oil to any moving parts, if necessary. Your tool should be rust-free and usable again.
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Brew a cup of green or black tea, then rub the used tea bag over the pen marks on your skin.
Why it works: Catechin, a chemical compound found in these teas, combines with the pigments and oils in the pen ink, lifting the ink from the skin. The fabric of the tea bag acts as a mild scrubber.
Stickers and tape often leave adhesive residue behind when they are peeled from mirrors or windows. Scraping the residue away can take a lot of effort. Instead, place a dab of mayonnaise on a paper towel, and apply this to the adhesive. After a minute or two, the adhesive residue should give way without much scrubbing or scraping—sometimes it simply wipes away with a paper towel.
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Banana peels contain oil and potassium, key ingredients in store-bought shoe polish. Wipe shoes with the inside of the peel (discard the stringy parts of the peel first). Then buff with a clean cloth. You also can use the peels to clean the dust and debris from leafy houseplants.
Remove the foam from a dry-cleaner hanger, and rub it back and forth forcefully on deodorant marks. A towel works, too, but foam is gentler on fabric.
For small scratches on your dark wood furniture, gently rub a walnut in a circular motion several times over the scratch. Let the natural oils seep into the scratch for five to 10 minutes. Buff with a clean cloth.
Click here for 20 other clever household tips from “The Accidental Housewife”…
