Using Household Items to Solve Everyday Problems: Recycle Products and Save Money at the Same Time
Some have begun mixing their own cleaning solutions using natural, biodegradable ingredients. More than that, however, some are actively seeking alternative ways to save money by using existing household items. Here are some of the ideas that I have come up with that work very well.
My daughter and I clean houses for a living and one of the jobs that we both hate with a passion is cleaning ceiling fans. They are inevitably full of dust and grime but we don’t want to knock that down onto the furniture or floor. For that reason, we came up with a creative way to clean the fan thoroughly without making a mess.
Standing on a footstool, wrap a bath or large kitchen towel over the blade, being certain to leave openings only at the back and front of the blade. Holding lightly, but firmly onto each side of the blade, pull the towel forward to the front.
The dust will adhere to the towel, leaving the blade sparkling clean without dumping dust all over the room. You can then shake the dust off of the towel outside to reuse it again or use a separate towel for each blade. Once finished, just put the towels in the laundry.
With summertime just around the corner, it is a sure bet that some of you will stay out in the sun too long, resulting in painful sunburn. Rather than running to the drugstore to purchase a spray on balm, head to your refrigerator instead.
Cut up thin slices of watermelon and rub them gently over the burn. The melon’s moisturizing ingredients will soothe badly burned skin while also helping it prevent blistering. It will also help to heal the skin much more quickly. As a side benefit, your skin will smell delicious too.
It you can’t afford those expensive anti-cling dryer sheets anymore, try aluminum foil instead. Although your clothes won’t smell as delightful as they might if you used a fabric softener, they certainly won’t cling to your body in an embarrassing manner. Tin foil is an electric conductor that neutralizes the ions in the fabric that cause it to generate static cling.
If you love using sponges for cleaning but can no longer afford to purchase them, there is an alternative way of killing their inherent bacteria so that you can use it longer. Throw it in the dishwasher along with your next load of dishes and, voila, you have a clean, almost bacteria free sponge.
Need a youthful pick-me-up on a difficult day. Make your own natural fruit body spray with natural the natural fruit juice of your choice mixed with olive oil and/or vitamin E, glycerin, and water. Put your new concoction into a spray bottle and spritz yourself off and on throughout the day. The fruit scent provides an instant pick-me-up for you and a pleasant aroma for those around you.
If you love to swim, chances are that you want to use waterproof mascara during the summer. However, if you are like me, you don’t like the fact that it is so difficult to remove.
To side step that issue, coat your lashes with a single coat of regular mascara. Then apply your waterproof mascara on top. This process will make it easier to remove both types of mascara.
If children or animals are scratching up your furniture, use common household items as protective coverings to prevent further damage. Place mats, charger mats, and even charger plates can help cover up existing scratches while preventing new ones from happening.
Additionally, chargers can serve as a base for candles, decorative items, and as water trays for fresh potted plants and flowers. You can also use them as serving trays when you choose to eat meals in your family room. If you don’t have charger plates around the house, mirror pieces also work beautifully to accomplish the same things.
With a bit of ingenuity you can find all kinds of common household items that will help you solve everyday issues. As a side benefit, you can save a few dollars to help you fill up those gas tanks.
