Here is a round-up of my favorite “Secret” creative tips for practical This photograph by Chris Metcalf: http://www.flickr.com/photos/laffy4k/ household needs—15 solutions that save you time and money!

1) Store your Plastic Wrap roll in its box in the freezer—the plastic wrap won’t stick to itself anymore—but will stick to whatever surface you want it to!

2) Use a small, soft clean makeup brush or paintbrush to clean away any dust on your computer keyboard (Do so when your computer is off.).

3) Soak wilted lettuce in cold water with some lemon juice and then store in a zip lock bag with paper towel to absorb moisture, this will keep it fresh and perk it up.

4) The next time you can’t open a jar lid, twist a wide rubber band around the lid, then the cap will twist off easily.  Or try to remove it wearing a dry pair of rubber gloves, that works too.

5) Keep your refrigerator interior smelling clean and mildew-free, just wipe the inside of the refrigerator with vinegar.

6) To remove stickers glass, furniture etc. saturate the sticker with vegetable oil and rub off.  This tip also works to remove unwanted bumper stickers.

7) Red wine stain on your tablecloth? Immediately after the spill, sprinkle generous amounts of salt directly on the red wine stain; let the salt absorb the wine for about three minutes. Then using a clean towel lightly dampened in cold water blot (do not rub) the salt off with cold water; then rinse.

8 ) Candle wax on your table cloth? Quickly rub and ice cube over the candle wax until the wax is frozen solid; using a small hammer, hit the wax to break it up. Peel off and discard the wax pieces. Then apply dry-cleaning solvent on a clean cloth to remove any leftover residue.

9) Carpet stain? Try using a Baby wipe to remove it.

10) No need to buy expensive eye makeup remover if you have some Baby Oil.  Simply apply a tiny amount of Baby Oil to a cotton pad and gently dab to remove the mascara or eye make up. Then rinse off.

11) Get rid of odors from cutting boards by adding 1/4 cup of lemon juice to your dishwater and wash the cutting boards.

12) Recycle the long, clear bags that newspapers are delivered in, and store them in your diaper bag. Place a dirty diaper in one of these long bags then just tie the end in a knot to keep the smelly diaper inside and throw away.

13) Use a new Dryer Sheet to deoderize household items. Store them in your sneakers overnight, or keep a dryer sheet in the base of your kitchen garbage can before lining with a garbage bag.  Another great tip I do all the time is to keep a dryer sheet or two in your luggage before storing.

14) Do you have that old food or burnt smell in your microwave? To get rid of this: Fill a large microwave-safe bowl with one cup of water mixed with 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract. Microcook until the mixture comes to a boil, and let the container of this aromatic mixture stand in the microwave for 20 minutes.  Then clean the microwave interior, and leave the microwave door open to air it out.

15) Besides leaving a box of opened Baking Soda in your refrigerator to absorb unwanted lingering odors, you can also use Baking Soda  as a carpet deodorizer. Sprinkle baking soda on your carpet; wait 20 minutes, and then vacuum.

Copyright © 2009 by Mara Rogers of Secrets for Money http://www.SecretsForMoney.info

Photo Credit: This photograph “Clock Top” by Chris Metcalf. For more of this Photographer’s work: http://www.flickr.com/photos/laffy4k/ and http://www.flickr.com/people/laffy4k/

For more “Secrets” to making money, saving money, and managing your money go to the Archives at Secrets For Money http://www.SecretsForMoney.info/blog

This article is featured at The Money Hacks Carnival at Personal Finance Ology http://www.personalfinanceology.com/money-hacks-carnival-bailout-edition/

This article is featured at The Festival of Frugality at Good Financial Cents http://www.goodfinancialcents.com/festival-of-frugality-broken-hearts-edition/

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