Sunday, September 23, 2012

Look At My American MoJo Pillow Designs On Sale At My Zazzle Store

Hello,,

Take a look at just a few of my American Mojo Pillow designs on sale at my zazzle store.





Accent your home with American MoJo custom pillows from Zazzle. Made of 100% grade A cotton, these soft pillows look great with your designs, text, monogram, and photos. The perfect complement to your couch, custom American Mojo pillows will make you the envy of the neighborhood. All American MoJo products are produced by sustainably employed single moms in the USA and contribute to breaking the cycle of poverty for single moms and their children.
 Check out these designs and 1000's more for sale at my zazzle store
http://www.zazzle.com/jvinnyg


  • Sizes 20”x20” (square) and 13”x21” (lumbar).
  • 100% grade A woven cotton.
  • Fabric is made from natural fibers, which may result in irregularities
  • Handmade in the USA by sustainably employed single moms.
  • Hidden zipper enclosure; synthetic-filled insert included.
  • Machine washable.

Cool IPhone 5 Case Designs for sale at my zazzle store

Hello,,


Now that the IPhone 5 is out i've added a bunch of new designs to my zazzle store.

Check out just a few of the 100's of Iphone 5 case designs i have for sale in my zazzle store.

http://www.zazzle.com/jvinnyg










They can be personalized any way you like.  Want matching postage,business card,envelope,stationary,greeting card,cell phone case,tee shirt etc. If you don't find them in my store than just drop me a e-mail at jvinnyg@aol.com and I'll design it for you or leave me a comment here and I'll get right back to you.

NoteBooks,Photo Albums,Recipe Book For sale At my ZAZZLE Store

Hello Everyone,

Here is a peak at some of my notebook designs i have for sale in my Zazzle store. The great part is you can use them for other things than a school binder. They work great as photo albums for Weddings,Showers,Home photos, or scrap booking, recipe book,journals etc...

Hope you enjoy

 Check out my store for these and 1000's of other items at http://www.zazzle.com/jvinnyg




They can be personalized any way you like.  Want matching postage,business card,envelope,stationary,greeting card,cell phone case,tee shirt etc. If you don't find them in my store than just drop me a e-mail at jvinnyg@aol.com and I'll design it for you or leave me a comment here and I'll get right back to you.

Fast & Easy Homemade Pizza Bread Recipe

Hi Everyone,

I made a pizza bread last night and wanted to share the recipe and it's turn out. It was a huge success and so easy to make. I didn't think to get pictures as i was putting it together , But it is easy to image by following my directions:

  • Ingredients:
  • 1 store bought bag of dough (if frozen let thaw first)
  • 1 stick of pepperoni
  • 1 bag blended italian cheeses
  • 1 small can of tomato sauce
  • 1 small bag of fresh or frozen spinach
  • 1 small can of mushrooms
  • grated cheese
  •  
  • Toothpicks
  • cookie sheet
  • oil,garlic,parsley,oregano,basil,salt,pepper,garlic powder
 
I buy pre-made dough from the grocery store (they now have dough in multi grain, which i did try making pizza bread with last month and it came out really good too.)

Let the dough stay in its bag from the store on the counter for about an hour, or until it starts to raise.


Once that happens gently take it out with lightly floured hands and put it on a lightly floured surface.

kneed it out a bit, turning it over a few times than let it sit for a minute or so. In the mean time lightly oil a cookie sheet and pre heat the oven at 400 degrees.

Now take the dough and lay it on the baking sheet spreading it by lightly pulling and stretching it to the corners. (It won't stay in place right away you have to keep pushing it) Be careful not to put holes in it, if you do pull some dough around it and mend it.  Also don't pull the dough to thin, or when you roll it,you'll get splits.


Now once it is spread out on the cookie sheet lightly pat it with olive oil, and cover the dough with a slightly damp dish towel for about 1/2 hour. (If your in a hurry you can skip this last step, but the dough taste better if it raises a bit more)


Now remove the dish towel and spread your sauce and garlic on the dough ( I use the diced garlic in the jar, but you can use any type of garlic) At this point you can stuff it with anything you like (And i would love for you to leave comments on your ideas of food items to stuff it with,I'm always looking for new foods to try. )

Now lay thin diced peperoni, drained diced mushrooms,drained if frozen spinach across it. How much is up to you, I tend to not lay to heavy because it falls out when eating it. Now add your spices

parsley,oregano,basil,salt,pepper,garlic powder YUP more garlic..., next your grated cheese and than your blended mozzarella cheese.

Roll your dough length wise till you meet the other side, than close it with toothpicks. I lay it corner to corner on the cookie sheet for baking. I also VERY LIGHTLY rub olive oil on the top and sprinkle with grated cheese. Now toss it into the oven and bake for about 30-40 min., or until golden brown. ( I like mine a little doughy inside with a crunchy crust on the outside.)

You may see splits in the dough and some stuffing coming out but that's normal.
Once its done to your liking remove from the oven take out the toothpicks than slice and enjoy.Its best right out of the oven while the crust is crunchy. But is still awesome the next day too.





My son loves to take slices to school for lunch. And Every time I have a house full of guest i serve it on the buffet table in 3 different versions , the above way,than broccoli,spinach and cheese for my non meat eating guest, and than a hot sausage and hot pepper version.
Hope you enjoy.
And please leave a comment on how yours came out or if you have any other filling ideas.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Cooking tips using Heinz Vinegar



  Check out more ideas here http://www.heinzvinegar.com/tips/cooking-tips

Cooking Tips

Heinz® Vinegars have a great reputation for adding that little something extra to your favorite recipes and sauces. But it doesn’t stop there. Unleash the versatility of Heinz® Vinegar with this selection of helpful and handy cooking hints.
Easy Hard Boiled Eggs
Adding two tablespoons of Heinz® White Vinegar per quart of water before boiling eggs will prevent cracking, and the shells will peel off faster and easier when they’re done.
Fabulous Fish
You can enhance the flavor of your favorite grilled fish dishes by adding a dash of Heinz® White Vinegar. For firmer, whiter fish, soak your favorite filet or seafood steak for 20 minutes in one quart of water and two tablespoons of vinegar.
Fresh Air - Naturally
In addition to adding flavor to your meal, leave a bowl of Heinz® distilled white vinegar on your counter while cooking to remove all cooking odors. Works great when cooking fish!
Meat Tenderizer and Marinade
A mixture of one-half cup of white, cider or wine vinegar added to a cup of liquid bouillon makes a great marinade base.
Easy Buttermilk
When a recipe calls for buttermilk and you don’t have any on hand, just add a tablespoon of Heinz® White Vinegar to a cup of milk.
Vegetable Revival
To revive vegetables that look a little tired and wilted, soak them in one quart of cold water and a tablespoon of Heinz® White Vinegar.
Too Sweet? Too Salty?
To rescue a recipe that tastes too sweet or too salty after you’ve mixed the ingredients, try adding a dash of Heinz® White Vinegar. It may save the day.
Fluffy White Rice
For fluffier, great-tasting rice, just add a teaspoon of white vinegar to the boiling water. Your rice will be easier to spoon out and less sticky.

Helpful tips using Heinz Vinegar



  I came across this site http://www.heinzvinegar.com/tips
 the other day and thought i would spread these awesome tips. Check out the site for more info.

Tips

Discover the wonderful world of Heinz® Vinegars. Wherever you use them – in the kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, family room or around the house – we think you'll be amazed.

Featured Home Hints

Better Burgers
Hamburgers are tastier with Heinz® Vinegar. Add a teaspoon of Heinz® Garlic Wine Vinegar and 1/2 teaspoon of prepared mustard, favorite herb or dry seasoning mix per pound of hamburger.
More Cooking Tips
Chemical Free Cleaning
Use Heinz® Cleaning Vinegar to clean your microwave, cutting board and other kitchen areas where you prepare food. A natural alternative to harsh cleaners and chemicals.
More Kitchen Tips
Cooking Wine Substitute
When a recipe calls for wine, substitute Heinz® Red Wine Vinegar, diluting one part vinegar with three parts water.
More Cooking Tips
Keep Coffee Tasting Great
Remove mineral deposits from your coffee pot by filling the reservoir with Heinz Cleaning Vinegar and running through a brew cycle. Rinse thoroughly with two brew cycles of water. Then enjoy fast, fresh, hot coffee. (Please check with your appliance's manufacturer's instructions about the use of vinegar for cleaning).
More Kitchen Tips
Preserving Foods
Like all Heinz® Vinegars, Unfiltered Cider Vinegar is “pickling strength” (5 percent acidity), which means it’s at an acidity level that is recommended for successful, safe, home preservation of foods.
More Preserving Tips

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

I came across this site

I came across this site http://www.realsimple.com/new-uses-for-old-things/new-uses-cleaning/print-index.html and thought i would pass along these great ideas.

 

 

 

Surprising Cleaning New Uses

More hidden tricks to get your house sparkling in record time.

Bleach Bottle as Scooper Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran
Bleach Bottle as Cat Litter Scoop
Cut diagonally across the middle of an empty, clean bottle, toss the base, and use the half with the handle to scoop up soil or cat litter.
Tennis Ball as Light Bulb Remover Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran
Tennis Ball as Light Bulb Remover
Remove a hot bulb that’s just burned out, using the other half of the ball.
Socks as Floor Protector Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran
Socks as Floor Protector
Protect wood floors. Slide socks onto the legs of chairs and tables so they don’t scratch the floor when you rearrange the room (yet again).
Sponge being held by a binder clip Levi Brown
Binder Clip as Sponge Stand
To prevent a smelly, waterlogged sponge, air-dry it in a binder clip away from the sink.
Panty Hose as Candle Cleaner Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran
Panty Hose as Candle Cleaner
Revive a forgotten flickerer. Slide a dusty candle inside a stocking and roll it around.
Baby Oil as Paint Remover Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran
Baby Oil as Paint Remover
Dab some baby oil on splatters to remove latex paint from skin.
Clothespin as Cord Holder Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran
Clothespin as Cord Holder
Keep a retractable cord from rewinding too soon. Just clip the cord near the opening to prevent the cord from being sucked back in too quickly.
Salt as Iron Cleaner Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran
Salt as Iron Cleaner
Eliminate sticky residue from an iron. Run the hot iron (no steam) over plain paper sprinkled with salt.
Olive Oil as Sap Remover Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran
Olive Oil as Sap Remover
If dragging and decking out fresh spruce leaves you with sticky digits, pour a tablespoon of oil onto a cloth, then rub until clean. Bonus: The oil is a great moisturizer for dry winter skin.
Newspaper as Odor Absorber Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran
Newspaper as Refrigerator Odor Absorber
Absorb odors in the refrigerator’s vegetable drawer with a lining of newspaper.
Salt as Drain Cleaner Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran
Salt as Homemade Drain Cleaner
Get a slow-moving drain flowing again and pour a solution of ½ cup of salt for every quart of hot water down the pipe.
Olive Oil as Stainless Steel Cleaner Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran
Olive Oil as Stainless Steel Cleaner
Buff streaks out of stainless steel with a little oil on a terry-cloth rag, then shine with a dry paper towel.
Chopsticks as Lint Remover Photos: Erica McCartney; Styling: Linden Elstran
Chopsticks as Lint Remover
Pluck the lint buildup from a clothes dryer's trap.
Lint roller as handbag cleaner Photo: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran
Lint Roller as Handbag Cleaner
Quickly clean the interior of your purse by running a lint roller over the lining. Submitted by: Dotchie
Collapsible laundry bins as garbage bins Photo: John Lawton; Styling: Linden Elstran
Collapsible Laundry Bins as Garbage Bins
During seasonal cleaning binges, soft-sided, handled laundry bins can double as trash cans. Submitted by: HookemSuz 
Baby oil, a cloth and faucet Kana Okada
Baby Oil as Chrome Polish
Forget keeping skin soft, baby oil also polishes chrome. Apply a dab to a cotton cloth and use it to shine everything from faucets to hubcaps. You'll end up with shiny, happy surfaces from a medicine-cabinet staple. (Who actually owns chrome cleaner, anyway?)
Ironed dress shirt with lipstick on collar and hairspray James Wojcik
Hair Spray as Lipstick Stain Remover
Kiss that smudge of Really Red good-bye. If the fabric is machine washable, saturate the spot with hair spray, let it sit for 10 minutes, then dab with a damp cloth or sponge to remove. Launder as usual to wash out any residual stain and spray.
Ball of aluminum foil used to scrub glass pan Quentin Bacon
Aluminum Foil as Glassware Scrubber
To get baked-on food off a glass pan or an oven rack, use dishwashing liquid and a ball of foil in place of a steel-wool soap pad, says Mary Findley, president of the cleaning-products developer Mary Moppins. It's one way to recycle those used but perfectly good pieces of foil you hate to throw out.
Baking soda and silver bowls Beatriz da Costa
Baking Soda as Silver Polish
To polish silver: Wash items, then place on aluminum foil in the bottom of a pot. Add a baking-soda solution (¼ cup soda, a few teaspoons salt, 1 quart boiling water) and cover for a few seconds. The result? A chemical reaction that gets the black off the gravy boat.
Broom dusting crown molding Kana Okada
Broom as Long Distance Duster
To dust crown moldings, place a microfiber rag over the broom's bristles and secure with a rubber band. Then use the long handle to dust areas that your arms can't reach. No more circus acts (starring you, on a rickety, wobbly stool).
Car wax at a sink Frances Janisch
Car Wax as Sink Polish
Polish faucets, sinks, tile, even shower doors with Turtle Wax, which leaves behind a protective barrier against water and soap buildup, so your hard-earned sparkle will last past the next tooth-brushing.
Car wax and garden shears Aya Brackett
Car Wax as Garden Shear Lubricant
For cleaner cuts with less elbow grease, rub a little paste on the hinge of a pair of garden shears so they don’t get jammed.

Dinner set on a table. Monica Buck
Chalk as Tarnish Prevention
Slow the tarnish on your good silver by tying up a few moisture-absorbing pieces in cheesecloth and store them with your cutlery for shinier flatware that reflects well on you in no time flat.
Coasters and condiments in a cupboard Monica Buck
Coaster as Drip Catcher
Catch the sticky stuff from bottles and jars in cupboards. No more shelves that require a full wipe-down after every spoonful of honey, slather of jam, or glug of olive oil.
cooking-spray-votives  James Baigrie
Cooking Spray as Candlestick Cleaner
Celebrating by candlelight? Spray the inside of a votive holder with a thin coating before dropping in a tea light. After the candle has burned down, the remaining wax will slip out.
Can of cooking spray and a shovel Mark Lund
Use Cooking Spray as an Ice Repellent
Before clearing snow off a driveway, liberally spray both sides of a plastic or metal shovel with cooking spray. The ice will slide right off the oily surface. It's the easiest trick for smoother snow removal.

Cotton balls, rubber gloves and soap on a sink James Baigrie
Cotton Ball as Rubber Glove Protector
For leak-resistant gloves at your fingertips, push one cotton ball into the end of each finger of a dishwashing glove to keep sharp nails from splitting the rubber.

Dryer sheets with an iron Sang An
Dryer Sheet as Iron Cleaner
Remove gunk from the soleplate of an iron. With the setting on low, rub the iron over the dryer sheet until the residue disappears, and you're left with a pristine press.
Toys gathered in a dustpan France Ruffenach
Dustpan as Toy Herder
Scoop up small toys―Lego blocks, jacks, Barbie shoes, plastic soldiers—with your dustpan and brush, so you can reclaim your living room for grown-ups.
Egg shells and vase Yunhee Kim
Eggshells as Bottle and Vase Cleaners
Here’s an idea for all those eggs you hard-boiled: Use their broken eggshells to clean the hard-to-reach places in bottles and vases. Drop some crushed shells in the bottle, add warm water and a drop of dishwashing liquid, and give it a good swirl. The shells will scrape off the gunk you can’t get to, so you can save your elbow grease for the dinner dishes.
0604red-shoe Monica Buck
Emery Board as Stain Remover
Remove small stains from suede by gently rubbing the file (either side) across the problem area a few times to get rid of the splotch and refresh the nap.
Carpet dent and fork Monica Buck
Fork as Carpet Fluffer
Use the tines to gently fluff plush carpet fibers back to their original height, removing dents left by heavy furniture. Now, that's a real fork lift.

Baking soda used as linen freshener Antonis Achilleos
Baking Soda as Linen Freshener
Place an open box of baking soda alongside your stacks of sheets and towels to stave off mustiness.
Baking soda used to clean drain Antonis Achilleos
Baking Soda as Drain Unclogger
To get your drain running again (without resorting to chemicals worthy of a hazmat suit) pour ½ cup soda, then ½ cup vinegar, down a clogged drain. Cover it with a wet cloth, wait 5 minutes, uncover, and flush with steaming-hot water.
Baking soda used as stain remover Antonis Achilleos
Baking Soda as Stain Remover
Clean discolored teacups and teapots by making a paste of baking soda and water. Gently rub over the stain to remove.
Baking soda used to freshen carpet James Baigrie
Baking Soda as Carpet Freshener
To absorb stale odors from carpet (and to generally freshen up a room), scatter soda on it, wait a few hours, then vacuum up the powder.
Bath mat used to protect car seats Sang An
Bath Mat as Car Seat Protector
Protect your car seats from muddy paws by covering them with a bath mat or two before packing Lilly the Lab in the backseat. The rubber bottom will help the mat stay in place. Between trips, stow the mat in the trunk.
Car wax used to preserve stovetop Lucas Allen
Car Wax as Stovetop Polish
Preserve a pristine stovetop by applying a thin layer of car wax, then wiping it off. Future spills will lift off easily.
Citrus peel used to remove coffee and tea stains Lucas Allen
Citrus Peel as Coffee Mug Cleaner
Remove coffee or tea stains from a mug by rubbing them with a lightly salted citrus peel.
Citrus peel used to deodorize garbage pail James Baigrie
Citrus Peel as Garbage Disposal Deodorizer
Keep your disposal smelling fresh by dropping a few peels down the drain and flipping the switch.
Clothespin used to corral retractable power cord James Baigrie
Clothespin as Cord Keeper
The secret to keeping a retractable cord from rewinding too soon is to clip the cord near the opening.
Cornmeal used to absorb grease stains Kate Sears
Cornmeal as Grease Absorber
Add this to the grocery shopping list for new reasons. Cornmeal absorbs grease on light colored fabric or upholstery. Pour enough on to cover the soiled area and let sit for 15 to 30 minutes. Vacuum to remove the grains.
Cotton swab computer detailer Antonis Achilleos
Cotton Swab as Computer Detailer
With the machine turned off, disconnect the keyboard and trace between the keys with a cotton swab lightly dipped in isopropyl alcohol. If your mouse is the kind that rolls on a ball, unscrew the bottom and go over the ball and the interior with a cotton swab, too.
Denture tablet used to clean vases Antonis Achilleos
Denture Tablet as Vase Cleaner
When residue clings to unreachable spots inside a vase or a decanter, fill the container with warm water and drop in one or two denture-cleaning tablets for every eight ounces of warm water. Let the fizzy solution sit for the time specified on the product's box, then rinse.
dryer sheet used to wipe sawdust Antonis Achilleos
Dryer Sheet as Sawdust Clearer
An easy way to keep the work area clean. Saw dust at a work station sweeps up so fast with one pass of a used fabric softener sheet.
Dryer sheet used to remove soap scum Antonis Achilleos
Dryer Sheet as Scum Buster
Remove obstinate soap buildup from glass shower doors by sprinkling a few drops of water onto a used fabric-softener sheet and scrubbing.
Emery board used to revitalise an eraser Antonis Achilleos
Emery Board as Eraser Saver
To revive a dried-out eraser or clean a smudged one, lightly rub it over an emery board. The board's fine grain will shave off the eraser's old top layer, leaving you with a good-as-new mistake-removing surface.
Hair dryer used to remove price stickers Christopher Coppola
Hair Dryer as Sticker Remover
A little hot air quickly loosens price labels—with zero fingernail-chipping frustration.
Lemon used to brighten whites Antonis Achilleos
Lemon as Laundry Brightener
Skip the bleach—add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of lemon juice to the wash cycle to brighter up those fading whites.
Lint roller used to clean glitter James Wojick
Lint Roller as Glitter Pick-Up
Clean up glitter (and tiny pieces of construction paper) after craft time.
Magnets used to hold garbage bag in palce Sang An
Magnet as Trash Bag Holder
Minimize garbage-day malaise. Hold the top of a trash bag in place with magnets so bits don’t find their way to the bottom of the bin.
Mustard powder used to deodorize glasses James Baigrie
Mustard Powder as Jar Deodorizer
Deodorize smelly glass jars by washing them with a mixture of one teaspoon powdered mustard and one quart warm water.
Newspaper used to clean mirror Antonis Achilleos
Newspaper as Window Washer
Newspapers deposit less lint than paper towels do and don't leave any streaks. Just spray on a glass cleaner and wipe.
Onoin used as deodorizer James Baigrie
Onion as Basement Deodorizer
Clear the air in a dank basement. Cut an onion in half, place it on a plate, and leave it out overnight. Once the initial salad-bar aroma dissipates, you'll have a fresh (non-oniony) atmosphere.
Pant hanger used to dry bath mat Kana Okada
Pant Hanger as Drying Rack
Use a pant hanger to air-dry a bath mat after showering. Simply hang it over the shower curtain rod.
Panty hose used to clean candles Annie Schlechter
Panty Hose as Candle Duster
Remove dust from candles by running it through the leg of an old pair of panty hose.
Rice used to clean vase Hallie Burton
Rice as Vase Scrubber
Prepare a stained vase for a new batch of blooms. If you can't reach the residue at the bottom, add a tablespoon of rice and a lot of soapy water, shake, and rinse until clean.
Rubber bands used to secure glasses in dishwasher James Baigrie
Rubber Band as Stemware Securer
Secure wayward stemware in the dishwasher by tethering it to the machine's prongs with rubber bands.
Rubber glove used to remove pet hair Antonis Achilleos
Rubber Glove as Pet Hair Remover
Put on a damp rubber dishwashing glove and run your hand over hair-covered upholstery—the hair will cling to the glove, not the sofa. Rinse off the glove in the sink (with the drain catcher in place, of course).
Rubbing alcohol used to lift hair spray residue Sang An
Rubbing Alcohol as Hairspray Remover
Lift off hair-spray residue from bathroom walls. Spray a mixture of one part rubbing alcohol, two parts water, and a dash of dishwashing liquid onto vinyl wallpaper or semigloss (not flat) paint. Wipe clean.
Rubbing alcohol used to remove permanent marker Antonis Achilleos
Rubbing Alcohol as Permanent Marker Remover
Remove permanent marker from countertops and walls. Pour a bit of alcohol onto a cotton ball and rub on the stain. (Spot test on a hidden area first.)
Salt used to decorate wreath James Baigrie
Salt as Wreath Duster
Place a wreath of pinecones or faux evergreen in a paper bag with a 1/4 cup of salt. Fold the top of the bag over and gently shake.
Salt used to clean vegetables Antonis Achilleos
Salt as Salad Wash
Clean dirt from leafy vegetables by washing them in a bath of salt water.
Seam ripper used to clean vacuum cleaner Antonis Achilleos
Seam Ripper as Vacuum Roller Cleaner
Restore a vacuum to maximum power by cutting the lint and hair from its roller brush.
Shoe polish used to restore furniture Mark Lund
Shoe Polish as Furniture Polish
Spruce up wood furniture by filling in scratches with shoe polish in a similar shade.
Shower curtain liner used under picnic blanket Monica Buck
Shower Curtain as Picnic Blanket Liner
Do dew diligence and layer a liner underneath a picnic blanket to avoid soggy bottoms and grass or mud stains.
Sugar to degrease hands James Baigrie
Sugar as Hand Degreaser
Cut grease on hands by rubbing them with a mixture of sugar and water.
Toothbrush used to scour bathroom France Ruffenach
Electric Toothbrush as Grout Scrubber
Scour bathroom crevices with a battery-powered toothbrush.
Tooth paste used to fix linoleum Hallie Burton
Toothpaste as Linoleum Cleaner
Use white toothpaste to buff scuffs out of linoleum tiles.
Transparent tape used to clean keyboard Burcu Avsar
Tape as Keyboard Cleaner
Remove dust and crumbs from a keyboard and slide a
short strip between the letters.
Vanilla used to freshen freezer James Baigrie
Vanilla as Freezer Freshener
Trade frostbite funk for a more pleasing freezer scent and wipe the inside of the icebox with an extract-dampened cotton pad.
Vinegar used to remove odor Antonis Achilleos
Vinegar as Odor Remover
After chopping onions, scrub your hands with salt and a splash of vinegar to eliminate the smell.
Vinegar used to clean coffeemaker Anita Calero
Vinegar as Coffeemaker Cleaner
Clean a coffeemaker or a tea kettle by making a pot using a mixture of water and vinegar. Follow with several cycles of water to rinse.
Vinegar used to remove price sticker Antonis Achilleos
Vinegar as Sticker Remover
Dislodge a stubborn price sticker. Paint with several coats of vinegar, let it sit for five minutes, then wipe away.
Vinegar used to deodorize garbage disposal Antonis Achilleo
Vinegar as Garbage Disposal Deodorizer
Deodorize a garbage disposal. Make vinegar ice cubes and feed them down the disposal. After grinding, run cold water through the drain.
Walnut used to revitalize hardwood floors Alexandra Rowley
Walnut as Scratch Filler
Repair hardwood floors by rubbing shelled nuts into shallow scratches. Their natural oils help hide the flaws.
Zippered plastic bag used to remove wax James Baigrie
Zippered Plastic Bag as Wax Remover
To freeze wax so you can remove it from a tablecloth, fill a plastic bag with ice cubes and cover the wax with it for about 20 minutes.
Antacid tablets used to clean vase Mark Lund
Antacid Tablet as Vase Cleaner
Lift bouquet residue from the bottom of a vase. Fill the vase with water, add two tablets, let sit for a few minutes, wipe, and rinse.
Open box of basking soda James Wojick
Baking Soda as Pan Scrubber
Sprinkle soda on crusted casseroles and roasting pans and let sit for five minutes. Lightly scrub and rinse.
Baking soda used to clean tub stains Hallie Burton
Baking Soda as Tub Scrubber
Rub tub stains away. Create a paste mad up of equal parts baking soda and cream of tartar and a little lemon juice. Let sit for 30 minutes, then rinse.
Coffee filter TV screen cleaner Antonis Achilleos
Coffee Filter as Screen Cleaner
For lint-free viewing, grab a coffee filter to wipe down dusty and staticky computer monitors and TV screens regularly.
Baking soda used to scrub walls Antonis Achilleos
Baking Soda as Crayon Eraser
Sprinkle it on a damp sponge to erase crayon, pencil, and ink from painted surfaces.
Olive oil used to coat measuring spoons Rick Lew
Olive Oil as Measuring Spoon Primer
Rub olive oil on measuring cups and spoons coated with sticky stubstances (like honey) to ease cleaning.
Woman cleaning a cutting board with lemon Rick Lew
Lemon as Cutting Board Cleaner
To remove tough food stains from light wood and plastic cutting boards, slice a lemon in half, squeeze onto the soiled surface, rub, and let sit for 20 minutes before rinsing. The best part? You'll have a house that smells like a lemon grove rather than chemicals.
Lemonade Kool-Aid and a dishwasher Monica Buck
Lemonade Kool-Aid as Dishwasher Cleaner
Clean lime deposits and iron stains inside the dishwasher by pouring a packet of lemonade Kool-Aid (the only flavor that works) into the detergent cup and running the (empty) dishwasher. The citric acid in the mix wipes out stains; you don't have to.
Dishwasher bag Antonis Achilleos
Laundry Bag as Dishwashing Aid
Keep mini Tupperware lids, baby-bottle caps, and other small items from falling through the dishwasher rack. You'll save time by no longer diving for treasure on the floor of the dishwasher.
Lamp and lint roller Frances Janisch
Lint Roller as Lamp Shade Duster
Run the roller up and down the outside of the lamp shade to get rid of small particles that shouldn't be there. Ah, the satisfaction of knowing that every surface in your living room will pass the white-glove test.
Dirt Devil vacum and masking tape Monica Buck
Masking Tape as Scuff Preventor
Keep baseboards free of skid marks when you vacuum. Cover the edges of the vacuum head with masking tape so they won't leave dark smudges when you inevitably bump into the walls. There will be no more black marks on your cleaning record.
Mayonnaise used as a sticker remover on an old mirror David Prince
Mayonnaise as Adhesive Remover
Banish stickers from mirrors, glass, and bumpers by applying a generous helping of mayo to persistent adhesives. Use a flexible putty knife to help coax them off.
Shaving cream and nail polish Rita Maas
Nail Polish as Rust Preventer
Coat the bottom of a shaving-cream can to fend off rust rings on the ledge of the tub.
Newspaper in a food container Charles Maraia
Newspaper as Food-Container Deodorizer
Stuff a balled-up piece of newspaper into a plastic container that has developed a funk, and let it sit overnight. By morning the paper will have absorbed the offending smell.
Cooking oil and glasses David Prince
Cooking Oil as Adhesive Remover
Apply cooking oil to the sticker using a paper towel or a soft cloth, rub firmly, then rinse with warm soapy water. (If the adhesive is stubborn, use a dab of toothpaste along with the oil.)
Ceiling fan and pillowcase Anna Williams
Pillowcase as Ceiling Fan Duster
Slide an old case over a fan's blade then pull the fabric back, keeping all the dust and dirt contained.
Carrots and peeler on a plastic bag Kana Okada
Plastic Bag as Kitchen-Cleanup Aid
For no-fuss cleanup, instead of peeling fruits and vegetables over a cutting board or into the sink, do it over a plastic bag. When you're done, flip the peelings into the garbage and rinse the bag to reuse another day, or simply toss the whole shebang into the trash.
Dog biscuits and a leash Kana Okada
Plastic Bags as Hand Protectors
Fact: There are some things you'd just as soon not touch with your bare hands. Use bags as gloves to handle what's messy (say, chicken carcasses) or just plain gross (like the little "presents" the dog leaves in the front yard), then turn them inside out to trap the offending matter within for easy disposal.
Woman wearing shoe stepping into bag Kana Okada
Plastic Bag as Shoe Protector
It will never be a fashion trend, but tying bags over your shoes can keep you from tracking mud into the house when you come in, or protect slippers from dirt, snow, or rain when you run out to fetch the paper from the front lawn. (Be careful when walking on smooth surfaces, as the plastic won't give you any traction.)
Coffee grinder full of rice Burcu Avsar
Rice as Coffee Grinder Cleaner
Mill a handful of grains in your grinder and the fine particles will absorb stale odors and clean out residual grounds and oil. Discard the rice and wipe clean.
Woman using table salt to polish candlesticks Rick Lew
Salt as Polishing Agent
Shine brass and copper with a paste made from a few tablespoons of white vinegar and equal parts salt and flour. Apply with a soft cloth, rinse, and dry.
An egg and a canister of salt Tria Giovan
Salt as Egg Cleanup
Sop up a spilled egg by sprinkling salt over the mess. Wait two minutes and wipe it up.
CD and toothpaste Burcu Avsar
Toothpaste as CD Cleaner
To restore a damaged CD, apply a dot of non-gel formulat toothpaste to a cotton cloth and rub in a straight line from the center of the CD outward, covering any scratches. Rinse off the toothpaste with water.