Dryer Alert and 9 Other Nifty Little Hints

My friend Lynne passed these tips along to me this week. So simple yet so useful. I haven't tried them all but they sound sensible...like, why didn't I think of that? The first one could prevent a tragedy so read at least that far!

• Clothes Dryer Alert! Even if you clean your dryer's lint filter after every load, a film builds up from dryer sheets that prevents air flow. Eventually you can 1) decrease the efficiency of your dryer 2) burn out the heating unit or 3) cause the heating unit to catch fire and burn out the dryer and possibly even your house. Solution: Wash the lint filter at least every 6 months with hot, soapy water and a toothbrush. You will reduce energy costs, prolong the life of your dryer and possibly even prevent a fire!
• Static Cling Solution: Place a small safety pin in the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. Place a safety pin in the seam of pant legs and they won't cling to your pantyhose!
• Foggy Windshields: Use a clean (new) chalkboard eraser to wipe down the window. Works better than a cloth and it's small enough to keep in your console or glove compartment.
• Oops! Forgot the check!: If you have ever sealed an envelope and then realized you forgot to include something, here's your solution. Simply place the envelope in the freezer for a couple of hours and it will then open easily.
• Little Critters v. Your Garden: If squirrels, rabbits or deer are nibbling away at your plants, sprinkle the leaves with cayenne pepper. (I have also made a "tea" by steeping red pepper flakes in hot water. When cool I spray it on the plants.) It won't hurt the plants and the critters don't like it. You must persevere, however, and apply frequently.
• Mosquito Repellent: Keep a dryer sheet in your pocket to keep the mosquitoes away. Haven't tried this one but if it works, wouldn't it be a wonderful solution for our babies and toddlers instead of those sprays!
• Trapped Under The Fridge: To retrieve a small object from under the fridge (or any other tight place) simply attach an empty paper towel roll to the end of your vacuum hose. The new end can be flattened or bent to get into the narrow space and draw out the object.
• Pesky Fruit Flies: Fill a small glass with 1/2 inch of apple cider vinegar and add 2 drops of liquid dishwashing soap. Mix well. The flies wil be drawn to the liquid (rather than your fruit) and you simply empty the glass to dispose of the flies.
• Ant Invasion: Put small piles of corn meal wherever you see ants. They will carry it "home" and eat it. Since they cannot digest it, however, it will be the end of them! It may take longer than commercial chemical products but oh so much safer around children and pets.
• Broken Glass: To pick up the last miniscule fragments of broken glass just use a wet cotton ball to do a final wipe down. It will pick up the tiny shards that your eye might miss but a little foot could step on.

Post a comment and let me know how these work for you. Or share some tips of your own!