Generaltstore authentic

25 Natural Household Tips to Make Life Easy

1. Keep bread from molding: Place a clean dry paper towel under the bread in its original bag when storing it.

2. Got holes in your white walls? Dab a small amount of white, non-gel toothpaste into the hole, and you'll never notice it again.

3. Protect your walls from cracks. My daddy taught me this one. Before you drive a nail into the wall, place a piece of tape over the spot, and you'll avoid cracking the wall.

4. Use peppermint for those pesky pests. I've been using this tip for several years, and it's a keeper. Plant mint in the ground close to your home (it grows rapidly and everywhere). Mice, moles, rats, gophers, and squirrels are just some of the annoying critters that will stay away.

5. What do you do for a weird smell in your car? This is one of my favorite tips. Just take a sheet of fabric softener and place a couple under the seats and in the trunk.

6. Mosquitoes driving you nuts? Fabric softener sheets work wonders. To keep mosquitoes at bay, stick a sheet of Bounce fabric softener in your pocket, sleeve, or shoe, and they will leave you alone.

7. Here's how to ice-proof your windshield. Mix one part water to three parts white vinegar and spray on the windscreen generously. It will keep your windshield ice-free.

HOW TO PEEL FRUIT AND VEG

TOMATOES
Put a pan of water on the heat to boil. Mark the top of your tomatoes with an X and leave them in the water for 15-30 seconds, before plunging them into icy water for 5 minutes, or until they feel completely cold. Now try removing the skin: incredibly easy, isn’t it?

GARLIC
Peeling garlic is one of the most tedious jobs you can imagine, and one which inevitably leaves your hands smelling unpleasantly. The solution is actually very simple: just take the individual cloves, put them into a cocktail shaker and, well, shake it of course. In twenty seconds your garlic cloves will be ready for use.

POTATOES
Potato peel is nutrient-rich and therefore should always be eaten. However, if you really do not like the taste or if your recipe calls for peeled potatoes only, there is a method to prevent you from burning your hands. Make a circular cut about half way down the potato, boil it for half an hour and then plunge into icy water for a few seconds. Voilà!

EGGS
There is something vaguely magical about this recipe. Place the egg (already boiled of course) in a glass jar with a little water. Shake it for less than one minute and prepare yourselves for a surprise: the shell has separated from the egg.

KIWI
A spoon can actually be used to remove that bothersome kiwi peel? Correct. Start by cutting off both ends of the fruit, then insert a spoon between the skin and the pulp. Take the spoon all around the fruit, adhering closely to the skin. There you have it, ready to be eaten.

MANGO

There can never be too many hints on how to, cut and eat mango. This one involves the use of a beer glass – an empty one, of course. If you think it sounds complicated take a look at the video.

Best Ways to Save on Electricity Costs for Your Water Heater:

1. Lower your water heater’s thermostat to 120 degrees. Safety note: if your unit’s thermostat is behind screw-on panels, turn off power to your heater before opening them.
2. Wrap your water heater in an insulation blanket with your unit’s recommended R-value. You can find the R-value, which refers to a material’s insulation capacity, in your owner’s manual.
3. Wash your clothes in cold water. Modern detergents are just as effective in cold water and your clothes will hold their shape and color longer this way.
4. Stop hand-washing. It actually uses more hot water than running a full dishwasher.
5. Drain the sediment from your heater’s tank twice per year. This project takes less than 15 minutes and will make your unit much more efficient.

What if Grease Goes Down the Drain?
Accidents do happen when it comes to cooking oil disposal, especially when you have guests trying to help you tidy up after a holiday meal.

If grease or cooking oil does make its way into your sink, take immediate action with these tips from Roto-Rooter:

- Pour baking soda and white vinegar down the drain to clear some of the grease away.
- Try an enzyme-based drain cleaner, like Roto-Rooter’s Pipe Shield, which helps neutralize grease in both metal and PVC pipes.

If your sink is still slow, use a plunger to further dislodge the grease clog. Not having any luck with these fixes? Unfortunately, you will need to call a plumber.

How to Dispose of Bacon Grease and Oil the Right Way

The best way to get rid of cooking oil and grease is simple – throw it in the trash. Follow these steps to learn the safest way to dispose of these hot liquids:
- Let the oil or grease cool and solidify.
- Once cooled, scrape the grease into a container that can be thrown away.
- When the container is full, place it in a plastic bag to prevent leakage and then throw it in the garbage.

Once you’ve gotten rid of most of the grease, use a paper towel to wipe down all pots, pans and dishes that came into contact with the oil before rinsing them in the sink. Even small amounts of leftover grease are dangerous to your plumbing because it will build up over time.