Helpful Hints & Tips Archive

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Got A Cough?

A woman wrapped in a floral blanket coughing into her hand while sitting in bed.

Try sprinkling your pillowcase with apple cider vinegar to control nighttime coughing.

Make Zippers Last Longer

Metal zipper teeth and slider on a black fabric garment shown in close up detail.

Before you wash clothes, it’s always best to zip them up. Zippers tend to work better and last longer when you launder the article of clothing while zipped.

No need to buy expensive carpet deodorizers containing artificial fragrances and ingredients. Simply mix 1 cup of baking soda with 1 cup of cornstarch, then add 15 drops of essential oil of your choice. Sprinkle on the carpet, leave for 10-20 minutes, then vacuum. Store leftover mixture in a glass jar or airtight container.

Remove Pet Hair Easily

A person wearing a grey sweater pulls on a pair of bright yellow rubber cleaning gloves.

Trying to vacuum up pet hair can be a burden. To easily remove pet hair from upholstery, slip on a latex rubber glove and lightly dampen it with water, then wipe it over the fabric in circular motions. Works better than a lint roller!

Transporting Cupcakes

Seven mini cupcakes with white frosting and festive red and green sprinkles on a white platter.

If you’re bringing frosted cupcakes to a party or cookout, secure them to the bottom of the platter or tray with a dab of frosting so they won’t slide around during transit.

Better Tasting Iced Coffee

Freshly brewed coffee pouring from a pot into a blue plastic ice cube tray on white.

On hot days, keep your iced coffee from getting watered down from melting ice. Simply fill an ice cube tray with leftover coffee, then pop it in the freezer to chill for 3 to 4 hours. Store the coffee ice cubes in a large freezer bag or keep them in the tray and add them

Organize Your Garden Tools!

Blue mailbox painted with daisies holding garden twine, scissors, and a trowel in a sunny garden.

Repurpose an old/vintage mailbox to store your garden tools in the garden. It’s an attractive way to keep them handy while you work!

Cloudy Headlights?

A hand using a purple microfiber cloth to polish the clear lens of a black car headlight.

Headlights get dirty and hazy, making them hard to see at night. No need to buy expensive cleaners and buffers — simply work a dab of baking soda toothpaste (any kind/brand) onto the lens with a soft cloth, rubbing in a circular motion, then rinse. They’ll be like new!

Ripening Tomatoes

Let tomatoes ripen at room temperature on the kitchen counter. Refrigeration destroys the flavor.

Perfect Hard Boiled Eggs

Whole white eggs in a blue bowl and halved hard-boiled eggs on a wooden table.

Overcooked hard boiled egg yolks are green and unappetizing! To get perfect results every time, cover eggs in plenty of cold water and bring to a rapid boil for one minute. Remove from heat, cover, and let stand for 15 minutes. Rinse in cold water and peel while still warm.