I moved out on my own last May. There are lots of handy tidbits I have found to aid in my survival. Here are some that I have used (and many I haven't.) Just call me Martha Stewart.
This is part of an already established (and not yet known) effort to turn E2 into the perfect bachelor reference center. I mean, sensei is a culinary genius. Food? Covered! Just hit E2!
Here's the "Household" part of this effort. Enjoy.
- Ugly stains in glass vases, bowls, and cups respond well to soaking in a strong solution of hot vinegar. Finish them off by washing in hot, soapy water.
- Make a mistake addressing an envelope? Erase the error by rubbing it gently with a cotton swab dipped into a small amount of liquid bleach.
- Refrigerate candles before using and they will burn slowly and evenly.
- If you live in a colder climate in Winter, keep some kitty litter in the trunk of your car during the colder months. When you lose traction on ice, sprinkle the kitty litter under the tires.
- A stamp will peel right off if you rub lighter fluid on the inside of the envelope behind the stamp. This applies to the lick-em stick-em stamps.
- Put a piece of chalk in your jewelry box to keep your jewelry from tarnishing.
- A chunk of charcoal tucked away in a bookcase will absorb moisture and protect your books from mildew.
- A combination of Lemon juice and table salt will remove iron rust from fabric. Cut a lemon in half, rub it on the fabric until it is very wet, then rub in some salt and put the fabric in the sun to dry. Wash as usual. If the stain is still visible, repeat the process.
- (For sensei!) An iron skillet won't stick if you heat it, sprinkle generously with salt, then rub thoroughly with wadded up foil.
- To clear a sink or bathtub drain that has been clogged, pour in a half cup of baking soda followed by a cup of vinegar. Let the mixture foam, then run hot water down as a rinse.
- A thin paste of olive oil and salt will remove marks on furniture made by hot dishes. Let stand for about an hour, then wipe clean.
- Candle wax can be removed from linens, carpet, or clothing by pressing a warm iron over a paper towel directly on the spot. Continue until the wax melts and is absorbed into the paper towel.
- Throw lemon rinds into your garbage disposal to keep it smelling fresh.
- Blood stains on clothes will wash out after a thorough soaking in cold water. For more stubborn blood stains, add a cup of vinegar.
- Lettuce wrapped in paper towels rather than a cloth before refrigerating will prevent rusting of the leaves.
- Noodles, spaghetti and other starches won't boil over if you rub the inside of the pot with vegetable oil.
- Vinegar applied to kitchen burns prevents both blisters and pain.
- To stop tears while slicing onions, place them in the freezer for several minutes before cutting.
- If you've added too much salt to your soup or vegetables, add a slice of raw potato.
- Lemon juice squeezed on peeled bananas or apples will prevent them from turning dark.