Spilled gravy on your favorite shirt or holiday tablecloth? Here’s how to get it out: blot up as much of the liquid as possible (don’t rub!). Then mix 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide with 1/4 cup liquid dish soap. Work the mixture into the stain, then let it soak for 20 minutes. Rinse with cool water
Don’t throw away the empty cardboard six-pack bottle carrier. Use it to store garden tools, crafts, glue, pencils, holiday trinkets, and other items!
Prevent ash from spreading through the air when cleaning out a fireplace by using a water-filled spray bottle. Lightly mist the ashes before you shovel them.
Didn’t get around to carving this year? No worries! Simply use permanent markers or paints to draw right on your pumpkins and gourds—your house number, a Jack-O-Lantern face, ghost face—get creative! Note: after Halloween is over, only give wildlife portions of the pumpkin that are marker-free.
Surprise your kids with these mini Jack-O-Lantern treats in their lunchboxes! Simply draw faces on the skin of oranges or mini tangerines with a permanent marker (wash and dry the fruit first for best results). Let ink dry completely before packing.
Making your famous apple pie and out of apple pie spice? Try this easy-as-pie recipe: simply combine 1½ tablespoons ground cinnamon, 1½ teaspoons ground nutmeg, and 1 teaspoon ground allspice. Store in an air-tight jar or plastic bag.
Use a plastic snow sled with a rope lead to haul your camping gear from the car to your site.
Have you ever noticed the small hole in the upper left corner of the Farmers’ Almanac? It actually has a very handy use. Thread a piece of string or twine through it to secure your copy and hang it where it’s most convenient: in the outhouse, garage, workbench, garden shed, or pantry. Prevents someone from
Use a muffin tin to serve up the condiments at your next cookout. Place mustard, ketchup, relish, mayo, pickles, onions—whatever fixings you’re serving— in each of the muffin compartments. Makes serving and clean up super easy!
To see if the seals on your refrigerator and freezer doors are working properly, do the simple dollar bill test: Close the door onto a dollar bill and see how much effort it takes to pull it out. If it comes out easily, the gasket (rubber seal) isn’t tight enough and is leaking cold air.
